There are few places on earth as dreamy as the French Riviera. Known as the Cote d’Azur in French language, this is an area of France that’s enchanted visitors for centuries. That’s why I was so delighted to be the photographer for this incredible elopement photoshoot in the quaint town of Antibes. It was a dream come true!
Choosing the French Riviera for an Elopement
Modern couples getting married are looking for a personalized ceremony that is incredibly meaningful for them. Paired with the gorgeous French Riviera, and you have a wonderful elopement location for a ceremony and wedding photos, in addition to a great honeymoon spot!
Julie contacted me and told me that she and her love, John Christopher, dreamed of getting married, just the two of them, on the French Riviera. They wanted a personal ceremony just the two of them. While not a legal ceremony in the United States, where they live, they wanted a symbolic ceremony to seal their commitment to each other. The legalities would be taken care of in the US, with a courthouse ceremony.
The couple decided to stay in a beautiful little village just north of Cannes, called Le Cannet. From here, they’d rent a beautiful villa with a view, but were in need of some advice as to where to have their ceremony. For this couple, the ceremony was the most important part of their day.
Logistics of a French Riviera Wedding or Elopement
After having decided to rent a luxurious villa outside of Cannes, Julie and John Christopher needed ideas on where to have the ceremony. A sea view was important to them. There’s no lack of locations on the Riviera for a ceremony, but ceremonies with views are in public places unless you rent a villa or other accommodation. This couple elected to have their First Look at their villa before setting out for the morning.
After showing Julie several beautiful spots, she found Antibes to be most suited to her wishes. Antibes is very close to Cannes, just a 15-minute drive, and we decided that the Jardin des Poètes (Garden of Poets), along the seawall in old Antibes, would be the perfect spot.
As this is a public garden along the seawall, people do congregate here and relax with a view of the sea. That’s why it’s important that elopement ceremonies take place in the morning, before too many people are out. While complete privacy can never be assured, getting out before others is a great idea.
Sometimes, a private driver is called upon, but in this case the couple would drive from their villa to the garden, and I would meet them there, along with a celebrant, who would conduct their ceremony. Julie and John Christopher wanted something beautiful, but low-key. They weren’t wanting a ton of wedding photos afterward, just the ceremony and a few photos in Antibes old town would suffice.
Stormy Weather in the Forecast
The day of the wedding was forecast to be a 100% chance of rain, storms, and maybe even hail! Rain was forecast of 2-5 inches! Needless to say, this struck me in the heart, I was filled with worry because it’s so important my clients have the most amazing day!
I contacted Julie and let her know about the forecast. The evening before looked to be less stormy, and we could last-minute try to change the ceremony. However, in the end the couple decided to go ahead with their plans and get married the next morning, come what may.
Wedding Morning
When I woke up on Julie and John Christopher’s wedding day, the skies looked ominous, but it wasn’t yet raining. I met the couple at their villa, where John Christopher was putting the finishing touches on his suit, as Julie’s gown had lace rose motif, John Christopher used touches of rose in his ensemble also. This also included a pair of Christian Louboutin slides that he’d found a long time before. He said he thought the roses on the shoes were interesting, but had no idea when he’d ever wear them. But this was the day!
Julie was having her makeup and hair professionally done upstairs in the villa. She didn’t really want getting ready photos, this is to each bride’s wishes, but I did photograph her gown and shoes and spoke with John Christopher on where we’d do the First Look. The First Look is the first time a bride and groom see each other on their wedding day. It’s very emotional and sweet, not every couple wants a First Look, but I think it’s a great way to start the wedding day!
Julie looked like a beautiful angel in her gown and with her beautiful hair and makeup. John Christopher waited for her at the pool, facing away. She came up behind him and tapped his shoulder, and their eyes met, it was wonderful!
Julie gathered up her rose bouquet, and then along with the celebrant, we headed to Antibes.
The Rain Stayed Away for Awhile
On the way to Antibes, the drops started hitting the windshield. Armed with umbrellas, we would forge ahead. We met at the seawall, in front of the garden, which is spectacular with many types of cacti. Julie walked in from the left to begin the ceremony, as John Christopher watched her.
He recalled the first time he saw her. He was a personal trainer, training a client at the gym in the client’s apartment complex, when Julie caught his eye. She worked at the apartment office, and was giving a tour of the facilities to someone. John Christopher was so taken with her, that he went to her office to give her his number, in hopes that she would call him and they could have dinner sometime.
Julie wasn’t so sure on this, and didn’t call him. John Christopher was really disappointed. This woman had an aura about her, a positivity, and he just felt he had to get to know her.
The pair ran into each other another time, and John Christopher asked why she hadn’t phoned him. She decided to give him a chance, and the rest is history. She fell in love with his big heart and sensitivity, and he fell in love with her spirit and energy. The two make a beautiful match and here they were on their wedding day in gorgeous Antibes on the French Riviera.
The ceremony, which included some background music on a speaker, was so beautiful, personal, and emotional. The couple said their vows to each other and exchanged wedding rings.
It was fairly private, given the weather, and the rain held off until after the ceremony. Small groups of tourists watched them from afar, and cheered their first kiss.
Wedding Photo Session After the Ceremony
We took the umbrellas along to our visit to old town Antibes, a simply charming small town on the French Riviera, not far from Nice. I photographed the newlyweds in a few beautiful spots before the rain started in earnest, luckily we had umbrellas!
It didn’t stop everyone from being out and having their Sunday coffees, the cafés were packed. But Julie and John Christopher were now married and their honeymoon could begin!
It was an absolute joy and honor to make Julie and John Christopher’s wedding dreams a reality, and to capture these moments for them to treasure forever. While the weather wasn’t ideal, the truth is Antibes is so beautiful, even with a bit of rain.
I wish this beautiful couple all the happiness in the world!
Getting married on the French Riviera is exhilarating and so very special! If you’d like to elope on the French Riviera, in Provence, or Paris, I’d love to be your wedding photographer!
Vendors:
Photographer – Karina Leigh Photography
Celebrant – Lucy Till
