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Trousseau & Co. Giveaway

I have a theory that anything the fabulous Joy Proctor touches turns to gold so when we heard about her super chic hatbox company, Trousseau & Co., we knew it was destined for success. These accessories are not only are a wedding must-have, but add a stylish flair for all travel – these pics by Le Secret d’Audrey in Paris are all the proof you need. And today’s your lucky day because our good friend Joy is giving away one hatbox, in any color, with a two letter monogram to one lucky reader – enter below!

 

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To enter, simply follow the steps in the Rafflecopter widget below and follow @Trousseauandco and@SMPWeddings on Instagram!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries must be submitted by the end of day (11:59pm EST) Wednesday, December 30, 2015, and one winner will be chosen at random and emailed by January 4, 2016. 

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SMP Sweepstakes Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to enter, only open to US readers with a US shipping address. Please only enter via the Rafflecopter widget and by following Style Me Pretty and Trousseau & Co.’s Instagram accounts with a valid personal Instagram account. $500 total value. Winners of the giveaway will be contacted via email once the giveaway closes.

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Design + Styling: Joy Proctor Design | Gown: Meryl Suissa | Hair + Makeup: Harold James | Calligraphy: Lauren | Hatboxes: Trousseau & Co

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
French Countryside Winter Wedding Inspiration

Winter may mean it’s time to hibernate with layers upon layers of sweaters and cozy blankets but around these parts, we also know it’s the time of year for amazingly romantic wedding inspiration. Giulia Miller Events got that memo and created a scene that we can easily get comfortable in, thanks to Les Productions De La Fabrik’s gorgeous images and O’Wedding’s fantastic film. See it all right this way!

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From Giulia Miller Events… The cold of winter is also the silent poetry of a sleepy nature, the music of snowflakes blowing in the wind and the magical waltz of lights… Obvious source of inspiration for a wedding that was full of French charm and elegance in the warmth of the Quincampoix domain walls, a few miles from Paris.

This is where our bride and groom posed for their photo shoot. The table, set up in front of the bay windows near the blazing fireplace, plays on contrasts of materials and fabrics. I chose to stage delicate crockery from of reputed French firm of handcrafted ceramics, juxtaposed with a raw elm table that is thick enough to capture an elegance at once natural and warm. The contemporary design cutlery, made of brushed gold, lie on crinkled linen napkins which are decorated with antique lace inlays and perforated with a golden pin bearing the guest’s name. They match the autumnal colors of the bouquets, equally subtle in the way they bring together poppies, anemones, fritillaries as well as Christmas roses that are illuminated by the flames of crystal candle holders and discreetly echo the calligraphy of the wedding announcement cards.

Simplicity, refinement and elegance… French style!

On the gastronomical side, a clearly refined menu was devised: foie gras ravioli with duck juice, nage of scallops, filet of beef Wellington with spinach on a potato bed, duck breast with red currant… ending with a generous dessert buffet standing before a curtain of flax flowers hanging like so many flakes… a medley of French pastries in the finale: madeleines, Paris-Brest, macaroons, éclairs, tarts, cannelés, crèmes brulées, granitas… as far as the eye can see!

“And the party was so pretty, nothing could erase it since …”

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More French wedding inspiration here!

Photography: Les Productions de La Fabrik | Cinematography: O'Wedding | Event Planning: Giulia Miller Events | Floral Design: Le Fleuriste Du Coin | Wedding Dress: Lora Folk | Hair + Makeup: James Harold | Venue: Domaine De Quincampoix | Model: Lou Guerineau

Intimate + Delicate Parisian Elopement

A true statement by the Bride: Paris is always a good idea! We 100% agree and these images from Le Secret D’Audrey are the pretty proof. Planned by Fete In France, it’s an intimate affair that defines timeless from the elegant stationery by Studio French Blue to the glowing mantle draped in blooms from Estelle Preston. Make sure to head to THE VAULT for even more!

From The Bride…Paris is always a good idea! Vincent proposed to me a year ago in the City of Love. We have a lot of beautiful memories in Paris, so when we decided to get married we knew it has to be Paris. We wanted the wedding to be intimate, elegant and timeless. We found a beautiful Parisian apartment for getting ready and cake cutting. Our ceremony was at Chapelle Expiatoire. We had a harp for music which filled our day with a romantic ambiance. And of course, gorgeous floral decoration added a touch of romance to our wedding. What made the day special, was the attendance of both our sisters! We feel so happy to have had this very intimate day that filled with love. Every details and emotion was captured perfectly by the amazing Audrey of Le Secret d’Audrey.

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Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Event Planning: Fete in France | Floral Design: Estelle Preston | Wedding Dress: Katie May | Cake: Synies | Stationery: Studio French Blue calligraphy + design | Hair And Makeup: Sanni Sorma Makeup & Hair | Venue: Chapelle Expiatoire

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Marriage Matter: 7th Anniversary in Paris

As much as we love a beautiful wedding, we love a beautiful marriage even more. And when that marriage is celebrated with a dreamy anniversary session in Paris? Well, you can count us in. Sarah Goss is to thank for the stunning captures, and you can head straight to THE VAULT for so much more.

From Sarah GossWhen fabulous fine art film photographer (and bestie) Kayla asked me to take her 7th anniversary photos of her and her husband Clint in Paris, one of her favorite cities in the world, I knew it would be magical. We also knew we would have to get up pretty darn early for that gorgeous light! Her friend, wedding dress designer Tatyana Merenyuk, had lent her a dress and it fit perfectly with the mood of the city. She loved the two piece modern flare of the dress, while also being sheer and full of movement. At 5 in the morning we travelled from our AirBnB off rue St. Fiacre to the Eiffel Tower, then the louvre gardens and the cute village like section of town, Montmarte. I highly recommend destination locations for your anniversary sessions that are unique and representative of what you love!

