A Fête to Remember: Your Paris-Theme Wedding
Couples spruce up the tables with eiffel-style vases, or actual mini Eiffel Towers topped with monochromatic florals. Sometimes you'll see snippets of toile, a towering croquembouche on the cake table, bridal stationery peppered with fleurs de lis, or bridal showers that pop with pink-and-black hat boxes and velvety French-milled soaps.
In fact, it's possible this quiet devotion will turn into a craze, especially now that Eva Longoria and french fiancé Tony Parker held their lavish nuptials in a swank chateau just north of Paris.
Your Own Personal Paris
That's why we tracked down New York wedding planner Sarah Lusardi of NY Engagements for her thoughts on the ultimate Paris-theme wedding. Because not only did Lusardi boast a stint at a stateside but "very authentic" patisserie (" we made our own baguettes and brioche in the back!"), she specializes in events with serious flair.
In fact, Lusardi recently won an industry award for a Broadway-themed wedding that involved a host of professional actors (including the bride and groom!), 300 guests, pro-level lighting and sound, and a budget — which took place on New Year's, no less.
So it's no surprise that when we asked for her ideas of a memorable Paris-theme wedding, she quickly brought it back to the individual.
"Even though it's a theme wedding, it really depends on the couple ... it's a matter of bringing out their personality," she said, pointing out that a Parisian-style wedding could fall into very different eras with very different moods, and styles of dress.
"Still," she said, "when you think of Paris, you think of fashion — and romance, artists, Moulin Rouge, Verlaine — these are all very French feelings. And France is known for its great food, wine and cheese — you could really play a lot with this."
The main question, she says, is what the individual couple wants to get out of it, based on their own personality and sense of style. "What is it about Paris that captured them? Is it the patisseries, the cafés? The street vendors with the crêpes and paintings, the watercolors? The Eiffel tower?
"If you really liked to travel," she adds, "you could focus on vintage-looking postcards with historical sites in France: Eiffel, Versailles, Notre Dame. Instead of a guestbook, you could put out these gorgeous postcards for guests to sign and then drop in airmail bags as a keepsake.
"And instead of sticking to table numbers, mark each table with a different French cheese or wine."
Lusardi continues on with the cheese theme (a trend that's so strong, some brides are replacing the traditional sponge-and-buttercream with wheels of Stilton and Camembert, stacked and tarted up for the occasion). "Pottery Barn has these attractive metal cheese markers. They're engraved with the names of cheeses you'd see at a party, like chevre and cheddar.
"But instead of the cheese name, you could get these engraved with your guests' names, and tuck each one in a small waxed cheese on a platter. Voila — an elegant table marker that doubles as a favor."
A few more ideas for bringing the City of Light back home: "Take ladyfingers, which could double as placecards. Write the names of your guests on each with royal icing, wrap them in clear cellophane, and tie a pretty satin ribbon at each end. It reminds me of French patisseries, where every miniscule detail gets a lot of focus."
Or, for a treat that looks and feels very French: a dessert buffet, with tons of tiny pastries for guests to help themselves to, tucked in mixed and matched apothecary jars.
And here's another favor idea that's sure to please: Valrhona chocolate bars, beloved among the French and chocolate connaisseurs alike. "I'd wrap them in a vintage lace or fabric," says Lusardi.
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||
| See All French & Parisian Wedding Favors ... | |||||||||||
Now and Seine
Of course, points out Lusardi, a given couple might be looking for more of a Moulin Rouge theme. "This would be a couple who's very fashion-forward and trendy — it's quite a bit different from the Victorian-era French look." It would call for more contemporary, modern centerpieces, she says: plume feathers, stark blacks and whites, glossy beads to fill glass containers.
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
And if a couple really wanted to get into Moulin Rouge, she said, they could focus on fashion, choosing corseted bridesmaids dresses, for example. "The whole feel reminds me of Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette," she says.
"Even though the movie's first set in a very formal Victorian period, as it progresses you see the personality of this Marie Antoinette — how she loves chic and beautiful things, how she loves to party and live up life." [Editor's note: a silver-framed "Let Them Eat Cake" sign next to your giant four-tier concoction might be a shoo-in.]
