Ever watched Channel 4's Escape to the Chateau and wondered what it would be like to get married on the grounds of a 45-bedroom castle with Dick and Angel Strawbridge as your hosts? Lynwen Evans, a 56-year-old petrol station worker and Geraint Davies, a 58-year-old forklift driver from Ammanford, had their dreams come true last month when they got married at the famous French chateau in Martigné-sur-Mayenne.
"We were watching the programme on television and we were looking for a venue to get married and thought it would be an ideal venue", said Lynwen. "We love the place, we watch the programme all the time, so we just decided to get in contact with them to see if we could arrange it."
The Aberdare couple had originally booked their wedding for 2020, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic it was postponed to July 2022. Not letting the delay crush their spirits, on July 16 Lynwen and Geraint took a coach of forty-two of their closest friends and family up to Dick and Angel's chateau for the weekend to tie the knot in sunny France.
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On meeting Dick and Angel and visiting the chateau, Lynwen said: "It was absolutely amazing. Best day ever. It was like visiting old friends, they were lovely." On arrival, guests enjoyed one of Dick's famous hog roasts and on their wedding day, the couple admired the flower arrangements and unique decorations that Angel had made for them. The whole day was a family celebration, with Dick and Angel's children present and Lynwen's grandson Max, aged nine, walking her down the aisle to give her away.
If you are an Escape to the Chateau fan, you'll know that Dick and Angel like to incorporate French traditions in their wedding including the regional tradition of having guests wave napkins above their head as the bride and groom enter the dining room. Geraint and Lynwen's wedding was no exception as Angel had embroidered napkins with guests' names on - with the couple surprised to walk in to the reception with everyone waving them above their heads. "That was very moving as we didn't expect it," said Lynwen.
The big day was a truly Welsh affair, with Swansea-based bus company South Wales Transport providing the coach service, Welsh-singer Chris Summerill entertaining guests and France-based photographer Ian Wallace from Penarth taking photos on the day. Bev Fowles, 74, owner of South Wales Transport said the trip was a success and that Dick and Angel were a 'great couple'. "They made our driver David feel so at home. I've got another booking for December direct from the chateau!".
Newlyweds Geraint and Lynwen say they've become known as 'that couple that got married in Escape to the Chateau' as people have seen photos from their wedding on social media. The wedding day was certainly worth the wait and Lynwen jokes that it was the best wedding she's ever been to!
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