Australian fairytale wedding at Czech Chateau

Jordan and Brenton are an Australian couple who contacted me in order to organize their wedding in the Czech Republic. They chose Czech Republic because they fell in love with it when they were travelling around Europe. I knew they had been looking for a romance, a history and a place for a great party. I suggested some options for a perfect wedding in Prague and also around. Then I suggested a combination of these 2 castles ideal for wedding in Czech, which are not too far from each other. They immediately fell in love with that combination and planning could begin. Not an easy planning, let me tell you! Combination of 2 popular chateaus where you have to bring everything  externally is challenging but so worth it!

It was a real destination wedding as the couple couldn’t come even once before the wedding so I did everything  for them – driving around all the possible venues, tasting the food, wine, cakes, meeting all suppliers and venues.

The wedding of Jordan and Brenton was elegant, subtle, romantic and sophisticated in details. It was a 4-day wedding, all guests were from Australia and were very pleasant. We had a lot of fun together in those 4 days. It was one of the most demanding wedding of last summer, mainly due to several locations, two wedding venues and the early time of the wedding ceremony. I had been sleeping in South Bohemia for 3 nights and accompanied the guests at all events and I must say that after that time I spent with them, it was difficult to say goodbye.

  • 1st day I planned a welcome dinner where all guests could get to know each other well and have a rest after a long journey.
  • 2nd day I planned a day trip to Český Krumlov with dinner and drinks on the terrace with a city center view.
  • The wedding itself took place on the 3rd day. And it was THE perfect wedding, even better than in Jordan’s dreams as she said :-). Check it yourselves. I  hope you will inspire you.

We chose a colour palette very subtle and elegant, as well as the rest of the decorations. For the ceremony I suggested to use golden chairs, for a reception we have chosen others. The white carpet could not be missing. The ceremony was carried out according to Australian customs, several readings, which were read by family members, mutual vows and of course the exchange of rings.

After the ceremony, guests took a walk around the Chateau, and had something to eat and drink (including a special pink drink of course :-)), gentlemen had beer, whiskey, etc. The newlyweds had time to take pictures in front of their dream Chateau.

It was raining at the end of the cocktail hour, we had to use a plan B – move all the cocktail tables and decorations to the restaurant, arrange umbrellas for guests and newlyweds, arrange a bus and cars to reach the hill (Which is forbidden but we made it happen!), while it was super heavily raining. I will never forget these moments, and that is why I love my job. Seeing everyone so happy we managed even such difficult situation.

After arrival to the main Chateau (our base where everyone was accomodated) a second cocktail hour began. Guests had a time to chat, have a glass of pink champagne, eat some canapés, use a polaroid, or go relax to their rooms. After that, the wedding official dinner, the main part the bride was the most looking forward to, began.

For a wedding reception, we chose again a decent design, all in white-cream-powder pink-gold colour palette. There were candles everywhere, and a special lighting to create an elegant, almost magical atmosphere. I chose white-cream wooden chairs, pink napkins, gold carved name tags and golden cutlery could not miss as well as other golden decorations.

We chose biscuits with white-pink watercolor pattern and golden slices as a gift for guests.

  

There were many speeches during the wedding reception, which were really worth it. There was an incredibly positive and cheerful atmosphere which I will always remember. The groom thanked to me and my colleague Jana and gave us an amazing Australian present – the UGG boots. Thank you! Not just for a gift, but for everything.

There was an open air music after the wedding reception for a while. The newlyweds had their very first dance as a married couple, a throwing of a bouquet and a cutting of a wedding cake took place outside too. It was a time of romance.

The wedding cake was inspired by the bride’s dress, the bottom part represented her skirt, pearls her shoes and belt. The golden stripe on top was a minimalist detail to connect beautifully the whole wedding.

And then the real Australian party began.

It took a year to plan this wedding, it was very hard demanding work, but on the other hand I enjoyed it, because Jordan and Brenton were great, well-organized, they knew what they wanted, but were open to new ideas and an advice too. It was a joy to plan it and organize it for them. Afterall, I feel sad that our cooperation reached the end. On the other hand, I was assured by many guests, I am their family member now, and when I go to Australia, I must stop by. It was a real gift to meet people so relaxed, pleasant, positive and cheerful. It was a dream wedding for me.

Thanks  for all your trust, kindness and love :-* it was simply magical…

If you would like to read some testimonials, here are some I received:

1) Text message from the newlyweds from the morning after wedding:

Good morning Lucie, Brenton and I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU for everything you have done for us. The whole event was a massive success and we couldn’t have done it without you. It was perfect in every way. Every guest mentioned to me what a good job you did, and how much of a good time they were having. Xxxxxx

2) Words of the bride:

Let me start by saying, Lucie and her business is one in a million. Lucie and Jana planned our 4 day wedding in South Bohemia for us, whilst we live in Australia. We brought 50 guests (adults, teenagers and babies) with us to Prague and transported everyone to South Bohemia for our 4 day event. Nothing was ever too hard or difficult for Lucie and her team, we were treated like royalty over the 4 days she was personally with us. Over the course of planning our wedding, we were given expert advice around what needed to be done (from budgets, to locations, venues, suppliers, what to expect etc). I never felt in the dark about anything even though we were so far away. Lucie knew my vision and we clicked, everything was better than I ever imagined it could be. To this date we still get comments from guests about how spectacular our wedding was, and how helpful Lucie was over the 4 days with questions and keeping everyone informed. The events were planned to the smallest detail; many dietary requirements, beautiful welcome bags in the hotel for the guests, even sewing my wedding dress back in place when the groom decided to step on my train!). Literally couldn’t fault her, I will enjoy the process and enjoy your day fully without worrying about a thing.

