There’s a version of a wedding most couples imagine at some point. A long table under the trees, wine poured from the vineyard just beyond, friends gathered not for a few hours but for days. It’s romantic, a little cinematic, and often dismissed just as quickly as impractical.
Because the reality of planning a wedding abroad can feel daunting. Complicated logistics, unfamiliar vendors, the sense that everything is just slightly out of reach. But with the right setting, it can be far simpler than expected.
At Château Canet, a working winery in the South of France’s Languedoc region, that gap narrows considerably. Just outside Carcassonne and within easy reach of Toulouse, the estate offers a rare opportunity to gather up to 50 guests for an exclusive, multi-day stay. Accommodations are spread across the property in a collection of restored cottages and guest suites, with full access to the château itself coming in 2028.
What makes Château Canet distinctive is the way a wedding unfolds across the property. A garden celebration in the jardin français, dinner under a Bedouin tent in the olive groves, a pergola overlooking the vineyards, or a relaxed barbecue to close the weekend. Each setting brings a different mood, so the experience evolves rather than staying in one place.
And then there are the moments in between. A morning swim, coffee in the courtyard, an afternoon exploring Carcassonne or cycling along the Canal du Midi. It becomes more than a single event. It’s time spent together in a way that feels unhurried and considered.
“It was the most perfect weekend of my life...there was not one stressful moment in the planning process.” - Kallie & Keegan, Florida
We spoke with Victoria Lemstra-Bake, Château Canet’s Co-Founder and Director, about why destination weddings are often easier to plan than couples expect, and why more are choosing them.
THE REGISTRY: What’s the biggest misconception couples have about getting married abroad?
VLB: “That it will be more stressful because it’s far away. In reality, when the right structure is in place, it’s often simpler. We guide couples through the entire process, so by the time they arrive, everything is already in place. The logistics can feel overwhelming, but when everyone is staying together on the estate, it becomes very straightforward.”
THE REGISTRY: How do you make planning manageable for North American couples?
VLB: “We plan the wedding alongside the couple from the very beginning. We start by understanding the couple’s vision, and then design the entire experience so they don’t need a separate planner. Working with trusted local vendors, we structure the timeline and manage every detail on the ground. We’re also fully English-speaking, which makes the process much easier for many couples.”
“I would recommend this place to anyone wanting to get married abroad.” - Maddy & Erwin, Vancouver
THE REGISTRY: How does a destination wedding differ from a more traditional celebration?
VLB: “It becomes a multi-day experience rather than a single event. You have the time and space to be with your friends and family in a more meaningful way. We help shape everything, from how guests are welcomed to how each moment comes together across the weekend.”
THE REGISTRY: There’s an assumption that destination weddings are more expensive. Is that true?
VLB: “Not necessarily. It’s more a question of how couples choose to spend their budget. While it’s a bigger commitment for guests to travel, once they arrive, there’s often more flexibility. Because we’re a working winery, couples aren’t facing the same markups on wine or corkage fees you’d typically see at a traditional venue. The same goes for food. We don’t require a fixed catering model, so couples can decide how formal or relaxed they want each part of the weekend to feel.”
THE REGISTRY: What do guests remember most?
VLB: “The setting, of course, but more than that, the feeling. Being in a beautiful rural environment allows everyone to relax. The pace is slower, the atmosphere more intimate. It gives people time to connect, while also experiencing a genuine sense of place.”
THE REGISTRY: How does having everyone on-site change things?
VLB: “It removes the usual friction. There’s no transportation to coordinate and no sense of rushing. It creates a kind of togetherness that’s difficult to achieve otherwise.”
For couples considering it, Château Canet offers a straightforward format: a three- or four-day stay with your guests, all in one place, planned well in advance to allow for travel. With the setting, accommodation, and coordination already established, there’s very little left to figure out.
A destination wedding, done well, isn’t about leaving everything behind. It’s about creating the space to be fully present, with the people you’ve chosen, in a setting that allows the experience to unfold naturally.
A Note for The Registry Couples
Château Canet is offering a preferred experience for couples who discover the property through The Registry. When you book this way, your party will receive a complimentary cellar tour and private wine tasting during your stay.
To enquire, contact Victoria and mention The Registry.
www.chateaucanet.com
victoria@chateaucanet.com