From The Bride…While traveling through France this summer, I asked my good friend Sarah, who with her husband was traveling with us, to take our anniversary photos one morning during our stay in Paris. We woke up super early to catch a beautiful sunrise with the Eiffel Tower. My dress designer friend, Tatyana Merenyuk let me borrow one of her beautiful two piece gowns to wear for the shoot.

Clint and I have been married for seven years and each year is better than the next. We are so blessed to be each other’s best friend and we support each other in our business and in everything we do. We have learned that putting each other first and serving each other is so important. Our faith in God is the foundation of our marriage and we couldn’t do it without Him. We are so blessed! I love these photos Sarah captured of us and our love for each in our favorite spots in Paris.

Photography: Sarah Goss Photography | Wedding Dress: Tatyana Merenyuk | Venue: Paris France

French Cliffs Bridal Session

You know what every Monday after a long weekend needs? A dreamy escape for your fresh-off-a-holiday mind. A stroll along these out of this world cliffs of France to be exact. Complete with a blanket of vibrant green sea moss, calligraphy love letters from Nice Plume and a lavender dress from Gossamer Vintage. Entrancing right? Get the full effect with Celine Chhuon‘s imagery in THE VAULT.

From Celine Chhuon PhotographyThis styled shoot was inspired by this quote: “”When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” (Rainer Maria Rilke) It tells the story of a Bride-to-be who is anxious about her wedding starting in a few hours, so she goes to the sea, where she knows her soul will get the calming breeze of the ocean and comforting sound of waves. The shooting is taking place in Normandy, France. At the amazing cliffs of Etretat.

Photography: Celine Chhuon Photography | Floral Design: SHD Photography | Wedding Dress: Gossamer | Stationery: Nice Plume | Rings: Vintage | Venue: Etretat Cliffs In Normandy France | Bride's Belt: Orchidee De Soie | Candle Holder: Westwing | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Hair Accessories: Orchidee De Soie | Model: Shannon Duggan Photography

Vintage, Boho-Inspired Romantic French Riviera Wedding

You know how some people are just effortlessly cool? Well, that’s this Bride and Groom, and their wedding in the south of France is just as beautiful and chic as the two of them. Full of bohemian touches like wild, romantic floral arrangements and traditions from the couple’s home in Denmark, this day of the definition of a bohemian romance. See all the beauty from Anne-Claire Brun in THE VAULT!

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From Anne-Claire BrunThere are so many things that make this wedding special (to me anyway) :) When Celine and Jakob contacted me, I was excited because I love different cultures and destination weddings in general. You learn a lot, discover new food, points of view, customs and places. What I didn’t realize when they gave me the name of the ceremony location, is that I already knew the area very well…

Growing up, I used to go every summer to a campground in the south of France, 30 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea, on the French Riviera. From anywhere in that campground, I could see a rock (picture a rocky mountain), and so it kinda became the symbol of holidays and good times.

One day, when I was a teenager, my parents decided to stop going and to sell the camper van we had. I was heartbroken. It sadly stayed in our backyard for a while before we actually got rid of it and I went it in sometimes to reminisce. In that campground, I had best friends, I fell in love, out of love, I got hurt and I had challenges to go through. I danced, I sang (sorry again!) I cried and I laughed. It’s where I grew up. (So yeah, I was really attached to that campground :)

When I arrived at the Chateau de Palayson, I couldn’t believe my eyes: the rock that I saw on the photos in the background was my rock! I didn’t recognize it from the photos! The one I could see from the campground! I know it sounds stupid :) but it really moved me to be there again and see the rock from up close, something like 14(?) years later! So this wedding was special for me from the moment I set foot at the venue. And I actually learn the name of the rock: The Rock of Roquebrune.

Then I met Jakob and Celine. They were the sweetest couple. They were also impossibly stunning. I loved the customs from their countries: the kiss on and under the table (on when people hit their plates with their knifes and under when they stomp).

I loved how, when the groom leaves the bride alone at the table, all the men in the room have to go and kiss her (and vice versa!)

But what I loved most is that, during the ceremony, they didn’t talk besides to say “I do”. They didn’t exchange custom made vows. You know what they did? They hugged. For an entire song, they hugged. They did not move.

And the crazy part is that everyone started crying. It was absolutely beautiful. And so intense! I had never seen this before at any of the weddings I shared.

I felt like their love was slowly taking over the chapel and that we were surrounded by it. Celine and Jakob were sweet, fun and totally, head over heels in love with each other.

And I got to capture that :D

From The Bride and Groom… We met with a moment of eye contact at a nightclub in Copenhagen. As a little prank on his best friend at the bar, Jakob introduced Celine as his new girlfriend after 10 minutes… Not a bad prediction :) J asked C out on a cocktail date. A few days later we went on a restaurant date, and just a few weeks later, we started spending most of our time together.

To begin with we discussed wedding dates in 2015 (more than 1 year from the time of the proposal). However, we couldn´t stop talking about the details of the wedding from the very beginning, and the guest list was more or less in place before we returned home from the holidays in the Caribbean, so it quickly became clear, that we couldn´t wait that long to celebrate :) The most important elements were in place within a few months, so we could send out a “save the date” for everybody. From this point we split the tasks… Jakob (given his job as event manager) was in charge of all the logistics and practical stuff with venues, vendors, food & wine, etc. I used my creative skills to create the right style and ambience at the venues, and I ensured a red string through the whole experience (invites, decorations, clothing, thank you cards, and so on). Since it was a destination wedding in Provence (and neither of us speak French) the road to “the big day” was very time-consuming and challenging, but we had such a great time all the way!

