Getting married in Paris? Here’s what you need to know
Dreaming of getting married in Paris? You've come to the right place. There's nowhere quite like the famous City of Light for a destination wedding. The French capital exudes that feeling of old-fashioned romance at every turn, and the countless iconic backdrops make for the most breathtaking wedding portraits.
Lovebirds can explore the endless corridors of the Louvre and picnic with fresh crepes on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower. Take the metro up to the cobblestone streets of Montmartre and see the view from Sacre Coeur, spend a day marvelling at the Latin Quarter's architecture, or take a stroll through the Tuileries Garden dotted with bronzed sculptures and fountains. Tempted to to get married in Paris? Here's what you need to know.
It's not easy to get legally married in Paris
In France you can only get married by law in a city hall (La mairie) and it involves a tonne of paperwork. The French government has complex and abundant bureaucratic requirements for foreigners who want to get married in France, for example you have to be a resident in France for at least 45 days in a row before you are able to get married there.
So, most couples have a simple civil ceremony in their home town, followed by a symbolic ceremony in Paris to experience the city and create beautiful wedding memories.
Choose an English-speaking celebrant
The beauty of a symbolic wedding ceremony is that it can be anything you want it to be. There is no shortage of English-speaking celebrants in Paris who will create a romantic ceremony that's totally personal to you. Paris celebrants (or officiants - same thing) will know the city well and also be provide you with helpful tips about ceremony locations, ideal timeline, recommendations of other wedding vendors – and everything else you need to know about your planning your wedding in Paris.
Choose your ceremony location carefully
Paris is a densely populated city and popular travel destination, making it a very busy and crowded place. In order to still be as intimate and quiet as possible for your wedding, you need to consider the season, day of the week and time of day.
Most couples eloping in Paris choose an outdoor ceremony location near one of the famous landmarks to get the full Parisian experience. This is where a destination wedding planner with extensive knowledge of the city will be invaluable because alongside your celebrant, they will be able to advise you on the quietest times at your preferred locations. This is usually early in the morning for the iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre or Notre Dame, however other locations such as beautiful gardens and parks also work if you prefer to tie the knot a little later in the day.
Choose your Paris wedding reception venue
The size and vision for your wedding will determine whether you follow your ceremony with a traditional formal wedding reception or an intimate meal with close family and friends. Perhaps a swanky hotel like the Ritz Paris (pictured here) is your style, or a historic chateau on the outskirts of the city? Maybe you want to wow your guests with a reception at the draw-dropping Opera Garnier, or prefer a relaxed low-key affair like a picnic in one of the city's picturesque parks like Parc des Buttes-Chaumont or Boulogne-Billancourt? You'll be spoilt for choice of excellent wedding venues in Paris.
Vendor details
Photographer: Janna Brown | Planning, design and flowers: Janna Brown | Film Lab: PhotoVision | Dress Designer: Demetrios Paris | Venue: Ritz Paris | Hair and make-up artist: Bespoke Beauty | Paper Goods: Olive Saint Lily -
