For Men Only: Getting to Paris

Leave a comment

Ever wonder why women the world over often dream of French men? Because they have an air about them. From the tops of their heads to their well-cut pants to their polished, non-sneaker shoes, they’re confident, put together, ready for anything. In other words: they have a sense of style, and they wear it with confidence.

The essence of men's French style: sleek lines, good quality, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

The essence of men’s French style: sleek lines, good quality clothing, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

If there’s one situation that many men lack confidence in, it’s packing for a European trip; otherwise, why would there be so many suggested packing lists available on the internet? My travel experience has taught me would-be travelers concentrate too much on following someone else’s packing list instead of formulating their own. You have to pack for you — your habits, your needs, and what you plan to do while in Paris: in other words, you should pack from the inside out — while taking in consideration you’ll be in a foreign country where men are, for the most part, well-groomed and well-dressed.

What do I mean by packing from the inside out? Let’s focus first on your toiletries and personal items. What do you use every day? Write down which personal items you use from the time you wake up until you go out the door: brush/comb, shampoo, body soap, washcloth or similar item in the shower, razor, shave cream, after shave, cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, blow dryer (with a 2-round-pin adapter for France). Occasionally you cut yourself shaving, so add band-aids and Neosporin to your list. Do you get a sore on your foot from time to time? Add whatever you use for that. Do you use any other products on an occasional basis that you wouldn’t want to live without? Add them to the list. While many grocery and large-chain drug stores have a travel section for personal products, here are two resources for products:  AllTravelSizes.com and Sephora Sets for Men.

Let’s assume you’re going to Paris for a week in the fall with a friend. Talk about what the two of you plan to do together before you pack: You’ll want your wardrobe to be in-sync with your friend’s. (Okay, guys, I’m not suggesting you tell your friend why you’re asking. Just find out nonchalantly.) After all, if your friend wants to take a dinner cruise on the Seine River (or eat at any nice restaurant), you’ll want to be properly dressed: most fine cuisine restaurants in Paris still require men to wear a jacket and tie. Say you’re planning to sight-see (think: lots of walking), visit the Eiffel Tower and other attractions, a dinner cruise, a trip to Versailles. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes but not tennis shoes: GQ recommends rubber sole shoes by John Lobb, but since they can cost as much as air fare (or more), check out the rubber sole loafers available at Zappos. 

To help you understand what clothes to bring, I recommend tracking trending weather conditions there for 2 weeks prior to your trip. For the record, temperatures in Paris average 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in September, and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) in October: cool but not cold. Layering is your best strategy in case it gets significantly warmer or colder than average. This means take 2-3 short-sleeved shirts, 2-3 long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 V-neck sweaters, 1-2 dress shirts (even better: shirts made to order by Proper Cloth), a wind-breaker, a heavier jacket (take this with you on the plane), a scarf. For evening, you’ll need a pair of dress pants (you’re on your own; they should fit well and be wrinkle-resistant). For sightseeing, I recommend pickpocket-proof pants from Clothing Arts or Bluff Works (being mindful the color you order works with your shirts and sweaters). Add to this list accessories: dress belt, underwear, socks, and cuff links if you plan to be really dressy. (You’ll fit right in.)

Don’t forget your technological needs, such as your smartphone charger and ear buds. Think twice before taking your laptop: unless you absolutely have to have it for work, leave it at home.

The best packing list for men traveling to Europe I’ve seen is this one from Ken’s Travel Tips. In case you like lists. Also, see GQ’s 8 Best Items for Traveling Light.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

For a suitcase, I will always love Hartmann luggage because of how well the luggage is made and their lifetime guarantee; my favorite is the Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive. Whatever you purchase, do yourself a favor and buy anything except black luggage. Why? Because everyone buys black luggage. When I came back from Kazakhstan some time ago, two of my four bags went missing (the tags were ripped off); Delta Airlines told me the only reason I got them back was because they stood out in their warehouse. The Delta employee told me: “You should see our warehouse…it’s nothing but a sea of black luggage.” Sure, black is sophisticated and under-stated; but if it goes missing, you might not see it again. Purchasing luggage in a color that will stand out from everyone else’s black luggage is almost as good as buying travel insurance.

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

If you pack right, you’ll be able to get more in your suitcase than you think. I use travel-size Ziploc bags to conserve on space. I don’t like the “envelopes” that you put several items in because I don’t find they conserve space, and I don’t recommend the bags that you vacuum air out of because…where will you find a vacuum for your return trip? Ziploc bags also protect your clothes in case your bags are searched: TSA agents can shake them to their hearts’ content, and your socks and underwear won’t fall to the ground and mop up the floor. Put items you will wear together in one bag, zip the bag three-quarters of the way, then roll the bag to extinguish the air.

