Photographer: Alexey Kinyapin
The wedding season is just beginning, which means you can still take a closer look at picturesque Russian venues: even in the Moscow region you can find unique locations that look like romantic castles and palaces. Let's talk in more detail.
Museum-estate "Arkhangelskoye"
“Moscow Versailles” is the name of the estate, which is located just 6 kilometers from the capital. In the past, it belonged to Prince Nikolai Yusupov and was the center of social life in the early 19th century. Almost every week, balls and social receptions were held here, which were attended by emperors and representatives of the Russian elite.
Today “Arkhangelskoye” opens its doors for weddings. A huge green area, majestic columns and luxurious wall decoration. It was in these interiors that the wedding photo shoot of the star couple, rapper T-Killah and Maria Belova, took place.
Getting there from the center of Moscow: Hour.
Photographer: Konstantin Semenikhin
Decorations
The interior and exterior of the castles do not require decoration, since they are initially made in the desired style. But you can’t do without some decor.
- First of all, you need to think about on-site registration if you want to conduct it in the courtyard and not in the building itself. Round arches and tent arches with light fabrics and flowers are suitable here. Lay a path strewn with roses to the altar. Provide chairs for guests.
- In the banquet hall, place flower arrangements in vases on the tables. Roses, lilies, orchids and others are best suited.
- Lay white tablecloths on the tables. Place a classic set of dishes, preferably porcelain and silver.
- Cover the chairs with white covers and tie large bows.
- The best colors for a celebration are white, gold, burgundy.
- Make wedding invitations in the form of cards or packages. Immediately indicate the theme of your holiday.
Farm La Ferme de Reve
At the country farm La Ferme de Reve, you can experience nature in the truest sense of the word. Firstly, the farm is located among untouched nature and is surrounded by endless fields and forests. Secondly, ecologically clean products are grown here, which are served to all guests of the farm. Thirdly, here you can see rare animals, relax in the spa and truly take a break from the bustle of the city.
Photographer: Alexey Kinyapin
In addition, La Ferme de Reve has a hotel where you can comfortably accommodate guests on the eve of the wedding for a pre-wedding dinner. The exterior and interior of a country farm will be appreciated by couples who dream of a classic wedding in a castle with a medieval atmosphere.
Getting there from the center of Moscow: 2.5 hours.
Photographer: Alexey Kinyapin
Atmosphere
A wedding in a castle estate is an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. It is unknown whether there will be another chance to dance under the painted stucco ceilings and feel like a member of the royal family, even for a day.
Many girls' childhood dreams of a wedding come down to a fairy tale in a castle estate. A lush dress, lots of fresh flowers and even a carriage with horses! At such a celebration, the newlyweds dance a waltz, for which they often choose the composition “Once Upon a December” from the cartoon “Anastasia”.
The castle estate is also booked by couples who want to turn their celebration into a masquerade ball. Guests arrive at the celebration wearing masks and learn to square dance or polka to live musical accompaniment. Acrobats, magicians and fire show performers entertain guests during the banquet.
Chateau-hotel "Nemchinovka Park"
Another place with the atmosphere of an ancient castle is the Nemchinovka Park complex. It was built almost 15 years ago in the style of a European chateau and during this time it won the trust of many Russian politicians, businessmen, international pop and sports stars.
The park area in Nemchinovka Park is given special attention: well-groomed bushes, lush trees and mini-fountains will be an excellent backdrop for wedding photos. In the warm season, they offer to hold a wedding outdoors, namely in the unusual stone Colosseum.
Getting there from the center of Moscow: 40 minutes.
Photographer: Maxim Koliberdin
Most Royal: Hedsor House
Buckinghamshire, England
The history of the building of classical English construction dates back to 1166. Formerly the home of the Princess of Wales, mother of George III, it is surrounded by hundreds of acres of private historical parkland. In the 19th century, the building was reconstructed, and Queen Victoria often came to the castle, renovated in the style of an Italian villa, for tea.
The hotel consists of six main rooms, including the famous center hall with a beautiful domed ceiling. The grand ballroom, living room, dining room, boudoir and library can be used for a variety of events and holiday celebrations.
In 2015, a honeymoon suite opened here, one of the largest in Europe. Every detail of the room, from the decor to the atmosphere, provides guests with the opportunity to plunge into the grandeur of the royal house.
How to get there:
45 min. drive from London, 15 from Heathrow Airport
www.hedsor.com
Residence "Zhavoronki Event Hall"
The Zhavoronki Event Hall residence near Moscow is filled with elements of both modern and medieval luxury. Here different eras intertwine and the sense of time is erased, and the scale of the castle captivates from the first seconds. Thanks to professional technical and lighting equipment, Zhavoronki Event Hall can host an event of any complexity. In addition, the capabilities of the castle allow decorators to realize the most unusual and complex tasks for decorating a celebration.
It was here that Natalya and Murad Osmann, Alena and Nikita Presnyakov, and the heiress of the La Maree restaurant chain, Sabrina Duss, and her lover had their wedding.
Getting there from the center of Moscow: Hr.
