A Blissful Valentine's Day in Paris!

Bliss Travels...to Paris for Valentine's Day. What's up in the city of romance, on the most romantic day of the year! Well, lots! Two of our clients were interviewed by French television and featured on TV, as they enjoyed the things we gave them (a bottle of Champagne, some treats, and a lock for the Pont des Arts). All of our clients enjoyed privately arranged, top, tasting menus special to Valentine's Day. Meals of a lifetime! And, love was everywhere!This wall is an example of living art in Paris. It says I love you in 250 languages!as are the shops...and the Parisian fountains...(even the empty ones)and the shop windows...And, bien sur, the weddings themselves! Don't forget those!  You can always elope to Paris!Finally, to pay homage to the romantic tradition that resulted in Bliss Travels clients ending up on French television, here's one of Anthony Bianciella's amazing photographs of the very bridge on which it occurred!We hope you can capture a moment with us to travel to France this spring or summer!

What to Plan, Pack, Wear for Valentine's Wedding in Paris!

VALENTINE’S DAYThe most romantic day of the year. Propose? Marry? Just escape from it all? Meet the person of your dreams? We’re doing our version of Romantic Bliss over Valentine’s weekend in Paris….What could be better than a romantic hotel, breakfast in bed, private chocolate and wine pairing from a world class chocolate maker, a star studded (Michelin, that is) dining experience customized to the occasion, a saunter through the best that Paris has to offer….And then the moment….What would your moment be?HOW TO PICK A DRESS FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING.Pick something simple and elegant, or over the top stylish. Pick something you can pack easily so that your trip is effortless. Bring two pairs of shoes. One for the ceremony and dinner, and the other to walk around Paris, so you can get those cool photographs without also getting blisters! Think about what you’d like to wear to your dinner. Elegant, easy to travel with, sophisticated are the Paris buzzwords.We arranged for a bridal shoot for Nicole Miller Philadelphia in Paris two years ag0, and her dresses work very well. Contact us if you’d like an introduction to Nicole Miller Philadelphia!HOW TO PACK FOR A VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND IN PARIS:Paris is usually not to cold. Typical weather in February should be about 40 degrees. This past Christmas was unseasonably warm. 50 plus! So, maybe this February will be as well! Whatever the weather, bring a coat, stylish scarf, boots, thin thermal socks (great for keeping feet comfy with all the walking. Pack a pocket umbrella too. I suggest great skirts and knit dresses (everyone was wearing them this season).  And, most importantly, pack a small carryall bag to bring home your special purchases! You don't want to run out of room!WANT TO BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS?Of course they can come! And we can entertain them. They will sightsee and wine and dine while you and your fiancé decide upon your final plans. They will attend your ceremony, whatever meals you like, and celebrate all over Paris with you…If you like. We arrange for a special itinerary for your loved ones so that they have as memorable a time as you. Think of these images while you decide whether you want to experience true Bliss!

3 Myths & Some Advice on Weddings and Elopements in Paris!

So, you want to have your wedding in a place imbued with timeless romance....What could be more romantic than Paris (or Provence)? If you can think of something, let me know!

Myth 1: Destination Weddings are more expensive than weddings at home:

The average cost for a wedding in the United States is $26,542.00. This doesn't include the honeymoon. The average honeymoon price is between $5,200-$10,000 for international travelers (depending upon whether you choose a luxury or standard honeymoon).Destination weddings offer you the opportunity to combine wedding and honeymoon in ways that are very cost effective....And allow you to make your special day a truly unique and memorable experience. Elopements to Paris range from $10,000 to $20,000 and include the ceremony, reception, hotel, meals and "a honeymoon".And, where else can you get a background filled with jaw dropping beauty and world class sites? Champagne on top of the Eiffel Tower? Check! Romantic photos by the Seine river? Check! French pastries and great wines? Check!But, it's not just about money! It's about the most important day of your life.

Myth 2: Destination Weddings are more complicated than weddings at home:And Destination weddings  present wonderful opportunities to make your wedding day about you and your love for each other. People often think that these events are impossible and difficult to plan because of the distance. Not so. At Bliss Travels, it's simple. We do everything for you (other than say "I do")! You talk with us (in English, in the US). We design your unique wedding weekend or week. And then we make it happen.  Think of this as your chance to escape the clutter of daily life, leaving the minutia behind, so you can focus on the most important thing: Your partner and your ceremony.Destination weddings are for couples who want to focus on each other and their commitment. These couples not only have a sense of adventure, they want to look back on their wedding day and remember each other, not the hoards of people, seating arrangements, and catering problems that typically dominate a wedding. Because you do not have these things to worry about when you go to Paris or Provence for your wedding, the day/weekend/week is much simpler! So, kick your feet up and enjoy your wedding!Myth 3: You must either celebrate at home (with family and friends) or abroad, and miss out on family and friends:Not so! You can eat your cake and have it too! Certainly, you may have a few people who wish to travel with you.But, even if that's not possible, it's still possible to share your special day with your loved ones. We work with several photography partners who create DVD slideshows of your ceremony and entire weekend/week as well as video of your ceremony. These are edited, set to music, and presented to you soon after your ceremony. Thus, when you get home we can arrange a champagne reception for your family and friends where your guests get to view your special event!So, if you're ready to be the envy of your friends, create a weekend that is truly unique, and thoroughly enjoy yourself, give Bliss Travels a call!Thanks to our great photography partners: Anthony Bianciella, Sarah Miller, and Bill Mathesius for allowing us to share their work!

