Portrait Olivier Lalin

One of my bride was kind enough to send me a photo of myself & her wedding photographer.
It was taken by a guest at one of my summer weddings in France @ Chateau de Champlatreux.
It shows the "Man at work": Happy, relaxed, goofy, enjoying a wonderful day.
I am showing this picture not so much to prove my good look but rather to convey the mood of a professional photographer at work!
I always tell my brides that they should make sure to book a photographer who loves his wedding work and does not photograph weddings only to pay the bills. i believe a wedding photographer has to be passionate about his craft in order to excel at the task at hand. Like a good wine, twenty years of experience transcend into a jolly fellow whose job ( his passion ) has become second nature. It is most important to get everyone to simply enjoy the photographer's company very quickly. Only then will you forget the fact that you are being photographed.
That's when magic happens!




Destination wedding photographer
Photographe Mariage Paris France

Family portrait in Paris

I am often asked whether I wouldn't mind photographing a family portait in Paris, a pre wedding portrait or simply documenting a celebration. Of course I do, it is simply a lot of fun!



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Wedding photographer France

Vimeo and the new HD 30 video

Fireplays from Jon Thomas on Vimeo.

I have been watching a lot of Vimeo lately. For anyone who has interest in moving 25f/sec images, it Rocks!
Simply put, Vimeo is the home for videos you make. Use Vimeo to upload and share videos with anyone, watch great videos,
meet new people, and explore the amazing world of personal video.
The quality of what you see on this Site is phenomenal and I love my new HD 30 canon camera.


Khula Happy Singers St. Lucia from Jan van der Meer on Vimeo.
Video shot on HD - I Love IT !


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Wedding photographer France

George V wedding

A late spring in France and a Wedding at the George V in Paris

Designer Jeff Leatham, artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel ; George V, orchestrates the flower arrangements!
Quite beautiful.




"...From invitations to wedding cakes, floral creations to memorable farewells, trust Four Seasons to simplify your planning and make your wedding day everything you have ever imagined..."




For fine dining, Le "Cinq" at Hotel Four Seasons Georges V,
Paris+33 149 52 71 54



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
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Wedding photographer France

Candid wedding photo France

Just another wedding photo that speaks for itself!


photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
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Wedding photographer France
Wedding photographer Paris

Bride,Bridesmaids, a wedding in France

Posted by Olivier Lalin-


This is one way to approach a group portrait with the bride, her bridemaids, sisters and Father at the chateau des Conde, 45mn from Paris.


view site at Olivier Lalin Weddings

Another Classic wedding photography Look

Posted by Olivier lalin-
Just thinking! This shot seems timeless.It was shot a couple of months ago in the South of France! It felt like everything lead to a 50's photo ambiance: the Tuxedo, the Bride's hair style, the Look of this magnificent car. I had to ask the couple to take the pose and just look at the camera peacefully! Still today this image reminds me of the movie "Casablanca"where Humphrey Bogart played the part of Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman the magnificent Ilsa Lund.


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Use of natural light in wedding photography

Posted by Olivier Lalin -
I took this bride's portrait at the Essex House, New York. I simply used natural light that was available in the room with two large windows right behind us. My Rolleiflex camera,120 Black and white film - 1/30th sec at f2.



view site at Olivier Lalin Weddings

"Pink Products", new U.K website - for gay and lesbian Wedding couples

Posted by Olivier lalin -
Pink Products, the online wedding store created specifically for gay and lesbian couples wishing to tie the knot.
I just think it is a great resource for interesting wedding ideas. Everyone is entitled to show their love and commitment to each other regardless of their sexuality.

So what's different about this store, well if your looking for favours, balloons, cameras and more then its all there. But if your looking for something a little different, unique and maybe even exclusive then Pink Products is confident you will find it there.




SOURCE

Luxury Boats for intimate Wedding on the Seine

Posted by Olivier Lalin -

Enjoy a reception-cruise on
the most beautiful place in Paris; the Seine.

I am shooting a very intimate wedding in a few days on a Luxury Boat named "the Cashemire". I used to shoot for boating magazines and photographed "La Nioulargue" in St Tropez a couple of years in a row.
I have a fascination for "Rivas" and Classic sail boats. So when I found out I was going to photograph a very intimate wedding on a luxury boat on the river seine, I was actually quite exited!

