These sky lanterns, also known as Thai lanterns, are available in several colors so to match your wedding color theme. The white lanterns do, however, in our opinion, stand out best against the night sky. In addition, made from a bamboo structure and covered in rice paper, they are fully biodegradable.

An ideal way to involve your guests in a fun activity before hitting the dancefloor or cutting your wedding cake. This way, at least, your guests are guaranteed to have stars in their eyes all evening…

Sky Lantern has a special wedding pack consisting of 30 or 40 white lanterns for 89 or 115 euros respectively plus postage and packing (approximately 10 euros within France). Delivered in 24 hours, this is an ideal way to celebrate your new union…just make a wish!!!

Photo : Sky Lantern

The marriage ceremony can be held anywhere (beach, public place, private property, castle, historical site…) as long as there is a surface of approximately 500 m² that can be secured. There is no limit to your imagination! Imagine a wedding over the Grand Canyon or in the Venice sky. Or a marriage in the middle of the Jaipur stars. All these dreams are now possible with this unique concept.

The decoration and colours can be customised by every couple according to their wishes. Couples can even choose to perform a bungee jump from the platform after getting married!

Marriage in the Sky is hosted on a platform, where 20 guests are strapped into aircraft seats and suspended at a height of 50 metres by a team of professionals. You can order a second crane with a platform (or more if required) at the same height as the marriage platform, for entertainment such as music or dinner. For more information or a price quote contact Events in the Sky directly.

Exclusivity and Safety are guaranteed with this original concept. Events in the Sky is now operated in more than 15 countries and received the official authorizations from the most stringent countries such as Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, South-Africa…

The sky is no limit for this heavenly experience!

What could be more emblematic of a wedding in France than having the ceremony and/or wedding reception on a yacht, with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop?  Offer your guests breathtaking views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Grand Palais, the Orsay Museum and the Louvre as you glide down the River Seine.

Imagine your intimate wedding ceremony being celebrated on the open air wooden deck with a white awning overhead. This yacht is ideal for small groups of up to 8 guests or why not just the bride and groom?

Enjoy a glass of champagne with canapés after the emotion of the ceremony or snuggle up in the captain’s cozy cabin during the cold winter months if you are only 2 or 4 people. Dinner can be served on the open air deck or below deck. Suitable for 8 people plus musicians. For groups of more than 8, we would recommend you disembarking after the cocktail reception and moving on to a restaurant, private mansion or reception hall for dinner and dancing.

For elopements (ceremonies involving just the bride and groom), you can extend the pleasure of your wedding day by settling back, enjoying a sumptuous dinner for two on board before retiring to the pretty sleeping cabin below deck where you can spend your first night of nuptial bliss together, floating off to sleep to the sound of the rippling water of the River Seine around you.
Under a luminescent sky, no interruptions, no traffic, just the two of you surrounded by the historical sites and splendor of an authentic Parisian evening.

What could be more enchanting than a private river boat cruise on the romantic River Seine as your destination wedding venue in France?

Indeed, we have hunted down the ideal restaurant in the heart of Paris where an intimate wedding proposal can be orchestrated to perfection. A place where you can whisper sweet nothings to each other, kiss and cuddle without getting indecent looks from your neighbour. A private room with dim lighting and a bell to attract the attention of your personal server.

Imagine enjoying a delicious meal in your very own private salon, decorated like a boudoir in black, gold and red and dimly lit to create a cozy and romantic atmosphere.

After dessert, reach over and take the pretty, decorated box (left on the side table by us before your arrival) and present it to your sweetheart. Upon opening the box, she will discover the latest Lanvin perfume called « Marry Me ! ».

Once she has recovered from the emotion, ring the little bell and wait for the waiter to appear with a bottle of champagne to seal this exceptionally romantic moment.

A simple but sweet marriage proposal she will never forget!

Whether you got married on a beach somewhere hot, in your hometown or in a medieval castle in the heart of the European countryside, here is an ideal way to celebrate your wedding anniversary.

