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!

In the seventh and penultimate installment of our up-close and personal series of interviews with Caroline Berthe-Altimani, our very own Senior Wedding Coordinator here at CVW, who is planning her own wedding in the South of France, we now find ourselves just one week from the big day! Read on to discover Caroline’s choice of theme, decoration, menu, surprises and her top tips for how to create a perfect wedding in the South of France!

CVW Blog: What atmosphere are you creating for your wedding in the South of France?

I am creating a casual and very summery wedding with a Spanish theme. I want to stay away from what I’m used to doing for my own couples and have a very non-traditional wedding day.

CVW Blog: How will you achieve this? Tell us all about the decoration…

We are planning an outdoor ceremony and have sourced some pretty red and white parasols to match our wedding colors. These will provide shade for the ladies during the ceremony. We also have some fans to distribute should it get really hot.

The decoration at the ceremony and cocktail will follow a countryside theme with old wooden boxes filled with fruit, flowers, herbs as well as some watering cans and wrought iron salad baskets to add to the old-fashioned effect. The garden flowers and herbs will smell wonderful!

For dinner, we will move inside into a big room, like a barn where market animals used to be kept. The ceiling is really high with old wooden beams painted white. We will be hanging the table center pieces from the beams, round balls of flowers in the colors of orange, fuchsia pink and red. The table names have been made using pink and red wire. The wire swirls into the name of the tables that we have named after ballroom dances as my fiancé and I are passionate about dancing. Flamenco is one of the table names for example.

As a change from the traditional head table, we have decided just to have a small table for the bride and groom, surrounded by a U shape table with all of our friends. This way, when we get up to say hello to everyone and talk, we aren’t leaving anyone alone. A table of honor is usually quite empty and I don’t really like the idea of abandoning my favorite guests all evening, so this solves the problem. J

CVW Blog: What type of wedding menu have you chosen?

We’ll be having a very long cocktail lasting about 2 hours with a Spanish theme. We’ll be serving a variety of grilled foods on “plancha” as well as a selection of tortillas, pan con tomato and some classic mozzarella and tomato skewers. There will be a huge Spanish ham cut up in front of guests, this will be fun and lively. I am sourcing some cute aprons for the waiters with Spanish stripes to make it more rustic and less formal.

After such a long and copious cocktail, we have decided to skip the starter and go direct to the main course. We have chosen to serve a giant Paella cooked in one of those huge pans measuring over 1 meter wide. Following the main course will be a cheese buffet and dessert buffet. As a change from the traditional wedding cake, we have opted for an assortment of mini French pastries that everyone will love!

CVW Blog: Will you be providing your guests with wedding favors? If so, tell us more!

First of all, a welcome letter and gift will await each guest in their hotel room. The gift is a small jar of homemade jam (strawberry or apricot) with a nice fabric cover (yellow, red and orange) with little Catalan Spanish dancers embroidered on them. A personalized label with our names and the date of the wedding will be stuck onto each jar.

The red and white parasols and fans can be kept by those who wish to keep them. Then, on the tables, we will place a small heart-shaped box containing a small scented candle on each plate.

CVW Blog: Are you planning any surprises?

Yes of course! Several actually! The first is a surprise group of 2 guitar players and a flamenco dancer who will play and dance as guests walk into the dinner hall. They will then meander throughout the room and stop to play at each table. We are sure this will really set the mood and warm up the atmosphere as we have dinner!

Tony and I have practiced the traditional first dance waltz…with a twist! Within one minute of the music starting, our dance friends will come and join us on the dance floor for a fast chachacha Spanish song. I’ve had a really cute chachacha dance dress made for me for our second dance. I can’t wait to see the look on our guests’ faces when we change from the sooo traditional waltz into a fast chachacha. It will be priceless!

CVW Blog: What are your top tips to help couples create the perfect wedding in the South of France?

This part of the South of France isn’t easy for weddings. The region is called the Pyrenees and is named after the mountain range that separates France from Spain. Not many venues are available in this region and there are only a few good caterers. My top tips for creating the perfect wedding in this region of south-west France are:

• Make sure you have a contingency plan in case of rain as this region is renowned for its storms and planning an outdoor wedding is quite risky. Although the storm will likely only last a few minutes, it will be enough to destroy all of your setup. I haven’t taken this risk for dinner, although we would have preferred a full outdoor wedding.
  
