WeddingLight Events – Elope to Paris

Tag: wedding inspiration

  • Paris Weddings – The Story So Far

    Just like you guys, we never get tired of looking back at your Paris Wedding Day pictures;  the Beaming smiles, gorgeous gowns and limitless love captured by our in house photograoher, Oliver Lalin, on those days never fails to leave us with big grins on our faces.  

    Browsing through the albums of the Paris Weddings WLE has organised so far, I was astounded to see just how many beautiful dreams we’ve made a reality!  From quiet Paris Elopements to big blow-outs, all of your wonderful Weddings were truly captivating, and reminiscing over them made me feel more inspired than ever – as well as a little teary eyed!

    Wedding Photos Album Paris

    But WLE we do things properly, and I wasn’t done with the nostalgia yet!  In order to make this a proper #throwback, I got in touch with one our favourite Brides from last year, Nhu.  Nhu and her – now husband – Norman eloped to Paris with us from Australia, and what a Wedding it was!  She’s kindly agreed to share her Wedding story with us so we can relive it once more, and guess what? there’s pictures! I better get those tissues ready again!

    Wedding Light Events thinks the only location for a Wedding is Paris, and can’t understand why you’d consider anywhere else,  however, we are, admittedly, rather biased!  From someone who has a more neutral view, what was it about Paris that attracted you so much?

    – Norm and I would’ve loved to have done a big wedding at home in Brisbane, Australia but we had to see the bigger picture and that involved building a new home for our growing family. With this in mind, we both happily decided to ‘elope’ to Paris – somewhere i had always dreamed of visiting. I had never been to Europe and would’ve loved to have done a big trip travelling the place, however we had a 1 year old to consider and so staying in one place made travelling a lot easier. It was an easy choice…it’s such a beautiful city with so many things to see, but I must admit, the fantastic food was definitely a swaying factor! We both work in hospitality, and Norm is a chef so the idea of ‘living’ in Paris for 2 weeks and eating Parisian Food everyday was something we very much looked forward to. 

    Parisian Food…just one of the reasons we could never leave!  ‘Heaven on a plate’ comes to mind! 

    With that in mind, can you tell us a bit more about your Day?  How many people accompanied you, which locations did you select for shooting, and last but most definitely not least, where did you eat?

    – Our day was absolutely amazing! And this was all thanks to the fact that we decided to use WLE to help organise it all. You always hear about brides being so stressed on the day of their wedding and I really didn’t want any of that on our day. Everything was arranged for me and I didn’t have to check or follow up on anything. 

    It was just us (Me, Norm and our beautiful 1 year old daughter). I originally chose a location in front of a cherry blossom tree at Notre Dame because I thought the Wedding photos would be stunning with those as the backdrop.  However on the day, tourists made that impossible and your in house photographer, Olivier wasn’t keen on doing the ceremony there.  He quickly suggested somewhere quieter for us to move too and the new impromptu location was definitely just as good! It was private, beautiful and perfect for our intimate ceremony. Olivier took us on to several stunning locations to capture all the different images we wanted and we finished the long day off with a late dinner at Plaza Athenee. 

    Ah! Olivier knows Paris like the back of his hand and is always brimming with ideas!  What would we do without him, hey ?  

    We loved your colour theme.  Paris may be known for its ‘all black everything’ but for us, pink is a colour that never gets old.  You managed to incorporate it into your Wedding day so sublimely; how did you choose what colours to go for ? 

    – Of course I wanted our wedding day to be elegant and romantic, but also ‘pretty’, and to me, there’s nothing more beautiful than dusty pink. This colour was mainly inspired by delicate dusty pick peonies, which is my favourite flower.  So of course I just had to have these pink peonies in my bouquet. 

    You certainly did a great job, Nhu.  Pink peonies?  The perfect choice; you and your daughter looked as pretty as picture.

    And you kept the prettiness coming with that great Balloon idea!  Tell us, Where did the inspiration for that come from? 

    – I actually discovered WLE through your in-house photographer, Olivier. We weren’t going to have any friends or family present so the photography was really important to me.  I wanted to have memorable photos to show them, as they couldn’t be there themselves. 

