Europe Weddings

Perhaps I love this Parisian inspired photo shoot so much because I’m French. Or perhaps I love it so much because I could live off of bread and cheese. And cake (especially the amazing ruffled one below). But I’m sure the real reason I love it is because of the amazingly talented artistes of Millie Holloman Photography and Salt Harbor Designs. Without their brilliant creation, we wouldn’t be drooling all over our keyboards, now would we? I think we are all agreement when I say that this fete is c’est magnifique! Didn’t get enough? For even more Parisian inspiration, check out the gallery!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Millie Holloman Photography: Millie Holloman Photography and Salt Harbor Designs recently collaborated on a workshop created for both designers and photographers.  The collaboration between photographers and planners/designers is so important, and the two companies hoped to show other industry professionals just how rewarding working together could be!  The workshop focused on building relationships with vendors, networking, creating photo-worthy weddings and capturing the details in a way that best represents the event and the couple.  Millie from MHP and Jennifer from SHD wanted to demonstrate how much better the product and how much happier the client when vendors work together!  The workshop culminated with an inspiration shoot where the design details were brought together complete with a model bride and groom, and the photographers were given the opportunity to capture the day.  The experience allowed weddings vendors a hands-on chance to build, understand, and photograph the significant details of a wedding day!

Photography: Millie Holloman Photography / Design: Salt Harbor Designs / Location: The Atrium / Wedding Dress: Joy Noelle / Cake: Nicki’s Cakes / Macaroons: Flower and Flour / Hair:  Melissa from Fringe Salon / Make-up: Jacey Rogers / Lighting: High Performance Lighting / Calligraphy: Elizabeth Singletary / Chairs, table, and accessory furniture: Susan Covington / Linens and Rentals: Party Suppliers and Rentals / Place Settings and Glassware: The Fisherman’s Wife

Oh Paris, could you be any prettier? I know I am not alone when I say I have a serious soft spot for the city of light. So when I see an elegant wedding like this one by One and Only Paris Photography, I enter swoon city. Add a Vera Wang stunner of a gown and a seriously gorgeous couple – and well, put a beret on my head and hand me a baguette because I am ready to make a beeline to the most romantic city in the world. Take a look at all the lovely in the full gallery, and I think you will be ready to join me.

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From One and Only Paris Photography… Here is the December wedding in Paris of Angeli and Timothy from Canada.  Getting ready in a Parisian apartment on Ile Saint Louis, a ceremony in a chic “hotel particulier” on Place Vendome, the Louvre looking even more majestic under the lights, and of course Christmas lights and snow.

The bride was all smiles, even in the cold streets of Paris. It was a real fairytale. The venue overlooking the Place Vendome with all the Christmas lights was just like a dream.

Wedding Photography: One and Only Paris Photography / Wedding Coordinator: Anne and Nance of Fete in France / Wedding Venue: Hotel d’Evreux / Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo / Hair: cecilenida@hotmail.com / Makeup: sonjabens@gmail.com

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Fete in France

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Good morning lovelies. It is time to rise and shine and delve into a little French inspiration that is equal parts breath taking and le swoonable … just how we like it. Corbin Gurkin, one of our absolute favorite photographers, was the woman behind the gorgeous images. She teamed up with some fantabulous vendors to create an ode to Paris including Ceci New York who whipped up some beautiful paper goods, drop dead gorgeous gowns by Delphine Manivet and one of the prettiest cakes we ever did see courtesy of Sugarplum Cake Shop. Prepare to be blown away. See the rest of this lovely shoot here.

oh la la lovely. see it all here!

I photograph weddings in France fairly often, but usually I only have a short time there before I’m off to my next event, so when I had the opportunity to spend a few extra days this July in one of my all time favorite areas – Montmartre – I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I jumped at the opportunity to put together a style shoot with some wonderful vendors – both American and French. I was inspired by the romantic style of Delphine Manivet’s designs, her stunning lace detailing and overall antique sensibility. I worked with these lovely vendors to put together a style shoot that would invoke the look of a royal wedding in Paris, incorporating Delphine’s gowns into the shoot. Ceci’s invitation suite kept this idea of a palace wedding in mind and played off the idea of love letters from a queen to her king. The invitation is finished with a royal wax seal and gold cord.