But if a couple wants more of the vintage style, Victorian-era Paris? Lusardi suggests starting with lots of lace, plenty of vintage photos, and delicate, fluffy flowers. "Lace in the bridal gown would be very appropriate."
The French Connection
Thinking of bringing a little French flair to your own reception? Tell us your plans ... or even what's got you stumped.
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
BRIDES, okay!! here is my take on a paris wedding theme. la vie en rose song playing at the reception, ( a violin or accordian) hydrangea is popular,choose a antique muted color scheme such as blue or lavender. invites would be parisian postcards, or vintagepostcards. brides dress..knee length ( vintage style dress, with bolero shrug or elegant knee length a line dress) girls in simple knee length dresses,. stylish heels. and bride with simple blusher veil(the vintage type). guys in suits with ties, simple pocket square or a small piece of hydrangea tucked in the pocket.
ive read traditon states the bride broke off a piece of her bouquet, small, and unnoticeable. and tucked in into the grooms pocket. so simple yet personal. decor- dont be afraid of using feathers. reception have paris outdoor style, wrought iron, white table cloths, have a single flower in a vase with place settings, and a menu(optional), if you really have a big budget rent wrought iron fence to surround part of the tables,and black lamp posts( or find a venue that offers wrought iron outdoor tables, with fencing(shouldnt be difficult to find) have trees decorated with white lights( for city of lights), rent a striped canopy to cover a flower market when you walk into reception. replicate price tags, have “please take one” on paper on long floral pick( have each bouquet in the wrapped paper, in tall silver canisters)
i know some of the ideas are “high budget” but some could work for a budget friendly reception, theflower market idea could cut down on alot of floral decor.( although setting up the floral market might be pricey, it doesnt have to be a large market style to have big impact!! smile)
a great menu is a must!! you can go upscale or more simple (cheese is important). have buffet of meat, soup, cheese, salads( pasta salads is a cheap way to go!!) and breads. and beverages. with wedding cake or french wedding cake(croquembouche). coffee after dessert. have 1 eiffel tower with this only, set up in entrance. and dont 4get the silver dragees(popular) in paper cones or little bags, at each place setting. have beautiful signs here and there in black fancy writing( above flower market etc.) just some thoughts!!
PS the short vintage dress is by stepanie allin. For info on taking the groom’s bout. from the bride’s bouquet see “What Wedding Flowers Will You Have To Organise and For Whom?”. pretty neat huh? thats not the exact post i read a while back, where it said day of wedding, she did this. usually bouquets were hand picked then. so now,it is a flower just like the type in her bouquet.
brides,correction….. the tradition i read applies to past weddings, not just parisian. axe the boutonniere and tuck a flower sprig into his pocket!! beautiful!!!!
ALEXANDRA and brides, i wanted to get in on the fun of finding paris theme weddings!! dawn i love your posts and the favor idea for the bride! superb!!
* Paris Themed Wedding Mood Board
* AisleDash: Inspiration board: Paris
* HomeEnvy: “Christmas in Paris” theme table
* AskVille: “What are some good decoration ideas for a Paris themed wedding?”
* EAD: Flower Market
As you can see there is a little far East in here, this is sort of an Asian-meets-Parisian board with a cherry blossom focus in classic Parisian colors.
This is from Reviving Versailles: Getting Some Antoinette Magic into your Wedding
There’s no doubt that this board is leaning seriously french, and it’s one of my favorites. The post is Pink, Espresso, Ecru.
We have posted so much on the blog lately that’s closely related to the Parisian theme … should have posted about it here! I’m going to fix that. Here are a few boards that might offer some inspiration for brides just starting with a Parisian theme.
First up — looking into the fleur de lis motif in weddings. This is such a royal, timeless symbol. The post is Those Fabulous Fleurs de Lis. Click the image to see more.
Hi,
Im having a sweet 16 next month and my theme is “An evening in Paris”.
My invitations were so cute, they were custom made passports.
Im having trouble thinking of favors that arent too expensive but are creative & represent paris in some way.
Any other ideas about my party would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks!