Yachts de Paris has plenty of information for the yacht-loving couples:
"So what about the Cashemire; a yacht completely designed by Yachts de Paris, luxury is all around : Baccarat glassware and candle holders, velvet upholstered armchairs, a roof that opens, forward and rear decks, gangways… give in to the charms of the Cachemire.
With a length of 24 meters, it accommodates from 2 to 12 people ; Cachemire is the only boat on the Seine where you can have lunch or dinner outside, to 12 people.


With its teak decks, acajou wood, copper fittings, uniformed crew and elegant dining, Yachts de Paris offers a unique setting in which to share extraordinary moments with your guests."



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer

Want to get married in France?

Posted by Olivier Lalin -

Getting Married in France.
If you've been doing your research as a foreign couple wanting to get married in France there are many governmental technicalities that arise, that most people just can't get around, either because of time, efforts or money involved.


The biggest is that at least one of the marrying partners has to be in France for at least 40 days (continuous) before the wedding.
So you cant just hop on a plane and get married the next day or even the next week. Making it impossible to simply elope to France. A marriage here takes planning in advance.

Then the second biggest issue is that in France you have to get married at the City Hall first, then you can have the normal tradition religious wedding ceremony elsewhere afterwards.

And then, you will need to have “ Publications of Banns” at the Town Hall (Mairie).

As the British Embassy, France notes “Most Mairies take approximately 4 –6 weeks to process an application. Requirements will vary for each Mairie, therefore, it is essential that you first meet with them in order to determine their exact documentary requirements and terms of validity (documents may need to be issued less than 3 months prior to date of marriage or publication of banns)”

By this point you might be thinking, “what a drag!” and “we can’t possibly do all of that”
What to Do to Make your Dream Wedding Come True.
Don’t be in despair there are still ways to still have your “wedding” cake and eat it too, in France!

What to Do
I suggest you get a civil marriage done in your home country, which basically eliminates all the obstacles listed above, which is comparatively a less tedious task in most countries. Then you can have the wedding ceremony here in France.

Olivier Lalin Weddings Paris office is based in the heart of Paris with over a decade worth of experience shooting elegant destination weddings the Packages Include:

1. Engagement and Pre-wedding Photography
I’ve been taking pre-weeding portraits as a part of my wedding package for years and it’s certainly a pleasure to be able to do it in the “City of Lights”. Not only is the ambiance romantic but the images capture the pre-nuptial bliss amidst some of the most beautiful backdrop to be found anywhere: La Seine, Tulleries Garden, Eiffel Tower or simply your favorite place here in Paris.
You can view Pre-wedding portraits shots in Paris here





2. Wedding Photography
Having your wedding day taken care of by a wedding planner, especially when you are so far away might be essential. So in addition to the glamorous photo package, we’ll help you fine-tune the details of your wedding day.
You can view Wedding Photography here





For more detailed information on our packages available please contact us:
weddinglight@mac.com

Embassy Information:
US nationals see ...
UK nationals see...



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer

Chinese wedding in Paris

More than 30 new couples hold a group wedding in the Tuileries Gardens in downtown Paris on Saturday, when the Paris Shanghai Week opened as part of the Chinese Culture Year that ends this month.
I am getting regular queries about wedding photography in Paris by potential clients contacting me from Hong Kong or mainland china. Always asking for rental of tuxido and wedding gown as well as flowers and Limo ... At first, I thought it was one of those internet scam, AH AH ! Did a bit a research on the matter and realized that Paris was the prime wedding destination for Hong Kong residents.
This sudden fashion seems to be due to "The excellent France-China political relations that have provided profound basis for the prosperous bilateral cultural exchanges, which have, in return, facilitated the all-around development of bilateral ties," This is a quote from now ex president Chirac. The "Chinese Culture Year in France" is a big success as a result of the increasingly closer cultural exchanges between the two nations.
"... Imagine telling the wives of the four England footballers who got married last week about the traditional Chinese practice of renting bridal gowns – and imagine the horror. Renting a venue is one thing, but how can a woman rent a gown for one of the most important days of her life?
Simple. Greater China is mostly non-Christian, and what westerners think of as the wedding gown is only worn for picture taking. According to local celebrity designer Dorian Ho, a traditional Chinese wedding would involve one gown that could be a bridal gown for the ceremony, another for the reception, another for tossing the bouquet, yet another for dancing, and finally one for seeing guests off. In addition, says Carolyn Chow, partner and general manager of Central Weddings and Occasions in Hong Kong: “The average Hong Kongese lives in a small flat and if she buys a wedding dress, there is no room for storage. It is also more important to wear a cheongsam or qi pao. The wedding dress is not important so they don’t see any reason for spending much on it...”
Quotes from www.gluckman.com, Financial Times and The Telegraph



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
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Listing of French Wedding PLanners

Posted by Olivier Lalin -

What does a Wedding Planner Do ?

