Beverly Harris Weddings and Events: Mar 26, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Beverly's 5 Best Weddings in Paris, France

BEVERLY'S 5 BEST WEDDINGS IN PARIS, FRANCE

You dream of getting married in Paris below the Eiffel Tower, in a castle surrounded by the famous Bordeaux vineyards, or even in a country manor in Dordagne....

Angeli and Tim

Angeli and Tim are from Canada and although they were planning a large traditional wedding for February 2011, they decided to have an intimate affair in Paris so that family that lived in Europe could celebrate with them.

There were many unique elements to this wedding: the bride’s quest for lavender Ferragamo pumps, her amazing photo shoot with One & Only Paris Photography, the gorgeous greenery arrangements and silk orchid bouquet, the placecards with Eiffel Towers made out of antique stamps (the bride’s DIY touch), the keys attached to each couple’s box of Ladurée macarons… and of course the magical setting of the Place Vendôme, all lit up for the holidays.

Angela and Scott

Angela and Scott went on a photo shoot around Paris the day before their wedding. Angela wore a strapless mermaid-style dress covered with beading and embroidered lace because she wanted to save her silk taffeta Amsale gown, from Saks Fifth Avenue, for her wedding day. Her white faux-fur stole was from David’s Bridal. Scott wore a classic Armani tux, also from Saks Fifth Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. You must look the part if you're going to get married in Paris, France!

Photo: Studio Cabrelli Photographies

Genesis and Kevin

Genesis and Kevin were asked why they wanted to have a "Petite Wedding".

In the beginning of the wedding-planning process, we agreed that above all, we wanted our wedding day to honor our love. We wanted to make sure we kept the day about our commitment to each other and about the love that we have for one another. We wanted the day to be joyous and stress-free! We wanted to combine both of us into the day and to have each moment of our day build upon the moment before; a blank canvas becoming our own little masterpiece.

We began by planning a traditional wedding, but it didn’t take long for us to realize that we had lost sight of our above-mentioned goals. It was then that we refocused and decided that it would be best for us to have a private ceremony.

Photos: Amy and Stuart Photography

Bobby and Mod

When we first started planning our Paris wedding, we were overwhelmed with options. Having never visited Paris, we initially selected the Champ de Mars area surrounding the Eiffel Tower, but a week before the wedding, our photographer, Stephen Zezza, a New Yorker living in Paris, suggested we look at Square St. Jean XXIII in the garden of the Notre Dame Cathedral. He said it was the most beautiful place in all of Paris, and we quickly agreed. The square sits on the backside of the famous cathedral. Being a popular tourist site, Stephen suggested we have the ceremony in the morning when we had the place to ourselves. It was perfect.

As an Ernest Hemingway buff, I knew instantly I wanted to celebrate at his favorite café, La Closerie des Lilas in the St. Germain section of Paris. Closerie’s oysters used to draw in the likes of Gertrude Stein, Picasso and James Joyce; all these years later, the oysters are still delicious and the atmosphere is so very French.

Photographed: Stephen Zezza

Amanda and Nick

Amanda and Nick 2010 If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. Okay…maybe not a million, but lots! I LOVE great color combos! I love a brave bride and someone who is willing to mix and match unexpected colors! Amanda and Nick’s purple and lime green wedding is a great example of a punchy color combo that is really bold, yet no less elegant and gorgeous!

This fab wedding was shot by Hannah Suh Photography and, of course, takes place at Beaulieu Garden in Napa,,which is pretty much the most lovely venue imaginable. Be sure to take note of Amanda’s thoughts on the wedding, along with the great vendors listed below!

Nick and I got engaged when we lived in Paris, France and soon after, moved back to the States. I particularly loved every detail of Paris and Nick loved the French countryside – from fantastic food and wine, to the bustling streets with such glamour and lights, to the historical and enchanting Chateaux. “Cheesy”… but so true. Had we been able to transport all of our family and friends back to France I would have, but it just wasn’t going to happen. We were both dead set on having a destination wedding, and after debating the various locations across the globe that we could otherwise host it, we landed on the next best thing… California wine country. It was my sister who actually happened across some of your photos online and noticed the beautiful site with a lovely French manicured style that was Beaulieu Garden. My sister having recently gotten married herself, and my best friend were then off to the races planning every little detail – they used to laugh, calling our wedding “their 2nd wedding” – I was even overruled down to the flowers and font for the menus! But it’s a good thing they won because everything turned out just perfect. We actually booked everything having never been to Napa! It just felt right, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out.