M + A’s Destination Wedding in Paris, with Ceremony and Reception at The Peninsula Hotel | by Paris Makeup & Hair Artist Onorina Jomir
Photography: The Paris Photographer | Videography: Tuan Nguyen Films | Makeup & Hair Styling: Onorina Jomir Beauty | Venue: The Peninsula Hotel, Paris
Paris Destination Wedding at the Peninsula Hotel: A+M’s couple’s portraits in front of their wedding venue, The Peninsula Hotel, Paris.
Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Wanderlust couples are choosing destination weddings to Paris above all others.
A Paris DESTINATION WEDDING IS An elegant & extravagant way TO BRING TWO FAMILIES TOGETHER, especially when its at the Peninsula hotel.
As a bridal makeup and hair artist in Paris, France, I have the honor of beautifying countless brides from the US and Canada for their Paris destination weddings. In 2019, I had the pleasure of providing Michelle and her bridesmaids with beauty services for her Paris destination wedding at The Peninsula Paris Hotel.
Michelle (bride) and Andrei (groom) live in New York City, but have family all over the world. Andre is from Romania, and Michelle had family members from New York City and various parts of the US. They love to travel, and they loved to idea of celebrating their big day in the City of Love.
The Peninsula Hotel
MICHELLE AND ANDREi have enjoyed their stay at the peninsula locations on multiple occasions, so, naturally, they DECIDED IT WAS THE PERFECT HOTEL VENUE FOR THEIR DESTINATION WEDDING in Paris.
The Peninsula is located on the iconic Avenue Kleber, with gorgeous views of some of the most beautiful monuments of the city, such as Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.
Its close proximity to all the sites, coupled with onsite ceremony, reception space, and impeccable service and accommodations for guests, made it a simple decision for their Paris Hotel wedding venue. Their Wedding Package made planning a breeze, even when planning from overseas!
Paris Wedding Tip: Many Paris hotels offer elopement packages and offer discounts on weekdays. When it’s just the two of you, you can fly into Paris on a Monday, get married on Wednesday, and kick start your honeymoon by Friday!
A+M’s Paris Destination Wedding Decor: Pink roses and greenery adorn the wedding arch and large urns for Michelle and Andrei’s wedding ceremony space. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Wedding Preparations
Michelle enjoying champagne while getting ready for her Paris Destination Wedding at The Peninsula Hotel.
Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
MICHELLE FOUND MY SERVICES through her photographer, who recommended me for HER Destination wedding IN PARIs.
The Paris Photographer and I work together often for Paris photoshoots and Weddings, especially for couples that are English-speaking.
Once Michelle and I connected, I learned she lived in Manhattan. Later that year I was working New York Bridal Fashion Week, so we met in person and had drinks on a beautiful rooftop, after which she showed me her gorgeous wedding gown during a live press event.
When the bride and groom arrived in Paris, Michelle and I met again for her Look Design Appointment, and then she spent a day at the famous Biologique Recherche, where she got her skin in tip-top shape for her destination wedding at The Peninsula Hotel. This high-end spa features their own product line, and is located on the Champs Elysees. If you plan on experiencing their delightful facials for yourself, be sure to schedule an appointment ahead of time.
Bridal Beauty Tip: Need ideas figuring out your hair and makeup look for your big day? Check out my Bridal Hair Guide Here, and my Makeup Guide Here, or visit my Pinterest page!
Getting Ready
On the morning of the wedding day, my team and I set up our workspace quietly in the hotel room as the bridal party enjoyed coffee, mimosas and french pastries.
Once we set up, we began to get everyone ready, leaving lipstick applications to the very end so they everyone looked fresh in the photographs to follow. Suspiciously, the sister and other bridesmaids kept creeping out of the room—clearly they were up to SOMETHING!
When the bridal party was ready, the photographers snapped photos of the bridal party, while Michelle gave everyone their bridal party gift – matching Tiffany bracelets! The morning went by in a blink of an eye and soon it was time to get into their dresses (and suit for the gentleman!).
Paris Destination Wedding: Bridal Party portraits in their hotel room at The Peninsula Hotel. Michelle gave each of them matching Tiffany bracelets! Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer
The Bridal Look
MICHELLE’S HAS medium-toned strawberry blonde hair with subtle highlights. HER WEDDING DRESS WAS A MERMAID GOWN WITH a button back and a FULL lace SKIRT AND CATHEDRAL TRAIN. THE BODICE WAS COMPOSED OF LACE APPLIQUÉ and A SWEETHEART NECKLINE WITH lace cap SLEEVES. MICHELLE LOOKED modern, yet timELESS for her Paris destination wedding.
