A Destination Wedding That Felt Like France at Its Most Personal
Not every dream wedding in France involves a grand Provence estate or a Parisian palace. Sometimes it's something quieter — a small château in the countryside near Paris, a handful of the people who matter most, and a day that feels genuinely yours rather than performed for anyone else.
Zimeng and Bolun live in Paris and wanted their wedding to feel like France at its most personal. They chose Château de Pontarmé, a charming estate just outside the city, and worked with the incredible team at Lavie Wedding to create something relaxed, warm, and unhurried. Under cypress trees in the château's gardens, with soft spring light filtering through, they exchanged their vows surrounded by close friends and family.
I photographed their entire day on film. There's a particular feeling to an intimate destination wedding in the French countryside that analog photography captures better than anything else — the gentle light, the warm palette of stone and greenery, the genuine moments between people who aren't performing for a camera.
Why Film Was the Right Choice for This Day
Film doesn't chase sharpness or perfection. It catches feeling.
The overcast spring day at Château de Pontarmé — the kind of moody, soft light that makes digital photographers nervous — was ideal for film. The wet stone, the muted greens of the gardens, the warm skin tones against cool French architecture, the unhurried pace of the day... all of it translates onto analog in a way that feels completely natural and timeless.
Zimeng and Bolun weren't rushed. They had time to be present, to enjoy their day, to let moments happen organically. That's what film requires, and it's also what creates the images couples treasure most — not the posed portraits, but the quiet in-between moments when they forgot the camera was there.
For International Couples Planning a Destination Wedding in France
France remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the world for couples planning a wedding abroad, and for good reason. The light is extraordinary, the food and wine are unmatched, the venues range from intimate countryside châteaux to grand estates in Provence, and there's a romantic atmosphere that simply exists in the air here.
But planning a destination wedding in France from the US, UK, Asia, or elsewhere comes with real questions:
How do you find vendors you can trust from thousands of miles away?
Who handles logistics, permits, and coordination?
How do you work with a photographer when you can't meet in person beforehand?
This is where experience matters.
I'm based in Barcelona and photograph destination weddings across France regularly — not occasionally, but as a core part of my work. I know the regions, the light at different times of year, which venues photograph beautifully and which look better in brochures than reality, and how to navigate the practical details that make a destination wedding day run smoothly.
From our first conversation through the wedding day itself, I handle the photography logistics completely. You don't need to worry about permits, travel arrangements, timeline coordination, or whether your photographer understands the venue. That's all taken care of.
Many couples combine their wedding with a few days exploring France — I'm always happy to share recommendations for where to stay, eat, and experience the country beyond the wedding itself. Local knowledge is part of the service.
The relaxed, intimate atmosphere of the day — from getting ready in the château's sunlit rooms to the outdoor ceremony under cypress trees to the candlelit reception in the estate's elegant halls — created exactly the kind of warmth and romance that film photography preserves so beautifully.
Every detail, from the wild white bouquets to the vintage car getaway to the sparkler exit under the stars, felt thoughtful without feeling staged. That's what happens when a couple prioritizes experience over spectacle.
Common Questions About Destination Weddings in France
How does booking a photographer in France from abroad actually work?
Entirely remotely, and it's simpler than you might think. We connect via email or video call to discuss your wedding plans, the venue, the feeling you're going for, and any specific requests. I send a detailed planning guide, coordinate with your planner or venue on timing and logistics, and stay in close contact as the day approaches. On the wedding day itself, you simply show up — I take care of everything else.
Do you travel across France for weddings?
Yes — I work throughout France regularly, from Paris and the surrounding countryside to Provence, the Loire Valley, the French Riviera, and beyond. Travel within France for your wedding is included in my packages.
What's included in a French destination wedding package?
Full-day coverage shot on film and digital, coordination with your venue and planner, a carefully edited gallery of high-resolution scans, and all the behind-the-scenes logistics (permits, timeline planning, travel coordination). You'll receive your images within 8-10 weeks of the wedding day.
We're also considering venues — can you help with recommendations?
Absolutely. I've photographed at venues across France and am happy to share insights on which spaces photograph beautifully, what to expect in terms of light and logistics, and honest thoughts based on how they work for wedding days. I can't replace your planner, but I can help you see venues through a photographer's eye.
Do you photograph engagements or pre-wedding sessions in France?
Yes — many couples combine their wedding with an engagement session the day before, or visit France months earlier for portraits. Paris, Provence, the French countryside, and coastal areas all make extraordinary settings for film photography.
Olya Kobruseva is a Fine Art Wedding photographer in Paris and France. She documents engagements and weddings in Europe on film format and published internationally.
