Category: PARIS JE T’AIME

  • 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

  • Paris Elopement: Jody & Paul from California, USA


    I met Jody and Paul early one morning ​last week ​at the Four Seasons George V, a luxury five-star hotel just off the Champs-Elysées to discuss their Paris elopement. Although they had arrived late in the evening the night before, Jody looked ​fresh and lovely as she walked in to greet me. Paul had one of those smiles that is just so contagious that you cannot help but smile right back and immediately feel happy. While Jody and I chatted about their plans, Paul went out to get an extra bottle of champagne from Hediard for their big day. ​Olivier from WeddingLight; our Paris wedding photographer beautifully documented this lovely wedding day.
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    The couple wanted to enjoy something intimate ​and special together here in Paris before traveling to New Orleans where they would be having a big celebration – Cajun style – with all of their friends and family.

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    The next morning began with a massage at the hotel followed by hair and makeup for Jody done by our wonderful duo, Fred and Muriel. Jody opted for simple makeup and gorgeous soft curls to go go with her vintage French-laced gown and pearls – oo la la! Her bouquet of cream colored roses was taken care of by the hotel whose amazing florist is none other than Jeff Leatham. They then went off for a photo tour through Paris with our fabulous and fun photographer, Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight Photography. We are definitely thanking him for capturing these beautiful moments!
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    But, that was not the end of things for Jody and Paul. Since both of them are avid boat lovers, they decided to have their ceremony on a private yacht followed by a gourmet three-course dinner and three-hour cruise along the Seine. How romantic!

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    Photography from  WeddingLight; our Paris wedding photographer beautifully documented this lovely wedding day.

  • Paris Wedding: Jacquelyn & Livingston’s Elegant Georges V Wedding Celebration

     Paris Wedding Photographer Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight Paris

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    An escape to Paris from the Big Apple for Jacquelyn & Livingston’s wedding was like a fairy tale. I still cannot believe how beautiful and romantic the entire celebration turned out… When they arrived in Paris it was freezing cold, which was expected really. Despite the weather though, it did not stop the wedding party and guests from making an appearance in front of the Eiffel Tower for a seemingly impromptu flash mob dance, (if 15 people dancing to music supplied by our DJ’s speaker can be called a mob). After making it through the initial stage fright, they had a blast and the memory of it all was captured forever by our wonderful photographer, Olivier of WeddingLight Photography who turned videographer for our enjoyment of the memory for many years to come.

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    The next day was the wedding ceremony. Officiant, Minister Rudolph Nickens, is a long time friend of the family. He knew all the right words to make the ceremony meaningful, as they began their new lives together. Every detail from the flowers — especially the flowers were perfect. The wedding theme colors were coral, peach and ivory.

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    Jeff Leatham created a design of mixed roses and hydrangeas displayed on mirror stands with candles, and using glass candelabras for a more elegant feel. Everything down to the candles — to the three, yes three — cakes were perfect. To explain the cakes: Jacquelyn and her mother are something of cake-a-holics and so they each had their own, and of course the groom could not be left out either.

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    The bride’s cake was prepared by our pastry Chef Lucien Gautier and was a 4-tiered cake with different whimsical flavors, inspired by yellow cake, red velvet cake and carrot cake, topped by a chocolate cake and covered with white vanilla and buttercream icing. Livingston’s (the groom) cake was made of chocolate and peanut butter and the bride’s mother also wanted a cake for herself; this was a traditional French Croquembouche made of small chocolate and vanilla cream puffs.

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    Oh, Jacquelyn had fallen in LOVE with Romona Keveza wedding dresses, so not only did she buy one but TWO. She could change to a more manageable wedding gown for the reception party. Following the diner we all went to the V.I.P Club and danced until the early hours of the morning. Two days after the wedding they donned their wedding attire once again and went on a tour of the city with our lively photographer, Olivier.

    ” The pictures will be the best I will ever have taken — thanks to our make up stylist of the Stars, Angélik Iffennecker and because of Olivier’s exceptional talent.”

