Paris Voice recommended web sites June 2001

The Web has done wonders for wedding planning. You can buy almost anything from favors and flowers to the airline reservations for the honeymoon. Many of the sites below have interactive tools to help you budget for the big day, log-on for advice, share your wedding photos online or elaborate a wedding toast. In fact, there are so many things you can plan at the click of a mouse, the only time you need venture away from the computer is to show up at the altar to say “I do.”

www.mariagestory.com
A local site developed by Mariages magazine, everything you need to tie the knot in style can be found here. Online you can view the latest wedding gown looks, and also obtain the names and addresses of boutiques, photographers, caterers, printers and reception halls. There are links to help you plan your honeymoon in terms of climate and price, as well as original ideas that depart from the traditional way of doing things. (“Instead of throwing rice, why not release butterflies?”) Particularly interesting for non-French brides, is a page explaining formalities, wedding contracts and customs in France.

www.boutiqueblanche.com /www.lafayettemariage.com
Both of these are the addresses of the two major department stores’ online bridal lists. Printemps’ Boutique Blanche also supplies a variety of tips and tricks, along with information on administrative procedures in France. They’ve even thought of a wedding anniversary reminder! Galeries Lafayette goes a step further with menus to help you locate a reception hall, hire a photographer, DJ, or caterers specialized in all types of cuisine. What’s too bad is that both sites are only featured in French.

www.theknot.com
This is a good site with lots of great tips on fashion and beauty. There are even separate pages for the groom, bridesmaids and moms, and advice on love and life and honeymoons. Consult “Weddings from A-Z” where you’ll find out everything you need to know about etiquette, packing, weekend weddings, the mariée’s emergency kit, hairstyles and headgear. The computer will tell you whether you’re spending too much. It will even suggest how and where you can cut back.

www.thebestman.com
A wedding site for guys. The “Big Day” section details how it all comes together. After all, this isn’t the time for guesswork. Whether you’re the best man or the groom, you’ll need to be informed and on your toes, and this site proposes its help with advice regarding duties from toasts, tuxes, and diamonds to dancing.

www.modernbride.com
This is the online version of the popular brides’ magazine which has articles (such as “How to Preserve Your Wedding Dress”), as well as links to many other related sites and services. An interactive calendar is featured along with a budget worksheet, ideas for honeymoons and about 25 categories of advice from legal procedures to makeup. You can get basic advice, along with a short primer on tuxedo terminology.




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			Cyber Sitings by Carol Mongo Wedding Daze The Web has done wonders for wedding planning. You can buy almost anything from favors and flowers to the airline reservations for the honeymoon. Many of the sites below have interactive tools to help you budget for the big day, log-on for advice, share your wedding photos online or elaborate a wedding toast. In fact, there are so many things you can plan at the click of a mouse, the only time you need venture away from the computer is to show up at the altar to say “I do.” www.mariagestory.com A local site developed by Mariages magazine, everything you need to tie the knot in style can be found here. Online you can view the latest wedding gown looks, and also obtain the names and addresses of boutiques, photographers, caterers, printers and reception halls. There are links to help you plan your honeymoon in terms of climate and price, as well as original ideas that depart from the traditional way of doing things. (“Instead of throwing rice, why not release butterflies?”) Particularly interesting for non-French brides, is a page explaining formalities, wedding contracts and customs in France. www.boutiqueblanche.com /www.lafayettemariage.com Both of these are the addresses of the two major department stores’ online bridal lists. Printemps’ Boutique Blanche also supplies a variety of tips and tricks, along with information on administrative procedures in France. They’ve even thought of a wedding anniversary reminder! Galeries Lafayette goes a step further with menus to help you locate a reception hall, hire a photographer, DJ, or caterers specialized in all types of cuisine. What’s too bad is that both sites are only featured in French. www.theknot.com This is a good site with lots of great tips on fashion and beauty. There are even separate pages for the groom, bridesmaids and moms, and advice on love and life and honeymoons. Consult “Weddings from A-Z” where you’ll find out everything you need to know about etiquette, packing, weekend weddings, the mariée’s emergency kit, hairstyles and headgear. The computer will tell you whether you’re spending too much. It will even suggest how and where you can cut back. www.thebestman.com A wedding site for guys. The “Big Day” section details how it all comes together. After all, this isn’t the time for guesswork. Whether you’re the best man or the groom, you’ll need to be informed and on your toes, and this site proposes its help with advice regarding duties from toasts, tuxes, and diamonds to dancing. www.modernbride.com This is the online version of the popular brides’ magazine which has articles (such as “How to Preserve Your Wedding Dress”), as well as links to many other related sites and services. An interactive calendar is featured along with a budget worksheet, ideas for honeymoons and about 25 categories of advice from legal procedures to makeup. You can get basic advice, along with a short primer on tuxedo terminology.