Intimate Paris Elopement

Irem and Övünç are a charming Turkish couple who decided to get married in the most beautiful city in the world. Check out their gorgeously soft and elegant Destination wedding in Paris.

Travel plans

Traveling for your work is awesome. I have been traveling a lot for the past few years (including a sabbatical year backpacking in Asia and the US). I’m excited about some of the destination weddings in 2016. I never miss an opportunity to grab my passport and get moving out in this great big world. One place that is high up on my “Next Trip” list is Turkey.

I’ve been dreaming about visiting it for a while now.  The history, the people, the food – it all seems so attractive to me. I guess I’ve read too many books about the Silk Road! So when a charming Turkish couple contacted me for an intimate destination wedding in Paris, I was immediately intrigued. They were planning an intimate ceremony in the Turkish consulate in Paris followed by a meaningful celebration surrounded by friends and family. International, intimate and unique – three adjectives I love!

When you get married in Paris…

…you have to plan for bad weather. No, it’s not as bad as other parts of the world (Leeds, I’m looking at you), but it can be unpredictable. This particular day in September started out gray, rainy and cold. Irem and Övünç were understandably concerned. But their sweet and accommodating personalities helped everyone to feel relaxed, and the gray and overcast day actually ended up having a soft, diffused light effect during their preparations and couple’s session. The tender moments with their family and the affection between the two were perfectly captured with the Paris as a romantic backdrop like the Eiffel Tower.

Delightful Turkish

Irem and Övünç were so great to work with. They were in only in Paris for a few days, so we did most of our planning over email and phone. When I finally met them in person on their big day, we felt an easy, relaxed connection almost immediately. They are a one kind of a couple to me; they wanted to go someone special and they chose to celebrate their wedding in a unique destination with a small and intimate group – something that seems rare coming from their culture. I feel so honored to have been a part of their special day.

I may not be traveling to Turkey this time, but I definitely got a little taste of the warmth and charm of its people during this unique and meaningful session in Paris.

Sebastien Bicard is a fine art wedding and portrait photographer based in Paris and California. He specializes in international travel and destination weddings worldwide.