Destination Wedding – Wat een plaatje

Bonjour Paris!

Paris, the city of love, is the perfect location for any love shoot.

Lorenny and Joan, a beautiful couple from the Dominican Republic, chose for their pre-wedding loveshoot to be made in Paris. And, could anything be more perfect?

The beautiful buildings, the atmosphere, the history, the river Seine, and of course, the Eiffel Tower!

Paris, is a photographer’s dream, and always a good idea.

There are so many perfect locations to shoot that it is impossible to narrow it down to only my favorite ones.

But, to mention a few ideas, while in Paris consider:

Trocadero, one of my most definitely favorite places, is a square with the best views of the Eiffel Tower. It is a beautiful stylish location that is perfect for a romantic session at sunrise.
A stroll along the Seine, for the most romantic photos with a background of iconic landmarks.
Pont Alexandre III, would be a favorite bridge.
The Louvre, during the day this place is loaded with tourists and visitors but in the early morning or evening you have plenty of opportunity to make beautiful pictures.
The Tuileries Gardens, near the Louvre, an idyllic place to walk around and make romantic photos.
The Luxembourg Gardens.
Sacre Coeur (from the back side, because the front is always full of people) .
A stroll through Montmartre, You’ll find it located on a mountain with an outstanding view over Paris from Sacre Coeur. Here you’ll find the most beautiful streets with its cobblestone pathways. I particularly love Rue l’Abreuvoir. Note: It is best not to wear high heels if you plan on shooting here.
Les Champs Elysées.
And, some Parisian cafes.

When I’m booked for a love a shoot like this one, there’s always some golden knowledge to pass on in order to ensure the capturing of the most magical images. For example:

1.- It is best to skip weekends in order to avoid the crowds.

2.- Always make a booking in a centered hotel, preferably with large windows and a parisian balcony for bedroom pictures.

3.- Clothes, I advice always to choose your attire with plenty of time considering the season, perfect fit, a flattering color for your skin, and the look you wish to project.

4.- Early shooting. I always make sure to meet each other in the early morning. This way we find the most flattering light and the city is still fairly empty. On this particular shoot, we were in Trocadero at 6:30 and we already found about 5 other professional shoots taking place.

5.- In order to travel with speed from one location to the next, I advice to hire an Uber.

Photos by: Angie Peralta

Makeup: Melissa Morales

Hair: Express & Care

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It is a ritual passage full of meaning and charged with emotion and which should be a perfect event.

And, what could be possibly more perfect than a rustic bohemian wedding in Italy’s Tuscany?

It’s Amore….

This Spring Tuscan wedding has been one of my favorites!

It was almost 15 years ago when Erica and Nick first met while studying abroad in Italy.

“We always made an effort to sit next to one another in class, writing funny notes to each other and being told off at times for talking too much,” says Erica. “It was a beautiful friendship; and over the years, though we went our separate ways, we would find time for a catch-up when we could.”

Their friendship deepened after coinciding a couple of years later in London. And on Spring 2017, Nick whisked Erica impromptu away on a surprise holiday to Italy. The Italy where they had met years before as students and where he had to know at first that it could be love.

He decided to plan everything to perfection and proposed on an early morning hike over Tuscany’s rolling hills.

That magical engagement led then to an exciting “wedding planning” experience for they knew that Italy was the perfect setting for tying the knot.

And, they couldn’t have chosen better for Erica’s and Nick’s destination wedding in Italy was filled with bliss.

The beautiful American bride and her groom were joined by a party of 30 people. The guests had flown in from around the world and the bride and groom from Amsterdam, where they currently reside.

“We were surrounded by our friends and family, and we both recall experiencing joy in a way that was heavenly,” says the Erica.

“We never imagined our wedding would turn out to be such a fairy tale.”

“Spectacular Tuscan food, wine, and culture surrounded us. Above all, we had so much love around us that it was wonderful to just have our closests friends and family sharing our joy. It was a mini holiday get away with our loved ones and a once in a lifetime experience,” commented Nick.

The wedding day celebrations were held In a breathtaking rural resort just on the outskirts of Siena in the heart of the Chianti region.

The guests were welcomed with an ambrosial aperitivo and an authentic Tuscan barbecue to start the marital festivities “al fresco” whilst being serenaded by local musicians. Their day was blessed with beautiful skies, blazing sunshine and a stunning couple.

The newlyweds enjoyed a short but sweet honeymoon in Portofino, reminiscing and feeling grateful for everyone who made their wedding extra special.

“Months later, we still think of it fondly and are still overwhelmed with appreciation,” says Erica. “I married my best friend, surrounded by love… we are truly blessed.”