When we think about the most elegant, exquisite, most incredible wedding days we have witnessed, Olivia and Donovan’s Parisian wedding always comes to mind. This one was planned by our favorite wedding coordinators, the Anne Mulvihill and Nancy LaTart team that is Fête in France, which they positively nailed. Olivia and Donovan and their primarily New York based guests began the festivities with a dinner yacht cruise on the Seine, complete with chef food stations and a DJ. That night they danced and celebrated while the Eiffel Tower glittered behind them.
The couple was married at the grand L'église de la Madeleine, a church so central in downtown Paris that when they walked back down the aisle the whole of the city seemed to be spread in front of them (“Can you believe these shots we got from the church?” we would wonder at later). Then an hour drive out to the country, where the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, an abby founded in the year 1118 (yes, it is that old), acted as stunning backdrop to the reception festivities. Olivia and Donovan wanted the age-smoothed stones and weather-worn wood transformed by modern decor, by bright colors, by angles and reflective surfaces. Anne and Nancy delivered.
The evening ended with fireworks, where we scrambled up embankments then ran across lawns behind the action, hearts racing while we made sure to capture the moment in all its stunning glory. What an INCREDIBLE event.
Wedding Location: Paris, France (L'église de la Madeleine & Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay)
Colors: Fuchsia, Purple, grey, white
Season: Spring
Katie’s Favorite Memory: I typically photograph the details, so when I walked into the reception room—flying buttresses, ancient wood and stone, pillars, then the stunning modern decor—I felt overwhelmed by the task of depicting it all photographically. This one element was the trickiest: photographing the loooong tables which were covered not in tablecloths, but in mirrors. The reflection made the job challenging, but also exciting, since I hadn’t ever tried it before. I was so pleased with the results, which show both the tables and the ceilings in one shot. Also I have to mention just how wonderful Olivia and Donovan were. Funny, kind, down to earth, simply lovely people.
Kevin’s Favorite Memory: My favorite memory? Can the whole thing just be my favorite? The stress and set up of capturing the fireworks perfectly, the ride to the reception venue in the front seat of a freaking Bently, photographing a wedding in the biggest most impressive church I’ve ever seen… but the thought that sticks out in my mind the most is seeing Olivia for the first time after she had her dress on. I actually teared up and had to leave the room cause it was slightly embarrassing. She looked absolutely stunning along with being one of the sweetest people I’ve ever worked with. Everything was perfect, it was a perfect day.