I Do (encore)!

A Parisian Vow Renewal

On a beautiful, sunny March afternoon in 2022, surrounded by twenty friends, the hubby and I renewed our wedding vows. For our 30^th anniversary, we decided there was no better place to do it than Paris, France! (and in the Tuileries Gardens no less with the Louvre as the backdrop).

 

I can’t express how much this day meant to both of us, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take a few “stitches in time” back to see how we fashioned such a lovely day!

For each of our milestone anniversaries, the hubby and I have celebrated in style. For our 15th, we went horseback riding; for our 20th, we headed to Hawaii; and for our 25th, we visited New York City. With my never-ending love for Paris, I thought it would be the perfect time to share the city with him. I’m pretty sure it was the Say Yes to the Dress episode featuring a couple getting married at Place Vendôme that first sparked the idea of a Parisian vow renewal.

Of course, I went down the proverbial rabbit hole well in advance of our 2022 date. I was at once drawn into an Instagram account I found (@ruffledbygrace) because of the wit & whimsy in her posts. Little did I know Michelle and I would click and become friends, which continues to this day!

Michelle was not only our pastor, but also one-stop “shop” for all things related to a wedding/vow renewal. Once we started chatting and discussing my vision for the day, she introduced me to Krystal Kenney (@missparisphoto) a very talented photographer who in turn introduced me to Joleen Emery (@makeupbyjoleen), makeup artist extraordinaire! What a dream team to help my day come to life (and I continue to collaborate with them today!)

(Side Note: Krystal also has a wonderful podcast La Vie Creative and Michelle, Joleen, Chrissy aka Parisian Niche, and I have been guests on! Take a listen!)

The Dress Journey

When it came to choosing a dress, I wanted to have the full bridal salon experience. For my first dress, practicality got in my way! I bought a dress from a boutique store that I could wear multiple times. Huge regret!! While I did do that—and I did until transforming into a skirt after an unfortunate stain— the shopping experience didn’t hold the same memory.

Well, all my best intentions for the salon experience were derailed by the pandemic. For two years, grand ideas swirled in my head. Along the way, I bought pieces I thought would make the final cut but didn’t. The dress was eluding me until a fateful trip to NYC to attend the Manhattan Vintage Show. I asked mon amie, @parisianniche, Chrissy, who had experience in fashion and as a wedding planner, to join me for a fun day of exploring racks of extraordinary vintage clothes. Maybe together we would find that elusive perfect dress! Near the end of the day, amidst the designers such as Chanel, Bill Blass, YSL, etc., we saw her: an unlabeled, stunning 1970s ivory goddess gown.

I hesitated though—there was no lace, no sequins, no beading, no tulle, no puff—a complete opposite of what I had envisioned and left her (as we always call our vintage pieces) behind. I continued to think about the dress overnight (the tell-tale sign she was meant to be mine), I knew I had to go back the next day. My heart finally took over the brain!! I was clinging to the hope that she was still there (as many vintage shoppers know, if you don’t act fast, it can be snatched up the next second!) My heart sank as I perused the ranks but on a second scan, I found her hiding! It was fate and Paris awaited! Not only was the dress perfect for the ceremony, but it was easy to pack, wrinkle-free, and gorgeous! (I guess my practical side took part again, ha!)

To complete the look, @rarejulevintage, gifted me the perfect hat adorned with silk flowers. So perfect with my short hair!! And from @jujusvintage, I found a fur stole—just in case the weather turned chilly (which it didn’t!)

Parisian Photoshoot

When Paris is your backdrop for a photoshoot and you’ve chosen three iconic locations, the outfits needed to be just as iconic!!! The outfit I had in mind instantly for the Palais Royal sculpture installation, Colonnes de Buren by Daniel Buren, was by my friend and retired fashion designer, Ann Everett. I knew here pieces would coordinate well with the black and white columns. Ann also made a bespoke jacket for the hubby that he wore for each location. He looked so dapper!

The hardest outfit, however, was choosing for the magnificent gigantic gold doors at the Petit Palais. For 2 years, I tried and failed to style a beautifully embroidered Alice & Olivia minidress as a top, but alas, I could never get the proportions right. If only it had been longer (or much shorter)! On the same day I found the fur capelet at Juju’s, I bought a striking black cape dress with gold embroidery. A week before the trip, I realized that it would actually be perfect, the black and gold, the cape and funny enough, again, easy to pack. My heart took over my brain again, thank goodness, and decided to go in that direction. The pictures of the dress with the doors and the Pont Alexandre III bridge were très magnifique!

The gold embroidery matched the intricate details of the doors perfectly. The flow of the cape, as I moved, brought the drama. It reminded me of the scene in Funny Face, when Audrey Hepburn descends the steps at the Louvre in her red dress. (However, I can only aspire to be Audrey!)

The Sweetest Surprise: My “Tribe”

While all of this was going on, momentum was building in a Facebook group I belonged to, moderated by @Frenchfryeinparis. As we neared the end of the pandemic and Paris was reopening, I casually mentioned our vow renewal plans in a chat. To my surprise, a friend asked if she could join us. The next thing I knew, we were going to have guests! We were now going from a private moment to a heart-warming gathering with friends who had been my lifeline during the pandemic. They became my “tribe” through our shared love of our chief Frite, Corey, our need for joy during this time, but also our love of Paris. It both was nerve-wracking and exciting to meet these friends in person!!

The Big Day

Back day of the vow renewal, Michelle helped us narrow down the location to the Tuileries Garden. Based on the stories we provided Michelle; she wove together a touchingly beautiful (and funny) speech. Having her recite this out loud, in front of our friends, and in Paris, made this truly an exceptional day.

Everything came together that day: Joleen made me feel (and look) glamourous, Krystal captured all the special moments, the hubby looked handsomely sharp, the weather was divine, and we were surrounded by people we loved. The celebration continued with donuts (a personal fave and much easier to transport than cake!) from Boneshaker Donuts, followed by a wonderful lunch at Domaine d’Olléac. We couldn’t have asked for a more glorious day. Paris, great friends, delicious food, and fantastic fashion—Nothing better!

Even two years later, we all look back on that day with such fondness.

The Dream Team

If you’re considering a vow renewal or even getting married in France, I wholeheartedly (pun intended) recommend the dream team of Michelle, Krystal, and Joleen. They will make your unforgettable dreams come true (and document it too!)

And MERCI BEAUCOUP to mes amis who traveled from near and far to join us. You will always have a special place in our hearts.

Au Revoir!