WeddingLight Events – Elope to Paris

Category: WEDDING VENUES

  • Top 5 Places to Marry in Paris

    There are many wedding ceremony locations in Paris to chose from to suite both your taste and budget. Whether you’re a DIY, Classic, Rock & Roll or Indie Bride we’ve found that many couples need help in finding a suitable wedding venue to marry.  And because all our clients are foreigners or visiting from abroad for a short period of time they need help in crossing the language and social (administrative) barriers. That’s where WLEvents comes in. We’re just happy to help however we can!

    We’ve rounded up 5 of our favorite and possibly most popular places to have a truly Parisian wedding.

    1. Chapelle Expiatoire – This Paris monument was dedicated to King Louis XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette and the construction took over 10 years to complete. Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the garden exteriors are as exquisite as the marble interiors that radiates with the beautiful natural lighting.
    2. Saint James Albany Hotel-Spa – Located in the very heart of Paris (across from the Tulleries Gardens), this hotel has reception rooms to host large wedding parties of around 150 guests. Say I do in a decadent decor of high ceilings and engraved walls, and have your guests parade out into the courtyard afterwards for a post ceremony “Apero” with champagne and hors-d’œuvre
    3. The American Church in Paris – This English speaking church and congregation attracts many visitors to Paris who don’t speak French and are in search of a religious ceremony. You will have to show proof that you’ve already legally married in your home country.
    4. Parc des Buttes Chaumont / Buttes Chaumont Park – Parisians flock to this oasis in Paris because of it’s vast landscape and its proximity to the Mairie of the 19th Arrondissement (where they’ve just married). You won’t find solitude here, but it makes for a beautiful backdrop for photos and as it’s a public park, it is free.
    5. A Jewish Synagogue – This discrete synagogue is centrally located in one of Paris’ most notable Jewish communities and is one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau designs.

    In addition to the above list, bear in mind that there are many other options if you want to marry or elope in Paris such as Boats along the Seine River, Museums, Consulates etc. Anything is possible.

  • Paris: a wedding celebration on the river seine

    I’ve lived in Paris for a few years now and i still marvel at the beauty of the city. Its architecture is breathtaking; I often have to pose and simply enjoy the vista. There is no doubt it is the city of Love.
    All photographs by Olivier Lalin @ WeddingLight

  • A wedding celebration at the chapelle Expiatoire in Paris


    Chapelle Expiatoire
    Louis XVIII commissioned French architect Pierre Fontaine to build a chapel on the spot in expiation, forgiveness, for the crimes of the Revolution, and in memory of his brother and his Queen.
    Taking over two years to clear the site for construction, Fontaine completed the work and Chapelle Expiatoire was inaugurated in 1826.
    The dome of Chapelle Expiatoire was the creation of architect Charles Percier.
    The last service to be held in the Chapel was in 1882.
    The Chapelle Expiatoire is surrounded by a lovely and inviting garden, Square Louis XVI.
    It is a quiet and popular oasis of park benches, swaths of grass, plantings of flowering shrubs and beds of roses.
    The many types of trees in the garden were planted to commemorate the different classes of people who died during the Revolution.
    Wedding bouquet by Jeff Leatham in ParisThe wedding photographs were taken by Olivier of WeddingLight

  • WLE meets Nicky and Mark from le Château de la Couronne


    Who are you? What’s the story behind the Château de la Couronne?

    We are Nicky Cooper and Mark Selwood, and we live in France with our two sons, Elliot (18) and Max (14). We moved to France seven years ago, after searching for our ideal Chateau and finding it at Chateau de la Couronne. It’s on the edge of a friendly little village right on the border between the Dordogne and Charente regions, about 25 minutes from the charming city of Angouleme.
    We spent about two years renovating the castle and grounds and opened for business five years ago. We had a very firm view of what we wanted to deliver to our clients. It wasn’t difficult in all honesty – we’ve stayed in hotels around the world and had very firm views on what constitutes good service and facilities. All we had to do is design a place we would be happy to stay in.

    What are the services you offer?

    For much of the year, we offer Chambre d’Hote, all in rooms which are ridiculously luxurious.
    A large part of our business is Exclusive Hire – where a single client hires the entire Chateau for a group holiday, family reunion, or even a Girl’s weekend.
    Then of course we offer Weddings at the Chateau, which are truly magical with the ceremony in the formal gardens and a huge refectoire for dining and dancing.

    What are the specificities of the castle? How many people can you host?

    The Chateau can accommodate up to 26 people, and is really well equipped.
    There are three private salons for clients to chill out in. There’s a 14.5m heated swimming pool in the gardens, which extend to about 5 acres. There is a Private Cinema with 2.5m screen and surround sound, a Music area with Guitars, Amps, Keyboard and Drum Machine. And there’s a full size American Pool table in the Billiard Room.
    A full Restaurant Kitchen is available for Exclusive Hire clients to play chef in, or we can arrange for our professional French caterers to provide anything from a one-off dining extravaganza to three meals per day every day.
    The little touches are all there too – from fluffy robes in the bathrooms, to different towels for bathroom and pool, bathing products in the bathrooms, drinks chillers, free wi-fi, DVD and CD library – enough to make any guest feel at home.

