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!

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!

So what can he/she do for you? In the case of a destination wedding, the role of a professional wedding organizer becomes much more vital. Your planner effectively becomes your eyes, ears, mouth and nose as he/she is responsible for pre-selecting the best venue, musicians and food, etc. according to your desires, taste and budget. As you do not live in the country, may not speak the language and do not necessarily know the customs and traditions celebrated in your destination country, your wedding planner will be able to advise you on all of the above.

Before you say yes to a particular consultant, ask for references from other couples and make sure you’ve got a great rapport and feel confident that he/she will not try to force any vision other than your own on you. You are hiring this person to help you transform your dream into reality, make sure it is your dream and not his/hers.

Here is a list of the main things a professional Wedding Planner can do for you:

• Draft a realistic wedding budget based on your wish list.
  
• Propose the best and most original wedding locations in the regions/countries that interest you based on the size of your wedding, budget and vision.
  
• Source the most professional and reliable wedding vendors to fit your vision and budget: florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, wedding bands/DJs, transport companies, magicians, babysitters, etc.
  
• Check all of your vendor contracts and translate them into your own language to reassure you that you are not signing away your lives.
  
• Advise you on the best type of wedding insurance to take out.
  
• Counsel you on proper etiquette in your chosen destination country.
  
• Inform you of the hottest wedding trends and must-haves.
  
• Share the customs and wedding traditions celebrated in your destination country.
  
• Propose the best accommodation for you and your guests (if not available for everyone at your chosen venue) and arrange for local transportation to and from the venue/church.
  
• Suggest things to do of interest in the region for you and your guests.
  
• Create a timeline (wedding program) that tells everyone involved in the planning process when to do what. This becomes your bible once you step onto that airplane en route for your destination wedding!
  
• Coordinate with all your wedding vendors to make sure everything is delivered and set up on-time, saving you an enormous amount of time and energy, not to mention misunderstandings if you don’t speak the local language!
  
• Serve as your spokesperson, conveying your every desire and whim to your wedding vendors.
  
• Propose the best place to hold your rehearsal dinner and/or host your day after pool party/brunch, book all vendors and coordinate these events.
  
• Stage manager the entire wedding weekend, supervising vendors, handling emergencies and soothing nerves.
  
• Help to plan and book your honeymoon.
  

We can’t emphasize enough the importance of choosing the right professional Wedding Planner for you based in your chosen destination country. Nobody will know the local market better than them.

Good luck!

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

We have been asked this question many times by our couples. Perhaps you are asking yourself the same question? So…it is really worth it?

As far as we are concerned, the answer is a resounding YES! and especially so for a destination wedding. Let’s put things into perspective: you are organising your wedding in a foreign country, you do not know the local laws, you can’t be certain of the financial stability of your selected venue nor the reliability of your vendors and perhaps you don’t even speak the language! Do we need to say more?

For those of you who have chosen to work with a wedding planner, you may be thinking, but it is his/her job to ensure that my vendors are reliable, so I don’t need wedding insurance. Be careful! Your planner cannot know for sure the solvency of every venue, nor can he/she guarantee that your guests will not damage something in the beautiful, medieval castle you have chosen as your venue. The sad fact also remains that not all wedding planners are as experienced or reliable as you may think!

Don’t forget that wedding insurance will also cover things like your dress. Imagine your dress is damaged en route to your wedding destination or even worse, it is lost!

On the whole, wedding insurance is not expensive so will not put a big dent in your wedding budget. It will be one extra way to give you peace of mind which, speaking from experience, is one of the most important elements of planning a wedding abroad.

Leave us a message if you’d like to receive some addresses of reliable wedding insurance companies in Europe. We’ll be happy to put you on the right track.

If you fear that your H2B and his groomsmen will also be clueless on your big day and that your mother-in-law or wedding planner will not be around at just the right moment, then here are a few videos that give you step by step instructions on how to tie the perfect cravate or bow tie.

How to tie a cravate for a wedding suit

How to tie a cravate

How to tie a bow tie

How to tie a bow tie

Forward these to your H2B, wish him good luck and don’t forget that practice makes perfect!

Preserve your top tier cake
Preserve your gown
Preserve your bouquet

You can also download checklists such as:

Change your name
Moving
Buying your first home
Merging money
Create a will

Other fun and creative post-wedding ideas are also showcased such as:

• Root the greenery from your bridal bouquet and watch it grow.
  
• Frame your invitation and/or your marriage contract.
  
• Create a time capsule of your wedding day with a copy of the newspaper from that day, your horoscopes, and jot down your favorite song, book, movie, TV show, restaurant, etc. Seal it up and open it on a future anniversary.
  
• Save (or buy) a bottle of wine from your reception dinner to drink on your anniversary.
  

Lot’s of help, advice, practical tips and ideas at your fingertips to ensure a smooth transition into married-hood.

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

Luggage tag or boarding card save the dates (STDs)

 Luggage tags with a hand-drawn illustration on one side and the wedding details on the other are an ideal way to announce a destination wedding. Boarding cards can also be used in the same way.