We were both very clear, that the wedding should be personal, informal and fun. In terms of style and ambience, our aim was a classic and romantic wedding with a vintage/boheme feel to it. The venues were carefully selected to provide the preferred setting, and Celine chose bright and douche colors for the flowers, decorations, etc. She was also inspired to make some DIY decorations by adding gold spray-paint and glitter to feathers and Champagne bottles. The big princess dress has never been my style, so when I heard about the amazing Maria Fekih store in Copenhagen, I knew that it was the right place for me. Naturally, I had surfed the Internet for many hours (Pinterest), so I knew what I was looking for – A romantic 70’s bohemian style. That’s also why I chose to wear a headpiece from Jannie Baltzer. She is an amazing Danish headpiece designer.

“My favorite moment was when Jakob surprised me with our song in the chapel. I’ve been through a lot the last couple of years, so that meant so much to me. I also loved the time we had together, when driving from the chapel to the restaurant – sun in the face, wind blowing in the hair and good music in the ears… We got to talk about all the experiences, that the day had brought so far, and just enjoyed that moment for ourselves.”

The “cocktail-hour” was almost skipped due to lack of time in the evening program… I had to fight for that hour, but I am so glad I did, because it turned out perfect. People had time to relax and mingle with snacks and drinks before dinner. The DJ played deep house & lounge, and that time of the day before sunset is just magic.

We had two musicians play (saxophone and piano) when the guests were seated in the chapel and for a few hours at the following reception. The wedding march (Here comes the bride) was played only by acoustic sax. It was amazing!

The wedding is probably the biggest joint “project”, that you will be arranging as a couple, and it´s all about love and celebration. So remember to have fun in the planning process and enjoy every minute of it!

If you have a difficult time selecting (narrowing down) your guest list, keep in mind that it is a very personal day. We insisted on keeping it close and personal, and ended up having 54 guests with a mix of those who mean the most to us. We focused on the people, who will most likely be part of our daily lives in the many years to come. At the end of the day, it is YOUR party, and you should not invite people out of politeness.

Make sure you take some moments alone during the day to stop and reflect a little. It’s so true what everybody say, that time is just flying on your wedding day, and a few quiet moments during the day can really help you to absorb all impressions and appreciate everything even more.

Photography: Anne-Claire Brun Photography | Event Design: Event Kontoret | Event Planning: Event Kontoret | Floral Design: Wenche Bragdø (Friend) | Wedding Dress: Maria Fekih | Cake: Mathilde Bragdø Eidsaa (Friend) | Stationery: Julie Maria Andersen (Friend) | Ceremony Venue: Chateau De Palayson | Reception Venue: Prao Plage | Bride's Shoes: Isabele Marant | Rings: Harmann’s | Makeup: The Bride | Hair: The Bride | Band: Rasmus Mølsted | Groom's Attire: Suitsupply | Bridal Boutique: Maria Fekih | Hair Accessories: Jannie Baltzer | Veil: Maria Fekih

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
A Garden Engagement in Paris

No one captures love quite like Clary Pfeiffer, so when she shared this darling engagement we had no choice but to welcome it straight into THE VAULT. It’s sweet and simple with a couple that’s chic as all get out, so believe us when we say this gallery is the place to spend your Sunday afternoon.

From Clary Pfeiffer PhotographyThis sweet couple wanted to enjoy their love of European Gardens and their favorite place to travel to, Paris! There is so much beauty in this session but my favorite images are the intimate moments between Elinor and Alvin.

There is a part of Paris beyond the sweet streets lined with cafes, the sparkling Eiffel Tower, and grey apartments with iron balconies. Just outside downtown is scenic drive to a garden created by André Le Nôtre. He designed and oversaw the construction of the garden at Versailles. In Parc De Sceaux the spansive lawns and architectural gardens are peaceful with no crowds. The pea gravel walkways lead you through orange groves, English gardens filled with roses, to a view that spans forever.

Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Shoes: Valentino | Location: Parc De Sceaux

Authentic Provence Wedding Inspiration

Said best by La Fabrique A Reves… Provence is one of those lands you can never really get tired of seeing. It’s got that old world kind of charm that radiates a timelessness and goes hand in hand with weddings. It’s a destination where al fresco receptions are a plenty and organic bloomage from L’art Qui Pousse fits right in. So, my amours, head to THE VAULT gallery from Le Secret D’Audrey for more!

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From La Fabrique A Reves… Provence is one of those lands you can never really get tired of seeing, hearing about and working in when you’re lucky enough. And it also remains our playground when it comes to create beauty within an authentic landscape and environment. Inspiration comes by itself rather you find an old Bastide full of history or green spaces filled with century-old olive trees, lavender field…

We all fell in love with Château Margüi when we first visited it as we were looking for a new treasure for our Perfect Harmony shooting. We choose warm colourful flowers and lots of greenery from the very talented l’Art Qui Pousse florist while playing with materials to fit with the natural elements such as this incredible stoned table. Our main focus as always was to beautified the scenery and give it our light signature while respecting the history and soul of the venue.

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See more Provence Wedding Inspiration here!

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Cinematography: MG Image | Event Planning: La Fabrique a Reves | Floral Design: L'Art qui Pousse | Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav | Hair + Makeup: Daniel Chavey | Venue: Chateau Margui

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here
Elegant Destination Garden Wedding in Paris at Musee Rodin

This is my kinda couple. For after booking a local venue in the states, they called it off and opted for one of the most romantic cities in the world… Paris! With their nearest and dearest in attendance they wed in an intimate garden ceremony at the Musee Rodin. Surrounded by some of the best vendors out there (Le Secret D’Audrey and Loli Events), in the most magical venues of all, you can see it all in THE VAULT!

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From The Bride…The morning after Garret proposed to me in Mendocino, we both started talking about our wedding. We have always loved visiting wine country, so naturally a wedding there seemed like the perfect fit. The beauty of the wine country, coupled with our focus on food and wine, was something we both loved about the region and wanted to experience at our wedding.

