paris wedding photographer
Weddings & Elopements in paris, France
Paris is so much more than just landmarks, it is full of history, culture and style. It is rich in romance and atmosphere, which is what makes it a firm favourite for weddings and elopements. Couples travel all over the world to marry in Paris, and the choice is extensive. From elegant hotels in the city to incredible estates just outside Paris, it’s a place where you can truly make your wedding your own.
I’m a France wedding photographer specialising in elopements and weddings in Paris and across the surrounding countryside. I photograph weddings in a relaxed and unobtrusive way, focusing on real moments as they happen, resulting in a gallery of natural, authentic and elegant photographs.
getting married in Paris for international couples
Paris is one of the most popular destinations in the world for international weddings, and for good reason! It’s easy to reach, endlessly beautiful, and offers an incredible range of ways to celebrate, whether you’re planning something intimate or more expansive.
For couples travelling from abroad, it’s important to know that legal weddings in France come with residency and paperwork requirements. Because of this, many international couples choose to complete the legal marriage at home and then celebrate in Paris.
This approach gives you complete freedom with timing, locations and venues. It allows your wedding day to feel relaxed and personal, rather than structured around administration. It also means you can celebrate anywhere you love – in the heart of the city, or just outside Paris in the countryside – and focus entirely on the experience of being here together.
Explore this page
1. Central Paris weddings and elopements
2. Wedding venues in Paris
3. The best wedding photo spots in Paris
4. Featured central Paris weddings
5. Countryside and chateau wedding venues near Paris
6. Chateau wedding venues in Paris
7. Featured countryside Paris weddings
8. Planning your Paris destination wedding
9. My photography approach
10. Frequently asked questions
central paris weddings and elopements
Central Paris offers a huge amount of flexibility when it comes to weddings and elopements. Couples celebrate here in many different ways, from intimate elopements outdoors using iconic locations to weddings hosted in central venues with family and friends.
Some choose a single venue where the day unfolds entirely, while others build their celebration around a few key locations. With venues, hotels, restaurants and photo locations close together, the day can move naturally without long transfers or complicated logistics.
This is why venue choice matters so much in central Paris. The space you choose sets the tone for the day and allows everything else – from timing to guest experience – to fall into place.
Wedding Venues in paris
Paris is home to a beautiful mix of wedding venues, each offering something slightly different depending on the kind of celebration you’re planning. In the heart of the city, venues tend to feel elegant, considered and full of character, with interiors and details that immediately set the tone for the day.
What I love most about central Paris venues is how complete they feel. The light, the architecture and the atmosphere are already there, which allows the day to unfold naturally without needing much added to it.
Here are a few central Paris wedding venues I particularly love as a Paris wedding photographer, and often recommend to couples planning their celebration in the city:
1. Ritz Paris
Timeless and iconic, offering classic salons, formal elegance and a setting that feels unmistakably Parisian.
2. Hôtel Marignan Champs-Élysées
Clean, modern and understated, with a contemporary feel that suits relaxed, stylish celebrations.
3. Shangri-La Paris
Light-filled and refined, with an atmosphere that feels calm, elegant and quietly romantic.
4. Hôtel Alfred Sommier
A former private mansion with warmth and character, ideal for weddings that feel welcoming and timeless.
5. Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Creative and intimate, set within a private garden and perfect for couples drawn to something a little more discreet and residential.
Featured Paris city hotel weddings and elopements
The ritz hotel, paris
An elegant and intimate wedding at the iconic Ritz Paris Hotel with Jessica and Garren
Where are the best places for wedding photos in Paris?
Paris offers endless possibilities for wedding photos, but the best locations are often about how you move through the city rather than ticking off landmarks. Some areas photograph beautifully because of their light and architecture, others because they allow moments to unfold naturally without feeling staged.
As a Paris wedding photographer, I usually guide couples towards areas that work well together, rather than sending them all over the city. Neighbourhoods along the Seine, historic bridges, quieter streets, and gardens all offer variety within a short distance, which keeps the experience relaxed and enjoyable.
Timing matters just as much as location. Early mornings and evenings tend to feel calmer and softer, both in light and atmosphere. This is often when Paris feels most natural – still full of life, but without the intensity of peak hours.
Rather than planning photos around the city, I plan them within your day. Whether that’s a short walk between locations or time set aside before joining your guests, the goal is always the same: photographs that feel natural, unforced, and true to how the day actually felt.
Here are a few of my absolute favourite locations in Paris:
The Louvre
Grand and architectural with the Louvre’s arches and courtyards, yet feels romantic and calm.
The Seine Riverbanks
Walk along the stone paths of the Seine River and enjoy incredible views of the Eiffel Tower.
Pont Alexandre III
Decorative and elegant, with wide views and a real sense of Parisian elegance.
Trocadero
Classic Paris – this iconic location boasts one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower.
