Intimate wedding at Château de Varennes in Burgundy

Virginie and Charles got married at Château de Varennes, a lovely venue surrounded by Burgundy's vineyards.  the day was filled with a lot of laughter as these two are real jokers, I love weddings like that ! Intimate and relaxed couples. It's the best !

I fell in love with Virginie's wedding gown, a gorgeous Jenny Packham with hand sewn beads and beautiful lace. And can we talk about that engagement ring?! It was designed by the bride's mum who is a jeweler. 

The wedding day was followed by a brunch with good food, good music and friends around the pool. I told you, a perfect kind of wedding !

Day after brunch

Couple session in Seychelles Islands

This year I had the chance to escape to a little paradise named Seychelles islands while Paris was passing through a freezing winter. That's one of the perks of being a destination wedding photographer : being able to catch up with summer all year around ! 

I had the chance to stay at one of the most amazing hotels ever : Six Senses Zil Payson on Félicité Island. This unique resort has the whole island for itself! And offers an unique experience with their individual villas and private pool, spectacular views and amazing experiences such as moonlight outdoor cinema, private island snorkeling, yoga classes, spa, etc. In a nutshell, THE perfect honeymoon destination for you and your other half!

During my stay there, I had the chance to create some memories for Jenn and Thomas who were about to leave that Island to return to France, after two years living on that little paradise. 

Top 10 spots for Paris engagement photos

Sharing with you today the best spots for your Paris engagement photo session.

Are you looking at getting your engagement photos taken in the beautiful Pareeeeeee? Good choice !
It's best choice, Paris is the most beautiful and romantic background to ever get your engagement photos taken - I'm a little biased, I'm Parisian ! But I admit that I have travelled a lot and nothing really compares to Paris.
So I thought I'd list down for you the 10 best spots for your engagement or prewedding photos in Paris. Why the best ? Because I believe that photos especially the ones picturing your love for one another need to be timeless. And I always want to create those timeless keepsakes for my clients, so here are my 10 favorite spots to get your engagement photos :

1. Trocadero Esplanade :
This is a classic spots but so full of different angles that you could spend your whole photo session there. You'll get the best view over the Eiffel Tower and the gardens of Trocadero. It's beautiful in every seasons, but my favorites are Spring and Summer as the trees and grass are full of colors. I recommend getting there pretty early in the mornings to avoid the crowd of tourists.

2. Pont Bir Hakeim :
This is one of the unique bridges of Paris : passing over the river la Seine, it has this unique architecture where the Metro line is passing on top of it and you can walk under the arches. Made famous by many movies, for instance Inception.

3. La Seine river :
Another classical but oh-so beautiful spot is the Seine river. Crossing the whole city of Paris, you'll have many choices as to which river banks you'll prefer to get. My favorite spots are down the Pont Neuf, down the Pont Bir-Hakeim, and Pont Alexandre III.

4. Le Louvre :
Famous for its glass Pyramid, the Louvre is also surrounded with magnificent courtyard and arched alleys that will look beautiful on your engagement photos in Paris. Get there early to avoid the crowd or at dusk for its magical golden light

5. Jardin des Tuileries :
Located just behind the Louvre, you can use it as a combo with the Louvre museum in your engagement photo session in Paris. This garden is huge and offers multiple background for your pictures. My favorite seasons to shoot there are Spring for its colorful flowers and Autumn for its golden falling leaves.

See more of this session here

6. Jardin de Palais Royal:
Another option as combo with the Louvre is this garden located on the opposite site of the Jardin des Tuileries. It is usually less crowded and I love the arched architecture surrounding the garden. In the springtime you can catch the colorful flowered tress and some magnolia trees too. One of my favorites !

7. Pont Alexandre III:
One the most extravagant and decorated bridges of Paris. The deck arch bridge offers a spectacular view and spans the Seine river and connects the famous Champs-Élysées avenue with the Invalides and Eiffel Tower. 

8. Parisian Cafés:
How to have your engagement or prewedding photos in Paris without having a good croissant and café at one of the hundreds of Café/Brasserie in Paris? I love the ones that have a nice "terrasse" and beautiful writings on their walls. You'll find many in the Bir Hakeim area, Louvre area, and beautiful streets such as rue Montorgueil (1st and 2nr arr.), rue Mouffetard (5th arr.)

Also, here's the list of the 21 Best Coffee shops in Paris for you coffee lovers out there :)

9. Getting of the beaten tracks : Parc Saint-Cloud.
This is one of the most undervalued parks in Paris. To be fair, it's not totally in the city, but the metro will get you there! (Line 10 Pont de Saint-Cloud or line 9 Pont de Sèvres).
It is one of the most spacious, lush and beautiful parks you can get around the city. If you want that Versailles feeling without having to go amongst the crowds of Versailles, the Parc de Saint-Cloud is the best alternative spot for your French timeless and romantic engagement pictures in Paris. 

10. Getting comfy at home/hotel
Yes the city is gorgeous, and yes you'll have to get at least a few snaps in the city, but I do love a more cosy and intimate atmostphere too such as a "breakfast in bed" session. You can either choose to shoot in your hotel or Air bnb room, you don't need much, just lots of love, and croissants / baguettes of course ! :)

See more of this session here
 

Hope you found this useful, feel free to share with your other half to brainstorm some ideas! And if you need any more information about engagement sessions, hit me here :

Dreamy Lake Como Elopement

Getting married in Lake Como is probably one of the most romantic things to experience in one's life.

Lake como just like Paris, has something of a timeless romance, especially if you get the chance to marry in a gorgeous villa on the shores of Lake Como. I had the chance to capture Queralt and Giulio's love at Villa Teodolinda. Their love for one another was truly inspirational, they fell in love during a concert, he was playing in a rock band, she was a fan...and I got the honor to tell the rest of their story :)
Here are the images of their dreamy elopement on the shores of Lake Como.

Photography: Celine Chhuon | Styling & Planning: Scent of Orchid | Flowers: Il Giardino Del Sogni | Hair: Patricia Soper Makeup Artist | Makeup: Mel Kinsman Makeup Artist | Dress: Elizabeth Dye via Heart Aflutter Atelier | Headpiece & Veil: Sibo Designs | Lingerie & Robe: The Lace Atelier | Ring: Myrtille Beck | Groom Suit: Area 2 Rezzonico | Silk Ribbons & Ring Box: Orchidee De Soie | Stationery & Calligraphy: Oh Wonder Calligraphy | Wedding Cake: Sweet Cupcakes - The Cake Studio | Venue & Rentals: Villa Regina Toedolinda

French Chateau wedding in Burgundy | Château de Varennes

 

Château de Varennes in Burgundy region offers the quintessential French Chateau experience for a wedding.

It is the perfect venue for intimate destination weddings or elopements in France. 

Nestled amidst the finest vineyards of Beaune, the property has been owned by the same family for over 400 years now, passing this stunning heirloom from generation to generation. 

Photography Celine Chhuon Photography | Design Harmonia  | Florals Fleurs de Fée  | Stationery Save the Date | Dress Charlie Brear from Just a Perfect Day | Venue Château de Varennes | Furniture Hire La Bohème |  Cake Cakes in the City | Hair Clemence Makeup | Makeup Annette Makeup Artist | Accessories Art & Facts  | Silk Orchidée de Soie  | Lace Robe Mes Petites Dentelles | Lingerie top Elise Hameau  | Shoes Dessine-moi un Soulier