• Be patient with the wedding vendors as they don’t reply fast. Although professional, they are slow to respond and don’t seem to be in any rush to do anything until the week before your wedding. This is enough to make any bride-to-be nervous, but hang on in there, you will not be disappointed on the day of your wedding!
  
• If you need to stick to a budget, consider renting equipment and other specific services from Spain which is often much more reasonably priced. It’s just a hop over the border!
  

CVW Blog: Have you hired a Wedding Planner to take care of the on-site coordination and allow you to relax on your wedding day?

I have planned everything to date and have really enjoyed myself. However, as soon as I arrive, my two colleagues will take over all of the coordination until the day itself. I want to feel like a “guest” at my own wedding, not only for me but for my family as well. So it is really important to me that someone else takes care of all the little details on the day, although you would hope that I will have thought of everything as a professional wedding planner!

CVW Blog: How do you feel only one week before the big day?

I feel so not ready! There is still so much to do. Although my list is getting smaller every day, time is just flying by! As I really want to be able to relax with everyone as soon as I arrive a few days before, I really want everything to be all set before I leave Paris.

I’m not nervous about actually saying “Yes” or anything. I just can’t wait to see how my family and friends are moved on the day and how they react to all of our surprises. Since we were so few in Sweden, this wedding with everyone we love around us will be special in a different way and it is the reactions and emotions of everyone around us that will make it different from our intimate winter wedding in Sweden and magical in its own way.

Stay tuned for the final episode after the wedding when Caroline will share her most special moments with us!

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.

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!

Make a wish and it will be granted in this secret hotel in the heart of Paris which recently opened the doors to its unusual concept of sleeping in a Paris monument. Six rooms depicting iconic Parisian monuments and institutions have been stylishly created by designer Sandrine Alouf inside this chic boutique hotel of 29 guest rooms.

If you have ever imagined what it would be like to spend the night behind the majestic clock of the Musée d’Orsay or surrounded by Cancan dancers in the Moulin Rouge, look no further, this is your dream come true! But hush…don’t tell everyone, its our secret!

To splash out and treat your beloved to a night to remember in the heart of Paris, click on the following link to discover the Hotel Secret de Paris. Prices range from 215 to 310 euros per night for a double room.

Photo Credits – Hotel Secret de Paris (Christophe Bielsa)

But, did you know?…

1. The diamond is the toughest natural substance on the planet, and can only be cut with other diamonds.
2. Engagement rings are traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand because of an Egyptian belief that a “vein of love” ran directly from there to the heart.
3. The Archduke Maximilian of Austria triggered the trend for diamond engagement rings when he proposed to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
4. Unearthed in South Africa in 1905, weighing a whopping 3,106.75 carats, the Cullinan was the largest rough diamond ever found. Cut into the Frist Star and the Lesser Star of Africa, they are both now part of the British Crown Jewels.
5. The UN took a stand against the sale of blood diamonds – sold to finance terrorism or civil war – by establishing the Kimberley Process in 2003. Check out www.kimberleyprocess.com to find out more or rent “Blood Diamond”, the movie starring Leonardo diCaprio that helped bring this illegal trade into the limelight.

Don’t forget that diamonds can be any color. More affordable orange diamonds are available from Namidia and purse-friendly grey colors are also divine. Check out Fiona Knapp’s divine jewelery designs and gemstones.

Credits: Content taken from Marie Claire UK magazine. Photo credit : www.urbanpath.com

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

Caroline and Tony
Hometown: Paris, France
Wedding Date: March 15, 2010
Wedding Colors: Ivory and Silver-grey

Wedding Location: Ice Chapel in Kiruna, Sweden

Wedding highlights: The quintessential winter wonderland wedding. On a cold but beautifully sunny day in March, Caroline and Tony’s intimate wedding ceremony took place in a beautiful ice chapel in Sweden. Inspired details and personal touches made the day truly unforgettable for the select group present. Photographed by Patrice Lariven Photographies, these fabulous photos bring a smile to our faces every time we look at them.

For more details about the unique gift bags Caroline made, the fun weekend activities she planned which including dog-sled riding, snowmobiling and building, and of course to find out more about Caroline’s beautiful dress, check out our exclusive series featured on this blog under the “Tales of a Wedding Planner’s Wedding” section.

