Mistakes to avoid when planning a small wedding in Paris

Today I wanted to share six (heart-to-heart) tips on planning your wedding here in Paris. You may be just in the beginning stages, with no idea where to begin. Or reviewing wedding packages, to planning the finer details with your Paris based English-speaking planner – either way I felt it was necessary to share some advice on the major mistakes (after four years as an event coordinator – the list can go on!) our couples run into while planing an intimate destination wedding, and ways you can avoid them.

1. Inviting too many people

This may sound crude – but seriously don’t invite/ take everyone if you want to have an intimate stress free wedding. From experience it’s never the couples who freak out, it’s always that one person that knows “what is best” for everyone and wants to have his/her say and run the show. Don’t invite anyone that will steal from the joy of your big day.

2. Not getting a wedding planner

Hire a planner, ask many questions, ask for testimonials, then trust your planners experience. she or he will not only save you money – that person will save you from excess aggravation and stress, and should make you feel fully understood. Things can easily get overwhelming even when planning an intimate affair.

There needs to also be chemistry, choose someone who gets you! Us planners are masters in creating many events where you won’t have to worry about “what ifs, but also the best relationships (like any) are built on trust and your planner will then make unique suggestions the more they know you.

 

3. Choosing the wrong location, hotel, apartment…

It’s important that you choose a location that matches the style of your wedding and the theme of your photos. Don’t go for a hotel with burgundy walls if you want a soft blush wedding – no matter the location. Don’t choose a location that is more than 30 minutes from the ceremony location – traffic in Paris can be unforgiving at times and remember both your car and photographer are paid per hour.

 

4. Leaving transportation choice to the last-minute

There is no right or wrong way to get around Paris on your wedding day. You may be thinking of walking, taking the subway, taxi or even a chauffeured car, just remember that you have no control over the weather and the traffic. So make sure to ask your planner abound the best option for that time of day or year and your budget.

Also, if you’re having your guests move from one location to the next it’s also advisable to have maps and itineraries printed for them, or simply hire a mini-bus to move them safely and your planner will make this transition stress-free.

 

5. Choosing vendors that don’t work well together

Ok, this is a touchy topic. You may not know who these people are – but mostly likely your planner that is on the ground here in Paris will know. Come on where all human, and many photographers, videographers, florists, bakers etc are artists in their own right. And you’ve probably heard that artists are sensitive about their work. Energy flow on the big day is super important. Having a team that works well together will work wonders on your day.

 

6. Leaving all the planning to the photographer – or any one service provider.

The best wedding photographers in France are great at what they do because they hone their skill. They may have connections to many equally great vendors, but they won’t be able to help you plan all the car, hair and make up, celebrant, flowers and other logistic items that a wedding coordinator whose job it is to pull together everything seamlessly with cool.

Even the smallest of weddings can have hick-ups and glitches, with lots of research and proper planning everything goes so smoothly for a fun day you’ll remember for a lifetime!