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    “All in all, our time in Paris was the best time of my life!  Thank you, mother and father for putting it all into place and making it to this point with me. Can’t wait for my vow renewal !!! I hope every single person is available in five years (or is 2 years too soon?)! Paris is the most romantic city in the world. I wanted to have an excuse to come every year for our anniversary. “

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    Paris Wedding photographer – From Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight the Photographer: I first met Jacquelyn and Livingston on the Pont de Iena, where we filmed their “impromptu” flash mob dance. It was cold on that day, Marco, my videographer and I got so exited about the whole thing, we forgot we were freezing. It simply rocked and we had a great time capturing Jacquelyn and Livingston’s special mini flash mob event. From that moment on, I knew the wedding itself was going to be above and beyond a whole lot of fun. It was great seeing this young group of people so excited to be in the “City of Lights,” especially since for most of them it was their the first time! The flash mob dance was the first highlight of the week end, but more was on its way..

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    Our second meeting on the roof of the Georges V Hotel, where we did a short portrait session. It is very rare that a hotel will let a photographer roam freely, but when you actually do get permission, I can certainly say it is bliss! The view was magnificent and Jacquelyn and Livingston looked just perfect. I loved the whole wedding and especially going to the V.I.P Club for the after party, which was the third highlight of the weekend. We mingled with the crowd and just had a great time celebrating. The French love their brides and Jacquelyn was getting the “VIP” treatment, which I am sure made the evening even more memorable.

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     Then, a couple of days later, we met again for a three-hour photo shoot through Paris. We hopped in our car and were off to have some fun shooting through some of the city’s most iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine and its gorgeous bridges and many more wonderful places. Then I took them to the Tuilerie garden, down rue de Rivoli, rue de la Paix, Place Vendome, the Opera area, and of course, the Louvre. From those three hours, I took over 400 photos of the gorgeous couple. It is such a wonderful feeling seeing love and a couple who is so happy and and ready to spend the rest of their lives together. All in all, I have to say that this was a gorgeous wedding and fun-filled weekend and I feel so lucky to have been able to be a part of it!

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    Wedding Photographer Paris – Olivier Lalin from WeddingLight photographed the wedding of Jacquelyn and Livingstone at the Georges V Paris.

    By the way, if you are looking for a cocktail dress to wear in Paris, make sure you visit our interview of Max Chaoul in Paris on WeddingLight Events blog.

  • Paris Elopement: Taylor & Graham from Arkansas, USA

    Wedding Photographer Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight Paris

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    While everyone was enjoying their Armistice and Veteran’s Day holiday, Taylor and Graham were making memories of their own here in Paris. Both of them had already had their “big wedding,” so this time around it was just going to be about them! No hustle and bustle and certainly no stress — just something simple and intimate for the two of them to enjoy.

    Taylor and Graham had their ceremony in Square St. Jean XXIII, just behind the infamous Notre Dame Cathedral and next to the gorgeous Seine river. The weather could not have been better either — a bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine to beam on our lovely bride and groom’s faces! Philippe was there to preform their ceremony providing them with a certificate and a copy of his speech for their mementos. After their ceremony was finished, they walked the cobbled stoned streets of Paris for their photo tour with Olivier. The happy couple ended their evening with a private dinner for two in one of Paris’​ fabulous restaurants just off the Left Bank​. What a great way to begin the first day of their new life together!

    We hope that Taylor and Graham enjoy the rest of their time here in the City of Lights and have a safe journey back to the states! It is always wonderful working with happy couples and we wish them nothing but the happiness they deserve!

    Congratulations, Taylor and Graham!

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Wedding Photographer Paris – Olivier Lalin from WeddingLight photographed the elopement of taylor and Graham.

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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     Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    Photography by Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight

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    To see more photographs from Taylor and Graham’s elopement, please visit WeddingLights’ Blog. 

  • Paris Elopement: Michelle and Anthony from Toronto, Canada

    Paris Elopement: Michelle and Anthony from Toronto, Canada

    Paris Wedding photographer – Olivier Lalin WeddingLight
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    Last Friday, Michelle and Anthony celebrated their 4-year anniversary (from their very first date together!!) with a lovely and simple Paris elopement. The couple traveled from Toronto, Canada for this very special day and their ceremony was held in Square St. Jean XXIII, just behind the Notre Dame Cathedral. Our wonderful Susie was there to officiate their ceremony in front of the garden’s incredible gothic fountain and Olivier was there to capture every moment!

    We wish the adorable couple all the best and happiness in the world! Congratulations, Michelle and Anthony!

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     Paris Wedding photographer Olivier Lalin WeddingLight