    I looked through a lot of photographers to try and identify someone that could translate my ideas to the style of photography I wanted, and Olivier’s style fit the bill perfectly. I didn’t want the typical boring wedding photos in all the tourist attractions. I tried to look for other ways to make our images more fun and interesting, without being tacky. I had seen these oversized balloons in other photography and thought they were perfect to use in our photos to showcase our ‘fun’ side on the day.  This also happened to coincide with my colour scheme of pink and white nicely. 

    Paris Wedding Planner’s Elopement for Australian Couple

    We’re so happy you liked Olivier’s photos as much as we do.  He has a true talent for captivating unique and personal photos for our couples.  Your shots definitely looked fun, in fact, I’d love to have a go with one of those balloons myself…

    We loved working with you.  From start to finish, you were full of ideas and had such a clear vision of what you wanted.  Now the big question is, how did you find working with the team at WLE? 

    – From the first response I had from you right through to the receiving of our photos, WLE fulfilled my every expectation.  You were dream wedding planners, truly. There was great communication, never any issues and I always knew everything was done for me and that I had nothing to worry about. 

    A few days before the wedding day, we had a meet & greet with Helene & Olivier and it re-confirmed that this was a professional team who knew what they were doing.  Olivier totally saw my vision with the photography and he was so amazing on the day. Just super lovely and made the whole experience really comfortable as I’m not great in front of a camera at the best of times!  

    Paris Wedding Planners Organise Pink Elopement

    Well any nerves certainly didn’t show!  From what we saw you looked liked a complete natural – beautiful Bride alert!  We’re so glad you had a fabulous day and experience with Wedding Light Events.  Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us, Nhu! 

    You can see even more pictures of our wonderful Weddings by clicking on our ‘Elope to Paris’ in the menu bar above or checking out our Pinterest Board. Happy reminiscing!

     

  • Celebrity Weddings In Paris

    With its quiet streets, charming chateaus, and exclusive restaurants, Paris is the perfect place to hold a small and intimate Wedding.  But what if you have bigger ideas ?  Well, with it’s extravagant hotels and expansive terraces, turns out Paris is pretty good at accommodating those, too.

     The City of love has played host to many a-list events over the years, including a healthy handful of Celebrity Weddings, both outrageously big and endearingly small.  We’ve compiled a list of them to show you just how diverse and desirable this beautiful City can be.  If it’s good enough for the stars, it’s certainly good enough for us!

     

    Wedding of Stephanie Okereke And Linus Idahosa:

    On April 21st 2012, Nollywood actor and actress Linus & Stephanie travelled across the world to say their vows in the magnificent  Abbaye de Cernay.  This enchanting building sits surrounded by nature on the outskirts of Paris and was shared with the couple and there some 400 Wedding guests on the Big Day.  The actress supposedly chose Paris for it’s great history and fairytale ambiance, reasons which we can completely relate too!  With two gorgeous gowns and such a picturesque location, it’s no wonder she claimed it to be Nigerian Wedding of the Year!

     

    Marriage of Ricki-Lee Coulter And Richard Harrison:

    Australian singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee also chose Paris as the perfect location to finally marry her long-term love, Ricki-Lee Coulter, in August Last year.  The incredibly grand Chateau Bouffemont set the scene for the day, which they shared with just 27 of their closest friends and family.  It was a rather private affair, so while we don’t know everything, we were told there was lots of French champagne, a three-course meal, and a wedding waltz that included Ricki-Lee serenading Richard as they danced – sounds pretty good to us!   The bride was elated with the day, saying “It was magical, absolutely a dream come true, the greatest day of my life.”

    Paris Wedding of Raquel Welch & Patrick Curtis:

    Fairytale vibes are all well and good, but as one of the world’s most beautiful sex icons, you’re likely to want to go down a different route.  This is exactly what Actress Raquel Welch did on her Marriage to Patrick Curtis back in 1959, opting for a slightly alternative Parisian experience.  Her Big Day was simple and chic, with the couple tying the knot at the 8th arrondissement City Hall – no frills necessary.  Raquel obviously felt the same about her Wedding Dress, choosing to sport a simple but super on trend, 60s crocheted mini and long-fur cover-up.