Parisian Cafes
Relaxed and informal and full of Parisian charm, where you can soak up the city around you.
Place de la Concorde
Expansive and architectural, where the city feels wide and impressive rather than intimate.
Eiffel Tower Viewpoints
From obvious viewpoints to quieter streets where the tower appears naturally in the background.
The Streets of Paris
A mix of grand boulevards and quieter residential streets, full of detail and everyday Paris life.
Featured Paris elopements and WEDDING Photoshoots in the city
pont alexandre III, the louvre & the tuIleries
A romantic and elegant Parisian city elopement with Daphne and Bas
The louvre, trocadero & the eiffel tower
A romantic Paris wedding photoshoot in the city with Stephanie and Paul
countryside and chateau weddings near Paris
Just outside Paris, the pace shifts quickly. Within a couple of hours’ drive, the city gives way to open landscapes, historic estates and long, quiet drives through the countryside. It’s still very much a Paris wedding – just with more space, privacy and calm.
This is a popular choice for couples who want the best of both worlds. You can spend time in Paris with your guests, enjoy the restaurants, museums and energy of the city, then retreat to the countryside for a few days for your wedding itself. The contrast works beautifully, and the journey between the two feels like part of the experience rather than a complication.
Venues outside Paris tend to offer much more freedom. Large estates, grand chateaux and domaines allow the celebrations to unfold in one place, usually over a few days. There’s room to gather, celebrate and slow things down, while still being easily accessible for international guests travelling into Paris.
Chateau wedding venues in Paris
Just outside Paris you’ll find some truly special wedding venues – grand chateaux and estates with beautiful façades, open grounds and spaces that feel timeless. Many of these venues work as complete settings, with accommodation, ceremony and reception all in one place, allowing the day to unfold easily and naturally.
Here are some chateau and countryside venues close to Paris that I particularly love, each with its own character and atmosphere:
1. Château de Champlâtreux – A vast neoclassical château surrounded by open parkland, known for its pale stone exterior, symmetry and light-filled interiors.
2. Château de Villette – A large, symmetrical château inspired by 17th-century architecture, with formal gardens and a very polished, architectural look.
3. Château Bouffémont – A grand hilltop château with ornate interiors, chandeliers and terraces, offering a dramatic and luxurious backdrop for a statement celebration.
4. Château Barthélemy – A restored château hotel with a softer, more contemporary feel, combining classic architecture with modern interiors and a relaxed countryside atmosphere.
5. Domaine d’Aveny – A rural estate surrounded by fields and woodland, offering a natural, understated setting that feels open, peaceful and unfussy.
6. Château de Nainville-les-Roches – A refined 18th-century château set within landscaped gardens, offering a quieter, more contained setting that feels elegant rather than imposing.
7. Château de Saint-Martin-du-Tertre – A classic countryside château set above the surrounding landscape, with open views, traditional architecture and a calm, rural feel close to Paris.
featured chateau and countryside weddings near Paris
Chateau de Bouthonvilliers, paris
A stylish, relaxed chateau wedding in the countryside close to Paris with Romi and Nicholas
Manoir de vacheresses, paris
A romantic and intimate autumn wedding at an old manoir with Alicia and Nicolas
planning your paris destination wedding
Planning a destination wedding in Paris is as much about shaping the experience as it is choosing a venue. Giving yourselves time allows the process to feel considered rather than rushed, and helps everything come together more easily.
Many couples begin planning 12–18 months in advance, particularly if they’re hoping for a specific venue or season. Late spring and early autumn are especially popular, with softer light and comfortable temperatures. Working with experienced local suppliers can make a big difference, especially when planning from abroad, as they understand how weddings in Paris and the surrounding region tend to flow.
Clear communication with guests is also key. Paris is easy to reach, and choosing accommodation and venues with good transport links helps everyone feel relaxed and well looked after from the moment they arrive.
My photography approach in paris and ile-de-france
I photograph weddings in Paris in a calm and considered way, stepping in when guidance is helpful and stepping back when moments are unfolding naturally.
I’ll gently direct when it adds ease or confidence, especially during portraits.
I work with the rhythm of your wedding, whether that’s a city celebration or a countryside chateau, paying attention to light, movement and the in-between moments as much as the bigger ones. My aim is always for you to feel present and at ease, knowing your day is being captured honestly and thoughtfully.
The result is a collection of photographs that feel natural, elegant and timeless – images that reflect not just how your wedding looked, but how it felt to be there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Featured in
“Frances captured our wedding day with elegance and sophistication, documenting the most special moments flawlessly. She went above and beyond, and we continue to get compliments on our photos. We would choose Frances again in an instant.”
– Morgan & Cody, Chateau de Bouthonvilliers in Paris, France
Let’s connect
If you’re getting married or eloping in Paris and my natural wedding photography style and approach resonates with your vision, I’d love to hear from you to explore working together. I’m looking forward to connecting and learning more about your plans!
