A Vintage Winter Wedding at Hotel de Crillon in Paris

Sandy and Michael's vintage winter wedding at Hotel de Crillon in Paris, with red florals by Sol y Flor, a croquembouche, and Eiffel Tower portraits.…

By Elena Moretti | Published 17 September 2012

A Vintage Winter Wedding at Hotel de Crillon in Paris

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Sandy and Michael travelled from Austin, Texas for an intimate winter wedding at the historic Hotel de Crillon in Paris. Planned by Fete in France and captured by One and Only Photography, their celebration balanced vintage touches with the grandeur of Parisian winter, from red-lipped bridal style to gilded chandeliers.

Photography

Venue

Hotel Crillon

Region

Ile-de-France, France

Couple

Getting Ready

A bride sits in a gold-framed upholstered armchair in what appears to be a hotel suite or dressing room, putting on red peep-toe heels with bow details. She wears a short ivory lace dress with a black lace belt at the waist, and her dark hair is styled in an updo. The getting-ready portrait is a medium shot, capturing the contrast between the ivory lace dress and the bold red shoes as a clear intentional styling choice.

A close-up portrait of a bride and groom photographed through the window of a classic dark-colored wedding car. The bride is in the foreground wearing a tan fur stole over her wedding attire, with her dark hair styled in an updo accented by a small fascinator or hair piece, and she is wearing bold red lipstick. The groom is visible behind her, smiling, dressed in a dark suit with a white boutonniere featuring a red floral accent. The image has a vintage or 1940s-inspired styling aesthetic, reinforced by the retro vehicle, the fur wrap, and the bride's classic Hollywood makeup. The window glass creates a slight reflection overlay on the composition.

Close-up portrait shot taken from behind showing a bride's hair and accessory styling during a getting-ready moment indoors. The bride has deep auburn hair styled into a low, sleek chignon and is wearing a white birdcage veil with a small feathered fascinator clip at the crown. She wears a low-back white lace wedding dress with delicate frayed strap edges and a small drop earring is visible. The overall bridal styling aesthetic is vintage-inspired, referencing 1920s-1940s glamour through the birdcage veil choice.

A couple portrait taken outdoors in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background. The groom wears a dark navy or black suit with a white pocket square, while the bride wears a fitted white lace gown layered with a tan/camel-toned fur stole wrap. The bride has auburn hair styled in an updo with a decorative hair accessory and wears bold red lipstick. The two stand close together, foreheads nearly touching, in an intimate pose. The shot is a medium close-up portrait with a classic, vintage-inspired styling aesthetic.

The couple ascended the grand staircase with its deep red carpet runner and ornate wrought-iron railings, the hotel's gilded interior setting the stage. Sandy's vintage lace gown, bright red shoes, and bold red lipstick became her signature detail throughout preparations. Hair and makeup by Sanni Sorma created a look of true vintage Parisian beauty.

Ceremony

A bride and groom share a kiss during a couples portrait session in the Cour Napoléon at the Louvre in Paris, with the iconic glass pyramid prominently visible in the background along with the classical façade of the museum. The bride wears a white strapless floor-length gown and the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo. The wide shot captures the full architectural context, including a traditional Parisian street lamp in the foreground and a small crowd of visitors visible near the pyramid in the distance. The image has a classic, clean aesthetic with an early evening light casting soft, even tones across the plaza.

A wedding ceremony recessional taking place indoors in a formal room with warm wood-paneled walls, a crystal chandelier, and gold-toned drapery. The bride wears a fitted white lace gown with a dark sash at the waist and carries a bouquet of deep red roses, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit with a white dress shirt and boutonniere; they walk up the aisle together flanked by seated and standing guests. The ceremony chairs are chiavari-style in gold, decorated with red floral accents along the aisle, and the patterned carpet features deep red and gold tones that complement the overall decor palette. The styling is classic and formal with a bold red and gold color scheme; the shot is taken from a medium wide angle facing the couple as they exit.

Inside the Salon Citronnier, red florals by Sol y Flor echoed the season's richness against the gold-accented interior. Celebrant James Leavy guided the couple through their vows while The Firebyrds filled the room with live music. The warm glow of chandeliers and the intimate scale of the gathering created a setting that felt festive and deeply personal.

Bridal Portraits

A bride and groom share a close, smiling moment on the Pont des Arts in Paris, with the Seine River, a stone bridge, and classic Parisian architecture visible in the background. The bride wears a fitted white lace gown with a sleeveless neckline, while the groom is dressed in a black tuxedo with a red boutonniere. The bridge railing is densely covered with padlocks, a well-known feature of this location. This is a medium wide portrait shot taken at ground level on the wooden deck of the bridge.

A bride and an older man, likely her father, walk together arm-in-arm along an interior corridor with warm gold tones, ornate wall sconces, and a polished marble floor, suggesting a classic hotel or formal venue. The bride wears a fitted ivory lace gown with a black sash at the waist, paired with a white birdcage veil and a black fascinator, and carries a compact bouquet of deep red roses. The man wears a black suit with a red tie and a dark red boutonniere. The portrait-style shot is taken at mid-length in warm artificial lighting.

