Zach and Delight became friends in middle school when they were just 13 years old. Those two youngins may have never guessed they’d end up in Paris together many years later to commit to a lifetime of love and partnership. Upon initial wedding planning, the couple decided they wanted one thing for their celebration – for it to be a special and intimate occasion away from home.

“We went to Paris together in 2019 and loved it,” Delight says. “At the time, we were dating, but we knew we wanted to get married and have a destination wedding.”

Their first (and biggest) hurdle to jump: lasting restrictions from COVID-19. Luckily, both France and the U.S. eased their mandates right before the couple and their guests would jump the puddle headed for the City of Light.

Early in the planning process Delight and Zach recruited wedding planner Katerina Meyvial, helping avoid the headaches of trying to navigate planning in a French-speaking country.

“I’m not sure how anyone is able to do a destination wedding without [a wedding planner],” the couple says. “Katerina did a great job and made the entire time we were there stress-free.”

Having to travel far for their celebration, Delight and Zach kept DIY elements to a minimum with a custom crossword puzzle and personalized magazine which included important information like the dos and don’ts of vacationing in Paris.

“Because we only had 37 guests, it was easier to upgrade many of our vendors,” the couple says. “It was a Black Tie event with a 4-course meal.”

After having the time of their lives surrounded by family, friends, and the romantic atmosphere of France’s capital city, Delight and Zach cannot imagine a more perfect way to say “I do.”

“We think [by having a hometown wedding] we would have been more pressured to invite more people, and it would have taken the experience we wanted from our wedding away. Instead of plated meals, we would have had a buffet or smaller floral arrangements and that is not what we envisioned.”

For couples considering a destination wedding, Zach and Delight leave you with this advice:

“If you are on the fence about having a destination wedding, just do it. Hire a wedding planner. Try your hardest to fit it into your budget. We had the most stress-free day and we really owe it all to our planner!”

Vendors: Photographer: Gabi Alves; Wedding Planner: Katerina Meyvial; Venue: Terrass Hotel; Florist: Poeme Fleuriste; Stationery: Clarity & Co; Cake: Celine Cake Design; Hair & Makeup: Yana Dolgodvorova; Gown Designer: Sarah Seven; Men’s Attire: Generation Tux; Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry; Pianist/DJ: Alexandre Pachabezian; After party boat: Bateau le Rive Gauche