    Salma Mayek & François-Henri Pinault’s Private Paris Wedding:

    You’d expect the joining in Marriage of a movie star and one of France’s richest men to be pretty extravagant, but that’s where Paris’ magic comes in.  Salma Mayek & François-Henri Pinault instead chose to do things in a much more private, intimate fashion – so intimate in fact that there are zero photos of the couple on the Day.  They too,  opted for a  Town Hall Ceremony, this time in the 6th arrondissement- who’d have thought these governmental buildings would be ‘the place’ to tie the knot?!

    Eva Longoria & Tony Parker’s Paris Church Wedding:

    Now for a Wedding that is much more stereotypically-celeb style.  Elegant Actress Eva Longoria – who wore a breathtaking, silk, Angel Sanchez gown – married her Basket Ball love, Tony Parker  at the magnificent Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois on the 7th July 2007.  They celebrated alongside some 250 guests, including plenty of A-listers – Jessica Alba & Ryan Seacrest to name a few.  The day continued with celebrations at 17th-century castle Vaux le Vicomte, where their 250 guests enjoyed an elaborate Wedding Dinner, live 70s band, fireworks, an outdoor party and even Wedding Favours for the ladies in the form of Van Cleef & Arpels Sweet Alhambra good luck bracelet crafted in 18-karat yellow gold.  This is one celeb Wedding we wish we’d been invited too!

    Sacha Baron Cohen & Isla Fisher’s quiet Paris Ceremony:

    You wouldn’t normally expect to hear the romantic and sophisticated Paris and Sasha Baron Cohen in the same context, but that’s exactly where he chose to wed his love, Isla Fisher in 2010.  Even more surprising is that they too opted for a secret Wedding, with no glitz, glam – or silly behaviour – involved!  It was a simple ceremony, with just the Bride and Groom present, but that didn’t seem to matter to Isla, who claimed ‘It was the absolute best day of my life’.

    Solenn Heussaff & Nico Bolzico Gorgeous Paris Engagement Video:

    Hot off the press, Filipino-French actress and TV host Argentinian Business Man got Wed last month in Cambourg, a picturesque town in France, about an hour away from the Capital.  While the Big Day wasn’t spent in the Paris itself, the day of the pre-wedding video – arguably equally as important – was.  The couple were recorded whilst meandering romantically around some of the most recognisable spots in the City, such as the Musée du Louvre, River Seine, Pont des Artes and Notre Dame.  This just goes to, Paris never loses it’s charm, be you a celebrity or not.

  • 12 Wedding Reception-Ready Restaurants in Paris

    12 Wedding Reception-Ready Restaurants in Paris

    It’s no secret that Paris has some great restaurants, in fact it’s likely one of the reasons you decided to hold your Wedding here in the first place.  However, there are restaurants and then there are Wedding Reception-ready restaurants.  With dozens of offerings on every boulevard, it can be overwhelming trying to pick out the right one. Well, that’s where Wedding Light Events come in; with our extensive Paris knowledge, we’ve made a list of the best of the best to ensure your dining experience is as perfect as possible.

     1. Lasserre

    From the moment your Wedding Car pulls up outside the charming, stand-alone structure of Michelin Star Restaurant Lasserre, you’ll be in good hands.  Priding theirselves not just on exceptional food and wines, but also on the perfect balance between attentive and invasive service, you’ll be able to sit back, and relax, while your Wedding Dinner is taken perfect care of in one of the many private rooms.  The restaurant was opened by Rene Lasserre himself, and has been sitting elegantly since 1942.  With the soft lift, ornate chandeliers and magnificent painted ceilings, you and up to 50 guests will feel like movie stars in this iconic setting.  Perhaps the most beautiful art on show, though, is the food, available to try on 3 different menus along with one wine tasting, starting at €130p/h.

    2.The Restaurant Hôtel les Bains – La salle à manger

    If you envisage your Wedding Dinner being a little off-the-wall, this quirky Parisian neo-brasserie might just be the one for you. With it’s extraordinary, cave-like domed ceiling and pillars, bright walls and contrasting monochrome flooring, it definitely has the wow factor.  The food is just as impressive, with a cooking approach developed by the two Michelin starred chef, Philippe Labbe.  All ingredients are bought from local and sustainable producers, with their honey sourced on site from their own rooftop bee hives – it doesn’t get much fresher than that! Whether it be a small party of six or a large wedding reception, Hôtel les Bains has lots to offer.   L-shaped tables are available for up to 26 guests at €100p/h plus an additional €3k for the space, or if you want to go all out, privatise the entire restaurant for €25k plus food and drinks.  There’s even a club available for hire downstairs if you want to keep the party going all night long.

