Couple hugging each other on a staircase of a chateau during their wedding in France.

Wedding Packages for France

The French Riviera, the lavender fields of Provence, the unspoilt landscape of the French countryside, and the charming chateaus with elegant gardens all over France are some of the most sought after scenes in this romantic wedding destination. Let us create the best French destination wedding experience for you.

Bespoke vs. Package

Bespoke

If you want to be 100% in control of your big day, then having a wedding that’s planned bespoke could be perfect for you. It’s a type of wedding that is designed by the couple down to the last detail. This also means that bespoke weddings take a lot more time to plan and prepare than a package. Having to design every detail and research for all your wedding vendors might also require a more flexible budget.

Package

Our all-inclusive France wedding packages are meant to remove all your fears about having a destination wedding abroad. You won’t need to learn French only to contact the best wedding vendors there are in this romantic country. Our established relations with experienced wedding vendors and venues helped us create French wedding packages that will make every moment of your big day magical!

Your destination wedding planners in France

Get to know our French wedding planners who will help you overcome the challenges that you might meet while making your big day in France come true.

Marta

Marta believes that there is something so special about being able to curate someone’s love story- even if it’s only for a day. It's always heartwarming for her to see every couple's ideas, from the color palettes, bouquets, etc., and then turn those ideas into reality.

Philip

Philip has been residing in France for four years and in these times, he’s traveled and personally experienced the beauty that lies within the French borders. He will guide you every step of the way to your dream French destination wedding.

Couples' reviews

Our wedding planner, Philip, gently helped us through the re-planning process for our wedding and we never felt any of the normal pressure a wedding brings. After more than a year of waiting (thanks COVID), we finally arrived in France and had our wedding. Philip made sure everything was not only smooth but effortless.

— Alexandria & Lonnie

Even with the delay, PPW worked with us to make sure we would be taken care of. Philip, our wedding planner, was lovely. He went above and beyond to make sure everything went smoothly, from the moment we reached out to PPW, to choosing the location and the other details, to the actual wedding day.

— Tera & Anthony

Reasons to get married in France

Bride and groom kissing in front of the Louvre at their wedding in Paris

All-time romantic Paris

Where else in France will you go for a romantic wedding scene than in Paris? You might have seen episodes of a Parisian wedding only in the movies, but we can help you arrange your very own ceremony right next to the Eiffel tower! If you’d like something more unique and private, choose from among the luxury wedding hotels that line up in the streets of Paris. Get married in its classy inner court or atop its terrace overlooking the urban landscape of Paris!

Historic chateaux

There will always be those brides who dream of becoming a princess even for one day when they get married. You have plenty of options to make that childhood dream come true when you choose to say your I do’s in a castle venue in France! Some French castles have grand hallways in front of majestic winding staircases; some with classic libraries; and some surrounded by gorgeous woodlands and scenic gardens!

Lavender fields of Provence

Provence will take you back to some centuries ago for the finest experience of French country living. If you’re planning to get married in France in the middle of summer, choose an intimate wedding venue located along the lavender fields of Provence and have a colourful destination wedding that you’ve always dreamed of. Enjoy the views of picturesque villages and scenic nature’s attractions from here, not to mention the heavenly smell of lavender in the air! The blooming season varies each year depending on rainfall, but it can usually be at any time between the last week of June and the first week of August, typically peaking in July.

Cliffs & coastline

You might ask how France can have some good coastline wedding venues when it’s a huge chunk of land bordered by neighbouring countries Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain. But in the south of France, you’ll find some of the most epic European beachside venues along the peaceful town beaches of Point Zero in La Grande-Motte, the not-so-crowded coastline of Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the perfect white and blue Palombaggia Beach in Corsica! Breathtaking venues for a symbolic elopement for two in France!

Délicieuse French food!

You might have loved French fries all your life and yes they are a brainchild of the French people. But these snacks are nothing compared to quintessential French dishes like their Moules Marinières or mussels in white wine and parsley, Coquilles St-Jacques or gratinéed scallops, and baked Camembert! For desserts, Croquembouche and Soufflés top the list! Go ahead and Google them to know how mouth-watering these French delicacies are!

French Riviera wedding venues

You simply can’t go wrong with a Cote d’Azur wedding if you’re dreaming of a luxury wedding overlooking the French Riviera. This Mediterranean coast in the south east of France is dotted with exclusive villas, glamorous beach resorts, 4- and 5-star hotels, and Michelin-star restaurants where you’ll taste some of the best French bisque, coq au vin, Flamiche, and other delicacies in nouvelle cuisine presentation. You can also choose one of the most famous resorts in Cannes, Antibes, Monte Carlo, and Saint-Tropez. Want to go a little glamorous? Pick a wedding hotel in Monaco with a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean sea!

Budget-friendly South-West France

The wine region of South West France with subregions Gascony and Occitaine are perfect destinations for a peaceful and scenic wedding in Europe. This part of France may have been hidden from everyone’s sight some decades ago. But lots of wedding vendors are starting to recognise its potential as a French capital for countryside European weddings. You can take advantage of its budget-friendly rates now before it reaches the peak of its popularity.

