How to Prepare for Your Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in Paris, France | by Paris Makeup + Hair Artist, Onorina Jomir
Makeup & Hairstyling: Onorina Jomir Beauty | Featured Photographers: Alex Beckett, Celine Chhoun Photography, Claire Morris Photography, Julia Rapp Photography, Katie Mitchell Photography, Kiss Me In Paris, Le Secret d’Audrey, The Paris Photographer
Paris Pre-wedding Photoshoots: Having your prewedding photos in Paris is a beautiful way to conceptualize your unique relationship! Photo courtesy of The Paris Photographer.
Pre-wedding photoshoots in Paris are not just trendy, but elegant, timeless, and PUREly MAGICal! the style changes, the oh-so-chic, breathtaking Parisian backdrops, and the frame-worthy photos that celebrate your unique relationship are just some of the reasons to jet off to France and book that pre-wedding photoshoot!
Since many of my brides are traveling from Singapore, China, India, United States, and beyond, I make it a priority to get know their vision for their makeup and hair look for their pre-wedding photoshoot in Paris, France. It can be stressful to plan everything from abroad, so I’m here to make the process smooth, easy, and fun for every single one of my clients.
Here is my guide on how to prepare for your pre-wedding photoshoot in Paris - it will cover popular photoshoot locations in Paris, top makeup looks and hairstyles, Eastern and Western bridal looks, PLUS some of my professional makeup & hair tips that will help you look your best in front of the camera!
Choose your Photographer (& Videographer)
Paris Pre-wedding Photoshoot: Search for a photographer whose style resonates with you! Makeup and hair styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty. Photo courtesy of Katie Mitchell Photography.
Paris is a TOP destination for pre-wedding photoshoots in Europe! But how do you decide which photographer is right for you? Here are my tips on finding the right photographer for your needs:
For pre-wedding photoshoots, photographers offer hourly packages with a select number of edited photos. Their packages will also list how many style changes and locations are doable in a given amount of time, so make sure you find select the best package for your needs and budget.
If you want to hire videographer as well, I suggest asking your photographer for recommendations, or seeing who he/she has worked with before. This makes it easier for your vendors to work as a team and this will translate into your photos and video! Plus, you’ll feel more laid back knowing you’ve booked a team to make this day extra magical for you and capture your unique vision!
If Paris is one of several pre-wedding photoshoot locations, consider hiring the same photographer (and videographer) to travel with you to your other locations. This way you’ll get a consistent style of photography/video across all your locations, and you’ll feel more and more comfortable in front of the camera working with the same team over and over again, which will result in more beautiful photos to take home!
Paris Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Tip: If you like any photos from this post, I have listed the photographer under each image and have their websites available at the bottom, in alphabetical order, so you can easily reach out to them to inquire about availability and packages.
2. Book Your Makeup + Hair Artist in Paris
Paris Pre-Wedding Makeup Looks: find a makeup and hair stylist with a portfolio of clients wearing looks that you can envision yourself wearing. Photo courtesy of Alex Beckett.
Check their website, portfolio, social media profiles, and online reviews.
Do you like their style and aesthetic? Do you see your facial features, skin tone, and hair type represented in their portfolio? Search for makeup looks you could picture on yourself and reach out to your selected artist ASAP to get the conversation started. If you’re unsure, ask for more examples of the artist’s work - professional beauty artists have hundreds of makeup and hair images that aren’t published online, and they would be happy to show you more specific examples!
Top Tips on Pre-wedding Makeup and Hair Looks
Once you find your artist, it’s time to narrow down the look you want. Here are my top tips for choosing a makeup and hairstyle for pre-wedding photoshoots in Paris:
Emphasize on the eyes and emboldening the lips - in order to capture the scenery and iconic landmarks, Paris destination photoshoots are shot far away, and little details can be subdued, meaning lashes, lips and eye makeup needs to be amplified.
Be mindful of wind, rain and humidity. No amount of hairspray can keep a down-do from succumbing to the elements, even in a 1-hour photoshoot in the rain. If rain is in the forecast, make sure you have a plan B updo hairstyle in mind. This is the only way you can ensure your hair looks it’s best in all your photos (and videos)!
Bring a variety of hair accessories to add a pop of contrast to up or down styles - think hair flowers, pearls, bows or hair vines. Show your stylist along the way so she can prepare to securely fasten it!
Read More: Bridal Makeup Styling Guide and Bridal Hair Design Guide.
Most Requested Pre-Wedding Looks for Asian Brides
3. Select Your Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Outfits
Pre-wedding photoshoots are all about the story of you and your partner’s relationship, in the dreamiest way possible! Many pre-wedding brides have an assortment of style changes, with the most popular choices being casual dresses, formal evening wear, cocktail dresses and long gowns, traditional wedding outfits (saris, hanbok, qipao, or hung kwa), and/or western white wedding gowns. Below are some inspirations of different pre-wedding photoshoot outfit ideas from real couples who’ve had their pre-wedding photos taken in Paris.
