03 February 2025 | Marriages in France

Planning a wedding in France: organising your wedding perfectly

France is a dream destination for a wedding. With its historic castles, wineries and enchanting landscapes, it offers a unique setting to celebrate one of the most beautiful days of a lifetime. But organizing a wedding, especially at a distance, requires careful planning. Here is a guide to organise your wedding in France in the best conditions.

1. Find the perfect place

The choice of the place of reception is an essential step. It must correspond to the desired atmosphere, your number of guests and your budget.

A castle for an elegant and grandiose ceremony
A winery for a romantic and warm atmosphere
A villa by the sea for a wedding with your feet in the sand
A Provencal bastide for an authentic and country touch

It is advisable to book your reception place at least a year in advance, or even more for the most requested periods, such as summer.

2. Choose the best season

The season influences not only the atmosphere of the wedding, but also the availability of venues and service providers.

Spring: mild climate, flower gardens and longer days.
Summer: sun guaranteed, but beware of high heat in some regions.
Autumn: warm colours and pleasant temperatures.
Winter: magical atmosphere, ideal for a wedding in a castle or in the mountains.

3. Organise the ceremony

In France, only the civil marriage celebrated at the town hall has legal value. It is possible to complete it with a religious ceremony or a secular ceremony.

Civil marriage: to be organised in the municipality of residence of one of the spouses.
Religious marriage: requires specific steps according to the confession.
Secular ceremony: allows great freedom in the choice of place and course.