REAL COUPLES AND THEIR ELOPEMENTS
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WHITNEY AND KAYODE
ELEGANT CASTLE ELOPEMENT BY DO IT PARIS WAY FOR THE SOPHISTICATED COUPLE FROM DALLAS TX
SEPTEMBER ELOPEMENT
Planning and photography by Tim
Story by Helene
Whitney and Kayode dreamed of an intimate and romantic wedding but couldn't make a final decision on exactly what to do. They explored various options and destinations until on our Instagram they came across a French castle called Chateau de Sceaux. Making the decision was easy! From then on, it became a romantic adventure. Here is their story.
Helene: "Bonjour all the beautiful, adventurous, and ambitious ladies, our wonderful brides who are exploring this article. And our respect to the intelligent handsome future grooms. Hope you have a good time reading this case study. Let's begin!"
MEET WHITNEY AND KAYODE
Engagement at Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Whitney and Kayode are gorgeous, smart, and sweet couple from the vibrant city of Dallas, TX. They share a love for delicious food and exploring new places, showing they're true foodies at heart.
They often say they're like the male and female versions of each other, showing how well they match.
WEDDING DREAMS AND HOPES
Whitney and Kayode always dreamt of a romantic and intimate wedding, rather than a loud party. After careful consideration about their ideal wedding, elegance and romance topped their list. This led them to choose Paris, a city that embodies everything they were looking for.
Whitney's face lit up with as she happily shared, "We're excited to sightsee and spend a few days just soaking in the joy of being newlyweds."
For them, Paris, with its reputation as the capital of beauty and romance, was the perfect choice.
OUR CHALLENGE
Whitney and Kayode booked our all-inclusive Chateau de Sceaux elopement package.
For the Do It Paris Way team the challenge was to create an elegant and sophisticated wedding for two.
PLANNING PROCESS
Whitney and Kayode found us on Instagram and decided to book an elopement package. For two weeks, they were trying to decide: get married in Paris with our Carousel package, or have a wedding at a castle with the Chateau Sceaux package. In the end, Kayode said they both deserve only the best, so they went for the fanciest option – the French castle!
It was a joy working with Whitney and Kayode! Their elopement journey with us unfolded over 3 months, and here's the process:
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Kayode messaged us on IG, the start of their adventure.
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Next up, we confirmed the dates and picked out the perfect elopement package (Chateau de Sceaux package).
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They went through the package PDF and chose their dream spots for the ceremony and photoshoot.
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A €250 deposit and a signed contract.
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Whitney and Kayode hit the boutiques for their special day attire.
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Whitney also shared her vision for flowers and makeup with Helene, we talked about inspiration.
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Three days before saying 'I do,' Tim whipped up a smooth wedding day timeline.
When the wedding day arrived, there was a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, every detail was in place, ready for us to celebrate Whitney and Kayode's love.
TIMELINE
Here is the timeline:
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5-6:30 AM Bridal hair and makeup at their hotel
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7:15 AM Pickup by Tim
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7:40 - 9:30 AM Paris photoshoot at sunrise
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Driving to the castle Chateau de Sceaux
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10:30 AM Ceremony
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11 AM Castle photoshoot
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Driving back to the hotel
Sunrise is always our plan, as it's the best time for photos during a Paris elopement, ensuring a crowd-free and beautiful experience.
WHITNEY'S BRIDAL LOOK
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A photo from the bridal dress boutique
Whitney's bridal look is fabulous. Her dress, a true dream, has a sweetheart neckline and a slit.
When Whitney talked about her gown, you could feel her excitement, saying, "I just love everything about it, it's the perfect mix of classy and sexy."
The dress shopping story was so fun. Whitney's journey to finding the perfect dress was an adventure. In her own words, she shared, "I just knew what I wanted. I went to the store and told them exactly what I had envisioned. To my surprise, it was the first dress the sales associate picked, and the moment I laid eyes on it, I was in love! It was as if the dress had found me."
When Helene created our group Whatsapp makeup chat, Whitney shared her excitement, saying, "Here are the hair and makeup photos I would love to have. It’s all coming together so beautifully. I also have a cathedral-length veil that I plan on using for the ceremony and some photos. Thank you both for all of your help."
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What Whitney wanted and what we created
Whitney looked absolutely gorgeous. A true elegant bride. Let's take a look at bridal flowers. Whitney wanted a round bouquet, all from white roses:
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Whitney's bouquet by Helene
Whitney's style is all about elegance. She has a deep love for things that look refined and polished. Everything she chose, from the details in her dress to the accessories, was carefully picked to showcase the timeless beauty she carries with her.
