Harry Maguire arrives in France to marry childhood sweetheart at lavish chateau

England star Harry Maguire is marrying childhood sweetheart Fern Hawkins in a lavish fairytale wedding in a French chateau on Saturday.

The Manchester United captain is laying on the no-expense-spared do at the Chateau de Varennes in the south of France - voted one of the top 10 wedding venues in the world.

The couple had a low-key registry office ceremony in Crewe, Cheshire last month to provide a UK marriage certificate. But the French chateau will be the perfect wedding venue for mum-of-two Fern, who celebrated her arrival in France with her bridesmaids - including England keeper Jordan Pickford's wife - on Thursday night.

It is believed Harry, 29, has paid more than quarter of a million pounds to ensure an unforgettable day for his family, friends in a ceremony with around 30 guests.

The stunning property in Burgundy has its own chapel, extensive grounds and was voted in the top 10 wedding venues of the world by broadcaster CNN.

Fern's bridesmaids Megan Davison, 26, and Harry's sister Daisy, 21, also joined her for her hen night during a break in Marbella.

The happy couple sent out invitations in pink and white boxes with "a fancy bow" on top. The bridesmaids' dresses will be in ivory, rose, pink, and purple and Daisy is the maid of honour.

The men in the wedding party had a kickaround in the lavish grounds of the chateau shortly after they jetted by private jet, arriving at nearby Dijon airport at around 1.30pm local time on Thursday.

They then travelled around an hour to the chateau - where screens have been put in place around the grounds - before enjoying a family get together on Thursday night.

"They are both very excited to be having their big day here - and all their loves ones with them for the wedding," said a source. "It is the most romantic setting imaginable."

Fern, 27, held a lavish bridal brunch at the Foodwell restaurant in Salford, followed by a get-together at the upmarket Dakota Hotel in Manchester city centre.

Each place at the table was set with a white box of treats with the guest's name in silver. It was accompanied by a note which read: "My darling best friend, plan with me, stand with me, cry with me, laugh with me. Please be my bridesmaid?"

Daisy and Megan shared photos of the note on Instagram. Fern, who has a first-class degree in science and physiotherapy, first met £80million Harry, who now earns a reputed £190,000-a-week, when he was 18 and part of

Sheffield United's youth team.

Manchester United made him the most expensive defender in the world when they signed him from Leicester City for £80million in 2019.

The couple have been engaged since 2018 and are parents to Lillie Saint, two, and Piper Rose, who was born in May 2020. Harry's proud parents, Zoe and Alan, have travelled from their home near Sheffield for the ceremony, alongside brothers Laurence, 25, and Joe, 30.

Bride-to-be Fern beamed with happiness as she sat amongst her nearest and dearest while celebrating her impending nuptials with an Aperol Spritz shortly after arrival in France.

Daisy previously thanked Fern for 'trusting her' to organise her Marbella hen do, which was attended by 20 of her girlfriends in May.

The venue has been in the same aristocratic French family for the past 400 years. They have transformed their estate into an upmarket holiday resort and wedding venue. The Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown was married at the chateau in 2018.

The château also features a church which allows wedding ceremonies on site - and an orangery described as one of the most beautiful rooms for a reception in all France.