You’ll want to be your best self in Paris. With a little help from experts, you’ll do just that.

 

Bon voyage!

 

 

All images except Hartmann Spinner from CanStockPhoto. Hartmann Spinner from Hartmann.com, CCBY 2.0.

Author’s note: The model pictured is of Indian descent and exhibits a Frenchman’s style perfectly.

Packing from the inside out is adapted from “Organizing From the Inside Out,” by Julie Morganstern.

For Men Only: Travel Gear that Thwarts Thieves

Leave a comment

Get to Paris with your wallet and passport intact. Then, keep them close to you in crowded areas with these pickpocket-deterrent pants.

Today I’m sharing an article about two types of gear to keep your stuff safe.

Source: Gear that thwarts thieves: Top picks – IOL Travel Tips

A professional pickpocket can snatch a man's wallet and be gone in a moment.

A professional pickpocket can snatch a man’s wallet and be gone in a moment.

I wonder which is harder: A man keeping his valuables safe in his pants, or a woman keeping hers safe in a handbag? Sounds like a sociological question for the ages. One thing is certain: Pickpockets are a real problem for men while traveling.

Two companies, Clothing Arts and Bluff Works, make pickpocket-deterrent pants. Clothing Arts’s version has been called “the CIA-version of khakis” by Forbes. Among the safety features is a hidden, zippered passport and money pocket that seals with a snap and button. Buff Works also makes pants with a hidden zippered pocket. The logic is simple: It takes long enough to unzip a zipper that a pickpocket can’t snatch your wallet and run.

Although a zipper is a safety feature in pants, oversized zippers on luggage can be vulnerable to thieves by using a simple pen to pry them open. GripAZip is a combination business card-holder and security device (compatible with TSA locks) that you attach to the handle of your carry-on bag to “deadbolt” the zipper. A determined thief could still access your bag but can’t reseal it to hide the crime.

Au revoir!

 

Adventure pants $109.95 on Clothing Arts.com. Khaki Chino $125.00 on Bluff Works.com. GripAZip Ultimate $35.50 on GripAZip.com.

 

Top image of pickpocket by CanStockPhoto. Images of Adventure pants by Clothing Arts.com, CCBY 2.0. Images of Khaki Chinos by Bluff Works.com, CCBY 2.0. Images of GripAZip by GripAZip.com, CCBY 2.0.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Your Flowers

Leave a comment
Flowers have a direct affect on the mood of your event. They are nature’s way of showing us the beauty of color. When selecting flowers for your wedding, think of the overall feel you would like your guest to experience. If you are looking to create a romantic feel, choose softer palettes of colors with larger blooms like roses or peonies. And if you are looking for a more festive feel, choose flowers with brighter hues and interesting shapes like daisies or hydrangea.

— Andrea Davis, Event Expert & Creative Director, Entyse Lyfe Entertainment

Notice how the flowers for Raph & John's reception work with the tableware to set a romantic mood.

The flowers for Raph & John’s reception work with the tableware to set a romantic mood.

When a bride first thinks of flowers for her wedding, the first thing she usually thinks of is her bouquet. While it is true that pictures of a groom arm and arm with his new bride holding her bouquet will be an enduring memory, as Andrea Davis is quoted above, flowers set the mood for guests, as well. To illustrate how right she is, purchase a bunch of three types of flowers you’re considering, one type for three weeks straight. Put them in a place in your home in which you spend a lot of time. Do you notice yourself and others speaking softer when you have pink roses displayed, as opposed to another flower? Do you feel happier around one flower more than another? You can also get feedback from members in your family. Chances are, different flowers will have a different affect on you and those around you (and don’t forget to consider if anyone might be allergic). Consider this information, as well as the color(s) for your theme when making your selection.

Having trouble selecting your flowers? Buy one bunch at a time (or one mixture at a time, as you will likely use 2-3 different flowers at once) so you can see how you feel around them. This is even more important when planning a destination wedding.

Having trouble selecting your flowers? Buy one bunch at a time (or one mixture at a time, as you will likely use 2-3 different flowers at once) so you can see how you feel around them. This is even more important when planning a destination wedding.

Most wedding planners suggest you budget 8-10% of your overall wedding budget for flowers. Since the average wedding in 2015 cost roughly $31,000, that’s $3,100 for flowers. It sounds like a lot to spend on flowers until you look at the flower checklist from Brides.com. The list is long! When selecting your flowers, my suggestion is to keep your theme in mind and prioritize the list: Is it more important to add life to a dark-wooded house of worship, or to have more flowers throughout a reception venue? I’m not suggesting to cross off anything on the above list; rather, to simply spend less on placements that have a lower priority. Also, be sure to read The Knot’s 15 Most Common Wedding Flower Mistakes to Avoid.

