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the paris wedding: coming spring 2013

As you, the faithful readers of this blog, know- I’ve been pretty lax in updating posts for the past few months. But I do have a very good reason for my absence… So, I’ve been planning weddings in Paris for over 7 years now, and sharing my adventures through this blog for over five- and now I’m bringing the Paris wedding love to the masses! I’ve written a book called The Paris Wedding, published by Gibbs-Smith, and it will be hitting the shelves in Spring, 2013.

I can’t tell you how excited I am about this project. The book is basically an insider’s peek into my “little black book” of wedding and party planning in Paris. I’ve included the “ugly” (like the nuts and bolts on navigating the legal red-tape of marrying in France as a foreigner) as well as the “pretty” (personal shopping tours to the best boutiques for wedding dresses, wedding cakes, gifts, favors, and even your honeymoon trousseau) and all of the stops in-between.

I’ve been very lucky in that Paris is quickly becoming one of the hottest European destination wedding locations for stylish couples looking for a unique experience. But in today’s economy, a Parisian celebration is still out of reach for LOTS of couples. So, while this book is a sweet, handy, go-to guide for those planning a wedding or celebration IN Paris - it’s also an awesome look-book of ideas for brides wanting to bring that certain Frenchie je ne sais quoi to their local celebrations. With gorgeous photos of timeless scenery and stylish Real Parisian weddings, The Paris Wedding is filled with ideas and inspiration- each chapter overflowing with gorgeous photography and details to incorporate into any Parisian or Parisian-inspired wedding or event.

The book is available now for pre-order on Amazon.com and other online booksellers, and will be on bookshelves in the Spring. And while I have your ears, I want to offer a GINORMOUS thank you to all of the vendors, clients, family and friends who helped to make this dream possible. Next stop? Oprah, of course!

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a very british affair - the best of british bridal in paris

The very last drop of Indian Summer that we had here in Paris this year happened the last Friday of Fashion Week. I remember because this was the same night of the “A Very British Affair” wedding event, which highlighted the best in British bridal to be found on either side of the pond. Tucked away inside the most deliciously discrete voie privée in St-Germain- des-Près, the private townhouse where this event was held was the perfect venue to host this intimate gathering of some of the UK’s bridal élite. Stephanie Allin, Nicki MacFarlane, Hermione Harbutt, Ruth Shaw from Harriet Wilde Shoes and representatives of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes Ltd from the U.S. sipped cocktails on the terrace, while ballroom dancers (led by American in Paris danseur en résidence , Marc Reed) and live jazz musicians swept us away on a cloud of utter Parisian fantasy. I was able to sit down and chat with most of them after the event and will share our conversations in upcoming posts, but in the meantime, here are a few images from that magical evening:top to bottom, left to right: sorbet-colored flower girl dresses, nicki macfarlane. noir headdress (black swarovski crystals and onyx): hermione harbutt. gown detail: stephanie allin, swarovski crystal heart booties: hariett wilde. bridesmaid and flower girl collections, nicki macfarlane. parisian townhouse at night, lit up from the inside. laser cut invitations: cutture. paris dance instructor: marc reed,

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parisian events in le style digital magazine

Le Style is a gorgeous digital magazine out of Melbourne, Australia that showcases French style and news from around the world. Launched earlier this year, each quarterly issue features stunning photos and insightful content on French lifestyle, culture, travel and fashion trends. The latest issue is also an interactive version- smartphone and tablet friendly, accompanied by instant click-on videos and useful links.

I spoke with Sha Anderson, Director and Editor-in-Chief of Le Style Digital Magazine, about planning weddings in Paris, as well as my thoughts on what it is exactly that seems to attract brides from around the globe to the French wedding style. Here’s an excerpt:

sha anderson, le style: Our readers love French style and many would love to have a French-inspired wedding. What do you think makes French weddings so special?

kim petyt, parisian events: I think the thing that sets French weddings apart is their inherently refined elegance. I’m American, and we Americans tend to like our weddings BIG: tall centerpieces strung with Swarovsky crystals, layered table linens, gobos splashing our monogram around the room, etc. etc. Elegant, yes- but BIG. French weddings are a lot more subtle, with the emphasis more on the guests around the table, rather than the drama on the table. Keep in mind that a French wedding dinner can last upwards of 5 hours long. So rather than draw the attention away from the guests with an over-the-top, elaborate table center, a French bride will typically choose centerpieces that can be talked over, made of tasteful, carefully selected floral compositions in a classic vase, for example. As expected, more importance will be put on the meal itself – with attention to paring not just the wines, but also the cheese and even the bread with the meal.

In France, personalization isn’t just about custom name-tags on water bottles, it’s about choosing a venue that has a history with the couple or their families. Many wedding vendors in France are also often chosen this way. For years, a family will have used the same stationer for all of their formal stationery needs- from birth announcements to calling cards. So when it’s time for her wedding, a bride will turn to a stationer that knows her family on a personal level, and maybe even choose an invitation design that was used for her parents or grandparents wedding. I think this attention to the finer details is what makes French weddings so special. Fortunately, it’s something that can be brought to French-inspired celebrations anywhere, and for any budget.

For the rest of our interview, be sure to check out the current issue of Le Style Digital Magazine, released earlier this week and available for viewing at lestyle.org. And a big “MERCI” to Sha and the Le Style team for letting me share my love of Paris weddings with their readers.