At the heart of our decision to organize this destination wedding, we wanted this moment to be uniquely meaningful and symbolic. We chose the auspicious date of 10.10.10 for this celebration as it carries a special significance when translated into the Chinese idiom “shi quan shi mei”, which means “Beauty and Perfection”.

Picking Paris as our wedding location was an easy decision as it was where Julien grew up. We chose La Maison des Polytechniciens in the 7th district of Paris, near Musée d’Orsay, for our event. This hôtel particulier with its turn of century architecture and décor together with a meaningful history provided the perfect backdrop for our special day.

The decor and design of our wedding were driven by my love for anything vintage and each of our favorite colors, purple and green. My hobby of crafting quickly became a full-time job, designing and making all our wedding stationary and details from our save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, programs to seating diagrams, signs, menus, and even folding our own napkins. Due to the multilingual nature of guests, all our wedding stationary was made bilingual in both English and French. We slowly realized our vision of the day from our Boston home after hours of web-surfing, picking vendors online and communicating with them via email.

We arrived in Paris five days ahead of the wedding, luggage packed with DIY products, purple napkins and even more supplies for unfinished projects. Thanks to my bridesmaids and good friends who labored day and night in Paris, we managed to get every ribbon knotted and napkins folded in time for the wedding. Other friends and family helped setup and decorate the wedding site.

Following the traditions of my culture, I was not allowed to see my husband-to-be 24 hours prior to the wedding. I crashed at my bridesmaids’ who shared a rented apartment in a neighborhood full of life. It provided the perfect backdrop for Chinese door games, nice photo shoot, and a Cyrano de Bergerac like love declaration.

The wedding ceremony was the most important event of the day and is also the most memorable one. It included elements from my Malaysian Chinese background, Julien’s French Vietnamese origin, his Buddhist upbringing, our American life together, Taking advantage of the multi-cultural dimension of our relationship, we a wanted our guests to experience the different aspects of what our union signified. We customized our ceremony to start with a western wedding procession (I have always dreamed of walking down the aisle), a Buddhist ceremony carried out in Sanskrit by a Buddhist monk who blessed our union, followed by the Vietnamese ancestral ceremony and ending with a Chinese tea ceremony. We provided our guests with a booklet containing the translations of the sutras recited and the symbolism and meaning of each ceremony. I wore three different wedding dresses throughout the day to represent the different cultures we stand for: a western wedding dress, Vietnamese ao dai, and Chinese qi pao.

The celebration after the ceremony was done in Parisian style, serving French classics at dinner, and a delicious croquembouche as our wedding cake. We gave our guests a flower and Chinese tea blend (another DIY) as wedding favors to symbolize our appreciation and thanks. Instead of hiring a videographer, we gave our wedding party Flip video cameras as favors which allowed them to document the event from their experience of the day. We ended the night dancing away to music and drinks in the vaulted cellar cum lounge within the compounds of the hôtel particulier.

Planning a wedding from abroad in a country that I was unfamiliar with, together with the language barrier made this an experience of a lifetime. Every moment beginning from the day we started planning up till the very last minute of the wedding night was truly a memorable one. We are very thankful to have found our wonderful photographers – Andrea and Marcus – who did an amazing job capturing this special day which will allow us to reminiscence this day in true color many years from now.

Venue: La Maison des Polytechniciens / Photographer: Andrea & Marcus / Floral Designer: Charline Michelet / Music + DJ: Eric Ianneta / Piece Montee: Stroher / Hair: Lexi Derock / Event Planning & Design: DIY from Bride / Wedding Invitations & Stationery: DIY / Wedding favors: DIY / Wedding Gown Designer: James Clifford / Bridesmaid’s Dress Designer: Allure Bridals & BCBGMaxazria / Veil: Unveiled Bridal Designs / Engagement ring: Designed by groom, purchased from La Ron Jeweler

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Post tags: Allure Bridals, Andrea & Marcus, Ballroom Wedding, BCBGMaxazria, Buddhist Wedding, Charline Michelet, Color Palette Green Purple, Croquembouche, Destination Wedding, DIY Projects, DIY Stationery, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Eiffel Tower, Eric Ianneta, France, Fusion Wedding, James Clifford, La Maison des Polytechniciens, La Ron Jeweler, Lexi DeRock, Paris, Peacock Feathers, Stroher, Unveiled Bridal Designs, Wedding Photography
Post categories: Destination, Little Black Book Blog

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From One and Only Paris Photography…As wedding photographers based in Paris, we love elopements. They’re intimate, and stress free. As a bride you have more control to infuse your style with each detail. When you’re unburdened with having to please hundreds of guests, your focus shifts more toward the meaning of the day. The pace is calmer, providing brides the time to soak in the significance of the important moments.

