Weddings and Destinations by VF: Research, Resources, & Realizing Dreams
One thing’s for sure, we love an event and all the details surrounding it— destination choices, specific venues, color schemes, floral arrangements, lighting ideas, menu preferences— every aspect. Here are a couple of highlights from the Cinq Femmes files!
Margaret & Christopher Russo
Paris, France — May, 2017
After three glorious weeks in the South of France in late spring, 2017, our family boarded a train in Avignon bound for Paris, The City of Lights. Little did we know when we wearily yet happily settled into that journey, we were also headed to an appointment with destiny. By that time, my husband Martin and I had visited The American Cathedral in Paris often, feeling comfortable as Episcopalians and developing connections along the way. As it would happen, that year Mother’s Day in France fell on the Sunday we were in the city, so with twin goddaughters Margaret and Caroline by our sides, we headed to Mass at « our » Cathedral.
As fate would have it, one visit to that gorgeous sacred space was enough for twin Margaret, affectionately known by our French friends as Petite Margaret, to start dreaming of a wedding there one day. Appropriately, after church that Sunday the four of us enjoyed an elegant lunch at the restaurant L’Avenue on the Avenue Montaigne, one block from the Cathedral on Paris’s Right Bank. Little did we know then that Petite M wasn’t just enjoying the champagne and plat du jour. Her thoughts—and hopes—- were toward her future.
Paris, France — April 22, 2023
Ah, April in Paris! This time, our Margaret’s April in Paris along with her fiancé Chris. The festivities began with a welcome/cocktail party Friday evening in an historic restaurant space near the Louvre. Midday Saturday, as a light rain fell (supposedly good luck on wedding day!) we made our way from the Hôtel George V down the avenue to The American Cathedral . With about 60 loved ones and friends from the US and France in attendance, Margaret and Christopher’s dream wedding became glorious reality. Back at the George V, toasts and luncheon tables awaited guests, along with a sumptuous meal, music and dancing, and a customized creation of a wedding cake.
Two years in the planning with a Paris site-visit included, all the details meshed to create a day of elegance, joy and much love. It doesn’t get any more fabulous than this! As the late French movie icon, Maurice Chevalier, sang, « Thank heaven for little girls! »
Peggy & Sheldon
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September, 1972
There are many time-honored traditions in the fall at Louisiana State University, as at most colleges in the States— football games, tailgating, and for many— social events surrounding Greek life in fraternities and sororities— lots of meet-and-greet opportunities, some memorable, others faded with the passage of time, but some that are truly monumental. That’s how I would describe the meeting of Peggy and Sheldon at a mixer their first semester at LSU. Excited to start their college adventure and cheer for the Tigers, they were totally taken by each other from their first meeting. As with many love stories, though, their path was not without twists and turns. The pair wound up dating other people, marrying other people, living in different states, and finally finding each other once again in Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge, August 16, 2025
Some things are simply meant to be, and some initial attractions blossom into unbreakable bonds. After both divorcing and moving in separate directions professionally and personally, Sheldon and Peggy’s lives finally came full circle. Thanks to a mutual friend who shared Peggy’s phone number with Sheldon, he was able to reach out and ask if she’d like to get together. Not only did Peggy say « yes, » she and Sheldon both said « yes » to a lot more than that. When they became engaged, loving and enthusiastic friends offered parties to celebrate, (« yours truly » even suggested another Paris wedding!) but ultimately Peggy and Sheldon chose an intimate gathering at home—- the place where their hearts truly resided.Take peek at their special day. Here’s to dreams coming true at any age!!
From Bourgogne to Bordeaux to Provence
We are grateful for information and access to places that make lasting impressions, all based on travels in our beloved France. Whether enjoying the hospitality of friends, organizing celebrations for loved ones, or exploring new venues, we approach each adventure with possible future events in mind.
Take a look at a few we’ve discovered so far! À bientôt !!