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Our beautiful bride
Trocadero stairs portraits
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Her all-white palette is just perfect
KAYODE, THE HANDSOME GROOM
Kayode steps into his role as the groom with a formal style, wearing a tuxedo. The white jacket paired with black fitted pants is a perfect combination that not only showcases his impeccable taste but also highlights his features. The wedding look of a movie star!
His style is formal and classy
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Louvre gallery solo shots
Screenshot this photo idea to your Pinterest so we can recreate it for you
PARIS PHOTOS
We embarked on Whitney and Kayode's Parisian photoshoot adventure, guided by Tim's expert eye. The couple's favorite spots: Trocadero, the Louvre, and the Louvre Gallery. Paris, with its stunning beauty, was the perfect setting.
Whitney said: "We want photos that are timeless and capture our love."
Trocadero, the best spot for an elegant photoshoot. It's a square in Paris, famous for its spectacular views of the iconic tower.
We began with simple poses so the couple can get used to camera
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Under the Paris sky
IDEA TO TRY
Helene: "You are eloping to Paris and missing the traditional wedding. How about adding some traditions, like a first dance? The first dance looks the best with this Trocadero Eiffel view. It's dramatic, passionate, and just perfection. Add some dance poses to your vision board. You will not regret it!"
A romantic dance date
Tim: "Some poses are harder to perform, especially movement poses, which require additional posing coaching. I explained in detail to both Kayode and Whitney how to move to achieve this picture-perfect spin. I always explain every pose until the couple feels confident. And look at the result!"
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Tim giving posing directions
Paris, Je T’aime
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We take both closup and far away shots
Bridal elegance in the city of love
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Striking a pose for groom's shots
These stairs are a part of the Trocadero location:
Whitney bought a long veil for this special picture
Once upon a time...
Louvre gallery was Whitney's second chosen location. The outdoor areas of the Louvre are perfect for photos with their amazing architecture.
Tim: "I always make sure the outfits are perfect. For every photo, we placed the dress, and my assistant adjusted the pose and hand placement. If we notice some detail that needs to be slightly fixed, we quickly do it."
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Our assistant is helping with the dress
Some details, like Kayode's watch
We love shooting passionate moments, that's our signature portrait
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Here is what you get when you elope, just the two of you
A Parisian chapter of their love story
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Gallery offers the best light for photos
Soft September light for wedding photos
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Save this idea to your board!
Love's portrait in the city of art
Louvre pyramids were our last location in Paris:
Capturing eternity in a single moment
Water reflections is another favorite pose of ours
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Parisian adventures
Their love story, Paris' canvas
Tim: "During the photoshoot, I do my best to avoid people around the couple. My goal is to create a picture where the couple is alone in the whole Paris. That’s why we always start at sunrise, but even if some people are around, we either wait for them to leave or edit everyone out. "
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An iphone backstage VS a final result from the camera
CAR AND LOGISTICS
Our elopement packages with included car services make the day effortless. Whitney and Kayode told us their favorite locations in Paris, and we took care of all the logistics. On their special day, they simply relaxed and enjoyed the ride. We picked them up from their hotel, safely kept their bags in the car, and guided them through an unforgettable journey. All they had to do was show up and ride around Paris with our team.
FRENCH CASTLE WEDDING
Full Location Name: Château de Sceaux (château in French means castle)
Type: public castle open to visitors, the castle is not privatized for us
Location: Town of Sceaux, 30 min drive from Paris, France
Construction Period: Built between 1670 and 1673
Architectural Style: Baroque
Gardens Designer: André Le Nôtre
The Château de Sceaux and its gardens are like stepping back in time to 17th-century France.
Getting married in a French castle for just the two of you is like a dreamy adventure. Saying your vows surrounded by French garden, under the open sky, with the beauty of the French landscape embracing your love. The castle's gardens, natural beauty, and the simplicity of being outdoors is unforgettable.
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Château de Sceaux
Whitney and Kayode both agree that this castle is the perfect backdrop for their ceremony – it's absolutely beautiful.
Helene: "In the 18th century, the Château de Sceaux was the backdrop for a fiery love scene between a duke and a mysterious woman. The affair scandalized the French aristocracy. The castle's owner, a renowned duke, fell passionately in love with a woman whose identity was a mystery. They ran away together and were never seen again, leaving their love story to echo through the castle. They vanished into the night, leaving whispers of secret love letters and hidden meeting spots at the garden."
