Tag Archive for 'french wedding favors'

real french wedding favors that don’t suck

March 3, 2010

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

french wedding favor, flipbook

eau de vie, french wedding favor

eau de vie, french wedding favor

french wedding favor, flowering tea

french wedding favor, flowering tea

french wedding diy: free paris workshops

January 11, 2010

les ateliers mariages de printemps

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

trivia contest results are in

December 14, 2009

Pencils down, ladies! The two winners to first post the correct answers to the parisian party Trivia Contest are…. Nativa and Sophie. I’ll send you both emails to get your mailing addresses so

french marriage certificate

french marriage certificate

that you can receive your Black and Bling Party Girl ornament before Christmas. A big “Merci” to everyone who participated or just popped in with words of encouragement- it really means a lot to me. And now, for your viewing pleasure, here are all 8 answers to the trivia questions:

1) One of the main requirements requested by City Hall for a couple who wants to get married in France is that at least one of the couple must legally reside in the district in which they plan to marry for a minimum of 40 days.


2) The traditional French wedding favor is a small packet of dragées- candy-coated almonds. In ancient times, guests were each given 5 dragées, symbolizing Health, Wealth, Happiness, Longevity, and Fertility.


3)  Michelle and Victor played tribute to their all-time favorite movies this year- they were engaged in Vienna where the film “Before Sunrise” took place, and hosted their vintage wedding in Paris, the setting of “Before Sunset”.

canal st martin, paris

canal st martin, paris


4) One of my favorite spots that I like to suggest to grooms-to-be who are planning to  propose in Paris is the Canal St Marten, the romantic, tree-lined waterway in the 10th arrondissement which was built by Napoleon III.

5) The gorgeous setting of Allison and Laurent’s Chateau wedding was the Chateau du Val in St Germain en Laye, where Louis XIV would spend his weekends hunting and frolicking with his mistresses.

6) Chantal Thomass is the saucy pink and black lingerie boutique on the Rue St Honoré where you could pick up a pair of satin handcuffs to add to your Parisian bridal trousseau.

ⓒ chris+lynn photographers

ⓒ chris+lynn photographers

7) If you are trying to figure out what to wear to a wedding in France, try looking at different French online shops and magazines, where you’ll find wedding guest outfits grouped under the term “tenues d’inviteés“.


8 ) A nice, “off the beaten path” locale for an elopement ceremony in Paris is the Buttes-Chaumont in the 19th arrondissement. A great alternative for couples who want a garden setting and panoramic views of Paris.