Venue Spotlight: Chic, Elegance & Beautiful French Décor at Le Petit Chateau

As north east wedding photographers, we get to spend our days visiting all kinds of lovely venues in our beautiful area!

One of our absolute faves in the north east region is the show-stopping Le Petit Chateau.

Located in Otterburn, Northumberland, North East ,this luxury, French-inspired country manor is a great example of shabby chic, blended with elegance, nature and beauty, wrapped up in a historical story.

We’ve put this blog together, partnered with Le Petit Chateau, to tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful venue. From accommodation to food options, from packages to their legendary master of ceremonies, Le Petit Chateau has a bit of something for everyone!

We talked directly with the team at the Chateau and asked them some questions about their venue. This is what they had to say:

Q: What Makes Le Petit Chateau Stand Out from Other Venues in the North East?

With various wedding packages to suit your needs, we’ve got absolutely something for every party – an affordable luxury for every season. Tastefully traditional or daringly different, whatever you choose, Le Petit Château is exclusively yours, in all its gorgeous French Château glory.

***The interior of Belle Époque - guaranteed to make your wedding photos look awesome.***

Q: Let’s Talk About Your Ceremony Room – What Makes Yours Truly Unique?

Our Belle Époque inspired French Chapel combines romance and fantasy with a fabulous crystal chandelier, giant marble fireplace and even a storybook shingle thatched roof, making it the perfect choice for an enchanted wedding. La Belle Époque draws its name from the ‘Golden Age’ of 19th Century France. A ‘beautiful time’ for French art, architecture and culture, we aim to add the same air of continental beauty and class into every wedding at Le Petit Château.

***Le Petit Chateau’s stunning bridal suite, where you’ll spend your evening after your wedding.***

Q: Tell us more about the accommodation options Le Petit Chateau offers to wedding guests/bride and groom.

We have 27 gorgeous boutique bedrooms on site across both Le Petit Chateau & William De Percy which have all been individually designed to put the luxe into luxury, with irresistible charms like private roof terrace gardens! Our adjoining coaching inn, William de Percy, is an incredible, French-inspired gastropub and boutique hotel in the heart of Northumberland.

Staying the night prior to your celebrations isn’t a problem at Le Petit Chateau! Our L’Appartment sleeps up to 4, complete with living space & long dressing table fit for a queen (or bride!!)

Our accommodation is also dog-friendly, so if you’re planning on having your precious pooch at your wedding reception you won’t have to take them home at the end of the day – making it even more special!

***A wedding we did at Le Petit Chateau had no fewer than four dogs, including this beautiful boy who was a bit tuckered out after all the partying!***

Q: What food options do you have available for evening meals and/or food later on the evening?

Like the French, we love great food and drink, and at Le Petit Château you’re limited only by your imagination. Handpicked for their skill, flair and imagination, our chefs cater to your every whim so let your imagination run riot. They can create everything from vintage tea parties to fine dining; posh finger buffets to meadow picnics: hog roasts to Asian banquets – anything is possible!

Q: What’s the most quirky and interesting thing about Le Petit Chateau?

**The exterior of Belle Époque makes for a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos!**

Q: What’s the most quirky and interesting thing about Le Petit Chateau?

One of the most quirky and interesting features of Le Petit Chateau is its whimsical and eclectic interior design, inspired by a French château. From its vibrant colours to its unique furnishings, every corner of the venue tells a story and adds to the charm of the overall experience.

Q: Tell us a bit about wedding deals that might be on offer to brides and grooms at the venue.

With affordable luxury for every season, we offer weddings from just £1,995 and huge savings of up to 75% on selected dates! You can secure a special offer at Le Petit Chateau on dates throughout 2024 & 2025!

***Actual shot of the joy you’ll feel being at Le Petit Chateau.***

Q: Can you cater to weddings of all sizes, or do you only offer larger weddings?

We specialise in crafting unforgettable wedding experiences, whether you're planning an intimate celebration for 20 or a grand affair for up to 150 guests. And when the night falls, our venue can accommodate up to 200 for an evening of festivities!

Q: Any pro tips for brides and grooms on where they should be having their best photos taken at Le Petit Chateau?

