A Love Letter to Paris: A Vintage-Inspired Wedding at the Iconic Ritz Paris

Location: Paris, France
Setting: Ritz Paris Hotel
The number of guests: 80
How long did the couple plan the event: 15 months
Wedding theme/style: A mix of vintage glamour and timeless simplicity.

Patrick and Samantha’s love story began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2016. Little did they know that their paths had crossed numerous times before this fateful day. They attended the same college, knew mutual acquaintances, and even frequented the same social gatherings. Despite these coincidental encounters, their paths never crossed until that serendipitous moment. Surprisingly, they discovered they had even been in a group photo together, taken two and a half years before their official meeting. It truly shows that destiny has a magical way of bringing people together.

Samantha adds: “I really wasn’t expecting to meet anyone the day I met Patrick, especially not in the way that it happened, but I just walked into a barbeque with a mutual friend one afternoon, and there he was. He definitely caught my eye, but we didn’t get the chance to really talk until later that evening when my friend suggested the three of us go to dinner.”

Samantha shares that the proposal was quite spontaneous: “Our proposal was really romantic, but it almost didn’t happen because of a delayed passport. Pat planned a huge proposal in Turks and Caicos, but my passport only arrived a day before we left. By the time we got there, he was too excited and ended up popping the question a day earlier than planned. It was perfect because we got to enjoy a spontaneous and intimate proposal and still were able to celebrate with everything he had originally planned throughout the trip.”

Patrick and Samantha wanted to make their wedding celebration stand out from traditional ceremonies. They kicked off the festivities with a welcome party on a boat, sailing down the picturesque Seine River. The couple and their loved ones were captivated by the stunning surroundings, with perfect views of the Eiffel Tower, making the day an unforgettable experience.

The lovebirds chose the Ritz Hotel in Paris for their wedding. Samantha says: “I had wanted to go to Paris since I was a little girl, and about two years after we started dating, Patrick took us on a trip there for the first time. On our last night in Paris, we had a drink at the Bar Hemingway at The Ritz Paris, and as we were leaving, we walked by the garden and noticed a wedding reception in one of the adjoining salons. Patrick told me one day we would get married in that same spot, and I honestly thought it was just the cocktails talking. But then, three years later, when he proposed in Turks and Caicos, the first email he sent was to the wedding coordinator at Ritz Paris. I really never thought about having a big fancy wedding. I assumed it would be stressful and overwhelming to plan, but every aspect of this event was so wonderful.”

Toby, the outstanding videographer from Handcraft Pictures, beautifully captured every emotion and exquisite detail of Patrick and Samantha’s dream wedding. He skillfully documented the enchanting boat ride under the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower, the stunning wedding day set in the elegant Ritz Paris, the touching and heartfelt ceremony that moved everyone to tears, and the lively and joyous celebration that followed. Toby expertly portrayed the magical ambiance of this extraordinary day, allowing the couple to relive every cherished moment through his exceptional film.

Samantha had a truly incredible wedding morning as she prepared for the magnificent day ahead, surrounded by the beauty of her dream location. As for her wedding look, Samantha sought a blend of classic vintage elegance with some modern elements. With the assistance of her close friend, Ian Maxion, a talented hair and makeup artist, they had a delightful time creating her perfect wedding ensemble. They ultimately settled on a contemporary take on Audrey Hepburn’s timeless French twist hairstyle and a subtle interpretation of glamorous makeup from the 90s. Delicately infused with peachy undertones, the final result exuded an enchanting blend of romance and femininity.

Surrounded by her beloved family, supportive bridesmaids, and a delicious pizza, Samantha couldn’t have asked for a better way to start her wedding day.

Samantha’s wedding look left everyone in awe. When it came to her dress, she had her heart set on something that exuded classic elegance and stood the test of time, boasting a striking silhouette. The Agatha Gown by Sarah Seven captured her affections, beautifully complemented by a sheer tulle cathedral veil. Samantha chose the stunning Jimmy Choo Seada Sandals in a captivating smoke green to add a vibrant touch. Her ensemble was a perfect balance of timeless grace and a subtle splash of color.

