After meeting through their mutual love of taekwondo, Maria and Stanislav wished to capture their romance in an intimate setting. Choosing to elope, the couple travelled to Paris and enjoyed a unique and romantic celebration. It's safe to say that this elopement is nothing short of picturesque Parisian perfection!
A Loving Surprise...
Often crossing paths during taekwondo training sessions and competitions, Stanislav one day decided to start a conversation with Maria. They have been together ever since. From here, the couple got engaged when Maria was at a restaurant with a friend. "I thought Stanislav was in a different city. While my friend left our table for a few minutes, the waiter came to me and told me that there was a mistake with the table reservation and invited me to follow him to a different table. It appeared to be a seperate room and was decorated with balloons and white roses. Stanislav was waiting for me on one knee. I couldn't believe my eyes".
The City Of Love...
When asked what kind of wedding they were after, the couple replied "we wanted something unforgettable and unique. Not just a party with a lot of guests, but a unique moment so we decided to elope to Paris." Following hens parties and a town hall ceremony in their home of Russia, the couple set off for their simple and elegant trip alone.
A Royal Affair...
The ceremony took place in the Palais Royal, a 17th century palace which is layered with striking elegance. The former royal palace in the heart of Paris offers an sophisticated outdoor location with majestic walls and columns. Following their ceremony, the couple explored Paris, capturing a range of magically romantic moments.
Seasonal Blooms...
The couple chose to fill their day with tones of light pink, cream and white. With the bride's favourite flowers being peonies, she wished to include them in her day. Hitting a small snag, they were sadly out of season. Instead, the bride opted for a beautiful soft garden roses, being the perfect tones and elegance to complete the bridal look.
A Simple Elegance...
"I wanted something simple and nothing too much", the bride explained about the desire for her bridal look. The elegant ball gown featured a delicately detailed crystal belt and layers of floating tulle. The look was completed with a stunningly simple chapel length veil. The groom sported a classically tailored black suit with a matching bow tie.
Element Of Surprise...
Being a very intimate celebration, an elopement can remove the element of surprise that you often have with a traditional wedding ceremony. Managing to keep the wedding dress hidden while they traveled to Paris made the couple's first look a highlight of the day. "The first look was my favourite moment of the day because of all the love I saw in Stanislav's eyes when he saw my dress for the first time."
Picture Perfect...
The couple believe that the most important part of an elopement is having a good wedding photographer. Without guests or family present, photographs are the best way to share the day with loved ones back home. The couple chose to capture photos in the Palais Royal Gardens, on the Alexander III bridge and in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. "Our photos turned out exactly as we wanted - elegant, timeless and tender".
A Parisian Dream...
In lieu of a wedding cake, the couple enjoyed macarons from Pierre Hermé. Continuing their Parisian dream, the couple stayed in Paris for a few days to enjoy their time as newlyweds. This included an adventure to Disneyland, before finishing the trip with a few days spent on Normandy's coast. "Etretat was one of the highlights of our trip. The cliffs and natural arches with the ocean were amazing".
Do It For You...
When asked to share advice for other couples, the newlyweds explained "Listen only to yourself and your fiancé while planning your wedding...this is your day. The day also passes so quickly. Invest in a good photographer and videographer so you can remember it forever. And try to enjoy every single moment of it!"
Planning a romantic honeymoon in perfect Paris? See our tips to make sure you get the most out of your Parisian trip!
Photography: Daria Lorman Photography / Wedding Planner: So Special Events / Florist: Poème Fleuriste / Make Up: Yana Dolgodvorova / Wedding Dress: Mary Trufel / Hotel: Lumen Hotel