The delightful and wonderfully talented ladies over at Sugarplum Cake Shop created a cake that incorporated ribbon elements, also complimenting Delphine’s designs. We worked in a pale blue palette, consistent with the shades of Louis XVI era materials. Seriously, even if you’re just in Paris on holiday, you really must stop in to this shop – the sweets are oh so yummy! I kept the table design quite understated, using picked flowers and peonies with berry accents. The table was set with French toile fabric and a royal blue runner that I found in Montmartre. Our darling model, Charlotte was photographed in Delphine’s stunning gowns in the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Clos de Lias designed the blue floral bouquet which I wrapped in vintage French ribbon. Delphine Manivet gowns can be purchased in the US at Lovely Bridal Shop in New York.

Photography: Corbin Gurkin / Invitation Suite: Ceci New York / Gowns: Delphine Manivet / Cake: Sugarplum Cake Shop / Artisan Candy: Le Bonbon au Palais / Flowers: Clos de Lias / Coordination: Pascale Brevet / Hair: Lexi DeRock / Makeup: Masafumi Matsuda / Model: Charlotte A.

When I think of  the ultimate in romance, Paris is at the top of the list. It is the city of lights and love and a hot bed for engagements I’m sure. So what better way to celebrate that magical time before you tie the knot than with an engagement session, Parisian style. These two love birds donned their spiffiest duds and frolicked about town while One and Only Paris Photography captured all their special moments. The gallery is awaiting with more le love and a few guest appearances from the Eiffel Tower.

Now those are some hot, hot shoes. Be sure to head over to the gallery for the full Parisian engagement session from One and Only Paris Photography.

This little bit of heaven is pretty much the reason that I tell people I have the best job on the planet. It’s a fashion shoot. In Paris. With cake. And a CRAZY beautiful dress. It’s why little girls dream about their wedding from the time they turn five until they see that pretty ring on their finger. It’s beyond, absolutely positively beyond. And did I mention that some of my all time favorite vendors are behind the gorgeousness? Yep, Robert and Kathleen Photographers were the genius behind the lens (and the awe inspiring workshop), Beth of The White Dress by the Shore is responsible for the insanely beautiful gown and Jubilee Events designed the tablescape. The only thing I’m wondering is…can I be invited next time?

{click here to see all of the beautiful images from this shoot}

From Robert and Kathleen Photographers…

Doing our first workshop in a location thousands of miles away from home may have seemed like a crazy idea, but to us it just made sense. During several trips overseas we had met with European photographers and vendors that were itching to learn more about how we do what we do. After many requests to come back and give a hands-on seminar about our style and approach to a wedding day, we decided it was time finally time to launch our very first workshop. We selected the name “Taking Off” because after completing the seminar the attendees will have the inspiration and tools they need to take their business to the next level. (It also happened to go along with our travel/airplane inspired website and blog.)

Deciding where to hold the very first of these seminars took no time at all. It had to be Paris. We knew the city would be the source of inspiration not only to our attendees and the incredible “dream team” of vendors we complied (in both the U.S. and France), but also to the tons of brides out there that are looking to add a touch of French style to their own wedding. With that in mind, we turned to the always brilliant Candice of Jubilee Events and Beth from the White Dress by the Shore who created an inspiration board of crisp, clean colors, romantic touches, a bit of high fashion and, of course, tons & tons of details.

With the help of Paris-based event planner Kim Peyt from Parisian Events, we secured a location in Paris that happened to quite spacious (a rare find in any city, especially a European one) AND include a roof deck with the most incredible view of the Eiffel Tower.  Clearly, the best location for Candice and Kim to set up our reception table and details, all of which came together to really set the tone for the day.  From the textured linens to the paper flowers and formal place settings it all seemed as each piece had been made to go together.  While the table was being decorated, our bride was being styled by Beth from The White Dress by the Shore who created a look that was absolutely perfect for Paris –  a stunning Modern Trousseau gown, dramatic veils and loads of jewels.