Living in the Bay Area, we weren’t pressured to come up with an “excuse” for going to wine country to visit possible wedding venues…and taste some wine. We found a venue that we both felt was perfect, so we immediately jumped into everything that comes next in planning a wedding: choosing a caterer, selecting a DJ, contemplating design ideas and creating those special touches that would separate our wedding from everyone else’s. After signing contracts with our vendors, we reached out to our friends to get feedback on what they liked and disliked about their weddings. Unanimously, they said their weddings were a blur: They had spent so much of their time trying to say “Hi” to everyone, meeting family members and taking pictures. Many of them
said they didn’t even get a chance to sample the food they had spent thousands of dollars on! Garret and I suddenly realized that the wedding we were planning was more about satisfying our guests than about celebrating our union. We were casting aside the one opportunity to have a moment that was truly ours.

One night while Garret was cooking dinner, I suddenly said to him,” Why don’t we just forget about all this wedding planning and get married in Paris?” I had been skimming through pictures on SMP and had come across a number of stunning photographs by Audrey on the site. At first, Garret thought my idea was a joke. But after playing out the “joke” over wine (yes, wine we bought during that weekend we went up to Sonoma to look at wedding venues), we realized that a romantic site like Paris was exactly what we wanted. Within a week, we cancelled all our vendors, got our refunds and were planning, full force, our wedding in Paris. There were only a few catches: I had not been to Paris since she I was a teenager; Garret had never been to Europe, and neither of us spoke French.

Funny enough, the first thing we agreed upon was that we wanted Audrey to photograph our wedding. Realizing next that we needed a wedding planner, we stumbled upon Loli Events, for which Coralie was introduced to us. She turned out to be the godsend that made the wedding in Paris happen. Patiently, she worked with us as we weighed one venue against other options, trying to find the perfect setting for our wedding ceremony without ever having the chance to see the venue before we would fly across the Atlantic to it. After trolling the Internet for ideas and constantly asking Coralie to send us photos of possible venues — and changing our minds daily about what we wanted the ceremony to be like — we found Musée Rodin, and everything started to fall into place.

Our wedding day was surreal. Whatever preconceived notion we had out about what constituted a perfect wedding was surpassed by our actual wedding. The venue was so much more breathtaking than we had imagined from the photos of Musée Rodin. Our wedding dinner at Le Meurice was the most impressive meal Garret and I had ever shared. Coralie and Lauren were the perfect wedding-planning team; they anticipated our every need and kept everything moving seamlessly. I can easily say that the day proceeded without a single mistake, or mishap, that I so often had heard about other people’s weddings. It would not have happened this way had it not been for the incredible team that was supporting us: Coralie, Lauren, Audrey, and Thomas.

To any couple thinking of having a destination wedding in Paris, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Being there with our family and closest friends to experience a day you only have once in a lifetime is something that can never be replaced; we are so thankful to have such amazing photos and video of the event to remember it always.

From Loli EventsJanina and Garret knew exactly what they did not want for their wedding. After looking at venues in San Francisco, they decided to call it a day and chose one of the most romantic cities in the world… Paris! With their families and closest friend they have chosen to live their special day like all should: surrounding by some of the best vendors out there, in the most magical venues of all!

Janina got ready in the exciting Saint Germain des Pres, in a beautiful and cozy apartment. We planned the first look on the Bir Hakeim Bridge, perfectly captured by Audrey and MyLoveberry team.

The symbolic ceremony, officiated by Kasia from French Grey Events, was timeless and magical. It was one of our life goals to organize a ceremony in the Rodin Museum gardens. The couple had privatized the museum for an intimate moment full of love and authenticity. They really wanted an outdoor ceremony with an amazing background. The Hotel Biron, which was just renovated, was stunning behind the guests.

The dream continued at Le Meurice, in the incredible Pompadour salon. The whole experience offered by the palace was remarkable: great service, beautiful décor and a tasteful dinner!

The night ended with some great cocktails at the Prescription club and fun dancing!!

We loved working with Janina & Garret from the beginning to the end and wish them a lifetime of happiness!

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See even more Paris weddings THE VAULT! 

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Cinematography: My Loveberry | Event Planning: Loli Events | Floral Design: Estelle Preston | Ceremony Venue: Musee Rodin | Reception Venue: Hotel Bel-Air | Hair And Makeup: Allison Depriestre | Officiant: French Grey Events | Ceremony Music: Ivana

Multi-Cultural Destination Wedding at Chateau De La Couronne

Combining British, Indian and French traditions into one dream come true wedding at a gorgeous chateau can only mean one thing: you’re bound to be left speechless. MICKAFilms took that opportunity and blew it out of the water with a film that has the same romantic anticipation as a Hollywood movie. Settle in with a cup of coffee and fall in love with these two stars right here!

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From MICKAFilms… Ruchi and Rushan’s wedding was a fabulously exotic and romantic affair. With 120 guests arriving from the four corners of the world by plane, car and train, all descending on Chateau de la Couronne in south-west France, it was always going to be a busy time. But the gorgeous setting and the obvious deep love and affection of the guests meant it not only went like clockwork, but it was an intensely emotional, yet fun, few days.

An intoxicating blend of Indian, British and French cultures ensured a fascinating event, and smiles were in abundance the entire time, along with an endless supply of wonderful images. Great for the guests – fantastic for a filmmaker!

The ceremony took place in the formal gardens, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs, with a pretty soundtrack of birdsong. A day of glorious sunshine and heat, and after the ceremony itself, a gentle shower of soft, summer rain to freshen the atmosphere before the firework display. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect day.

Peruse more wedding films here!