When we first met with Natalina she asked if we could try to avoid capturing expressions of stress and worry on the faces of the couple and their families. Like all of us, she had witnessed distraught brides and families during hectic weddings.  What she hadn’t yet realized was she had already sidestepped this possibility by running off with only her closest friends and family to get married in the City of Love. Escaping to Paris was the perfect solution to being truly relaxed and having fun, while still having a stylish wedding.

Natalina and Warwick down scaled in size, and up scaled in lavishness. They were able to seize the best Paris has to offer; an exquisite hotel for getting ready, a vintage car for their route along the Champs Elysees, a candle-lit orthodox ceremony, and an elegant reception in the famous Plaza Athenee.

Tradition dictated that Natalina not reveal her gown until she met her groom on the steps of the Russian Orthodox Church.  There, the couple awaited an invitation to enter from a greeting priest dressed in full regalia. After the candle-lit ceremony, we took the couple around the historic center for photos of them draped in our favorite city sights. Paris is a gorgeous backdrop for a romantic wedding, and brides are well received here.  Natalina and Warwick were greeted by waving pedestrians and drivers’ cheerful honking.  The genuine smiles this induced from the couple helped us capture the images we love that show the fantasy of Paris.  From these images, it’s easy to see that this destination wedding in the City of Love had quite an impact on the lucky couple. It truly was a special day for Natalina and Warwick. Paris tends to have this effect on lovers.

Wedding Photography: One and Only Paris Photography + Le Secret d’Audrey / Wedding Planners: Rendez-vous in Paris / Make-up + Hair: Natural Makeup Artist / Reception Location: Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris / Flowers: Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris / Wedding Cake: Sugar Plum Cake Shop / Favors: Laduree / Rings: Cartier / Wedding Gown: Pronovias via Marry Me Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Gary Castles Sydney

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Post tags: Cartier, Destination Wedding, Gary Castles of Sydney, Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris, Laduree Macarons, Le Secret d'Audrey, Marry Me Bridal, Natural Makeup Artist, One and Only Paris Photography, Paris, Pronovias, Rendez-vous in Paris, Sugar Plum Cake Shop
Post categories: Destination Weddings, France Weddings

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Carolina + Jaime’s Highlights // Destination Wedding Paris from Elysium Productions on Vimeo.

From the beautiful bride…Paris holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my husband proposed on my birthday in 2009. During that magical holiday, my father asked me to visit L’Eglise de Saint-François-Xavier to light a candle for St. Madeline Sophie, founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart. As soon as we entered this exquisite church,Jaime and I knew it was the place we wanted to be married.  The City of Lights, nothing could be more inspirational!

We were married on March 19, 2011. Our reception was at France-Amériques, a gorgeous Parisianmaison near the Champs-Élysées and now a private club for French and American opinion leaders.  You can feel the history and the mixing of cultures in the grand halls and limestone terraces. Because weather in Paris is unpredictable in March, France- Amériques provided beautiful indoor spaces, intimate gathering places and a dining room to accomodate dinner and dancing.  Parisian wedding venues tend to be small.  France- Amériques, was an ideal venue for our party of 200 — our guests traveling to join us from the US, Latin America and beyond.

We embraced the regal look to reflect the 19th century and the golden age of Napoleon III when this stunning home was built.  Large chandeliers graced the dining room and tables were decorated with twinkling crystal candelabras. Our flowers were simple yet elegant: deep red, purple and gold.  The room, so ornate with its gold engraved walls and fresco paintings made the most dramatic statement.

I was most delighted with the details, such an important part of the effect and what made the evening so spectacular.  The amber lighting emphasized the gold filligree in the moldings. around the tables were gold Louis XVI dining chairs, upholstered with red velvet button — the tufted cushions set a romantic mood and brought the elegance of the era to life.  My dress was custom made by Parisian haute couture designer, Zuhair Murad and it weighed over 20 lbs.  The handmade silver, antique white and gold embroidery truly channeled the uniqueness of Paris.

