Adding chic to a shabby chic wedding

We all dream of our fairytale wedding and  in France that can include a magnificent Chateau such as Chateau de Challain or Chateau d’Esclimont.  But if your budget or circumstances don’t allow this, there are many ways to add some chic to a venue that is lovingly shabby around the edges to create a shabby chic wedding.

Today’s post was inspired by the Chanel Métiers aD’Art Pre-Fall 2012 Paris-Bombay show at the Grand Palais in Paris, where shabby met Chanel chic in a scene at home in any movie.  The Grand Palais was transformed into a Maharaja’s palace, set for high tea with long tables along the length of the room.  Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and the tables were filled with candelabra, flowers and the most delectable fruit.  The scene would not be complete without a silver toy train with the signature double-C’s, which actually had a camera on recording the show.  Full details of the Show and the Collection can be seen over on La ChanelPhile a fab blog for all things Chanel.

I loved this scene as soon as I saw it, not at least because Chanel fashion shows are known for their drama, but it is the Chanel chic juxtaposed against the bare Grand Palais walls that caught my eye.  The Grand Palais’ character has not been erased by layers or paint or polish, but left bare that provides a stunning architectural backdrop where the history is etched on to the walls.

And although nothing to do with the post, here is a picture of the venue as part of the fashion show.

So how do you achieve this look (minus the models) at your wedding?

If your wedding venue is inside, don’t try and coverup or hide the character that is in the building, but use its history as a backdrop to your chic wedding.  The decoration of the venue is as important as the tables, consider hanging chandeliers or lighting from the ceiling and decorate old beams with classic white fairylights.

Style Me Pretty

Butlers Courtyard

Elizabeth Anne Designs

Marquees are the perfect blank canvas to create your chic wedding.  The simply white with black trim chairs in the next wedding are very Chanel and coupled with the elegant chandeliers, candelabra and luxurious linens create a modern chic yet sophisticated setting.

Bridal Guide

Nature’s beauty is in it’s perfect imperfection and an outdoor wedding can provide the ideal opportunity to add a chic styled theme into a rustic landscape.  However depending on the destination of your wedding, clear top marquees create the illusion of the outside wedding, but with the protection from the elements.

Wedding by Color

If you are in a warm climate you can even consider creating your own open air room outside, with the use of a marquee frame and stylish draping.

Shabby Chic Room

Let me know if you are creating your wedding theme adding chic to shabby.