Modern Elopement in Paris: Jennifer + Robert

Modern Paris Elopement

Jennifer + Robert are both creatives based in Atlanta so, naturally, when they began to plan their wedding day, they were drawn to the idea of something totally different + out of the box. They’ve been lucky enough to travel the world together + decided they would feel right at home saying their vows in a private ceremony overseas. Choosing Paris – the most romantic city in the world – wasn’t very difficult, but J + R knew they didn’t want images in front of the Eiffel Tower or Louvre. They envisioned something more organic + intimate and, thus, their plans for a modern city park elopement began to take shape!

Robert tells us, Even with the inevitable backlash from our families, the decision of how we should celebrate our wedding day has always been alone. Weddings, as we all know, are chaotic, stressful and overwhelmingly deterrent of the very foundation it’s built upon. We didn’t want to bare the anxiety of a normal wedding, like being forced to invite people we hadn’t seen in 15 years or submit to the usual formalities of tradition. Let’s face it, weddings are never really about the bride and groom, and that’s not how we wanted to celebrate our love and intimacy with one another. 

Thanks so much to Someplace Wild for the stunning images below!

ring

invitation

groom

bouquet

The days leading up to our wedding were certainly filled with a couple stress related freak-out moments, but what can you do when the bride needs to make her own bouquet and we haven’t found the right park to get married? The answer is simple: breathe, have a glass of wine and ask locals for advice. In the end we found our park, Jen made a stunning bouquet of flowers still in bloom and we got married in Parc Monceau. Our wedding day was simply beautiful.

custom dress

Modern Paris Elopement

first look

first look

first look

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Jennifer designed her simply stunning dress + had it made by Melanie Brooke Designs.

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Jennifer says, We met in a beautiful park around the corner from our hotel and read our hand written vows to one another. It was such a beautiful moment.

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

custom dress

bouquet

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

A gorgeous marriage certificate by Kelly Lee Designs acted as the prettiest keepsake.

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

After our sweet ceremony, we took pictures in our favorite spots in Paris. My very favorite photo was in front of the clock in the Musee D’Orsay. It was magic!

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Modern Paris Elopement

Jennifer + Robert close with these words, Our wedding day, Friday November, 13th, is a day most people will never forget. A day of love and tragedy. Fear and hope. Love and Loss. It’s been months since the terrorist attacks in Paris and our wedding day, but it’s still difficult to describe how we felt. How could we celebrate our love while so many lost their lives? Lovers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, complete strangers united by the cruelest side of humanity. Innocent people who we may have crossed paths with earlier no longer shared the air we breathe. Was it wrong for us to feel this happiness?

At the end of the night, our family and friends were able to breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing of our safety. We think of all those families who were not able to breathe that sign of relief. We realize their unrest and sadness, to this day, is unconsoled. Families that night were united by the pain, terror and loss. In the midst of great tragedy, we had each other. We were finally married and in love. We look at that day as one of determination and celebration, not in our personal ability to overcome and prevail over the barbarity that ensued – but rather in the beauty that made us choose Paris in the first place. The only constant that remains is LOVE. Love is what holds us together, through great celebration and great sorrow. Life had never felt so frail and bittersweet…

Thank you both for sharing your love + story with us today, and best wishes from the GWS Team ♥

photography: Someplace Wild // venue name: Parc Monceau, 8th arrondissement in Paris, France // event design: Bride // planning: Bride // florals: Bride // wedding dress: Designed by the bride + made by Melanie Brooke Designs // bride's shoes: Donald J. Pliner // hair stylist: Jennifer C. Nieman // makeup artist: Jennifer C. Nieman // groom's shoes: Jeffery West // paper goods: Kelly Lee Designs // getting ready hotel: Hidden Hotel // blazer: Helmut Lang // rings: Parseg, Chaplins Jewelry // earrings: Kendra Scott // groom attire: Topman Tux + J.Crew Shirt

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