There are thousands of websites out there to help you plan a destination wedding. Here are a few that I may not have mentioned in my series that I believe are worth knowing.

WeddingMusicInFrance.com
13 Cite Dupont
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 06 31 27 61 75

Metro: Rue Saint-Maur

As a brick-and-mortar business in the internet ocean, they stand out immediately. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, they have been supplying international clients (Oracle, Hilton, Hotel de Crillon) for over 10 years. They provide advice on repertoire, instrumentation, location, amplification, and arrange pieces of your choice upon request. They offer six packages to choose from. Complete their Contact form on their web page to contact them.

Minimum price for a duo for 1-2 hours is 850 Euros ($929); for a trio, 1200 Euros ($1311); and a quartet, 1650 Euros ($1803).

En.ParisInfo.com

Email:internet@parisinfo.com

This is official website of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. They can help you navigate Paris and offer you a lot of in-country deals in the process.

BridesWithoutBorders.com

Contact Page

Brides Without Borders offers a wealth of information for the DIY destination wedding bride. They offer a list of proven destination wedding professionals for any location you want to tie the knot. They also offer an advice column and a blog to help you through the process. If I was planning a DIY destination wedding, this would be my go-to site for the nuts-and-bolts details.

FrenchWeddingStyle.com

Email: info@FrenchWeddingStyle.com

If Brides Without Borders helps you with the nuts-and-bolts details of your Paris wedding, French Wedding Style helps you to immerse yourself in French culture as it relates to weddings in France. From explaining what “couture” means to learning French wedding traditions to bridal accessories by featured (French) designers, you’ll feel like a real French bride by the time your big day arrives.

Raph & John with their Rolls Royce.

(Pssssssssttttttt. Check out Locarolls on French Wedding Style’s website for a Rolls Royce for your wedding day. A Rolls is a French bride’s go-to vehicle.)

Au revoir!

Image by CanStockPhoto. Image of Raph & John by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series. 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.

Here are 7 factors to consider when booking your destination wedding in Paris hotel for you and your guests, as well as 4 recommendations.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

1. Price. Whether you or your guests are paying for their rooms, the price or a room or a suite is an important factor. It is also likely negotiable if you have enough guests staying in the same hotel. Look at search sites such as TripAdvisor Price Finder or Trivago to find the best price for the type of room you want. Then call the hotel and tell them you have ‘x’ number of guests coming on ‘y’ date, and the best price you found online is ‘z.’ Ask them if they have a group rate, and if not, if they can do better than that price. Even better, before you call the hotel you really want, do the same for at least two other hotels; no matter if the other hotels two have enough rooms to accommodate you, your dream hotel will never know. It’s possible your dream hotel will give you a better price than the one you’ve quoted. If they give you a group rate, you will likely have to pay a deposit based on the total number of guests. Notes: It is important to do this in a phone call rather than an email. Also, if you are considering to hold your ceremony and/or reception at your hotel, be sure to give this information at the time of booking.

2. Type of rooms available – single/double/suite. Consider not just your needs, but the needs of your guests. Is anyone coming with a child? Will you have guests who are elderly or have special needs? Some guests will likely be more comfortable in a suite (with additional seating and space to move around) than a single or double room.

3. Location near ceremony and/or reception. It is said that while in Paris, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a metro stop. Still, in the event of foul weather, you would want to be close to metro if that is your mode of transportation, or, if your ceremony/reception is on the outskirts of Paris, you will want to stay as close as possible to your venue. If it is important that you stay near your reception, search the address on Google and click on “Maps.” From there, use the Nearby search and search for hotels close to it. There will be many, most likely. At least it will help you narrow down your search.

4. Location in view of favorite landmark(s). Have you always dreamed of staying in the 7e in full view of the Eiffel Tower? You will pay handsomely for that view, regardless of what kind of room it is. Again, use Google Maps to locate your favorite landmark, and search Nearby for hotels.

5. Hotel also to be your ceremony and/or reception venue. If you hold your ceremony and/or reception at the hotel, it will certainly make it easier on your guests, if not yourself. Try to find a hotel with gardens or other public spaces so your guests won’t get bored with their surroundings.

6. Level of Luxury desired, including Wi-Fi (pronounced “wee-fee” in France). Gardens, restaurants, furnishings, all will have an impact on how you remember your wedding in Paris.

7. Close to metro and/or parking. Try to make it easy to get there. Check out the parking situation (if important) and tell your guests.

Le Bristol Paris
112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 43 43 00

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

Email: reservation@lebristolparis.com

Amenities: 3 restaurants (a 3-Michelin star and 1-Michelin star) and a bar; Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, one of the world’s most luxurious skin care names; Swimming pool; Fitness Centre.