Photographer: Katya Romanova
The most fabulous: Chateau de Bagnols
Beaujolais, France
One of the most beautiful castles in Europe is “hidden” among forests and vineyards in the south of France. The newlyweds enter a fairy-tale world via a drawbridge: in the guest room (there are only 21 of them) you can find a four-poster bed, a fireplace and rare paintings.
Near the castle there is an outdoor swimming pool, golf courses and even a helipad, so the bride and groom can take a bird's eye view of the property. A Michelin star chef prepares for the guests of the celebration, and dishes are served exclusively with silver cutlery, once made to special order.
How to get there:
45 min. drive from Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport www.chateaudebagnols.co.uk
Estate "Tsaritsyno"
The picturesque landscape and impressive palace architecture are the calling card of Tsaritsyno. Couples here are offered to hold an official marriage registration ceremony, which can be arranged in one of the luxurious locations to choose from: Small or Grand Palace, Catherine or Tauride Hall, Blue or Musical Living Room.
Every detail of the estate retains memories of the era of Catherine II, so weddings take place here in an atmosphere of true royal chic.
Getting there from the center of Moscow: Hour.
Photographer: Daria Elesina
Alternatives
What to do? Choose Boutique Hotel MONA.
Boutique Hotel MONA is a modern affordable alternative to an estate for a wedding in the Moscow region. The Ball Room with high ceilings and expressive chandeliers is suitable for couples who want to add aristocracy and luxury to their celebration.
The hall is ideal for a stylized wedding in an estate. The MonaCo universal banquet location is also easy to transform in accordance with the style of the celebration in the estate.
The park area of the MONA Boutique Hotel is in no way inferior to the estate forests.
We are waiting for you for the wedding of your dreams!
Medieval feast in the Lord's castle
The table in the huge hall of the castle's donjon was assembled from boards, which were specially placed on trestles. A white tablecloth is a huge rarity, intended exclusively for holidays. There was no mention of table towels. And gold or silver dishes were in the sideboard: often counts and dukes used tin or clay kitchen utensils.
Forks and spoons were often missing, and there was only one knife for the couple sitting next to them. Soups, goulash or porridge were eaten from dishes with “ears”, which were also designed for two people. They took turns slurping. Meat, fish and more solid foods were served on large pieces of bread, which were soaked in sauces or juices. The guests at the table cut them with a knife, and then happily devoured the dishes without cutlery.
Drinking wine at the table. Source: pinterest.com
Before a meal, wine was poured into cups for several people: neighbors at the table either drank from the same container or used individual cups (if the owner of the estate had one). The cupbearer, at the request of the guests, renewed the vessels with wine.
Freshly prepared dishes were brought to the table covered with a towel. It was removed at the moment it was served to the guest. Such a custom existed not only as a way to maintain the temperature of the dish, but also as a safety measure: it was believed that in this way it was possible to prevent food poisoning. Literature also tells about special servants who were engaged in tasting the prepared food. There are also absolutely fantastic stories about the preventive properties of a snake tooth and a unicorn horn, with the help of which poison was detected in a dish.
Cooking game. (zen.yandex.ru)
The very order of serving dishes at meals is poorly illuminated in the sources of that time. Chronicles and literary works of that era paint a completely polar picture. Lunch at the hospitable lord's castle was opened with pies, soup, cheeses, and even fruits. Although pies in some cases were the final item in the banquet of the owner of the estate and his guests.
Medieval miniatures depict a master's table with all dishes at once: hot and cold appetizers, game, pickles and sweets. It is not surprising to assume that at such a meal they ate everything at once. But if we are talking about meat and fish dishes, then large game was eaten first, and then poultry and fish. Drinking was completed with sweet wines (liqueurs) or a special spiced liqueur.
The duration of such an event varied from five to eight hours. Lunch lasted about an hour and a half, and dinner - two and a half or more. The evening meal dragged on, because the guests were treated to an entertainment section - jugglers, pilgrims with travel stories, trouvères with poetry and musical accompaniment.
Bride's clothes
The bride should become the real embodiment of a princess. If this is what you dreamed of, then a wedding in Garibaldi Castle or any other castle is definitely for you.
- The dress can be of any style, except that it is too open and short. A fluffy dress with a corset, a mermaid or A-line silhouette, tight-fitting models - different options will suit you. The main thing is that it suits you. The color is white, light beige and cream.
- A veil will become a must-have attribute for your look. Classic types, length below the shoulders, are better suited.
- A tiara and crown would be just right. Buy the most luxurious variations, decorated with stones, diamonds and rhinestones.
- Accessories in the form of necklaces and bracelets. They must match the dress. You don't have to be afraid to wear precious stones and metals.
- It is best to make a bride's bouquet of roses, peonies and almost any flowers, just not wildflowers.
- Choose shoes with a closed toe and comfortable heels. The color should match the shade of the dress.
- Also take care of stockings or tights, depending on the weather. They are bought in white or flesh color.
- If your holiday takes place during the cold season, then buy a fur coat for an outdoor photo shoot.
- Depending on the type of dress and hair length, choose a hairstyle. Bunks and beautifully styled curls are best suited.
- Makeup should be classic, for example, winged eyes and red lipstick.
