Planning A Wedding In France: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding in France can be a daunting task, especially if you don't speak the language. It's important to be aware of the legal requirements, such as the fact that civil ceremonies cannot take place inside wedding venues or hotels, and must be performed by the local mayor or one of their delegates. You may also need to consider the residency requirements, and whether you want to do the legal bit in your home country first. It's a good idea to hire a wedding planner, especially if you don't have someone local who can help you coordinate. They can guide you through the process, including choosing a venue and booking vendors, and help you stay on track with your budget.

Wedding venue options

When it comes to wedding venue options, it's important to plan ahead. Some of the more popular wedding venues in France can be booked up 12 to 18 months in advance, and prices can increase year-on-year, so it's best to start planning at least 18 months before your wedding date.

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, it's wise to have a backup plan for the weather. Renting items like tents, fans, heaters, or umbrellas can help ensure your event runs smoothly, but these last-minute preparations can be costly if arranged at short notice.

If you're looking for a unique venue, you might consider a local restaurant or bar for a welcome dinner or cocktails, or a post-wedding day BBQ or activity.

For those planning a DIY wedding, there are wedding planning tool kits available online to help you stay on track.

Legal requirements

Planning a wedding in France can be a complex process, especially if you are not a resident. Here is a detailed overview of the legal requirements for getting married in France:

Residency Requirements

To get married in France, at least one of the parties must have been a resident in the country for a minimum of 30-40 days before the wedding. This residency requirement must be in the area where the marriage will take place. If you or your family own property in France, the residency requirement may be waived, but this is at the discretion of the Mayor at the Mairie (town hall).

Venue and Ceremony Requirements

Legally-binding civil weddings in France must take place at the Mairie or Town Hall. The ceremony must be conducted in French, and if neither party is fluent, a translator must be hired. Religious weddings, such as Catholic and Protestant ceremonies, are not legally binding and are considered symbolic. If you wish to have a religious ceremony, you must first have a civil wedding in France or your home country.

Documentation

To have a civil wedding in France, you will need to provide specific documentation, including a birth certificate issued no more than six months before the wedding and accompanied by an apostille showing the certification of the issuing country.

Planning and Timing

It is important to plan ahead when getting married in France, as popular venues can be booked up to two years in advance. Additionally, the application process for a wedding at the Mairie may take several weeks and could include a face-to-face interview.

Backup Plans

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, it is wise to have a backup plan for the weather. Last-minute preparations, such as renting tents or heaters, can be costly if arranged close to the wedding date.

Alternative Options

Due to the strict legal requirements and residency rules in France, many couples choose to have the legal ceremony in their home country and then hold a symbolic or religious ceremony in France. This option may be more feasible and less complicated, especially for non-residents.

Wedding ceremony options

If you're planning a civil ceremony, you'll have to go to the mairie with all your guests. The ceremony will be performed by the local mayor or one of their delegates. Civil ceremonies can't take place inside wedding venues or hotels. If you're planning a religious ceremony, the local representative of the church will have to get in touch with the town hall to confirm the date and time. This must take place before any symbolic ceremony.

Many couples opt to do the legal bit in their home country and then have a symbolic ceremony in France. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, it's a good idea to have a backup plan for the weather. You can rent items like tents, fans, heaters, or umbrellas.

It's recommended that you start planning your wedding 18 months in advance. This will give you a good range of suppliers and better prices. Some venues and suppliers get booked up two years in advance.

Budgeting

When creating your budget, it is essential to consider the cost of the venue, catering, entertainment, photography, and videography. If you are planning an outdoor wedding, it is wise to factor in the cost of renting items like tents, fans, heaters, or umbrellas as backup plans for potential weather changes. These last-minute preparations can be costly if arranged close to the wedding date.

To help manage your budget, consider using a wedding planner or budgeting tools specifically designed for planning a wedding abroad. These resources can provide valuable insights into the average cost of wedding services in France and help you stay on track financially.

Additionally, some couples opt to handle the legal aspects of the wedding in their home country and then have a symbolic or religious ceremony in France. This approach can help reduce costs, especially if the legal requirements in France do not align with your budget.

Wedding planners

Planning a wedding in France can be a stressful experience, so it's a good idea to hire a wedding planner from the start. They will be able to help you navigate the legal requirements of getting married in France, as well as the different ceremony options available.

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, it's important to have a backup plan in case of bad weather. Tents, fans, heaters, and umbrellas can be rented, but these last-minute preparations can be costly if arranged close to the wedding date. Wedding planners can help you to arrange these in advance, as well as helping you to find a venue and suppliers. It's best to start looking for venues 18 months in advance, as some of the more popular venues can be booked up 12-18 months ahead of time.

If you're planning a civil ceremony in France, you'll need to go to the mairie with all of your guests. The ceremony will be performed by the local mayor or one of their delegates. This must take place before any religious or symbolic ceremony in France. If you're planning a religious ceremony, the local representative of the church will need to get in touch with the town hall to confirm the date and time.

Frequently asked questions