As a lover of great perfumes I wanted to find a special fragrance to wear the day of my wedding. For me, perfume has always had a big effect on how I feel. Eric loves perfume and amazingly seems to notice every time I wear something new. I want to find something I can wear that will take us back to our special day. Much like an old song can take you back to that special time and place.

Finding a new fragrance that exudes love and romance was a journey I couldn't wait to embark upon. While in Paris last fall I began the search. This post is dedicated to the top 5 fragrances for the bride on her wedding day. I will only be revealing numbers 5 to 2 in this post. I want the fragrance I have chosen to remain a secret until after our wedding day. I will post the winner upon our return from the honeymoon.

Chloe, Love

Number 2: Chloe Love

This was a very tough choice. This fragrance could just have easily been THE perfume for my day. This fragrance can turn every woman into a goddess and transform every sinful thought in a virtue. A contemporary interpretation of Paris. Chloe Love is shy and dewy, sensual by its subdued innocence. Perfect for the bride planning a chic wedding with a vintage twist. This one is really hard to resist. (I'll will have a bottle with me during the honeymoon).

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom

Number 3: DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom

A romantic fragrance that marries freshness, vibrancy, and femininity. A blend of sparkling grapefruit, cassis, and sunkissed apricot meets a blooming floral heart of sheer muguet and petally rose wrapped in luminous jasmine. Perfect for a bride planning a sweet, small and romantic wedding.

Vera Wang Princess

Number 4: Vera Wang Princess

A sexy fragrance that includes a mixture of water lily, apple, mandarin meringue, and golden apricot skin, dark chocolate, amber, musk, and vanilla. Radiant, romantic with a hint of whimsy. Perfect for a bride planning an informal, outdoor wedding!

Stella McCartney Stella

Number 5: Stella McCartney STELLA

A sensual, intense and feminine fragrance. Top notes of rose essence has been fused with peony flower and mandarin essence, while the heart note is based on rose absolute. The base notes of woody ambers inject sexiness to the mix. Perfect for the bride planning and elegant and sophisticated wedding where no detail is forgotten. This fragrance exudes confidence and intrigue.



2011 -- Finally!  The year I have been waiting for for quite some time is finally here.  This is going to be such an exciting and eventful year.  We are less than four months 'til our wedding and honeymoon and the countdown has begun.  Eric and I are working on finalizing invitation designs and content this week so that we can begin sending them in mid-March.  Check back soon for the "reveal".  Once the invitations have been mailed I will post which one we selected!  A few places that I have found offering unique, nice wedding stationery include:

Renaissance Writings

S Designs

Peacock Printing

While visiting Paris in October my wedding planner, Nancy, took me to meet Karine Garillon - owner of a beautiful florist "Sol y Flor in the heart of Paris.  Karine will be creating my wedding flower arrangement, including my bouquet.  When we walked in to the florist the smell was amazing.  Karine informed me that she is very selective of the flowers with which she works.  She only works with regionally "in-season" flowers and demands the most fragrant varieties.  She does not import flowers choosing to only sell those that are raised in France.  She will be creating a bouquet of mixed flowers in varying shades of pink for our wedding day.  In addition, Karine will include sprigs of provencal lavendar in my bouquet.  Lavender, as posted previously, is one of my most favorite herbs.  Just outside the florist were a few lovely rosemary and lavender potted plants.  I could'nt resist, I just had to run my fingers through the leaves so I could carry the aromatics with me throughout the day.  I am looking so forward to working with Karine.  I know she will take the time to create a unique, fragrant, perfect bouquet!

Lately I have been perusing websites, magazines and department stores for the perfect centerpiece inspiration.  My aunt Hilda will be creating the arrangement for me.  She is our families floral designer and I am delighted to have her be a apart of our wedding.  The centerpiece will be placed on the buffet/sideboard located in our formal dining room.  We have 10 foot ceilings on the main level so I am not afraid to add height.  Our party will have a vintage paris theme and it is important that all of our decorations work to create that feeling.  The centerpiece should be chic, vintage, over-the-top...stunning.

After searching for quite some time I have found a couple of examples I would like Hilda to use as inspiration while she works to create this masterpiece.  It should include ostrich plumes, dangling crystals and or pearls, large, pink, vintage blooms, a wonderful vase.  I love the asymmetry of these arrangements.  They are so perfect!

Here are the inspiration photos that will be used for the creation:

While in France do as the Frenchmen. Once Eric and I had determined that Paris would be the site for our wedding I began to research the traditions of a typical wedding in France. Many of the traditions in the US today are adaptations of what the French have been doing for centuries. Below is a listing of traditions not commonly seen in the US. Each of them will be a part of our french-style wedding in April.