Thank you for sharing these special moments with us Caroline and Tony!

Title and artist : Chasing cars by Snow Patrol (YouTube) Who will like it : The younger generation Best time to play it : To walk down the aisle to meet your H2B (like one of our recent brides did !) or as one of the opening dances

Title and artist : Amazing Grace by Susan Boyle (YouTube)

Title and artist : Everything by Michael Bublé (YouTube) Who will like it : Everyone (especially the ladies)
Best time to play it : First dance

Title and artist : Only
You Can Love Me This Way by Keith Urban (YouTube) Who will like it: The country-music lovers Best time to play it: During the photo slideshow

Title and artist : I Got a Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (YouTube) Who will like it: Your guests who are ready to party. The lyrics « I got a feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good night » will set the mood for later.
Best time to play it: As you make your reception entrance

Artist and title : You & Me by Dave Matthews Band (YouTube)
Who will like it: The bride, the groom, and the rest of the lovebirds Best time to play it: The second dance

Title and artist : My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson (YouTube) Who will like it: Your best girlfriends
Best time to play it: During a girly moment on the dancefloor

Title and artist : When love takes over (featuring Kelly Rowland) by David Guetta (YouTube) Who will like it : The party animals
Best time to play it : When the dance floor is hot and pumping

Title and artist : It Must be Love by Enrique Iglesias (YouTube)

Title and artist : Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead (YouTube)
Who will like it: Everyone Best time to play it: The cocktail hour or between dinner courses

YouTube Wedding Song

1. Start Looking Early
   

Like most of our couples, you will feel so overwhelmed with the preparations of your Destination Wedding that one of the most important details may get put on hold until the last minute. Don’t fall into this trap, give yourselves at least two months to research and browse the jewelery stores before making your decision. If you are interested in a custom piece or extras like engraving, give yourself an extra month just to be sure.

1. Try All Styles and Mix Them Up
   

Don’t focus on one type of ring. Try on lots of different styles, you may be surprised by your final choice. Don’t worry if she likes platinum and he likes yellow gold, there’s no rule that says you have to match. What is important is that you each have a ring you will be happy with and will enjoy wearing.

A good tip is to do the 20-year test. Don’t be afraid of choosing something unique and different but make sure the style you choose will stand the test of time. Will it still look cool in 20 years time?

1. Fix a Budget
   

If you fix a budget from the get-go and stick to it, this will help you to choose the most appropriate ring for you and will save you time (and disappointment) along the way. Don’t torture yourself by looking at 3,000 Euro elaborate diamond wedding bands if you know you can only realistically afford a 300 Euro ring. There is nothing to stop you browsing magazines to find a style that you like but don’t fixate on the most expensive. A visit to your local jeweler will help you put things into perspective and prove that many pretty choices also exist for lower end budgets.

1. Think Practical
   

Keep your lifestyle in mind at all times. Don’t buy something pretty if it makes you uncomfortable. If you are sporty, opt for a slimmer ring with rounded edges. Those who have manual jobs will want something simple, solid and without stones that can come loose or carvings that will retain dirt. Make sure you get the right fit. Never try on rings after exercise (fingers swell) or when you are very cold or hot. Make sure you do your final fitting when you are in a calm frame of mind and your body temperature is normal.

1. Don’t Compromise on Quality
   

Wedding rings should carry two marks: the first is the manufacturer’s trademark and the second is the quality mark e.g. 24K. If the ring consists of two or more metals, there should be a quality mark for each.

Now go out and enjoy choosing your wedding rings and remember that you will be wearing them every day for the rest of your life, so take your time to choose the right one for you and your lifestyle!

Photo Credits: www.weddingrings.com

Its official, our very own senior wedding coordinator, Caroline Berthe, got hitched on Monday, 15 March in the Ice Chapel in Kiruna, Sweden, up in the Artic Circle, with a select group of her closest family and friends. Read on to discover the highlights of this magical winter wonderland wedding… a slideshow of her professional photographer pictures will be posted online in a few weeks, come back to our blog for a closer look then…

CVW Blog: How did you feel as you boarded the plane to Sweden? Did you forget anything?