Imagine spending a weekend in Paris, the most romantic city in the world. During the weekend, surprise your sweetheart with a 2-hour boat cruise on your very own private luxury motor yacht on the River Seine. Enjoy a glass of champagne as you sit under the elegant white awning on the open air wooden deck or for winter anniversaries, snuggled up in the captain’s cabin.

Discover the delights the City of Light has to offer: the Grand Palais, the Louvre, the Invalides, the Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral. When you feel the moment is right, gesture to the skipper to slow the boat and cut the engine. With the romantic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral, you can again declare your love to your beloved before being served another glass of champagne to seal this exceptional moment. We can even arrange for a special dove release with 40 doves as a symbol of your love for each other!

Should you wish to extend the pleasure, settle back and enjoy a sumptuous dinner for two before retiring to the pretty sleeping cabin below deck and float off to sleep to the sound of the rippling water of the River Seine around you.

We have hunted down one of the only vendors in France capable of creating a lip dub video of your wedding day! But first things first, what is a lip dub? A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song.

The result, if well done, can be fantastic! Check out Brian & Eileen’s lip dub wedding video which is just one of many you can find on the web.

There are not many agencies specialised in this type of wedding video in France. The best one we have tracked down so far is Intuimotion, which have just launched a special wedding package from 3000 euros that includes filming on the day of your wedding and the post editing. Based in France, they will take small groups of your guests aside, without disturbing the rhythm of your wedding day. Your guests are coached by an actor and filmed in a few takes. The result is a truly unique, fun and entertaining wedding video that will never grow old or boring!

We love the idea and hope you will too ! Enjoy!

Photos: Sweet l’Ô

1. It’s the best way to get a feel for your photographer. Don’t forget that one of the only physical memories of your wedding day will be your photos. It is therefore paramount to get a feel for your photographer’s work and style before the big day.
   
2. A great way to get comfortable with being in front of the camera. Most couples are not used to being photographed constantly, this is a great way to get comfortable and prepare for the big day.
   
3. Some brides use the engagement pics for their Save the dates (STDs) or wedding invitations. This is a cool way to announce the wedding destination, especially if you have the engagement photos taken in your destination country.
   
4. Provides you with a nice picture to send with your engagement announcement to your local newspaper.
   
5. Test your make-up. Take advantage of the photo shoot to try out your wedding day make-up, this is especially useful if you plan to do your own make-up. The photos may also highlight other things you wish to change about your appearance before the big day.
   
6. Use the best engagement pictures as table numbers or display them on a table at the reception. Always a good conversation sparker.
   

Some photographers include engagement photos in their package. For those who don’t, it can be expensive, but just think of all the advantages listed above!

Here is a selection of engagement photos from some of our couples who got married this summer in the French Loire Valley. If these romantic photo reportages are not enough to convince you or your H2B to have engagement photos done then we don’t know what will!

Photo credits: Studio Cabrelli and Champar

In a new series of candid interviews with a variety of wedding vendors, we have chosen to kick-off with an up close and personal interview with a professional wedding photographer. Through this interview, you will discover what you should consider when selecting a wedding photographer for your own wedding.

Today’s interview is with Austrian wedding photographer Nina Hintringer. Nina has been a professional photographer for the past 4 years and has developed a genuine passion for documenting the most wonderful day in the lives of her clients. She covers about 15 weddings a year, throughout Europe. Her photographs are emotional, touching and a little different from the rest.

CVW Blog: How did you develop your passion for wedding photography?

Nina Hintringer: After starting out in commercial photography, one day I was asked if I would cover the wedding of an old friend of mine. I agreed, not imagining what I was getting myself into. It was a tough and exhausting day for me as I accompanied the bridal couple during the entire day. That night I literally fell into bed vowing never to do it again. But a few days later, as I started sorting through the photos, the emotional memories of the day came flooding back to me and I realised I had just experienced a magical day in the couple’s lives and captured important memories that they would treasure for the rest of their lives. It was at that moment that I knew I was hooked. Such a special day deserves to be documented in a touching and attentive manner.