A bride and groom share an intimate moment standing in front of a grand classical French building, likely the Louvre in Paris, with ornate stone facades, pilasters, carved figural sculptures in niches, and a large arched doorway with diamond-patterned ironwork. The bride wears a fitted white gown with a fur stole or wrap in a warm caramel-brown tone, and the groom is dressed in a dark suit with a light tie. The couple is leaning into each other with their foreheads close, creating a romantic pose. This is a wide portrait shot that emphasizes the architectural grandeur of the backdrop against the small scale of the couple. Potential venue feature image.

A couple shares an intimate embrace on an outdoor stone balustrade terrace at night, with the illuminated Grande Roue de Paris (Ferris wheel) and city lights visible in the background. The bride wears a white lace fitted gown with a birdcage veil and a small fascinator headpiece, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit. Candles in glass holders are visible on the balcony railing, adding warm light to the scene. This is a close-up portrait shot with a shallow depth of field, emphasizing the couple against the glowing Parisian nightscape.

Sandy and Michael crossed a stone bridge with the Eiffel Tower rising softly in the background, the winter light lending a cool, cinematic quality to their portraits. The bride's vintage lace gown, fur shawl, and red shoes stood out against the muted Parisian skyline. One and Only Photography captured the interplay of frosted glass, candlelight reflections, and the couple's relaxed connection.

Reception

This image shows the entrance of the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, featuring a brass-framed revolving door set within a carved stone facade, lit by ornate wall lanterns casting warm golden light. No wedding party or guests are visible; the shot captures the hotel's exterior entrance at night with topiary boxwood plants in dark planters flanking the doorway and a chandelier visible through the glass interior. The composition is a straight-on wide shot of the entryway. Potential venue feature image.

Close-up detail shot of a wedding reception table setting in a warmly lit indoor venue. The table is dressed in white linens with crystal champagne flutes and wine glasses arranged at each place setting, accompanied by folded white napkins and silver cutlery. Red and gold gift-wrapped boxes with ornate damask patterns are placed on the table as decorative elements or favors, tied with gold ribbons. Tall white taper candles and small votive candles provide warm ambient lighting throughout, casting a golden glow across the tablescape, with additional candlelit tables visible in the soft-focus background.

A couple cuts into a traditional French croquembouche — a tower of cream puffs — at their wedding reception, with the groom in a black tuxedo leaning in while the bride in a fitted ivory gown embraces him playfully. The setting is an ornate ballroom with warm golden lighting, gilt wall paneling, and a large classical tapestry or oil painting mounted on the wall behind them. Guests seated at white linen-covered tables in the background are dressed in formal black attire, with red floral centerpieces providing accent color throughout the room. The composition is a medium wide shot capturing the cake-cutting moment within the full reception context.

The celebration moved between gilded salons and the Salon Marie Antoinette balcony, where guests admired winter views of Paris glowing beneath the night sky. A traditional French croquembouche decorated with red roses and lit sparklers stood at the center of the dessert display. Little wrapped gifts for each guest added a festive, almost Christmas-like warmth to the evening.

Flat Lays

Close-up detail shot of a reception table centerpiece featuring multiple ivory and cream pillar candles of varying heights arranged on a bed of green moss, accented with deep red roses, pine cones, and small decorative spheres. A gold-framed mirror is positioned behind the arrangement, reflecting the candlelight and doubling the visual depth of the display. The overall decor palette is deep red, green, and warm gold, suggesting a winter or Christmas-season wedding theme. The warm, glowing candlelight creates a rich amber tone across the entire composition.

Close-up detail shot of a pair of red patent leather peep-toe platform heels with a bow embellishment at the toe, positioned on a reflective dark surface. The shoes feature a stiletto heel and glossy finish, likely bridal accessories. The warm, blurred background suggests an indoor setting. The image is sharply focused on the shoes, emphasizing them as a deliberate bridal styling choice.

Detail shot of an interior venue space featuring two gold Chiavari chairs positioned side by side in front of a tall wooden-framed window flanked by floor-length gold damask curtains with tassel tiebacks. Through the window, a warmly lit Christmas tree decorated with golden fairy lights is visible, suggesting a winter or holiday-season wedding. The flooring is covered in a deep red and gold patterned carpet, and the wood-paneled walls contribute to a classic, formal interior aesthetic. The overall decor palette is rich gold and burgundy. Potential venue feature image.

Red patent leather peep-toe platform heels with a bow embellishment anchored the bridal accessories display on a reflective dark surface. Through the tall French doors framed by blush draped curtains, the illuminated Place de la Concorde glowed beyond the balcony. Styling by Sonja Benhamou brought together the vintage-inspired stationery and personal details with quiet precision.