This is the story of an unconventional elopement and love against all odds. Kseniia and Jeff met on Tinder and lived together in China for two years. When the pandemic hit, they moved to Ukraine. When the war began, they had to flee again and they were lucky to get out in time, heading to Paris. In Kiev train station, Jeff got down on one knee to ask for Kseniia’s hand in marriage. They made it to France and got married.

Inspired by the colours of the banner of peace, they wanted to add pops of colour where they could. Kseniia both wore pieces from Zara that they picked up just before the ceremony. Colour was added by way of the flowers, stationery and the bride’s rainbow earrings.

The ceremony was held at Les Deux Plateaux and officiated by Elope to Europe. Kseniia told us, “Our suggestion for a Paris elopement is to find a good solution for your ceremony. There are many hotels and private terraces where you can get married but we decided to do it in a famous square. It was pretty funny and unusual. We loved the idea to have something completely different from the traditional wedding!”

“We cried a lot,” she continued. “Our family was still in Ukraine during the war so the emotions were very strong. We would have loved to have them with us during that special moment.”

Being as they eloped, they didn’t have a reception, instead, they went around the city with their photographer to get photographs at the most iconic locations. “We had a lot of fun taking pictures all over the city, especially during night”, the bride said. “We took a glass of wine in a typical Parisian bistro and got on the subway to go to Montmartre and see Paris from the top of the hill. Then we went to Pont Alexander III and we danced together with the sparkling Eiffel Tower in the background.”

“This wedding was the triumph of love over war and the disastrous situation that people are experiencing in Ukraine”, their photographer Patrizia added. “We hope people enjoy reading their inspiring story.”