CVW Blog: What makes your work and your images special?

Nina Hintringer: I believe rapport is what makes the difference. Getting to know the bridal couple before the wedding, building up trust and reducing inhibitions through conversation, even if you are only able to do this over the phone. This prior contact means that on the day I can make myself almost invisible, and that the couple can relax and be themselves without feeling self-conscious. In this way, we create outstanding and emotional pictures, a true reportage of the wedding from an observers perspective. I go where the bridal couple goes and document everything.

When you consider how much time and effort is invested in planning a wedding – from the big items down to choosing the right bouquet, shoes and jewelry – I believe capturing these details and the reactions and emotions of everyone is a part of creating a complete record of a wedding.

Since my beginnings several years ago, I now photograph every wedding as a two-person team. Two cameras see more than one and with one telephoto lens we are able to take evocative shots from some distance away, completely unnoticed. We also capture every image in RAW format, back home in our studio we squeeze the best out of every image, create black and white and sepia versions and condense the top 400 to 500 images of the wedding for the bridal couple.

CVW Blog: Do you see any new trends developing in wedding photography?

Nina Hintringer: When you look at most European wedding photographer’s portfolios, you will see a big difference compared to those from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and even
Singapore. Covering a wedding is no longer about just taking pictures of two well-dressed people. Its about capturing the moment and the emotions. A movement driven from photographers from the above-mentioned countries, this new wedding photography style is often referred to as wedding reportage. This approach requires a photographer to be more flexible and able to handle his/her equipment in every situation. Different light from bright sunlight to dark rooms and the necessity to capture the emotions of the bridal couple as well as the guests, make this type of photography very challenging. You need to commit yourself to the event and to the couple and get really involved.

CVW Blog: What should couples consider when selecting a wedding photographer?

Nina Hintringer: You know, we have covered so many weddings and, I am proud to say, made a lot of new friends along the way. In my opinion, the two most important things are the photography style and rapport. The style comes down to whether or not you like the type of pictures the photographer takes. Ask to see their portfolio and you will soon find out if this is the case. In terms of rapport, it is vital to ensure that you respect and understand each other and that you feel comfortable with each other. A wedding involves lots of very emotional and private moments so you need to feel at ease sharing these moments with the person behind the camera. If you feel this connection, you will be able to almost fade out the photographer during your private moments, allowing you to live the moment fully and without restraint.

You should also consider how you will be getting the images. Do you prefer to get them on a CD or would you prefer to receive an album or coffee-table book designed for you? Consider that apart from your new husband/wife and your wedding rings, your photographs will be the only physical souvenir of your wedding. That is why it is important not just to go for the cheapest option. Think quality, and as we all know, quality has its price, but also consider that only quality prints will ensure photographs and colors that will last for generations.

CVW Blog: What special requirements are involved for a destination wedding?

Nina Hintringer: That depends on how much time a couple has and how flexible they are. If you would like to meet your photographer in person before your wedding but cannot do so during one of your on-site trips, then it would be a good idea to find a photographer close to your home and fly him/her to your wedding destination. Of course, this is also a matter of budget, but it might make some of the logistical considerations easier before and after the wedding.

If, on the other hand, you feel comfortable getting in contact using phone, email or skype to discuss your wishes, it would be more appropriate to select a photographer from the country where you are planning your destination wedding. In our case, we create a password protected online gallery for all of our couples, so that they can view their pictures and select some for their coffee-table book, thank-you cards and whatever else they have chosen, using their computer at home or even on their honeymoon! This is why its a good idea to discuss how you will receive the images and how you will be able to select your album photos.

