Can you imagine a more romantic backdrop for your wedding than Paris? Credit: Parisian Party.
In honor of Bastille Day, I thought it would be fun to look at some fabulous French wedding details. After all, the French are well known for their love of high style, fine food, and love itself – what more could you want for a wedding? Get inspired by these tres chic French wedding ideas.
Tiers of flounces add an impossibly chic flair to this lovely wedding gown. “Fael” gown by Cymbeline.
The “Facile” short wedding dress by Cymbeline calls to mind the heyday of Coco Chanel herself. Credit: Cymbeline.
To me, the wedding gown and accessories are the best part of the wedding, so we begin by looking at French wedding gowns. Cymbeline is a very stylish French bridal designer, and the great news is that the dresses are available in select U.S. bridal salons – no need to go to Paris to find the perfect French wedding dress (unless you want to, of course!). The “Fael” gown has a wonderful effortless style that captures that glamorous Parisian spirit. I love how they show it with a casual jumble of necklaces. If you like the short wedding dress trend, take a look at Cymbeline’s “Facelie” dress. It has the sensibility of a dress from the Jazz Age; add a few long ropes of pearls and a feather in your hair, and you will be ready to go.
The croquembouche is the classic French wedding dessert instead of a tiered cake. Image via Parisian Party.
One of the most distinctive French wedding details is the croquembouche: the pyramid of creme filled puff pastries (choux) sculpted into a pyramid and drizzled with spun sugar and caramel. If you do nothing else, I would suggest serving a croquembouche instead of a tiered frosted wedding cake to give your wedding a French flair. It is in keeping with the general flavor of French weddings, which is to say not flashy (no crazy cake sculptures or neon frosting), but incredibly delicious. Naturally you will serve real French Champagne at your reception as well.
A shabby chic French inspired wedding tablescape. Image via Ashley’s Bridal Guide.
A romantic eclectic wedding centerpiece design with a rustic vintage feeling. Credit: Beccarillo via Archive Vintage Rentals.
French wedding receptions are all about food and conversation. The table decor is there to set the mood and enhance the experience, but it is not the main attraction. Therefore your tablescapes should have that same effortless elegance as your wedding dress and dessert. French brides wear their Swarovski crystals in their sets of jewelry, not as ornaments on grand centerpieces that reach for the sky. In fact, the preference is for lower floral arrangements, as they are more conducive to an easy flow of conversation around the table. A petite Eiffel Tower statuette is a charming nod to the French inspiration of the top centerpiece design.
A fleur-de-lis cheese spreader makes a lasting memento of your special day. Credit: Silverland Jewelry.
It would be fun to wrap up your French inspired wedding with special favors that will remind your guest of your wedding theme. Anything related to wine or cheese is a natural choice, especially when paired with a classic French motif. The fleur-de-lis cheese spreader above would be a fantastic wedding favor along with a hunk of real French cheese. Another fun idea is something with the Eiffel Tower on it, such as coasters or tiny place card holders. Or go for a more rustic French country feeling and set out tiny whitewashed pots of lavender for the favors. It is a fragrant ending to a charming French inspired wedding.