Here are three florists/wedding flower designers to consider:

1. L’Artisan Fleuriste (2 locations)
95 rue Vielle du Temple
75003 Paris

Telephone: +33 01 42 78 40 40

Hours: Not given

A dark-wooded house of worship needs white or light-colored flowers to lighten it up.

A dark-wooded house of worship needs white or light-colored flowers to lighten it up.

Fax: +33 01 42 78 20 40

Metro: Saint-Sebastien-Froissart

L’Artisan Fleuriste
6 rue Commaille
75007 Paris

Telephone: +33 01 42 84 40 40
Fax: +33 01 42 84 40 41

Metro: Sevres-Babylone

Contact Page

Detail of hydrangea. While the flower comes in many colors, this could be your "something blue."

Detail of Hydrangea. While the flower comes in many colors, this could be your “something blue.”

Facebook Page

Contacts:
Alexis de Matharel, Communications & Media
Telephone: +33 06 27 18 48
Email: amatharel@gmail.com

Anne Wehr, Direction de Creation, Graphic Design
Telephone: +33 06 70 67 71 64
Email: wehranne@gmail.com
Personal Website: www.annewehr.com

I selected L’Artisan Fleuriste because they are so accessible – a real plus when planning a destination wedding.

 

2. Estelle Preston
Estelle Preston is an independent floral designer who “specializes in haute couture wedding work tailored to a bride’s exact wishes.” She says she was inspired by Christian Tortu, a master floral designer, largely considered to be the leading seller of flowers in New York City, and who taught her how to buy the very best flowers. She was featured in Meet the Experts in French Wedding Style.

Detail of Peony, a popular wedding flower.

Detail of Peony, a popular wedding flower.

Contact Page

Telephone: +33 06 03 13 02 15

Hours: Not given

Email: estelleprestonflowers@gmail.com

 

3. Un Jour de Fleurs 
22 rue Jean Nicot
75007 Paris

Reception flowers by Eric Chauvin.

Flowers at a wedding reception by Un Jour de Fleurs.

Telephone: +33 01 45 50 43 54

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Contact: commandeparis@ericchauvin.fr

Metro: Invalides or La Tour-Maubourg

Eric Chauvin on Pinterest

Eric Chauvin, owner of Un Jour de Fleurs, was voted Paris’s poshest florist by W Magazine in 2009. His creations are sought after by Dior and the Hermes’ Paris Flagship Store, among many
others.

Flowers by Eric Chauvin for Opera Garnier.

Flowers at the Opera Garnier by Un Jour de Fleurs.

 See if you can imagine your flowers in any of these settings:

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

 

Detail of image of Raph & John’s reception by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Roses+Peonies+Flowers by Maegan Tintari, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of dark-wooded church by L’Artisan Fleuriste, Facebook page, CCBY 2.0. Image of detail of Hydrangea by Nyaman Kamome, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Peony by Wikimedia Commons, CCBY 3.0. Image of flowers at a wedding reception by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers at the Opera Garnier by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of Art Nouveau lighting at reception by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers at an entrance to a garden wedding by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of flower-covered chuppah by Sarah, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers giving light to an area at a wedding by L’Artisan Fleuriste, Facebook page, CCBY 2.0. Image of White Calla Lily Wedding Cake (created by Graceful Cake Creations) by Grace Tari, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of tall vase of flowers on a table by Anne Ruthmann, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

 

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

 

 

Destination Wedding in Paris: Reception Venue

Planning the reception for a destination wedding in Paris is likely the toughest part of the entire process, simply because there are so many details to coordinate from a distance. If you don’t have a planner helping you, arm yourself with reception checklists and feedback from others to check you haven’t forgotten anything. Like a proofreader of a book, it’s good to have a second pair of eyes to review what you’ve planned.

Raph & John selected Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris as their reception venue for a romantic and elegant setting.

Raph & John selected the Opera Ballroom at Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris as their reception venue for a romantic and elegant setting.

Hopefully, you’re getting an idea as to where to hold your ceremony in Paris (see my previous post in this series), and now you’re thinking of a reception venue to complement it in theme and tone.

While researching for this post, I realized I could probably write a small book on planning a destination wedding’s reception. (And perhaps I will!) There are so many checklists and books with checklists and magazines with checklists out there! (Whew!) It’s been tough to wade through them all. I decided to think like (an older) bride would: I went to a bookstore to see what they had available in the planning-a-wedding department. They had plenty of bridal magazines (I bought two), and they offered a few wedding planning booklets (soft cover books): Unbelievably, I didn’t think the destination wedding booklet was very informative because it didn’t give much specific information on planning a wedding in France. Instead, I bought Modern Wedding Planner from modernwedding.com.au (that “au” is for Australia, folks). Do you think I’m ridiculous for purchasing a wedding planner meant to plan a wedding in Australia, when I’m writing about Paris? Before you pass judgement, take a look at it. It is 128-pages on virtually every topic a newly-engaged bride needs to know about planning her big day — and yes, it contains checklists galore. The section on planning a reception is very informative and a lot of information for someone to absorb if they’ve never planned an event before. (That doesn’t include me, by the way.) It made me realize that this post should be more about opening your eyes to the possibilities of reception venues in Paris, with a few key questions.