Finally, don’t be fooled into thinking that for a wedding reportage it is important for the photographer to know the location beforehand as this is not the case. A qualified reportage photographer will know how to get the best out of any location. The most important thing is to select a photographer who is willing to do exactly that – make the most of any venue and situation – as we all know that every wedding has its share of surprises!

For more information or to view  more of Nina’s beautiful photos, visit her website at:  Nina Hintringer Photography

Simply a MUST for those of you who adore this artist (like us!). Consider escaping your wedding organisation frenzy for a couple of hours of intimacy with your H2B or organise a tour of the exhibition with a few of your closest girlfriends in the run up to your wedding.

Whether you are organising your destination wedding in Paris, stopping by the city en-route to another wedding destination or enjoying your honeymoon in the most beautiful city in the world, this exhibition is not to be missed!

Showing from September 22 until January 24, 2011 at the Galleries Nationales du Grand Palais (8th district of Paris) – Tel. +33 1 44 13 17 17 – www.grandpalais.fr.

Photo credits: www.splendora.com

http://www.splendora.com/blog/accessories/gaultiers_eiffel_tower_stockings

CVW Blog: How did you feel on the morning of your wedding?

The few guests that couldn’t make it all called me on the morning of the wedding to wish us good luck. That’s what helped me to realize it was actually going to happen that day! Otherwise, I felt quite relaxed. I had faith in my wedding coordinators who so happen to also be my colleagues and knew that for the rest of the day everything was being taken care of and coordinated by them. I didn’t have to worry about anything! I did plan 30 minutes where I disappeared and went for a walk so that I would be on my own, away from the family and everyone, just to relax a little.

CVW Blog: Were you happy with your hair and makeup?

I loved it! Well of course I chose my favorite hair and makeup artists to come on this special day. They did an amazing job. I wanted very discreet makeup which was perfect and my hair was in a Spanish style chignon matching the theme of the day, with a big red flower in the back. It held throughout the day and night and I thought I would actually have to sleep with it as I had a hard time getting the pins out before going to bed. It would have survived a hurricane I’m sure!

CVW Blog: We know that one of the uncertainties of any outdoor wedding ceremony and cocktail is the weather. This is especially true for the region of south-west France where you got married. How was the weather on the day?

We did take a risk, but had a rain plan as backup. The weather was a little cloudy on the day and my Mom thought she felt a few drops of rain just before the ceremony. But in the end, there were quite high winds but no rain. It actually turned out ideal because the photographer got great light and we were not too hot.

CVW Blog: How did you feel during the ceremony? How did it compare to your Swedish Ice Chapel ceremony?

There is no comparison! They were two very different ceremonies. The Swedish ceremony took place in winter, inside an ephemeral ice chapel with only 10 guests whereas the ceremony in the south of France took place in high summer and was much bigger with 125 guests. The emotion of all those people around us was palpable. It was quite surreal in fact, you can feel and see them moving around you taking pictures and talking to you excitedly, but you can’t really control your own movements, you feel like you are just swept along by the momentum of the day. Its like I lived the whole day in a happy bubble. It is definitely the emotion and number of guests that really made the difference between the two weddings.

CVW Blog: Were you pleased with the catering?

Loved it! The cocktail appetizers were amazing. A copious buffet of tapas with live cooking stations really gave a festive feel to the cocktail. We gave specially-made Spanish-red aprons to the servers to wear, matching the rest of my decor. It made the feel of the cocktail less formal which is what I wanted. My only regret is that they did not go around serving champagne to guests, everything was buffet style.

We skipped the starter due to our 2-hour long cocktail and served a giant paella for the main course. It was amazing, as was the cheese and dessert buffet that followed. The presentation, taste and service were just perfect.

I must admit though that having the coordinators make sure everything was set up and running on time and done according to my recommendations was a godsend. I can definitely say, after 6 years of wedding planning, that I would not do a wedding without any onsite coordinators. It is a job in itself just to be the bride on the day, never mind having to think of a million other details! I couldn’t imagine if I had had to coordinate everything myself.