Metro: Saint-Phillippe-du-Roule

Le Bristol came to my attention when it was featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I fell in love with the plush interiors of the rooms, the flowers, the elegant look of the place. And get this — what really did it for me was the trim moulding on the walls; that detail just speaks luxury to me. History? Le Bristol was built in the 18th century and features furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, along with paintings and fine fabrics reflecting the eras. Chef Eric Frechon is a recipient of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (“Best Craftsman in France”) title for his 3-Michelin star restaurant Epicure.The hotel makes many Top Hotels in Paris lists. Located in the 8th arrondissement, it’s located in-between the Champs-Elysees and boulevard Haussmann, two luxury shopping areas. Le Bristol is a 5-minute walk from Saint-Philippe-du-Roule metro.

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)

Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Amenities: Cafe, Bar & La Verriere Restaurant (set in a winter garden); Spa treatments; Sauna; Shoe shine; Private limousine; Business Center.

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. The 9th arrondissement is mostly known as the home of the Opera House, and Le Grand Hotel offers floodlit views of it. The hotel’s Opera Ballroom, which Raph & John rented for their reception, is said to be the most renowned ballroom in Paris, and is so stunning it took my breath away the first time I saw it.

Four Seasons George V Hotel Paris
31 avenue George V
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 52 70 00

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Email: Contact Page

Amenities: Spa (Massages, facials, hair salon); Health Club; Pool & whirlpool; Saunas & steam rooms; 24-hour Business Centre; Multilingual Concierge; Complimentary standard WiFi; Babysitting services; Internet access in meeting rooms; Family activities.

Metro: George V

I became familiar with the Four Seasons brand by the chain’s DC hotel where I used to have tea. Luxurious and elegant, I always felt at home there. The Four Seasons George V Hotel came into my radar when it was featured in the movie “French Kiss.” As you might imagine, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe via the Champs-Elysees, the most famous shopping district in Paris. Other than shopping, the 8th arrondissement is known for the Place de la Concorde and the Elysees Palace, the official residence of the President of France.

Les Jardins de la Villa & Spa (Boutique Hotel)
5 rue Belidor
75017 Paris

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

Phone: +33 01 53 81 01 10

Email: info@jardinsdevilla.com or Contact Page

Amenities: Garden terrace; Sauna; Steam bath; Massages; Fitness room; unlimited Wi-Fi; balcony with upgraded rooms; children under age 2 stay free.

Metro: Porte Maillot

This boutique is small with 33 rooms but has a lot of character and class; it is considered a small luxury hotel. Located in the 17th arrondissement, a relatively quiet living area for mostly upper-class and middle class young couples and families with children, it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe, and very close to Porte Maillot metro.

Au revoir!

Raph & John at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Mercedes SLS outside Le Bristol Hotel by Ian McWilliams, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel by Calwhiz, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Les Jardins de la Villa by TripAdvisor.

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.

Selecting a wedding cake for a destination wedding in Paris has as much to do with who will bake it as to what kind of cake you prefer.

Raph & John selected a macaroon cake (left) and a croquembrouche as their wedding cake designs.

What is your wedding cake personality: traditional or modern? White or colorful? Butter cream or chocolate? Most brides look to colors and features of their theme for inspiration for their wedding cake. More about this later.

The traditional wedding cake in France — indeed, a traditional cake for all of life’s celebrations in France, such as baptisms, engagements and milestone anniversaries — is croquembouche, from croque en bouche, meaning “crunches in your mouth” — like a glazed doughnut hole, but with hard and thin layers of caramel as a coating. Croquembouche was invented by Antonin Careme, who is credited with creating many of the fundamentals of traditional French cuisine and pastry in the early 19th century.

A croquembouche wedding cake.

But just because you’re getting married in Paris doesn’t mean you’re limited to that particular tradition. Macaroon (macaron, in French) “cakes” — macaroons formed in a traditional pyramid (perhaps reflecting the shape of the Eiffel Tower) — have gained favor, and there is always la galette des Rois (“the Cake of Kings”), a flat, flaky cake that could be incorporated into your wedding cake. Ironically, many French brides are opting for multi-tiered American-style cakes, so if you have your heart set on that type, you will have no trouble finding a baker in Paris who will bake the cake of your dreams.

A white and silver cake with just a hint of blue.

The more concrete the dream, the better. Start by determining which type of cake you want, then look for pictures of examples. As I stated earlier, most brides take inspiration from aspects of their theme: the flowers; colors and decorative embellishments of your invitations; and the color of your bridesmaid dresses can all be incorporated into the design of your cake. You can even sneak in your “something blue” by having a small blue embellishment on your cake. (Hey, it’s an idea, right?)

Apart from the design, do you or any of your guests have any food allergies, and therefore need a gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free cake? Another option is to offer another cake or dessert for those with food allergies, such as gluten-free cupcakes or the like. I am actually not a proponent of cupcakes as a wedding cake because I like the idea of everyone sharing in the matrimony of the two people getting married. Just as “breaking bread” with people at dinner signifies the sharing of  a meal and yourself (through conversation) with others, everyone eating from the same cake at a wedding seems more intimate and sharing than consuming individual cupcakes. But as an alternative for people who have to follow a special diet — I’m all for it.

