WeddingLight Events – Elope to Paris

Category: INTERVIEWS

  • Ma bonne Amie – Renting a wedding & couture gown in Paris

    Photograph Courtesy of Axelle

    www.mabonneamie.com

    We met up with Axelle from “Ma bonne Amie” whose company specialize in renting couture and wedding gown such as YSl, Chanel, Dior as well as gorgeous wedding dresses such as Carolina Herrera & Vera Wang amongst other luxury wedding couture brand in central Paris. Every bride fantasizes of wearing their dream dress on their wedding day. It’s something that you will remember forever and can always look back on with fond memories …..

    Enjoy the interview, Ma Bonne Amie is the perfect store to find your dream couture or wedding dress for a very special occasion.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. What is your background and how did you get into the dress rental business?

    I was working in the communication industry in big companies but over 10 years, I wanted to start my own business in fashion because I have a natural eye for it and a good fashion taste. I realized that if you have an important event to attend and you want to dress up, you don’t have many options other than to buy a very expensive designer dress, which is something I did myself when going to my friend’s weddings, so I thought that maybe the dresses which I bought could be used by others. I began looking into the market and realized that this concept didn’t exist in Paris so I decided to create “Ma bonne Amie”. I started the dress rental business in 2009, it was a very new concept in France at the time so lots of people were very interested and we got very good reviews from the media. We got a lot of TV press and so on which was really nice because the subject was so new and interesting for them. The concept worked well so after 2-3 years I decided to expand a little bit and to do more consulting and coaching, which entails helping women and also working with professionals in the workplace and companies because it’s something I know very well from my own working experience. I work with firms and agencies by helping them if they have any special events.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. How did you decide to expand to Bridal dresses?
    I’ve always had many customers asking me if I had any bridal gowns to rent but last year in particular, I had lots of new potential clients and agencies looking for the same thing and I realized that this concept did not exist in Paris, you could not rent an evening gown or wedding dress. Other than buying a dress, there was no other solution, it’s an amazing concept; especially if you only need a dress just for one day or a photo-shoot, so I decided to buy a collection of couture wedding dresses, mainly from American designers and we launched this service for clients who are looking at renting a wedding gown designer dress for one day in Paris.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. How does the process work; from choosing a dress to wearing it on the day?
    First of all people find “ma bonne amie” through different ways, such as the internet of course, word of mouth and from the media, then they will go on our website, from the website you make an appointment with our stylist. Clients will come to the showroom near the Palais Royal, which will be privatized and you will have your own, personal style consultant who will help you to choose the perfect outfit for your event, whether it be for a wedding, opera, a party, an event nearby or Cannes film festival per say.

    It also depends on your body-shape and the way how the dress fits you so we will help the lady to choose the perfect dress, we can also do some alterations. Then you will have to sign a contract and you will be able to pick up the dress the day before the event and return it 2 days afterwards, or there is also a delivery system available. The dry cleaning is included in our service so you don’t have to worry about that at all.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. How many dresses do you have at the moment?
    We have more than 250 models of long, evening gowns and cocktail dresses. We also have clutches, jewelry, furs and accessories. They’re mostly French or Italian high couture. The wedding gowns are from very renowned wedding designers. Most of them are American. We have dresses by very famous, well-known designers because clients will know their brand. The idea is not to be original, the idea is to be luxurious.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. Do you have any advice to future brides when choosing their dress?
    It depends on the event and how long they’ll be in the dress. I’ll never rent a dress for a full wedding event, only for the photo-shoot. I believe that when you get married you must have the perfect dress for your own body for example, if you’re short you shouldn’t choose something with much volume as it will make you look shorter, but if you’re only choosing the dress for a photo-shoot, you should choose the dress of your dreams because the photographer is the magician and he can do whatever you want and make you look how you want, so if you’re short he will make you look taller and so on, that way you can have the dress of your dreams because it’s just for the memories and you will always have the magic of the pictures.

    © WeddingLight Paris

    Q. Do you have any memorable stories from the job?
    Well, of course we rent dresses to ‘normal’ people because famous people are often given high couture dresses for free from the designers themselves, it is free advertising really, but at “Ma bonne Amie”we pamper and style you the same way you would be at Chanel for Cannes film festival. We make people feel like celebrities, we give them luxury treatment and provide them with a luxury dress to wear and overall high quality, Parisian experience. We’re situated in the Palais Royal area, right next to the Louvre in an exclusive luxury area which is important for clients who don’t know the area. You feel very at home when you come into ma bonne amie.