CVW Blog: Did the decoration look as good as you had imagined it would?

Perfect. I knew the florist very well and only had to tell him the theme – Spanish flamenco – to know it would be fabulous. He decided on black and red for the dinner hall. The effect of the big balls of red flowers suspended by a black ribbon from the wooden beams overhead was just stunning.

The decor at the ceremony and cocktail was even better! A multitude of colorful ribbons hung from the century old tree overhanging the cocktail area alongside the ceremony, an iron-framed gazebo decorated with flowers and ribbons served as the altar, and colorful gerberas were positioned all over. An old carriage was also decorated with ribbons and flowers and served as an ideal backdrop for the photos. Baskets of rose petals, lavender and transparent tubes of soap bubbles were placed at the foot of each aisle. There were so many rose petals and dried lavender thrown over us after the ceremony that we had to close our eyes for what seemed like forever until it stopped. It was so much fun.

CVW Blog: How did the surprises go down?

The Flamenco musicians and dancer were a blast. Everyone was surprised to see them as Tony and I had kept it a secret, not even our parents knew about them! I loved my father’s face when he saw them. I knew he really wanted something like that. He and the other guests really enjoyed listening to them.

The dancers from my dance club performed two great dances that our guests just loved. It was a great change to the endless speeches that usually take place.

CVW Blog: What was the most emotional moment(s) of the day for you?

I really can’t say, the day went by so fast, I felt like I was floating over everyone and watching them from above. I can’t wait to see the photos and video because that is all I have to relive the day. Memories are very faint as it went by at lightning speed. I think it was actually the next day that was more emotional for me than the wedding day, seeing everyone so happy…

CVW Blog: Which did you most enjoy between the pool party and the rehearsal cocktail the day before the wedding and the brunch the day after? Which one is indispensable for a destination wedding in your opinion?

I would say that something the day before and the day after is indispensable, especially for a destination wedding! Again, the actual wedding day goes by so fast, and you have very little time to see all of your guests, so having the pool party all afternoon and the rehearsal dinner to finish the day before really enabled us to see all our friends that had joined us from far and wide.

The next day brunch is a great way to unwind and close the wedding. The energy is different, almost nostalgic but everyone was so complimentary, relaxed and happy, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It was wonderful to be able to say goodbye to everyone too. It would have been like a cake without the cherry on the top if we had not done it.

CVW Blog: Would you recommend your wedding coordinators? J

Like I said above, it really is indispensable to have a wedding coordinator to supervise the set up, timing and all of the other details on your wedding day. I am serious when I say this is a necessity and not a luxury. I would have spent the day completely stressed out if I had had to do my own coordination. I wish to thank my colleagues from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a real bride on my wedding day. Everything was better than I had imagined it would be. The day ran so smoothly and it was largely thanks to them! You’re the best!

CVW Blog: What will stay in your mind as the most memorable part of the day?

There were actually three most memorable parts of the day for me. The first was walking down the aisle with my father. This is something I did not get to do in Sweden so it was important for me. The second was hearing Tony say his vows. We wrote them ourselves and his were so moving, I had a tear in my eye just listening to him. The fact that 123 other people were listening at the same time made the moment even more magical. The third was our first dance. We danced a Chachacha with special costumes, music and choreography. It was just fantastic. We had been working on it for so long and as amateur dancers everyone had high expectations for our first dance. We made it! It was really invigorating.

This brings our series of interviews with Caroline to a close. We hope you have enjoyed them and have been able to take away some helpful tips for organizing your own destination wedding. Stay tuned later this month when we will be posting lots of photos and maybe a video clip of Caroline and Tony’s dream wedding in south-west France.

For the past 2 years, Gérard Uféras has captured some of the happiest moments in the lives of over 70 couples each getting married in Paris. Immerse yourself in the sheer joy and spontaneous enthusiasm these photos portray. From the preparations of the bride through to the civil or religious ceremony, not forgetting dinner and dancing, you will discover a diverse collection of photos of different generations, mixed social backgrounds, diverse cultures and religions in a reportage photography style.

