LDE Press : Lauren Daversa Events Loire Valley Shoot

What happens when a planner dreams? Well, they make their dreams come true!  In this case, one of my dreams took me all the way across the Atlantic to a magical country: France.

Lauren Daversa Makes Magic Happen!!

Honestly, who has not dreamed of planning a destination wedding; I know I have! And while it may appear on the surface the tasks involved with planning a wedding abroad could be a huge undertaking, I hope this shoot showcases a wedding abroad being difficult to plan is merely a myth and could not be any further from the truth!

Okay, it truly helps if you've hired the right team of professionals to provide you with the support
you will need, and deserve!  However, in order to rest assured your wedding will be the most incredible experience of your life, and whether a wedding is in your hometown, or a country you have only dreamed of visiting, you will always need the right team behind you!

And just to illustrate how easy it is to fly away for the destination wedding of your dreams, I collaborated with local vendors to bring to document a destination photoshoot.  In this instance, I dreamed of a Parisian shoot, and then turn it into a reality.  All so couples are able to see having a wedding abroad is a viable option for your special day.

Okay, it takes planning.  And sure, I am a planner.  But I have never been to France (born and raised New Yorker).  I've never driven a manual car. I don't speak French. Yet, I was able to create this over the top, dream of a wedding shoot, shot onsite a gorgeous castle, in the middle of the Loire Valley!

Living Life Like A Fairytale ?  

Here is a little secret: as is with every event, there are always teeny-tiny snafus.  And on the day of the shoot, there was quite a snafu.  Hours before everything was scheduled to start, the model was a no show.  

OH MA GAWD!!!

The middle of the Loire Valley is not exactly epicenter of a plethora of models waiting to work.   

In my line of work, the only time to worry is when a problem arises, and you have hired crappy vendors. Yup, in this case, you're probably SH!T out of luck.  It is one reason why you always hire the best vendors you can. For me, after twenty-three years in the industry, there is absolutely no situation, or problem I cannot find a way to resolve.  And when the news of a no-show model broke, my planner, director, producer, visionary hats came off, and I went into fix it mode. And in this case, fix it meant I was forced into the role of pretending to be a model for the day.

Anyone who knows me personally, will vouch it is a rare day when you will find me in front of the camera - my modeling days ended in the nineties.  And while I was never, ever, EVER supposed to be in front of the camera at my own shoot, this was the only solution. Thanks no show model. 

On the flip side, how wonderful this snafu serves as the perfect example to illustrate something I share with my clients time and time and time and time and time and time again: there is never a problem in the world of wedding planning; there are only situations which need to be tweaked!

And on this day, it came full circle to where I was taking my own advice.  Despite not wanting to, I dug deep, took my own advice, turned to motivation from Richard Dreyfuss and let it ride.  There was no way this amazing photoshoot, in the middle of the Loire valley, with time working against us, was going to go down the toilet!

Twirling in a Princess Dress in front of a Castle

with a Rainbow Beaming In The Sky was Magical!!

Looks easy, twirling around in front of a gorgeous castle - doesn't it!

Getting Stuffed Into The Dress

Well, before the twirls, there was hours of hair and makeup; it took two people to stuff me into a tight, super heavy wedding gown; and my feet were shoved into high heels two sizes too small. Then came the hours of grinning like I meant it, from sunrise to sunset.  We managed to pull off morphing from two strangers into lovey-dovey newlyweds.  Okay, there may have been a never ending supply of champagne popped throughout the day to keep me going! COME ON, we were in France! But for a woman, to rock a gorgeous, yet very, very, very heavy and very, very tight wedding gown; run around in teeny tiny high heels; and balance ten pounds of hair piled high on top of my head; and, end the day smiling - I'd categorize this as a miracle!

Running In Heels!

But look at the result!

Look at this portraits!

In one day, after months of creating and planning, the vision, my dream, bringing to life a modern, romantic Parisian elopement, where the style of Marie Antoinette was infused with the sass of my hometown of NYC, was completely brought to life.

Just Keep Smiling, Just Keep Smiling!!!

A Modern Day Cinderella Moment

We hit the nail on the head with this shoot, and the vision became an even more beautiful reality. The result was better than what I had dreamed up in my own mind, and truly portrayed one possible way for YOU to have your own fairytale wedding!

A Castle Fit For A Princess and Her Prince 

Beautiful Decor Courtesy of the Castle!

It took an army to create the entire shoot a success!  Beauty was provided by Samantha Joline Vandermeyde, and hair by Maude Poilievreu worked for hours to transform me into a decent looking bride; and Jean-Marie Voignier designed the most incredible tablescape, decor, bouquets and boutonnieres!  Event Planning and stationery by Lauren Daversa Events. And you know what, IT WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND AND ALL THE WORK!

24 Hours of Shooting Deserves A Lot of Champs

All together, the shoot lasted almost 24 hour between beauty and wardrobe, location changes and champagne breaks. We shot around the castle's extensive grounds; throughout the surrounding town; even in the local sun flower fields at sunset.

What a gift it is to be able to make a dream become   reality, which I am proudly sharing with you. Any couple would be blessed to call this shoot their wedding.  This may be the most beautiful wedding I will ever have! And these are only a few of the stunning portraits be captured!  Seriously, only a few of them!

So, if you are recently engaged, and considering a romantic and unique destination wedding, remember it is a possibility.  Destination weddings allow you to immerse yourself in the splendors of a new culture; a culture only able to be found in a foreign location, far, far, far away! You will have the chance to escape into a fantasy-esque world with your closest friends and family by your side and all to share in one of the most significant moments in your life! 

Be sure to say hello to Lauren Daversa Events, and let us make your wedding dreams come true! Whether you want to go to Palm Beach, New York, Montauk, Firenze, Hawaii, Paris, or somewhere else in the world, we are ready to to give you the experience of lifetime, which you will never forget!

What are you waiting for!!

Sunset Kisses in a Field of Sunflowers!

Love Was Literally in the Air!