Spring is supposedly just around the corner, but judging by the big freeze in Paris (not to mention the incredible snow storm that dropped on the South of France this week), it still seems a long way off. But rather than moan and groan about the arctic chill that’s spread across France, why don’t we instead imagine ourselves chic and toasty, wrapped in layers of silk, satin and snugly (faux, s’il vous plait) fur- all ready for a late-winter wedding in Paris?
tulle and french lace top, tulle scarf skirt, high-collared taffeta jacket, by cymbeline. gloves and scarf, georges morand.
silk and lace dress with tulle mini-cape, manon pascual. leather and fur muff, georges morand.
mikado de soie and lace tulle dress, by stéphane saunier. white jacket, milady. gloves, georges morand.
pleated organza silk hooded blouse and moroccan crepe de soie pants, c.a. docquin. jacquard de soie corset, estelle cloann for c.a. docquin
all photos © olivia frémineau for oui magazine
If you’ve been reading this blog for any time now, you know that I can get a little bent out of shape over the general state of wedding favors in France. In general, they’ve always seemed a bit, well, cheesy compared to the favors coming out of the States or the UK. It, of course, goes back to tradition- the traditional French favors are dragées- candy coated almonds. So most French cadeaux d’invités are just dragée holders, i.e. little tulle bags or wicker baskets tied with satin bows. Over the years, I’ve posted a bevvy of resources for non-traditional French or Paris-themed wedding favors that can be found in different boutiques around Paris - everything from delicate silver tea scoops from Mariage Frères to luxurious hand-made fans from Olivia Oberlin. Recently though, I’ve been excited to see a wave of French companies crop up that offer unique, creative and stylish wedding favors- all under one “roof”. For instance, I’m LOVING these fun favors from Ca Change Des Dragées (which basically means “something different than dragees”- hallelujah!). Email them a 7 second video of you and your petit chou-chou smooching on the Eiffel Tower or tangoing down the aisle, and they’ll turn the clip into a mini flipbook! What a cute way to announce a Parisian elopement or thank your wedding party or special guests, right? Check out these and other fresh French wedding favors that don’t suck at www.cachangedesdragees.com
french wedding favor, flipbook
eau de vie, french wedding favor
french wedding favor, flowering tea
les ateliers mariages de printemps
For those of you interested in French wedding DIY, the Paris department store Printemps has recently announced a series of Wedding Ateliers geared towards the Parisian Bride. The ateliers, which will take place in the wedding department of their Boulevard Haussmann location, start this Saturday with Coaching: Déco et Cadeaux d’invités. Learn how to create stylish, personalized table decor and unique favors for your wedding in Paris during these two, 1.5 hour sessions. Other ateliers in the series include floral arts, calligraphy, arts de la table and much more- all taught by local experts and partners of Printemps Listes. The sessions are free, so space is limited and you must sign up in advance in order to secure a spot. All ateliers are in French.
Les Ateliers Mariages de Printemps
L’Espace Printemps Listes
Printemps Hausseman
64, Boulevard Haussman, 75009 Paris
reservations: 01 42 82 49 00
