Ruffled By Grace: Paris Wedding Blessings

21/06/2024

Come join us! Would you like to renew your vows this summer? I’d love to help you do it and support our local food pantry.

15/06/2024

Join us!

21/05/2024

Delighted to share with you a little summer project that I will be working on this year in Endicott, NY:

Along with Rev. Pat Raube and the good people of Union Presbyterian Church, I will be assisting in the creation of a community event this year on August 4, 2024, at 1:00 PM.

A Summer Love Story: Vow Renewal Event

This is a community-wide inclusive Vow Renewal Event to benefit the church’s Food Pantry.

Come renew your vows in the gorgeous sanctuary of Union Presbyterian Church at 200 E. Main Street, and capture a moment of summer love. Our goal is to fill the sanctuary with loving couples in all stages of love and life together, our church with joy, and our pantry shelves with much needed non-perishable food items.

A cookie and punch reception will follow the ceremony.

A photographer will be present to document the joyous occasion.

This event is open to all couples regardless of religious affiliation, race, or sexual orientation. The ceremony will follow Christian tradition; it is the perfect opportunity to renew your marriage vows in a church setting.

For now, sign ups can come through me: [email protected]

The cost of this event will be minimal, intended to cover expenses. I will update this information as it is verified.

** Please like and share this event - EVERYWHERE! Could we possibly fill the sanctuary with 100 couples this summer? Also, I am happy to share copy and photos with you if you would like to share this information.

23/03/2024

An absolutely stunning couple and the perfect vow renewal - complete with donuts for all their guests! What an honor to help these two say “I do” all over again.

Photographer
Officiant

27/02/2024

A fairytale engagement at a real life castle? Yes, please.

This was beyond amazing because I had the privilege of planning this engagement dream for a real life friend. That doesn’t happen very often, but oh my goodness, what a dream come true, FOR ME!

Photographer
HMUA
Flowers
Car service
Fairy Godmother Planning Magic

27/02/2024

Resources for my Presbyterian friends. Sacred Calls has a breadth and depth of resources for you - from new members classes to polity, and everything in between.

Happy Journal Launch Day, friends!

There's a journal for everyone! For Ruling Elders, a journal to foster creativity and spark joy. For Deacons, a journal to process and plan. And for YOU, dear moderator, a journal to stay on track, do all the things, and find space for rest.

It's pretty! It's helpful! It's a REALLY good price!

Go to the Officer Training page at sacredcalls.com, or to https://sacredcalls.com/collections/elder-training, or to the link in our bio. You can't miss it!

New email subscribers get 10% off. Go. Now. GO.

25/02/2024

The most adorable couple with the most perfect backdrop. It was such a joy to tell this love story. 💛

Officiant
Planner & Design
Photographer
Videographer
Stationary & signage
Catering
Rentals
Bar Rental
Mixologist
Musicians
Team .belle.aventure latelierbleuet

22/02/2024

A corner café and love. Sounds like the perfect day to me!

Photographer
Officiant

21/02/2024

Farm wedding for the win! ✨ Such a gorgeous day for a couple so full of love. It’s a privilege to do this work, and now to be able to offer a relaxed atmosphere for couples on their wedding day is incredible.

Would you choose a laid back farm wedding for your special day? What would it be like to pick the flowers for your bouquet? Or to have your ceremony under the willow trees? How about picking some fruit or vegetables for our chef to prepare for you?

Photographer
Chef
Rentals
Cake
Venue & Planning

09/01/2024

To the Earth: Grounded in Love

A Daytime Retreat in the French Countryside

Putting our hands into the dirt is a way to connect with nature, with ourselves, and with the divine.

This year Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day. On this sacred day when we say, “From the dust you have come and to the dust you shall return,” we are also reminded that we carry the divine light of love in this world.

Why not take a moment to enjoy connection - with the earth, with oneself, and with others this 14th of February?

The daytime retreat agenda:

- Warm beverages & pastries as you are welcomed to our farm
- Begin your day with a meditation of gentle movement, light and breath
- Have the opportunity to walk the grounds and even plant or prune
- Learn about the orchards and gardens on site
- Participate in a guided art project to take home with you
- A charcuterie board and your choice of wine, champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling beverages
- Sit by the fire to read, write or relax
- For those who wish, the imposition of ashes will be available during a candlelight meditation

I would love to see you in the countryside!

02/10/2023

A glorious sunrise over Paris and the perfect wedding, party of 2.

Behind the camera 📸
Officiant

This is love. This is Paris. This is life.

03/03/2023

Love this sweet couple so much.

03/03/2023

These two - so much love. And nothing like planning a surprise vow renewal for the love of your life. I loved being part of this and helping R pull off this surprise for K.

Thank you for trusting me with your love story and this moment.

Photographer
Florist
Champagne
Officiant

27/02/2023

You know that I adore every type of ceremony and the myriad of diverse couples who choose to work with me. For those who select the Sacrament of Communion, it is also true that one of my greatest pastoral privileges is the ability to stand at the Table on your wedding day. I get to speak of love, of feasting, of welcome, and of grace.

So many of my couples think that they have to compromise on their Christian faith traditions and rituals when choosing a destination wedding. I am always so delighted that I can tell them that as a traditionally trained and ordained Presbyterian pastor that I have the ability to serve communion on their wedding day.

This gorgeous couple chose to celebrate the Eucharist as a part of their ceremony with their friends and family at the . It was an exceptionally beautiful moment in a gorgeous and perfect venue.

