Amber, can you share the inspiration behind founding Zephyr & Luna and how your background in tourism and photography contributed to this venture?
After graduating from high school with a focus on sciences about 20 years ago, I was passionate about travel and art. Naturally, I pursued a Tourism degree through an apprenticeship, which allowed me to learn how to create tailor-made itineraries, calculate margins, make reservations, and more. Following that, I spent three years living in Canada, where I worked as a travel agent and guide. However, I felt a need to develop my artistic side, so I returned to France to complete a Bachelor's degree in photography, which I obtained in 2012. After that, I started my photography business, initially photographing traditional French weddings. But I didn't feel connected to that way of celebrating love—it lacked meaning, personality, and authenticity. I needed to put couples at the center of their own love story, helping them break free from limiting traditions on a day that has, for as long as humanity has existed, celebrated the beauty of their union. In 2019, I made a 180-degree shift in my business, completely overhauling my website, my identity, and my offerings to focus exclusively on intimate destination weddings.
What are some of the unique challenges and rewards of organizing off-season elopements, and how does Zephyr & Luna address these challenges to create memorable experiences for couples?
The challenges are the same, no matter the season. The beauty of intimate travel allows for year-round celebrations, even outside the typical wedding season. Traveling to destinations in the southern hemisphere also offers the chance to experience summer during winter. However, the main challenge—and our biggest strength—is finding 100% natural, accessible, free, and breathtaking ceremony locations. I don't work with hotels or resorts; they are great options for accommodation but not for weddings. Why travel 10,000 kilometers just to do what you could have done at home? When couples choose me to plan and photograph their union, they know their ceremony options will be filled with adventure, sunsets, quiet dances under the stars, delicious food, and awe-inspiring landscapes. That’s our biggest challenge and reward.
How do you believe off-season elopements redefine the traditional concept of marriage, particularly regarding intimacy, personalization, and cost-efficiency?
Off-season elopements open up areas of the world that might otherwise be inaccessible and offer more affordable prices for flights and luxury accommodations. Certain natural sites are also less crowded outside peak season, as most tourists have left. This allows us to create incredibly intimate moments in extraordinary locations, which is exactly what our couples are looking for.
Can you talk about a specific off-season elopement you organized that stands out to you, and what made it particularly special or challenging?
I never single out a particular elopement because they are all incredible, and each of my couples is unique!
How does Zephyr & Luna integrate elements of mental health awareness and environmental responsibility into the elopement planning process?
Mental health is at the heart of today’s societal concerns. Couples who choose to marry just the two of them on the other side of the world are often harshly judged, whether it’s for ecological, family, or other reasons. While I firmly believe in environmentalism and the importance of it—my business supports it daily and through annual donations—I also believe in the beauty of discovering new landscapes, the importance of broadening horizons to foster greater tolerance for what is different from us. Travel is an inexhaustible source of life-changing experiences. I believe that a couple can decide to marry anywhere in the world if that’s what they want, to celebrate their love in a completely unique way. Mental health also means having a fully neurodivergent team that is extremely empathetic and embraces all couples, regardless of their story, sexual orientation, gender, or heritage.
What trends do you see emerging in the elopement industry, especially concerning popular destinations and the increasing demand for intimate ceremonies?
Some destinations are timeless, like Iceland or Italy. But with the rise of social media, less-known destinations are gaining popularity, and that’s fantastic!
With your extensive experience in both traditional weddings and elopements, what advice would you give to couples considering an off-season elopement for the first time?
Go for it. You deserve a wedding day that reflects who you are—peaceful, beautiful, sweet, adventurous, just the way you want it! You only have one life, so live it the way you’ve decided to, without worrying about the judgment of others.
For more information, visit https://www.zephyr-et-luna.com/
