Make Your French Wedding a Royal Affair In Cognac

While France boasts thousands of Chateaux, very few can boast the historical significance of Chateau de Cognac. The birthplace of one of France's most illustrious kings, François I, the chateau (located in the world-famous town of the same name) is simply a stunning setting to exchange vows and celebrate with friends.

The chateau offers the perfect blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture, and the extensive courtyard and terrace provide a wonderful setting for a wedding party.

So why might a couple want to tie the knot at Chateau de Cognac?

Chateau de Cognac: Fit for a Royal Wedding

The building boasts all of the weight and grandeur of a royal palace while remaining incredibly affordable for a large wedding (the entire chateau can be rented for less than €3,500 – even in the height of summer based on 2023 prices that we have found. 

The venue boasts an impressive 250 guests (seated) and 300 standing (cocktail) capacity, primarily thanks to its two expansive courtyards. However, its Renaissance-style banqueting hall also offers excellent entertaining space, with Venetian-style open-air arches connecting it to the courtyard.

As a venue-only wedding chateau located where it is, in the middle of town, there are all types of accommodations available for your guests – from Airbnb rentals to five-star hotels. This is a party venue in the truest sense of the word, a place where all of your wedding guests can descend to enjoy what will be one of the best days of your lives before retiring to their respective rooms for the night.

So given that this chateau operates slightly differently from many of the more typical wedding venues in the area, what can you expect a celebration here to look like?

Your Wedding Day at Chateau de Cognac 

There are several options and configurations for your big day. Most couples marrying here tend to attend the local church after their civil ceremony at the Mairie, located in the beautiful park opposite the venue.

However, that's to say you can't host a symbolic ceremony here. The obvious location would be the elevated courtyard terrace, which overlooks the Charente river. Here, there is plenty of room for several rows of Chiavari chairs and a beautiful wedding arch complete with decorations of your choice.

For your cocktail hour, the obvious choice is the enclosed courtyard. It's as though the space was made just for this purpose, with lovely medieval balustrades and tasteful planters.

Here, it makes sense to enhance the space by suspending oversized festoon lights, giving off those warm orange hues that characterise many late spring and summer weddings. Another excellent addition would be some wireless outdoor uplighting placed in strategic positions. As the sun sets, these lighting fixtures will help transform the look and feel of this medieval oasis into something truly magical.

Then, as nightfall envelopes the chateau, it is time to head into the banqueting hall for your wedding breakfast.

Here, you can wine and dine under the impressive Renaissance arches, and some decorative touches would really make the space "pop". From strategic places with artificial blossom trees to some light up letters spelling out your wedding date, you can create a truly unique and memorable wedding breakfast experience.

Lastly, after everyone has sipped their cognac digestif, it's time for the party to start in earnest.

The top end of the banqueting can be transformed into the performance and dance floor area. The top left-hand corner is often the most favoured spot for a DJ setup, complete with a truss-supported lighting ensemble, DJ decks, and sound systems to create the perfect dance floor vibe for your wedding party.

Make Your Wedding Dreams Come True at a Royal Chateau

While some chateaus may have more extensive grounds or a more elaborate wedding program, at Chateau de Cognac, all your guests will have the perfect opportunity to enjoy a fantastic wedding day that will make your dreams come true.

With a huge capacity and incredible venue hire pricing (considering its storied history), few places in the world can compare to Chateau de Cognac.

At Fête24, we're on hand to put your stamp on this incredible venue with our full suite of wedding production services. From wedding lighting hire to DJ services and wedding decor rental, we offer everything you need under one roof.

Since this venue allows you to choose your suppliers, why not choose us as your go-to source for all your wedding needs and save yourself the hassle of juggling multiple event suppliers?

If that sounds like an excellent idea, please don't hesitate to call us at +33 (0)7 66 43 02 11 to discuss your wedding needs in more detail.