I bought the Modern Wedding Planner because it is so informative and well-organized.

I bought the Modern Wedding Planner because it is so informative and well-organized.

Most of the information I found on the internet about planning a destination wedding in France was about planners who would plan it for you — not do-it-yourself information. In my view, even if you hire a wedding planner to do it for you, you should still have an overall idea of what you want your day to look like. Working with a wedding planner is best when it is collaborative with a give-and-take, and not just a planner asking you questions.

Key questions for possible reception venues:
1. How many people does your venue hold?
2. Do you have your own caterer, or do I have to hire my own?
3. Do you have a list of vendors you often work with? (This can save you time.)
4. If indoors: How many people sit at each table? (Called “rounds of 10” if a table seats 10 people.)
5. If outdoors: What provisions do you make in case of rain? (More than a light sprinkling.)
6. What is your cancellation policy?
7. How many guests are served by each waiter?
8. Are there places for the wedding party to change?
9. How many bathrooms serve the guests?
10. What is the time limit for my reception?

 

Here are three types of reception venues in Paris:

1.Rooftop Terrace

The breathtaking view from the Shangri-La's rooftop terrace.

The breathtaking view from the Shangri-La’s rooftop terrace.

Shangri-La Hotel Paris
10 Avenue d’Iena
75116 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 67 19 98 (Hotel)
+33 01 53 67 19 38 (Weddings)

Metro: Iena, Line 9

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines shangri-la as “a remote, beautiful, imaginary place where life approaches perfection: utopia.” James Hilton originated the word as a paradise four travelers find in the Tibetan mountains in his 1933 novel entitled “Lost Horizon.” With that as background, you should expect the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris to be very luxurious — and very pricey. Their rooftop terrace is available for rental for events during the summer months.

They do not give a minimum number of people required to rent space, nor do they advertise on their website that they rent out their terrace (that I saw): it looks like this is one of those details you can only find out from someone who lives in Paris, as I did. Click here for Shangri-La’s Wedding page; you’ll see several links, including a Start Proposal Request link. Write in the comments that you’d like to rent the terrace for “X” number of people, and inquire as to whether you have your choice of catering from any of their three restaurants: La Bauhinia, which offers Asian/French fare and has a casual atmosphere; L’Abeille, which offers authentic French gourmet, or Shang Palace, which offers authentic Chinese (Cantonese) food. All three restaurants are under the helm of Executive Chef Christophe Moret; each of the latter two have a
1-star rating in the Michelin Guide.

 

Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter offers a less formal atmosphere in the 20th arrondissement.

Mama Shelter offers a less formal atmosphere in the 20th arrondissement.

109 rue de Bagnolet
75020 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 48 48 48 (Hotel)
+33 01 43 48 48 08 (Events)

Email: events.paris@mamashelter.com

Metro: Alexandre Dumas

Mama Shelter is, in the mind of this writer, an ultra-hip hotel with a millennial vibe located in the 20th arrondissement (Gambetta); the 20th is itself in transition from being an old working-class neighborhood to one with renewed life as the younger set moves in. The 20th arrondissement is most known by tourists as the location of Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

Mama Shelter is not as luxurious as the Shangri-La, but it also isn’t as pricey. To privatize the Rooftop Restaurant, they list:

For 15 people or less, 1035 euros ($1,121.00) TTC
For 16 people or more, 69 euros ($74.73) per person, TTC

Click here for their Rooftop Restaurant menu for groups. Note they also can provide Add-Ons.

Click here for their “Instant Quote ” link.

Note: TTC in French means toutes taxes comprises, or “Grand Total.” In other words, all taxes, including VAT, are included in the price.

2.Hotel

Compare this picture of the event room in the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel, with the one above of Raph & John's reception. What a difference their color choices make.

Compare this picture of the Opera Ballroom in the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel with the one above of Raph & John’s reception. What a difference their color choices make.

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)
+33 01 40 07 35 35 (Sales/Events)

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. How grand is Le Grand Hotel? It has hosted royalty and public figures throughout its long history, and has been the subject of novels. It is also the setting of Roman Polanski’s 1988 film “Frantic,” starring Harrison Ford.

