• Real Weddings

The stars aligned just right for this couple from Manchester to have their dream Parisian elopement. Just before they had to cancel their plans, the travel bans were lifted and they hopped across the border to Paris with just their wedding ensembles and the love in their hearts. With the help of their photographer, they decided on a scenic park that gives this elopement more of a garden vibe than your traditional Paris wedding. Besides the little-seen views of the city and the enchanting architecture, this couple incorporated a touching wine wedding ritual that you won't want to miss! 

My Paris Elopement and The Parisian Photographers were not only there to capture every special moment of their elopement, but they also helped point this couple in the direction of some beautiful parts of Paris that aren't your average wedding backdrops. The Paris Celebrants planned and designed this elopement and made sure everything went as smoothly as possible (despite the global pandemic). The bride's beautiful bouquet was designed by La Plume Fleur Paris and fit in perfectly with the lush gardens of Parc Monceau. Check out the full gallery to see even more from this enchanting elopement and read on to hear more from Laura Montorio of The Paris Officiant about how they managed to pull off this beautiful celebration despite all of the challenges placed in their way.  

A SHORT WINDOW AND AN ADVENTUROUS SOUL

Kim and Anthony's elopement in Paris happened under exceptional circumstances: the COVID-19 pandemic had forced most couples to cancel or reschedule their weddings. Many brides and grooms were not able to travel to Paris due to travel restrictions or closed borders. Luckily the COVID-19 situation in France and the EU improved over the summer and borders were opened again for many countries–amongst others the UK. Kim and Antony, from Manchester, England, were so lucky to be able to travel to Paris for their elopement in August just as planned. However, it was really tight, at the time of the elopement we did not even realize how short the time slot was in which we were able to make it happen. Only two days after their elopement, the UK implemented a strict fourteen-day quarantine rule for people traveling back from France. Kim and Anthony were extremely lucky! They were also determined to use their chance and make it happen–and if you elope, it's always good to have a little bit of an adventurous soul! ;-)

THINGS GOT A LITTLE HEATED

Kim and Anthony met in college where they were enrolled in the same course. They were intrigued by each other from the get-go. A little later, they went on a residential weekend retreat as part of their college course. One evening, after the rest of the group had gone to bed, only the two of them were left in the bar drinking, talking, and laughing. From that moment, they saw each other with different eyes and their love story began. After four years together they decided to get married. There was no proposal, instead, as they put it, "We decided to get married following a discussion that evolved from an argument a few weeks earlier. It is quite typical and actually the only appropriate way for us to get engaged as we have been known to have a fair few heated debates over the years."

WHY PARIS?

Kim and Anthony love traveling and have been to Paris together before. They said, "We both love the city as it feels historic yet cosmopolitan and sophisticated. Paris has an air of romance and magic making it the perfect place to get married." They really loved the idea of getting married in a romantic park. They said, "We like unusual monuments and statues, somewhere we can get beautiful pictures in nature with a mysterious edge to them." So, we suggested Parc Monceau as it seemed to fit perfectly with the couple's requirements. As a second location, they chose the Alexander III bridge as it is elegant and offers a subtle view of the Eiffel Tower.

A RITUAL OF LOVE

Kim and Anthony asked their officiant Laura, from The Paris Officiant, to help them write and exchange their personal vows and to incorporate a beautiful and personal wedding wine ritual. During the ceremony, the couple put a bottle of wine that they bought in Paris, as well as keepsakes of their trip to Paris (tickets of sights and museums, postcards, plane tickets, napkins from a restaurant, etc.) into a wooden box. They sealed the box and promised to only open it on their 1st wedding anniversary. So in one year they will drink the Parisian wine together and rediscover all the keepsakes from their romantic elopement in Paris.

• Event Planning & Design: The Paris Celebrants
• Flowers: La Plume Fleur Paris
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Onorina Jomir Beauty
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: Ciara COSTENOBLE
• Officiants: The Paris Officiant
• Photographers: My Paris Elopement
• Photographers: The Parisian Photographers