"Bonjour all the beautiful, adventurous, and ambitious ladies, our wonderful brides. And our respect to the intelligent handsome future grooms. Hope you have a good time reading. Let's begin!"
Article by — HELEN
living in Paris since 2011
weather in paris, october to April
rainy days
And it's tough.
The body can only handle so much when you're outside for four hours in temperatures below 30°F.
You might be thinking, "But I've seen your brides in short-sleeved dresses during winter elopements?"
Well, it’s not always warm. There are two things you should know:
1. Brides only take off their coats for a few minutes for photos. They’re wearing a warm coat behind the scenes, even if it looks like they’re in a light dress the whole time.
2. The weather can be mild, around 50°F, even in January. But what if it's not? What if it's 32°F all week? It’s better to be prepared for the worst.
So, here’s our guide on staying warm for elopements between mid-October and mid-April.
Here are 4 essentials you must have if your elopement is planned from October to April:
- Cashmere leggings
- A warm coat
- Hot hands pocket warmers
- White sneakers to change, and walk to the car
let's prepare together!
As you'll lose heat through your bare legs. You can shop on Amazon, Uniqlo, or Calzedonia. These are your wedding essentials. It's crucial that these leggings are thermal, not just regular white cotton ones. If you notice visible lines on your dress when wearing them, don’t worry—these can be edited out later.
What happens if you decide not to get them? If you skip the leggings and walk with bare legs under your wedding dress, you'll likely lose body heat much faster and feel considerably colder. This discomfort can affect your body language, making you appear more tense and struggling. It will also make walking and posing much more challenging. You will feel your muscles tense up as your bare legs get cold. The chill can make your skin feel numb, and you might have a hard time staying relaxed and moving comfortably.
2. Warm hand heaters, also known as hot hands.
Are essential for preventing hand numbness. These hand warmers are a major quality-of-life upgrade, providing much-needed warmth. How do they work? Inside each pack is a chemical that heats up once the pack is opened. It will warm itself for 2-3 hours, keeping you cozy. You can buy them online or at a sports store, typically in the climbing or alpinism section. Make sure they are air-activated!
Another great option is heat patches, often used for cramps or back pain. Many brands offer these, and they can be placed under your dress to keep you warm.
It should be your regular winter coat or parka made of duck wool or a similar warm material. This is essential even for October and April elopements.
You lose a lot of body heat through your arms and chest, so a long-sleeve warm coat will also protect you from the wind. Brides should wear this coat only while walking between locations, not for photos. It doesn't need to be high-tech, new, or white—just warm.
Any warm winter coat will do. It doesn’t have to match your dress. If your budget allows, a white or ivory parka is a nice touch, but it’s not necessary.
The assistant will hold it while you are taking photos.
White sneakers are essential for keeping your feet warm. While walking can help warm up most of your body, your feet often stay cold. To avoid numb toes, which can make posing and walking difficult, choose sneakers that provide warmth and comfort.
White sneakers, like Adidas Stan Smiths or Puma sneakers, are ideal. They have a good platform and are much warmer than heels, plus they’re usually priced around €30-50.
If your dress is long enough, the sneakers will remain hidden, ensuring you stay warm without compromising your look.
the RIGHT HAIRSTYLE