Photography: David Page Photography | Cinematography: MICKAFilms | Venue: Château De La Couronne

Intimate + Glamourous 1920’s Inspired Elopement in Paris

Found: An intimate elopement so pretty it’ll make even the most modern Bride beg for history to repeat itself. Because when you marry the monuments of Paris with an elopement inspired by the 1920’s, well you’ve got yourself a gallery deemed for greatness. It’s the type of day made possible thanks to the event stylings of Luxe Paris Events and the lens of Claire Morris Photography. See history unfold in THE VAULT!

From The Bride…I’ve always been intrigued by the fashion, the architecture and romantic nature of the City of Lights. Paris is everything a girl dreams of… the sparkle of the tower, the bubbles of fine champagne, and the elegance of Parisian style. This is why I chose Paris as my wedding destination.

I was so nervous at first when choosing paris and organizing it on my own. When I found Claire Morris, my photographer everything came together. I was perusing her blog when I came across a stunning black dress by Paolo Corona, Immediately I knew I had to have it! Paris is about simple refined elegance, and the dress captured that. After contacting the designer I found that my team was shaping up, I met Billy Folchetti, Paolo’s partner, a talented wedding planner, officiant and floral design expert. Billy helped me to wrap up loose ends, design and put together the bouquet as well as write and conduct the ceremony. I chose Harold James after seeing his fantastic portfolio of Paris Fashion week shoots, and some private client galleries. Harold was absolutely excellent and creative when putting together my look. Not only was his talent clear, but he was willing and able to come in early and do really professional job. I chose Cedric’s Paris because of their Presidential black 1952 Citroën Traction, I was pleasantly surprised to find out with every tour, he donates money to firefighter orphans in the paris area, as the gentleman himself is also a firefighter. Lastly, we loved the Hotel Raphael; it was spacious, beautiful and classic Paris!

This was the ultimate dream team, they all knew each other, they worked well together and at the end of the day each were a master of their craft. Not to mention what a delight everyone was to work with, it was like working with friends! I could not have asked for a better location or a better day.

Paris is always a good idea!

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See even more Paris weddings in THE VAULT! 

Photography: Claire Morris | Event Styling: Luxe Paris Events | Floral Design: Luxe Paris Events | Wedding Dress: Paolo Corona Paris | Hair And Makeup: Harold James | Celebrant: Luxe Paris Events | Transportation: Cedrics Paris | Venue: Hotel Raphael

Lavender Inspired Destination Wedding in France

What do you get when you combine dramatic Provence scenery, a Michelin starred chef, one madly in love couple plus vendors like Strawberry Milk Events and Madame Artisan Fleuriste? A destination wedding for the books, that’s what. It’s the grand finale to this NYC duo’s overseas celebration (peek back at the rehearsal dinner + welcome party) and Jose Villa, along with Marcoabba filming, told the story from start to finish. More waiting inside The Vault.

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From Strawberry Milk EventsSo many pieces of this wedding stand out as amazing starting with the custom welcome boxes, which were a hit! We used vintage wooden crates and sourced all items locally. The goodies: olive crackers, tin of lavender olive oil, calissons (a very local Provençal candy made of almond paste), tapenade, local rosé with customized label and the book “A Year in Provence.” Also accompanying the boxes were a customized extensive weekend itinerary with local suggestions for activities like markets, wineries and great shops and restaurants.

The ceremony was perched on a cliff, overlooking the picturesque town of Bonnieux. We wanted the dramatic scenery to take center stage and opted for an understated, elegant floral display that wouldn’t interfere or take away from the view. Rose petals and floating candles lined the aisle. A large, ornate mirror served as program and was calligraphed at the entrance. Traditional paper programs were also available to explain the ceremony, translated in both French and Russian for guests. And since we were in Provence…of course there had to be a lavender toss at the ceremony!

The elaborate, multi-course dinner (which is the main event of any French wedding) was served al fresco, under a canopy of bistro lights and hanging bubble votives. The venue is run by a Michelin starred chef, so the lovely meal did not disappoint.

We worked with calligrapher Holly Hollon to design all the paper goods, including these lavender hemstitch napkins with their monogram and watercolor table numbers en français. A vintage-style jazz band set the mood, and Chefs came out with smoking copper pots to present the impressive main course simultaneously to all tables before serving. Guests followed the candlelit pathway to the bergerie for dancing after dinner, and DJ Michelle came all the way from California to keep guests partying into the wee hours of the morning!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Cinematography: Marco Abbatangelo | Event Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Wedding Planning: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Samuelle | Invitations: Holly Hollon | DJ: Michelle Pesce | Band: Jazz Around Midnight | Officiant: Marc Drudis | Venue: Bastide de Capelongue Bonnieux | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Hair And Makeup For Bride & Mothers: Paige Gibson | Hair And Makeup For Bridesmaids: Events Story | Local Planner: Weddings Of Excellence In Provence | Logo, Custom Lavender Linen Napkins: Holly Hollon | Rentals: Options | Umbrellas, Bistro Lighting: Galaxie

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All-White Welcome Dinner in France

If you’re doing a wedding weekend, I highly recommend throwing a welcome dinner. My Mr. and I did and we absolutely loved seeing face after face arriving to celebrate us—a truly special feeling. If you’re planning one, might I suggest taking a cue from this charming evening captured by Jose Villa and design and planned by Strawberry Milk Events. It’s a merging of french charm, festive all-white attire (and lovebirds in green!) and bloom perfection from Madame Artisan Fleuriste. More this way in THE VAULT.

From Jose VillaCocktail party/strolling supper on the panoramic terrace at Bastide des Gordes, in the ancient hilltop village of Gordes. It was a “white party” so guests were asked to wear all-white, and all blooms and decor were white and accented with fresh greenery and kumquat oranges.