Need More Tips? Check out my Engagement Photoshoot Guide.
Romantic Casual pre-wedding Photoshoot Look
For more romantic looks, think sun-dresses or tops & flowy skirts, and focus on a bolder eye makeup with lashes so we can see your features well in photos (remember, you lose detail in front of a professional camera, especially in photos taken at a distance). Don’t be afraid to ask for a bolder version of your natural lip-color as well. For hairstyles, romantic beach waves, loose curls, messy chic-buns and flirty ponytails are popular styles.
Casual Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Makeup Tip: Wearing bright floral prints? Bold eyes and pinky-nude lips will work best with this look!
Minimalist white Pre-Wedding bridal LOOKS
For minimalist white dresses such as cocktail dresses, midi lace dresses, and skirts + tops, go for a full updo, sleek ponytail, or soft curls. Invest in a pretty floral bouquet and a beautiful pair of shoes to really make the look pop!
Paris Pre-Wedding Style Tip: Pumps are a must, but it doesn’t mean your feet have to suffer. Bring a pair of comfy shoes to wear in-between locations.
LONG FLOWY Pre-Wedding GOWNS
Flowy, romantic dresses are very popular for a Paris pre-wedding photoshoot! Be prepared to twirl and dance around the city’s most iconic landmarks - these photos always come out best! Look for solid color, chiffon or tulle skirts with lots of layers for beautiful movement. Pair these with curled hair or a full updo with soft pieces framing your face!
Pre-wedding Makeup and Hair Tip: for flowing dresses, keep the makeup luminous and natural, with a defined lashline and a my lips-but-better lip color with gloss!
Red Pre-wedding Dress Styles
If you’re like most pre-wedding brides, wearing red is a must! For formal red dresses like the ones above, polished hairstyles such as Hollywood curls, sleek half updos, and polished chignons are the way to go. Many women use this as a chance to try out their wedding hairstyle and makeup looks before their big day. As far as lip colors go, you should always either wear a matching shade of red lipstick, or opt for a ‘barely-there’ soft nude or pink tone on the lips.
Pre-wedding Photoshoot Style Tip: If you are dying to wear red for your pre-wedding photoshoot, a red-carpet look is the way to go! Pair it with the perfect nude-pinky glossy lip, or a striking Parisian red lip!
incorporate red into your makeup + accessories
If you prefer to incorporate pops of red into your look, but want to stick with a white or different colored dress, consider a classic red lip for a timeless, glamorous look, or an iconic accessory such as red sole shoes or a cute umbrella!
Pre-Wedding Makeup Artist Tip: If you’re doing multiple makeup looks for your photoshoot, save red lipstick + and it’s corresponding outfit for last—it’s always easier to start with natural lips and work your way up to a bold pout!
Fall & Winter Pre-Wedding Style Ideas
Fall and winter are absolutely magical in Paris and the perfect opportunity to show off your layered looks and long-sleeved gowns. Stay warm with pocket warmers, a chic coat, and trendy boots. Don’t forget to wear leggings under your dress… if we won’t see your legs, you’ll be thankful you did!
Paris Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Tip: Pack a thermos of hot tea, a very warm long coat, scarves, warm boots, and pocket warmers to use between locations and stay warm during cold weather. Always wear your coat in between shots and take a break at a Parisian cafe for a cup of hot chocolate so you can recharge and warm up for your next photoshoot location!
Bright and Vibrant Traditional Eastern Bridal Looks
Packing traditional wear wedding dresses is a must for many of my clients! Whether you’re wearing a sari, qipao or kimono, it’s the perfect time to change-up the makeup and hair! Make sure you pick a location on the horizon or with a less busy background as the patterns and drapery of these fabrics need a clean background to stand out.
Paris Pre-wedding makeup and hairstyling tip: These dresses command attention and the makeup needs to be bold to compete. I like incorporating a bolder lip, touching up curls, or sweeping the hair up into an up-do for traditional wedding outfit changes for pre-wedding photoshoots.
Traditional Western White Bridal gown Looks
Western white wedding dress looks for pre-wedding photoshoots look marvelous at any location in Paris! The solid whites play beautifully with the creamy backdrop of Paris and it’s the perfect opportunity to try out your wedding day makeup and hairstyles!
Paris Pre-wedding photoshoot tip: Plan your biggest look change at a café terrace so that you can use their restroom. Don’t want to carry around all your outfits and change in a public restroom? Rent a van so that you can change into and have everything you need at your fingertips. Alternatively, you could plan a break in your photoshoot to change at your Airbnb or hotel - just make sure you stay somewhere close to your photoshoot location! Read till the end for more on look change tips.