Patrick’s suit, complemented with a bow tie, perfectly matched the hotel’s luxurious atmosphere, adding to the overall elegance and style that permeated this extraordinary day.

An exquisite ceremony took place in the grand garden, which was decorated with breathtaking flowers. Patrick and Samantha, surrounded by guests who had flown in from various parts of the world, joyfully exchanged heartfelt vows on their special day. Samantha’s older brother took on the role of the ceremony officiant to infuse the wedding ceremony with a deeply personal touch and reflect their unique identities as individuals and a couple. Their loved ones were overjoyed to be by their side, celebrating this momentous occasion.

A photographer, Claire Morris, skillfully documented every cherished moment of Samantha and Patrick’s wedding day, ensuring no detail went unnoticed and preserving heartfelt memories that the couple will cherish forever. Her artistry captured the essence of the day, allowing the couple to relive their special moments again and again.

Samantha shared about the chosen color palette and the exquisite design of the reception space: “My mom loves lavender and lilacs, and she never had a big wedding, so it was really important to me to include details in the design that would honor her. We designed the color palette and florals around her favorite flowers, and our florist from La Maison Dautel did an incredible job translating this into the final design of the day.”

With a vision to blend the enchanting allure of vintage glamour and timeless beauty, the couple entrusted Fête in France to bring their dream wedding to life. From start to finish, the wedding planning team worked tirelessly to turn their vision into a breathtaking reality, creating an unforgettable celebration that perfectly captured the couple’s desired style.

Samantha and Patrick drew inspiration from the rich historical significance of their chosen venue, the Ritz Paris, known for hosting influential figures from the past. Their vision for the wedding was to recreate the ambiance of an intimate, glamorous salon party reminiscent of 1920s Paris or Hollywood. They imagined a scene where Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy shared laughter while Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald enjoyed cocktails at the bar. The couple aimed to transport their guests not only to a different country or city but to an entirely different era, immersing them in the elegance and allure of the past.

The couple adds: “We wanted the wedding to reflect the fun party culture of Miami, where most of us came from, but we still wanted to include elements of a classic French wedding, so we chose a traditional croquembouche for our wedding cake. The dancers who ushered our guests from dinner to the after-party were one of my favorite touches and helped us curate the overall ambiance with their fun outfit changes.”

After the delightful wedding reception dinner, the couple took center stage for a touching first dance as newlyweds, sharing a beautiful moment together. They also shared dances with their beloved parents, creating heartfelt memories.

Following those special moments, the energy of the celebration shifted as everyone enthusiastically joined in the dancing, spreading joy and laughter throughout the venue. It became a night filled with pure fun and enjoyment for all.

The reception ended with an energetic and lively after-party in the basement, which continued merrily until well past 2 a.m. The spirited celebration kept the atmosphere vibrant as everyone danced, laughed, and enjoyed themselves, creating a memorable night that lasted well into the early morning hours.

Samantha and Patrick’s wedding was a captivating dream turned reality, beautifully captured in an exquisite video by the talented videographer Toby from Handcraft Pictures. With his artistic expertise, Toby immortalized the joyous occasion, crafting timeless memories that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of the newlyweds. Each frame of the video showcased the couple’s radiant smiles, reflecting their overflowing happiness and deep love on their unforgettable day.

“We really tried to surround ourselves with great people, people who we love and who love us. My brother was our officiant, one of my dear friends flew out from LA to do my hair and makeup, and we had a great turnout of our closest friends and family who flew in from all over the world. I would say that this was the wedding of my dreams, but I honestly don’t think I could have ever dreamt up a wedding this incredible.”

Advice from the couple:

• Our advice for anyone planning a wedding, big or small, is to trust your vendors and not give too many notes or get too caught up in the details. We chose everyone who worked on our wedding very carefully, and as a result, we were able to hand over the reins and let them each lend their amazing talents to bring our overall vision to life. It allowed us to be present and enjoy the planning process as well as the day itself. It’s so important to slow down during your wedding day and observe. I think the most magical part for us aside from getting to celebrate finding one another, was being able to watch our loved ones meet each other, laugh together, and enjoy each others company.