Explore our sprawling meadows! Our skilled team of gardeners have carefully cultivated over 30,000 bulbs across the meadow and gardens, offering ever-changing scenery with the seasons. And don't miss our picturesque lake nestled at the foot of the meadow, providing a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos!

Q: We can’t have questions on Le Petit Chateau without talking about Master of Ceremonies, Tim! Let us know a bit about him and what he brings to the table on the wedding day.

Ahh Tim, he truly is a Le Petit Chateau Icon! Tim, our seasoned Master of Ceremonies with around 7 years of experience, will be your invaluable ally throughout your special day. With Tim by your side, you can rest assured that every second will be perfectly orchestrated, leaving you free to enjoy every precious moment. From keeping track of time to ensuring everyone is in the right place at the right time, Tim will ensure that your celebrations run seamlessly.

***Who could forget about the stunning fountain? Honestly, you’ll have a hard time believing you’re in Northumberland.***

Q: Can you give us an outline of how a typical wedding day works for brides and grooms who might be interested?

Typically, couples opt to arrive the night prior and enjoy our L’Appartment as well as the accommodation at William De Percy. Many couples also enjoy a meal the night before at William De Percy.

For the big day, we recommend a 1:30pm ceremony time at Le Petit Chateau, followed by an hour and a half drinks reception. This is the perfect opportunity to bask in the sunshine on our Mediterranean Terrace while savouring delicious canapes.

Afterward, we usually allocate around 2 hours for the couple and their guests to relish the wedding breakfast, although the duration may vary depending on the chosen menu.

Around 6:30pm, the evening entertainment begins their setup, transforming the Ballroom into a lively party venue complete with a spacious dance floor. While our staff handles the arrangements, you and your guests can enjoy Tea & Coffee, or perhaps something a bit stronger, in the lounge or on our Terrace.

The evening reception typically commences around 8pm, featuring bouquet tossing, cake cutting, and, of course, the first dance. For an added touch of elegance, consider including Magical Mist in your package for a memorable first dance experience.

During the evening reception, our skilled chefs will be busy preparing your chosen buffet, serving up a final round of delectable dishes to conclude your celebrations. Although the main bar closes at 12am for guests, the festivities continue as our bar reopens at 12:30am exclusively for residents!

Q: Let’s talk about the team at Le Petit Chateau – for example how do wedding coordinators and the wider team all work together to make a special day extra special for the couple?

At Le Petit Chateau, our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure that every couple's special day is truly extraordinary. Each couple is assigned a dedicated wedding coordinator who play a central role in orchestrating the lead up to the event, working closely with the wider team to bring the couple's vision to life.

Our wedding coordinators work closely with the couple from the day they book to the day prior to their celebrations! We can personalise every aspect of the wedding, from the venue setup to the menu selection, to reflect the couple's unique style and personality.

On the day of the wedding, each couple will be assigned a wedding manager & master of ceremonies who work together seamlessly to ensure that every detail is executed flawlessly. From setting up the ceremony space to coordinating the timing of events throughout the day, our staff work hand in hand to create a smooth and stress-free experience for the couple and their guests.

Above all, our goal is to create memorable moments that the couple will cherish for a lifetime. Whether it's surprising them with a special touch during the reception or going the extra mile to accommodate their requests, our team is dedicated to making every moment of their wedding day extraordinary. By working together as a cohesive team, our wedding coordinators and the wider staff at Le Petit Chateau strive to exceed the expectations of every couple and create unforgettable experiences that they will treasure forever.

Q: Are there any extras that Le Petit Chateau offers to brides/grooms that they might want as part of their wedding day?

At Le Petit Chateau, we pride ourselves on offering a range of extras to make your wedding day truly unforgettable! Whether you’re looking to add a touch of enchantment to your first dance with our Magical Mist or pop a cork & celebrate in style with our Champagne Tower, the possibilities are endless at Le Petit Chateau.

Q: You offer venue tours for brides and grooms – tell us a bit more about that.

Embark on a bespoke journey with our private guided tours available every day of the week! Before your tour, we'll provide you with a brief questionnaire to understand your preferences and expectations, ensuring that your viewing experience is tailored to perfection.