A little introduction for the uninitiated (amongst whom we include ourselves!): “Escape To The Chateau” is a BBC TV reality show that has been running now for four seasons (with a fifth on the way) and seems to have developed a bit of a cult following! The series revolves around a somewhat eccentric couple, Angel and Dick Strawbridge (plus their two small children, Arthur & Dorothy) and their eclectic restoration, renovation and decoration of a very dilapidated chateau, Chateau de la Motte Husson, close to the town of Laval, in the north of the Loire Valley between Le Mans and Rennes. 

Angel who was born in the East End of London but grew up in the neighboring county of Essex, first came to the TV viewing public’s attention in 2010 when she appeared on the UK version of “Dragon’s Den” seeking funding for her Vintage Patisserie business. Angel received offers of funding from two of the “Dragons” but turned them down and went on to build a thriving and successful business. Dick, originally from Northern Ireland but settled in the southwest of England is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army who had become both a successful writer and reality TV personality (It’s Not Easy Being Green and Celebrity Masterchef for the BBC and National Geographic’s “Dirty, Rotten Survivor” among others) and is 19 years Angel’s senior. They were introduced by a mutual friend in 2010. The story of what followed can be found (if you’re interested) on their website: www.chateaudelamottehusson.com. Suffice it to say here, Dick & Angel purchased the virtually derelict Chateau in early 2015 for €395,000 and set about a massive restoration project with the aim of both creating a family home and a unique event location.  

With all of the publicity generated by their out-size personalities and TV exposure, the Chateau is in great demand as a wedding location. Angel and Dick host no more than 15 weddings a year (picked we’re told from around 10,000 enquiries!!) carefully chosen so Angel told me based on “feelings & chemistry” with the happy couple to be. This is not just “theatre”. Angel and Dick are in reality hosting the event in their own home: they are the wedding and party planners, caterers, even marriage celebrants! And each celebration lasts for the best part of three days. They do have a few people helping out, mostly young English imports, but everyone helping is evidently required to multi-task. The young man for instance who did the wedding party's make-up and hair is also a waiter and barman. And being the family home, the very delightful Arthur and Dorothy were very much in evidence during the less formal proceedings and particularly when there was something yummy to eat!! 

We’re here together with some 35 or so family and friends for the wedding of Karen and Paul. Karen and I share an aunt - rather she was Karen’s great aunt who was married to my Uncle Peter (known on my side of the family as Sydney, but that’s a whole other story!) - so we’re cousins of sorts! As well as the expansive honeymoon suite that Dick & Angel have created on the Chateau’s first floor (adjacent to the family’s own living area), there are several more suites to accommodate a few of the happy couple’s guests. Sandra and I are lucky enough to be among the guests staying in the Chateau and better yet, we get to stay in the Potagery Suite located in one of the Chateau’s two turrets. Viewers of the TV show will know that this is the most recent restoration, decorated in her unique style by Angel, including its bathroom with a magnificent copper bath tub.

The groom’s father and step-mother got the suite in the other turret, this the "Botanical Family Suite”, served by an elevator that looks like one of the vacuum tubes that were a feature in last century department stores! Angel tells me that they installed the lift for the suite’s original occupants - her mum and dad, who were having difficulty negotiating the narrow, steep stairs up to the turret (Angel’s parents now live in a barn conversion house in the Chateau grounds and help to look after the children).

The entire three day celebration was wonderful and I’m sure that Karen & Paul will not mind me saying that it was without a doubt, the most unique wedding that we’ve had the pleasure of attending. From the welcome pig roast in the Chateau’s courtyard, to the wedding ceremony conducted by Dick on the steps of the Chateau.....

......to the six-course wedding breakfast in the Chateau’s restored Orangerie and the evening party featuring a most unusual wedding cake - a three-tired pork pie courtesy of Fortnum & Mason, London’s exclusive grocery store!

It was of course fitting that the bride and groom opened the dancing with a very passable tango, although Karen later admitted that her tight black evening dress somewhat inhibited her leg flip!! 

We took lots of photos over the three days and I’ve combined a few of them which I hope will provide a bit of a taste of this happiest of occasions in this most out-of-the-ordinary location….