Zimeng & Bolun — an intimate springtime celebration in the French countryside on film
Zimeng and Bolun didn't want Paris. They wanted what's just beyond it — the quiet, the green, the feeling of stepping out of the city and into a story that moves at its own pace.
Château de Pontarmé sits in parkland north of the capital, old and elegant and completely still. No traffic, no tourists, no noise. Just stone walls covered in ivy, wide lawns that soften the light, and gardens where the air smells different. Lavie Wedding planned the day, and they understood the brief perfectly: keep it intimate, keep it warm, let the venue do the work.
Spring was still early. The sky shifted between clouds and light all afternoon — and honestly, that made everything more beautiful. Overcast skies give film a richness that sunshine never does: the colours deepen, the grain softens, the images feel older than they are. When the light broke through during the ceremony — vows exchanged under the cypress trees, the garden enclosed and private — those frames have a quality I couldn't have planned if I'd tried.
Zimeng got ready in the château's upstairs rooms, the windows tall and the light gentle. Her bouquet was wild white flowers — loose, organic, very French. Bolun waited downstairs, jacket on, composed, stealing a look at himself in the mirror when he thought no one was watching. I was watching. That's the frame.
After the ceremony, we walked through the grounds. The old stone, the pathways between hedges, the long shadows of late afternoon. No rush. Dinner followed in the candlelit halls — long tables, warm conversation, the kind of evening where nobody checks the time. And then a sparkler exit under the stars that felt like the perfect ending to a day that never once tried to be anything other than what it was.
I shot the whole day on Portra 400 — no digital backup, just film. Pontarmé in early spring, with its cool tones and moody sky, is one of those places where Portra becomes something extraordinary. The stone goes silver-warm, the greens glow, and skin tones have a softness that makes every portrait feel like it was found in a drawer decades from now.
Featured on Wedding Chicks. One of my most personal weddings in France.
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.
