Franquette Soirée x
Retford Park

Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Soirée

Set within the heart of the Southern Highlands on Gundungurra Country, Retford Park is a place of quiet grandeur and enduring beauty. Just five minutes from Bowral’s town centre, this iconic estate features a ‘Portuguese Pink’ mansion, stately gardens and a rich history. It’s one of the region’s most photogenic backdrops, framed by hedges and oaks, and deeply connected to the story of James Fairfax AC.

Together with Franquette Soirée, Retford Park now offers a refined and relaxed option for couples seeking a seamless ceremony and cocktail hour experience.

With vows exchanged in the gardens, champagne by the pool or in the Green Room and golden hour portraits set against the symmetry and grandeur of Retford Park, Franquette Soirée handles every detail.

It’s all delivered with the kind of French-inflected hospitality that’s become our signature.

CATERING & BEVERAGE

Pre-ceremony glass of French sparkling

Selection of 4 canapés

One-hour beverage package post-ceremony

Food and beverage service by our professional team

FURNITURE STYLING

For the ceremony:

40 x La Chaise Du Jardin

For the post-ceremony:

1 x elegant bar setup

3 x lounge ensembles

Each includes one Côte à Côte love seat, two Plein Air chairs, one Petite Table, & one Parasol

VENUE HIRE

Up to 3 hours’ use of the grounds at Retford Park

Ceremony and cocktail hour in the gardens, with use of the pool area or Green Room

Photography access throughout the gardens and estate

Prices are GST inclusive. Food and Beverage minimum spend requirements apply based on your preferred date. Special pricing applies on Sundays, Easter and long weekends.

Sample Menus

  • MEAT

    Duck rillettes, apple and calvados puree on crostini
    Fillet mignon with bearnaise sauce (GF)
    Smoked wagyu, seeded cracker, goats curd, celery (GF)
    Chicken, tarragon and mayo sandwich squares
    Compressed watermelon, smoked duck breast, whipped feta, pistachio, mint (GF)
    Beef cheek pie, pea puree and tomato relish
    Rye crostini, whipped brie, thyme and pancetta
    Chicken liver parfait, brioche crouton, pickled red onion, espelette pepper
    Beef tartare en croute
    Venison tartare, tapioca cracker, beetroot, goats curd (GF)

    SEAFOOD

    Potato rosti with horseradish crème, gravlax and avruga (GF)
    Sydney rock oysters with sauce mignonette (GF)
    Crumbed calamari, tarragon mayonnaise
    Crab and cream fraiche tarts with dill and salmon roe
    King prawns, avruga vinaigrette, fresh herbs (GF)
    Scallop ceviche, horseradish, beetroot cracker (GF)
    Half shell Harvey Bay scallops, sauce vierge (GF)
    Fried cuttlefish, sea urchin roe hollandaise Crumbed snapper fillet, sauce gribiche
    Petit cod pie with rouille
    Poached salmon, and caper rillette, tapioca wafer (GF)
    Squid ink cracker with tuna tartare and pickled baby onions (GF)
    Herb crusted tuna with mayonnaise and crispy capers

    VEGETARIAN

    Arancini Milanese, aioli
    Toasted gruyere and sage sandwiches
    Marinated artichoke, goats curd, hemp seed shortbread
    Truffled pea, goat cheese tart
    Chickpea panisse, blue cheese mousse, roasted hazelnut
    Petit pois croquette, sauce vierge
    Beetroot chip with horseradish cream and fresh fig (GF)
    Quail eggs with sesame spice crust
    Eshallot Tart Tatin with chive and chervil creme fraiche
    Mushroom pate on brioche with grated quail eggs

    VEGAN

    Tapioca cracker, eggplant, roast capsicum, soft herbs (GF)
    Zaatar potato fritter, red onion jam (GF)
    Cucumber, goat curds, pickled beetroot, capers (GF)
    Lightly battered vegetables, hollandaise

    SPOONS
    (served on ceramic spoon)

    Pea and ricotta tortellini, beurre noisette
    Beef cheek tortellini with sage beurre noisette
    Ocean trout tartare, finger lime and caviar dressing (GF)
    Crab tortellini, bouillabaisse foam

    SWEETS

    Chocolate and passionfruit pave, coconut, caramelised banana
    Cinnamon sugar donuts, chocolate dipping sauce
    Lemon meringue tarts
    Mini chocolate coated ice cream balls (GF) (various flavours available)

  • SPARKLING
    NV Charles Pelletier Brut Blanc de Blanc Bourgogne

    WHITE WINE (select 1)
    2022 Les Peyrautins Sauvignon Blanc Pays d’Oc
    2022 Cuvée Disseney Chardonnay, Pays D’Oc

    RED WINE (select 1)
    2022 Les Peyrautins Pinot Noir Pays d’Oc
    2021 Les Peyrautins IGP Syrah Grenache Pays d’Oc

    BEER
    1664 Kronenbourg Alsace France 5.5%
    Peroni Leggera 3.5%

  • ROSEMARY & RUM COOLER
    Fresh rosemary-infused rum, lime juice, homemade white sugar, rosemary, fresh lime

    GIN YUZU MULE
    Gin, lime juice, yuzu puree, ginger beer, rosemary, fresh lime

    CLASSIC MARGARITA
    Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, homemade white sugar, salt rim, dried lime

    JALAPEÑO MARGARITA
    Jalapeño-infused tequila, triple sec, lime juice, homemade jalapeño syrup, chilli salt rim, dried lime

    COCONUT MARGARITA
    Tequila, triple sec, lime juice, coconut sugar syrup, fresh lime, coconut

    LIMONCELLO SPRITZ
    Limoncello, sparkling wine, soda, lime juice, homemade fresh basil syrup, fresh lemon

    APEROL SPRITZ
    Aperol, sparkling wine, soda, fresh orange

    PIMMS SPRITZ
    Pimms No.1, lemonade, lemon juice, sparkling wine, fresh lemon,orange garnish

    ELDERFLOWER SPRITZ
    St Germain, sparkling wine, soda, lime juice, fresh lemon, rosemary

    CLASSIC NEGRONI
    Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Campari

    FRENCH MARTINI
    Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice

    ORIGINAL ESPRESSO
    Vodka, Kahlúa, Homemade Sugar Syrup, Little Marionette Coffee

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