Adventure Elopment in the French Alps

Relationships matter. People matter. Real life matters.

This shoot is a product of relationships forged online and built in person. The stars aligned when I met Laure of Laure Lalliard Design and encountered her creative genius. After a couple months of dreamin’ and schemin,’ I found myself here:

Nestled at the base of the French Alps is a lush green valley surrounded by magical forests, alpine lakes and one charming 17th century chapel, accessible only by foot. And it’s the valley where my lucky friend Laure gets to call home.

With many thanks to Laure, it’s here that our enchanted elopement story unfolds, melding the wild and whimsical nature of adventurous elopements that I love to photograph with simple, yet sophisticated details that Laure loves to create. It’s where femininity meets the natural romance that the variegated landscapes and rich heritage of the French Alps so inspires.

We curated this shoot to inspire joyful, natural brides who love outdoor adventures and appreciate gorgeous details that matter. During our planning, we landed on a color palette ranging from various shades of cream, gold and green and mostly foraged florals. We think it’s quite the ode to the luxury and beauty of simplicity.

The Couple

The Bride + The Pretties

The Details

Other Vendors:

Florals and design : Laure Lalliard

Cake: Petra Cakes – Geneva

Bridal Salon: Belle en Blanc 

Dress: Juliet by Riki Dalal 

Hair: Louve Kravitz

Makeup: Beatrice Carroz

Ring box: Vœu du Coeur

Jewelry: Cecile Bocarra

More on Cultivating Awesome Relationships around the World

Earlier this year, I struck pure gold with a small marketing group (thank you, Ashlyn!) I participated in. Not only by way of knowledge and strategy but especially in new friendships and relationships. Pair that with inspiration and equipping by an incredible workshop for adventure wedding photographers…et voila! Recipe for success.

You see, Thomas and I plan a “big” trip about once a year and this year was France’s turn. (More on that later.) This time, I planned to bring a dress and find a couple to photograph during our adventures. But amidst our loose plans, I met Laure in my marketing group. When I heard she was a floral and event designer in the French Alps, my heart leaped inside of me and my idea wheels got to spinnin’ even faster. We were bound for France in the spring and I really wanted to do a shoot while I was there. I told her what I’d love to produce, she got on board and put a ton of work in to make this lil’ vision of mine come to life.

But you know what? The best part of all was getting to know a new friend and fellow creative. Staying with her, riding with her, eating with her, talking with her, laughing with her, planning and problem solving with her–all the real life-on-life stuff that the online world can’t replace. Yep, it introduced us, but intentionality brought us together.

Stay tuned for a post recapping our adventures in France! And if you like what you see, I’d love to work with you on planning and photographing the destination or adventure wedding or elopement of your dreams! Contact me today!