Getting married in France is a dream come true for many reasons. 

The language is widely regarded as the most romantic in the world, whether speaking the native tongue or English with an accent. French culture emphasizes passion, philosophy, music, poetry, art, and beauty, thanks largely to the 15th-century Renaissance. 

The cities are aesthetic, the countryside majestic, and the food looks as incredible as it tastes. Unsurprisingly, getting married in France as a foreigner is hugely popular.

If you’re looking to say je t'aime (I love you) to your partner with the Eiffel Tower in the background, or je le veux (the French equivalent of “I do,” which translates to “I want it”) on the sandy shores of the French Riviera, you’ll need a careful plan in place. 

My guide to planning your wedding in France has everything you need to know, and more. So read on and start making the plan a reality.

What You Need To Know Before Planning A Wedding In France

Even the loftiest romantic ideas need a foundation. Before touring venues, France’s marriage requirements have to be considered. A big difference compared to other European countries is that ceremonies must be overseen by a civil authority at a local town hall to be legally valid. 

If you’re looking for a religious ceremony, a civil ceremony must be done before. It’s officiated in French, and if you don’t speak the language, a translator will be required. 

In addition, foreigners getting married in France must have resided in the town where the marriage is taking place for at least 30 days before the wedding (unless you, your partner, or one of your parents live in France). Plus, a marriage bann (announcement) must be on display at the town hall 10 days before the ceremony. This requires extra planning as you can’t hop on a flight for a long weekend celebration. In addition, you’ll need the following documentation:

• Passport or National ID (if from an EU country) for you, your partner, and two witnesses.
  
• Birth Certificate: This must be dated within three months of the marriage application. Birth certificates often need to be translated into French by a certified translator and might require an apostille or legalization, depending on the country of origin.
  
• Proof of Residence: Documentation showing continuous residence for at least 30 days in the town where the marriage is to be held.
  
• Certificate of Celibacy (Certificat de Célibat): This certificate confirms that you are not already married. It may be obtained from your home country’s embassy or consulate in France.
  
• Certificate of No Impediment (Certificat de Non-Opposition): This certificate confirms there are no legal objections to the marriage.
  
• Affidavit of Law (Certificat de Coutume): Some nationalities are required to provide a certificate explaining the marriage laws of their home country. This document can often be obtained through an embassy or consulate.
  
• Proof of Divorce or Death Certificate (if applicable): If either party has been previously married, they must provide a divorce decree or the death certificate of the previous spouse.

All of the documentation must be translated into French, collected in a dossier (marriage record) and presented to the town hall. The dossier replaces the marriage license, which is common in other countries, including the U.S. and Canada. If you are an American getting married in France, or from another non-EU country, you are eligible to get married using a tourist visa. 

Because a civil marriage in France for foreigners has additional steps, some couples choose to have a civil ceremony where they live and travel to France for the symbolic ceremony only.

Wedding Traditions In France

France has a proud culture, which is why it's so appealing! 

To add an extra touch of that culture to your destination wedding, and complete the experience, you may want to integrate wedding traditions into your ceremony. These include giving guests five sugar-coated almonds to symbolize fertility, health, longevity, wealth, and happiness. 

Instead of a cake, French traditions opt for a croquembouche, a pyramid of pastries filled with cream. Oh, and La Soupe a la Oignon (onion soup) is served towards the end of the night, to help restore guests' energy after the rollercoaster of emotions.

Cost Of Getting Married In France

With so much variety in location, catering, group size, and venue, planning a destination wedding in France that matches your budget, big or small, is absolutely possible. The civil ceremony itself is free, with minimal costs for complementary documentation. Because all weddings require this step, the legal side of the process is virtually cost-free. That gives you the flexibility to celebrate in a way that is unique to you.

To give you a rough idea of the range of budgets, a lavish ceremony in a chateau in the South of France can cost over €50,000. Religious ceremonies taking place in churches are incredibly reasonable; they run on suggested donations between €100 and €300. Location is a factor for mid-range budgets. In less popular areas, such as Brittany, it's possible to rent a manor house for around €5,000.

Remember on top of these costs, you’ll need to arrange flowers, decorations, accommodation, clothes, hair, make-up and, of course, a wedding photographer. As a destination wedding, you’ll have to budget for travel, accommodation in the days before and after the ceremony itself. It’s a lot to consider and both an art and a science, but the end result is always worth it.

Best Time Of Year To Get Married In France

The temperature in France is typical of central Europe. The summer months are warm and saturated with sunshine. Winter is cold, but not unbearably cold. Autumn and spring are periods of transition with unpredictable weather. 

Considering the best time to get married depends on the location, venue, and what you have in mind — whether a beachside summer celebration or a winter fairytale with snow-covered mountains in the backdrop, there aren’t any “bad” months, so it’s up to personal preference.

