Tag Archive for 'the black wedding dress'

Paris Wedding Trend for 2010: Black and Bling

One of the biggest trends spotted at last weeks’ Salon du Mariage at the Carrousel du Louvre was actually a hybrid of a couple of past trends, something that we’ve affectionately dubbed  “Black and Bling”. From the moment you stepped into the Salon, you could see that it was going to be all about High Drama. Sponsored by Swarovski Crystallized and designed by Jean-Luc Blais, the entrée to the salon was literally dripping in dramatic bling-  from gowns to accessories, to the amazing over-the-top banquet table- nearly every inch of the space was bejeweled.

Once fully in the Salon, things were a bit more tame, but le Black et Bling still played a predominant role- showing up in DIY decorations, wedding cakes, and tabletop accessories. Oh, and what would a Paris wedding show be without the ubiquitous Black Wedding Dress? This year’s version came at the runway shows’ finale from Hayari Couture-  a black and silver, seemingly 80’s-inspired mini with a tumbling train at the back.

So, how can you bring a little Parisian Black and Bling to your wedding or event?  How about starting with black or transparent glass candelabras with tall, black taper candles? Or bunches of white hydrangeas in a cluster of black and clear glass vases in different shapes and sizes?  And don’t forget to add gobs of loose or scatter crystals.  We all know that weddings have been blinged out for quite some time now, but one decidedly Parisian touch that I saw this year was whimsy. Parisian Black and Bling isn’t just about serious Hollywood glamor, it’s also about fun and fantasy. So feel free to add your own silly touches: butterflies, crowns, feathers-  whatever you need to make this trend your own.

le "Black et Bling", paris wedding trend 2010

le "Black et Bling", paris wedding trend 2010

dramatic bling from Hayari Couture

wedding drama from Hayari Couture

"black et bling" tabletop by jean-luc blais

"black et bling" tabletop by jean-luc blais

black and crystal table elements

black and crystal table elements

paris wedding trends 2010 Black and Bling

paris wedding trends 2010 Black and Bling - dress: Suzanne Ermann, cake: Fauchon

black wedding dress by hayari couture

black wedding dress by hayari couture

a “nouveau marie-antoinette” french wedding theme

Katasha over at The Wedding Workroom issued a challenge to some of us planners. The challenge was to create an inspiration board around this Jayson Home & Garden baroque sofa.

baroque_sofa

She’s going to post the submissions this week, but I wanted to give you a sneak peak at my entry because I’m sooo happy with how it came out. When I saw the sofa, the first thing I thought was Marie-Antoinette.  But rather than use the typical rose, champagne and pastel color-palette that you usually see in a Marie-Antoinette wedding, why not go for an avant-garde, “Nouveau Marie-Antoinette” themed wedding?  This theme plays up the more decadent side of Paris, but is still romantic, feminine and tasteful. For instance, as Paris is already known for its’ black wedding dresses, why not take it completely over the top with black French-inspired accessories, gifts, favors - and for that extra touche à la française: black Ladurée macarons and a chocolate croquembouche covered in dark chocolate. “Let them eat cake,” indeed…

(click on image for a closer look)

black wedding dress marie antoinette theme wedding in paris

all photos ©. Top row:  Chocolate croquembouche, Marie Antoinette monogrammed brooch, Black mask make-up, Toile Wallpaper, Christian Louboutin “Anemone” shoes, Second row: Lanvin gift boxBaccarat Cristal Room Paris, Black Silk Taffeta Gown Black Licorice Macaron, Third row: Marie-Antoinette necklace, French Chateau, Baroque Sofa, Lace fan, Chandelier Earrings, Fourth row: Moet Quilted Gift Pack, Black lace invitations, Black Lace Plate, Marie-Antoinette Document, Baroque Headboard, Fifth row: Boudoir Paris make-up, Toile Bridesmaids Purse, Chandelier Gift Tag: Bluebirdlane, Venetian Mirror, Galliano for Dior Gown

A Chanel-inspired Wedding

chanel party parisIn honor of the 88th anniversary of the world’s introduction to Chanel N°5, I thought it would be fun to put together a Chanel-inspired wedding board. It’s a fun twist on the Paris-themed wedding, and a nice alternative to yet another Tiffany wedding. (Don’t get me wrong- I love Tiffany’s just as much as the next girl, but this trend has been diluted so far down that it’s almost unrecognizable (hint: just because it’s aqua, doesn’t make it Tiffany’s).

A Chanel-inspired wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. There are ways to bring the esprit de Coco into the design of your event, without having to fork over thousands of euros to do it. Think black and white, quilted textures, art deco patterns, grosgrain ribbon and charm bracelets. Coco’s favorite flower was the camellia- use them in your bouquet, your hair, or floating in a bowl for centerpieces. Black wedding dresses have been raising quite a bit of hoopla for the past few seasons. So black accents on a stark-white gown would be trendy and give a nod to Mademoiselle Chanel at the same time.

The essential is to keep it sophisticated, polished and elegantly Parisian. Don’t psych your guests out by wrapping a favor in Chanel ribbon or paper if it’s not the real deal inside the package. This is where the Paris element could come in- a “Paris” charm bracelet in a quilted favor box tied with a black grosgrain bow would get the “Chanel” theme across perfectly- and without any disappointments. A classic, 3-tiered cake with smooth white icing and simple black bands is a much more refined way to say “Chanel” than a fondant replica of a Cambon handbag.

When planning your Chanel-inspired wedding, remember to keep these words, spoken by Coco Chanel herself, in mind (the edit is mine!) : “A girl wedding should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

Chanel wedding paris themed

Dress © Chanel, Black Bow cake © Consumed By Cake, Quilted gift box © Favor Ideas, Dress © Vera Wang, Chanel-inspired Cake by Cake Couture, photo © Pacific Weddings, Camellia bouquet © Bouquet Chic, Invitations “Chanel” © Effigeorgia, Black lace cake © Project Wedding, “Paris” charm bracelet © A Vintage Jewel