    What type of events do you organize most?

    We have had some wonderful weddings at the Chateau, for guests from all corners of the world – from Europe to Australia, the USA, Canada and Hong Kong
    Some of the nicest times have been big family Reunions, where family members jet in from all over the world and spend a week or two at The Chateau. It’s so lovely to see all the generations together and bringing the Chateau to life.
    We’ve also had some great Girl’s weekends, where a bunch of girls hire the Chateau and spend the week being pampered by our Masseur and Beautician, enjoying food prepared by our chefs, and getting a great tan too.

    How much does it cost to stay in the castle? How long in advance do people need to book?

    The Chateau costs 2,000 euros per night or 12,000 euros per week to hire exclusively. Certain periods get booked really quickly – some weeks for 2012 are already booked. Luckily with the climate in south-west France, the season is pretty long!

    What activities do you offer your clients?

    There are plenty of distractions. At the Chateau, the heated swimming pool, the Billiard Room, the cinema and music area and the Table Tennis room are a lot of fun. In the village are Tennis Courts, whilst within a few minutes drive are a championship karting track, organised canoeing and kayaking on the river, and countless brocantes and flea markets to rummage around in. Further afield, but within easy driving distance – are Bordeaux, Cognac, Brantome and La Rochelle.



    Do you organize wedding ceremonies there?

    Weddings are a big deal for us. We have hosted weddings for clients from all over the world, ranging from small, intimate affairs for 20 to huge society bashes for 200 guests with full catering. All the Wedding Planning is done in-house, and we have a cadre of tried and tested professionals who work with us covering everything from hairdressing to flowers, photography and catering.

    What is your best memory in the Castle?

    I suppose the best feeling was the recognition we got very quickly afar opening. We had some fantastic press in Germany, Holland, the UK, the USA, even in Russia. We were named as “One of the top 5 houses to rent in France” by the Guardian Newspaper, and featured in magazines from Glamour to OK, Grazia to Air France Magazine, the Sunday Times and Le Figaro, we appeared in books and even on TV.

    Then to top it all, playing host to the most famous couple in Hollywood for two weeks, and managing to keep the world’s press away from them for most of their stay.

    Thank you for answering our questions! For more information about the Château de la Couronne: Château de la Couronne website

  • WLE meets Diana and Bernard Gautruche from le Château de Changy

    Who are you? What’s the story behind the Château de Changy?

    We are Bernard and Diana Gautruche, owners of the castle since 2006 that we found in appalling condition and have completely renovated. Changy Castle dates from the time of Charlemagne, from which the only remain is a tower, but the castle was rebuilt in 1610 with the later addition of the mansard tower in 1912.
    There is an exceptional park with trees that are over 300 years old!, like the cedars of Lebanon, the cypresses, the ginkgos, the American sequoias.., to which we added our personal touch: A giant red sculpture “LOVE ” that sets the tone!

    What are the services you offer?

    We provide a place, which can host all kinds of receptions! Spacious lounges and cozy rooms with different themes, a fitted terrace, all this in a lush greenery and just one hour drive from southern Paris.

    What are the specificities of the castle?

    Changy Castle is rich with history. It is excellent for relaxing, decorated in a way that favors guests’ comfort and well-being. Many works of art and the choice of furniture and materials make the site nice and warm. All of our guests feel a bit “at home” but without the disadvantages!

    What type of events do you organize most? How many people can you host?

    We offer privatization, from 15 to 20 people, from corporate events, to wedding receptions accommodating up to 150-200 people, completely privatizing the location for one event at a time. We can accommodate a maximum of 24 guests in 12 double rooms and accommodation is also available nearby the castle for a big reception.

    How much does it cost to stay in the castle? How long in advance do people need to book?

    Our rate of privatization starts at 2300 euros for a night with 12 double rooms and gourmet breakfasts included. Privatizations for weddings, including all facilities, starts at € 8350. Weddings in June, July and August are to be reserved 1 year in advance. There are fewer restrictions when bookings outside of these busy months!

    What activities do you offer your clients?

    Our clients have an on-site tennis court, an outdoor heated pool during spring and summer, mountain bikes available, Wi-Fi access in the lounges. Tours around parks and gardens such as “Les Jardins du Grand Courtoiseau” , the Art Brut Museum “la Fabuloserie”  which where the Châteaux de la Loire start.
    We are 10 kilometers from Montargis where “les pralines de Mazet”, a famous candy shop deserves a visit too.

    Do you organize wedding ceremonies there?

    We have more and more requests for the organization of “civil” or “symbolic” weddings in the castle’s park.
    It is a magical and emotional moment for all guests, when such a wonderful union can be organized outside of a traditional place of worship.

    What is your best memory in the castle?

    Our weddings are so different from one to another! We dedicate ourselves to the organizers and grooms to make their dream come true: an unforgettable reception! It is always a pleasure to share these moments with our Newly-weds, who we’ve assisted from start to finish.

    Thank you for answering our questions! For more information about the Château de Changy: Château de Changy website