WeddingLight Events – Elope to Paris

Category: INSPIRATION

  • Top 5: Parisian Wedding After-Party Venues

     

    Many of you ask us where to continue the party after your wedding reception in Paris. The city of lights has something for everyone whether your style is slow jazz, glistening cocktails, seductive cabaret or dancing till your hearts content. This is the most special night of your life so it’s understandable that you never want it to end…

    We therefore decided to compile our Top 5 Party Venues to continue your Parisian wedding celebrations into the night:

     

    1. The Prescription Cocktail Club

    Hidden Cocktail Bar

    23 rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris

    Part of the Experimental Cocktail Club group, this speakeasy bar evokes the glitz of prohibition. Open till 4am at the weekend, you’ll have plenty of time to  work your way through their fabulous and innovative cocktail menu. The Prescription Cocktail Club is an unpublicised spot favoured by Parisian fashionistas. The ideal choice if what you’re after is expert bartenders and a sophisticated evening of indulgence. Also the perfect place to discuss the highlights of the day with your guests, whilst soaking up the whimsical atmosphere. Bowler hats falling from the ceiling and a false bookcase giving way to a second bar create a quirky and charming ambiance.

    They of course do all the classic cocktails but it’s their own inventions which will take your breath away. Our favourite is Audrey’s Gin Gin Mule which ensnares the senses with its ginger beer and mint combination. Average cocktail price is 13-15 euros. Cheers!

    Source fabulous101.com 

    2. Le Crazy Horse

    Life is a CABARET

    12 avenue George V – 75008 Paris

    If a little Moulin Rouge style burlesque dancing is one of your desires from your Parisian experience then, an evening at Le Crazy Horse is a must.  This cabaret venue is the most avant-garde in Paris and creates a stunning visual experience of colour, dancing and music.  Lighting effects and reflections form an integral part of the show truly mesmerizing audiences. You will undoubtedly become absorbed into this French world of seduction and glamour. The venue has been around for 60 years and explores the many facets of femininity through a continual reinvention of its work, routines are created to reflect cultural change and art movements. It prides itself on having become a symbol of Paris and Parisian life through the ages.

    Their current show Désirs was choreographed by Philippe Decouflé to a backdrop of hot jazz blended into sizzling bands. Undeniably a night to remember. With an impeccable cast, fantastic costuming and Louboutins galore what’s not to love? Enter into their “crazy” world and become entranced.

     Source minnaparikka.com 

    Shows take place at 8.15pm and 10.45pm Sunday- Friday, and at 7pm, 9.30pm, and 11.45pm on Saturdays. Perfect to follow on from your reception. Their Champagne packages start at 125 euros for a show and half bottle of champagne.

    3. VIP Room

    Exclusive Club

    188 bis Rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris

    Founded by music producer Jean-Roch, for the party lovers out there the VIP Room is the place to be, ideally situated on Rue de Rivoli. This is one of France’s most exclusive clubs, with venues in St Tropez and Cannes, and used for events such as fashion week after parties. Gaining access to the club is notoriously difficult but of course it’s your wedding night so you’ll already be looking wonderful!

    The interior is glamorous with mirrored pillars and illuminated cocktail tables. Truly living up to its name it attracts the hottest of Paris party goers so get ready for some French celebrity spotting. Music is dance-centric, an evening here is all about popping (rather expensive) champagne bottles and having the VIP feel.  Entrance may be free but a bottle and getting a small table will set you back 230 euros, it’s worth it though to experience the  crème de la crème  of French clubbing.   Stays open until 6am.

    Source purestarmanagement.com

     4. Barrio Latino

    South-American Extravaganza

    46 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine 75012 Paris

    To add a little Latin spice to your wedding night, head over to Barrio Latino. In this South-American oasis four levels of colourful fiestas await you. Dancing takes place from 11pm on the ground floor to the sun-kissed music and high paced rhythms of their DJ Carlos Campos. Sure to make your night fun filled and passionate with a fusion of salsa, reggaeton and tango. Perfect to get you in the mood for a honeymoon in the sun! The venue also offers dance lessons and tapas if you want to make the most of the experience.

    Source tripadvisor.com

    If you need a break from salsa dancing on the second floor you will discover le Bar Cubain. Here you can escape to Havana whilst enjoying a Cuban cigar and a cocktail, perhaps one of their famous mojitos or frozen margaritas. The smoky and impassioned atmosphere will transport you to paradise.

    The Venue closes at 2am (3am on Saturdays!) so it’s not the place for an all-night party, but if you’re doing it right you’ll already be exhausted by this time!