Unfortunately, while they offer a section on Meetings/Events (and “Weddings” is a subset of this) along with a Request a Quote link, when you click on the link you only see information on corporate meetings and events; for weddings, they seem to prefer contact by email. They do not have a full-fledged Wedding section where you can learn about wedding services. I have notified them of my findings and that this makes it hard for couples to investigate what they have to offer. Though, in all honesty, this could also be to purposely limit the number of people they have to get back to: only seriously interested people will take the time to email an inquiry.

They do offer the menu of their Cafe de la Paix online, and their Discovery Menu is 82 euros ($88.81) per person, TTC; this might give you an idea as to how much you’ll pay (for food) for an event.

 

The Maison des Polytechniciens is lit up for the "Forfait Passion" wedding package.

The Maison des Polytechniciens is lit up for the “Forfait Passion” wedding package.

3.Garden

The Maison des Polytechniciens
12 rue de Poitiers
75007 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 54 74 74

Metro: Solferino, Line 12
RER: Musee d’Orsay

The Maison des Polytechniciens is an 18th century mansion built in the Second Empire Style, and is a short walk from Musee d’Orsay. It’s located in the 7th arrondissement, about a 10 minute drive from with Eiffel Tower. For a minimum of 100 people, it can be privately let (rented), and can accommodate 250 people for a sit-down dinner and up to 600 people for cocktails. Le Poulpry, headed by Chef Ygor Swietlik, is the on-site restaurant that provides catering; it is rated #1,813 of 13,924 restaurants in Paris by TripAdvisor reviewers, which I consider pretty impressive.

But what really got my attention is the garden with a terrace and the availability of air-conditioned tents. Writers shouldn’t let their pre-conceived ideas to influence their writing, and I have to admit here my general reluctance to feature gardens as a wedding venue because…what would you do if it rains? Still, even though I wouldn’t want a garden as a wedding venue (okay, I admit: I hate bugs), many other people wouldn’t care if it rained and thundered on their ceremony, or if they had a beetle crawling up their leg while being congratulated for marrying the person of their dreams. I love the outdoors — to a point. Not in bridal dress or formal wear. But with air-conditioned tents available, rain and bugs would be no problem.

Maison des Polytechniciens offers three wedding packages:

*Forfait Tendresse (Tenderness)        173 euros per person, TTC
*Forfait Bonheur (Happiness)            183 euros per person, TTC
*Forfait Passion (Passion)                   199 euros per person, TTC

Notes: “Forfait” means “flat rate.” Also, these quotes are to rent the entire Maison; ask if you can rent just the gardens, if that is your desire.

The wedding packages vary according to their menu.

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

Image of Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom of Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Modern Wedding Planner from modernweddings.com.au, CCBY 2.0. Image of Shangri-La Rooftop Terrace by Wicker Paradise, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Mama Shelter Rooftop Terrace from mamashelter.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of Opera Ballroom at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris by Twiga269, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Maison des Polytechniciens from en.convention.parisinfo.com, CCBY 2.0.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

 

 

 

 

Destination Wedding in Paris: The Ceremony Venue

Leave a comment

For most foreign couples who marry in Paris, it’s symbolic — a “re-wedding” for memories, with the legal ceremony already behind them.  This means the venue possibilities for your ceremony in Paris are (almost) endless.

Raph & John held their wedding ceremony at the Synagogue de Tournelles.

Raph & John held their wedding ceremony at the Synagogue de Tournelles.

While I won’t swear on it, this is likely the last time this series I will mention this: Unless you establish temporary residency by living in Paris for 40 consecutive days, and can provide documentation of this to the city hall, you can’t legally marry in France if a foreigner. In addition, France only legally recognizes wedding ceremonies at city halls; all ceremonies in houses of worship, even for French citizens, are therefore symbolic.

When selecting a ceremony venue, keep in mind the following:
a. Your choice of ceremony venue will have a direct impact on the atmosphere of your entire wedding day (formal, casual, or something in-between).
b. Number of guests it will accommodate.
c. Proximity to your hotel (and guests’, if different) and the reception venue (if different).
d. How will people be getting there? Paris is plentiful in metro stations, but parking…not so much. If everyone is staying in the same hotel, consider renting a coach (bus) to transport everyone.
e. Provide your guests with a map that includes written directions to the ceremony venue, regardless of transportation provided. Suppose someone had a last-minute detail they needed to attend to, and then didn’t know how to get to the ceremony? Also, while it is said that in Paris, you are never more than 10 minutes’ walking distance to a metro stop, you don’t want your guests stressed about feeling lost when they arrive at your ceremony.
f. If you select and are accepted by a house of worship, be sure to ask about their restrictions, especially regarding decorations and dress. Two examples: Not all venues allow confetti, and some houses of worship require women to have their shoulders covered, so an off-the-shoulder wedding dress would not be appropriate.

The groom and his men need a place at the ceremony venue for last-minute preparations as much as a bride and her attendants.

