Château du Sou set amongst the rolling hills of France, roughly a two-hour drive from Geneva, Switzerland, not only holds historical significance (constructed in approximately 1369), but in modern times it has served as the setting for hundreds of grand weddings. Among the list of couples who’ve said “I do” surrounded by the medieval castle walls are UK residents who met in a rather modern way (dating app), Hollie and Romain.

“We met on Tinder, and as fate would have it, we were both working for the same company in the UK but had never met in person,” Hollie says. Due to unforeseen circumstances, things moved quickly after the couple’s first date. “Just two weeks later I was hit by a car as I was walking out of work,” Hollie recalls. “Romain stepped up, taking on the challenge of caring for me throughout my rehabilitation. His support during such a difficult time really strengthened our bond and showed me what an incredible partner he would be.”

Selecting a destination wedding came naturally as Romain’s family is from Bron, just outside of Lyon, giving a lot of meaning to France for Hollie and Romain. “We were also drawn to the style of French weddings, particularly the focus on good food, which we felt was a step above what we were used to in the UK,” Romain adds.

How they found the magical Château du Sou is anything but coincidence. “I was an emergency last-minute plus one to a wedding at Château du Sou just two months before I met Romain,” the bride explains. The beauty of the venue and the surrounding area immediately struck Hollie. When she and Romain began talks of wedding plans, it felt like fate that this place was so close to his family’s home in Lyon.

The theme Hollie and Romain opted for was “flower disco.” The couple wanted the day to feel fun, colorful, and lighthearted. Not the “DIY type,” the pair relied on hired professionals to bring this vision to life, and oh did they deliver! “It was worth every penny to have a stress-free experience with such a fantastic result,” the bride says.

One of the challenges the couple faced along the Château du Sou wedding planning journey? Hollie’s grandparents were unable to travel due to health issues. Thanks to the couple’s thoughtful wedding planner, Cécile D Day smartly setting up her laptop so they could watch the entire ceremony via video call, the bride’s grandparents were able to attend from afar.

The ceremony offered a blend of both French and English elements, honoring both cultures. “We exchanged vows in French then again in English, and we had a bilingual officiant to make sure everyone could follow along with the ceremony,” the bride recalls. “One of our favorite moments was a wine box ceremony where we placed letters to each other to open on our first anniversary. It felt so special and personal to us.”

After the celebration of a lifetime, Hollie and Romain credit the ability to relax and enjoy it all to having a wedding planner. “She was a huge help in coordinating everything from a distance, but what really made the process easier was that both of us were super chill about the whole thing,” Hollie explains. “We kept reminding ourselves that it was just a big party, and it wasn’t worth getting stressed over. That mindset helped us stay relaxed and enjoy the planning process.”

Vendors: Photographer: Heritage Story; Wedding Planner: Cécile D Day; Venue: Château du Sou; Florist: Les Embellies d’Amélie; Hair & Makeup: Les Loges d’Eugenie; Gown Designer: Sarah Seven; Groom’s Attire: Belluci; Bridal Boutique: Alexandra Anne; Gown Alterations: Alexey Morozov Atelier; Rings: Roginić; Caterer: Ambiance & Saveurs; Rentals: August’ Events; Musician: Nicolas Couturier