Event Planning: Michelle Rago Destinations / Photography: Jose Villa Photography / Videography: Elysium Productions / Dress: Azzedine Alaïa via Neiman Marcus / Shoes: Christian Louboutin via Neiman Marcus / Jaime morning frac: custom made from Damiani /Jaime shoes: Damiani / Caro Headpiece: special order from Maria Elena Headpieces / Caro Veil: Zuhair Murad Haute Couture / Dress Engagement Photos Shoot: Azzedine Alaïa Neiman Marcus / Shoes Engagement Shoot: Christian Louboutin Neiman Marcus / Caro’s Hair: Katia Quintero at OM Beauty / Caro’s Makeup: Eric Cuesta at Neiman Marcus  / Church: Saint Francois Xavier / Reception: France Amerique / Rehearsal Dinner: Maison Blanche / Flower Production : Hervé Chatelain / Paperie: Ceci New York / Rentals: Options / Macaroons: Laduree / Piece Monte: Fauchon / Lighting and Sound: Magnum / Film Work: Richard Photo

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Post tags: Azzendine Alaia, Christian Louboutin, Elysium Productions, Engagement Sessions, France Wedding, Jose Villa, Jose Villa Photography, Michelle Rago Destinations, Neiman Marcus, Paris
Post categories: The Blog

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From the Bride… In June 2010, I became engaged to the most amazing man I have ever met. I was so thrilled about the two of us taking this next step together. And five minutes later I thought, I have a wedding to plan! Sean suggested Paris (I told you he’s amazing). We had been to my brother’s wedding in Italy the year before. It was such an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience for us and our family, and we knew we wanted to do a destination wedding and be able to share that experience with Sean’s family as well. Being a fashion designer, art lover and hopeless romantic, Paris was the perfect choice.

As I started the planning, I found it hard to find the special touches I wanted for the wedding. Many of the choices didn’t seem to suit our taste, or were just not quite right. And I was not willing to settle. Out of necessity, I designed our invitations, place cards, programs, gift tags, etc. and found that I absolutely loved it. I was able to add personalized thoughtful details that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to open Thatcher Studio.

I used French Architecture as the inspiration, calling the theme “Modern Baroque.” The grand beautiful structures with soft draped detailing inspired my wedding dress and veil designs. The colors were kept clean and modern, Black, White and Grey with touches of Royal Blue. I mixed Modern details with the Historic French elements. And mixed Modern fonts with Edwardian Script. We used Baby’s Breath and White Roses in circular pomanders and square vases. The Baby’s Breath were set into tall vases so the guest’s eye would look up at the beautiful ceiling of the Salon Aigles. I designed the wedding cake to look architectural and modern yet timeless, and the Croquembouche, a traditional wedding cake, was actually invented by a French Architect turned Baker in the late 1700s. As guests arrived to Paris, they received welcome bags with Paris maps, custom damask playing cards, tuxedo mints and the Itinerary of Events and the French Guides I made for them.

The Wedding Day came and was more beautiful than anything I could have ever dreamt up. The Eiffel Tower view from our apartment was the perfect backdrop for getting ready. The intimate group of our closest family were the perfect people to share the momentous day with. And the romantic sophistication of Paris swept through the air. In the words of Hemingway, “Paris is a moveable feast, wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you.”  Our wedding day in Paris was a dream day that I will feast on forever.

Wedding Photography: Olivier Lalin / Wedding Cinematography: Shanksville Entertainment / Floral Design: A Fleur et a Mesure / Wedding Cake: The Bride (Design) + Sugar Plum Cake Shop / Event Design: Thatcher Studio (The Bride) / Event Planning: Dezhda “Dee” Gaubert of No Worries Event Planning / Ceremony Location: The American Church In Paris / Reception Location: Hotel de Crillon / Invitations + Paper Goods: Thatcher Studio (The Bride) / Bride’s Shoes: Max Studio / Wedding Dress: The Bride (Design) + Christianne Brunelle / Veil: The Bride + Kate Banko Couture / Garters: Florrie Mitton

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Post tags: A Fleur et a Mesure, Chrstianne Brunelle, Destination Wedding, Florrie Mitton, France Wedding, Hotel de Crillon, Kate Banko Couture, Max Studio, No Worries Event Planning, Oliver Lalin, Paris, Shanksville Entertainment, Sugar Plan Cake Shop, Thatcher Studio, The American Church in Paris
Post categories: Destination Weddings, France Weddings, Traditional Elegance

From Pineapple Productions … Using a stylishly designed and letterpressed save the date as inspiration for this photo shoot, we went with neutral colors with a pop of beet purple to create an eclectic and whimsical setting.   Neutral linens, with a purple plate and glass helped to bring in that color that tied everything together.

Meridian International Center was the perfect backdrop with its Parisian look and feel, with elaborate gardens and quirky Linden trees which were bare in the late winter.  A lacy and vintage inspired Claire Pettibone dress fit in well with the gauzy fabrics and wrought iron gates throughout the property.