Passport Invitations
Numerous designers are now proposing passport invitations. Here are just a few of our favorites we’ve selected for you…

Wedding Invitations – we love their simple yet stylish selection of passport invitations, boarding passes, travel tickets and luggage tags.

Wedding Invitation Designer – this unique, bespoke design service can customise passport invitations matching them perfectly to your wedding theme. Simply divine!

Ditsy Chic – Ditsy’s invitations are definitely made with love. For high-end, super chic passport invitations and boarding passes, this is an address to add to your favorites! Also check out her Vintage Glam collection. Fantastic!

Customised Maps

Why not have a custom map invite made for your destination wedding? No matter where you are getting married around the globe, Laura Hooper Caligraphy can create a fabulous, customised map for you. For the most discerning of brides, these chic, hand-drawn maps are sure to make a lasting impression on your lucky guests!

Landmark invitations
Nothing is more effective and direct than including an image of the destination on your wedding invites to announce your wedding destination. This is most commonly used for weddings taking place in cities with prominent, world renowned landmarks such as London’s Tower Bridge, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Rome’s Colosseum in Italy, the Acropolis in Greece’s capital city of Athens, the Empire State Building in NYC or the Opera House in Sydney’s beautiful harbour in Australia.

Whether you opt for a stylised, artistic, hand-drawn creation or a more traditional photo of the landmark, the designers proposing this type of invitation abound.

Message in a Bottle 

Finally, we could not end this article without telling you about one of our more creative brides’s creations. Getting married this October on an island off the coast of southern France, she made her own really cool wedding invitations. She made tiny « message in a bottle ». She used mini alcohol bottles (after taking off the labels) and inserted hand-made scrolls inside. On the scrolls were drawn an old-fashioned map of the island and a poem in script for the invites. She stained the scrolls with tea and burned the edges to give them an antique look.

If you want to take this idea one step further, you could even put sand and tiny shells in the bottles with the scrolls. Top Tip: secure the scroll with string so that your guests can easily pull them out of the bottle. Add a drop of coconut oil to make them smell exotic! Nestle each bottle into a small box with pebble paper around them so that it looks like they were washed up onto a pebble beach and send them out like that.

Due to the time-consuming nature of the preparation of these invites, they should only be used for intimate groups of up to 20 guests.

1. Colourful, sparkly shoes and socks

The new trend in wedding shoes is to go sparkly! Muted shades of silver or gold will add a subtle touch of glamour. For a bolder look, why not go for purple, red, yellow, or green to match your wedding color theme! A great alternative for a more relaxed, beach-style summer wedding are flat ballerina sparkly shoes. To add a little humor to your destination wedding, why not show your patriotic flair with some fabulous union jack ballerinas! A tongue in cheek glimpse at your nationality.

Pura Lopez peep toes sparkly gold shoes

Sparkly evening flat bow shoes found on ebay

Union Jack ballerinas by Mariko Oikawa

Photo by Veil Tales

Photo by Jerry Boon blogjerry.com

Photo by Womensweddingdresses.com

3. Jeweled hair combs or couture clips

Whether big or small, an intricate, jeweled hair comb can make even the most tousled updo look polished. These vintage inspired pieces are easy to pop on or off and wearing one instantly transforms your look into something sophisticated and chic.

Vintage style, jeweled wedding comb by etsy.

Photo on theknot.com
Rhinestone comb by EricaKoesler.com

Photo on theknot.com Studded Barrette by JenniferBehr.com

Let’s not forget the groom! If your H2B feels like his personality is being supressed by wearing a formal black suit or tuxedo to his wedding, let him add a splash of color, a touch of humor or a glimpse at his favorite pastime or hobby by choosing a fun pair of cufflinks or match your destination theme: Mini Eiffel Tower cuff links for the men and matching necklaces for the ladies. Here are a few of our favorites found on Cuffs ‘n’ Collars : Cuban cigars, Retro gaming and Photographer.

That’s why we’ve come up with our own exclusive Top 5 list of fabulous bridesmaids gifts, guaranteed to suit all types of bridesmaids from the most sophisticated and chic to the most down-to-earth and practical.

Make every day happy : A message that deserves to be shared with all those we love, especially on our wedding day ! This site proposes a fantastic selection of fair trade accessories created by Aissata Malhaire. The company’s origin stems from a beautiful human and ethical adventure. All products are 100% handmade. We love the selection of bags embroidered with its spangly leitmotiv. They are perfect to wear around town or on the beach. Add a little glitter to your bridesmaids lives. This collection is sure to please the most discerning bridesmaids around.

My Tikka Shop : This is another favorite of ours. From the laptop covers to the iphone and/or MP3 covers, each with a great selection of unique fabrics to choose from, to the handbag organiser, make-up bags and purses…you will be spoiled for choice! Perfect for the most practical and chic bridesmaid.

