Photo (top): Banquet hall: Blauwhuis Castle - Photographer (left): Demi’s Design - Photographer (center): Diana Bond Photo - Photographer (right): Pyry-Pekka Kantonen
Article in collaboration with Blauwhuis Castle
Peace of mind before the tour begins
Many couples go to their first tour with little information, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Marie from Blauwhuis Castle explains: “We always provide a clear quote first. That way, couples know what a wedding celebration with us entails. We structure it according to the flow of the day—from the ceremony to the dance party—and immediately show what’s already available, what we offer in addition, and what might need to be rented—including average prices. This way, the couple’s initial questions are already answered before they even visit.”
TIP: Before visiting the venue, think carefully about how you want your day to unfold. Ask the venue what’s included, which spaces you can combine, and how the venue handles setup, takedown, and vendors. The clearer that initial conversation is, the better you’ll feel about whether the place is truly right for you.
A venue that works with you
Are you choosing a bare-bones venue or a fully decorated banquet hall? Blauwhuis Castle offers the perfect middle ground, Marie explains: “Blauwhuis Castle is somewhere between a bare-bones space and a fully furnished venue. It’s not fully decorated, but it’s certainly not bare either. We have our own tables and chairs, and we also offer additional options. We offer many items that would otherwise be costly to rent, and we provide guidance from the very beginning. This way, couples don’t have to figure anything out on their own or worry about overlooking something. We include everything that’s needed, so couples know exactly what to expect and won’t face any surprises at the end.”
Planning Your Wedding Step by Step
A thorough venue tour helps you truly visualize your wedding day. “We guide couples through the venue following the structure of their day,” says Marie. “We show them where the ceremony, reception, dinner, and dance party can take place, and answer all their questions along the way. At the end, we show them photos of previous weddings so they can see the big picture and get a feel for the atmosphere.”
A venue that exudes atmosphere
A place that’s naturally atmospheric helps couples immediately picture their celebration. Marie: “Our castle is already beautiful in its own right and really doesn’t need much decoration. The round room, for example, has gold leaf on the walls and a beautiful pattern on the floor—with just a few flowers, that space is perfect. Photographers love to draw inspiration from all that beauty; the spiral staircase in the entrance hall remains a favorite spot for photos. The coach house is also very idyllic, with a stunning view of the castle and the garden.”
From coordination to styling
The tour is often followed by a few practical questions. “Our final quotes are very comprehensive, and that overview provides peace of mind,” says Marie. “In addition to the venue and furniture, you’ll also find the flowers, DJ, catering, service staff, setup, and takedown. Anything not yet included depends on the couple’s choices, such as the photographer, officiant, or printed materials.”
Anyone who wishes to do so can request additional support. “We have three packages,” Marie explains. “The most basic one includes only coordination—with a checklist that couples can fill out themselves. The second goes further: we also contact the vendors and follow up on everything. With the third package, we also handle the styling, tailored to the couple’s story. That gives them a lot of structure and takes the stress off them.”
A single point of contact, from start to finish
One final element that gives couples peace of mind is having a dedicated point of contact. “I usually handle the initial consultations,” says Marie. “Then we decide who will oversee the wedding—my colleague Axelle or myself. That way, they have a single point of contact throughout the entire process.”
That personal follow-up makes all the difference. “A few months before the wedding, we schedule another meeting to go over the day’s schedule together,” says Marie. “Then we discuss absolutely everything in detail, such as the entrance songs, speeches, who will bring the envelopes, and so on. That structure gives couples a great sense of peace of mind.”
About Blauwhuis Castle
- Blauwhuis Castle in Izegem combines historic charm with a contemporary approach. With personalized guidance and spaces full of character, the team helps couples bring their wedding day to life step by step—even before the first toast is made.
Foto: Feestzaal: Kasteel Blauwhuis - Fotograaf: Lionel Paulus Photography Learn more about this topic via these links:
Choosing your reception venue? These 35 questions will save you stress and surprises
- Blauwhuis Castle: so much more than just a romantic wedding venue
- Getting married in a unique castle: all the possibilities at Blauwhuis Castle