    3. Les Ombres

    Who needs fancy decor when you can have Paris itself as the backdrop of your Wedding dinner?  Restaurant Les Ombres is located inside the Quai Branley Museum, making it one of the only places in the City offering panoramic views.  Letting the magnificent Eiffel Tower do all the talking, the decor is minamilistic and modern and the food contemporary, with an inventive offering influenced by many international cuisines.  Surprisingly affordable, with prices starting at €85 p/h including drinks for up to 40 guests, your dream of a Parisian wedding has never been more achievable.

    4. Restaurant le Saint James

    Looking for an intimate affair in a historical Parisian setting?  Look no further.  Located inside the hotel that was once a 1892 Chateau, The 3 Michelin Star Restaurant le Saint James is the epitome of luxury, with antique chandeliers, polished oak and striking oil paintings.  If that wasn’t enough, head outside and be greeted by a Pride and Prejudice-style patio, with beautiful parasols and white, lace-like seating.  Such a divine location requires equally impressive food and drink, something Chef Virginie Basselot and ‘wine whisperer’ Micael Morais definitely deliver on.  In order to assure a sophisticated and harmonious atmosphere, the maximum number of diners is limited to twelve, inside or out.  At a price of €130p/h plus drinks, it’s the perfect place to make your private Parisian Wedding dreams come true. 

    5. Restaurant le Diane

    Have the best of both worlds for your Wedding Dinner at Michelin Restaurant Le Diane, situated inside of one of Paris’ famous hotels, Le Bouquet.  The circular, domed room opens out to an elegant summer patio, giving you both the comfort of an inside setting whilst having nature on your doorstep – literally.  A refined and feminine decor with plush velvet in romantic purples and striking wall lighting is used inside while the terrace is a much more minimalistic, modern affair.  A seasonal Menu by Chef Jean-Yves Leuranguer is offered for a party of up to 40 Wedding guests, with prices starting at €150, including drinks.  While privatisation fees of around €8k are added on to this, the versatility the location offers for wedding day, come rain or shine, is a priceless thing.

    6. Le Bon

    Nestled inside what’s considered as the most upmarket and socialite arrondissements of Paris, Restaurant BON offers exclusivity, excitement and extravagance.  With four different rooms, each offering an entirely different decor, there is something for everyone, and the space can be entirely privatised or partially, in order to accommodate numbers from 10, right up to 180.  Far from the traditional French affair, the menu is based around Southeastern Asian cuisine, something which is sure to make you Wedding Dinner one to remember. Set menus from €49.50 to €122 are available, or if you want something entirely unique and catered to you, tailored menus can also be discussed to ensure your day is as unique as you are.

    7. 114 Faubourg

    Far from the muted colours and monochrome theme of many of Paris’ finest establishments, Michelin Star Restaurant 114 Faubourg is sure to bring a splash of colour to your Wedding Dinner.  Set on two levels, with floral wall panelling and intricate, black and gold-leafed railing, the setting is vibrant and ornate.  The bustling and ambiance-enhancing open-plan kitchen sees Chef Jean-Charles Cauquil and his talented team creating their sophisticated but classic dishes right before your eyes.  Despite being situated inside the famous Hotel Bristol, the clientele are mainly loyal, local Parisians so tables are kept to smaller numbers, welcoming from 8-10 wedding guests with menus starting €160p/h including drinks. 

    8. Le Taillevent

    Restaurant Le Taillevent has a distinctively Parisian decor.  A classic and understated style, including wooden panelling, winding stairs and stone pillars is mixed with modern touches in the lighting, bright artworks and striking floral arrangements, giving just the right amount of wow-factor for a Wedding.  Multiple dining rooms can cater for up to 36 with prices starting at €120p/h for a taste of their three Michelin star menu which includes perfected balance of flavours and exquisite presentation.