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Château means castle in french
Couples dreaming of a French castle wedding often imagine living a fairy tale with grand history and lavish surroundings. That's exactly what you get at a French chateau.
Chateau de Sceaux is open to the public, meaning you can enter for free without any rental fees. This not only saves money but also cuts down on planning stress. There’s no need to wait for date approvals, no hefty deposits, and no contracts for venue rental. It's all about flexibility. We can simply drive to the castle and have the wedding there:
Which one would you choose for your ceremony?
ROMANTIC CEREMONY
Whitney and Kayode picked the main castle view, right in the middle. Whitney and Kayode's vow exchange at Chateau de Sceaux was romantic just as they imagined. With just the two of them, they exchanged rings against the backdrop of the main view. Love filled the air as they exchanged their promises.
Ceremony begins, with Olga as their Officiant
Excitement fills the air
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"I, Whitney, take you, Kayode, to be my husband..."
Their voices tremble with emotion
Filled with dreams and promises
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Candid ceremony moments captured
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And Olga said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Sealing love with a kiss, a moment remembered forever
Right after a final kiss, Whitney and Kayode felt a rush of joy. They looked at each other, feeling closer than ever. Now, they felt like a team, ready for anything together. Their wedding rings shined as symbols of their forever bond. They weren't just two people in love anymore, they were a united force.
PHOTOS AT A FRENCH CASTLE
After the couple got married, Tim captured the love between Whitney and Kayode in a one-hour photoshoot at the stunning French castle. This photoshoot is included in the elopement package too. Tim created a collection that tells the story of their love in a magical setting.
Toasting to forever, the couple is holding glasses with champagne
Live like a King and Queen
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We love these balcony photos so much
Beautiful windows and castle stairs
Whitney is glowing, her happiness shines through
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So many photo opportunities here
The bride and groom did an incredible job making this day special
Every detail of this wedding is beautiful, just like the couple
FINAL THOUGHTS
Big thanks to Whitney and Kayode for choosing us to plan their dream castle elopement! It was a joy crafting this special day.
Whitney and Kayode's love story inspired every magical detail, making the celebration truly one-of-a-kind.
Warm wishes to Whitney and Kayode for a lifetime of happiness. To our readers, especially those young brides-to-be, let this story inspire you to dream big and create a wedding day that truly reflects who you are. Whether it's a castle elopement or another unique setting, your wedding day is unique and all about you.
THE TEAM
The team that worked together with W&K to help them create an elegant castle elopement:
Tim, elopement planning and photography
"Wow, what a day! Capturing Whitney and Kayode's elopement was like shooting a real-life fairy tale. Their love story shone through every picture, these two made my job easy! Such an epic day to be behind the lens."
Helene, communication with the couple and flowers, and putting together this article
"The couple was a pleasure to work with, very kind and smart. We exchanged emails and whatsapp messages while planning. Seeing it all come together so beautifully was such a joy! Their trust in my vision and collaboration made this experience truly unforgettable."
Yana, bridal hair and makeup @makeupparisyana
"Loved working with Whitney. Her vision for her bridal look was clear and elegant. The moment she looked in the mirror and smiled, I knew it was more than makeup, it was her dream coming true."
Olga, ceremony Officiant and assistant during the photoshoot
"Being part of Whitney and Kayode's ceremony was a deeply touching experience. Witnessing their commitment in such a serene setting...brings tears to my eyes. Congratulations to the couple! "
THANKS FOR READING! ELOPING TO PARIS MEANS CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY IN YOU. BECAUSE YOUR LOVE DESERVES A CANVAS AS UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL AS YOUR STORY!
THE ELOPEMENT PACKAGE
The Carousel elopement package is a smart wedding option and we are super proud of it. It combines price and quality, and our 12 years of wedding planning experience in Paris.
With years of experience, we have carefully selected top-tier vendors and perfected the logistics to ensure a seamless and stress-free wedding day. From the stunning ceremony location to Tim's skilled photography, designed to create lasting memories.
Our team takes immense pride in creating unforgettable experiences for couples from all over the world.
Book now and let us take care of the rest!
THE CAROUSEL ALL-INCLUSIVE PARIS WEDDING PACKAGE
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM @DOITPARISWAY