    What is funny is that we’ve had some well-known, famous people who have used our services such as older actresses which is funny as you wouldn’t expect it. Once a young hip and trendy young Parisian woman came in and she said she was going to an important event with one of our  French icon. She wanted to dress up and wear something special for the occasion. Her boyfriend was taking her to a private party with Johnny Halliday! She left the showroom with a dress from Balenciaga and she Rocked the night away!

     

    Paris wedding gown & couture dress rental : www.mabonneamie.com

  • WLE Meets: Professional Hairstylist, Muriel

    We met up with the lovely Muriel, our favorite  hairstylist, to get her expert advice on bridal hair for our destination brides in Paris. She recently worked with one of our clients at the Shangri La hotel; creating a different hair style for the bride and each of her three best friends. Despite never having met any of these lovely women from New York City before, the results exceeded all expectation. Everyone was thrilled with her work!

    We love Muriel because not only is she an amazing stylist but also extremely fun to work with. She is also very flexible and calm under pressure – what more could you ask for? Q. Tell us a little about your career: I’ve had a long and interesting career, I worked at the Ritz for 15 years styling VIP clients including members of royal families.  I style clients hair for many different occasions but I really love styling hair for weddings, and making sure the bride feels beautiful on her big day.

    Q. Are there classic wedding hair styles that never go out of fashion? The chignon will always be the most classic wedding style, having the hair up shows off the dress and gives a beautiful formal look. When I started as a hair stylist there weren’t many people specializing in bridal hair but chignons quickly became the staple look on the market.

    Q. Are there any popular trends right now? Young girls are much more interested in fashion now so they ask for a variety of different styles. The chignon is still popular but becoming more undone, people are also experimenting with more intricate ways of creating it and adding different accessories. More brides with long hair are also wearing their hair down in loose curls; I’d say the general trend over the past 5-6 years has been towards a messier less structured look.

    Q. Do you have any advice for future brides? The dress is the most important element; you need to know exactly what you’re wearing before you can think about how you want to style your hair. It’s important to choose something which is in keeping with your look and will show off the dress. Also try it out in plenty of time before the big day so you know everything will go perfectly. One time a stylist hadn’t fixed a chignon properly and the bride’s hair fell down as she was leaving the church which was a disaster. Make sure you have extra hair spray and clips to keep the style perfect for photos in all weather conditions.

    Q. How many trials does it take before getting a brides hair perfect? When I started out brides were generally happy with their hair the first time, but nowadays it can take up to 4 or 5 trials. That’s why it’s so important to practice far in advance. You should know yourself, and have an idea of how many times you think you’ll want to try before you’re completely satisfied.

    Q. Is there a big difference between doing French and American Weddings? I think there is a very noticeable difference between French and American weddings. Americans are much more ceremonious than the French which I like. I’ll do the hair for the whole wedding party and it gives a harmony to the overall look.

    Q. How do you differentiate your service from other hairstylists? I have years of experience in doing weddings, I know what brides want and can create a chignon without thinking. Even though I’ve been around a while I also keep up to date with new trends, and tailor the look  to exactly what the bride wants. There are a lot of stylists doing bridal hair now though which can make it difficult for clients as they have so many options and decisions to make.

    Photography by WeddingLight Photography
    English Speaking Photographer in Paris

  • WLE Meets: Professional Makeup Artist, Fred

    Every bride wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day and rightly so! It’s one of the most memorable and special times in a bride’s life. (Not to mention the amount of photos that will be taken that day — no pressure!) So having a professional makeup artist create your favorite look and make sure it lasts throughout the day can make all the difference. We caught up with Fred, one of our favorite makeup artists, to hear what he says about bridal makeup and what it is like being a professional makeup artist.

     ***

    Fred, Professional Makeup Artist

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 
    ***

    Q:When did you know you wanted to be a makeup artist? How did it become your passion?

    A: Actually, it began with my passion for perfume.  When I was around 18 or 20 and was doing some promotion for perfume companies.  There were makeup artists that came to do promotions as well and I loved watching them. Eventually, I began doing makeup there, too. After that, I had many internships to keep perfecting my craft.

    Q: What is your favorite part about doing a brides’ makeup?

    A: I like taking care of her (the bride) — really looking after her wellness and satisfaction. Brides are usually very stressed on the day they are getting married. So I like making them feel beautiful and when they feels happy with what I did, than that is pure fulfillment.

    Q: How do you make a bride feel special on her wedding day?

    A: Brides are very sensitive to the mood of the atmosphere. Most of the time they didn’t sleep well the night before because of  nerves. So when she is with me, I like to make her feel relaxed and allow her to de-stress.  Murielle (WLE Hair Stylist – blog post to come!) and I usually work together, so we know how each other operates and that makes things easier and is more helpful for the bride.

     ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Q: Are there any lasting or classic styles that will always be popular with brides?

    A: Brides usually tell me that they want “something soft.”  This means they are wanting a classic look: nude lips with a sheer gloss, light eyes, and sometimes adding false lashes. They don’t want to change their daily makeup style to look different from how they normally do. Brides just want something simple, but with a little more sophistication than their everyday look.

    Q: Do you have any memorable moments or great stories on the job?

    A: Jewish weddings are probably the most memorable for me. We get to see them four times throughout the day: at the town hall, for the oriental service, at the synagogue and then for their evening party. You really get to know them when you see them so many times! Most of the time they invite me to stay for their party and I’ll have a cocktail with them.

    Q: Do you have any helpful tips or advice for our fabulous brides?

    A: Have a good night’s sleep. Make sure to moisturize, do a mask, a body scrub… everything. Nice makeup is made for nice skin. It is also very important to have nice eyebrows.  The shape and style are essential for the overall look of the bride’s makeup. So it’s best to leave it to a professional — they always do them better. And maybe get a facial a week or up to four days before the wedding.

    ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Q: Ok, last question! Do you have any favorite products?

    A: I have many favorites.  But, I really like products that get rid of dark circles under the eyes. YSL’s Touche Eclat Radiant Touch is great for that. Carmex is also really great for soft lips.

    ***

     Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

    ***

    Getting to Know Fred Just a Little More: With over 15 years of experience, Fred has firmly established himself in the world of luxury makeup. Not only has he worked with some of the most fabulous makeup companies in the world (e.g. Chanel, Guerlain, Givenchy, Dior, etc.), but he has also had extensive training with some top of the line brands to make sure that his techniques are absolute perfection, his knowledge of products and tools sharp and thorough and to help him focus on his own creativity and personal touch. 

    To contact Fred about booking your makeup services for your perfect Paris elopement, wedding or other special event, please email us at info@weddinglightevents.com.

  • WLE Meets: Officiants Philippe and Susie

    Ever been to a wedding and wondered what it’d be like to be the one who marries the happy couple? WLE met up with Susie and Philippe to chat about becoming an officiant, getting married in France and their insider knowledge of the best wedding locations in Paris.

    Bonjour Philippe and Susie! So what is an officiant? What do you do?

    Philippe: An officiant is someone who organises the proceedings and coordinates all the different elements of a ceremony. I perform non-religious ceremonies but you could compare it to the role of a priest in a church wedding.

    WLE Officiant and Celebrant: Philippe

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Susie: I have done a few religious ceremonies but mostly I do non-religious, non-denominational weddings. I’ve done a couple of spiritual ceremonies, one of which incorporated some elements of native American spiritual rights.

    WLE Officiant and Celebrant: Susie

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Have you always wanted to be an officiant?

    Philippe: No… In short, it happened by chance relatively recently. In 2006 I changed my career path and got into media, then I started taking photos, short films and things like that. Then in 2008 a wedding planner phoned me and asked if I could be the officiant at a ceremony and I said yes. I really liked it so I continued. It’s a fun job because I get to discover different places, meet different couples and learn their stories… it’s not repetitive at all, even if I go to the same places the ceremony is different every time.

    Susie: I became a celebrant by accident… I was recommended by a friend. Someone was looking for a native English speaker who could produce a text that made sense, that had a good translation, and someone who had some performance skills. So I said I was available to help, because why not help a couple to fulfil their romantic dream of getting married in Paris? The first one went really well so I was asked to do it again, word of mouth spread and now I do it from time to time… it’s not my regular gig (I’m a screenwriter) but it’s a pleasant little diversion  during wedding season. It’s really nice to meet couples from all over the world and it’s really fun to help them celebrate their day and realise their dream.

    Philippe with Jennifer and Jeff at their wedding in the French countryside

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Do you use the same speeches for every ceremony or can the proceedings be personalised?

    Philippe: For me there are two scenarios; firstly there is the ceremony for French couples, who I meet six months to a year in advance on several occasions in order to discuss what they want from their ceremony. We discuss their witnesses, choose the text and the music; I create an original, personalised ceremony for them. The second scenario is the ceremony for Anglophone couples getting married in France. Often they only stay for a few days, so I don’t have the opportunity to meet them in advance. Usually they arrive the day before the wedding and they have a lot of things to organise, so there just isn’t time. For this type of ceremony the text is written in advance. These couples don’t usually want a long or elaborate ceremony because it is only symbolic.

