A destination wedding at the Shangri-La Paris, France — Paris, France Wedding, Elopement, Engagement & Family Photographer

Booking a pre-wedding photoshoot with your wedding photographer can be one of the best additions to the actual wedding photos you could possibly make.

Before a wedding, whenever possible I try meeting with my clients via a video call, allowing me to answer any last questions as well as, allowing us to get to know one another better, therefore we aren’t feeling like complete strangers when we meet on the day of the wedding. However, better by far, if circumstances allow is to organise a pre-wedding photoshoot.

There are numerous plus points to having portraits done before the actual day of the wedding. Firstly, we obviously get to meet in person, you learn how I work as a photographer, and I learn about how you are as a couple in front of the camera, this helps in establishing a level of comfort and trust on both sides, meaning you’re more relaxed in the photos on the wedding day from the moment I arrive.

Also, the portraits of you during the pre-wedding shoot can make for a beautiful addition to your story, either with a separate album or as an addition to the main album, as well as being an ideal time to trial hair & makeup. I promise you, the wedding day itself will pass SO fast, having done a pre-wedding shoot beforehand takes a little pressure off the timings on the main day, (particularly in a busy city like Paris) as you won’t feel such a need to venture far into the city and risk getting stuck in traffic for a portraits shoot.

Brianna & Thomas saw the value in all of the above and booked me for a two-hour morning photoshoot whilst they were over in Paris during the summer, a few months before their actual wedding day. We met at the Eiffel Tower, exploring a quiet little backstreet offering perfect views of the tower itself before wandering down to the river seine for a few photos then grabbing a cab to take us to the Louvre. From there we had a nice stroll through the majestic courtyards to the Palais-Royal, finally wrapping things up with croissant and coffee on a café terrace - so French!

Fast forward to late October and we met again for the big day itself, a stylish affair at one of my favourite Paris venues, the stunning Shangri-La with Brianna & Thomas surrounded by their closest friends and family. The getting ready, ceremony, reception, and party all taking place in the hotel.

Sanni Sorma took care of hair and makeup and Akiko from Floraison-Paris added her magical touch with the florals.

If you’re looking for a little more inspiration and information regarding wedding venues in France you can find a list of my favourites here.

Venue: Shangri-La Paris Beauty: Sanni Sorma Florals: Floraison Paris Celebrant: Laura Montorio