Powerscourt House

Dating back to the 14^th century, this epic estate will take your breath away. Storybook gardens, a sweeping vista overlooking the Wicklow Mountains and a fully festooned ballroom will make you feel like a Disney princess. The service is white-glove and the catered meals are sourced from local farms and seasonal produce. Your Irish eyes will certainly be smiling, just twenty minutes south of Dublin.

Biltmore

Tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll be swept back in time at Biltmore. The French chateau style home was built in 1895 and the grounds have been expanding ever since. You can say your vows overlooking the estate from the Diana sculpture in an enchanting hemlock forest, or channel your inner Appalachian at the rustic yet elegant Antler Hill Barn. The photo-ops will abound as you stroll the whimsical arbor and lush conservatory, and there is even a vineyard that produces palate pleasing Cabernets and Chardonnays.

Château Frontenac

The only remaining fortified city in North America, Quebec City is a magical slice of medieval charm and architecture. The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is the crown jewel of the whole region. Majestic on its perch overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this 17^th century fortress is the perfect setting for an elegant, regal wedding. Catch a horsedrawn carriage around the Old City and even Cinderella will be jealous.

Highclere Castle

If it was good enough for Matthew Crawley, it’s surely good enough for us! The Downton Abbey castle is a magnificent spot to say “I do.” Take timeless photos in the grand Saloon or meander amongst the quaint gardens and follies the 17^th century estate provides. Impeccably furnished in lavish fittings of the era, the castle is ideal for a period themed wedding day.

Larnach

New Zealand’s only “castle,” Larnach commands a view second to none in the world. Built in the late 19^th century, it is one of the only estates of this magnitude left from colonial times. Overlooking the stunning Otago Peninsula and the city of Dunedin, it boasts idyllic herb gardens, a 1930s cupola and a magnificent ballroom. The unique flora of the island contrasts with the elegant European vibe of the property, creating wedding photographer’s dream backdrop.

Author’s Bio

Noella Schink is a travel writer from Portland, Maine who wishes she could throw a new wedding every year for all the gorgeous dresses, locations and DIY flower arrangements she finds. When you do settle on your fantasy wedding day, book your car rental in Europe, Canada, the US and beyond, and have an epic honeymoon, too!

The diverse French geography offers a multitude options ideal for romantic weddings. For a beachside paradise, wedding venues on the Cote d’Azur are one of the best options, while the venues in Provence and Loire Valley allow you to turn your fairytale castle wedding into reality. Some of the best French wedding venues include -

Wedding by the Sea

If you have always dreamt of a seaside wedding, France offers a wide variety of coastal landscapes to choose from. You can celebrate your big day at one of the quaint and charming fishing towns in Normandy in the north of France. St Malo, Daeuville, Mont Saint Michel, Bayeux and Trouville are just a few of the options. The picturesque landscape in the northern part of the country is dotted by Tudor style properties. A Tudor castle can be a perfect setting for a memorable wedding.

If you prefer the wild and rugged Atlantic coast on the west, you can plan the wedding at one of the pretty villages across the coasts of Brittany like Roscoff, Vannes, Quimper or Brest. Further south you will find several other venues that offer striking ocean backdrops like Birritz (close to the Spanish coast), Arcachon (close to Bordeaux) and La Rochelle.

Any discussion on French seaside wedding venues is incomplete without the mention of the French Riviera. This region of the country offers some of the most breathtaking beach wedding venues. Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, St. Tropez and Monte Carlo are some of the best options to host your special day. For mesmerizing coastal views, you can also opt for wedding venues on the Cote d’Azur.

Mountain Setting Wedding

If you are more of a mountain than a beach person, France won’t disappoint you. French Alps are well-known for their beauty across the globe. Pyrenees in the south-west and Jura-mountains in the north-east are also great mountain wedding options. These magnificent mountains can offer a breathtaking backdrop to your wedding. Parisian theme wedding, wine region wedding, boat cruise wedding and castle wedding are some of the other popular French wedding options.

Author Bio

Andrew Butler writes for Burger Davis Sotheby’s International Realty, a leading luxury villa rental company who provide a wide variety of the finest and best luxury property, villas and apartments on the French Riviera, including several much sort after properties that make stunning French Riviera wedding venues.