There’s a sweet, romantic-comedy that has taken France by storm since its release this past February. Bienvenue Chez Les Cht’is is the most successful French-language movie in French history, and is almost about to surpass “Titanic”as the country’s all time box office champ. The film tells the story of Phillipe, a postal worker from the south of France who gets transfered to a tiny village in the North of France as punishment for committing a gross error at the office. To Phillipe and his family, the transfer is the ultimate punishment- it’s as if he is being sent off to Siberia. Once there though, he’s befriended by his co-workers (led by the films’ writer and director, Dany Boon) and quickly grows to see the warmth and beauty of the region. The film pokes fun at the misconceptions that people in other parts of France have of the North, and also paints a charming picture of a region that, until the success of this film, had long been overlooked not only by tourists, but by most of France.
I’m particularly warm-n-fuzzy about this movie because my husband and I were married in Bergues, the little town that the film takes place in, 8 years ago today. My sister-in-law is a teacher there, and since my husband and I were living in San Francisco at the time, she found the reception venue for us. The town is actually a fortified village with history dating back to the 800’s. It’s pretty sleepy- but very quaint with pretty flower boxes, and cobble-stone bridges, and its now-famous bell-tower, which plays a central part in the movie. I actually haven’t been up north since the movie was released, but I hear that it has put Bergues (population 4000) back on the map. The local tourist board has started offering tours of the region, and people have also been driving up to have their wedding photos taken in front of the belfry. Continue reading ‘Un Mariage Chez Les Cht’is’
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Carolyn and Matt were married in an intimate ceremony here a few weeks ago, and like many of my clients, chose to have a private photo session around Paris immediately following the ceremony. It was absolutely freezing that day, but Carolyn and Matt were all toasty and in lurrv, so they didn’t feel the chill.
If you’re trying to plan an engagement or wedding photo session in Paris, one of the main tips that I give my clients is to do a bit of research before the session. I can’t tell you how many clients say they want their Paris portraits taken first at the Eiffel Tower (bien sûr) and then in a park. Sure, Paris has some beautiful parks, but once you get back home and look at the photos, you’ll realize that the photos could have been taken in “a beautiful park” in any number of cities in the world! If you’re going to come all the way to Paris to get married, you might as well have the pictures to brag about it! You don’t have to have trees and flowers in order to have a romantic background. You should try to have your photos taken in an ambiance that reflects your personality as well. If you’re both avid readers for instance, you could have some photos taken in front of “les bouquinistes’, the bookstalls that have lined the quais along the right bank of the Seine since the 1500’s. If you’re into dancing, some photos of you cutting the rug in your tux and gown with the salsa dancers at Square Tino Rossi on the Quai Saint Bernard could be nice. And for the couple that shops together- how dramatic would it be to have some black and white portraits taken as you dash hand-in-hand across the Place Vendôme? Yes, “Lovers in Front of Eiffel Tower” is the money shot- but, as Carolyn and Matt did, be sure to consider the rest of Paris in your wedding portrait planning as well.
all photos © Stephen Zezza
weddings
Wedding Style
Paris, France
destination wedding
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I wanted to post some of the pictures from a wedding celebration that I organized a few weeks ago. Michelle and Guy fêted their recent marriage with a lunch reception in the Jardin de Bagatelles in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. When we first met last summer, Michelle was so nervous (rightfully so, I might add) about what the weather would be like in Paris in February. In the gloomy weeks leading up to the event, we had all agreed that while it probably would be gray and rainy outside, it would be so cheery and lovely inside, no one would even notice! Well, we all fretted for nothing- the weather that day was absolutely beautiful. This gorgeous couple were able to have an amazing photo session around Paris before their reception, while their guests helped themselves to the mojito bar and soaked in the rays on the indoor veranda while they waited for their arrival.
In addition to the perfect weather and the beautiful venue, the afternoon itself was an absolute blast- Michelle and Guy’s family and friends had traveled from all four corners of the globe for this event, and were prime for anything! Besides the formal photographer, we had also set up a Polaroid station for informal snapshots, which was a HUGE hit (note to self: always buy more film than you think you’ll need- people LOVE Polaroids). The couple also organized a game during the reception which had guests running around, exchanging shoes and articles of clothing- it was absolutely hilarious.
They always say that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep, and this reception was proof of that: Michelle and Guy’s guests were as lovely and loving as their hosts, and I was honored to have been a part of their special day.
all photos ©A Molavi
weddingsWedding StyleParis, Francedestination wedding
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