The preparations took place in the couple’s flat where Olga took care of Anastasia’s make-up and hair stylisation.
No need to say, Olga is very talented and it’s not the first time we’re working together either on a wedding or fashion photo shoot.
This time though, we both had a fairly easy job – we were both amazed by Anastasia’s natural beauty, she is also very photogenic!

After making sure that our bride’s beauty is underlined, it was time to proceed with a Russian custom – the ransom of the bride.

In Russia’s distant past the ransom of the bride was a true folk theater performance full of national color. The bride’s family would block the road several times during the groom’s trip to the bride’s house. They would not let him pass until he demonstrated some of his talents. He could be tested on strength, intelligence and various other skills. For example, he could be asked to saw a log that is blocking the road or solve a riddle proposed by the bride’s family. If he failed any part of the test, he had to pay with coins or candies.
In modern-day Russia this ritual is usually performed on the way to the ZAGS department or on the groom’s trip to the bride’s house. The “setting up” of the ransom is conducted by the bridesmaid and the best man (called “witnesses” or svideteli). Today this custom is comprised of funny challenges for the groom, such as composing a poem for the bride, writing her name in rose petals, etc.

As you can see on the pictures below, Valery also had to be tested. The letter describing the operational tasks for the groom (James Bond) was coming from the Secret Intelligence Service! His test consisted of: drinking lemon juice without making a gurn, walking on his hands, drawing the bride’s portrait and the most difficult of all – asking Anastasia’s father for her hand and fighting a dragon in a knight costume.

Once his mission was successfully accomplished, he also prepared a surprise for the bride, Maurice – a little goldfish, called so after a french TV spot. We’ve all followed to La mairie de Cagnes-sur-Mer for the official part, after which another Russian tradition took place.

The tradition of sharing a wedding loaf was borrowed from the ancient Romans. In addition to being a symbol of health and prosperity, karavay is also a way to find out who will be the head of the family. This is done by having the newlyweds each take a bit, without using their hands. Whoever takes the largest bite is considered to be the head of family. Valery was the winner!

The couple and the guests had a delicious dinner in Dame Nature restaurant in Saint Laurent du var.
Afterwards we took some pictures by the sea and headed to Monaco where we carried forward with our photo shoot at the Casino square.

The evening has continued until late hours in the luxury Fairmont hotel at L’argentin restaurant.

Who said Matryoshka dolls can’t wear wedding jewellery?

A mix between Jane Russel and Jean Simmons and we’re in the ’50s !

Valèry had to scream love words in russian to Anastasia who was on the balcony.

It may look serious and scary, but Anastasia’s dad is a very gentle man!

Matryoshka

I would like to personally thank all of my past clients. You made me progress, you’ve shared your love and emotions with me and I’ve spent truly amazing moments at your wedding.

I have also observed one thing about my usual clients – they all care about a visual and technical quality of the photographs. It’s very important for me to know that all my efforts with the retouching and light setups are appreciated.

Some of the couples I’ve met are interested in photography as a hobby, some know very well what they’d like to obtain or show me the style that they favor the most. It’s not about the basic need of a photographer to document their wedding, they all want it to be perfect and memorable. This choice is as important for them as the choice of the wedding dress.

One of the biggest compliments I’ve heard from a groom is that I’m not over retouching my pictures. That’s why there’s a chance that in the future they won’t become unfashionable. There are trends in photography, each year brings new effects. Some of them are great for fashion but I think that a wedding is such an occasion which should be shown in a realistic way. I hope the year 2012 will bring me more destination weddings. I’m dreaming about photographing a Hindu wedding since a long time.

I already have some dates booked, so if you’d like to see whether I’m available for your wedding, please check out my calendar.

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║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR 2012
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ♥￥☆★☆★☆￥♥ ★☆ ♥♥♥

Cascade de Gairaut is located on the Vesubie Canal. Surrounded by an expertly landscaped part, it constitutes a genuine monument to the establishment of the canal in 1883. thanks to its position on a mountain slope, the site offers a great panorama of Nice and the coastline. The dense vegetation and curious rock formations add to the natural beauty of the site. The humming sound of falling water combines with strong scent of blooming plants, stimulating all the senses.

Laure is in 7th month, that’s a perfect time to take pregnancy pictures plus she looked and felt great!
Once little Eduard is born, we’ll take some family photos, so visit my blog soon!

Aldona’s asked my favourite maquilleuse – Olga to do her make-up.
I’ve worked with Olga on various occasions and she makes a perfect stylist as well.

Now a little bit of history of the place itself, which I hope you’ll find amusing. Legend has it that the original Château de Cremat logo inspired Coco Chanel to create the famous Chanel logo (the two interlocking Cs). Coco herself reportedly spent a great deal of time at the Château which was owned by a friend of hers in the 1920s and supposedly asked the venue if she could use their logo for her new perfume. The CC logo can indeed be seen in many places around the venue, from the stained glass windows and the stone work to the door frames.
To read more about this beautiful castle, click here.

The wedding was organised by Eternal Event wedding planner. The preparations took place in a beautiful house of Emmanuel’s parents in St Roman de Bellet. It gives a view over the mountains and grape fields. With a great help of Basia – a polish makeupist also living in the south of France, and Emmanuel’s mom who’s been a hairdresser before, Aldona’s transformed into a real Princess Bride.
After the church ceremony, the guests came back to Emmanuel’s parents house for a quite somptuous buffet. Our Polish priest – Bronisław Rosiek, was also welcomed to join the dinner. The couple has shared “bread and salt” in accordance with our tradition. After the first toast, the couple breaks the glasses by throwing them behind them. The second toast is often a champagne shot glass toast, which is raised in the name of the couple by the wedding attendants.

Afterwards all the guests have followed the wedding couple with a rented bus to Vista Palace Hotel next to Monaco, where the evening continued. The view was splendid, especially with the fireworks above the sea! Below you will find a great wedding video made by a young videographer hired by the couple, he has really captured the mood of the wedding!

Marta, once again thank you so much for your wonderful photos! I love them all!

A wedding video made by Guillaume De Maeyer:

The pictures were taken in October, I had my studio lights with me in case the weather got bad. It wasn’t that bad but the clouds begun to gather and the river was very cold. I even wanted to suggest to Magali to take the photos next to the river but she was so determined to get in! She said it’s only once in your lifetime to take pictures like these and she’s right! So I quickly forgot about my feet turning blue and with a great help of her mom as our light assisant, we continued our great photo shoot!

Qu’est-ce que c’est qu’un “Trash the dress” ? – lisez ici ou ici.

Qu‘est-ce qu’un Trash the Dress?

Built on its rocky outcrop and surrounded by its ramparts built on the orders of François I°, St Paul is certainly one of the most beautiful villages in Provence. The beauty of the surrounding area, quality of life and exceptional light has inspired numerous famous artists, painters, writers and poets, some of whom took up residence in the village. To know more about Saint Paul de Vence click here.

We’ve spent a couple of hours together, chatting a lot, and we’ve really liked each other, we even had a glass of wine in one of the restaurants in Nice, where we continued our engagement photo session. Jennifer has danced before and frankly, this has helped me a lot, I didn’t have to pose them, she looked natural and beautiful at each photograph, along with her husband-to-be of course!

Hi Marta, these are beautiful! You did an amazing job, we love them.