    Susie: Generally I like to work with couples to create a text sur mesure for them but often there are last minute calls… people like to elope. For them I have a set text that I use and I try to gather as much information as I can before hand to tweak it so it’s personalised for them. When I can work with a couple to create something that’s just for them I do.

    ***

    In your opinion, is it difficult for a foreign couple to get married in France? Do you have any advice?

    Philippe: It could be but there are plenty of wedding planners that specialise in helping foreign couples. They can arrange everything that might pose a problem for an Anglophone couple to organise, including the officiant! If you’re asking me whether it’s expensive, it depends on what the couple wants, on what kind of budget they have. They could have a simple wedding in a public garden and take the metro, which costs nothing except for the officiant, or they can get married on a boat on the Seine which costs more, or a Parisian monument. So in that sense, no I don’t think it’s difficult.

    Susie: My advice is to arrange as much as possible in advance so that on the actual day of the wedding you can be in the moment; things in Paris do not work the same way as they do in North America. Things take a little bit longer, they’re a little bit slower… it’s part of the charm of Paris but if you’re feeling impatient or eager to get started it’s going to make your day less enjoyable. Paris is about taking your time, so do as much as you can in advance so that you have nothing more to think about than being carted around, married and enjoying yourself. That’s the best way to do it!

    Our clients, Jennifer and James, who enjoyed a wedding in Marie-Antoinette’s gardens at Versailles.

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Are the weddings emotional for you?

    Susie: Usually with couples I’ve found that no matter how calm they start out, I have to remind them that it’s time for them to speak and say “I do”… it’s kind of cute. I’m always told there will be no tears, especially from the groom, and it’s usually the groom who winds up in tears at the end! I’ve actually had a couple who were so sweet they made me cry a little bit!

    ***

    What’s your favourite wedding location in Paris?

    Philippe: I have really good memories of a lovely place called the Chapel Expiatoire in Paris. Although I’m a Parisian I had never been in there before and the first time that I found myself there I was really amazed by the place. For a French person it has historical significance so it was very interesting. I also have some really good memories of ceremonies on boats in Paris. I like them because the ceremony is also a cruise, which is great in the summer. It also gives me the time to get to know the couple a bit more and since I’m Parisian I can give them a little tourist commentary as we go along.

    Susie: My favourite location is probably the Chapel Expiatoire – in warm weather! Not in the winter, it’s so cold! Because of the majesty of the cathedral itself, it helps to add to the inherent drama and meaningfulness of the day.  The acoustics are great and it’s wonderful to see the couple arrive from the park into the chapel itself… it’s stunning. Plus it’s really exclusive, it’s a place that most people never go.

    Our clients, Sophie and Bert, entering the Chapelle Expiatoire

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Do you prefer indoor or outdoor weddings?

    Susie: Indoor weddings are nice because they’re uninterrupted but outdoor weddings are fantastic if you want to share your moment with an audience… Paris is the city of love so everyone is really enthusiastic. I did one ceremony where a group of school children happened to come by on a field trip and they all decided to make a circle around the couple. When the couple kissed and I pronounced them man and wife, not only did they applaud but they cheered and then broke out into a song! It was fabulous!

    ***

    Tell us about your favourite place in Paris.

    Philippe: My quarter! I live next to Place de la Nation in the 20th arrondissement and I really love it. It’s near to the Bois de Vincennes which I love because there are trees and big avenues. If I don’t have a reason to travel around Paris I stay in my quarter because it has everything I need. So yes… my favourite quarter is my own!

    Susie: Probably the Parc André Citroen in the 15th, not many people know it… that’s why it’s one of my favourite places! I really like Parc Monceau as well, it’s more of an English style park so it reminds me of Central Park a lot. I love all the parks!

    Our clients, Todd and Michelle, who married in Parc Monceau

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    ***

    Thanks Susie and Philippe! To contact Susie and Philippe and book them through our agency , please send us an email at info@weddinglightevents.com

    To see more of Olivier’s beautiful photography, head over to his blog.

  • WLE Meets: Professional Florist, Estelle

    Photograph Courtesy of Estelle 

    Whether you’re having a simple elopement or a full wedding ceremony, flowers are pretty essential when it comes to any type of ceremony. Not only do those pretty petals make a statement, but they are also one detail that will most certainly be photographed the most! (This is of course not counting you and your wonderful groom!) So, it is important to have a florist who you can trust and work with to make all those important aspects that you’ve been envisioning a reality! That is why we count on our fabulous florist, Estelle of Estelle Preston Flowers. She is as sweet as a rose smells and works wonders with her buds and blossoms.

    Q: So, how did you get started and how long have you been a florist?

