If you've been following FWS on Instagram or see last Wednesday's post you will have seen that on 7th October I hosted the first live FWS event, the Coupes and Canapes Soirée in Paris. (If you missed anything you can following the Instagram hashtag #FWSsoiree to see all the behind the scenes images).

It might have been the first FWS event, but it was a huge team effort to make this happen, so today I am devoting the blog to introducing you to the wonderful team behind the soirée.

There will be a full blog post coming up shortly with all of the official photos, but let's not wait any longer before introducing you to my Dream Team.

Billy Folchetti - Luxe Paris Events
Florist and Event Planner

Whether clients are looking for an intimate chapelle for two or a guilded ballroom for 200 Luxe Paris offers a "sur-measure" approach to event planning, styling and floral design.

For the soirée Billy was my right hand man. Our adventure started via Skype as I reeled off my ideas for the first ever live FWS event, and he understood my vision from the start. Billy is super sweet and SUPER talented, and he was just what I needed to "think outside the vase" as he puts it, to create help me create a unique event. Thank you also for Billy for ordering me to go and get ready and leaving everything in his capable hands.

Billy throws the "wedding handbook" out the window, proudly offering a personalized and stylized modern approach to event planning and design tailored specifically to each individual client. While based in the world's most romantic city (Paris), Luxe Paris crosses the globe offering services wherever clients may desire.

Habitat Parisien
Venue

www.habitatparisien.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HabitatParisien
Instagram: habitatparisien

For the first live event in Paris we need to have a utterly FABULOUS venue, and we certainly achieved that with the help of Habitat Parisien.

Whether you are looking to rent an apartment in Paris, for short or long term rentals, Habitat Parisien has a wide variety of accommodation for you. In fact they encourage your to " Make yourself at home in one of our apartments in Paris."

The event was held at the wonderful Loft Popincourt, an outstanding fully equipped property with a strategic location. This atypical Parisian loft of 190m² located in central Paris, (11th district) within three floors, four double bedrooms, 1, office, 1 laundry space, two bathrooms and two toilets accommodates up to 10 people comfortably. Perfect luxury accommodation in Paris for a family stay, or a trip with friends.

Claire Morris
Photography

Such a grand occasion as meeting members of the FWS family face to face and hosting the first live FWS event, meant that it needed to be captured. Having featured many real weddings, styled shoots and photo sessions by Claire Morris, I knew that her style would be perfect for capturing the event. There is a full post coming on the blog tomorrow, but the lovely Claire made me feel that comfortable that I even had some new profile shots taken!

a British photographer living in Paris - inspired every day by the most romantic city in the world. Claire: "Claire is I put my heart and soul into every photo-shoot, to bring out the heart and soul of you. When I see you through my lens I'm looking for the most beautiful image I can see... I'm a perfectionist striving to create images I can be proud of and ones YOU can't stop looking at .

My gift is to make you feel comfortable to be able to open up in front of the camera, so that I can effortlessly capture the essence of who you are.

With a high fashion style; my photo-shoots are fun, exciting, energetic and full of laughter, romance and fabulousness. Your experience is just as important as the images. I photograph a few intimate weddings, elopements and empowerment shoots per year. "

Gione da Silva
Videography

When I decided to put together the event I knew that I wanted it to be filmed, and who better to captured that than FWS Directory member Gione da Silva. It was great fun working with Gione in the run up to the event on what he was going to capture and some fun ideas along the way.

Gione is a Brazilian filmmaker based in the UK! He is passionate about life and people! People are the motivation and inspiration to his work. Gione: " I believe we are here to connect with people and together make the world a better place! This is the reason all my films and in fact everything that I do, is focused around people. I really enjoy establishing new connections, making new friends and whenever possible, help people achieve their goals.

I love everything related to arts and throughout my life I have been involved with music, photography, painting, acting and filmmaking. I now think I have found my safe haven: Filmmaking and storytelling! "

Gione creates cinematic and story led wedding films that focus on people, their story and the beauty around them! His approach is to be present but also to let things happen. He doesn't influence things, he lets story guide him!

