Yana Skakun
Destination Elopement — Paris, France
Paris Elopement
Photographer
The Most Romantic City — Photographed Perfectly
Eiffel Tower at dawn, Montmartre cobblestones, and the golden Seine — intimate elopement photography for British couples who choose Paris as their forever backdrop.
Paris Destination Elopements
Where Every Street Corner Tells a Love Story
Paris has been the world's most celebrated city for romance for centuries — and with extraordinary reason. The Haussmann boulevards, the iron bridges of the Seine, the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, and the quiet grandeur of the Luxembourg Gardens combine to create a backdrop for love stories that no studio could ever replicate. For British couples, Paris is less than three hours by Eurostar, making it the most accessible and spectacular destination elopement option in Europe.
I am Yana Skakun, a fine-art wedding and elopement photographer based in Cambridge. I travel to Paris regularly throughout the year and know the city's light, rhythms, and hidden corners intimately. I bring genuine local knowledge — the predawn hour on the Trocadéro, the side streets of Montmartre that tourists never find, the exact spot on Pont Alexandre III where the afternoon light is perfect — together with a quietly artistic approach to photography that puts your story at the centre of every image.
Whether you dream of eloping to Paris with just the two of you and a celebrant, celebrating a marriage you have already made in a UK registry office, or gathering a handful of your closest people for a Parisian dinner and evening photography session — I will plan it beautifully and photograph it honestly.
What Makes Paris Elopements Special
Iconic Paris Locations
Paris offers an unmatched concentration of photographic backdrops — the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Seine bridges, and the grand Haussmann boulevards all within a walkable city. I know each location intimately: the exact positions, the optimal angles, and the times of day when the light transforms stone and iron into something otherworldly.
Early Morning Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower at dawn — before the city wakes — is one of the most spectacular elopement experiences available anywhere in the world. We begin at 6am when the Trocadéro is empty, the light is warm and directional, and the tower reflects gold in the early morning sky. This is the Paris that most visitors never see, and it is where your most iconic photographs will be made.
Montmartre and Seine Sessions
Montmartre's cobblestone lanes, flowering balconies, and hilltop views across Paris create a village-within-a-city atmosphere that is deeply romantic and endlessly photogenic. The Seine bridges — Pont Alexandre III, Pont des Arts, Pont Neuf — offer classical Parisian architecture from every angle, with the river light reflecting softly in the early morning and blazing gold at golden hour.
Permit Assistance Available
While most Paris public spaces require no photography permit, certain locations and ceremony spaces have specific booking requirements. I handle all permit and access logistics as part of my destination service, drawing on established relationships with Paris venues and local coordinators. You focus entirely on your day; I manage every administrative detail in the background.
Paris Elopement Photography
Photography Packages
Paris Elopement
from £1,495
4–5 hours
- ✓4–5 hours of photography coverage
- ✓Up to 3 iconic Paris locations
- ✓Early morning or golden hour session
- ✓250+ edited high-resolution images
- ✓Private gallery with 5-year access
- ✓Full print licence
- ✓Eurostar travel included
Full Day
from £1,695
10–12 hours
- ✓Full day 10–12 hours
- ✓Getting ready to first dance
- ✓600+ edited images
- ✓Private gallery 5-year access
- ✓Full print licence
Paris & UK Combined
from £2,295
2 days across both
- ✓UK registry ceremony coverage
- ✓Full Paris celebration day
- ✓500+ edited high-resolution images
- ✓Private gallery with 5-year access
- ✓Full print licence
- ✓Eurostar travel included
- ✓Coordinated planning for both days
Frequently Asked Questions
Can British couples legally elope in Paris?
French civil law requires residency to marry in a Paris town hall, so most British couples arrange their legal ceremony at a UK registry office and then travel to Paris for a symbolic ceremony and photography celebration. This is entirely normal and widely practised — your Paris ceremony can be as meaningful and personal as you wish, led by an English-speaking officiant, with no administrative hurdle. I work with trusted English-speaking Paris celebrants who make this seamless.
How do British couples get to Paris for an elopement?
The Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord takes just 2 hours 20 minutes — making Paris one of the easiest European destinations for UK couples. My destination packages include my return Eurostar or flight travel costs, so there are no hidden surprises. We often plan sessions around existing Eurostar schedules, arriving the evening before for a relaxed early morning start.
What is the best time of day for Paris elopement photography?
Early morning — ideally starting at 6am — is the single best time for Paris elopement photography. The Eiffel Tower area, Montmartre, and the Seine bridges are virtually empty before 8am, the light is warm and directional, and the stone of the Haussmann buildings glows gold. I plan every Paris session around dawn or golden hour to give you both the iconic locations and the quiet, intimate atmosphere that makes the city so extraordinary.
Do I need a permit for elopement photography in Paris?↓
Professional photography in the great majority of Paris public spaces requires no permit. The Trocadéro terrace and Champ de Mars are freely accessible. Some specific garden areas within the Luxembourg Gardens or private spaces require advance booking, which I handle as part of my planning process. I have extensive experience navigating Paris photography logistics and manage all of this on your behalf.
Which Paris locations are best for elopement photos?↓
My favourite Paris elopement locations include the Trocadéro and Champ de Mars for the Eiffel Tower backdrop, the cobblestone streets and stairways of Montmartre, Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Arts on the Seine, the Palais Royal gardens, and the covered passages (Galerie Vivienne in particular). Each location suits a different mood and style, and I tailor the session route to match what feels right for you as a couple.
What is the best season for a Paris elopement?↓
April and May are magical — cherry blossom, wisteria, and the particular warmth of Parisian spring light. September and October are equally beautiful, with golden autumn foliage and fewer tourists than summer. I particularly love late October, when the low sun creates a honey-coloured atmosphere across the whole city. Avoid July and August if crowd-free iconic locations are important to you.
How much does a Paris elopement photography package cost?↓
My Paris elopement packages start from £1,495 for a half-day session and include my Eurostar or flight travel. Full-day coverage starts from £1,695. All packages include pre-trip planning, a detailed location guide, a private online gallery with five-year access, and full print licence. I provide a fully itemised quote with no hidden costs — get in touch and I will confirm pricing for your specific dates.
Can you photograph us at the Eiffel Tower at night during the light show?↓
Yes — the Eiffel Tower sparkle show runs for five minutes at the top of every hour after dark and is one of the most spectacular backdrops for elopement photography in the world. I recommend combining an early morning session for the iconic dawn shots with an evening return for the light show. The combination of golden sunrise images and the sparkling tower after dark tells a complete and unforgettable Paris story.
Do you offer combined UK and Paris elopement packages?↓
Absolutely. Many British couples choose to have their legal registry office ceremony in Cambridge or London and then travel to Paris for their photographic celebration. I can photograph both events — the quiet UK ceremony and the full Parisian adventure — as part of a single booking. Some couples also invite a small group of close friends to join them in Paris for a dinner and evening photography session around the illuminated city.
What should we wear for Paris elopement photography?↓
Paris rewards elegant simplicity. A classic dress — flowing silk, tailored linen, simple lace — sits beautifully against the Haussmann stone and iron railings of the city. I recommend colours that complement the warm ochre and grey of Parisian architecture: ivory, sage, dusty blue, or rich wine tones. I send a detailed wardrobe guide to every couple after booking, including specific advice for the season and the locations we have planned.
Begin Your Conversation
Tell me your Paris vision — the date, the mood, the places that mean something to you — and I will put together a detailed proposal for your perfect elopement in the City of Light.
Get in Touch
Let's Create Together
Tell me about your vision and I'll be in touch within 24 hours.