    5. Badaboum

    Electro club + British School cocktails

    2bis rue des Taillandiers 75011 Paris

    Badaboum is the new kid  on the Parisian night life stage. Alternative music lovers that wants to experience the cutting edge of France’s electro scene are flocking here. You can start your evening by adding a little British class to affairs in their London cocktail bar. Cocktails are created by their mixologist Nicolas D. who strives for the perfect blend between originality and tradition.

    When the cocktail bar shuts at 2am, head down to the electro-pop club to experience the heart of the venue. The club is proud to have the best quality French sound system, creating vibrations until doors shut at at 6:30 am… They also have a secret room donned in 70’s decor. What happens in the secret room stays in the secret room… Intrigued? We are. This venue is unique in bringing together 3 elements to create a diverse evening, all under one roof.

    Entrance to the cocktail bar is free before 11 and the club costs 10-15 euros after midnight.   The club is open Fridays and Saturdays with live music events on Thursday. Be ready to “faire la boum”.

    Source infos-75.com

    We hope this helps you to plan your night out under the Parisian stars. Whether you’re working on your salsa or learning the art of seduction grab a cocktail and get ready to party the night away!

    For more help planning you destination wedding in Paris be sure to check out some of our other Top 5 Lists

  • Wedding Venue Spotlight: Restaurant La Fontaine Gaillon

    As Paris wedding planners, we are always thrilled to find new places in town to host a perfect destination wedding. We went to check out La Fontaine Gaillon, a venue recently used by our California friends at No Worries Events for a destination wedding they organised in Paris. We love that the establishment offers the unique combination of a beautiful terrace to conduct a ceremony and lovely private rooms in which to host the reception. La Fontaine Gaillon opened as a restaurant in 2003 and is owned by none other than the famous French actor, Gerard Depardieu. His vision was to create an intimate space where clients would feel truly at home, and that is certainly what he has achieved. The mansion also has a rich history having had many royal owners in its time; and the fountain was restored in 1928 by Visconti (famed for being the architect of Napoleons tomb at the Invalides). 

    The venue is situated in the heart of Paris between Opera and Palais Royal, tucked away in Place Augustine. The fountain is set into the wall of the historic mansion creating a beautiful backdrop to saying “I do.” Ceremonies can take place on the terrace, which holds 30-40 people, between 5 and 6pm, Monday through Friday.

    Guests can then move on to dine in your chosen room up until 11:30pm. Aside from the Italian terrace there are 5 private rooms each with a different ambiance and capacity. The smallest private room is the “Empire” which holds up to 6 people; and the largest is the “Régence” which holds up to 30. Renting a room ranges in price from 30 euros – 120 euros depending on which size you choose.  

    Private Room Victorien holds 4-10 guests
    Private Room Michodiere holds 8-16 guests

    Source: www.zagot.com

    This makes it the perfect venue to host a reception no matter how many guests you have.  The rooms are full of character with intricately patterned walls and chandeliers creating a regal feel. Smaller rooms allow guests to sit around a single table in complete privacy truly creating a feeling of being at home. Being able to host the ceremony and reception together in the same venue provides huge advantages in having a relaxed day in which guests can enjoy. The warm and welcoming atmosphere adds to this feeling of serenity. Floral decorations can also be arranged with their local florist “Un Jardin Imaginaire”, to personalise the space and complete your big day.

     

     

    Private Room Régence holds 17-30 guests


    La Fontaine Gaillon is passionate about serving genuine traditional cuisine and the menu changes according to season and produce available each day. It is designing the menu in this way which allows them to create exceptional dishes, they are also therefore very adaptable catering to all dietary requirements and tastes. For your reception you can choose either a 3 course menu priced at 58 euros per person, or a 5 course menu for 110 euros per person. Typical dishes include Roasted Filet of John Dory, and Entrecote Black Angus in Béarnaise Sauce; with deserts such as strawberries in Anjou wine. A truly delicious selection to choose from.  Their wine and champagne list is also excellent with 150 choices from small local vineyards and some more exotic choices from Morocco and Sicily.

    We hope this combination of luxury cuisine, beautiful surroundings and history will inspire one of you to choose  La Fontaine Gaillon  as your destination wedding venue in Paris soon!

     

  • Inspiration: Spring 2014 Popular Bouquet Trends

    Choosing a bouquet may be the most important decision in a bride’s wedding planning in Paris too – next to choosing the dress, of course! It is not only an added accessory to compliment the bride’s look, but it is a reflection of the evening’s décor and style. This spring there are 5 trends happening in the floral world that can give any bride an extra boost of elegance as opposed to the traditional white roses.

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    Bold Colors

    source: www.weddingwire.com

    source: www.theknot.com

    In past years, hues of red or light pink or white made for a beautiful and simple bouquet. Brides are choosing deeper colors this spring, such as purple or bright coral. This is a bold look and with the right flower choices can look stunning against a white dress. If your style is more modest, try just adding just accents of bold colors to make the bouquet pop!