Laptop covers:

Handbag organiser :

Tutti Frutti Cordials : For the fun and funky bridesmaid, why not offer her a selection of mini cordial fruit drinks to mix the perfect colorful non-alcoholic cocktails to sip at home, at a party or alongside the pool? The bright bottles contain original flavors such as banana bonbon, cactus, chewing gum, crumble, poppy or liquorice and will add a splash of color to any kitchen. They also sell spray oils (olive and basil or olive and truffle) which are simply divine!

Cocktail mixing party : For those of you who have bridesmaids who like the real deal, why not treat them to a girly evening in, with a twist! Invite a professional barman to come and teach you how to mix the perfect cocktail before creating your own and sampling them all! Guaranteed to get you giggling and tipsy by the end of the demonstration. Make sure taxis are ordered to ensure everyone makes it home safely or invite everyone to crash at your place! A simple online search will provide you with names of local companies offering this service. Shaken not stirred please J

Decadence and Indulgence : Perfect for bridesmaids with a sweet tooth who love to indulge! Offer them one of this site’s unique and affordable combinations of chocolates with champagne, chocolates with tea, chocolates with flowers and other decadent gift ideas.

…and for those of you planning your perfect destination wedding in France, think about asking your wedding planner to order the gifts and have them delivered directly to them, thus saving on shipping costs and leaving some much needed space in your baggage for the million and one other things you will need to pack J Happy shopping!

Match your wedding favors to your wedding theme

If you are hosting a beach wedding on the Mediterranean Coast in the south of France or on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, why not provide comfy flip-flops and propose a stroll along the beach at sunset or a personalized beach towel?

Respect the season

For a spring or fall wedding when there is the risk of a chill in the air during the evening, provide the ladies with a pashmina (shawl) to match your color theme and mini bottles of whiskey to warm the guys up from the inside.

For a high summer wedding, fans are a great way to fend off the heat or pretty summer parasols. Bulk buying from dedicated websites in Asia will reduce the costs despite the transport expenses.

Winter weddings provide a multitude of wedding favor possibilities. Why not consider white fur or fake fur handwarmers for the ladies and matching gloves for the men or heated hand warmers in the shape of hearts or a personalized Christmas bauble to take home to decorate the Christmas tree!

Get the party started

To pack out your dance floor, distribute maracas or kazoos or even rally towels for a bit of fun.

Eco-friendly favors

For those environmentally conscious couples, several ideas spring to mind. Personalised packets of flower seeds of your favorite flowers or locally made organic jams in recycled pots that match your wedding colors. Alternatively, give a double use to your dinner table centerpieces by offering them to your guests as favors. A group of small glass vases with a different herb planted inside each one are great giveaways and look fresh and attractive as centrepieces.

Sweet tooth

If you’d like to stick to the food theme, why not provide bags or mini tubes of love heart sweets or personalised M&Ms with your photos printed on them!

Luxury wedding favors

If you really want to spoil your guests who have travelled from far and wide to attend your destination wedding, think about providing them with personalized gift baskets/bags. Include some local specialties such as a mini bottle of champagne or wine, Calissons d’Aix (mini almond marzipan cakes – see photos below) for weddings in Provence or Foie gras for weddings in the south-west…to name but a few!

As you can see, the sky is the limit, or should we say your budget is the limit! Whatever you choose, make sure it’s meaningful to you and corresponds to the theme and ambiance of the wedding.

Photo credits : Wikipedia; www.prixmoinscher.com; www.oriental-decor.com; www.lovehearts.com; www.mymms.com; www.calisson.com

Imagine the surprise on your guest’s faces as they open their inbox and see a personal message from you with a link to a video…but not just any video! By clicking on the link they will discover your very own video wedding invitation.

Make it as professional or amateur as you like and as fun as you like. For those of you on a tight budget, simply grab your camcorder and film yourselves together or separately talking about each other, how you met and the proposal, before coming together and inviting everyone to your wedding.

Don’t forget to clearly state the date, the venue, the dress code, the theme (casual, formal, etc.), whether children are invited and any other important messages you wish to communicate. Tell them how to RSVP or direct them to your wedding website to do so. Wedding websites marry very well with this type of invitation and will give your guests the opportunity to get more information about the venue, directions, etc. after viewing the video.

For those of you who are more creative or tech savvy, why not integrate some photos from your holidays or birthdays you have celebrated together. The video footage can be filmed by you or you could hire a professional videographer. Don’t forget to integrate music to add to the overall effect and why not some special effects?

There are web agencies that can create tailor-made video wedding invitations for you or you can choose from some more standardized templates. These are good options if you don’t have much time or if you are far too camera shy to appear on the film in person.

The most important thing is to enjoy yourself when creating or choosing the video and ensure that it accurately reflects your lifestyles, your humor and personalities. Here is one we particulary enjoyed viewing: Not Your Average Wedding Invitation.

Follow through with the video theme on the day of your wedding by setting up a video booth where your guests can make their own short videos as souvenirs for you to view and keep after the big day!

Check out this YouTube page for more inspiration.

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

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