Your cake’s size will depend on the number of guests, and whether you want the top tier for your first wedding anniversary.

I have provided two bakers who will design a wedding cake for a wedding in Paris, and one located in Avignon, in case you want to marry near Paris but not in the city itself.  Go onto their websites to look at what they’ve done before — but just because you don’t see something resembling your dream cake doesn’t mean the baker won’t make it. They want your business, and as most say outright, they will design and bake a cake to your exact specifications.

Regardless of whom you select as a baker, be sure to get a contract that covers the following:

*Cake’s size
*Number of tiers
*Design elements
*Flavors of cake and icing
*Guarantee free of irritant(s), if applicable (ex.: gluten-free)
*Delivery charge/Time of delivery
*Final price
*Cancellation policy
*Deposit policy
*Set up (including whether touch-ups will be provided on-site)
*Whether a cake knife is provided (You might want to provide your own to have as a keepsake)

I don’t recommend trying to save money by transporting the cake to your reception yourself. What if something happens en route? Also, the baker can do touch-ups on-site if necessary.

Also, try to have some embellishments on your cake table to make your cake look more festive. Flowers, votive candles, large lace, and greenery are just some examples. A cake on a table by itself can look lonely. Start with a table skirt and work from there.

The best way to inquire about ordering a cake is to either email a cake shop or contact them via their Contact page with the following information:

*Name
*Mobile number
*Date of event
*Number of guests
* Design ideas

Paris Luxury Cakes

Cristina Lasarte

Phone: +33 06 07 25 12 94

Email: parisluxurycakes@gmail.com

Hours: None given

Hortensia flowers.

Portfolio

Cristina Lasarte excelled as a teacher of the English language and Literature in her native Buenos Aires before she became a luxury cake baker. Her portfolio of wedding cakes is one of the finest I’ve ever seen. To prove it, compare the picture of Hortensia to the cake with Hortensia flowers (called “Classic Hortensia”) in her portfolio. My favorite, however, is the cake with the bow.

Sugar Plum Cake Shop

68 rue du Cardinal Lemoine
75005 Paris

Phone: +33 01 46 34 07 43

Email: info@sugarplumcakeshop.com

Hours: Tues-Sun 12:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Closed Mon

Portfolio

Sugar Plum Cake shop opened in Paris in the spring of 2010. The three-woman team has received world-wide press for their unique cake designs using traditional North American recipes and their coffee shop.

Made in Cake

Phone: +33 06 08 65 20 00

Email: infos@madeincake.net

Hours: Not given

Wedding Cake Portfolio

They do not provide information on their website as to who they are and how they got started. If you go onto their website, their Contact page is a pop-up to prevent spam. They are located in Avignon. Rates start at 6.50 euros per person, plus extra for decorations, depending on complexity. Minimum order is for 10 people. They will deliver within 100 km of their bakery for a delivery charge. Why did I feature them? Not everyone selects Paris as their France-destination-wedding location, and their flower designs are spectacular.

Au revoir!

References: “Beyond Brioche: When Wedding Bells Ring, Croquembouche,” by Lucie Rose, French Morning, published September 20, 2015. “Your Wedding Cake,” Modern Wedding Planner, pp. 100-104. “Croquembouche,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Image of Raph & John’s wedding cakes by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Croquembouche wedding cake of Lalie & Steeve by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. White and cornflower blue wedding cake with silver accents (created by Graceful Cake Designs) by Grace Tan, Flickr,
CCBY 2.0. Image of Hortensia flowers by Dietmut Teijgeman-Hansen, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Slideshow: Wedding cake of Anais & Christophe by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Eiffel Tower wedding cake from Pinterest (via Etsy), CCBY 2.0. La Gallette des Rois by Gael Chardon, Flickr,
CCBY 2.0. Image of horizontal wedding cake by Tracy Hunter, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Chocolate fudge wedding cake by Heather, CCBY 2.0. Wedding cake by Tracy Hunter, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Wedding cake and Macaroons by Carl, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wedding cupcakes by Cat, 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.

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 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.

Recover from staying up late by ooohhhing and ahhhing over the beautiful photographs of wedding attire. You’ll see a written post on planning a destination wedding in Paris next Friday.

Happy New Year! I’m sure you’re looking forward to the start of 2016 (aren’t we all?), but you may not be in the mood to read much today, especially early. In celebration of New Year’s, here are three links to sparkly wedding attire…because we all love sparkles at a wedding — am I right?

Click here to see sparkly shoes

These sparkly wedding shoes will complement almost any dress.

An elegant wedding dress by Ziad Nakad.

Ziad Nakad wedding dresses

“Ivania” by Atelier Pronovias. What an elegant look for a bride.

Atelier Pronovias Haute Couture wedding dresses

Bisou Bisou!

Image of wedding shoes found on Fabmood.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of wedding dress by Ziad Nakad found on weddinginspirasi.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of “Ivania” wedding dress by Atelier Pronovias found on weddinginspirasi.com, CCBY 2.0.