I was so excited! I had been packing for weeks…putting things aside as I thought about them. I didn’t forget anything and nothing got lost or broken on the way. We took our wedding attire on the plane and everyone was so nice helping us hang them so that they wouldn’t be ruined.

CVW Blog: How did your guests react when you gave out the program at Stockholm airport?

Our guests loved the program and how much time and effort we put into preparing them. We included a few enigmas in the program which kept them guessing what activities and surprises we had planned for them.

CVW Blog: First impressions about Kiruna and your hotel?

We got in quite late but the guides were there to pick us up and take us to our hotel. Kiruna is only 15 minutes from the airport so it was a very easy transfer. The hotel and the airports themselves all look like you are in an IKEA store. Everything is very clean, modern, and cozy. The beds in the hotel were amazingly comfortable and we had a nice view of the famous Iron Mine of Kiruna. A landmark they are all very proud of.

CVW Blog: Tell us all about the weekend activities. What did you enjoy most?

We loved everything we did. At first we thought the highlight of the weekend would be the snowmobile ride in search of the Northern Lights. We did enjoy this very much and saw a really nice green Northern light, but we all agreed that the dogsled ride the next day was our favorite. It took place in the morning, we were all alone surrounded by snow and the dogs were so happy to go out for a run. Hearing the snow crush under the weight of the sleigh, with nothing other than trees and snow around us and the sun glimmering on the freshly fallen snow, it was just magical! We stopped halfway in an Indian style tepee for hot chocolate and a Swedish sandwich. The guides were all really friendly, open and talkative. They all spoke impeccable English!

CVW Blog: Any funny moments?

We didn’t have time to do an official hen night or stag night before leaving for Sweden. The boys and girls thought we would separate on Saturday for lunch but as there were only 4 restaurants in Kiruna including one that we had booked for the wedding night, we ended up lunching at the same place. Later, as we were walking on the snow trails around Kiruna, discovering the beauty of the region, the boys decided to throw us into the deep snow (it came up to our waists) and shower us with snow. The French translation of hen night or stag night is “burying your single life” so they did literally “bury” us in snow. It was very funny.

Other than that, we got a bit of sun burn on our cheeks and nose so ended up with bright red noses and cheekbones. Not sure how the photos will come out, but we had fun trying to cover it up with makeup on the wedding day.

CVW Blog: Were you nervous on the day of your wedding?

Much less than I thought I would be. I was much more nervous before leaving France, but once we got there, it was just fun throughout, including on the wedding day. We sort of forgot we were getting married for the first 2 days, and it hit us on Sunday evening that it was the next day.

As I was doing my own makeup, hair and all, we started quite early in the morning. I didn’t want to feel rushed. I got nervous when I stepped out of the hotel and started walking to meet Tony. We met in a really nice park behind the red church of Kiruna. That is when I realized what was happening. I guess all the preparation time was somewhat similar to what I’m used to living with my brides, except that it was happening to me and not someone else. I managed to keep my emotions under control until I actually saw Tony for the first time. It was a very moving experience as was saying “I do” in the ice chapel.

CVW Blog: Tell us about the first time you saw each other in your full wedding attire.

It was just amazing. The photographer ran past me and up to Tony to tell him to turn around. He told me to wait until he called my name and to hide next to the church in the meantime. He had realized, after following us for the previous 3 days, that Tony kept his emotions under wraps and so he wanted to be sure to capture that raw emotion up close. When he was ready, he called to me to start walking towards them. I saw Tony in the middle of the snow, a very magical moment. I walked slowly (in my very comfortable and practical silver moonboots). When I got to him, he was crying. It was the best part of the day I think! And the setting was exactly how I had imagined it would be.

CVW Blog: Describe the ceremony in the Ice Chapel.

The chapel was just stunning. We hadn’t seen pictures of the new design so everything was really a surprise. The ice benches with the reindeer fur on them made everything look very authentic for sure. The priest was a lovely man with 9 children, the youngest was our age actually! The ceremony went by so fast. I regret not being able to live it in slow motion.

Our guests had already seen us in the minibuses before the ceremony started, but they entered first and when they were ready we got called in. I had chosen the music SHE by Elvis Castello. I just love this song and Tony sung it to me several times, he sings really well. We decided at the last minute to walk down the aisle together since we had already seen each other before the ceremony.