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Find more welcome dinner inspiration here!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Event Planning & Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Valentino | Transportation: Provence Panorama | Venue: La Bastide De Gordes | Catering & Beverage Services: La Bastide De Gordes | Local Planner: Weddings Of Excellence In Provence | Music: Butterfly Trio

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Al Fresco Rehearsal Dinner In France

We’re officially dubbing this a day o’ Jose. Jose Villa, that is. You might have noticed he captures some of the coolest weddings in the world, and this time he’s taking us to the Luberon region of France. It’s a dreamy little spot with hilltop villages and lavender fields for days, making it the ultimate place for a destination affair. Amazing vendors like Strawberry Milk Events, Weddings of Excellence In Provence and Madame Artisan Fleuriste designed a rehearsal dinner like you’ve never seen before, and there’s more wedding festivities up next!

 

From Jose Villa Photography… Started with cocktail hour in the potager (vegetable garden.) Musicians led guests across the filed to where dinner was served – on a circular deck surrounded by lily pond with a big tree growing in the middle. Dessert was served in the treetop deck, which was really fun! Table decor consisted of lots of candles, organic linens and lucite ghost chairs, custom printed menus on linen napkins and monobotanical arrangements in shades of pink.

From Strawberry Milk Events… Last July, we worked with NYC-based couple, Yelena and Julien on creating their dream wedding weekend in the Luberon region of France. The Luberon stretches 30 miles along a ridge of rugged hills east of Avignon, and hides some of France’s most storybook-esque hilltop towns and dreamy landscapes.

We kickstarted their wedding weekend with a rehearsal dinner on that Thursday evening with 40 of their closest family and friends at Domaine des Andeols, in Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt. The venue, comprised of historic stone farm buildings and cottages overlooking acres of lavender fields and olive groves, has played host to events for high-end fashion houses such as Jean-Paul Gaultier. Renowned chef Alain Ducasse presides over the property.

The party started off with a cocktail hour in “le potager” – the organic vegetable garden, with a French gypsy jazz trio while guests sipped on their signature French 75 martini and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, many ingredients of which were sourced straight from the garden itself. When it was time for guests to make their way to dine under the majestic Plantane Tree, the musicians led the way while continuing the serenade. The Plantane tree was a magical setting for dinner, surrounded by a lily pad-laden pond and views of the gorgeous lavender fields, apricot tree orchards and olive groves. After dinner, guests were beckoned to the treetop where dessert was served – a fun surprise!

Photography: Jose Villa Photography | Event Design: Strawberry Milk Events | Event Planning: Strawberry Milk Events | Floral Design: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Stationery: Holly Hollon | Catering: Domaine Des Andeols | Calligraphy: Holly Hollon | Band: La Veille Au Soir | Transportation: Provence Panorama | Venue: Domaine Des Andeols | Beverage Service: Domaine Des Andeols | Candles: MADAME Artisan Fleuriste | Ivory Dress: Valentino | Local Planner: Weddings Of Excellence In Provence | Rentals: Options

Romantic One Year Anniversary Session in Paris

Thank you Kurt Boomer, I now have a goal for my one year anniversary. What could be more special and romantic than a shoot in the city of love itself? And when the couple we’re crushing on happens to be photographers themselves, the results are even better than ever imagined. Fall in love with them and every single image in our VAULT right this way – oh, and good luck being productive the rest of today.

From the Bride… The beautiful Parisian streets with its ivory architecture, accented with its neatly groomed greens, seemed like the perfect place to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Kyle and I have spent our first year with a mixture of work, school, photography, and adventure but most importantly growing our love for one another. As we spent the summer traveling across various parts of Europe and Africa, it seemed fit to end our travels with a city centered on romance and love. Kyle and I have a passion for film photography and were fortunate enough to have one of our favorite film photographers guide us through Paris. It was as if he was documenting our love story as we walked through the Jardin des Tuileries, and stood beneath the Eiffel Tower. These pictures are some of our favorites we have ever taken and will always hold such a sweet spot in our hearts as we look back on our first year of marriage.

From Kurt Boomer… The Louvre was one of those locations that I had been dreaming of shooting at for years. When I got in contact with Michelle and Kyle White (two amazing photographers themselves) and found out they would be in the area, I was beyond excited. We planned a day to stroll through the beautiful gardens, letting the beautiful light filter through the French architecture. At the end of the day, we headed to the Eiffel Tower for some shots with the iconic structure. Truly one of my favorite anniversary shoots.

Peruse more romantic anniversary sessions here!

Photography: Kurt Boomer | Venue: The Louvre

Chic + Elegant Wedding in Provence

Give me a French wedding crafted by Weddings Of Excellence In Provence and you’ve got yourself one happy (make that over the moon) wedding blogger. Take this piece of excellence from the lens of Studio Ohlala as example. It’s the type of lavender fueled day that’ll ignite the wanderlust in anyone, and lucky for you we’ve got every picturesque moment waiting in THE VAULT!

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From The Bride…João and I met in 2007 when we were both living in Europe. As our love was born there, our biggest dream for as long as we could remember was to gather our family and friends in a very special place which represented the story of our lives together.

I first visited Provence a few years ago when traveling with friends and was immediately fascinated by the region…its bucolic scenery, light, picturesque villages, whether,  and energy were forever set in my memory.

When we started looking for our wedding venue, Provence’s landscape quickly came into my mind. Since Joao had not been there yet we planned a trip do Southern France and bingo: he also fell in love with it! Provence was definitely the place of our dreams!

We knew that it would be close to impossible to organize a wedding being 9000 km away and without knowing anyone in the area…so shortly before our trip we searched the web and found WEP of our dearest Stephanie.

And once again we hit it big time, as from our first contact, Stephanie efficiently met all our needs and solved our questions, plus she managed to pick up with such sensibility what we were looking and wished for our wedding, along with her exceptional suppliers, that we fell really assured even from a distance. Stephanie was definitely our fairy godmother in Provence!

