Discover how you can create your own wedding with a Parisian twist.
Traditionally in France, if you want a happy marriage the bride must wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on the day of the wedding. The old represents a link to her family, the new represents her new life, the borrowed represents luck and happiness for the couple and the blue represents pureness and fidelity.
Before the wedding day, the bride must have a “Ritual Bath” to purify any evil influences and thoughts of previous beau’s in her past.
Wedding Procession - Traditionally and still practiced today in small villages in France, the groom arrives at the bride’s house the morning of the wedding to escort her to the wedding chapel. Young children often block the path the couple travel with a white ribbon that must be cut by the bride.
The Wardrobe - White wedding gowns became popular in France in 1853 when Empress Eugenie wore a white gown to wed Napoleon III. - Wedding showers today originated from a French tradition, called a “Trousseau” dating back to the 18th century. As a wedding gift, a bride was given a hand-carved armoire filled with fine clothing, lingerie and bedding to start her newlywed life.
Wedding Ceremony - A “Carre” a silk fabric (modified today as a veil) is held over the groom and bride to protect them from future ill-will during the final blessing from the priest. This carre will be used for the baptism of their children. - Each flower a bride chooses for her wedding bouquet and ceremony has a special meaning to the couple. Orange blossoms symbolize prosperity and fertility; red tulips symbolize true love; lily-of-the-valley symbolizes return to happiness.
Reception - The silver two-handled cup, called “Coupe de Marriage” is a traditional custom of toasting togetherness at a wedding reception. The cup is passed from one generation to the other.
Food - Dragees, a French delicacy of almonds covered with chocolate or nougat, symbolize happiness at all major French ceremonies. - In middle ages, guests brought small cakes to the wedding and stacked them as high as possible. If the bridal couple could kiss over them, without knocking them over, it was thought to be a symbol of a lifetime of prosperity. - The traditional French wedding cake is called “Croquembouche” or more commonly today, “La piece montee.” It’s several small cream filled pastry puffs piled in a pyramid and covered with caramel glaze and sugar.
Traditionally in France, if you want a happy marriage the bride must wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on the day of the wedding. The old represents a link to her family, the new represents her new life, the borrowed represents luck and happiness for the couple and the blue represents pureness and fidelity.