Paris d’Amour is a free exhibition currently being showcased at the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. Showing until 31 July 2010, the exhibition is open every day except Sundays and bank holidays from 10am to 7pm. For more information, click here.

Treat your guests to a stroll through the finely manicured symmetric grounds of Versailles Palace and savor the combination of grand fountains, small alcoved retreats and the omnipresent sophisticated adapted classical music. You will feel like you have been transported back in time to Louis XIV’s era as you let your imagination run wild.

Enjoy the show on Saturdays and Sundays from now through to 31 October 2010. The fountains work from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3.30 to 5 p.m.

For those of you seeking to heighten the sensation, opt for the evening show when the Royal Garden becomes a stunning audiovisual spectacle. Discover pools and groves filled with water and light as they glitter with a thousand lights and impressive laser show. A sure way to wow your wedding guests!

For more information visit the official site at Grandes Eaux and Jardins Musicaux.

Photo Credits: Chateau de Versailles; Versailles Region

French bakers or « patissiers » are world renowned for their delectable desserts so forget the traditional white wedding cake with big sugar flowers and opt for one of the following four alternatives:

Croquembouche

When in France, do as the French do! Why not consider having a traditional French wedding cake to wow your guests? A Croquembouche or Pièce Montée is the traditional French wedding cake. They are impressive pyramids of puff-pastry choux balls filled with cream (like profiteroles) and a coating of crystallized caramel. Yum yum! The French love to make a fanfare by dimming the lights, playing some up-beat music and putting sparklers in the cake as the chefs bring it out. A great photo opportunity. These cakes are not the easiest to cut into and feed one another so make sure the chef is on hand to help you!

Marie-Antoinette style decadence

This classic French theme evokes a romantic, whimsical and decadent era in French history, dating back to the 18th century. Why not play it to the hilt by proposing a dessert buffet unlike any your guests will have ever seen before. Imagine a cascade of different sized hat boxes and an old-fashioned presentation stand full of delicious French cakes such as Crème Brûlée, Framboisier, Millefeuille, rich chocolate cake, meringues and biscuits, all surrounded by a profusion of pink garden roses…formidable!

Mini mouth-waterers

If you are anything like me and have a real sweet tooth, you will simply love this idea! A mouth-watering selection of mini desserts waiting for you to bite into them. Choose from a mini coffee éclair, a rich dark chocolate slab cake, a fruit tart, lemon tart, raspberry mousse or more…enough to make anyone’s mouth water! To be displayed on a buffet table or served 3 per plate.

Midnight crepes

Nothing is more French than hot crepes doused in sugar, chocolate spread or jam and served by a French chef to round off the perfect French wedding day! This is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and energize your guests after several hours on the dance floor…oh là là!

Bon Appétit!

Photo credits: Wikipedia, La Durée

After the excitement of her civil ceremony that took place in an Ice Chapel in Sweden in March, read on to discover how the preparations for her second wedding ceremony and party are progressing.

CVW Blog: After the emotion of your Swedish wedding, are you able to focus on the preparations of your summer wedding taking place in July in the South of France?

Actually, I am really happy we had the Swedish wedding as I feel the pressure is off now and I can look forward to the wedding this summer as more of a relaxed celebration surrounded by lots of our family and friends. I feel like a spoiled child, getting to re-live the magic and emotion of a wedding day for the second time!

CVW Blog: How many guests are you expecting at your summer wedding?

Everyone said yes! We didn’t expect this as it is on a Thursday and smack in the middle of the summer. We are currently at 121 guests but there are still a few outstanding RSVPs so we may even make it to 130! Yikes!

CVW Blog: What type of wedding ceremony are you planning? What type of celebrant will preside the symbolic ceremony?