    9. L’Oiseau Blanc

    Why have your Wedding Dinner anywhere when you can have it enjoying jaw-dropping views of Paris on what’s known as the best terrace in the City?  Sit surrounded by glass from floor to ceiling in their aviation-themed room and you’re sure to feel on top of the world – just as you should on your wedding day.  If you’ve got bigger ideas, their beautiful reception rooms can cater for up to 80 people including a dance area, champagne aperitif, 3 course dinner and much more from €265 p/h.  Whether your inside or out, Chef Sidney Redel’s traditional french cuisine with a hint of contemporary flair is sure to add the finishing touch to your experience in this stunning location.

    10. Le Meurice

    If you’re thinking of going big, bold, and beautiful, Le Meurice is the obvious choice.  With enough space to host the Wedding Reception of a lifetime and decor that wouldn’t look out of place at a Palace, you’d be stretched to find a more glamorous location.   Antique mirrors, bronze tones, marbles, and much more set the scene inside, while an astounding view onto the Jardin des Tuileries assures continued beauty wherever the eyes of your Wedding guests may wander.  A variety of Menus by Chef Alain Ducasse starting from €130p/h are offered, and with the array of reception rooms available all with varying privatisation fees, the options for your day are endless. 

    11. Le Cinq

    Another great option if you need somewhere capable of catering for big numbers – up to 315 to be exact – is 3 Michelin Star Restaurant Le Cinq, inside another one of Paris’ most prestigious Hotels,  Hotel George V.  Light and elegant, the textiles in shades of gold and grey and magnificently detailed pillars and wall panelings give the atmosphere of a private Chateau. Chef Christian Le Squer – who defines himself as a “creator of flavors and composer of tastes” – is paired with Eric Beaumard – once named vice champion in the Wine Stewardship Contest – to make this the ultimate fine-dining experience.  With the best in the business catering to your every need along with the stunning setting, the €359p/h includes everything you could ever dream of for your big day in the City of Love.

     12. La Maison Blanche

    The Champs Elysées is one of the most famous spots in the world, and the chicest, too.  Testimony to this great reputation is La Maison Blanche, a place both to see and be seen in. Sitting on the top of the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Bruno Frank’s restaurant offers outstanding views over Paris set over two levels.  The decor is sleek and sexy with plus, textiles in neutral colours and dimmed mood lighting, completing this warm and intimate setting. The restaurant can cater for up to 40 for a Wedding dinner, with the price per head set at  €135 including drinks.  Why not have the Parisian skyline all to yourself and privatise the terrace for an extra cost of €2000 ?  It is your Wedding day, after all.

    Seen something that takes your fancy ?  The team here at Wedding Light Events are ready to advise, plan and bring to life your perfect day here in the City of Love.  Why not send us a message for some more information. 

  • Inspiration: An Enchanting Wedding in the Countryside of Normandy

    Inspiration: An Enchanting Wedding in the Countryside of Normandy

    As wedding planners, we are always looking for inspiration to pull from for our own events. This past summer, our fabulous photographer, Olivier Lalin of WeddingLight Photography, photographed a lovely pink-hued wedding in the countryside of Normandy. Have we caught your attention yet?

    Gathering some 250 friends and family, this lovely couple decided to have two full days of festivities to celebrate their wedding.

    On a gorgeous summer day in July, guests enter the venue on a candle lit path.French Normandy countryside weddingThe reception was held in a charming garden just a few hours from the French capital. Although a tent was set up to cover the area, it was beautifully decorated in fairy lights, lush pink and creme-colored florals, as well as hanging white wisteria plants for a whimsical and romantic interior. Quite enchanting! French Normandy countryside wedding

    Just outside the tent, a photo booth was set up for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. Isn’t that hand painted backdrop just incredible? The lanterns also provide a nice touch, too.

    French Normandy countryside weddingFrench Normandy countryside weddingThe entrance was framed with two cream-colored pillars with large floral arrangements. We just love the clean, natural feel! Don’t you?Menus with created with the bride and groom’s initials monogrammed at the top and finished with a bold pink hand-written font for a simple, yet elegant look.The table set up was equally as dreamy with an eclectic array of glass vases and pink and creme-colored floral arrangements dispersed down the center of the table. Mercury glass candle holders were also arranged to complement the florals. As for the tableware, vintage pink floral plates were used with silver flatware and crystal glasses trimmed in gold to finalize the presentation. 

