Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the white-and-gold dinner after dark

Industry event · April 2023

Château Saint Joseph

A three-day familiarization trip introducing wedding planners from the US and Europe to a château in the South of France

ClientChâteau Saint Joseph

WhereChâteau Saint Joseph & Carcassonne, France

GuestsAbout 20 Planners & Creatives

Our RoleFull Planning & Logistics

JSE RoleJuls – Lead Planner

Delphine, the owner of Château Saint Joseph, wanted to introduce her property to the planners who bring couples to Europe. We planned a three-day familiarization trip in April 2023 for about 20 wedding planners and creatives from the US and Europe, all drawn from our own network of industry relationships. Every detail was designed so they could experience the château the way a wedding guest would and see how an event there comes together behind the scenes.

Guests arrived by shuttle from Toulouse to a welcome dinner at the château. The next morning began with yoga, coffee, and a brunch presentation on how the property hosts events, followed by a walking tour of the grounds. Afternoon brought a bread-making session with a local artisan, baked in the château’s wood oven, and a tasting of local wine, cheese, and ham, with pétanque, giant chess, and the pool for anyone who wanted to slow down.

In the late afternoon, the group traveled to Carcassonne for a VIP, behind-the-scenes tour of the medieval city with a virtual-reality experience, while Philip Van Nostrand photographed a styled shoot at the château and in the old city. Back at the château, a white-and-gold dinner was set at long tables beneath chandeliers and the ivy-covered façade, with pink and white florals and a dessert table, before a DJ moved the party inside onto the checkered floor.

For the planners, it was a working visit as much as a getaway: a first-hand look at how a dry-hire château runs, what has to be brought in, and how a weekend there feels for guests. The photography and André Schlechte’s films gave Delphine material to share with the couples she hopes to welcome next.

Venue: Château Saint Joseph · Photography: Philip Van Nostrand · Film: André Schlechte

Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the château façadeChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the château from the gravel driveChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a long table set beneath chandeliers on the terraceChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the white-and-gold tablescapeChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: sunset through the trees on the groundsChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: one of the château sheep in the meadow
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a vintage car in front of the ivy-covered châteauChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: brunch on the lawnChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the pool on the château grounds
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the styled-shoot couple at the château doorChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the groom at the château doorChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the bride framed by ivyChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the bride on an orange velvet sofaChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the couple walking the tree-lined alléeChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a donkey on the château grounds
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the couple in CarcassonneChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the couple beneath the walls of CarcassonneChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the medieval city of CarcassonneChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: Carcassonne towers above the old bridgeChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a planner exploring the cobbled streets of CarcassonneChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the group in Carcassonne
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: florals and pastries at brunchChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: brunch under the treesChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the bread-making sessionChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: shaping dough with a local artisanChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: planners learning to make French breadChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: loaves ready for the wood oven
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the brunch spreadChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: planners at brunchChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the group photo on the château terrace
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the wine and cheese tastingChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a board of local cheese and hamChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: giant chess on the lawnChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a floral tower in the gardenChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a wine display inside the châteauChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: white florals in a pedestal vase
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the white-and-gold dinner table beneath chandeliersChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: long tables along the ivy-covered façadeChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: pink and white florals down the tableChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: blush florals and candlelightChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: florals on the dinner tableChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the dinner table set for the evening
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the white-and-gold dinner after darkChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the dessert tableChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the after-party on the checkered floor
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a plated first courseChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: local wine at dinnerChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: dessert at dinnerChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: a plated courseChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: dinner guests at the long tableChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: the dessert table florals
Château Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: macarons and pastriesChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: champagne on iceChâteau Saint Joseph FAM trip in the South of France: dancing at the after-party

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