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Tag Archive for 'destination weddings'

easy eco-friendly french wedding decoration ideas

June 29, 2010

If you’ve ever been to the South of France, I’m sure you were as impressed as I was with the starring role that the humble olive plays in the culture down there. Olive trees seem to grow wherever you look- not just in groves and gardens, but in schoolyards, along roads and even in supermarket parking lots. The markets in Provence are literally overflowing with hundreds of varieties of olives, olive oils, savory cakes and tapenade, as well as rich soaps and fragrant body creams. For generations, the olive tree has been an enduring emblem of the South of France, possessing a wealth of symbolism like peace, fruitfulness and purification.

Besides the super-romantic significance of the olive tree, their modern silvery gray-green color and fresh scent are also great reasons to consider incorporating them into your French themed or eco-friendly destination wedding or reception. Take a look at a few of these easy “green wedding” deco ideas from Marie-Claire Idées:

a warm welcome for out of town guests: a market basket with a bouquet of olive branches and luxurious soaps and creams from the South of France

chunky pillar candles tied with olive leaves and white ribbon to decorate an alter or mantlepiece.

paper cones filled with olive leaves and lavandar

delicate paper cones filled with olive leaves and lavender to scent the ceremony space and decorate the aisle.

diy french wedding decoration idea: small olive branches hung from paper hearts

diy french wedding decoration idea: small olive branches and paper hearts to decorate a sweetheart table.

french wedding favor: wire-strung olive leaves and white ribbon tied around a porcelain saucer of French cookies

french wedding favor: wire-strung olive leaves and white ribbon tied around a porcelain saucer of French lemon cookies (or macarons!)

a string of white party lights intertwined with olive branches for a simple, DIY French centerpiece idea.

All images © Frédéric Lucano, Marie Claire Idées

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a guests view of a destination wedding in paris

June 10, 2010

Your best friend has asked you to stand up in his wedding- in Paris, no less! Both you (and your girlfriend) are thrilled, and dive into your roles as destination wedding guests head first. But what exactly does a wedding in Paris look like- from the guests perspective? A few weeks ago, our clients Michelle and Lindsay played hosts to an intimate group of their nearest and dearest who flew in from Australia for their Parisian wedding celebration- a garden ceremony followed by a cake and champagne reception at their parent’s apartment on the Place des Vosges. Take a look at their big day from a guest’s-eye view, courtesy of One and Only Paris Photography. (p.s.: Félicitations, Michelle and Lindsay!)

wedding and event coordination: parisian events photos © One and Only Paris Photography

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choosing a honeymoon hotel in paris

May 25, 2010

plaza athenée, paris

If you were anywhere near the Champs Elysées this weekend, you know first hand that Paris tourist season has officially begun. If there’s one thing that Paris isn’t short on, it’s hotel rooms. Whether it’s for your wedding or honeymoon- or just a much-needed family vacation, when you’re looking for a hotel in Paris, it’s important to be knowledgeable AND realistic. Here are some excerpts from a post from the parisian party way-back machine which may give you a little insight into choosing a hotel in Paris (*Prices listed have been updated to current 2010 rates):

Paris is not America, part one: Hotels

June 8, 2007

carrie in versace

By now, who hasn’t fantasized about being Carrie Bradshaw in her fabulous Versace gown languishing in that gigantic suite at the Plaza Athénée. But with a rate of 3,800.00€ per night for the Prestige Suite, the Plaza Athénée is a bit out of budget for the average soon-to-be newlywed couple. But you still want to splash-out for your wedding night, right? $500 - $600 seems to be about the average price that many of my clients have allotted towards their honeymoon suite (which is roughly between 400€ - 500€). But where $500 will get you a 35 sq meter Superior Room on the 27th floor with a lake view at the Four Seasons Luxury Hotel in Chicago, that same $500 will only get you a 20 sq meter Standard Room on the 6th floor of the Hotel Westminster in Paris. The Hotel Westminster is a very attractive hotel, right on the Rue de la Paix, but it’s not the Four Season’s- that’s all I’m saying…

I think it’s important to be informed and to stay realistic when you’re looking for a hotel in Paris. You can find cute, functional and clean hotel rooms in Paris for $125 (roughly 100€) a night, but they probably won’t have a view of the Eiffel Tower, and you probably won’t be greeted with fresh, fluffy towels every night once you get back to your room. One of the best sites that I recommend is www.tripadvisor.com. This is a website where past guests can post reviews of hotels. They have a section on each hotel page where people can upload candid photos of the property, so you can see what the hotel room really looks like (without the fancy camera angle and professional lighting!)

brochure vs. real life photo

Also, you should keep in mind that size isn’t everything. I visited an adorable hotel yesterday called the Duquesne Eiffel Hotel, which was tiny, tiny, tiny. I can’t even tell you how tiny this place was, BUT it was so pretty, so clean, the staff were SO friendly, AND some of the rooms have a view right on the Eiffel Tower! And for Paris standards, it was pretty cheap- rooms start at 180€ (around $220) a night. I know that that’s not “budget-bride” prices, but show me another triple threat at that price! Actually, that’s a good idea- if you know of a cute, affordable, room-with-a-view in Paris, drop me a line! I’m curious to know what else is out there.