    Can’t get enough of this lovely wedding? Then head on over to our photographer’s blog for even more photos of this romantic garden affair!

  • Top 5: Wedding Hairstyles

    When it comes to your wedding hair, choosing the perfect style for your big day can prove to be just as difficult as finding your dream dress! With so many styles to choose from it may feel hard to decide on just one – do you want elegance and class or flowing and ethereal? Maybe you simply have no idea where to start when it comes to your locks and we don’t blame you! So to give you some inspiration we’ve put together the top five bridal hairstyles of the moment; you can give the pictures to your hairdresser or try putting your own personal spin on them. Whatever your style, we’ll cover everything from intricate professionally produced styles to simple, elegant looks you can achieve at home.

    1. Chignon

    Photography Copyright Studio Impressions (c) 2010

    Chignons are up-dos that generally sit at the nape of the neck… and that’s where the rules stop! This look is all about contrasting your hair to your dress, for example with a heavily embellished dress you might choose to have a sleek, simple style that doesn’t distract from your gown or you could add a deep side parting to create a vintage look. But the options don’t stop there! Chignons can be made more intricate by adding curls or more casual by keeping the chignon loose. They are extra popular with those of you who have chosen a dress with detailing at the top or embellished straps, as your hair won’t block the view!  Oh and one last thing: sweeping the hair away from the neck means more focus on your jewelery… so now you’ll have to buy that diamond necklace!

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    2. Half-Up

    Martha Stewart Living via www.everythingfab.com

    Having your hair half-up, half-down is a popular choice among bridal hairstyles because your hair is kept away from your face (always an advantage if the weather’s windy!) yet the length and movement of your hair are maintained. Try creating a quiff at the front of your hair and leaving the rest straight and long for a modern look or clip the front of your hair to the sides and curl the rest, à la Kate Middleton, for a softer and super flattering style. This “do” is great if you have a fringe, as you can keep your hair down without having too much going on around your face.

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    3. Loose Curls

    Photography Copyright (c) Elizabeth Messina

    Getting married barefoot on a beach or surrounded by lanterns in the woods? Loose curls look delicate and natural and are the easiest look to create – simply curl the hair in sections and brush through, then add salt-spray  for a more matte, windswept effect (here’s a tutorial) or shine serum for high-gloss curls (tutorial) et voila! This is the perfect hairstyle if you want to wear a headpiece that’s outside the box such as a headdress or perhaps a floral crown… keep your dress plain and let your accessories do the talking!

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    4. 1920’s Waves

    Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Dottie Photography

    Perfect for brides with a vintage theme or just those who want to add a touch of old-Hollywood glamour, 1920’s waves are a classic look and once they’re set they’re guaranteed to stay in place all day (thank the hair Gods!) If you have short to mid-length hair try following one of the many easy internet tutorials and set your hair in finger waves. For those with longer hair try a deep side parting with the hair swept over the opposite shoulder for the perfect Great Gatsby look.  The 1920’s was all about the sparkle so complete your look with a sequined or diamante hair band.

    5. Braids/Plaits

    Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Victoria Phipps

    Braids are a versatile, fashion-forward look that can be tweaked to suit your own style. You can wear a French braid simply vertically or be more daring and style it diagonally across the head or to one side. A fishtail braid can be worn sleek in a pony or back-combed and messy to create a gorgeous boho look. Braids can also be incorporated into other hairstyles such as up-dos and half-up dos by creating a horizontal braid across the head, incorporating as much hair as you want. If your dress is plain (or even if it isn’t!) adorn your braid with flowers or sequins for a dreamy, fairy tale style.

    There are so many hairstyles out there for brides, but all of our five most popular styles are easy to make unique to you. Try them out yourself or take a picture of a more intricate look to your hairdresser, and don’t be afraid to try out more daring styles – there’s nothing wrong with a little trial and error! Always make sure you take into account the cut/style of your dress, your accessories and your make-up, but the most important thing is to find the style in which you feel and look most comfortable…  and trust us, once you’ve found it you’ll know it’s the one!