Alexandra, vivid French macaroons, like Ladurée (not sure if you can get them in the states, but we can admire them and get local bakers to make similar ones) are very popular right now, and you can get them in all kinds of colors/flavors — to match your event.
If macaroons aren’t doing it for you, check out Kim Petyt’s blog, she’s an event planner in Paris who’s done some delicious, very authentic favor posts. Here are a few:
* Paris Theme Wedding: Eiffel Tower Favors
* More DIY French Wedding Favors
HTH!
PS would love to see pics of your invites!
I would like to rent an Eiffel Tower for wedding theme on 9/6/8. Any suggestions as to where I can find a light-weight one that I can drape lights on? Thank you!!!
Ms. Bride2B
For Parisian decor chek out Shindigz.com and promwishescatalog.com.
I’m planning a Parisian Engagement party in Sept and this is all I could find that’s worth it so far. Also, I’m gonna have postcards as invites. There’s a really cool site:images-de-paris for original Parisian postcards. I bought a couple there. It’s more expensive from the US of course. But if anyone is in the NYC area, there’s a unique French bookstore in Rockefeller Center that has postcards for 50 cents plus other things. Good luck and great thinking!!
hey guys… i just got married on July 25, 2009 and my maiden name was Paris so my whole wedding was a Paris Wedding theme … i have amazing centerpieces i’m trying to sale and mirrors with rose petals around them these center pieces were about $120 each but i’m just trying to sell them for whatever i can get so i can get some money back on them …. i had 25 but i only have 19 left i also have great ideas…if you need any help …. my email address is jenniferparis@parislimos.com
I am in a little predicament. I want my reception theme to be Paris but I don’t have a clever name for the invites. I am afraid that everyone will think that our honeymoon will be in Paris, which it won’t be. I just love the idea of Paris and hope to one day go there to visit. Do you have any suggestions on themes?
Hello! I need some Eiffel Towers as centre pieces for my tables! I seen there were some on here a while ago - does anyone have any idea where i can get any? You could select the height of them - they were ideal! Please please help! I need 7 / 8!
Julie-Ann
Check eBay for some great deals on the eiffel tower vases.
I was thinking actual eiffel tower models, possible about 15 inches tall. I had seen some on this website before. Thanks for your response though! Julie-Ann
Hi Julie-Ann, sorry I can’t remember where the original link might be, but are any of these items close to what you were looking for?
Eiffel Tower Miniature Replicas
thank you thank you thank you! all sorted and bought!
Julie-Ann
Oh fantastic!
So glad, finding these guys in the right price range can be tricky!
Hi Krista:
Check here for a bunch of very Parisian looking pics and ideas on the Pink Theme page:
pink/black/white bridal shower, wedding, cakes
I hope that gets you started … feel free to add your own ideas, or ask more questions!
i am getting married sept 13, 08 and my colors are black and white. i wanted the girls to carry red roses but others are saying white i am needing opinions on this…any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
I originally was going to have black and white with red flowers. Very romantic like those movies where just the red shows up.
If we would like to have a parisian style wedding at the end of September, what types of flowers would you recommend?
I’m stuck on flowers to match too, baby pink, lime green, champagne and ivory/
One of the most traditional French favors are dragées- candy-coated almonds (called Jordan Almonds or Italian Almonds in the United States). In ancient France, newlyweds gave 5 dragées to each of their guests at their wedding- The five candies symbolized Health, Wealth, Fertility, Longevity, and Happiness. You can personalize this tradition by filling a simple, small container with almonds, and having your calligrapher write the 5 well-wishes in French (la bonne santé, l’abondance, la fertilité, la longévité et le bonheur) along with your wedding date, on ribbons to decorate the outside.
Don’t forget the soundtrack to your Paris wedding! Guests can stream into the ceremony to a mix of “I Love Paris”, “C’est Si Bon” or “Sous Le Ciel De Paris”. You and your Amour can walk down the aisle to “La Vie en Rose”, and dance your first dance to “L’amour est un Bouquet de Violettes”. Classic Serge Gainsbourg from the 1960’s, Henri Salvador or Paris Combo will make for a very cool cocktail hour. And have your dj spice up the dance floor by mixing in MC Solaar, St Germain or Yannick Noah to create a truly Parisian wedding.