From Candice of Jubilee Events…

The inspiration for our shoot came from a photograph that Robert and Kathleen took on one of their first trips to Paris of a man sitting outside a newspaper stand reading with his two dogs. I loved feeling of the black and white photograph and used it in our inspiration board as a source for the color palette. We decided to do a lot of monotone colors that would feel black and white in color. The inspiration for the tablescape, linens, flowers, and paper was all developed from our own experience of Paris and the fashion inspired inspiration board we developed! Lace heavily inspired me, which can be seen in the linens on the table and the beautiful lace paper by kate’s paperie.

Photography: Robert and Kathleen Photographers / Fashion & Model Styling: Beth Chapman, The White Dress by the Shore / Event Design, Planning & Coordination: Jubilee Events / Event Planning: Parisian Events / Gown: Modern Trousseau / Jewelry: Beth Chapman, The White Dress by the Shore / Makeup & Hair: Masafumi Matsuda / Rentals: Rentals Unlimited / Tableware: Noel Collet /home / Shoes: Vouelle / / Headpieces: Twigs and Honey / Paper Cake Topper Menus and Escort Cards: Posh Paperie / Lace Paper and Floral Garlands: kate’s paperie / Floral Design: Catherine Muller / Tuxedo: Tuxego / Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones / Cuff Links / Cake: Sugar Plum Cake Shop / Ruffled Tulle Necklace: Miss Ruby Sue / Gown Cleaning and Shoe Preservation: Madame Paulette

When one of the editors over at the fabulous Veranda magazine emailed me about a wedding that they were featuring, I nearly fell off my chair. This just might be the most spectacularly chic affair that I have ever seen, let alone featured on SMP. The bride, interior designer and stylist Kelly d’Halluin is beyond fabulous and honestly, words can’t say just how obsessed with this wedding I really am…

The wedding was held at the Château de Breteuil in the countryside near Paris with an “Arty, decadent, a bit Oscar Wilde and Cecil Beaton with room for natural imperfection” style. The couple held cocktails in the gardens followed by a dinner on the terrace all set at a single long table for three hundred guests. For a girl that dreams about weddings day in and day out, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

The amazing (and by amazing, I mean…incredible, gorgeous, jump-up-and-down beautiful) florals were designed by Stephane Chapell, the event was styled by Kelly D’Halluin and the production executed by Carolyn Englefield. The bride is wearing a couture J. Mendel gown that is honestly giving me heart palpatations.

There are so many fun details to read about over on Veranda’s feature…from descriptions of the perfect flowers to the source behind that unbelievable hairpiece. If you aren’t afraid of doubting every decision you’ve ever made about your own wedding, this is an absolute must read!

Parisian-trained designer, Laura Dowling specializes in crafting such imaginatively-themed bouquets …  When she sent us her newest creations, we knew they would be true inspiration for each and every one of you … no matter the season, the style, or the ultimate design of your dream celebration. They are simply amazing.

from Laura, Interieurs et Fleurs …

Bonjour!  Celebrating the arrival of spring, we wanted Style Me Pretty readers to be the first to see some of our new images of French bouquets, representing fresh ideas and color trends for 2009.  Every year in mid-February, often coinciding with “Fete de la St. Valentin,” Parisians enjoy a brief reprieve from the gray winter chill and revel in the unmistakable signs of early spring.  The most vivid indicator that spring is on the way is when Parisian fleuristes fling open their doors and haul out buckets of flowers to display on the street  — colorful tulips, anenomes, ranunculas, and mimosa from the south of France — tantalizing passersby to splurge and celebrate the season by purchasing an enchanting French bouquet.  So, with Valentine’s Day just past and a hint of spring in the air, I wanted to share new photos of Parisian inspirations and bouquets, fresh from a mid-winter collaboration with my friend and neighbor, Kate Headley.

Jardin Style (top row, left) ~ Garden-style flowers continue to be the major trend in Paris right now since there is an innate attraction to bouquets that are natural and free-flowing, especially in an urban setting. The trick to getting the French garden style look is to incorporate plenty of foliage and greens, in different shades and textures, to achieve a natural balance with the flowers. This bouquet of mixed hydrangea, viburnum, berries, and ivy in every shade of green is refined, yet rustic — inspired by the secret gardens of Paris – providing a fresh and classic backdrop for any occasion.