The groom and his men need a place at the ceremony venue for last-minute preparations as much as the bride and her attendants.

g. Everyone knows the bride likes to have a room for her and her bridesmaids to prepare to walk down the aisle; not everyone understands the groom and his men need one, too. Do you really want the guys to have to straighten their ties and tuck their shirts in in front of guests and vendors?
h. If you hold your ceremony outside in a public place, traffic and tourists walking by will be part of the charm. Be prepared for interesting sites!

So, where to have your wedding ceremony in Paris? Here are three ideas.

1. House of Worship
You can have a symbolic ceremony in a house of worship if you can find one that will grant you permission. Landmarks like Notre Dame can’t be rented as they are national public spaces. Catholic parishes in France generally only allow their own members to marry in their respective churches, and most churches in France are Catholic. That said, if you can find a Catholic church who will grant permission for you to marry in their church, you still have to meet specific requirements: provide a letter from your local priest and Bishop that you are a member of a parish in good standing; Baptism and Confirmation certificates; and a marriage certificate from your civil ceremony.

An interior shot of Synagogue des Tournelles showing the mixture of architectural styles common in French Second Empire.

An interior shot of Synagogue des Tournelles showing the mix of architectural styles common in French Second Empire.

The couple I am featuring for this series, Raph & John, being Jewish, chose to hold their wedding ceremony at the Synagogue de Tournelles. It is located at 21bis rue des Tournelles in Marais, the 4th arrondissement, not far from Notre Dame. The closest metro stop is Bastille. Its architect, Marcellin-Emmanuel Varcollier, designed it in Second French Empire, the architectural style of the time, which is an eclectic mix of European styles, most notably Baroque. Gustave Eiffel was the engineer who oversaw its construction from 1867-1876, before he became famous for building the Eiffel Tower in 1889. Outside, it is decorated with a stained glass rose window with sculptures representing the scrolls of the Law with text in Hebrew. Inside, it is very grand with plentiful seating on two floors and arches on the second floor. By volume, it is the second largest synagogue in Paris. Perhaps due to recent attacks, specific information on the synagogue (such as seating number) was not available when I researched for this post. I suggest you call the synagogue on +33 01 42 74 32 80.

Synagogue de Tournelles is not far from the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, where the couple stayed and held their reception.

This couple married outside near the Eiffel Tower in November 2014. They were oblivious to the group behind them or the girl next to them.

This couple married outside near the Eiffel Tower in November 2014. They were oblivious to the group behind them or the girl next to them.

2. Outside a Monument
You can’t rent the inside of Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower, but you can marry on their grounds. On the plus side, this is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest to arrange. It is also easy for your guests to find. On the down side, you can’t control how tourists and others passing by will behave — nor can you control the weather. It tends to sprinkle a lot in Paris (though not as much as London), so if you decide to marry outside a monument, you should have pretty umbrellas at the ready just in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate with your ceremony plans.

If you select this option, I highly recommend you visit Paris during the time of year you plan to marry, so you can see just how the ceremony will unfold. It also is a good idea to contact your embassy in Paris near the time of your ceremony to verify they know of no reason why you shouldn’t hold your ceremony at the location of your dreams. (For instance, they might know of a protest coming up.)

A wedding takes place on the Seine River on a beautiful day.

A wedding takes place on the Seine River on a beautiful day.

3. Cruise on the Seine River
This would be my choice, so I had to include it, though this option speaks more to a combined ceremony/reception venue. Bateaux Parisiens not only offers glass-enclosed boat tours of the Seine River and dinner cruises, they also offer wedding packages for a minimum of 50 people. According to their website, they hold 400 private events per year, so they have the experience necessary to make sure your event is successful.  To that end, they offer an artistic director and event cruise directors dedicated to your event.

If you were to select this option, you first have to decide whether you want an afternoon or evening wedding, and whether you want table service or buffet style. From there, it’s a matter of your choice of menu selection and whether you want extras, such as table decorations that start at 17 euros per table. While you will have to ask for a quote, their gourmet buffets start at 14 euros per person; so figure 14 euros x 50 people = 700 euros ($749.00) as a starting price — not bad for a wedding and reception on the Seine River. (In addition, all of the wedding packages I saw on their website included a piano player and singer as entertainment.) There is parking available nearby at the Musee du Quai Branly.

As I’ve said several times before in posts, my dinner cruise on the Seine River was one of my most memorable experiences of my last trip to Paris — and I wasn’t even getting married!

 

Au revoir!

 

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

Black & white image of Raph & John inside Synagogue des Tournelles by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of groom ironing by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wedding couple near the Eiffel Tower by Elsa L. Fridl. Image of interior of Synagogue des Tournelles, Wikimedia Commons, GFDL License. Image of wedding on a boat on the Seine River by Becky McCray, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Travel Laws That Could Affect Your Plans in 2016 and Beyond

Leave a comment

Are you prepared to travel in 2016? If your passport book is full or you owe back taxes, you may be grounded. Welcome to the new United States of America: land of the impeded, home of the…well, you decide.

