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.
***
***
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.
***
***
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!
***
***
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!
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Photography from WeddingLight; our Paris wedding photographer beautifully documented this lovely wedding day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
If there’s one thing Parisians do well it’s luxury. From fashion to food to everything in between, no one does opulence quite like the French! Whether you’re looking to stay in Paris for just one night (viable excuses include: anniversaries, proposals, birthdays… Mondays) or for an extended period of time, there’s a room (or a suite!) to suit everyone. Thanks to Parisians’ perfectionist tendencies our top 5 luxury hotels are just that – perfect. If you can think of it they’ve probably got it, and if they haven’t got it they’ll bend over backwards to get it for you.
***
1. Le Bristol
The Terrace Suite at Le Bristol
Le Bristol is perfectly located on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – home to not only the Palais de l’Elysée (the President’s residence) but also virtually every big-name luxury brand including Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna… the list goes on! Le Bristol boasts a seemingly never-ending list of accolades, the most recent of which include “Best Luxury Day spa” in Europe and ranking 2nd amongst the 25 Best Hotels in France according to Trip Advisor, and did we mention it was the first French establishment to be awarded the distinction of “Palace” status? If that doesn’t persuade you how about the romantic 18th century décor, the kid’s club or the triple Michelin-starred chef!
Prices vary throughout the year, “Romance in Paris” offer from €975
***
2.Plaza Athénée
The Eiffel Suite Classic at Plaza Athénée
Having welcomed previous glamorous clientele such as Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy and the Ford family, the Plaza Athénée is the perfect choice for a VIP-style stay. Featuring 12 different types of rooms and suites, 5 restaurants and even 2 styles of décor (classical and art deco) the choices are endless! The jaw-dropping “Signature Suites” are essentially sumptuous Parisian apartments and if it weren’t for the option of round-the-clock room service (24-hour champagne!) you could soon forget that you’re in a hotel. For those who like to travel in style there’s a hotel limousine available for hire (with driver) by the hour, but who needs to leave when you have three Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse’s restaurant and a Dior Institut spa on the premises?! But if you do get itchy-feet the Théâtre des Champs Élysées, where you can catch an opera or a ballet, is just seconds away.
The best thing, and it’s hard to choose, about the Shangri-La Hotel is its location on the banks of the Seine with a breath-taking view of the Eiffel Tower. Painstakingly restored, it’s also the former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew and you’ll certainly receive the royal treatment here! Guests can take advantage of three restaurants (two of which are Michelin-starred) offering French and Asian haute cuisine or sip the hotel’s signature cocktail “The Pink Lady” at the Empire style bar. The Shangri-La is another hotel with a whole host of awards but what really sets it apart from other luxury options are its inventive but subtle East-meets-West décor and rooms that boast a view of the Eiffel Tour from your bath tub… quite a way to start your wedding day! Prices vary throughout the year, “Romance in Paris” offer from €990
***
4. W Paris-Opéra
The W Lounge at W Paris-Opéra
The W Paris-Opéra may belong to a chain but its stylish rooms make it feel more like a boutique Parisian hotel and with 9 types of rooms ranging from “Cozy Room” to “Extreme Wow Suite” it’s easy to find a luxury space to suit you, even on a budget. All guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour access to the top floor fitness centre (with a view over the Paris rooftops exercising just became a lot more fun!) and then treat themselves to a drink in the ultra-chic W Lounge bar. The hotel also offers its unique “Whatever/Whenever” service for “Whatever you want. Whenever you want it, as long as it’s legal!” – perfect for a rainy day in bed! But it’ll be hard to resist leaving your room with a Michelin Star restaurant in the hotel and the Opéra and world-famous Grands Magasins on your doorstep!
The Duplex Eiffel Suite at Hotel Fouquet’s Barrière
Located just off the Champs Elysées on the famous Avenue George V, Hotel Fouquet’s Barrière was the first luxury hotel in Paris to receive five stars. Even the smallest rooms are spacious at 37sqm, with the largest suite a huge 250sqm and rooms available at every size in between. All of the rooms and suites offer great views of surrounding landmarks or the hotel’s private garden, a delightful haven of sunshine and greenery . During your stay you can also take advantage of the hotel’s U Spa (the U stands for “Unique in Paris”!), stunningly decorated with light wood and bronze mosaics, with free access to the swimming pool and fitness centre. The hotel is home to no less than 5 restaurants and 3 bars including the recently opened La Petite Maison de Nicole, the Parisian version of the famous restaurant of the same name in Nice.
€655 – €14280, “Paris c’est l’Amour” offer from €990
***
Phew! After that we’re guessing you’re feeling a bit spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing your luxury hotel! Exemplary service, world-renowned chefs and budgets to suit everyone from the purse-friendly to the money-is-no-object… these hotels may seem the stuff of dreams but we can assure you they’re very real! Just remember to book well in advance to secure your favourite room or suite, then kick back, relax and let yourself be pampered in the lap of luxury!
Our dear clients Jan and Jeremy from San Diego married in Paris yesterday under a big cloudy sky and hardly a drop of rain. With 32 friends and family it was one of the biggest weddings we’ve organized this year but we love a good challenge! Everything ran like clockwork, from the ceremony in front of the Eiffel Tower to the boat ride along the Seine… not to mention the delicious reception dinner at L’Ilot Vache. Olivier had the pleasure of accompanying the happy couple on their intimate photo tour of Paris – here’s a sneak peak of what they got up to!
Yanique from WeddingLight Events throwing Petals at Jan and Jeremy overlooking the seine yesterday! Dedicated and happy wedding planner
Jan and Jeremy were a joy to work with and we loved hearing their romantic tales – Jan’s dress was worn not only by her mother but also her mother’s friend, then it was tailored to fit Jan by Jeremy’s mother… that’s her something borrowed ticked off! Oh and if you’re wondering (andwe know you are) that beautiful bouquet was made by our friend Estelle from Estelle Flowers.
We can’t thank Jan and Jeremy enough for letting us be a part of their amazing day, what a way to start a lifetime together! For more gorgeous photos of the lucky couple visit Olivier’s WeddingLight blog
