Engagement Ring of the Week: Variations on a (French) Theme

Our Art Deco Engagement Ring of the week is inspired by the effortless elegance of just a handful of our favorite French countryside weddings (because, really, how does one pick a favorite from scores of favorites?). This romantic ring centering an Old European cut diamond in an octagonal mount with filigree shoulders fashioned in platinum embodies everything we love about French glamour.

Who would have thought there were so many variations on the theme of French Countryside Wedding? Fairytale French country castles, rustic Provencal vineyards, idyllic 15th-century farmhouses – each perfect in their own way. Below, the five elements to recreate your own quintessential French Countryside wedding – whether you’re in Provence or Providence!

While French countryside weddings have a casual, rustic grace, always present is a careful elegance, even in the simplest of affairs. Follow in the footsteps of these brides with covertures over hay bales or garlands in signature French fabrics like toile.

Even on a hillside in Alsace, French brides wear heels and look fabulous. A sprig of fresh wildflowers in a chignon or vintage Juliet cap veils top off these deceptively simple bridal looks.

And the flair for style doesn’t end at the bride – we love how these wedding guests have fun with their attire, incorporating the whimsy and loveliness of the surroundings into their semi-formal frocks.

A fantastically outfitted table is de rigueur for this nation of food lovers. Overflowing with farm fresh cheeses, crusty bread, and intense French wines, these tables are a thoughtful mix of rustic burlap runners, antique dinnerware and freshly cut wildflowers gathered in pitchers, jam jars or patina-ed antique vases.

And while French Countryside ceremonies are relaxed and down to earth, the receptions are every bit as fabulous as the fetes the French are famous for – complete with joyous dance, impassioned tête-à-tête in shadowy corners, and lots of hearty joie de vivre.

Would you have a destination wedding? What’s your dream locale? Tell us in the comments!

Photos sourced from: Style Me Pretty Snippet & Ink Once Wed 100 Layer Cake and Claire Eliza