A French wedding offers one of the most incredible experiences and is the perfect way to celebrate your love! In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about getting married in France, including the best locations and legal requirements. I’ll discuss helpful planning tips and France wedding packages.

As an elopement and wedding photographer, France is easily one of my favorite places to join couples. I love helping couples plan their dream wedding and capturing all the special moments! Not only is France absolutely gorgeous, but there are so many unique experiences for an epic wedding getaway.

Why get married in France?

France is one of the most romantic and beautiful countries in the world. With so many magical places to tie the knot, stunning scenery, and fun activities, it’s the perfect destination for a wedding.

Whether you want to plan a luxurious wedding getaway or a simple yet dreamy elopement, you can have your ideal wedding day experience! From peaceful countryside villages to the vibrant City of Love, France has it all.

Who can get married in France?

Foreigners of the same or opposite sex can legally get married in France if they’re at least 18 years old. That said, there are a lot of logistics and hoops to jump through to have a legal wedding in France. 

If you’re not from France, I recommend having a simple civil ceremony and handling the legalities at home. Then, have your destination wedding ceremony and celebration in France.  

How to Get Married in France

A civil ceremony at the local town hall is the only legally binding ceremony in France. Then, you can have your wedding at any venue you’d like. 

With this kind of legalized wedding in France, you must submit several documents, including birth certificates, proof of residence, and paperwork for at least two witnesses. You’ll also need to live in the town you’re getting married in for at least 30 months before your wedding.

To skip these legalities in France and enjoy a fun and stress-free experience, you might want to avoid the civil wedding ceremony. Instead, you can have an elopement adventure or a symbolic ceremony with loved ones without having to submit documentation or be in France for a month prior to the wedding.

The symbolic ceremony isn’t a traditional legal or religious wedding, so you’ll need to legalize your marriage at home. But you and your love can still exchange your vows and celebrate your special day in France.

Where to Get Married in France

As one of the largest European countries, France has many incredible places for an elopement, intimate ceremony, or traditional wedding.

While there are countless options, I’ll share my favorite regions and cities for getting married in France and some of the best places for your ceremony and wedding photos.

Paris

Paris is the perfect place to say “I do” if you’re dreaming of a storybook wedding in the City of Love. It’s one of the most romantic places to explore with your partner and take photos at some of the most iconic sites, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Seine River.

If you want to have a symbolic ceremony with loved ones, Paris has several magical wedding venues. The Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a gorgeous hotel close to famous landmarks in Paris, while the Luxembourg Garden is one of the most beautiful outdoor wedding locations in the City of Love.

South of France

The South of France is one of the best places for a wedding surrounded by natural beauty. It’s ideal for enjoying the outdoors, with warm, sunny weather and picture-perfect beaches.

I especially love the French Riviera, the stunning Mediterranean coastline in the Southeast corner of France. The views along the French Riviera are perfect for a wedding backdrop and make for some of the most gorgeous photo ops!

French Countryside

If you want a peaceful wedding getaway, I highly recommend getting married in the French countryside. There are many small towns and villages with a relaxing atmosphere, unique culture, and beautiful architecture.

One of my favorite small towns in the French countryside is Lyon. It’s one of France’s most underrated destinations. The food is delicious, and the city’s architecture is breathtaking.

Whether you want an outdoor wedding in the mountains or a fairytale castle ceremony, the French countryside offers many incredible places to tie the knot.

French Alps

If you’re dreaming of getting married in France surrounded by picturesque scenery and fun outdoor activities, the French Alps are definitely calling your name! The French Alps are a picturesque mountain range in Southeastern France with the highest mountains in France and endless things to see and do.

One of the most stunning places I’ve ever photographed a wedding was in Chamonix, a charming town and resort area in the French Alps. Whether you want to take advantage of Chamonix’s incredible skiing opportunities in winter or have a summer wedding surrounded by greenery, it’s a magical place to say, “I do” year-round!

When is the best time to get married in France?

While France is amazing all year, each season offers a different experience. Typically, late spring and early fall are the best times to get married in France. The weather is nice, and these are the shoulder seasons, so there are fewer crowds and lower costs.

The weather, crowds, and scenery also depend on which area of France you plan to get married. When I work with couples, I help them plan these kinds of logistics based on personal preferences. Contact Wild Aisle Photography (that’s me!) for help choosing your location and time of year.

How much does getting married in France cost?

The cost of a wedding in France depends on many factors, including location, guest count, activities, vendors, and length of stay. That said, the average cost of destination weddings is about $30,000. However, it can be less or more than this.

If you want to have a French wedding on a budget, I recommend planning an elopement with just your partner or inviting only a few loved ones. You can also splurge and have a luxurious wedding getaway to France. The opportunities are endless! 

France Wedding Packages

As an elopement and wedding photographer, I help couples plan and execute their perfect wedding day. 

Not only do I capture your big day, but I also help you have a stress-free experience! I can also recommend a wedding planner for you if you want extra support.

My France wedding packages include:

• Personalized location recommendations
• High-level planning assistance
• Timeline creation 
• Sneak peek photos
• An edited gallery, of course!
• Personal print rights
• My photographer travel fees

Let’s Plan Your France Wedding

I hope you found this article helpful and are excited about tying the knot in France! With so many beautiful places to choose from, its romantic storybook setting, and its vibrant culture, you can’t go wrong with getting married in France.

If you dream of having your wedding in France and want to enjoy an unforgettable experience, I’d love to help. I’m an elopement and wedding photographer for couples who love to travel and experience new places together.