Justin Kent - Picnics in Paris
Catering

When the themed of Coupes and Canapes was locked in, I knew that Justin aka Chef Kent from Picnics in Paris had to be the person to create our gourmet canapes. More of the canapes coming up in the report, but let's just say the Salmon tartar on crostini with avocado puree and kewpie canapes were to die for!

Justin of Picnics in Paris offers catering services using seasonal ingredients for multi course meals and picnics. Having worked at restaurants including the 3 Michelin starred L'Arpege as well as favorites like Verjus, Justin will create a unique dinning experience for you. All ingredients are sourced from small producers in France and great care is taken to showcase unique dishes.

Helen & Greg - The Little Soul Club
Live Entertainment

For me when planning an event, all of the senses should be catered for. So when it came to organising an event that oozed old style Hollywood glam, a networking soirée in the heart of Paris, I know that I wanted live music.

I had such fun working with Helen & Greg on the playlist for the event, which featured Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Melody Gardot to name a few. You will have to keep your eyes peeled for the film by Gione de Silva where you can hear some of the wonderful music for the Little Soul Club.

The Little Soul Club duo based in Nice, South East France. The perform an acoustic mix of soul, jazz, blues and pop music Their specialty is performing much loved songs, by artists such as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse (Etc), with their own unique style.

They are often asked to perform during the ceremony - as the bride walks down the aisle, creating a very special moment and also during the cocktail hour and/or during the dinner.

Victoria Farr
Make up and Hair Artist

I knew when I set out to do this event that it would be the first time that I have met many of the wonderful French wedding vendors face to face. So I need to bring my A game glam squad to make me feel just fabulous, and there is no-one that I would trust more than the lovely Victoria Farr.

Image by Ally Byrom

Victoria was my calming influence as she did my hair and make up for the soirée. It was so much more than just a service, as her wonderful calming nature was required as I got nervous and sure that no-one was going to turn up.

Victoria is a born again make up artist and beauty addict, lover of all things glamorous and delicious! Victoria: " I am the luckiest girl in the world to be able to wake up each day in my dream career (and what a fantastic step forwards from Financial Planning) to new and different adventures with some wonderful people.

I provide professional make up and hair services to clients across the globe, having experience of working on location has its own set of challenges but I'm an experienced hand so you can feel relaxed and confident with me working with you on your client's dream day. Providing a first class service to all of my clients from big spectacular extravaganzas, small intimate elopements and absolutely everything in between! I am a discreet calm presence amidst the preparations mayhem and there to prepare my clients to face the most wonderful day of their lives, feeling fabulous, confident and ready to take on the world. "

Emily Sell - Ever After Press
Branding & Stationery

A sexy and glamorous Parisian soirée demands a sexy and glam branding and stationery. So who better to turn to than the super lovely Emily at Ever After Press, who is based in Paris.

Emily is a graphic designer, wedding stationer, lover of beautiful things, romantic at heart and founder of Ever After Press. She works out of her little stationery studio in Paris, France, and can't think of a more inspiring place to be based as a wedding stationery designer, than in the city of love.

Emily: " I design beautiful, timeless and understated paper goods to reflect the individual style of my brides and their fiancés. Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, and your save the dates and invitation suite will be your guests first glimpse of your style as a couple. I work closely with my clients, either on a bespoke basis or within my tailored personalised range to craft a look and feel that perfectly reflects the unique style and personality of each couple. I love to translate ideas into print and create event stationery that guests will love on the day and will become a keepsake in years to come."

A word from Editor Monique

Thank you to each and everyone of my guests for taking the time out of their super busy schedules to come and celebrate all that is wonderful about weddings in France. Thank you also to Mr Trulove who worked so hard assisting with the organisation, set up, moving of furniture, greeting guests and generally being my amazing partner.

If you are reading this post, planning your wedding or event in France or around the world, please do use the above mentioned suppliers. They are truly fabulous and wonderful to work with.

Keep your eyes peeled for the official report of the event coming on the blog soon.

Monique xx