Ritual Bath: This bath symbolizes the purification of the bride, ridding her of all evil as well as memories of any previous boyfriends

Coco Chanel Bath at The Ritz Paris

White Ribbons: On the day of the wedding the entrance to the church is blocked with white ribbons. The bride cuts the ribbon and she with her groom and guests enter the church. The ribbons are symbolic obstacles the couple will overcome together.
Order of Entry: Following one or more musicians the bride makes her way to the door of the church where she awaits her groom. They take hands and enter the chruch together signifying the beginning of their lives together.
Bridal Path: Laurel Leaves are placed down the path outside the church for the couple to walk over after the wedding

Coup de Mariage

Toasting: The couple toasts one another with a two-handled cup. This particular cup is then passed down from one generation to another. Known as coup de mariage, this tradition is one of the oldest traditions still in practice today.

Mont Moulin 2006 Pomerol

While visiting Paris in October I had the pleasure of experiencing a French Wine Tasting. My wedding planner and I had discussed my dream to find the perfect French wine to serve at my wedding party back in Raleigh. We talked about the types of wine I prefer and we were off to find just the right one. In talking with a very knowlegeable Sommelier I was introduced to a new wine. The wine is called Pomerol.

Pomerol is a fantastic wine grown in the ancient and excellent, in terms of wine making, scenery and pedigree, Bordeaux region of France. Bordeaux is located in the South West of France close to the coast and the premier wine trading port of Bordeaux. Bordeaux is the largest 'good vintage' district in the world. Pomerol is one of the best of the red wine 'appellations' (wine growing areas) within the Bordeaux district.

Pomerol lies about 25 miles to the east of Bordeaux. Along the banks of the beautiful Dordogne River. The area is practically exclusively given over to wine production. There is no real village center in Pomerol just scattered Chateauxs and vineyards.  Chateau's are the term used for vineyards in Bordeaux and each chateau can produce between 10 to 1000 barrels of wine. These Chateaus are not always large houses, some of them, particularly in the Pomerol area are just everyday houses but it is the name given to the produce of an individual vineyard producing wine in the area. Bordeaux wines are not usually ready to drink for at least two years after the wine has been bottled, and sometimes they are not ready for twenty years.

We were presented with a bottle of Moulin la Gravière, Mont Moulin, 2006 LaLande de Pomerol. We were instructed to give it a few moments to breathe and then take a nice sip. WOW – what a wonderful wine.  It is rich and gentle, deep red in color, but not too acidic. It also did not have alot of tannin. It is just one of the nicest red wines I have ever had the pleasure of drinking.

So, we spent a couple of hours sipping wine, eating cheese, crackers, salmon and foie gras and then I purchased 18 bottles to share with my family and friends. Yes, I safely flew across the Atlantic with 18 bottles of some of the best Bordeaux has to offer, passed US customs and now the bottles sit in wait for our magnificent party. I love that I was able to bring a real taste of France back to Raleigh to share with those I love the most!

The custom of bouquets has its origin in ancient times. Women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits.

In ancient Greece and Rome, the bride and groom wore a garland around their necks, symbolizing new life, hope and fertility. Traditional Celtic bouquets included ivy, thistle and heather. The garland was not made of flowers but of strong-smelling herbs and spices. The strong-smells were thought to have mystical powers and meant to keep away evil spirits.

When Queen Victoria married Prince Albert, the herbs and spices had been replaced by fresh flowers, especially marigolds. Edible flowers were still included in the bouquet. The bride would carry her arrangement as she walked down the aisle. The dill from the bride's bouquet (also known as the herb of lust), was consumed by the bride, the groom, and their wedding guests during the reception, as the herb was meant to increase sexual desire.

In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning. It is believed that 'the flower language' began in Turkey during the seventeenth century. Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey messages. Thus bridal flowers were chosen with regard to their traditional significance.

Below are just a few of my most favorite bouquets.  Keep following because I'll be adding a post devoted strictly to "The Language of Flowers".

I am devoting this post to my love for lavender.  During my recent travels to Paris I met with Karine Garillon who owns and operates a lovely florist in the heart of Paris (more coming in a later post).  She deals only with local, French growers and she buys only the most fragrant plants for her shop.  She will be creating my wedding bouquet and any other flowers we have on our wedding day.  I shared with her my love of Lavender and she is going to include springs of French lavender in my bouquet and in Eric's boutonniere.  Lavender is one of my most favorite fragrances.  Pure, natural and so soothing I find myself instantly drawn to the fragrance.  A few years back I participated in a craft show where I showcased hand-made items all scented with French lavender.  As it remains one of my best shows ever I dont' think I'm in the minority when it comes to the love of lavender.  Eric also enjoys the lavender fragrance especially in burning candles.  For our reception in Raleigh next spring I am planning to offer bundles of French lavender to our guests as a favor.  Just one way we can bring a little bit of France back home and share it with our cherished familty and friends.  In addition, most people do not know that lavender is also an excellent cooking herb.  One of our wedding cakes at the reception will be filled with Lavender and Lemon cream. YUM!