Source: Changing Travel Laws That Could Affect Your Plans in 2016

This is a summary of the above article. If you are a frequent air traveler, I suggest you read it in its entirety.

As part of a bill for federal highway funding, as of January 1, 2016, any U.S. citizen who owes at least $50,000 in unpaid taxes can be prevented from applying for or renewing their passport. This regulation can also allow the IRS to rescind travel privileges of tax delinquent travelers. The traveler has to be the subject of a tax lien, but their passport privileges can be restored by either contesting the taxes owed in court, or by actively working with the IRS to pay the debt.

Also as of January 1, 2016, frequent U.S. travelers abroad are no longer able to order an additional 24-page insert for visa stamps for their existing passport books. Now, you either have to apply for a second passport book when the pages are filled, or opt for a 52-page passport book at renewal time. A regular passport book has 20 pages for visa stamps.

Come 2018, the scene in "The Hunt for Red October" where Sean Connery tells Sam Neill he can travel in the U.S. between states without certain "papers" will become quaint.

Come 2018, the scene in “The Hunt for Red October” where Sean Connery’s character tells Sam Neill’s he can travel in the U.S. between states without certain “papers” will become quaint.

Another law that was supposed to take effect this past January 1 but has been postponed to take effect January 22, 2018 requires all U.S. air travelers — for domestic and foreign travel — to carry identification that is REAL-ID compliant. REAL-ID legislation was passed in 2005 and is described as “an effort to combine driver’s licenses and state ID cards into a national identification system as a way to support national security.” Two of the key features of REAL-ID: certain personal information and features will be encrypted into each card, and states will share this information with other states. In the double-speak of the Department of Homeland Security, you’re not required to carry a REAL-ID, but if you want to board a commercial airline, you will have to, come 2018. If you live in one of the four states (or in the American Territory of Samoa) that are not REAL-ID compliant, you can purchase a passport card for $55, but only if you are current with your taxes.

DHS also claims REAL-ID will not create a national database of personal information on U.S. citizens, but as Jennifer McFadyen points out, “the implications of a national-database-that-is-not-a-national-database are staggering.”

 

Au revoir! (But only if you’re current with your taxes)

 

Image of Passort by CanStockPhoto. Image of “The Hunt for Red October” from quora.com, CCBY 2.0.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Theme & Timeline

Leave a comment

If you just got engaged and are considering Paris as a destination wedding site, take a deep breath and consider your theme first: the more details to your theme, the more time you probably need in your timeline.

Raph & John's wedding reception took place at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel in Paris. Lighting is an often overlooked element in events, but lighting helps set the tone even more than color. What is a beautiful color without the proper lighting to view it by?

Raph & John’s wedding reception took place at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel in Paris. Lighting is an often overlooked element when planning an event, but lighting helps set the tone even more than color. What is a beautiful color without proper lighting to view it by?

Planning a destination wedding in Paris can be quick or elaborate, depending on what you want. Ask yourself: How do you envision your dream wedding in Paris? Do you want a separate venue for the wedding and reception? A ceremony outside the Eiffel Tower during spring with tourists walking by? In a candle-lit chapel filled with flowers and history? Or perhaps a ceremony and reception on a boat at dusk basking in the glow of the Seine River? All of these questions speak to your theme, and your theme will inform your timeline — how much time you need to pull it all together.

What are the components of a wedding theme? In my view, they are: Time of year, time of day, location, formality, colors, food, music, flowers, lighting (artificial/natural).  If all you want is an outside ceremony on the grounds of Notre Dame with a few close friends and family as witnesses, that can easily be a piece of cake (pun intended) to plan; of course, you can’t rent space outside national monuments (or inside, for that matter), so tourists walking by being their natural selves will be part of the charm. But if you want a ceremony and reception indoors in popular venues, you have to plan for it. Yes, I know: Wedding Planning 101. But in the excitement of getting engaged, it can be hard to remember that many other newly-engaged couples are looking to book the same venues you want. This is why I believe that after asking family and friends for their (un)availability dates to travel to Paris within the next 18 months, booking the ceremony and reception venues should be first on your list.

Here are a few secrets of event planners: You work backwards from the date of the event to coordinate the details of any event, and you never give away your “drop dead date” – the date you need to give your confirmed guest number to the caterer, for example. Instead, ask people you’re inviting to respond by ‘x’ date + 1 week, to give yourself an additional week to contact anyone who hasn’t responded by your drop dead date. This also comes into play when ordering printed material, such as invitations: If you know you want to mail your invitations by a given date, and it takes a printer three weeks to print invitations, then give them a proof at least six weeks in advance; that way, if they’re not printed correctly the first go-around, you can still make your mail-by date.

