The style and glamour of your wedding day doesn’t have to wait. Consider having a pre-wedding engagement photo session that is just as stylish, if not more! Book a destination setting such as Paris to be the romantic and timeless backdrop for your session. You’ll end up with a supreme portfolio that will make Anna Wintour turn her head in awe.
The Couple
I am excited to document Marian and George’s wedding in May 2024 in New York. When we met, they had not thought about where they wanted their engagement photos. However, they knew that they wanted it to be romantic with a focus on fashion and style. Cut-to, and we found ourselves in a delightful and most fashionable photo session in Paris. Their elegant attire was set against the Trocadéro overlooking the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Tuileries Garden. It was truly a most stylish Parisian engagement.
The Fashion
First Stylish Outfit at the Trocadéro
The bride-to-be wore a Zimmermann High Tide shirt dress for the first look. It features an all over antique globe print with patterns of the sea and an ancient world map with sailboats. The color palette features pastel colors of pinks, browns, and blues. The dress starts with a low cut V-neckline that plummets into a column of gold buttons. True to its theme, each gold button has a different nautical emblem such as a ship’s wheel or an anchor. Small gold beads adorn the shirt panels and run down along the buttons all the way down to the skirt end.
Then, there are airy small puff sleeves at the shoulders, that taper inwards and end just above the elbow. Moreover, there is a detachable matching belt. Finally, a trim reminiscent of seashells finishes the entire bottom of the mini A-line dress. Last, but not least, there are pockets! The dress is composed of a linen and silk blend fabric and truly embodies the whimsical style of Zimmermann.
Per their label: “Sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann founded their namesake label in 1991…Early in its evolution, Zimmerman took the bold step of fusing fashion with swimwear and presented it to the world….This iconic Australian Label stays true to its original vision: sophisticated femininity, clever color combinations and delicate original prints.”
She accessorized the outfit with a dainty gold bracelet and a classy watch with a pink dial from Rolex. She finished the stylish look with classic white stilettos with a triangular point in the middle. The shoes were evocative of white seashells or a conch, in line with the nautical dress theme.
Second Stylish Outfit at the Louvre & the Tuileries Garden
The bride-to-be wore a blue beaded lace dress by Montsand (formerly Lobbster) for the second look. Montsand is based in Vietnam and is characterized by the spirit of blending traditional tailoring with contemporary applications. The dress features a sheer top overlay around the collar bone area, that delves seamlessly into the beaded portion. Flowery lace-like beading runs throughout the dress. A nude lining ends mid thigh, but the rest of the dress continues to the calves, creating a layered effect. The material is polyester but the workmanship is sublime and exudes quality.
She finished the look with crystal clear Cinderella shoes with a diamond studded star in the center by Amina Muaddi. They feature a slingback, and the heels are thin on top and then flare out to a pyramid shaped bottom. She wore a gold tear drop necklace and a beautiful Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet with their signature clover shape.
Our Tips
George wore a smart beige suit that brought out the pastels in Marian’s first dress. The colors shown brightly in the morning sun. He wore a dark tuxedo to pair with her sophisticated lace dress, which elevated the second photo series. Their choices of designers and accessories made it a very stylish engagement photo session.
Pro tip: it’s always good to complement each other’s looks with colors from the same family. We also recommend a tuxedo for a more classic and timeless look that pairs with any dress.
There are many designers to choose from. You can never go wrong with the classics such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent. However, there are many new designers that can appeal to a more modern, quiet luxury look, such as: Reformation, Loewe, Jenny Packham, Saloni, Erdem, and Lanvin.
Pro tip: Browse the labels at a luxury department store to get an idea of your favorite designers. Touching and seeing the dresses in person helps you envision what you’ll feel like and look like on the day of the photo-shoot.
The Locations
For this stylish Paris engagement, we shot at classic Paris locations: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Ritz Carlton, and a French cafe. However, there are countless options in Paris from ornate bridges, to gardens, palaces, and bistros. I love shooting in Paris, and I know the classic and intimate spots that will be perfect for you. Paris has mild weather almost year round, which makes it perfect for wearing dresses in its bright spring season, or crisp fall season. However, there aren’t many places with air conditioning, so you should avoid Paris in the high heat of midsummer.
The couple’s first outfit paired well set against the Trocadéro’s beige steps with the magnificent Eiffel Tower in the background. It also looked stunning on the surrounding cobblestone streets and against the Louvre’s glass pyramid. The second outfit was also shot at the Louvre because the campus looks different from every angle. We also captured some amazing looks at the nearby Tuileries Garden on its famous green benches and along its perfectly trimmed trees. Then, we took some candid shots in front of the gold and iron gates of the Ritz Carlton hotel. Lastly, we finished with some frothy cappuccinos at a French cafe.
Pro tip: Be ready to set out for the photo shoot early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Not only will this feel more special and romantic, but it also lowers your anxiety, and reduces unwanted background clutter. Plus, morning light shines radiant on photos and adds an ethereal glow.
Paris Photo Session Planning Tips
If you’re not local to Paris, planning for a photo session abroad can seem daunting. Choosing the right photographer, the perfect fashion, and when to go can yield lots of questions. We are here to help make you feel comfortable and focus on the matter at hand – capturing the most beautiful pictures to showcase your love. Refer to our ultimate guide on how to plan a perfect engagement session in Paris. You’ll be on your way to a lavishly elegant and stylish Paris engagement.
Would you like to explore Paris together for your wedding, elopement or pre-wedding session?