The outcome of our partnership could not be different, our big day was much more special than we expected. When you have the man of your life by your side, the place of your dreams, a scenery from the movies, excellent professionals, one can certainly imagine that it would be amazing…but when all of that dream comes true, and on top of that you get to feel the energy and emotion of 90 special guests coming from very far away to celebrate YOUR LOVE, then it’s the best feeling ever, magical, one that is impossible to put into words. It was definitely the best day of our lives!

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See even more Provence weddings in THE VAULT! 

Photography: Studio Ohlala | Cinematography: Studio Ohlala | Event Design: Big Day - Design Studio | Event Planning: Weddings Of Excellence In Provence | Wedding Dress: Atelieria Bridal & Wedding | Invitations: Moda Et Business | Catering: Brunet Freres | Makeup: Ylva Langenskiold | Hair: Anne For Zemmour | Band: WOM | Groom's Attire: Paul Smith | Venue: Le Galinier In Lourmarin | Tent Rentals: Be Lounge

Romantic + Intimate Parisian Wedding

Call me biased, but my sister is awesome.  She’s kind, determined and adventurous, and when she traded in her stateside wedding plans for an intimate Parisian “I do” with only my parents on hand, I was thrilled. Think romantic details from Mon Plus Beau Jour meets a perfect ceremony by French Grey Events meets awe-inspiring images from Le Secret D’Audrey. Oh, and a surprise appearance by two sisters (!!!), all orchestrated by the world’s best brother-in-law/hubby. Head to THE VAULT to see why you absolutely can’t elope in this family. (Hint: We’re all coming.)

From the Bride… Our story… Where do I begin? Our meet cute wasn’t exactly adorable… the type of destined‐to‐fall‐in‐love‐and‐be‐together‐forever sort of scenario that happens at the beginning of a romantic comedy. In fact, our meeting was rather typical.

Scene 1: An empty local Las Vegas bar on a Tuesday night. Four people enjoying happy hour: myself, a friend from work, Mark, and his friend from work. Not exactly fate, being that his options for conversation with other woman were completely non-existent. Regardless, the evening ended with me losing a trivial bet, for which my phone number was the gambling chip.

Scene 2: I decided Mark would be my forever after only three weeks of dating, when I was offered a new job on the east coast and turned it down to stay in Vegas with him. Everyone thought I was crazy, but it never occurred to me that I was; I just knew somehow that he was my person.

Over the next four years, he filled my life with unwavering support, love and the type of unabashed romance I thought only existed in movies. Case in point? The night Mark proposed. We were vacationing in Ravello, Italy and Mark set up a private candlelit dinner in the flower garden of the Belmond Hotel Caruso. As the last bit of sunlight disappeared from the sky, Mark dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him as a coordinated fireworks display shot off. #Ithinkmylifesafairytale

Fast forward two years to our wedding day.

Scene 3: Mark and I settled on the idea of a destination elopement… or almost an elopement, because I insisted on having my parents there. He pretty much left the details up to me, and I pretty much left the details up to the wedding planner. I knew I wanted the day to feel glamorous and the evening to be filled with romantic light, but had little guidance to give beyond that. Marie Emilie of Mon Plus Beau Jour knocked it out of the park, from the elegant garden ceremony, to the candlelit dinner served under the glow of the Eiffel Tower. Every detail was exquisite, and the ambiance and emotion of each moment was captured perfectly thanks to the insanely talented Audrey of Le Secret D’Audrey.

What made the day truly special, however, was Mark’s wedding gift to me: coordinating the surprise visit/attendance of my sisters! The day would not have been the same without them, and I feel so fortunate to have had this very intimate, happily‐ever‐after occasion, filled with so much love.

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See more Parisian weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Le Secret d'Audrey | Photography: Polly Alexandre Photography | Photography: Clary Pfeiffer Photography | Photography: Caroline Yoon Fine Art Photography | Event Planning & Design: MON PLUS BEAU JOUR | Floral Design: MON PLUS BEAU JOUR | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake: Sugar Plum Cake Shop | Ceremony Venue: Jardins Du Palais Royal | Reception Venue: Shangri La | Bride's Shoes: Ivanka Trump | Hair And Makeup: Sebastien Poirier | Groom's Attire: Z by Zegna | Officiant: French Grey Events | Accommodations: Shangri La | Father Of The Bride Attire: Ralph Lauren | Groom's Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo | Menus & Signage: Pink Toast Ink | Mother Of The Bride Dress: Aidan Mattox | Sister Of The Bride Dress: Jenny Yoo | Sister Of The Bride Dress: Alejandra Sky | Veil: Allure Bridal

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Elegant Old French Abbey Wedding Inspiration

This may have been a styled shoot yet the love between these two is beyond palpable, so it’s no surprise to learn they’re newlyweds. After their “I do’s” this past spring, their only regret was not doing a couple’s portrait session at an old Abbey. Enter Anna Tereshina and Floresie, and we have a romantic rendezvous worthy of many hours in our VAULT, poring over Anna’s images and being whisked away to a wonderland of beautiful blooms and sweet kisses galore. See it all right this way!

From Anna Tereshina Photography… As we first talked with Laetitia we both wanted to create a styled shoot with a real “French” look. Luckily, Marie and Thomas were free and ready to fulfill our wishes and to reenact their wedding day for us. I prepared a stationery set and we styled the tablescape together with Laetitia. The day was beautiful, flowers were created with love and incredible sense of style; sun wrapped the couple so gently that all I needed to do was capture the beautiful scenery of Vauclair Abbey and love flowing in the air. The bespoke hat is a kind of accessory that every photographer likes – it added even more elegance and personal touch from the designer.