For Michelle’s bridal hairstyle, we designed a half-up bridal style to hold her long veil, while also looking totally effortless and natural. I parted her hair in the middle and styled it into large barrel curls. We finished the look with a sparkly hair vine and her gorgeous veil, which contrasted beautifully with the warm tones in her hair color.
For the bridal makeup, we brightened her complexion with soft diffused highlighting. For the eyes, I designed a tear-proof, elegant shimmering eye makeup in neutral warm shades, and finished the look with soft eye liner to add depth and emphasize her almond eyes. I applied blush in soft layers of peach to complement the warm tones in her eye look and her hair color. For lips, we chose a glossy finish—a pale, peachy-nude shade to complete her classic and timeless bridal look.
Love this look but want more drama? Check out my bride Dana’s Blonde Bombshell Bridal Look for her Paris Winter Elopement at the Shangri-La Hotel, or see Mallory’s Dark Hair Romantic Half-Up Bridal Look for her Chateau du Vivier Wedding in France.
Bridal Makeup Look for Peninsula Hotel Wedding in Paris: “My face-but-better,” natural bridal look with neutral-toned soft smokey eye paired with pale peachy nude lip gloss. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Bridal Hairstyle for the Peninsula Hotel Wedding in Paris: Large glossy barrel-curls, swept back and finished with a sparkly hair vine. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Their First Look
Once Michelle revealed her bridal look to her bridal party, it was time for the couple’s first look.
Andrei waited for Michelle at the bottom of the main staircase, and Michelle walked down excitedly to meet him. Andrei was speechless as they kissed and embraced each other. This beautiful moment was captured discreetly by Fran of The Paris Photographer.
Paris Destination Wedding at The Peninsula Hotel: The first look between Andrei and Michelle on the beautiful marble, black and gold staircase, just outside their ceremony space. Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer
The Wedding Ceremony
AFTER THE BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN MADE THEIR WAY TO THE CEREMONY SPOT, MICHELLE ENTERED WITH HER PARENTS, WHO WALKED HER DOWN THE AISLE. THE COUPLE EXCHANGED HANDWRITTEN VOWS FOR THEIR SYMBOLIC WEDDING CEREMONY AND WERE PRONOUNCED HUSBAND AND WIFE.
Paris Destination Wedding at the Peninsula Hotel: Michelle and Andrei say "I-Do" for their Paris destination wedding, surrouded by family and friends. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer
The Couple’s Paris Portraits
WHILE GUESTS MADE THEIR WAY TO THE RECEPTION, ANDREi AND MICHELLE TOOK WEDDING PORTRAITS IN FRONT OF THE GRAND STAIRCASE, on the Eiffel tower viewing platform, and in front OF THE PENINSULA HOTEL.
Paris Destination Wedding at the Peninsula Hotel: Couple poses in front of the hotel, by the beautiful staircase outside the reception, and then on the secret terrace on the hotel property. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer
Wedding portraits continued onto the Peninsula Hotel’s vintage 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom—only 4 exist in the world.
Then they were carried away to the secret terrace on the hotel property: a stunning, private platform at the highest point of the building, with a breathtaking view of the capital’s iconic monuments, overlooking Parisian rooftops, the Sacré Cœur Basilica, and the Eiffel Tower.
Paris Destination Wedding at the Peninsula Hotel: The bridal party performed a surprise choreographed dance for the bride and groom. Everyone started cheering and soon joined in on the fun - a truly memorable experience for Michelle and Andrei! Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer
THE COUPLE ENDED THE NIGHT CELEBRATING ALONGSIDE THEIR loved ones. at one point during the festivities, the bridal party surprised everyone with a choreographed dance—something they had been planning for weeks, and the reason they kept sneaking out during bridal beauty preparations!
Paris Destination Wedding at the Peninsula Hotel: Rooftop newlywed portraits in front of Eiffel Tower on the Peninsula Hotel’s secret terrace. Photo Courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
A destination wedding in a Paris hotel, such as the Peninsula Hotel, is such a fun way to kickstart a marriage while giving your guests an experience that will last a lifetime! If you are planning a destination wedding, big or small in Paris, GET IN TOUCH with me for your bridal hair and makeup needs! My team and I offer services in English, French, and Romanian (if you work with me directly) and can travel anywhere in France for your wedding. We love working with brides, and we’ll be honored to be there for you on your special day!
Watch M + A’s Wedding Ceremony
Elegant Destination Wedding in Paris at the Peninsula Hotel
Destination Wedding at The Peninsula Hotel: Wedding video teaser for M + A’s intimate spring destination wedding in Paris. Video courtesy of Tuan Nguyen Films
FEATURED VENDORS
Makeup + Hair Styling - Onorina Jomir Beauty and team
Photography - The Paris Photographer
Videography - Tuan Nguyen Films
Venue - The Peninsula Hotel