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Nestled in the heart of Southern France, Provence has earned its reputation as a premier European wedding destination, captivating the hearts of couples from around the world. With its picturesque landscapes, historic charm, and a touch of Mediterranean magic, Provence stands out as the perfect setting for a dream wedding.    

   Provence: The Timeless Beauty

It was our pleasure to organize Charpente Concept’s birthday party a few weeks ago.

Due to the pandemic, they weren’t able to celebrate their 30th anniversary, so we decided to create the 30 + 3 party.

In such a beautiful location as the Village Aigues-Vertes, and with perfect weather, we welcomed over 600 guests: friends, family, customers, as well as long-term partners…

A Swiss market theme was chosen, and guests were treated to performances by Sophie de Quay in addition to a delicious raclette and fine local wines.

Photos by Fabien Constanty

Weddings are unique events and, as we get older and gather more experience, we tend to compare one wedding to another and, at some point, we know what we like and what we don’t like during the celebration.

We are in the middle of summer and most of us have attended at least one wedding this season. After a long discussion with friends, I came up with the following 3 most annoying things that could happen at a wedding. So, if you have a wedding in the following weeks, you know what to do and what you don’t.

Long Speeches

I have seen (and listened to) them all! And I must say that if you have something to say for more than 10 minutes (which is already enough) no one will pay attention. No matter how emotional or funny your speech is, keep it short. Less is more.

Along with the long speech, there is the “improv speech”. If it was not planned that you had to talk, please don’t. Weddings are always on a tight schedule and couples feel the day goes by so fast. Hence, don’t be a time thief and avoid improvisation. Letters are a great way to express your feelings to the couple.

Attending Policy

Attendance policy revolves around two main points. The first will be the “uninvited +1”. Bringing someone who was not officially invited is very impolite. No matter how close you are to the newlyweds, always respect the couple’s guest list, and don’t assume you can bring someone along without prior approval. This puts unnecessary strain on seating arrangements, catering, and overall logistics.

The other critical situation is the “no kids policy”. Generally, this is a very personal decision (and a complicated one) for the couple. Regardless of whether you like it or not, if you decide to attend the wedding, you have to respect the rule. Questioning their request or trying to impose your child on them is highly rude.

Dress Code

Many people have dreamed about their wedding day for years and, excluding a few exceptions, I have never met a bride who likes to see other guests in white. Please never try to outshine the bride. It doesn’t matter if you are not wearing a dress or if it is patterned.

If the attire has not been specified on the invitation or website, please ask the wedding planner, the bridesmaids, the best men, etc. The last thing you want to do at a beach wedding is show up with a gown.

Sunny days are finally here and we are all looking for opportunities to be outside and enjoy the pleasant weather.

Whether you are planning a small gathering or a big party, we share 5 essential tips to host a stress-free and unforgettable summer BBQ.

Plan ahead

Born and raised in Argentina, I have seen amazing barbecues being organized in less than 10 minutes. Having said that, the key to any successful party lies in careful planning. 

Start by determining the date, time, and location of your event. Consider the number of guests you’ll invite and whether you have enough space to accommodate them comfortably. Always have a plan B in case of bad weather. 

Additionally, plan your menu, considering your guests’ dietary restrictions and preferences. Make a detailed shopping list and buy all the necessary ingredients and supplies ahead of time. For bigger groups or more comfort, you can hire a catering company to handle the food.

Smoke-Free: Prepare the Grill and Cooking Area

Although we love being outside and enjoying the warm weather, no one likes smoke smells in their clothes or hair. 

A clean and well-maintained grill is crucial for a successful BBQ party. Before the big day, clean your grill thoroughly to remove any residue from previous use. If you are using a catering company for your party, make sure their equipment is in good condition.

Check your gas or charcoal supply and ensure you have enough fuel to last throughout the event. Arrange your cooking area to facilitate smooth food preparation and grilling. Keep all the necessary tools, utensils, and cooking supplies within easy reach.

The emplacement should be carefully chosen: you want your guests to have access to the grill, but you don’t want smoke bothering them during preparation. If you have enough service staff to help, you may place the grill separate from the seating area.

Creating the ambience

Set the mood for your summer BBQ party by creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. To beat the summer heat, provide your guests with comfortable seating areas and ample shade.

Decorate the outdoor space with colorful tablecloths, fresh flowers, and fairy lights to add a festive touch. 

Music is necessary to complete the mood. The music can be set up with a sound system or a playlist of upbeat tunes. In addition, a DJ or live music can be hired to make it 100% unique.

Offer a Variety of Food and Drinks

A successful party is all about the food! Provide a diverse menu that caters to different tastes and dietary preferences. Although people expect meat at a BBQ party, vegetarian food is essential. 

