Carmen and Jimmy are from San Diego, CA. They enjoy taking relaxing trips in their free time and are always up for new adventures. Jimmy works as a detective for the San Diego Police Department, while Carmen works in healthcare at a local hospital.
elopement details:
Season: Late August
Package: Carousel, plus extra locations
Ceremony: Tuileries
Photos: Avenue de Camoens, River Seine, Paris Streets, Tuileries
The Weather: A Perfect Cloudy Day
The couple met in middle school
The Highlights
an exciting
Paris trip
Carmen says: "Big weddings are beautiful, but they are more for the guests and not the couple. Eloping is something so intimate and meaningful to us."
The couple wanted to elope to Paris, but there was a problem—they had never been to the city before. Our job as planners was to give them the best advice and assist with location selection, as well as plan a modern and romantic event from start to finish.
Carmen held Paris close to her heart as the ultimate city of love. As she dreamed of experiencing the magic of Paris with her future hubby, Carmen couldn't help but feel that elopement is exactly what she should plan. Paris became their dream destination.
Here is a brief story of how the whole process went:
1. Carmen and Jimmy picked a date for their elopement in Paris.
2. They decided on the perfect airbnb that fit their preferences and budget. Booked flights.
3. Carmen sent us a deposit and booked our Carousel all-inclusive elopement package.
4. When the main part was set, Carmen and Jimmy considered additional services like hiring a videographer. Carmen collected hair and makeup inspiration and flower photos.
5. 2 weeks before the wedding, Carmen and Jimmy personalized their ceremony by writing heartfelt vows.
6. We created a timeline for them 3 days before the ceremony, based on the latest weather forecast.
We communicated through email and WhatsApp.
Carmen was incredibly creative and a pleasure to work with throughout the planning process. Her unique ideas and vision brought an extra touch of magic. Not only was Carmen creative, but she was also easy to work with. She was open-minded, communicated clearly, and collaborated well with the team.
You know when you meet someone and you immediately match and understand that you have the same vibes and goals? We understood Carmen and Jimmy from the very beginning.
Here is a summary of the wedding day we planned:
- Late August;
- Chosen package - the Carousel all-inclusive elopement package plus additional locations;
- People - bride plus groom only;
- The ceremony location - Tuileries.
the planning
the timeline of the day
4:40 AM - Makeup artist Yana arrives for bridal hair and makeup. The groom gets ready for the day.
6:20 AM - Yana finishes her work. Dress is put on, and they head down.
6:30 AM - Pick-up.
Paris streets: Avenue Camoens - Arc de Triomphe - River Seine
The ceremony begins at Tuileries.
After-ceremony photos and champgne.
Driving back to the hotel.
As you can see, the Tuileries ceremony is after the photoshoot. It is because the gardens open later during the day. But we need to take the sunrise Eiffel Tower the earliest possible, to avoid crowds. That's why when the couple picks Tuileries as their place to get married, we swap ceremony and photoshoot.
The pickup was schedulded for 6:20 AM. Carmen and Jimmy were thrilled to start their adventure. We started with a famous street called Pl. de Mexico in 75016, with an Eiffel Tower view. It is only available April to Septemeber for photoshoots.
Our last photoshoot location was River Seine. It is a beautiful Eiffel Tower view from the river. Couples choose this place when they want to take pictures with Eiffel Tower, but in an intimate setting.
Trocadero is full of people and other photoshoots, but River Seine location is peaceful and more unique.
the tuileries ceremony
Carmen and Jimmy,
thank you!
Our goal is to create special memories for couples to treasure. We hope Carmen and Jimmy had a wonderful time in Paris— we’re sure they did!
Behind the Scenes: From the Team
And so that was our elopement my team planned. As a photographer, my ultimate goal is to create an environment where my clients feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. I helped Carmen and Jimmy feel more natural and confident during the photoshoot. I provided clear instructions and guidance throughout the process, ensuring my clients understand the poses and feel comfortable.
tim: planning and photography
I worked with Carmen from the beginning. I tried to do everything just the way she asked, like for example the bouquet is 100% match and exactly what she envisioned. Carmen wanted to have a white rose bouquet, oval shape:
Helen: communication and flowers
Arch de Triumph
We recommend Arch de Triumph only during the month of August for elopements. During this period, locals often go on holidays, resulting in fewer cars and a more serene atmosphere. In other months, we don't usually go here, the beauty of the Arch de Triumph is ruined by traffic and endless cars.
Do you know what happens during our elopement wedding ceremonies? They’re truly meaningful. Couples exchange vows, rings, and say "I do". Without a large guest list, they can focus on each other, creating real and deep emotions.
On Carmen and Jimmy's big day, Carmen took a deep breath, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. As she said her vows, happy tears streamed down her face. The heart beats faster, filled with emotions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Carmen and Jimmy spent 12 days in Paris, doing tourist activities and experiencing the French culture. Their goal was to explore not only the popular attractions but also the local side of the city, for a more authentic experience.
Carmen was so happy: "Our trip to France was amazing. The food, the wine, the people, the sights everything wrapped into one perfect vacation. It’s hard to pick one favorite restaurant because we stopped at every cafe possible to eat and drink everything. One of my favorite things we did was renting a golf cart and driving it around Versailles."
My goal was to create a light bridal look that enhanced Carmen's natural beauty. She requested glam makeup with loose curls—soft and nothing too heavy. She looked stunning, and it was such a pleasure working with her.
Yana: hair and makeup
On her wedding day, Carmen looked absolutely stunning. All the elements of her look came together perfectly. Her hair was styled in beautiful loose curls. The dress is by House of CB Bridal. Carmen asked for all white rose bouquet.
"My dream dress is beautiful. It's very classy, yet modern with a slit. It fits me like a glove," said Carmen.
carmens's bridal look
Carmen says: "We both wanted something very intimate and for the day to be all about us.
and so we begin with the
Paris photoshoot!
Avenue de Camoëns
Our next photoshoot location was a charming street called Avenue de Camoëns. Legend says that Luís de Camões, the poet after whom the avenue is named, had a tragic love story. He fell deeply in love with a woman named Catherine of Ataíde, but sadly, his love was unreturned, leaving him heartbroken. Luís de Camões never had his happy love story, so the street was built purposely for everyone to enjoy romance together and have what he missed.
river seine
And... married! The beginning of their lifelong journey together.
Carmen and Jimmy's elopement day was truly magical, filled with intimate moments. The decision to have a photoshoot and a ceremony for just the two of them allowed them to create a day that was solely focused on their love for each other.
what happened after?
Carmen and Jimmy got back to their apartments. And here is the last photo Jimmy took before they got out of their wedding outfits.
"We were so happy and excited to be married so I asked Jimmy to take a picture of me with my bouquet and the Eiffel Tower in the background. It was a very special moment" shared Carmen a story of this photo.
The couple took a power nap. After that, Carmen and Jimmy went on a dinner cruise along the River Seine in a panoramic glass boat.
Jimmy said: "It was our first date as husband and wife. The cruise was so much fun, I highly recommend it to all couples. After the cruise, we walked and took pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower."
Carmen and Jimmy shared their advice for the future couples who are thinking to elope to Paris, but are hesitant: "One advice I would give is to have fun, don’t stress, and have trust in your team that they will do a good job, because they will."