4. Choose Your Pre-wedding Photoshoot Locations
Paris has countless option for pre-wedding photoshoots. Eiffel Tower is iconic and unbelievably more beautiful in real life than in photos! However, Paris has so many beautiful backdrops, I encourage you to do your research and pick a location that matches your style. Here is a list of the top locations, featuring makeup, hair and outfit inspiration for Paris pre-wedding photoshoots:
TOP Paris Photoshoot Locations + IDEAS
Petit Palais Golden Gate Entrance—built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, the Petit Palais are conveniently near the Seine and the Tuileries Gardens if you want to add more locations to your shoot.
The Louvre Museum: The Pyramids, Louvre Palace. However, this is a popular tourist destination, so be ready for an early morning photoshoot... If you want a mix of Paris architecture and art, try the Palais Royale. these locations are perfect for bold red-carpet worthy gowns!
Alexander III Bridge is one of my favorite photoshoot locations. The sculpture elements of this white gold and black bridge offer views of Paris, the seine and are next to the Grand Palais.
Eiffel Tower is next to the Seine, and the Jardin d'Erivan, which is where you’ll see an avenue of perfectly trimmed trees.
Hotels & Parisian Airbnb’s; Gorgeous interiors and glamorous balconies… what’s not to love? This type of intimate location is perfect for boudoir and bridal portraits, in case you wanted to incorporate both into your pre-wedding photoshoot - just like my client, Mallory!
Parisian Cafes are the perfect place to capture romantic, candid shots that showcase your love language. Plus, cafes are easy to add on to any location since they are all over Paris! Read More: How to Make the Most of Your Engagement Photoshoot in Paris.
French Gardens: Gardens in Paris are glorious no matter what time of year you visit. My personal favorites are Jardin du Luxembourg & Tuileries Garden.
Now that you’ve planned your look & found your location/s
It’s Time to Plan HOW You will CHANGE your look during your Pre-wedding Photoshoot.
Pre-Wedding Photoshoot tip: Make sure you plan enough time to change looks between shoots! Makeup and hairstyling by Onorina Jomir Beauty, Photo courtesy of Julia Rapp Photography.
Switching outfits, hairstyles, and makeup during your shoot is what many pre-wedding clients want, especially for destination photoshoots in Paris! However there are some logistics to consider…. such as… Where will you change? How will you carry your clothes and accessories around? How will you restyle your makeup and hair between locations? Below are some tips on how to make changing looks during your shoot as simple as possible.
Most pre-wedding clients have several styles planned. I would strongly recommend hiring an onsite makeup artist and hair stylist. They will change your look between styles so that you can focus on the camera. They will also step in if they are your makeup or hair is astray during photos! If not, come prepared with a hair kit, of bobbi pins, hairspray and elastics… and a makeup touch up kit.
Plan your makeup and outfits to go from natural to bold. Some makeup, such as bold red lipstick is hard to remove, so its best saved for last! It’s also much simpler to sweep a down style into a full updo—saving you precious camera time!
Save your biggest look change at a café terrace so that you can use their restroom. Don’t want to carry around all your outfits and change in a public restroom? Rent a van so that you can change into and have everything you need at your fingertips.
Don’t forget about accessories! Bad weather heading your way? Plan with a chic clear umbrella, cute coat or pocket hand warmers. Hot sunny day? Wear wide brim straw hat with matching purse is a chic solution.
Keep an eye on the weather, and switch to a full updo If wind, rain, high heat, and humidity are in the forecast– As said before, no amount of hairspray will protect your curls from the elements in a 6+ hour photoshoot in these conditions! A hairstylist can switch a look into an about 15-30 minutes depending on the complexity.
Read more: Paris Engagement Photoshoot Guide
Prewedding Photoshoot in winter time in front of the Eiffel Tower. Makeup and hair styling by Onorina Jomir Beauty. Photo courtesy of Claire Morris Photography.
Congratulations!
You are ready to pack your suitcase and jet off to Paris for your pre-wedding photoshoot!
With this guide, you can now talk to your photographer, makeup artist and hair stylist about exactly how you want to look for your pre-wedding photoshoot! It takes a bit of time to make sure the pieces align, but it will create mesmerizing photos you will cherish for years to come! If you need a makeup and hairstylist in Paris, my team and I are happy to help you look glamorous and camera-ready! With 10+ years of experience, we know exactly what it takes to help you achieve your dream look for your pre-wedding photoshoot in Paris!
For more makeup look inspiration and ideas, check my PINTEREST profile, or click below and start pinning photos directly to your Pinterest board—it’s super fun, you’ll see!
Ready to design your hairstyle for your destination wedding in France? Check out my Bridal Hair Design Guide and follow my Instagram for daily inspiration!
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