Bouquet Orange (top row, right) ~ The vibrant paintings of Paul Cezanne and Marc Chagall provide the inspiration for this bouquet, arranged in a vivid combination of roses, tulips, and orchids, tempered with deep green gardenia foliage. Orange is a perennial favorite color in French fashion and design, appropriately used in flowers at any time of the year.

Bouquet Fuchsia (second row) ~ At dusk, when the upper chapel at Sainte-Chapelle provides an inspired setting for a performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the light streaming through the richly-hued stained glass windows is exquisite, taking on a soft pink and violet glow. This bouquet of violet carnations, bundled together to give more impact, combined with fuchsia orchids and viburnum berries and finished with a coordinating ribbon wrap, is designed to capture that feeling of pink and violet splendor.

Parisian-Chic Bouquet (above left) ~ This bouquet was inspired by the elegant décor at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliee, a private club located on the fashionable Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore.  In the beautiful and opulent dining room, decorated in lavish layers of exquisite French furnishings, the most striking element is the simple centerpiece:  an aqua blue opaque glass vase holding a single, deep red rose.  The color combination is so fresh and chic and adds a note of unexpected surprise to the regal setting, providing the perfect inspiration for a bouquet of red roses and ivy berries wrapped in French-braided blue ribbon.

Bouquet Végetal (above right) ~ In spring, the neighborhood Parisian farmers’ markets provide endless inspiration, showcasing the bounty of the season in artistic and colorful displays. Vegetables add earthy charm to even the most sophisticated bouquets, and are a wise and thrifty choice in the current economic climate. In this bouquet, kale cabbages are reminiscent of garden roses, and create festive and elegant wedding flowers.

Bouquet Téte a téte (above left) ~ A petite yellow bouquet of mixed jonquils and spring flowers exudes undeniable sweetness and charm.  When it’s wrapped with a frilly moss green ribbon and paired with a paper parasol, the bouquet adopts a witty and jaunty personality, setting the tone for a perfect spring wedding or garden party.  I envision bridesmaids carrying bouquets of mixed yellow jonquils, each wrapped in a different pastel-colored ribbon trim – pink, lavender, green, and cream – and a party featuring French macaroons in corresponding colors from Ladurée.  Magnifique!

Bouquet Féerique (above, right and below, left) ~ From the ancient stone monuments and cobblestone streets to the silvery light at dusk, Paris sparkles in shades of gray. Coincidentally, the color just happens to be a major trend in fashion and design right now. This bouquet, inspired by the French grisaille painting at the Musée de Carnavalet, is ethereal and fairy-like, composed of all-gray flowers and foliage, including silver brunia and eucalyptus with a touch of wintry crystal branches. Wrapped in navy blue satin (below), it has a sophisticated feel, while a pink braided ribbon (above) gives off a delicate, vintage impression.

Bouquet Violette (above, right) ~ Adorable bundles of French violets start making their appearance in the Parisian flower shops and markets this time of year and they are the inspiration for this bouquet. Here, I’ve used deep purple carnations and ivy berries along with purple and teal blue ribbon accents to create a garden-style bouquet that is at once traditional, yet modern.

Wishing you hearts and cupids, champagne and chocolate, and French fleurs and bouquets — a joyeuse fete de la Saint-Valentin.

Photography by Kate Headley.

Interieurs et Fleurs is famous for Laura’s modern yet romantic designs, from the most chic French bouquets to glorious profusions of floral displays. Laura’s website is full of so many more gorgeous examples of her work  … you simply must take a peek!  Thank-you Laura for sharing this glimpse of the fresh beauty of your designs.

I wanted to share a little bit more eye candy and thoughts from the oh-so-talented Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs. Her works is utterly fabulous and I am so so so thrilled that Laura stopped by today. After her first Paris report, I thought it couldn’t get any better…I was completely wrong!