A brief history of lavender is posted below.  If you've never taken the time to stop and smell the ... lavender -- you should.  It just might lighten your mood!

As an herb, lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years. In ancient times lavender was used for perfume by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and peoples of Arabia. Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root from which we derive the modern name (either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish). Perhaps first domesticated by the Arabians, lavender spread across Europe from Greece. Around 600 BC, lavender may have come from the Greek Hyeres Islands into France and is now common in France, Spain, Italy and England. The 'English' lavender varieties were not locally developed in England but rather introduced in the 1600s, right around the time the first lavender plants were making their way to the Americas. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the washing women were known as "lavenders" and they used lavender to scent drawers and dried the laundry on lavender bushes.

After about a week of contemplation, Eric and I have officially chosen the "Chapelle Expiatoire" as the venue for our wedding.  We will be working this week to secure a date in late April for our ceremony.  The  Chapel was commissioned by King Louis XVIII to be built as a symbol of atonement  or as a peace offering to his deceased brother King Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette.

The Chapelle Expiatoire complex is built on three levels. There is an entry hall that leads to an enclosed courtyard.  The courtyard is of simple design, planted with roses dating back to the mid-1700's.  The actual chapel is reached by climbing a set of twelve stairs and passing through a facade supported by simple Doric columns.  Inside the Chapel there is a center dome flanked by smaller domes on either side.   The larger, center dome itself is supported by four columns. They represent The Trinity, The Law of Moses, The Blessed Sacrament, and the Paschal Lamb.   The interior carvings and bas-reliefs were the work of Gerard who also worked on the Arc de Triomphe.  The altar is centered along the back wall. Two marble statues complete the decoration of the interior.  I have created a photo gallery of the pictures I captured during my recent visit to Paris.  I am so excited that we have finally made this important decision.  Check out our pictures here.

6 Mandel Paris
The French call this address “confidential”, you may see 6 Mandel in the Art de Vivre section of Madame Figaro, or get the nod and wink from your florist or hairdresser if you live in the area. Jean-Christophe Stoerkel has created a unique design concept in a listed 5-story 19th- century gothic style Art Nouveau townhouse, just off Place Trocadero.

With unimpaired views of the precious Eiffel Tower, the property consists of a sensual guest suite, a gourmet kitchen where a personal chef may be hired to cook a private wedding feast, a dressing boudoir, and a lushly landscaped private garden. All designed to showcase a vast collection of modern sculpture, fabrics, cuisine, decor and garden art. The grounds are just lovely. A private, lush sanctuary in the heart of Paris.

La Villa Maillot
Unlike its towering neighbours, the Villa Maillot focuses on the quality of life, a warm welcome and a personal touch. The building was once an embassy ; the very small hotel still shares certain qualities with the world of diplomacy : refinement, courtesy and discretion. Protected from the hubbub of the busy avenue it opens onto a lovely interior courtyard with a charming fountain. There is a "glass house" in back, surrounded by fountains and gardens, perfect for a spring wedding in Paris.

The Salon Psyche at Ritz Paris
Tradition, prestige, and a legendary past set the Ritz Paris apart from other palace hotels. In 1898, Cesar Ritz created an exclusive luxury hotel where comfort, gastronomy, and service were accorded the highest priority. Located on the beautiful Place Vendome, the Ritz is in the heart of Paris, within walking distance to many historical monuments and fashionable shopping areas. Among the elegantly appointed rooms and suites are ten renowned specialty suites, including the Coco Chanel, Windsor, and Imperial. Within the Ritz there is a private room known as the "Salon Psyche". When you enter the room you are immediately presented with Parisian opulence, prestige and grandeur. From gold-gilded, ornate ceilings to French tapestries and drapes of the finest silk, the Salon Psyche does not disappoint. Just outside is a private garden, so peaceful, beautiful, indulgent.

Chapelle Expiatoire
The Chapelle expiatoire ("Expiatory Chapel") is a chapel located in the eighth arrondissement, of Paris, France. And is a chapel dedicated to King Louis XVI and his Queen Marie Antoinette. Surrounded by green gardens, a long path leads to a staircase that opens to an extraordinary, neo-classical chapel built in 1826. The three domes inside the chapel are adorned with thousands of stone rosettes. The floor a beautiful design in complimentary marble stones.