S&A Wedding Report at Domaine de Mauvoisin 78
Adeline and Soundar's wedding at the Domaine de Mauvoisin
The beginnings of a good reportage, a beautiful meeting
As usual, I first replied to Adeline's email, who was looking for a wedding photographer for the Domaine de Mauvoisin for June 2019. We then exchanged ideas by phone to better understand the expectations and desires of the future bride and groom. We quickly agreed on a first meeting. As a Parisian wedding photographer, I love meeting couples in the capital. From that first face-to-face meeting at the Hoxton Hotel, Adeline and Soundar won me over! Already with this atypical Paris venue nestled in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement that they had chosen for our meeting. I didn't know the place, but I was delighted to discover it, and since then it's been one of my favorite places to meet future Parisian brides and grooms. It's a refined and elegant 18th century mansion in the heart of the Grands Boulevards district. Over and above the venue, their personalities and vision of their wedding matched perfectly those of the bride and groom I love to photograph.
The wedding program included a civil ceremony during the week and, for the big day, preparations, a secular ceremony, cocktails and the evening, all at the Domaine de Mauvoisin. This estate in 78, which Sonia manages to perfection, armed with her smile and discreet involvement, is the one I've visited the most since I started out as a wedding photographer. It's a wonderful estate with a dovecote, a church, spacious, fully-equipped apartments (pool table, piano), a barn, a marsh and a beautiful reception hall.
Civil ceremony at Aulnay Sous Bois town hall, wedding in Seine Saint Denis
And so it all began on Friday, for the wedding of Adeline and Soundar, on the forecourt of Aulnay sous Bois town hall in Seine Saint Denis. The bride and groom made their first look. That all-important moment when the two protagonists see each other for the first time that day. Soundar was standing with his back to the town hall, waiting for his beautiful Adeline to get out of the car, meet him and invite him to turn around to discover her. It's always a tense moment for the groom, especially when his beau takes his time and says hello to everyone before joining him. Soundar waited patiently for his bride-to-be to show herself to him. The town hall, built in 1930, has a central stoop ideal for group photos. It's rather plain and unadorned, but for a wedding, very often - and this was the case - emotions are enough to dress up the place.
On the big day, we meet at the Domaine de Mauvoisin for the wedding celebration.
Saturday morning weddings on the Domaine de Mauvoisin in the Yvelines often begin in private apartments. The estate boasts several buildings, enabling the bride and groom to get ready in the same place, but without seeing each other. The largest building has two floors with several bedrooms, including a very large salon with a piano and pool table right in the middle. The place has a lot of character and offers a decor that combines retro and modern. Outside, there are several distinct green spaces, a huge weeping willow, a dovecote and a barn. The Domaine de Mauvoisin undoubtedly has many assets for hosting any type of event, but the most valuable is the welcome and expertise of its managers, Sonia and her husband. They take great care of the bride and groom and their guests, which makes for a unique and magical day.
Preparations at the estate and couple session at Montchauvet
And so, on this beautiful day in mid-June 2019, Adeline and Soundar got ready at the same venue, but without seeing each other. The day's first look took place at the back of the estate, in green spaces reserved for the bride and groom. After the first look, we agreed to continue with a couple's session on the estate and in the surrounding area. We headed for the pretty village of Montchauvet (less than 10 minutes from the estate) to take in its ruined church.
Secular ceremony in the Domaine de Mauvoisin barn and flash mob for the cocktail reception
On our return, the wedding ceremony took place in the estate's barn. Organized and officiated by the bride and groom's close friends, the emotion was at its peak. After this lovely ceremony, we slipped away again with the bride and groom and their parents for an impromptu aperitif. The idea was to keep the bride and groom entertained until all the guests had settled down outside for a surprise flash-mob to open the cocktail party. And all the guests, without exception, played along!
Cocktails and Vin d'Honneur followed, with an interlude for group photos. Between the entertainment, the photo-booth and the speeches, time flew by.
This wedding has left me with some incredible memories, all the more so as I was accompanied by my friend and second shooter David, who was able to create some of his first beautiful wedding images. As for mine, here's a slideshow with music and a selection of photos to follow.
Thanks again to Adeline and Soundar who trusted me for their wedding and who I don't think regret it.
Wedding photographer: Karim Kheyar (that's me!) / Second shooter photographer: raj_art_photo / Photo-booth rental: Meri' Heavenly / Reception venues: Domaine de Mauvoisin / Ceremony officiant: the pals! / Floral decorator: the bride and her loved ones / Caterer: Erisay / Wedding dress: Elise Martimort / DJ: DJ Willy from Domaine de Mauvoisin/ First meeting : Hoxton hotel