We are planning a very different type of wedding ceremony. I have seen so many types of ceremonies from different cultures that we wanted to create a truly unique one by integrating a mixture of all of the favorite parts of other ceremonies I’ve seen during my years as a wedding planner.

We will incorporate parts of a traditional catholic service with some protestant and jewish aspects, and maybe even something like the Rwandan ceremony where the bride receives a jug of milk for prosperity and the groom a mask or a lance to protect his new bride and family. We have no relation to this culture at all but the symbolism is strong and we want guests to be surprised.

We haven’t decided how everything will flow together, but we are working on this with my mother’s best friend, a very spiritual lady, who will preside the ceremony. It means a lot to her and us that she is doing this.

CVW Blog: What type of venues have you chosen for the ceremony, cocktail and dinner?

The ceremony will take place in the gardens of an ancient chapel located in the Pyrenees mountains and surrounded by apricot and peach trees. With the famous Canigou mountain in the backdrop, it will be just beautiful. The cocktail will take place at the same place. We will then drive down to the dinner hall which is a really nice renovated room in the center of the village. Old stone walls, high ceilings with old white beams. Very rustic.

CVW Blog: How will your dress be adapted for a summer wedding?

I will be wearing the same dress as the Swedish wedding only without the fur coat. The designer will be adding a nice simple red belt with some beads and additional lace and maybe a few ribbons to give it a more Spanish feel.

CVW Blog: What are the wedding colors?

It will be a mixture of strong summer colors: red and white with a touch of orange, fushia and eggplant. I’m very confident in the florist I have chosen (my favorite and the one I recommend to all my couples!). I asked him not to tell me much about what he has planned so that I can be surprised on the day. I’m very excited about it!

CVW Blog: Are you having any bridesmaids? If so, how will they be dressed?

All of the children will be wearing white. I am having small belts made, similar to mine, that we’ll tie around their waists. They will each carry a small gerbera. They are all quite small, the oldest will be 3 years old, so we’ll see how that goes! For bridesmaids and groomsmen, we’ll have 3 each. The men will be wearing a red waistcoat with a white long sleeved shirt and black pants. No jacket or tie. For the girls, they will be wearing raspberry red dresses, to the knees. The material is really light and airy so perfect for a wedding in high-summer.

That’s all for this time! Stay tuned for the next interview when we’ll discuss the atmosphere Caroline is creating for her wedding, the decoration, menu, favors and a surprise! She’ll also share some of her top tips to help you create your own perfect wedding in the South of France!

What seems like a harmless and fun way to declare your undying love to your sweetheart has started to worry the city officials who see this trend as a threat to Paris’ national heritage. They are considering taking off all of the locks and providing a type of metal tree for lovers to “lock” their love in Paris…

Photo credit: www.metrofrance.com Joel Saget/AFP

Photo credit: www.metrofrance.com AFPTV

A few months ago, we were contacted by a discreet and eloquent English gentleman of a certain age whose son had found us by surfing the internet. His wish was for us to help him organize a declaration of love in Paris for his beloved wife to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

It was with great honour and pleasure that we rose to the challenge and organized an unforgettable evening in Paris for Arthur and Bridget.

The evening began with a chauffeur-driven journey in a vintage car from their cozy hotel to the banks of the River Seine, just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, where a handsome private luxury motor yacht awaited them.

Bridget’s surprise was clearly visible as she climbed aboard in her long, deep blue evening dress, accompanied by her escort who followed on with a twinkle in his eye. Greeted by a glass of champagne, they settled down in the cozy cabin before enjoying a splendid 3-hour cruise on the most famous avenue of Paris.

While cruising down the River Seine, they were regaled with a delicious 4-course dinner as they gently glided past the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palais Royal and the Orsay Museum. As they approached the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, the captain cut the engine. To Bridget’s astonishment, a man dressed in period costume rose from the lower deck and proceeded to unravel a scroll and read a romantic love poem specially written for the occasion by one of our native English-speaking poet friends. With tears in her eyes, Bridget accepted the scroll as a souvenir and a magnificent bouquet of red roses from her husband before embracing him with such passion that anyone looking on would have seen a 20-year young couple who had just got married!