The dessert buffet was also French-inspired with passion fruit with milk chocolate and orange-ginger macarons and lime and pistachio with green tea madeleines.  It was filled in with some white chocolate maltballs, Jelly Bellys and sour grapefruit slices.

Photography: Red Shoes Photography / Flowers: Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs / Event Design: Arney Walker of Pineapple Productions / Desserts: The Sweet Lobby / Event Rentals: DC Rental / Reception Location: Meridian International Center / Invitations: Designed by Ellie Goedeker, letterpressed by Gilah Press / Calligraphy: Arney Walker Calligraphy / Dress: Claire Pettibone, Kleinfeld’s Bridal

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Post tags: Arney Walker Calligraphy, Claire Pettibone, Color Palette Purple Orange Yellow, DC Rental, Ellie Goedeker, Gilah Press, Kleinfelds, macarons, Meridian International Center, Paris, Parisian Trends, Philippa Tarrant Floral Designs, Photo Shoot, Pineapple Productions, Red Shoes Photography, The Sweet Lobby, Washington D.C., Washington DC, Wedding Inspiration, Wedding Planners & Designers
Post categories: Little Black Book Blog, Photo Shoot

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From the Bride…I began my wedding planning just like every other bride: looking at tons of wedding blogs and magazines; searching for inspiration. I had so many questions floating through my mind, “Do I want a big dress, or a fitted dress? What colors should I use? Where can we have the ceremony that is not going to put my parents into years and years of debt?”  The only thing I knew for sure was that it was going to be HUGE. I come from an extremely large family, and of course I wanted to include every one of them. That was pretty much all I had locked down when I flew home to Louisiana, from Los Angeles, for Christmas.

The first thing on the agenda was the dress. I took all of the important women in my family shopping with me, and it turned out to be a huge success. Within two days I found the absolute dress of my dreams, and for a fourth of what I thought I was going to have to pay. I basically designed it myself. The dress and the sash came separately, but when I saw the sash hanging on the mannequin I knew it was the extra “pop” I needed to make the dress really stand out, and unique. We then deconstructed the sash (since it was originally brown velvet) and attached all of the beading to the black material, which I found on Ebay for crazy cheap. I instantly felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. From that point on my vision of classic and elegant was clear. I wanted everything to be black and white, with a touch of pink in the flowers.

I was very overwhelmed with the planning, since it was going to be such a large group of people, and the prices of everything were adding up by the minute. I started to feel like I was getting lost. Then, I stumbled across an elopement in Paris and was instantly swept away by the beauty and the romance, and of course, the breathtaking pictures. I called my fiance then and there and said, this is what we are doing. My fiance thought it was a great idea! Since we both love to travel, and are very into French food, it was the perfect mix. Once that was decided, everything fell immediately into place. I have always been the type of person to do things a little differently, and anything with as much glamour as Paris is right up my alley. Plus, Paris fit right into my idea of a Carrie Bradshaw type wedding. After all, Big did go to Paris to profess his love on the season finale.

Our day ended up being more than I ever could have asked for. It was a true fairytale. Since my fiancee and I didn’t have a bunch of people to get ready with, we took the day in together. We got up extremely early and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant, walked around and took some pictures of our own, and just really embraced the day. I also got to Skype with my family a little, so they were able to see me in my dress and I was able to tell them I loved them right before I had to leave for the church. I really hope to inspire other brides, as I was inspired to take this route. Eloping may be a difficult decision at first, but in the end is one that I couldn’t be happier I made.

Photography: One and Only Paris Photography / Floral Design: Estelle Preston / Cermony Location: The American Church in Paris / Hotel: Four Seasons George V/ Wedding Dress: Watters and Watters / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bracelet: Lucia Bella

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Badgley Mischka, Contemporary Wedding, Destination Wedding, Elopement, Estelle Preston, Four Seasons George V, France, Lucia Bella, One and Only Paris Photography, Paris, The American Church in Paris, Watters and Watters
Post categories: Contemporary, Destination Weddings, France Weddings

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From Mon plus beau jour… Montmartre is an incredible neighborhood in Paris for it is so poetic!  The Hotel Particulier Montmartre is, to me, the best location in Paris for an intimate and unique wedding. One has to take a private path and go through two gates before discovering this authentic location on top of the Montmartre hill.  I wanted to share this ‘bijou’ (jewel) with future brides who would like to get married in Paris away from the busy and well-known locations. The interior is very boudoir styled; the perfect ambiance for a bride to get ready… feminine, quiet and elegant (photos 1, 2 and 4).  Outside, the building is surrounded by a luxuriant garden with terraces and nooks.  I immediately thought about One and Only Paris to do this style shoot for I know they love these very Parisian places, so ‘Romantique’!

