From May 23rd to 25th, 2025, Mathilde and Gary celebrated their wedding at Domaine Le Castelet, surrounded by family and friends who travelled from both France and England. The date was especially meaningful for the couple, as they chose to marry on the exact day of their eighth anniversary together. Designed as a true destination wedding weekend in the South of France, their celebration brought together two cultures in a natural, elegant and authentic setting.
A Destination Wedding in Occitanie Planned from Abroad
Planning a destination wedding in France from abroad is never easy. Living overseas at the time, Mathilde and Gary organised their wedding remotely from London. Despite the challenges and stress that often come with planning a wedding abroad, their choice quickly became obvious: returning to the bride’s home region, surrounded by nature in Castres, Occitanie, during the spring season.
A Delicate and Natural Wedding Decoration
Nestled in the heart of the forest, the outdoor wedding ceremony took place beneath the trees, with soft white draping flowing from the wooden ceremony arch and delicately catching the light. Captivated by the charm of Domaine Le Castelet, which they described as “the most idyllic venue in spring”, the couple wanted to enhance the natural beauty of the venue rather than transform it.
Their wedding decoration was intentionally minimalist. White and green tones set the atmosphere, while delicate flowers placed throughout the space added a fresh and organic touch. Everything felt pure, natural and deeply authentic.
The wedding reception then took place inside a beautifully restored farmhouse filled with character, featuring stone walls and exposed wooden beams. Under a canopy of warm lights, natural materials such as wood, linen and candlelight created an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. The tables were elegantly decorated with small floral arrangements and flickering candles, perfectly reflecting the rustic chic spirit of the day. The overall ambiance combined nature and elegance in a way that felt serene, refined and timeless.
A French-English Wedding Blending Two Cultures
One of the central themes of the wedding was the balance between French and English cultures. Every aspect of the ceremony was thoughtfully designed to include both traditions, with bilingual officiants, translated speeches and readings delivered in both languages.
Guests were also given a bilingual ceremony booklet entirely designed by the couple themselves, a meaningful handmade detail that allowed everyone from France and the United Kingdom to fully share each moment of this French-English wedding.
One of the emotional highlights of the ceremony was the exchange of vows: the groom spoke his vows in French, while the bride shared hers in English. A symbolic and deeply personal choice that perfectly reflected their story together.
The reception then continued inside the former stables of the estate, where the atmosphere remained warm and intimate. The decoration blended natural materials such as wood and stone with delicate flowers in soft sage green and white tones.
A Wedding Inspired by DIY Details, Family Traditions and Local Products from the South of France
Staying true to their wish for a deeply personal wedding, the couple handmade or repurposed many decorative elements throughout the weekend. These included a wicker basket for the flower girl’s petals, an easel belonging to the bride’s mother used for the seating plan, and ceremony flowers reused as table centrepieces for the head table.
The bride’s mother and sister also hand-sewed small burlap pouches for each guest. Inside were scratch cards, a cherished family tradition for Mathilde, offered as guest favours and also used as place cards.
The wedding weekend alternated beautifully between relaxed and festive moments, featuring a live jazz duo during cocktail hour followed by a DJ party in the evening. Guests also enjoyed thoughtful DIY touches such as welcome baskets filled with local products and handmade gifts prepared by the couple.
For the wedding dinner, Mathilde and Gary wanted to introduce their British guests to the flavours of the Occitanie region. The menu highlighted local specialties including foie gras, regional wines and the famous Méthode Gaillacoise sparkling wine from the Tarn area, offering guests a true immersion into the gastronomy of the South of France.
A Multi-Day Wedding Experience in the South of France
With 40 guests staying on-site, the wedding became a true multi-day wedding experience where everyone could slow down and enjoy both the venue and the shared moments together over four days.
Simple, elegant and deeply heartfelt, Mathilde and Gary’s wedding perfectly reflected their personalities. Every detail was thoughtfully designed not to impress, but to create a warm and authentic atmosphere centred around love, togetherness and meaningful connections.
It was an emotional and joyful celebration where the essentials truly mattered: love, sharing and the happiness of being surrounded by loved ones.
Advice from Mathilde & Gary for Future Couples
Before leaving Domaine Le Castelet, Mathilde and Gary shared one final piece of advice for future brides and grooms:
“Take the small moments with your new spouse as the day goes by so quickly. Having a coordinator on the day is essential to make sure everyone can enjoy the day without having to run around fixing things.”