My sister was crying so much. She really didn’t think she would so as a consequence had no tissues to wipe away her tears. The priest started with a Swedish Hymn and then translated it for us. It was really beautiful. I got choked up when I had to repeat my vows, Tony cried again too.

CVW Blog: How was the reindeer mousse and pepper baked salmon? And the cake at your hotel?

The menu was delicious. We were a bit nervous about the reindeer but we had nothing to worry about in the end. It was cooked to perfection and accompanied by lots of shallots so you couldn’t really tell it was reindeer. The salmon was just amazing. I want to try the recipe out at home. It was a lovely, informal meal in a private room (that was a surprise as I hadn’t asked for one), and they did a really nice job of decorating the table with the accessories I had given them beforehand. The cake back at our hotel was delicious. All white and glittering like the snow outside. Under the icing was a tasty, light, vanilla sponge cake that we enjoyed despite being very full. The perfect ending to a truly perfect wedding day!

CVW Blog: What will stay in your mind as the most memorable moment?

There are two moments that I keep replaying in my mind and surprisingly neither of them are of the ceremony itself:

The first is when we saw each other in our full wedding attire for the first time. It really was just as I had always imagined it would be. A dream come true!

The second is when Tony and my sister hugged each other outside of the chapel after the ceremony and cried for several minutes. A very moving, unforgettable family moment…

Stay tuned for our fifth interview with Caroline next month when she will update us on the preparations for her second wedding ceremony and party in the south of France. The fun is not over yet!

I should know the answer to this question as my husband, ooohhh I can say that now as we were married 3 weeks ago (I’m still floating on cloud nine), sorry, focus…as I was saying, my husband actually proposed to me at Disneyland Paris! To his disappointment, however, they do not propose any special wedding proposal packages there so he had to use his own imagination (this doesn’t come naturally to all guys).

This is why we need your help! We are launching a petition TODAY! Send us you and your beloved’s names as well as the city and country where you live via the comment link at the bottom of this post and as soon as we get one hundred names or more on the petition we will send it to the Directors at Disneyland Paris pressuring them to take a leaf out of Disneyland USA’s book and start organizing memorable and creative wedding proposals such as this one we found on the net: A Disney Proposal to Remember. We are sure there are many more out there too so send us the link if you find any and we’ll add them to the petition!

Support our petition, send your names NOW! The sooner we hear from you, the sooner Disneyland Paris will be forced to react! Power to the people! Updates on how the petition is going will be provided on the Château and Villa Weddings Fan Page on Facebook.

Monique Napier is a Vancouver-born photographer specializing in Wedding Photography. She is presently living in Portugal. Her eye for the candid, creative and fun photo make her an ideal choice for your wedding photography. She will put you at ease immediately and let her talent behind the camera do the rest. You can view some of her images by clicking on the following link Monique Napier Photography.

HOW TO ENTER: Provide the date and location of your wedding and the story about how you met and fell in love. Send these to Monique on the Contact page of her blog. Closing date is 6 May 2010…so what are you waiting for? Only one month left to enter! Updates on how the contest is going are provided on Monique Napier Photography Fan Page on Facebook.

Good luck ! Let us know if you are the lucky winner and we’ll feature your wedding on our blog.

If yoga is not your specialty but you would still like to offer a moment of relaxation and well-being to all of your wedding guests on the morning of your wedding day, why not invite some professional masseurs to your wedding venue to conduct a series of specialized massages?

A choice between any of the following massages awaits you:

Amma Plenitude massage: 10 – 20 minutes. A Japanese massage technique, similar to Shiatsu, which activates circulatory energy. An invigorating and deeply relaxing massage from head to hips.

Gentle massage: 5 – 10 mintues. A relaxing hand massage using creams or massage oils.

Sensation massage: 3 – 5 minutes. A head massage using an 8-pronged head massager. A great way to release nervous tension.

Pleasure massage: 10 minutes. Facial Shiatsu massage. Eliminates toxins by activating circulation. The points of energy stimulation targeted are directly linked to your digestive system, often adversely affected by excess stress. This massage not only leaves you feeling invigorated but also leaves your face glowing.

The professional masseurs come equipped with their own massage tables/chairs/poufs and can travel throughout France! What better way to enjoy a stress-free wedding day?

Contact us for more information or check out the following website CultureZen Events (only available in French).

Photo credits : CultureZen Events

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.