A wedding planner consults with the to-be bride and groom and according to the feedback that he receives from them, takes care of:

* Ordering the flowers, hiring a photographer, musician and other service providers for the wedding. It is the job of the wedding planner to deal with the various vendors and see that he can get the best possible rates from different vendors for his clients.

* Wedding planners usually have a great sense of fashion and this helps them to ensure that everything is tasteful and color coordinated for the wedding. They are responsible for ensuring that the theme of the wedding is reflected in all aspects of the wedding. Right from the design on the napkins, to the place settings, the flowers, and to the wedding dress; everything should be in sync with each other and it is the job of the wedding planner to ensure that.


* The wedding planner manages the money and ensures that the wedding is according to budget.

In short, a wedding planner is a mediator, a consultant, a sounding board, an organizer, an artisan and a financial advisor all rolled into one. And sometimes they even turn out to be a punching bag when nerves get frazzled (figuratively speaking), even though their job description definitely does not call for it!

So here is a List of selected Wedding Planners in France mostly based in Paris and South of France

• www.mariagedanslair.com - Paris

• www.feteinfrance.com - Paris

• www.piecemontee.com - Paris

• www.wedding-corporation.com - Paris

• www.coteblanc.com - Paris

• www.montecarloweddings.com - Monaco

• www.abracadabra-evenements.com - Paris

• www.weddingandco.com - Paris

• www.monplusbeaujour.com- Paris

• www.aava-communication.com - Villeneuve Loubet

• www.anne-ager.com - Antibes

• www.jlb-events.com - Paris

• www.mgweddingplanner.com - Geneva





photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
view site at weddinglight.com

Vivienne Westwood-Sweet words from Tizer Bailey

I received some kinds words from Tizer Bailey This morning !
She is the personal assistant to vivienne Westwood - Vivienne has Rocked the London fashion scene for the past 30 years! She is still one of the Main creative Tycoon in the fashion industry.
So the story goes "...Original and outrageous, British designer Vivienne Westwood is one of the most recognized and influential designers of the late twentieth century. By her mid twenties, Vivienne Westwood’s life seemed to b ...Read MORE

Dear Olivier,
I have just looked at those remarkable photographs that you took of Kira's wedding.
She was absolutely stunning in that gown, straight out of the pages of Vogue.
How kind of you to send them to us. Thank you very much.
I will show them to Vivienne when I have a chance.
Yours truly,
Tizer Bailey
Personal Assistant to Vivienne Westwood


I just included those Kinds words from Tizer Bailey in the Comment section of my website where you will find a few words written by Friends, Collegues and brides...
I think it is worth looking into! it might give you more of an inside understanding of Olivier Lalin weddings and its philosophy @ the Comment section of our website -



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer

A pathway to Heaven - Church Le Corbusier

Posted by Olivier Lalin -
World of Interior is publishing a story by Antoine Baralhe this month - Antoine photographed Le Corbusier's Final Project- The Church of Firminy -I met up with Antoine at Cafe Charbon in Paris yesterday and I saw the photos - they are stunning - Well worth buying a copy of the world of Interiors this month !



Any LOVERS of Le Corbusier's Architecture getting married this Year should consider the Firminy Church. It is located close to the town of St Etienne in France. Even if it hasn't been consecrated in accordance with Catholic ritual. A simple metal cross crowns the truncated cone on top of the slanted roof, where square-shaped and round "light cannons" direct the rays of the sun inside. The interior, only indirectly lit by slit-like gaps in the façade, is dominated by a pulpit, a chapel and an altar. Behind them, on the eastern side of the building, light falls through three dozen fist-sized openings. Massive perspex cylinders, built into the 22 centimeter (8.6 inch) concrete wall, form the constellation Orion.





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Classic Black and White Wedding Photos-2

Posted by Olivier Lalin -

A few more very Classic Wedding photos which trancend this beautiful day - Some taken in Paris, others in NYC and around !















more Classic Black and White wedding Photos



photographe © Olivier Lalin © photographer
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