Photo by the talented

05/02/2023

When clients are no longer clients, but friends.

A gorgeous elopement with an incredibly talented team. Come back to Paris C & M; I miss you.

Photographer:
HUMA
Event Planner
Officiant
Couple &

30/01/2023

Laughter and a few tears… This is how you say, “I do” in Paris.

Planner
Photographer
Flowers
Officiant

24/01/2023

The most perfect of days for two amazing humans (and I am lucky enough to call them friends).

Thank you for allowing me into your lives and for the gift of telling your love story. Spending time with you in my city was absolutely THE BEST. I love you two.

My heartfelt thanks to Paige • Paris Photographer] who photographed this as a part of our Pride giveaway. Your talent and generosity do not go unnoticed. Thank you times a million.

Florist
Officiant
Photographer Paige • Paris Photographer]

20/01/2023

It was a glorious fall day, and R & S tied the knot!

Also, when I showed up wearing a leather jacket and sneakers and their little girls were dressed the same, I knew these were my people.

Side note: it’s a LOT of pressure to officiate for wedding professionals!!! But we had a ton of fun and managed to laugh all along the Seine. We also changed orientation mid-ceremony because the boat turned around.

Photographer
Florist
Officiant

09/10/2022

My heart was filled to the brim seeing these two together. It was an honor to be a part of such a sacred moment. Congratulations (and a very happy birthday to the groom!).

Event by
📸
Driver
Flowers
Officiant

05/10/2022

What can I say about these beautiful humans? There just aren’t enough words to express my joy. Congratulations to G & J!

Planner
Photos
Venue
Champagne
Wedding certificate

03/10/2021

Waiting for the moment…

This dear couple had to cancel and move their wedding date, change their plans, and the size of their wedding, but FINALLY they were able to get to Paris where they said their vows…

and the moment was perfect.

Planning
Photographer
HMUA
Officiant
Driver

25/09/2021

Brrrr! There’s an autumn chill in the air now at La Fauvelière, but don’t worry, we got our wood delivery! We are ready for cool autumn breezes and fires at night.

We aren’t hosting events this fall, but I promise you that next fall is going to be spectacular. 🍁

I’m sort of softly launching and quietly opening booking now for the 2022 season. Everything will be bespoke, prepared with love in this gorgeous rustic farm setting. Honestly, I can’t wait. I’m going to take on a limited number of weddings/events, so that we can welcome you well.

24/09/2021

I know I’ve been quiet here. I feel like our whole family needs to let out a big SIGH because, phew! Moving, new schools, new activities, new rhythms of life. It’s a lot ya’ll.

If you’re feeling like we are - breathe deeply… Your sighs are sacred and you’re certainly not alone.

I’m loving these cute little cyclamen that have popped up right near our front gates. They brighten my mornings and remind me of the Spirit’s presence.

Oh, P.S. If you’re dreaming of an intimate French countryside elopement, I’m ready. We are ready to welcome you to our farm for the perfect outdoor ceremony, garden dinner, and all the extra touches you need to make your day memorable, beautiful and complete. DM me if you’d like to chat about a rustic farm wedding. 🥂

14/06/2021

The West Orchard of La Fauvelière has cherries and a variety of plum trees. We’ve taken to walking to the West Orchard at sunset - for obvious reasons!

04/06/2021

La Fauvelière was built in 1850, but the trees and gardens were a labor of love, planted and cultivated by the previous owners over the past 40 years (yup, we’ve inherited some French grandparents with this property as well!).

We’re delighted to be learning the history of our new home, and hope we will honor the work that has been done, while continuing the legacy of Mme. & M. C.

Imagine morning coffee overlooking the pond, followed by a walk in the gardens to select flowers for a bouquet.

02/06/2021

Dear friends,

Not that long ago, I asked you to uphold our little family in prayer as we pursued a rather big dream. We had absolutely no idea what the outcome would be, but we began to search for a property in the French countryside that could become both a home and a sacred space.

We hoped for a place in which we could hold every kind of event we could dream – retreats, weddings, worship, space for artists, and meals around the table. We longed for a dwelling that could be one of welcome, filled with joy.

It seems an ironic kind of dream considering the ways in which the pandemic has changed our collective lives. Amid a bustling wedding season in 2019, I remember saying to my dear spouse that I was going to do everything in my power to enjoy this season of ministry. It was a strange reflection considering that I was having an incredible year, with nearly 100 weddings. I could never have predicted that I would watch my creative little ministry dwindle to nothing over the next year….

In my last update I promised you that Ruffled By Grace was not going away, but that it would grow and change with our lives. We have loved and benefitted from being in Paris these last nine years. It’s hard to believe our children have spent at least half their little lives in this tiny Parisian apartment.

It is now time to bid this little space in Paris, “Au revoir,” and step humbly into a new season and dream. In a way, we are returning to our roots and seeing a 20-year dream come to fruition. It makes our transition even more surreal: We bought a farm!

Enter La Fauvelière. This 19th century farmhouse stole our hearts from the very moment the gate opened, and we were greeted by the weeping willow trees. In addition to the gardens, orchards, greenhouse, and raised beds that make my gardener’s spirit giddy, there is much space for every kind of event that we can dream and for our little family to breathe (figuratively and quite literally the fresh country air!).

What’s next? Click on the link in my bio for the full update (coming soon!) and plenty of photos.

With joy and grace,
Michelle