    A: I started my career in theatre and after things ended there, I quickly realized that it would be impossible for me to have a “normal” desk job ever again. I needed something that involved creativity — something just a bit different. After realizing my calling came in the form of poesies and roses, I did my training at Hadlow College in Kent, England and have been working as a florist for last 16 years now.

    ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    Q: What was your inspiration then to go into this line of work?

    A: I had grown up in the countryside where my parents had a farm, so the element of nature had always been there for me. I knew that I wanted a job that included both this love of nature and was something creative. So after a friend of mine who happened to be a florist asked for some help with a few events, I knew that that was where my heart belonged. After my training and working at a flower shop, everything just seemed to fall into place. In the end, I actually get to put my theater background to use by helping brides create the fairytale wedding of their dreams!

    Q: Tell us, are you married? What was your wedding like?

    A: Romance certainly seems to follow this lovely florist around… I married an Englishman who I met here in Paris and now we have a little boy named Jules (what a great name!) Planning, I admit, was a bit difficult as a florist. But in the end I had a wonderful winter wedding. The location I chose was a place in Ireland that my family and I had been going to for years on holidays and so it was some place very near and dear to me. I decided to have our ceremony in an old rustic church that had terrible lighting. But I filled the church with lovely pillar candles (can you imagine??) and Christmas roses, (which are my favorite) amaryllis, and calla lilies. How magical!

    ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    Q: Tell us about the services you provide? Do you specialize in anything particular?

    A: I provide bespoken floral services. We can assure you that she provides much more than just that! One of the most important qualities about Estelle and her work is that she really goes that extra mile. I deal mainly with English-speakers from aboard, so it is essential and a pleasure for me to build a relationship with my brides. All of my designs and arrangements are unique and I have no pre-designed packages, that is why this friendship and trust is crucial for a success arrangement or bouquet. We can certainly attest to that and understand that it is difficult while planning from aboard. On top of that, once everything has been chosen and the day has finally arrived, I personally deliver each and every order myself. It is absolutely wonderful to see each brides react once she sees her flowers. It makes the work that I do so much better. I also keep in contact with some of my past brides and when they return to Paris on holiday we try and meet up for coffee and a little chat!

    Q: Do you have any funny stories or other great moments that you can tell us about?

    A: As far as funny stories go, this one definitely tops the list. Now, imagine if Wonder Woman and the Roman goddess, Flora were to somehow combine into one — this is how we envision Estelle and her dedication to her work and brides… Once, I had a bride call saying that she had forgotten her bouquet at her apartment. I tracked down a scooter and raced back to the apartment to retrieve the forgotten flowers. But, the tricky part was on the way to the bride. While the driver was concentrating on getting me to the ceremony, I was trying to make sure that none of the flowers were damaged by the wind, road bumps and/or the driver veering through traffic. Of course, everything stayed in place as it should have and the bride got her bouquet just in time for her ceremony! But, I do have to say it was pretty wild. YAY – we love a happy ending!

    ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

    Great moments between clients happen a lot. But, one in particular stands out for me. I was delivering a bouquet to a bride and when I walked into the apartment, the bride happened to be Skyping with her mother. When the bride showed her mother the bouquet she started to cry and so did the bride, which in turn made me get teary too! It was such a lovely and intimate moment and I was thankful to have been able to be a part of it and to receive that kind of a touching compliment. It certainly is a wonderful feeling knowing that your work is meaningful and appreciated. How wonderful!

    Q: Tell us about your Paris. What are some of your favorite spots here?

    A: I live in the 15th arrondissement of Paris and just love rue du Commerce. It has a bit of everything, like a great tea place and shoe store. I also love Le Bon Marché  and a perfume boutique, (I LOVE perfume!) that is called Annick Goutal Paris. They have beautiful perfumes and I have two favorite scents: one that is a romantic floral blend (very fitting!) and another that is called “Le grand amour,” which would also be great for brides.

    ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight 

    Q: Ok, last question. Do you have any overall advice for brides?

    A: I think my biggest tip would be to keep in mind the space that you have whether is been for the ceremony or reception. There are tons of ideas and examples out there now with blogs and sites like Pinterest, but not all arrangements or ideas correspond to or are achievable in every location. It’s just good to keep that in mind when thinking about decor. Continuity is also key. Stick with one type of arrangement or idea and let that make a bold statement rather than mixing and matching everywhere. A clean, simple look is always best.

    Wow, thanks, Estelle ! That was wonderful!

    We certainly hope that all of you out there fall for our fabulous florist just as much as we have and know that you will be well taken care of when it comes to deciding your bouquet or floral arrangements! 

     ***

    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight