The second in the French Wedding Style Q&A series looking at french themed afterparty and finding an english speaking celebrant for your wedding ceremony in Paris.
Meet the expert:
Fabienne Slater – Fabienne is owner of Elian Concept Weddings and Events a boutique event management agency specialising in the design, planning and co-ordination of exclusive and refined wedding in the UK and in France.
Our aim is to help our clients make their dream come true. At Elian Concept Weddings and Events we love France and we feel blessed when clients love it too and want to celebrate their special occasion there. Our exceptional attention to detail, and professional, yet friendly, approach will help you as much or as little as you wish.
Q. I am planning an after party once we get back from our wedding in France, which only includes immediate family. I am looking for ideas as to how to bring some DIY french style to the party, whilst keeping an eye on the budget. Sarah-Jane, UK
A. Fabienne says: “The simplest thing is probably to get inspiration from the area where the actual wedding took place. For example, if it is Provence, the use of lavender for table decoration, gifts etc. will be very evocative, not only of the region, but more generally of France. It is available in the UK so it’s not a budget breaker. A mix of Provence herbs (not only lavender) will also provide endless options for decorations.
Similarly olive and olive oil is also a nice reminder. The ultimate would be to hire or buy olive trees, but stamp prints on labels for table places or little containers of olive oil as favours will bring a lovely atmosphere to the reception room without costing too much.
For Paris, I like these landmark vintage postcards, which can be used as table name or as place cards. Along with Champagne and canapés, they will be very suggestive of the elegance of the French capital and of a French style reception.
A typical French country or village style wedding would involve a relaxed and fun atmosphere with no fuss. Non-matching table decoration or chairs for example, with wild flowers and little ‘confiture’ (jam) jars as favours.
Source: Ben Blood
And to add a definite French touch to your wedding reception in the UK, serve French wines and a croquembouche, the traditional French wedding cake, or if you are a fan of cheeses, the trendier Cheese wedding cake.
Source: Unexpected Culinarian
Q. My fiance and I are looking to get legally married in US, but we are planning to go to Paris for a our wedding celebration. Can you recommend an english speaking celebrant who can perform a non traditional ‘fun’ ceremony? Candice, USA
A. Monique says: ” Celebrants in France are a group of 5 non-religious celebrants who all live in the South West of France. They are happy to travel throughout the country to conduct ceremonies, and do many in Paris. They work with couples, step by step, to create a unique, personal ceremony which reflects all that they wish to say to one another on their special day.
It’s important to understand that their ceremonies are symbolic, which means that you have a lot of scope to create the ceremony you have always wanted,but from a legal point of view you must have a legal/civil registration in your own country before having your “real wedding” in France.
They offer 5 romantic outdoor locations in Paris: the Eiffel Tower, Square du Vert Gallant, Luxembourg Gardens, Sacre-Coeur Gardens, Parc des Buttes Chaumontes. Couples who know Paris well may also have a special location of their own in mind. Alternatively, they could organize a suitable area in their hotel or a restaurant with appropriate facilities.
Eiffel Tower Park
Luxembourg Gardens
Sacre-Coeur
Their Paris package – costs 850 Euros and includes:
- Unique ceremony script, created just for them.
- English-speaking celebrant to conduct the ceremony.
- Certificate to commemorate the day.
- Keepsake printed copy of the ceremony.
- Celebrant’s travel and expenses.
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If you have a destination wedding france or French Wedding Style query for my experts, email it to [email protected]
Our photographer told us that security guards would kick us (18 people) out of Luxembourg gardens if we had a wedding there. Have people had trouble with that?
Security guards have been known to move people on from various locations around Paris, trick is to try and work around them or stand your ground.