First of all, I knew I wanted to bring fresh- ‘acid’ colors in this decor that is mainly white (the hotel front) and green (the garden); pink, light yellow, mango and slate popped up in my mind!  I also wanted to keep the garden table, chairs to create a fresh look and find the way then to add the ‘chic touch’. I, first, set a slate grey table runner in the middle of the table, where I also displayed white china, silver cutlery and crystal chiseled glasses.  I wanted the flowers to bring a pop of color to the table; I picked only one kind of flowers; Coral Peony, they had the perfect colors I was looking for: pink and yellow.I also ‘played’ with the candles; they all had different shapes and heights but they all matched the colors of the flowers.

In each plate, there were two small chocolates that showed different views of Paris.  Place cards were hand calligraphed, either on grey butterflies or on organic paper cards.  The book (La Conversation Amoureuse – Alice Ferney) was used as the table label. As for the invitations, they were pretty, old-fashion styled post cards put in DIY envelopes.  I chose plain pink and grey envelopes.  On the grey one I put light pink Japanese tape and white lace on top.  On the pink one, I put a ribbon on the left corner with a wax seal on top.   Envelopes were hand calligraphed with white or silver ink. Camille, our model, is wearing a strapless dress, satin silk muslin, made by the French designer Fanny Liautard.  She is wearing vivid pink shoes from the French brand Les Petites.  Her hair and make up were done by Lexi De Rock.

As for myself, I am the manager of Mon plus beau jour (My most beautiful day) based in Paris and founded in 2003.  We organize weddings everywhere in France for French people but also for couples who live abroad.  We have now a consultant in NYC for American couples who would like to get married in France.  Throughout the organization they would have a wedding planner in NYC and then, when they come to France the French team would be there on their wedding day to coordinate everything.

Photography:  One & Only Paris Photography / Wedding Planning and Design:  Mon plus beau jour / Venue: Hôtel Particulier Montmartre / Dress designer: Fanny Liautard / Hair and make up artist: Lexi De Rock / Jewellery:  JEM / Pink shoes: Les Petites / Wedding cake: Jenny C. Vincent cake designer for Berko / Candles: Cire Trudon / Favor chocolate: Lafayette Gourmet / Model: Camille

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Post tags: Berko, Brights, Chic, Cire Trudon, Fanny Liautard, France, Gray, Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, Inspiration, JEM, Lafayette Gourmet, Les Petites, Lexi De Rock, Modern, Mon plus beau jour, One and Only Paris Photography, Paris, Photo Shoot, Pink, Red, romantic, Yellow
Post categories: Destination Weddings, France Weddings

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From Millie Holloman Photography: Millie Holloman Photography and Salt Harbor Designs recently collaborated on a workshop created for both designers and photographers.  The collaboration between photographers and planners/designers is so important, and the two companies hoped to show other industry professionals just how rewarding working together could be!  The workshop focused on building relationships with vendors, networking, creating photo-worthy weddings and capturing the details in a way that best represents the event and the couple.  Millie from MHP and Jennifer from SHD wanted to demonstrate how much better the product and how much happier the client when vendors work together!  The workshop culminated with an inspiration shoot where the design details were brought together complete with a model bride and groom, and the photographers were given the opportunity to capture the day.  The experience allowed weddings vendors a hands-on chance to build, understand, and photograph the significant details of a wedding day!

Photography: Millie Holloman Photography / Design: Salt Harbor Designs / Location: The Atrium / Wedding Dress: Joy Noelle / Cake: Nicki’s Cakes / Macaroons: Flower and Flour / Hair:  Melissa from Fringe Salon / Make-up: Jacey Rogers / Lighting: High Performance Lighting / Calligraphy: Elizabeth Singletary / Chairs, table, and accessory furniture: Susan Covington / Linens and Rentals: Party Suppliers and Rentals / Place Settings and Glassware: The Fisherman’s Wife

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2011. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Flower and Flour, Fringe Salon, High Performance Lighting, Jacey Rogers, Joy Noelle, Millie Holloman Photography, Nicki's Cakes, Paris, Party Supplies and Rentals, Pat's Floral Design, Salt Harbor Designs, Susan Covington Art, The Fisherman's Wife
Post categories: Photo Shoot