Hayley + Corentin by Megan Kay Photography

I envisioned an elevated fusion of modern Parisian elegance with romantic summer garden vibes.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We met in Paris nearly eight years ago while I was studying abroad. Corentin is a born-and-raised Parisian, and I’ve always been drawn to fashion — I now work at Louis Vuitton, overseeing events for our top clients across North and South America. Corentin works in commercial real estate. We’re currently based in New York City, which feels like the perfect halfway point between my Southern California roots and Corentin’s family in Paris.

We share a love for travel, culture, and discovering new food together. Hosting our wedding in Paris felt like the perfect way to bring both of our worlds together. The Ritz holds a very special place in our hearts — Corentin spent many cherished moments there growing up with his grandparents, and it’s also where we had some of our first dates.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

It all began with a striking blue denim jacket that caught her eye one fateful evening…

In November 2017, Syphax Café in Paris was buzzing with energy — a local favourite where Corentin often met his childhood friends, and a place my study-abroad group and I were exploring for a night out. As I moved through the lively crowd, I spotted a guy wearing an incredible blue jacket. It gave me the courage to strike up a conversation — I complimented his style, and a spark was lit.

What followed was an effortlessly flowing conversation filled with laughter, shared stories, and a mutual curiosity about each other’s cultures and lives. We quickly connected — from late-night strolls along the Seine to afternoons exploring tucked-away corners of Paris, every moment felt cinematic.

Seven years later, we’re still writing that love story — and returning to the city where it all began felt like the perfect way to celebrate our next chapter.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes, etc.).

I envisioned an elevated fusion of modern Parisian elegance with romantic summer garden vibes — refined, feminine, and timeless. The celebration started in the iconic Ritz Paris gardens, blooming in mid-July splendour, and transitioned into a candlelit dinner in the Salons Marie-Louise — a room steeped in history and Old World charm.

As the evening unfolded, we transformed the energy once more — the afterparty took place in the Vendôme Salon, where guests were surprised by an underground French techno vibe with an unexpected twist: a nod to my Montana roots, featuring country music and even some line dancing. It was a night of contrasts, perfectly mirroring our story.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The Ritz Paris is already a work of art — richly ornate and historically detailed — so I aimed to keep the styling minimal and intentional. For the ceremony in the garden, we used just a touch of floral to enhance the setting without overwhelming it.

The dinner tables were kept elegantly simple with calla lilies and scattered candles for a soft, romantic glow. We intentionally avoided over-styling, letting the grandeur of the space speak for itself.

The afterparty in the Vendôme Salon came alive with a light-up dance floor and moody, dimmed lighting — a perfect contrast to the softness of earlier moments. It created a sense of transformation throughout the night that kept guests engaged and enchanted.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Working with the Ritz’s event coordinator was a true dream — she was professional, calm, responsive, and understood my vision completely. I selected and booked all the vendors personally, and she managed the execution flawlessly, coordinating arrivals and making sure everything ran seamlessly on the day.

My advice to couples? Trust your gut, stay true to your vision, and if you’re planning a destination wedding, invest in a venue that understands your aesthetic and can truly deliver a high-level experience — the peace of mind is priceless.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our music was phenomenal — each moment had its own atmosphere thanks to a curated mix of live jazz, soulful vocals, and upbeat sets.

A huge shoutout goes to our incredible photography team, Megan Kay and Andrew Kelly, who captured every detail with heart and artistry. They truly saw the vision and preserved the emotion of the day with such grace.

Also, our calligrapher Katrina was a dream — not only did she hand-letter all of our invitations beautifully, but she also joined us at our welcome boat party on the Seine and created custom fans for our guests. She brought such a personal and luxurious touch to the weekend.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I tried on more than 50 dresses from 20 different designers across New York before visiting The White Dress in Corona del Mar, near my hometown in Southern California. That’s where I found the one — the Watters Cordell gown.

The dropped waist, the timeless A-line silhouette, and the elegance of the delicate button detailing down the back all struck the perfect balance between modern and classic. I personalised the dress by modifying the neckline, adding a custom flap that made it feel truly mine.

Corentin wore a Louis Vuitton tuxedo — a nod to my career — and for the dance party, he pairs an LV jacket with Wrangler pants and a Kemosabe cowboy hat, merging French elegance with rugged Americana.

Day 1

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

I wanted something chic, simple, and timeless. Working with Ring Concierge — conveniently located in our neighbourhood in NYC — made the process seamless. Their pieces are elegant and modern, and I loved being able to see everything in person and work closely with their team on creating something that felt just right.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Photography was non-negotiable — we wanted the magic of the weekend to be documented beautifully and authentically.

We also invested in our custom-designed wedding website and our printed materials. I worked closely with Sunset Printing to design every detail of our stationery suite, and Calligraphy Katrina elevated them with hand-addressed details. Of course, our venue — the Ritz — was the foundation for it all.

Day 2

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Dinner was unforgettable. Corentin and I curated the menu with the Ritz’s head chef — starting with foie gras (a favourite of ours when entertaining in Paris), followed by a beautifully prepared beef dish with pommes dauphinoise, elevated with subtle American influences.

Dessert was a decadent chocolate mousse cake crafted by François Perret, the Ritz’s award-winning pastry chef. It was elegant, deeply flavorful, and utterly indulgent.

We intentionally structured the dinner as a formal French-style three-hour service, accompanied by a jazz quartet playing a fusion of Parisian and New York classics. The ambience was magical. Though we hadn’t planned for dancing until later, guests couldn’t resist — the music was so infectious that people began dancing spontaneously during dinner, without even a dance floor in place. It was a moment of pure joy and connection we’ll never forget.