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    Pastel Colors

    source: www.stylemepretty.com

    On the other hand, softer and more muted tones are also a big trend in recent wedding décor. If you like a romantic style, choosing pastel colors will give you this ethereal look. Pastels like blush and light lilac can be mixed with dusty miller to give your look a delicate quality.

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    Succulents

    source: www.stylemepretty.com

    source: www.theknot.com

    If you want to stray away from traditional, use succulents for your bouquet. They are beautiful when mixed with flowers, or even as a whole bouquet. Succulents have such a unique look, but are still flower-esque so they can be made into gorgeous arrangements.

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    Contrast

    source: www.weddingwire.com

    One of my favorite trends in bouquets this spring is contrasting colors. Using white anemones or calla lilies with deep colored centers makes a beautiful arrangement. Using calla lilies is still on the traditional side, but can be more updated when the centers are dark to make them stand out. This look can have many different forms depending on the style of your wedding, and you can even add different colors to make it more striking.

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    Jewels

    source: www.theknot.com

    source: Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight Photography

    The best way to have a rare and unforgettable bouquet is to not use flowers at all! Sounds crazy, but can be really beautiful if you use accessories and gems, or even add a momentum with your favorite flowers to make it truly personal. Remember that piece of jewelry your great grandmother handed down to you that you never though you’d wear – that would be beautiful atop a gem-filled bouquet.

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    So remember, keep your own style in mind and have fun with your bouquet!

  • Paris Vendor Spotlight: Maison Saint Lager

    You cannot help but notice the whimsical elegance and alluring vibrancy of the window display while passing Maison Saint Lager. And even though we were planning to visit the bold and brilliant boutique of Hélène de Saint Lager for an interview and tour of the shop, it would be difficult not be intrigued by the wonderful designs.

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    Photograph by WLE Staff

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    Hélène de Saint Lager studied under a milliner from the famous 1930’s hat designer, Madame Paulette. Since then, she has made quite a name for herself and is one of the leading milliners in all of Paris. Although she is known for her chapeaux de course, or hats for race-course events, she also creates a number of gorgeous wedding pieces. The Maison Saint Lager’s signature maxi-format style and lively array of color effortlessly balances both conservative chic and beautifully bold elements making each piece a statement rather than just a hat.

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    Photograph by WLE Staff

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    As you can imagine, Hélène de Saint Lager has always championed elegance and excellence and as such, so does her team. Today, Maison Saint Lager is run by her two sons, Philippe and Guillaume,  and two young designers, Laure and Clémentine. To keep in line with artisan tradition, all creations are hand-crafted and made-to-measure with the utmost perfection.

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    Photograph by WLE Staff

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    Although the boutique mainly caters to wedding clientele, the brand is transitioning with more and more ready-to-wear and special order items. Also, a new line of menswear has also made headway with a range of smart and sophisticated Panama hats that can be customized if desired. But even with all these new additions and trends, the Maison Saint Lager’s classic pieces are still in high demand. The boutique’s best selling item, the Athena hat, still remains the brand’s most popular headdress even after all these years.

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    Photography by WLE Staff

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    Location: 29, rue de Bourgogne, 75007

    Telelphone: +33 (0) 9 83 28 60 28

    Website: www.maisonsaintlager.com

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    Videography by Olivier Lalin

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    Be sure to watch the talented Hélène de Saint Lager at work with this video shot by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

  • Inspiration: Yachts and Boats of Paris

    Getting married in Paris on a Boat or Yacht along the Seine River is one of the most romantic venues this wonderful city has to offer. There are many options available to privatise a boat or yacht along the Seine River.

    Some couples like the fact that you get to marry on the Seine River with the Eiffel Tower in the backdrop; that makes for an elegant and even sometimes luxurious affair, depending on the style and budget of the couple the selection varies.

    Whether you’re only a couple or you’re marrying with a wedding party there is always a size boat or yacht that can suit your needs; dinner, privatization, wedding ceremony, receptions or rehearsals.

    You can cruise down the Seine river while sipping champagne, and mingling with your loved ones, as you take in the Parisian breeze and sights, or you can have a full wedding event with food, dancing and a DJ. The options are plenty, contact us at info (at) weddinglightevents.com

    Paris boat wedding
    Bride and Bridesmaid enjoying a glass of champagne day before wedding

     

     

    Fairytale Paris Weddings
    A Fairytale Paris Wedding

     

    Elopement Paris Boat on Seine
    View of one of the Paris Boats on Seine River

     

    Paris Mini model of one of the boats
    Mini model of one of the boats