Paris Elopement Photographer

Some love stories don't need a big wedding. They need a quiet morning in Paris, a heartfelt promise and someone to capture it all.

 

I'm Phil, your Paris elopement photographer. I help couples who choose to say "I do" in the most romantic city in the world — whether it's a sunrise ceremony at Trocadéro, an intimate vow exchange in a hidden garden or a symbolic celebration on the banks of the Seine.

 

An elopement in Paris is deeply personal. There's no crowd, no schedule, no stress — just the two of you, your love and the beauty of this city as your witness.

Your Paris Elopement Experience

Every elopement I photograph is unique but here's how it typically unfolds:

 

Before your trip — We plan everything together: the ceremony location, the timing (sunrise is magical), the route for your couple portraits after the vows. I'll help you choose the most beautiful and intimate spots based on the season and your style.

On the day — I'm there before you arrive, ready to capture every moment. The nervous smiles, the first look, the vows, the kiss, the tears of joy. After the ceremony, we take a relaxed walk through Paris for your couple portraits — think of it as a private tour of the city's most romantic corners.

 

After — The next day, I send you a sneak peek so you can share your first images while you're still on cloud nine. Within a few days, you receive the full set in low resolution to browse and select your favorites. Once you've made your selection, your final high-resolution edited gallery is delivered within two weeks.

 

View elopement pricing & packages 

Symbolic Ceremonies & Officiants

Getting legally married in France requires residency — so most couples who elope in Paris opt for a symbolic ceremony. This is a beautiful, personal celebration led by a professional officiant who can customize the ceremony to your story.

 

I work with experienced English-speaking officiants in Paris and can connect you with one if needed. Whether you want to write your own vows, include a ring exchange, a sand ceremony or a champagne toast — everything is possible.

 

If you're planning a legal civil wedding at a Paris mairie, I cover those too. See civil wedding photography here

Best Elopement Locations in Paris

Trocadéro at sunrise — The classic. Just you, the Eiffel Tower and golden light. Early in the morning, you'll have the esplanade almost to yourselves. See more →

 

Louvre — Say your vows in the grand courtyard at sunrise, with the glass pyramid as your witness. The most cinematic spot in Paris for an intimate ceremony. See more →


Tuileries Gardens — Tree-lined alleys, sculpted gardens and golden autumn light. A peaceful setting for vow exchanges and quiet first moments as a married couple. See more →


Pont Alexandre III — The most ornate bridge in Paris. Gilded statues, Art Nouveau lampposts and the Eiffel Tower in the distance — pure elegance for your elopement portraits. 


Palais Royal — Striped columns, secret gardens, and covered galleries. Intimate, photogenic, and surprisingly quiet at sunrise — perfect for a private elopement ceremony. See more →

 

Secret gardens & private venues — Paris is full of hidden courtyards and gardens that most tourists never find. I'll share my favorites with you.


Château de Chantilly — Want something truly unique? Just 40 minutes from Paris, this fairytale château surrounded by forest and water offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your elopement — far from the crowds, with castle-and-moat romance. See more →

Real Paris Elopements

LGBTQ+ Elopements

Paris is a city that celebrates love in all its forms. I'm proud to photograph LGBTQIA+ elopements and have had the honor of capturing same-sex ceremonies across the city.

 

My work with LGBTQIA+ couples has been exhibited at Centre LGBTQI+ Paris.

See my Rainbow project here

 

Paris Elopement FAQ

Can we get legally married in Paris as foreigners?
 
Only in specific cases. To marry at a French town hall (mairie), one of you or one of your parents must have lived in that town for at least a month before the wedding. Some countries also allow two of their citizens to marry at their embassy or consulate in Paris but US embassies and consulates do not perform marriages, so check with yours. That's why most couples sign the legal papers at home and celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in Paris, which feels just as real.
How much does a Paris elopement photographer cost?
 
My elopement packages start at 300€, with all selected images professionally edited. See all elopement packages →
What is the best time of day to elope in Paris?
 
Sunrise. The light is soft and golden, iconic places are not that crowded and intimate locations are nearly empty.
Do you speak English?
 
Yes. I speak English, French and Russian and I reply to every message within 24 hours.

Not Eloping? I Photograph All Couples

If you're visiting Paris for an engagement, anniversary, honeymoon or simply a romantic getaway — and you're not planning a ceremony — I'd love to capture your story too.
See couple photoshoots in Paris here

Want to see the packages first? View elopement pricing 

I'm Phil, an English-speaking Paris photographer specializing in intimate elopements, couples, families and solo sessions. A Paris local for many years and trained at SPÉOS Paris, I've been photographing travelers from around the world since 2014 — capturing their Paris story naturally, beautifully and stress-free.

As seen in Hello! Magazine and People Magazine.

More about Phil →

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