French Inspired Wedding Invitations

I just had to share these gorgeous invitations I found. Completely Parisian inspired and absolutely stunning!

Found on Etsy. Check out all of the designs at Enfin, la voila!

The French Bridal Trousseau

The following post was totally stolen from someone way more knowledgeable than I on the topic of French weddings and traditions. Here’s just one of the posts on her amazing blog. And for what it’s worth… I am so envious of her life as a wedding planner in Paris.

Please check out Parisian Party and her lovely blog.

Here’s her take on collecting your bridal trousseau.

trous·seau, n. [French, from Old French, diminutive of trousse, bundle. See truss.] The possessions, such as clothing and linens, that a bride assembles for her marriage.

Back in the day, a young woman and her mother would start collecting and sewing items for her trousseau years before she was even engaged! They stored the items in a heavy hand-carved wooden wardrobe or trunk, and when it was complete, the trousseau contained everything that the girl owned- everything that she needed to start her new married life. Trousseaus could contain quilts, china, silverware, pillows or linens, in addition to clothing and lingerie. In Victorian times, it was even a la mode to host a “Trousseau Tea” the day before the wedding, where the brides family would invite people over and show off all of the items in the girls’ trousseau. Today’s trousseau contains gorgeous lingerie, luxurious toiletries, and fabulous going-away outfits, all packed up into beautiful luggage.

If you’d like to go on your own Parisian trousseau shopping spree, your first stop HAS to be the glamorous boudoir of Chantal Thomass at 211 Rue St Honoré. This shop is a paradise of intimate feminine goodies like bras, bustiers, stockings, and dressing gowns as well as froo-froo accessories like pink, lace-up umbrellas, and…black satin and lace hand-cuffs. Oh la laaaa!

Another queen of the intime is Fifi Chachnil. Since 1986, Fifi has been known for her gloriously feminine designs as well as her sense of humor and classic vintage style. Her lingerie is sold worldwide, but nothing beats a trip to one of her Parisian boutiques.

“Though’s in the know” know where to find the most famous French lingerie- they visit Sabbia Rosa at 73, rue des Sts-Pères. This tiny shop lives up to the hype and is a favorite of fashionistas like Madonna, Naomi Campbell and Catherine Deneuve.

One other major element of the modern bridal trousseau is fragrance- for your Parisian trousseau, peek your head into one of the Annick Goutal Boutiques and discover your new “signature scent”. Everything about these boutiques is feminine and flirty- and while you’re there, treat yourself to one of their Boudoir Treatments for the Face or Body (or both!)

One other major element of the modern bridal trousseau is fragrance- for your Parisian trousseau, peek your head into one of the Annick Goutal Boutiques and discover your new “signature scent”. Everything about these boutiques is feminine and flirty- and while you’re there, treat yourself to one of their Boudoir Treatments for the Face or Body (or both!)

If you want to try your hand at creating your own lune de miel fragrance, sign up for an “Atelier du Parfumerie” at the world renowned Guerlain boutique on the Champs Elysees.

Once you have your trousseau together, you can’t just toss it into any old Samsonite! You still have a wedding to pay for, so don’t break the bank on nouveau LV, Hermes or Goyard. Instead, try scouting out Le Monde du Voyage in the Marche aux Puces at St-Ouen. This store has been specializing in vintage luggage for over 20 years, and will surely have the perfect valise to round out your Parisian bridal trousseau.

Thanks for giving us a good view into the life of a French bride.

Oooh La La Is Right!

Everything is better in France!  Keeping with our monthly French theme, I thought I would feature an amazing French Designer Max Chaoul.

I do believe I have fallen in love with the marriage between structure and flow in his amazing designs. Absolutely gorgeous!

And here’s some eye candy!

I also absolutely adore the headpieces here. But what I really love is the oversized fabric flowers on the men. It’s stunning and is reminiscent of a later era. Where men wore ruffled shirts and adornments. I would love to see this creep into weddings all over the globe. Tres Magnific!

Enjoy!

Shoe Appeal Wednesday

The day is here again… the day that makes our feet drool. Is that even possible? And if it was possible… anyways.

Since we’re talking about all things French this month it would be totally amiss if I didn’t feature the most amazing French shoe designer, Christian Louboutin.

You know these are the kind of shoes you just dream about. Or you try on in the store and never look at the tag. When the sales person asks you if you would like to purchase them you simply reply. “Oh I’m sorry there just is no more room in my closet from the Fall Collection.”

Here’s today’s Oh la la shoe! She’s called Margi Diams!

If you haven’t already noticed I adore shoes with some bling. These definitely qualify! Swoon!

Just is case you didn’t fall in love the first time. Here’s a few more look-sies!

And there is the master at work. Can you just imagine the uber- creative things going through his mind. Maybe I could put a spout on his brain like a juicer and collect some of those thoughts. Ok so that’s a little creepy… but hey, that’s what happens when one is made of pure genius. Boy his mother must be proud… oh and fashionable!

Like I said, these are truly gorgeous…. but rival your wedding dress as far as cost. Ringing in a roughly $1,500 it might be worth the swoon effect you’ll feel when you slide into your Louboutins on your wedding day!

Inspired by France

This month I’m totally feeling all things inspired by France. So I’ll be featuring gorgeous eye candy and helpful tips on incorporating the French flare into your wedding day.

 

Hope you’ve found some wonderful inspiration.

It’s Shoe Appeal Wednesday!

Today’s shoe is oh so yummy! AND it’s oh so affordable! It gets better though!!! It’s oh so ON SALE!

Here they are in all their beauty!

What I really love is that they come in 6 different colors!!

Right now at Macys.com if you use the promo code: GLAMOUR

you’ll receive free shipping on purchases of over $75 or more.

Go get all of you wedding shoe fashionistas… they’re hot!

Shoe Appeal Wednesday

I am so behind when it comes to finding great shoes for Shoe Appeal Wednesday. But today I found a real doozey!

Check out these babies from Priscilla of Boston.

Aren’t they gorgeous and so bling-tastic!!!!?

They’re also super sexy in black if you’d like a punch of color under your dress.

For only $80 at Zappos.com they’re also a great deal.

Happy shoe hunting!

Speaking of Vintage

I just had to do one more post about incorporating vintage into your wedding. I recently ran across this amazing wedding featured in Wedding Style magazine.

It looks as if it fell right out of the pages of The Great Gatsby.

Check it out here.

I do believe we’re going to find a return of this style. Large abundant bouquets, gorgeous and elaborate head pieces, and dapper men all make for completely fantastic throwbacks to gorgeous time in history.