Also, the type of meat proposed should vary from beef, fish, chicken, and pork. I would personally avoid serving pork when hosting a large party, only when you know your guests’ tastes very well.

As for the drinks, there are endless choices: beer, wine (Rosé please), and, of course, non-alcoholic drinks as well. Remember to have plenty of ice on hand to keep drinks cool throughout the party.

Engage Your Guests

If you are the host and the cook at the same time, make sure you spare some time to engage with your guests.

As men gather around the grill, you can include them in the cooking process. If you hire a Chef you can ask him/her questions about the process and techniques.

Another idea is to have a “Self Service Cocktail Bar”, where you provide all the ingredients for classic cocktails and your guests have to prepare them. This could be a fun activity if you include decoration elements and funky glasses.

Provide a designated area for kids to play or set up DIY s’mores stations to keep them busy. Hiring a nanny or an entertainment team for the kids could also be a clever alternative so adults can enjoy the party as well.

In the early days of the pandemic, Fabien Constanty found the right formula to keep him busy, his business running, and avoid all the TikTok dances.  From April 2020, L’Ingenieur en Saveur proposes seasonal cocktails sold in bottles.

@ingenieurensaveur

I have known Fabien for several years and I can say he is not a regular barman. He has the right balance between scientist, cook, and artist. I have seen him macerating fruits, creating infusions, and playing with endless flavors. 

Honoring his 15-year cocktail-making experience, he only works with renowned liquors and uses fresh local products to bring you the finest quality.

But it is not all about alcohol for L’Ingenieur en Saveur. He also proposes exquisite mocktails he calls “Elixirs”, homemade concentrated syrups made from fruits, plants, and spices.

Fabien recommends drinking it with sparkling or still water, ice or hot tea, or even as a dessert sauce. You can also make your own cocktails with the elixirs.

This creative mixologist reinvented the way we drink cocktails at home. However, I also like to see it as an experience you can share or offer someone else.

Want to order? You can contact the team by email or social media: Facebook & Instagram.

10% discount mentioning BRIGHTSIDE

Check out the Spring Menu HERE (available until June 2023)

In any job, there is always that task that we avoid doing because…well, we simply do not like it. The longer we wait, the harder it will get. So, once the date and the venue are confirmed, I always advise my clients to start working on the seating plan. No matter the type of event you are hosting, creating a table plan involves thinking,strategy and (why not?) fun.

The seating arrangements at an event are an integral part of the event’s success. It can be challenging to determine the most convenient way to seat your guests. However, with careful planning and organization, you can create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. Here are some tips to prepare your table seating for your event:

The seating chart

The first step is to create a seating chart. For instance, at a wedding you want to start by grouping guests based on their relationship to the bride and groom. Consider seating immediate family and close friends at tables closest to the head table, and grouping other guests based on their interests and personalities.

In the case of a corporate event, like a client’s presentation, you want to group the participants by sector, including a sales representative by table. For a fundraising or gala event, you will need to dig a bit deeper into the research as you may need to gather people strategically, depending on the aim of the event, their personal likes and dislikes, wishes and requirements, etc.

The table layout

Once you have your guest list and seating chart, determine the table layout for your reception. Make sure you take into account the number of guests and the size of the venue when planning a reception. 

There are a number of choices when it comes to tables, including round tables and long rectangular tables. For some specific types of events you may want to use U-shaped form tables.

The seat assignment

Along with creating the seating chart, assigning seats is a brainteaser. Seat assignment is when you place each guest at the table. Once again, you would like to do some research and try to find people with the same interests. 

To promote conversation, “the rule” is to intercalate men and women. Therefore, you will need to separate couples. In some cases, you may not be required to assign seats, but it could be fun and facilitate the purpose of the event.

The table settings

As part of the art of the table, place settings should match the table’s décor. For a more personalized touch, you could add a small gift to each place setting.

The table decoration

The elegant and cohesive look of your tables will definitely complement the theme of your event. Still, when choosing the elements of decoration bear in mind the invitee’s conversations. I would recommend avoiding high arrangements when you cannot see the person in front of you.

The lighting

Lighting can greatly impact your event’s atmosphere. Besides using the inbuilt lighting, you may want to incorporate some candles, string lights, or uplighting to add a warm glow to your reception.

Additionally, I would like to emphasize that you should be able to modify the light intensity during the event.

When eating dinner, for instance, it is best to see what you are eating, and when bidding at a live auction, you need to follow it through with a catalog as well. On the other hand, if there is a show it is better to dim the lighting to appreciate the performance.