Just bought my tickets to Paris and can't wait to go! I am getting married this year and was wondering if anyone could recommend shops that carry nice, interesting jewelry or other bridal accessories (veil, shoes, etc.). I already have my dress for the big day and think it would be very memorable to pick a necklace or hair combs, etc. from our trip. I don't want to spend a lot of money on these things (since I'll only wear them once). Any suggestions for stores that carry this type of item would be great. Also if there are any traditional French wedding customs or interesting things to buy and incorporate into the wedding to show our fascination with France, please let me know.

Out of curiousity, is everything related to weddings is as ridiculously overpriced in France as it is here?

I can't be of much help to you, but I thought I would mention that in just strolling around Paris we passed many bridal shops. I don't think you will have any trouble finding what you are looking for. Good luck.

I don't really know about that too much but there is this well-known French store called Tati that has some bridal specialty stores, so you might look in them. I haven't been in those, just the regular Tati but didn't like it at all. It's a real discount, odds and ends place, and I didn't see anything worth buying or of quality BUT it is famous and it will be cheap (I guess). I've seen it compared to Filene's Basement, but the one I was in wasn't that good. They also have a jewelry store called Tati Or -- used to be one on rue de Rennes but I don't know if it's still open.

They are very wellknown and opened a bridal store in NY, so they might have some decent bridal accessories. I realize it's kind of funny for me to mention this since I said I didn't like the store, but it is a Parisian institution. Here's their web page section with bridal store addresses:

http://www.tati.fr/adresses/ad_mariage.html

The Barbes one is up near Sacre Coeur, but the OPera or Gaite one might be more convenient for you.

Thank you both for your replies. The Tati website didn't grab me. Suki (and others) was there a particular neighborhood where you saw a lot of bridal shops. I'd like some jewelry and shoes. Something stylish (nothing too frilly or corny), doesn't have to exactly be a bridal shop. Thanks

There is a small designer bridal shop in the Place due Marche Ste. Catherine off Rue De Jarente. I am not sure about bridal accessories but the shop looks very nice. This is in the Marias area close to Place Des Vosges. The web site is www.suzanne-ermann.com.

Sally, I think we were strolling in both the Marais area and in the 6th. We walked a lot, and really every day I remember looking into windows of wedding gowns! Sorry I can't be of more help.

a couple of months ago, I posted a question regarding Prom dresses for a friend. It yielded a few responses that also included wedding dresses, so you could do a search and pull up that thread

Sally,
There is a beautiful shop in the 6th near rue Od'eon, sorry I don't have the exact address.Its called Harem, I belive there is more then one location.
The store is not a bridal store exacally, but had beautiful beeded jewelry & hand bags that you could definately wear again.
Also theres a chain called Agatha, (again not a bridal store), but lots of great jewelery, at good prices.There are many locations.
You should be able to find both listed in the Paris directory.
Many Congrats.
Fluffy

www.pagesjaunes.fr

This is the French on-line yellow pages. I just typed "marriage" and selected Paris, which brought up various sub-choices. Under Clothing/Accessories Retail, there are 110 stores listed. Not all appear to deal specifically with wedding items, but it's worth looking through.

If you plan to wear gloves, there are many shops listed for those, and they are no doubt beautifully made.

Even better - type "mariage" as the *name* of the business. You'll get listings of bridal shops!

I'd suggest that you start at the big department stores (Galeries Lafayette and Printemps) on the Blvd Hausman. You'll find loads of stuff (esp. jewelry and accessories) there that you won't find in No America, and if you don't speak French fluently, the department stores have personnel who can help you shop.

After (or instead of) that, the shops in St Germain des Pres are a good bet, especially in the neighborhood near the intersection of rue de Sevres and Blvd Raspail.

Thanks for all the tips! We'll be staying in the St. Germain des Pres area so this should be very convenient.

hi
i bought my dress from paris a couple of years ago. I am not sure I have my very extensive list of stores but I will tell you those that I remember.
all the big stores have a bridal section (printemps, bon marche, lafayette)

there is a street near the opera area called Amesterdam in which you can find a bunch of stores that carry only bridal items.

there also a big store called marriage (a bit lavish) at the end of rue. chausee d'antin in opera area. along that same street there are two more smaller stores that you will find on your right if you are coming from the opera square.

there is also street called boulevard Magenta that has many bridal stores, this street carries less expensive items(but as nice if you are patient enough to look carefully) than the other ones near the opera.
you can also check www.pronovia.com, it is famous brand name of bridal dresses, i am sure they also have accessories.

this is only to mention a few.

for more details and much more stores you can pick a copy of a french quarterly magazine called MARRIAGE, it specializes in everything that concerns the big day.

good luck and congratulations.