From Laetitia at Florésie… Using Vauclair Abbey as a starting point for a styled shoot was a dream I nurtured for a long time… so it was naturally the starting point of my inspiration: its old stone walls, the wild vegetation that tries to gain terrain over them and the simple quiet garden atmosphere that surrounds it.

Marie and Thomas got married in May and I had the opportunity to be their floral designer. They have been dream customers, always cheerful and sweet. So when Marie told me that her sole regret was that they didn’t have a couple session in an antique Abbey, I thought they could be the best models for the shoot Anna and I were planning at Vauclair…

The shoot was then organized around those two fundamental elements: the Abbey and the couple. Anna created the stationery and we worked together to find the vintage French tableware and furniture to complete the scenery. Sofi Milli, a French milliner, designed Marie’s hat just for the shoot. That accessory brings a perfect “French elegance” touch and its sophistication contrasts beautifully with the old walls of Vauclair Abbey.

As for the floral design, I wanted to demonstrate a simple, fresh, yet elegant, atmosphere. The flowers were therefore sourced from my beloved Parisian producers, from my own cutting garden and foliages near the Abbey for a truly natural and coherent look.

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Peruse more French wedding inspiration here!

Photography: Anna Preisig Photography | Event Planning: Floresie | Floral Design: Floresie | Wedding Dress: Cymbeline Paris | Stationery: Anna Tereshina | Hair + Makeup: Anne-Sophie Warrot | Groom's Attire: Izac | Venue: Abbaye De Vauclair | Hat Maker: Sofi Milli | Ribbon: Fleuropean

Luxurious Paris Destination Wedding

I’m a “Paris is always a good idea” kind of girl, but after poring through this Peaches And Mint wedding I left more convinced than ever. Especially when Paris is the backdrop for a celebration that’s as dreamy as they come. Villa Bret set the scene with a ballroom decked in ivory florals and every last inch of pretty is sitting inside THE VAULT.

From Peaches And Mint… Canadians Ben and Stephanie share a love for globe-trotting, so when it came to selecting a location to celebrate their special day, saying “I Do” in the City of Lights was perfect to share with their close friends and family. Having worked at the same company for some time, it wasn’t until years later that they eventually met and fell in love. Together they traveled the world, including a previous visit to Paris where their love for cozy cafes, the smell of fresh bread and pastries, and extravagant outdoor gardens would eventually lead them back to celebrate their nuptials.

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at the Shangri-La Paris Hotel on a perfect summer day. The venue was chosen for its Parisian history, as former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte. The Grand Salon ballroom was extravagant, featuring original chandeliers, a marble fireplace, and rich tones of gold and cream. Candles of different sizes and grandeur arrangements of white roses and hydrangeas provided the perfect scene for a wedding fit for royalty.

Led by the cutest flower girl dressed in white, Stephanie walked down the aisle in her stunning Monique Lhuillier dress. Following the ceremony, champagne and canapés were served as guests mingled on a charming outdoor terrace, overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

During the dinner reception, Ben and Stephanie wanted to incorporate intricate and personalized details into the evening by showcasing beautiful Joyce Chua Design artwork and hand-written touches. To the bride and groom’s pleasant surprise, the evening featured a choreographed dance by a group of the couples’ closest friends – that brought laughter, joy and memories that would surely last a lifetime.

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More Romantic Parisian Wedding Inspiration

Intimate Parisian Wedding | Haute Couture Parisian Inspiration

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Photography: Peaches And Mint | Event Planning: Villa Bret | Floral Design: Villa Bret | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Bride's Shoes: Fendi | Jewelry: Nocturne | Hair And Makeup: Samuel Rocher | Groom's Attire: Paul Smith | Groomsmen Attire: Hold Renfrew | Venue: Shangri La | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab | Photo Booth: Mister Like That | Short Dress: BCBGMAXAZRIA

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Charming Keira Knightley-Inspired Elopement

Keira Knightley was the most adorably stunning Bride when she said “I do” to her hubs James Righton at their intimate Provence wedding a couple years ago. Forgoing a traditional long dress and rocking a short number, wavy boho locks and a playful smile—that’s all she needed to turn our heads. Today, we’re reliving that love-filled charm through this shoot inspired by her day, and it’s a doozy darlings. See it all captured seamlessly by Ashley Ludaescher over in THE VAULT.

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From Ashley Ludaescher PhotographyI am such a huge fan of elopements and find them incredibly romantic. Of course I love all the beautiful details that go into a traditional wedding celebration, but elopements can also be incredibly beautiful and focus solely on what a wedding is truly about: love and the promise to spend your lives together. I recently traveled to the south of France with an amazing team of creatives and the sweetest couple, Maria & Alon. Organized by Josephine from Beautiful Occasions, our elopement was inspired by Kiera Knightley’s laid back, yet oh so chic, city hall wedding style in the south of France a few years back. She wore a short dress which she already owned (Chanel, of course!!) and flats. Our bride wore an on trend cropped top and skirt from designer ambacherVIDIC, paired with fun blue platforms as her something blue. I love Maria’s chic and simple low ponytail, which is a look more brides should definitely consider for their wedding day! The wedding car is a really typical car in Saint Tropez and a fun non-traditional wedding ride. We imagined them tying the knot just the two of them, and then inviting a few best friends over for a dinner party afterwards.

Photography: Ashley Ludaescher Photography | Videography: Carol Hung | Event Planning: Beautiful Occasions | Wedding Dress: AmbacherVIDIC | Invitations: Jungrad Design | Jewelry: Ariane Ernst | Hair & Makeup: Lena Schleweis | Groom's Attire: Rooks & Rocks | Film Lab: Carmencita Film Lab | Groom's Bowtie: Auerbach | Model: Alon Elzara | Sunglasses: Mykita | Table Decor: MV La Maison du Village

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Love the two-piece wedding dress trend? See more here!