Deborah Chan
Weddings in France are known for their romanticism, beautiful locations, and delicious food and wine. While wedding traditions vary across the globe, some countries have more unique customs than others. In France, for instance, there is no wedding rehearsal. The real event is when everyone walks down the aisle for the first time. French weddings also differ from American weddings in that they are rarely held in hotel ballrooms. Instead, they often take place in rented châteaux or domaines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding rehearsals | Not common |
| Wedding venue | Château, domaine, town hall, church, or party hall |
| Food | Local French food, wine, and champagne |
| Dinner time | Around 9 pm |
| Dinner type | Seated, individually plated, and multi-course |
| Wedding cake | "une pièce montée", croquembouche |
| Wedding attire | White or off-white fancy dress for the bride, suit or tux for the groom |
| Witnesses | Minimum one and maximum two per person to be wed |
| Legal marriage | Must be performed by the mayor at the town hall |
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What You'll Learn
French weddings typically have a civil and religious ceremony
French weddings are typically a blend of historical customs and contemporary styles. While weddings differ across France, a common feature is the inclusion of both civil and religious ceremonies.
The civil ceremony, known as "Mariage civil", is a cornerstone of the marriage process in France. It is a legal requirement and must take place at the town hall before any other ceremonies. This is because, in France, a church or nongovernmental officiant cannot legally marry a couple. The civil ceremony is often attended only by close family and "witnesses" (known as "témoins"). These witnesses stand next to the couple during the ceremonies and sign the wedding registry. They can be of any age or gender and usually wear what they please.
Following the civil ceremony, the couple may choose to have a religious ceremony in a church, typically a Catholic one, given France's predominantly Catholic roots. This ceremony includes various rituals, such as the couple feeding each other bites of croquembouche, a traditional French dessert. The religious ceremony is deeply rooted in French culture, offering a spiritual dimension to the union.
The reception, known as "repas de noces", is a grand affair, showcasing France's rich culinary heritage. It usually takes place at a chateau or large event space and includes a multi-course meal, wines, and dancing. The meal is typically served late, around 9 pm, and the dancing can go on until the early morning. The reception may also feature traditional customs, such as the turning of the napkins, where guests raise and twirl their napkins over their heads when the couple enters the dining room.
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There are no wedding rehearsals in France
French weddings are known for their unique traditions and customs, which differ from those in other countries, especially the US. For example, the French don't have their weddings in hotel ballrooms; instead, they opt for renting a château or a domaine. The dinner is usually served quite late, around 9 pm, and it is a seated, individually plated, multi-course meal with only one meal option, often featuring red meat. The wedding cake is also different from the traditional American cake; in France, it is called a "croquembouche," a pyramid of vanilla cream-filled pastry balls.
Another difference is the legal aspect of the wedding. In France, a couple must get married at the "mairie" (city hall) of their town to be legally recognized. This civil ceremony is usually performed by the mayor and is meant to be a "public" event with open doors. If the couple also chooses to have a religious ceremony, it must take place after the civil one, and it is purely spiritual.
French weddings also have unique post-wedding rituals, such as "charivari," where guests gather outside the newlyweds' window and bang pots and pans. There is also the tradition of "la rôtie" in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where unmarried men and women find the escaped bride and groom, tip them out of bed, and serve them a drink in a chamber pot.
While there may be no wedding rehearsals, French weddings are full of surprises and unique traditions that make them memorable and special. From the elegant venues to the delicious food and all-night celebrations, French weddings are a beautiful blend of old customs and modern style.
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Wedding food is taken seriously
French weddings are known for infusing contemporary style with long-held customs. One of the most important aspects of a French wedding is the food, which is taken very seriously. The wedding meal is a significant expense and is often one of the most memorable parts of the celebration. French people are proud of their gourmet heritage and view the wedding meal as an opportunity to showcase it.
The traditional choice for a French wedding meal is a seated, plated dinner. This option ensures guests feel well-attended and provides a comfortable, leisurely dining experience. Each guest is served a starter, main course, and dessert. However, this option can be more expensive due to the need for multiple servers. For a more relaxed and less formal atmosphere, another option is to place dishes in the center of each table, allowing guests to serve themselves and share.
French wedding meals typically feature local French food and wine. The menu often includes items like beef bourguignon, potatoes au gratin, and coq au vin. The main dish is often red meat, and it is common to have only one meal option. Before the main course, there is usually an hour-long "cocktail hour" or "Vin d'honneur," where guests enjoy appetizers such as pâté, mini vegetable tarts, French cheeses, and duck foie gras. It is important for guests not to fill up on these hors d'oeuvres, as the main course is typically served late, around 9 pm.
