Civil wedding, elopement, or a ceremony with a handful of loved ones: how a small wedding is photographed differently, and which package to choose in Paris.
What counts as a small wedding?
A small wedding brings together a handful of loved ones — sometimes just the couple — around a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony. It's also called an elopement when it takes place away from the extended family circle, just the two of you or with a few witnesses.
- •Civil or intimate wedding — short ceremony, small circle, often in Paris itself.
- •Elopement — the couple alone or with a few witnesses, in France or abroad.
- •Common thread — the focus is on emotion and authenticity rather than the logistics of a large event.
Essentiel: the package built for small weddings
The Essentiel package (€850, 3h) matches the format of a small wedding exactly: a short ceremony, a small circle, no need to cover a reception with hundreds of guests.
- •Three hours of coverage, centred on the ceremony and the first moments.
- •80 photos delivered, carefully selected and edited.
- •Mini digital album included.
A second photographer is generally not needed for this format — [see when it's worth it](/blog/second-photographe-mariage).
Where to hold a small wedding in Paris
Paris offers many settings for a human-scale wedding: a district town hall, a garden, a rooftop, or an iconic landmark for a couple session after the ceremony.
- •District town halls — a heritage setting for the civil ceremony.
- •Gardens and parks — Luxembourg, Palais-Royal, for a more intimate mood.
- •Iconic landmarks — Trocadéro, Sacré-Cœur, the Seine riverbanks, for couple photos.
And for a just-the-two-of-you wedding, away from Paris?
If the idea of a wedding just for two, away from everyday life, appeals to you, elopement goes further than a small Paris wedding: Greece, Italy or Bali become the setting for the ceremony itself, not just the photo session.
Discover the dedicated package: elopement photographer.
Small wedding in Paris or elopement halfway around the world, the intimate format demands the same care: capturing emotion without ever weighing down the logistics. Explore the portfolio or build your quote for your wedding.
Your questions, my answers
Which package should I choose for a small wedding in Paris?
The Essentiel package (€850, 3h) is built for this format: short ceremony, small circle, 80 photos delivered.
What's the difference between a small wedding and an elopement?
A small wedding brings together a few loved ones, often in Paris; an elopement goes further, with the couple alone or a few witnesses, sometimes abroad — see the elopement package.
Where can you have a discreet wedding in Paris?
District town halls for the civil ceremony, then a garden or an iconic landmark (Trocadéro, Sacré-Cœur) for the couple photos.
Do you need a second photographer for a small wedding?
Generally not — a single photographer is enough to cover an intimate wedding or a short ceremony.
Have a project in mind?
Contact me to discuss your wedding and create unforgettable memories together.
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