A French-Themed Destination Wedding in Paris

In 2008, Julie Savage and Eric Parekh developed a close online friendship after Julie, a Maryland-based wedding planner, introduced herself via social media to Eric, an investment banker living in Houston. Nine months later, Eric met Julie in Washington, D.C., for their first date -- a whirlwind weekend that included a stop in New York City. "It was worth the wait," says Eric.

The pair was married on October 7, 2012, in one of the most romantic cities in the world: Paris, France. The Parisian scene was "stolen straight from one of my sweetest dreams," says Julie.

The pink and gray suite by Little Bit Heart were inspired The Palace of Versailles and decorated with ornate architectural renderings.

Blush invites were finished with light gray wax seals.

Julie added sheer cap sleeves to her Vera Wang gown and wore a dramatic headpiece made by combining two fascinators.

White and blush roses made up the bride’s clutch, secured with a striped bow.

While each of the bridesmaids wore a different dress, all were champagne-colored and sparkly.

Eric, in Hugo Boss, and his friends prepped for the big day in a suite at Hotel de Crillon.

On the big day, everyone gathered at the Chapelle Expiatoire on the site where Marie Antoinette was first buried ("I'm a little obsessed with her," says Julie) to witness the intimate I do's. Violinists played as guests arrived at the chapel, erected in 1826.

The new Mr. and Mrs. pose at the chapel's entrance. A hometown affair was nixed because of professional pressure; as a wedding planner, Julie says, "I felt like I would be putting on a bridal show."

The Louvre, one of Paris' central landmarks, was a gorgeous backdrop to the couple's wedding portraits after the ceremony.

While the family had their portraits taken, a costumed butler poured drinking chocolate for guests.

Before the reception at the Hôtel de Crillon, guests piled into a double-decker bus stocked with Champagne. At the hotel, sequined chevron tablecloths and white hydrangea and rose centerpieces created a modern look.

Two Champagne cocktails and one nonalcoholic option were poured for guests at dinner.

Marie Antoinette’s famous quote aside, the couple cut into a tower of macarons covered with edible gold leaf.

The reception’s sweets all came from famed Parisian bakery Ladurée.

The couple enjoy their first moments as a married couple on the dance floor.

Ceremony location: Chapelle Expiatoire

Reception location and catering: Hôtel de Crillon

Event planning and design: Strawberry Milk Events

Flowers: Sol y Flor

Photography: KT Merry

Videography: MG Image

Stationery: Little Bit Heart

Calligraphy: Laura Condouris

Desserts: Ladurée

Music: Ivana Musique (ceremony); Jazz Around Midnight (reception)

Rentals: Options (antiques); La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

Bride's gown and veil: Vera Wang

Bride's shoes: Sergio Rossi

Hair: Sonja Stein

Makeup: Sanni Sorma

Groom's tuxedo: Hugo Boss

Transportation: Classic Rent (vintage taxi); L’Open Tour (double-decker bus)

Whether you decide to go big or small, seaside or mountainside, bohemian or black tie, find more wedding inspiration in our fall Real Weddings issue by downloading our app and buying the digital issue for only $.99.