Endless glamour at place vendôme: a parisian wedding at the ritz

timeless drop waist wedding gown

When the groom is French and the bride works for Louis Vuitton, the destination is clear—Paris. From the glamorous and historic hotel venue to the timeless designer fashion (even a bridal boudoir session), you won't want to miss a single detail from this fairytale French wedding. Thankfully, Megan Kay Photography was there to capture it all, so keep scrolling and enjoy...

father walking bride down the aisle in paris groom in white dinner jacket

wedding in paris courtyard

the vision: luxury and sophistication

the ritz paris

Set against the manicured backdrop of the Ritz garden, Hayley and Coco exchanged vows in a ceremony that felt both cinematic and deeply personal. After the garden ceremony, guests enjoyed a sunlit cocktail hour among the blooms by Anne Vitchen before being ushered into the Salon Marie-Louise—a gilded space steeped in art, history, and fashion lore. There, a live jazz trio set the tone for an evening of French cuisine, glowing candlelight, and heartfelt toasts. Every detail, from the floral palette to the rhythm of the music, reflected the couple’s effortless sophistication and deep love for tradition with a modern spirit.

the venue: the ritz at place vendôme

afterparty looks for black tie wedding

For Hayley, a Los Angeles native working in luxury fashion at Louis Vuitton, and Corentin (affectionately known as Coco), a Paris-born commercial real estate professional, there was only one place that felt worthy of their love story: Place Vendôme, the historic heart of Parisian fashion, elegance, and legacy. On July 19th, their dream became reality with a wedding at the legendary Ritz Paris, just steps from the square that had long lived in their imaginations.

trend alert: bridal boudoir session

bridal boudoir session

In addition to the traditional "getting ready" shots, brides are taking a moment on their wedding morning to sneak in a boudoir session. While you have a professional photographer and the cutest lingerie you own, why not? Whether it's just for you or a surprise anniversary gift for your partner, we love the idea!

drop waist wedding gown

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getting ready for wedding in paris

fluffy bridal robe

the fashion

classic wedding fashion

The bride wore a custom Watters gown, timeless and ethereal, while the groom stood proudly in a bespoke Louis Vuitton suit—a nod to their shared connection to craftsmanship, heritage, and the maison that brought their worlds together. "I tried on about 50 dresses from about 20 different designers in New York City, where I live, before heading home to Southern California and visiting The White Dress in Corona del Mar. That’s where I found the dress—the Watters Cordell gown. I instantly fell in love with its dropped waist and classic lines. It felt elegant and timeless, and I adored the ballgown A-line silhouette. I personalized it by modifying the neckline—I had my tailor add a custom flap, which gave it a unique touch. I also loved the delicate button detailing down the back—it felt like a beautiful blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication.

groom in white dinner jacket and black tie

minimalist wedding dress

bride in ballgown

the afterparty: an ode to americana

cowgirl bridal look

As night fell, the celebration shifted into something playfully unexpected: the afterparty, lovingly dubbed “COCO,” in honor of the groom. It was a vibrant tribute to Hayley’s Montana roots, with subtle Americana touches layered into a Parisian backdrop—a perfect collision of cultures that mirrored their transatlantic story. Think: late-night dancing, cowboy hats under chandeliers, and champagne in hand. More than just a wedding, it was Hayley and Corentin’s dream brought to life—a weekend at the center of fashion history, surrounded by the people they love most, in a city that’s always felt like theirs.

western bridal looks

We wanted our reception in Paris to reflect a personal story, especially my father's side of the family from Montana. My grandmother still lives on a 1,000-acre ranch with 30 horses, so we brought in a country music duo to perform live, line dance, and sing some of our favorite country songs—a nod to my roots. Corentin wore a bespoke Louis Vuitton tuxedo jacket paired with Wrangler dress pants and cowboy boots. I wore a Kemosabe cowboy hat I bought during my best friend’s bachelorette weekend and a custom corset look by the designer Tsarska Wedding, found on Etsy. It was the perfect balance of Parisian glamour and rustic Americana.

the menu

wedding reception photo ideas

Corentin and I carefully curated our menu from a seasonal selection presented by the Ritz’s head chef. For the starter, we selected foie gras—a dish we often serve when entertaining friends in Paris. For the main course, we chose a beautifully cooked piece of beef with pommes dauphinoise, enhanced by subtle American flavors—a perfect culinary fusion of our two cultures.

ballroom wedding reception

the cake

simple wedding cake with raspberries

Dessert was a rich chocolate mousse cake created by François Perret, the Ritz’s world-renowned pastry chef (named the world’s best restaurant pastry chef by Les Grandes Tables du Monde in 2019). It was absolutely divine.

the playlist

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Our ceremony music was deeply personal. The groom and our families walked down the aisle to "Je te Promets" by Johnny Hallyday, performed live by a female vocalist and a male guitarist. The song is special to us because when we first met, Johnny had just passed away, and the entire country of France was mourning. Since then, it’s become a song Corentin sings to me often. I walked down the aisle with my dad to an acoustic French version of "Can’t Help Falling in Love," sung by the same duo—it was incredibly emotional and meaningful. We included a candle-lighting ceremony to "The Kind of Love We Make" by Luke Combs and a ring-warming ceremony to "A Thousand Years." We closed the ceremony with "I’m a Believer" (from Shrek)—a joyful and lighthearted exit. During the cocktail hour, we had a live trio with vocals, guitar, and piano playing pop classics. Dinner in the Salon Marie Louise was regal, accompanied by a 4-piece jazz band and a female vocalist blending French gypsy jazz and NYC jazz.

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Our afterparty kicked off in the Vendôme Room with our DJ and a live saxophonist. My father and I danced to "Don’t Panic" by Coldplay, a nostalgic favorite from my childhood. Corentin and I had our first dance to "Poisson Rouge." After our outfit change, we transitioned into a full country party with line dancing and live country music—and ended the night with techno house. It was truly a journey through sound!

getting ready together photo ideas for wedding