The French approach blends the inherent beauty of flowers, gathered simply from the garden, with the personal vision and passion of the floral artist.  It is this rapport between nature and artist that gives the French bouquet, whether rendered in the haute couture or garden style, a distinctive personality, flair, and emotional impact.  This season, be sure to look for inspiration from the garden and Farmers’ Markets, in historical styles, and from fashion, to create your own masterpieces in the French style.

Okay, here are some ideas that Laura took from her recent trip to Paris on wedding bouquets. Brace yourself, people…these bouquets are kind of amazing.

Fleur couture. In addition to deriving inspiration from history and nature, French florists are influenced by haute couture fashion, which creates incredible excitement and innovation in their designs. In my strolls through the Parisian fashion district, I noted how the new trends – structured, architectural shapes, strong, primary colors, exquisite hand-detailing (ruffles, layers, pleats), etc. will provide rich inspiration for nouvelle bouquets this season. To create the fleur couture style, use fashion-forward colors in chic monochromatic combinations, incorporate layers of textures (including a variety of natural materials), and add special flourishes and finishing touches (plaid ribbons, tweed wraps, jewel accents) fresh from the fashion runways.

More to come!

We are chatting with Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs about her most recent trip to Paris…she’s sharing the latest trends in Parisian Floral Designs. Let’s face it, this really is like a wedding blogger’s dream come true.

Marie Antoinette luxe. As enduring style icon and the archetype of luxe, Marie Antoinette reigns as the ultimate taste-maker, and her legacy continues to influence contemporary trends in French fashion, décor, and floral design.  At the Grand Palais, Marie Antoinette’s objets de luxe were celebrated in a special exhibit that generated rave reviews and renewed interest in her vision.  To achieve the look of romantic decadence and sumptuous opulence in your party décor this season, incorporate signature design elements such as boules de plume (feather balls), romantic flowers (Yves Piaget garden roses), and layers of posh fabrics (tulle, silk, taffeta).  Use rich color schemes (French blue and silver, Versailles pink and gold, royal purple and peridot green) to create a sense of unabashed, over-the-top, classic French style.

Thank you so much, Laura, for sharing these incredible ideas…I am kind of in love with the overflowing, completely romantic style of these arrangements. But, I have to say, this next one is actually one of my favorite (along with the very first one that I posted earlier) as purple is just one of those colors that I am nuts about this season. Plus, it’s kind of Martha Stewart meets Abby Larson…Tailored and elegant, with a bit of flair.

Stay tuned to find out what Laura’s doing with bouquets!!

Our resident Parisian floral expert, Laura Dowling, has been at it again. Some of you might remember her incredible feature that we posted a while back on Style Me Pretty (you can see the full posts here and here) that I am literally still getting emails about. Needless to say, I am so excited that Laura is back to share her adventures in Parisian Floral Designs from her latest trip to Paris!

From Laura Dowling of Interieurs et Fleurs…

Bonjour!  I am happy to be back at Style Me Pretty, and am excited to tell you about the latest Parisian trends.  This summer, I travelled to Paris for special classes in French floral design, with an eye towards gathering new ideas for the fall season. Several top designers at L’Ecole des Fleurs and the studio of Pascal Mutel shared their latest tips and techniques for creating cutting-edge floral decor, fresh color palettes, and chic nouvelle designs.  The results were magnifique!  We made lush, garden-style bouquets with tumbling vines and branches, adorable country-style bouquets that incorporated fruits and vegetables from the French markets, and haute couture arrangements that were based on colors and trends from the Parisian fashion runways.  Here are all the details, including new ways for you to use romantic French flower trends in your own wedding and event décor now and in the upcoming seasons…

Bouquet végetal. Fruits and vegetables, always a key ingredient in the French bouquet, are especially au courant this season. At Catherine Muller’s design studio, we added a sprig of plaintain bananas, a single courgette (zucchini), and a ripe plum to a romantic bouquet of blue and purple hydrangea and pink garden roses.  Other ideas include surrounding a vase of elegant white lilies with fresh green beans and using large orange carrots to form the base of a striking bouquet of fuchsia phaleonopsis and pink mokara orchids.  Fruits and vegetables add color and substance to floral arrangements, making the “bouquet végetal” not only trés jolie, but cost-effective, too!

So much more to come!