Best Locations For Weddings In France

Onto the fun part of how to plan a wedding in France — locations. There are many options to choose from, so consider hiring a local planner to support your decision-making process. As mentioned, the district itself makes a big difference in the overall cost, so keep your budget at the forefront of your mind. 

Also, consider what style suits you. Are you and your partner more, beach, vineyard, city, or châteaux type of people? Start with the list below to get the creative juices flowing.

Paris

No French wedding guide is complete without including the capital, Paris. Arguably the most romantic city in the world, Paris is a dream for wedding photographers.

You have a choice of prestigious hotels like the Ritz Paris and Shangri-La Paris, an abundance of Châteaus, or for Beauty and the Beast style extravagance, L'Opéra Garnier (though expect six-figure costs, minimum).

Many cheaper or private venues have rooftops and balconies that have the Eiffel Tower, Seine River, Louvre, or Notre Dame Cathedral in sight. For those on a restricted budget, it's worth considering traveling outside the center, where venues are cheaper but don’t compromise luxury.

The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur)

The Mediterranean coast in southeastern France is hugely popular with tourists and couples tying the knot in the summer months. 

Saint-Tropez, frequented by the rich and famous (both Pamela Anderson, Jay-Z and Beyonce, the Beckhams, and Mick Jagger had weddings here), is particularly luxurious. Expect a mix of beach resorts and villas. 

The Antibes and Cap d'Antibes are lesser-known coastline options, whilst Nice and Cannes are cities within touching distance of the sea.

Provence

Staying in Southern France but switching up the overall aesthetic, Provence is a great choice for its mixture of vineyards, lavender fields, and olive groves. 

The stunning countryside makes for a nice alternative to the beach for couples considering an outdoor ceremony, with the weather ideal in spring and summer. 

Choose from rustic farmhouses, luxury villas or châteaux. Picturesque hilltop villages, such as Gordes and Roussillon, are charming options for smaller, intimate gatherings — and some of the most beautiful places for wedding photography in France.

The Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers 280 kilometers. Known as the “Valley of Kings,” the Loire Valley is famous for its Renaissance châteaux, like Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau, once home to royalty and nobility. 

Many Loire Valley châteaux offer exclusive rentals for weddings, providing a fairy-tale atmosphere in the French countryside. With cities, such as Orléans, Blois, and Tours, medieval towns like Chinon and Loches, and many villages, there’s plenty of variety on offer. 

Burgundy

As the so-called “birthplace of wine culture,” Burgundy is ideal for wine-loving couples, with vineyards and estates where guests can enjoy tastings and tours. Venues like Château de Bagnols and Château de Gilly are popular for their luxurious and historic settings. 

Situated in east-central France, the landscape includes a complex network of lakes, rivers, and canals, and plenty of hiking options.

Brittany (Bretagne)

Nicknamed Little Britain, Brittany is a peninsula in Northwestern France that connects to the English Channel. Known for rugged coastlines and scenic islands, Brittany is a favorite for couples seeking a wild, natural setting. 

It’s also more reasonably priced compared to other areas, but that doesn’t make it a poor option. Towns like Dinan and Saint-Malo offer a historic ambiance with medieval streets and charming stone buildings. 

Brittany has a blend of culture, too. As one of six Celtic nations, it’s an out-of-the-box, unique wedding venue in France!

The French Alps

What about couples looking to embrace the colder months? 

For a mountain setting with crystal-clear lakes, Chamonix and Annecy (known as “The Venice of France”) are quaint towns with stunning alpine views and a cozy, romantic atmosphere. Ski resorts like Courchevel and Megève offer a scenic winter wonderland for couples dreaming of a snowy wedding. 

The French Alps are appropriate for summer, too. La Ferme Du Lac Vert is a shining example; the former farmhouse is now a boutique hotel and ski resort, situated below the Nantaux Mountains, and is one of many venues with room for outdoor ceremonies when the weather is warmer.

Corsica 

We’ll conclude our guide on how to get married in France with a Mediterranean gem. Corsica is known as the “Island of Beauty” and that’s not an understatement. 

Based in southeastern France, it’s close to the border of Italy, which results in an interesting mixture of cultural influence (swayed more towards Italy). 

Corsica’s beaches, cliffs, and clear waters make it a unique choice for a beach or cliffside wedding. Scenic towns Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio blend of historical charm and beachside beauty, with some venues perched dramatically on cliffs for the added wow factor.

Looking For A France Destination Wedding Photographer?

I see wedding photography as an art, and the location is central to the final masterpiece. My high-quality, editorial approach is a perfect match for French culture. My style is modern and elegant, with an emphasis on architecture and composition, whether that’s finding the ideal angle for the Eiffel Tower or the perfect shot of a scenic countryside village. 

I ensure couples I work with are comfortable and at ease, and that the final product is modern, refined, yet relaxed. So if you want support in planning your special day, reach out!