3) Words of the groom:

Lucie managed our wedding whilst we live in Australia. We were recommended her after first liaising with a planner who was not up to our standards. Lucie managed a four-day wedding in a private chateau for us and it was absolutely amazing. Jana her assistant was also terrific. We have become very good friends with her over the process as well and if we could do the entire thing over again we would. If 10 stars was an option Lucie would get 10 stars. Do yourself a favour and use her, you will not regret it. AMAZING!!! Thanks Lucie!

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I would like to thank to all suppliers who were part of this wedding. Thanks to them all dreams came true.

Photographer: Matěj Třasák / Videographer: Otash /  Florist:  Frezia Fleur / Prints: Trumade / Cake and sweet bar: PunkRockCakes /  MUA&Hair: Natálie Jáchimová and many others!

 

Wedding entertainment for your destination wedding in Prague and beyond

WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR A WEDDING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC – PRAGUE OR BEYOND

It is natural that you and your guests would like to have the best memories on your wedding day especially when they come a long distance for a wedding in Prague or somewhere else in the Czech Republic. But how to achieve it?

Wedding entertainment is a big topic that I often deal with my clients. The basis of a wedding is, of course, the part around the ceremony, everything should be about family, emotions, romance, well-being and mutual love. But what about the rest of a wedding day? It is necessary to grasp this time correctly in order to take care of guests and have a good time. This is the basis of success!

After all the years I have been organizing weddings, I have selected a few points that I believe are crucial to a success of a wedding. I believe that these points might help you, what to focus on.

BASIC POINTS FOR A SUCCESSFULL WEDDING:

  1. To fulfill the main wish of a bride – someone has a dream about a flower decoration / someone wants to look great, to have perfect dress, hair and make-up / someone just wants to dance to the rhythm of a good band / someone wants a great photographer to have beautiful photos / someone longs for a beautiful wedding venue. Usually it is 2-3 points, which are crucial for a bride. I recommend focusing on these points and trying to meet them as much as possible. Other less important points might be matter of compromises, if needed.
  1. To fulfill the main wish of a groom– he feels good during the preparations and also on a wedding day. I find that a groom wants to have good alcohol / good music / good flow of a wedding day, not to be much organized / wants guests to have a great time / and he does not want to be bothered with taking pictures too much.
  2. To ensure guests are satisfied– how to do this? Based on my experience, I would summarize it in 4 key points:
  3. To have enough food and drinks, and excellent service.
  4. To have a well-prepared time schedule, so that guests do not get bored and are pleasantly surprised and excited about something.
  5. To have a perfectly organized wedding and communicate with the guests – that they always know what is going to happen, what to expect, but at the same time it is very natural and relaxed.
  6. To have a good entertainment, and by “good” I mean not embarrassing, not forced. But if you have a well-set schedule for the day, you will not need much of it. A good music is essential.

As you can see, there are only a few points. I can really confirm that if you stick to these points and fulfill all of them, you have almost won. See more details to make your day very special below!

Then you can fine-tune details that will make your wedding day more pleasant and enthusiastic. There are many of them. Here are some tips for inspiration.

DETAILS WHICH MAKE YOUR WEDDING DAY SPECIAL:

If a budget allows, it is always great to invest in something like this. It makes your wedding day special, and it can be an unforgettable experience for your guests.

  • Gentlemen’s bar, or some themed “corner” according hobbies of a bride and a groom
  • Photobooth or polaroid with a book where guests can write wishes and messages
  • Funny dance of a bride with her dad / groom / grandfather, eventually some dance of a groom / bridesmaids / groomsmen etc.
  • “Messages in the bottle” – wishes, tips and messages for a bride and a groom on their 1st anniversary
  • Sweet bar with nicely designed desserts will go well with a wedding cake
  • Lounge, either sofas and chairs or blankets with pillows
  • Ice cream / sorbet bar, or just ice lolly or sorbet with vodka
  • Coffee bar with a great barista
  • Stylish cocktail bar
  • Prosecco mini van, where guests can shoot their Prosecco and it is also possible to attach a beer barrel
  • Sparklers / flying lanterns / balloon cards / fireworks and more

WEDDING GAMES

I recommend avoiding wedding games as much as possible. It is better to well-set a wedding schedule, so that boring downtime does not occur at all and therefore games are not needed. Of course, if you are starting a wedding ceremony around noon, there is nothing else to do and you will have to fill in the time between the reception and the evening party.

However, a few wedding games are often worth it, I can recommend these:

  • Newlywed quiz
  • Chairs, where guests always have to bring something (tie / pint of beer / phone / bra, etc.). Those who fall out have to do some specific task for the newlyweds in the future (to take them to a cinema / bake a cake, etc.).
  • Of course, traditions are also a part of a wedding entertainment (smashing plates, throwing of a bouquet, 1st dance, cake cutting, etc.)

There are really many entertainment options. But the basis is a great organization of a wedding – if you set the schedule of the day correctly, the fun creates itself and does not have to be forced. A final point: remember that where the bride and the groom are, there are guests also! If you will sit by a table with a glass of wine, guests will be there too. If you want a full dance floor, dance on it.

I wish you a wonderful wedding time full of great entertainment!!!

If you are looking for a wedding planner in Prague, feel free to contact me!

Yours,

Lucie Holá, Prague wedding planner & event designer