French wedding planners advise considering various dietary restrictions when planning the wedding menu. Catering professionals are well-versed in accommodating different dietary preferences, including vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options. It is common to include a question about dietary preferences in the wedding announcement to ensure that all guests' needs are met during the celebration.
The French wedding reception, or "repas de noces," is known for its festive atmosphere. After the main course, the newlyweds make their entrance in a "broom car" or "la voiture balai." One unique French wedding tradition is the croquembouche, a tower of cream-filled pastry balls, which the couple feeds to each other after cutting the cake. The turning of the napkins is another French wedding custom, where guests raise their cloth napkins over their heads and twirl them when the couple enters the dining room or to express excitement.
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Wedding guests receive five sugar-coated almonds
In France, weddings are infused with contemporary style and long-held customs. While some traditions have been abandoned, such as the dreaded "pot de chambre" ritual, other customs remain. For example, French weddings are known for their elegant décor, local French food and wine, and lively celebrations.
One such tradition that you may encounter at a French wedding is the giving of sugar-coated almonds, also known as Jordan almonds, dragées, or confetti. These almonds are a popular wedding favour, given to guests as a token of appreciation and a memorable keepsake. The almonds are coated in various colours and are rich in symbolic meaning. The fresh almond has a bittersweet taste, representing the taste of life, while the sugar coating adds a touch of sweetness, symbolizing the hope for a marriage filled with more sweet moments than bitter ones.
At weddings, it is customary for each guest to receive five sugar-coated almonds. The number five is significant, symbolizing balance and unity. Each almond represents a specific wish for the couple's future: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. This tradition is believed to have originated in Italian and Greek cultures, where it holds similar meanings.
French weddings also differ from American weddings in other ways. For example, French weddings often take place in rented châteaux or domaines, with the family and wedding party staying on-site. The meal is typically served late, around 9 pm, and consists of a seated, individually plated, multi-course meal with only one menu option. While there may not be a standard rehearsal the day before, a welcome dinner for guests travelling from afar is a common practice.
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The wedding reception involves all-night partying
French weddings are known for their all-night partying, with receptions typically lasting until 4–6 am. The wedding reception, or "wedding meal", is called "repas de noces" in French, and it's considered a very enjoyable event. The meal is served late, usually around 9 pm, which is normal for the French but might be late for guests from other countries. The dinner is a seated, individually plated, multi-course meal featuring gourmet cuisine and regional influences. The main dish is often red meat, and other popular dishes include duck, foie gras, smoked salmon, shellfish, and fresh fish. The cheese course is also an important part of the French wedding meal, and it's typically followed by a dessert buffet.
One unique aspect of French weddings is the absence of a wedding cake as it is traditionally known. Instead, the French have a croquembouche, a tower of caramel-bound cream puffs or profiteroles, which dates back to the 1700s. Guests take three or four cream puffs each, so the height of the tower depends on the number of guests. The couple may also feed each other a few bites of the croquembouche, similar to the Western tradition of feeding each other bites of cake.
Dancing usually starts around midnight and can go on until the early morning, with live bands, DJs, surprise performances, and games providing entertainment throughout the night. Another French wedding tradition is serving onion soup late at night, believed to help with post-party recovery before guests leave, usually around 4 or 5 am.
French weddings are known for their focus on savouring the experience rather than rushing through it, with an emphasis on celebrating family ties, romance, and joie de vivre. They are also known for their elegant fashion choices, with female guests often wearing fascinators or elegant hats, particularly for church ceremonies. Men typically opt for tailored suits, with darker colours for formal evening weddings and lighter tones for daytime celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the French do not have wedding rehearsals. The real event is the first time everyone walks down the aisle.
Wedding traditions in France include:
- A civil ceremony in the town hall by the mayor (or their deputy) which is free of charge.
- A religious ceremony after the civil ceremony, often on the same day.
- A seated, multi-course meal with French food and wine.
- An all-night reception with entertainment.
- Onion soup served in the early hours of the morning to help guests recover from a long night of partying.
Some unique aspects of French weddings compared to American weddings include:
- French weddings are held in rented châteaux, domaines, or party halls instead of hotel ballrooms.
- Dinner is served around 9 pm, which is considered late by American standards.
- There is only one meal option, and it often includes red meat or regional specialties.
- There are no wedding toasts.
- The wedding cake is usually a croquembouche, a pyramid of vanilla cream-filled pastry balls.
As a guest at a French wedding, you can expect a celebration infused with contemporary style and long-held customs. The food and wine will be of high quality, and the party will likely continue late into the night. There may be unique traditions such as the turning of the napkins where guests raise and twirl their napkins when the couple enters the dining room or when they are excited.