5 Reasons to Spend Valentine's Day in Paris (as if you needed even one!)

5 Reasons to spend VALENTINE’S DAY in Paris....As If You Needed One!1. It's the most romantic day of the year. And the most romantic city in the world. Where else would you be?2. Propose? Marry? Just escape from it all? Meet the person of your dreams? We’re doing our version of Romantic Bliss over Valentine’s weekend in Paris….You do not want to miss out!3. What could be better than a romantic hotel, breakfast in bed, private chocolate and wine pairing from a world class chocolatiere, a star studded (Michelin, that is) dining experience customized to the occasion, a saunter through the best that Paris has to offer, and that includes: foie gras, truffles, red wine and more chocolate :)4. To say "I do" with the Eiffel Tower sparkling behind you....or even better, on top of the Eiffel Tower!

5. To find love in the City of Lights!(If you missed our Blog about the wedding photographer who found love on our photo shoot, check it out now. True story!)Think of these images while you decide whether you want to experience true Bliss! Ask about our exclusive WEDDING IN PARIS and our Valentine's Getaways. Not on the website. Limited sale.Call us when you're ready.....wendy@blisstravels.com. 609 462 6213.

How to Fall in Love in Paris: A True Story

Paris is the city of Love and Romance. Mais Oui! And never more so than over Christmas and Valentine's Day. This is a true story about finding love in Paris. One I like telling as I begin to plan for all the holidays.About this time, two years ago,  Bliss Travels, was leading a group through France for a photo shoot of wedding gowns for Nicole Miller Philadelphia, when the first of three paralyzing snow storms hit the East Coast of the US.  The photographer and I arrived in Provence for our destination wedding photo shoot, only to find that the model and all of the clothing were snowed in at home.Our intrepid photographer and I were sitting in a tiny village restaurant having a Christmas lunch with the town (yes, pretty much the entire town)trying to decide how to photograph a destination wedding without a bride or bridal clothing when our waiter appeared-handsome, blue eyed and very photogenic. As we munched on pâté and warm toast, followed by a red wine soaked Provencal daube (for her) and a duck confit (for me) and the traditional 13 desserts (okay, it wasn't a hardship!) we hatched a plan with the town councilwoman whose hospitality we were enjoying.

When we told her we'd like to hijack the waiter as our model and she saw the look in our eyes, she knew we were serious. She jumped up from the table and ran out of the restaurant to find the keys to the ancient hilltop church before anyone changed their minds. She needn't have worried. Once we told Julien it was "pretend", our waiter graciously agreed to put on a suit and tie and come with us to the astounding church whose origins date back to the 5th century, and say "I do".

For the next 36 hours as we received frantic updates from our 'bride' saying she (and our wedding dresses) were in transit, Julien continued to show up for photo shoots with a bow tie and a grin.Finally, on our last night in this little village, we invited Julien to dinner and told him that our "bride" would be waiting when he arrived. Secretly, Sarah and I joked that Julien could not possibly believe we really had a model on the way. There had been so many canceled meetings.  As this became more and more comic, we plied Julien with pre dinner aperitifs and attempted to convince him -over his laughs and eye rolls -- that our "bride" did exist. At that moment, our "bride" , Mia Calona, sauntered in as if she was only "fashionably late" for a party.  Julien took one look at her, smiled and said "oui, oui" (without asking if it was pretend).

However, like any 'marriage of convenience', theirs was over before it it began.  Julien was off to see his family for the holidays and we left for Chateauneuf du Pape and Paris. We spent three more days of photography and then spent Christmas Day in Paris (which I highly recommend) together celebrating the success of our trip.The next morning, another paralyzing storm hit the East Coast, and Sarah found herself stuck in Charles de Gaulle airport for several hours, unable to leave France. So, she struck up a conversation with another delayed traveler (yes, part French) and, you guessed it, they hit it off. Within weeks, he had moved to Philadelphia. Within months they were engaged. And, now they are getting married! So, finding love in the City of Light and Love is always possible.  Just ask Sarah!