A French Fantasy

Your guide to a French-themed wedding

Bonjour mes chers tourtereaux (Hello, my dear lovebirds),

Bastille Days were just last weekend in Milwaukee -- a wonderful celebration in a country where the feelings about the French are mixed -- some love them, some don't.  It's a matter of a personal experience, perspective and expectations, but no matter what, Paris and France in general are the symbol of romance, enjoying life and beauty.

When I think of France, the first thing I picture of course is the Eiffel Tower. Being up on the top overlooking Paris, holding your beloved one’s hand is all you need, isn’t it? Then of course I picture wine, art, cobblestone streets, gorgeous gardens, old chateaus, fashion, style, royalty, luxury, indulging food, love, romance -- things that make life beautiful. So, I was thinking what better way to make everyone feel the love in the air, enjoy the romance and have a laid-back day than to have your wedding themed with a French flair. Your wedding is about you and your loved one, but guests' entertainment matters too. And one thing you want for sure is for your wedding to be different and to be one that people WILL remember for a long time. Surprise them and enjoy their excitement. Have the presence of love not only in the air, but in every detail of your special day!

There are few important elements which represent France :

• Architecture - Eiffel Tower, Triumphal Arch, old chateaus
• Drinks – Wine, cognac, coffee
•  Food - Bread, pastry, poultry, cheese
• Art – music, paintings, performances
•  Fashion

To have your wedding or any other celebration French themed, you should have most of these elements incorporated in the event – from the clothing through decor, food and entertainment, invitations and favors. 

Before you start planning your French-themed wedding, you must first consider what type of wedding you’d like. Once you decide which era you want to concentrate on, planning will be much easier. Here are a few tips to bring Paris to your wedding door. No matter which style will fit your personality the most, the little details and finishing touches will define your choice.

Here are the general styles :

Royal / Marie Antoinette 

   Country / Pastoral 

                       

Vintage 

Modern

The styles overlap each other and a lot of the same details and ornaments could be found in more than one era. One things is certain and you can use this as a guideline - the further you go back in the days, the more ornaments, fabrics and layers, and the heavier the design becomes.

The Color Scheme

The color scheme for any of the styles would be muted colors such as ivory, mocha, and latte, and pale colors like pink or light blue. The forms for the Marie Antoinette "Royal" Style would be soft and curvy with a lot of extra details, as well as for the Country and Vintage style just a little simplified. The forms and lines appropriate for the Modern wedding would be a lot more clear and simple.

Decorative symbols

There are few symbols of France which can't be mistaken. You can incorporate the symbol you've picked in the whole event styling – from invitations, to table numbers and wedding favors:

• The fleur-de-lis (stylized lily or iris) symbolizes the divine kingdom of France.
• The Eiffel Tower and the Triumphal Arch are the most most recognizable landmarks of France. You can use miniature Eiffel Towers as a centerpieces or  have an illuminated Eiffel Tower ice sculpture.
• A cat on a roof and roosters are fun little accents perfect for your Vintage or Country French Themed wedding style.
• Paris is known as the City of Lights – installation of lighting, miniature lights or candles around the reception location will improve the mood of the evening.

     

Venue

A French-inspired wedding has to have the necessary romantic visual cues, which the right venue can deliver.  A local wine producer may offer their grounds for outdoor wedding ceremonies, or even indoor ceremonies in the cellar. 

If you are looking for a location in the city, a perfect place for that would be any romantic indoor or outdoor venue with a nice garden or overlooking water (lake, river or ocean). That could be transformed easily into a French setting using artistic cues such as the colors from famous French paintings. For instance, look at the hues of Monet, and borrow some of those colors for your bouquet, and your floral selections for your ceremony site.

Decor

Having paintings (oil, watercolors, pastel or pencil), classic to abstract, photographs or vintage postcards of sites in Paris would be a great accent.

Clothing

Feathers and lace are a "trade mark" of  France and tastefully incorporated into your wedding decor (dress, hairstyle or even bouquet) they will give it an authentic French flair.  They would be good for the Royal, Vintage or Modern style.

The layers of lace on a wedding gown can portray the opulence of Marie Antoinette for a French wedding theme of that particular period. This style means you will have plenty of everything – fabric, layers, creases, bows, ornaments, flowers – the more the better. The era shows splendor in any detail.

As I said above, the closer you get to the present day, the simpler the styles become.  A perfect finishing touch to all of the looks will be a feather fan!

Table set

Depending on the era you've picked, the options for table sets are few :

• Modern – very elegant and simple china, silver- and glassware.
• Vintage – slightly curvy forms and ornaments, „bistro“ style
• Country / Pastoral – floral patterned tablecloth and china, "bistro" style
• Royal - gold or silver cutlery; glassware and china with gold or silver ornaments. Very heavy flowered patterned china is your another option here too.  
• For your table numbers you can use French cities' names, different cheeses, kings and queens.

Beverages and Food

Wine and coffee are two staples of a French menu, as is delicious food.

Champagne and wine should be served as both are French-inspired. You can have a wine and cheese stations at your cocktail hour.  A wonderful and very traditional French starter also is the pate, which could be served on a cracker or baguette. Choose a wine that says something about and your spouse, and one that has a romantic flavor. Offer your guests a beautiful deep red or sweet white, or provide your guests with both options.

Your interpretation of a French cuisine doesn't have to be expensive or overdone, but should include some key ingredients of French cuisine. Creating your menu, consider that the different regions of France have varying cuisine – form seafood to  duck and rabbits, sausage and cabbage, from traditional bisque to fresh salads, fondue and bread.

Coffee is another French beverage, which can be served heated, over ice, and served at the cocktail hour and throughout the wedding feast.

Pastry and dessert. A wonderful final touch would be if you follow the theme of your wedding invitation to your wedding cake (damask, toile, fleur de lis or Eiffel Tower designs). Also consider serving petits fours – miniature desserts such as cakes, cookies, baked meringues, macaroons and puff pastry.

Entertainment

A string quartet, a piano and a harp player or an opera singer performing mostly well-known arias would be perfect for Marie Antoinette "Royal“ or Modern style.  The Vintage or Country Styles can't go without accordion! This is the sound of France! Have you heard Jazz Accordion? Check this out, it's so cool!  Another symbol of France is the French mime. She or he can entertain the crowd during the cocktail hour or/and after the dinner. Those are going to be fun pictures to look at later.

Wedding Favors

The French theme can be conveyed in significant details. When choosing wedding favors for a particular style, it is important to choose a design that is representative of the theme. Fleur de Lis or Eiffel Tower wedding favors can show your guests the inspiration of your important day. As a special remembrance to be left at the seat of each of your guests of your wedding, you can provide bookmarks, key chains, bottle openers, votive candle holders, soap or even candy tins with a Fleur de Lis or Eiffel Tower design.

Good luck and let me know how it turned out!