A few more glasses of champagne later, the rosy-cheeked Bridget and contented Arthur were shown downstairs to their private cabin where they spent the night in each other’s arms dreaming of the magical evening they had just spent together.

An incredibly romantic and true story…enough to warm anyone’s heart on this bitter March morning.

This is why creative design companies never cease to invent new ways to seduce the eco-conscious client. But would you dare go to these lengths to make your wedding eco-friendly?

Yes! is the answer…if you are an open-minded couple looking to surprise your guests! So, are you ready to consider purchasing recyclable cardboard tables and chairs for your wedding banquet? This may sound completely wacky but a company called Orika proposes a whole range of furniture made out of recyclable cardboard (which is 100% recyclable) for use in your home or for events such as weddings. No glue is used, only ingenious folding techniques and environmentally-friendly paint. Not only is the furniture extremely strong and solid but also esthetically pleasing. You don’t believe us? Check out some of their designs…

Why not choose this as an economic and eco-responsible alternative to the traditional tables and chairs one sees at all weddings? They can be painted to match any wedding theme!

This should only be considered, of course, at venues where furniture hire is necessary. Needless to say that it’s an idea guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of each and every one of your guests and provide a real talking point long beyond the wedding day!

For more information and to request a price quote, visit their website at Orika!

Jeanette and Peter
Hometown: Singapore
Wedding Date: December 30, 2009
Wedding Colors: Silver, red and black

Wedding Location: A charming, neo-classic style Palace with breathtaking views over Lake Annecy, nestled in the mountains, in the heart of the splendid French Alps. Send us a comment at the end of this posting for more details!

Wedding highlights: We had lots of fun organizing this four-day event for Jeanette and Peter. A gift basket with locally made chocolates and personalized water bottles awaited each guest as they arrived at the Palace from all around the globe. A special shuttle service was organized to bring guests from the local train station and Geneva international airport. After enjoying a welcome buffet at the Palace, guests were free to relax and discover the grounds of the Palace.

On the day of the wedding, after much pampering by our professional hairdressers and make-up artists, Jeanette stole away with Peter and our photographers and videographers to have some intimate photos taken before the ceremony took place at 2pm within the Palace. One of Jeanette’s friend’s hand-made the beautiful aisle runner, making the ceremony that much more special.

Cocktails were served in the restaurant with a panoramic view over the lake before guests were invited to step outside to view a spectacular fire-eater show. Guests were then asked to line up opposite each other and form an arch with their arms held high and lighted sparklers as the bride and groom ran under them and into the banquet hall.

The angled, U-shaped, rectangular table configuration blended perfectly with the contemporary style reception room. A troop of Brazilian Samba dancers dressed in beautiful bright costumes and ostrich feathers regaled guests with their lively music and dancing between each course and encouraged participation from the guests. The rest of the evening’s music was provided by our favorite wedding band that follows us all over France!

A private tour of the old city of Annecy was organized for a group of 30 of the guests on the afternoon following the wedding with an English-speaking guide. Since the day after the wedding happened to fall on New Year’s Eve, Jeanette and Peter took advantage and we organized a New Year’s Eve buffet dinner in the restaurant to celebrate this special event. Lots of red, orange and yellow balloons helped to create a party atmosphere. The dress code was black tie and everyone had to come wearing a Venetian mask! An oriental menu was served and between courses, guests were entertained by an oriental dancer who brought accessories with her and dressed up some of the guests and had them dance with her. Our fantastic wedding DJ then took over and kept everyone on the dance floor until the early hours of the morning.

All the best to Jeanette and Peter! Thank you for trusting us to help you organize your fantastic winter wonderland wedding in the French Alps!

Photo Credits: Studio Cabrelli