Just a reminder: Foreigners can’t legally marry in France unless they’ve established temporary residency by living near the wedding locale for 40 consecutive days and can offer proof of this (lease, utility bill) to the city hall. For this series, I’m assuming that you will have a local wedding and possibly a reception before you travel to Paris for your wedding and reception there.

You might have to plan 18 months out if your Paris ceremony venue or reception venue is particularly popular.

As soon as possible, decide on an ideal date or time of year. Do an internet search to understand weather, holidays, and festivals for your selected time of year. Paris all but shuts down during the month of August (they take their vacation time seriously!), and French people don’t generally plan weddings from July 15 – August 31. (Keep in mind July 14 is Bastille Day.)

12 months before
*Set your wedding budget.
*Write up a guest list and a preliminary wedding party attendant list.
*Ask significant people (family, guest list and preliminary wedding party) for (un)availability dates around the time you would like to marry in Paris.
*Visit Paris locations if at all possible to see them as they will be for your wedding.
*Book the ceremony and reception venues.
*Hire a wedding planner if you so desire.
*Research flights to Paris for wedding date.
*Consider creating a wedding website as a communication tool (to upload the program, how to get to the hotel, ceremony venue and reception venue). I would probably also set up a private group on Facebook.

10 months before
*Finalize wedding party attendants.
*Finalize local ceremony date, location, and reception venue if applicable.
*Book all remaining aspects of your theme (flowers, music, food if you need your own caterer).
*Book your photographer.
*Book your “get-away” car or other vehicle.
*Book your flight to Paris with travel insurance.
*Reserve hotel block for you and your guests.

8 months before
*Get your passports up to date (don’t wait!).
*Start dress shopping, keeping in mind the time of year for your wedding.
*Select your officiant for your Paris wedding and your local wedding.
*Register.

6 months before
*Select your dress or hire a dressmaker to create a custom wedding dress.
*Select shoes, hairstyle, makeup, etc. for the day.
*Select attire for bridal attendants and order.
*Select attire for groom and groomsmen and order.
*Select and purchase wedding rings.
*Select and order invitations and other printed material (program, save-the-date cards, menu), and be sure to order 20% extra for invitations and save-the-date cards for mistakes you make while addressing them, and for late additions.
*Send save-the-date cards with a reminder to get passports up to date as soon as they are printed.

4 months before
*Mail invitations. While an RSVP date of 4 weeks prior to the wedding date is ideal, you have to consider first when the reception venue requires a final count for the reception. If you have to give a final count 4 weeks prior, give yourself at least an additional week for the RSVP date (5 weeks prior) in order to have time to contact anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that RSPV means “repondez, s’il vous-plait” (respond, please, in French); some seem to think it means “respond if you feel like it.”
*Plan the rehearsal dinner.
*Write your own vows if that is your plan.
*Finalize each ceremony with its respective officiant.
*Shop for local ceremony attire for you and your wedding party.

2 months before
*Confirm delivery of all wedding party attire.
*Ask your dressmaker for advice on how to transport or pack your wedding attire, and whether you can use your own travel steamer to get the wrinkles out.
*Apply for a marriage license.
*Make 2 lists: 1) What you need to take with you on the plane, and 2) what you need to overnight to the hotel. NOTE: I recommend that you overnight EVERYTHING you need for your wedding day (dresses, tuxes, shoes, etc., and several travel steamers). Have it arrive before you get to Paris and pay for an extra night or two (or more) for your hotel room so it can be stored safely. You can’t possibly carry everything you need in carry-on luggage, and what would you do if the airline lost your suitcase with your wedding dress?

6 weeks before
*Contact those who haven’t RSVP’d.
*Shop for welcome bags and their contents to be put in guests’ rooms if applicable.

4 weeks before
*Provide a final head count for your hotel and/or caterer.
*Have your final dress fitting.
*Hold local (legal) wedding and reception.

4 days before
*Overnight wedding attire, printed material, and welcome bags.
*Get manicure/pedicure for you and your bridesmaids.

3 days before
*Depart for Paris!

Upon arrival in Paris
*Unpack wedding attire and hang up.
*Unpack programs to have ready.
*Enjoy your first night in Paris with your fiance.

1 day before
*Steam all wedding attire with your travel steamers.
*Deliver programs to wedding ceremony venue if applicable.
*Rehearse ceremony with wedding party and officiant.
*Finalize shots with photographer.
*Have rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Day
Enjoy!

 

I will be featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality–though probably on a boat on the Seine River. At night. With all the lights of Paris sparkling around me, my groom, and my guests. That’s just me.

 

Au revoir!

 

Image of Raph & John’s wedding reception (#596) by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.