Bastide villages of Dordogne

Are you one of those couples who travel the world to witness diverse cultures? Then ‘bastides’ or fortified towns and villages in France are a perfect location for your destination wedding. Bastides are built in the medieval era and you can find most of them in the region of Dordogne. Many of these bastide towns are built on a hill with unique medieval features, and they are listed among the ‘most beautiful villages in France’. They offer picturesque views of the French countryside, making them perfect cultural venues for a French wedding!

When to get married in France

Winter: December to February

Are you in love with snow-capped mountains and a dramatic view of French villages with roofs covered in snow? If your answer is yes, then you’ll enjoy a winter wedding in France. On the months of December to February, except the Christmas season, you’ll see most parks empty - a perfect opportunity to have your photos taken without attracting too much attention! Not many tourists visit France in winter so you can also take advantage of the cheaper rates offered by wedding venues.

Spring: March to May

Hold your wedding in France on spring time and experience the romantic ambiance and fragrance in the air! It’s the time of year when flowers, trees, and the rich foliage of the ceremony in a garden wedding venue or an elopement for two in a romantic park of a French wedding estate. The temperature ranges from 10 to 19 degrees Celsius, which is far colder than in the summer season that follows after. So if you want to get married in France when the weather is still mild, then the season of spring is recommended for you!

Summer: June to August

Summer, on the other hand, is when Paris and all those big French cities get crowded. You’ll see artists along the streets painting lively Parisian views to lure thousands of tourists visiting France. Beaches are at their most crowded too so it’s a perfect season to join beach parties and events! Summer is also a time of festivals in France, like the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival on the first half of June and the sought-after Day of Music on the latter time of the month. Every June 21st, the Day of Music is celebrated in all corners of France where streets, parks, and venues are filled with music all day long. For wine lovers out there, get married in a Bordeaux wedding venue on June and experience how the locals celebrate the Wine Festival.

Fall: September to November

As the calmer season of the year, autumn is the best time for a very intimate wedding in France. It’s when tourists start going home and the locals go back to work, so you can enjoy more privacy in your chosen venue. Most of all, you’ll see the beautiful colours of French gardens downgrading to the dreamy autumn colours. At this season, the weather in France can get a bit gloomy with frequent dark clouds and rainfall all over the country. Nevertheless, it’s lovely to see the autumn colours in the gardens and parklands of French wedding estates. Autumn is also a harvest season in France when you can catch food-related celebrations like the Day of Chestnut, the Week of Taste, and the Day of Spices and Fish!

Types of wedding venues in France

Chateaux

Travel to South West France and get married in one of its lovely chateaus which you can rent exclusively for your wedding! You will not run out of beautiful wedding chateaux in South West France! Options range from old gothic structures, medieval royal residences, and romantic fairytale castles! Whether you want an elopement in France with just you and your spouse or an intimate wedding ceremony with a handful of guests – there will always be a French chateau that fits your style preference!

Vineyards

Wine-loving couples would dream of getting married in the picturesque vineyards scattered along southwest France. You have several venue options for a vineyard wedding here, especially in the regions of Bergerac and Cahors! Get married in a symbolic ceremony in the middle of a French vineyard and celebrate your big day with your closest friends and family with a glass of delicious wine afterwards.

Churches & abbeys

For those who want a Catholic wedding ceremony in a historic church, you’ll have plenty of options here. France is predominantly a Catholic country so there are lots of historic abbeys and churches with a very solemn ambiance. Some of the French churches in our list are the Church of England and quirky hilltop chapels which are desirable venues for a religious ceremony in France.

Pigeonniers

Pronounced as pigeon-ier in French, “pigeonnier” literally means a dovecote which is a structure where doves and pigeons live. Unlike an ordinary bird cage, pigeonniers are high because they are meant to be castles for pigeons. They are not simple bird houses but elaborate and elegant dovecotes that can be a great venue for an intimate wedding in France! You will see them in the middle of corn fields and flower fields in southwest France. The reason behind this is that some centuries ago, keeping pigeons is a sign of royalty. Back in those days, only those in the upper class could afford to keep pigeons and so pigeonniers were built to display that status. These pigeonniers are unique venue options that will give your destination wedding in France a touch of an authentic French tradition!

En plein air

France is one of European countries with a delicately preserved natural environment. You can have a nature-inspired wedding almost anywhere in the French countryside with unparalleled beauty of serene lakes, lush green hills, unspoiled woodland and immaculately kept French gardens. So if you’re dreaming of exchanging vows 'en plein air', then you're in luck because an outdoor wedding is undoubtedly the best way to get married in France. Virtually almost any French wedding venue can facilitate an outdoor ceremony or reception so you'll surely be spoiled for choice here.

Types of wedding ceremonies

Civil ceremony

A legally-binding marriage ceremony in France can be more challenging compared to other European countries like Italy or Ireland. There is a residency requirement that says foreigners need to spend 30 days in France immediately before the wedding day. One way to get around it is by having it waived by the Mayor of the town where you will get married. But this option is available only if you own a property in France or if you have a parent permanently residing here.

Symbolic ceremony

The easiest way to get married in France is through a symbolic ceremony in any venue that you prefer! Most couples having a destination wedding in France go for this option because it involves no registration or any legal paperwork. You can customise the ceremony to suit your preference and there will be no limitation in any aspect of your wedding! What most of our couples do is to have a simple legal wedding at home before flying to France for a symbolic ceremony.

Religious ceremony

There are lots of beautiful historic churches in France so if you prefer a religious ceremony, your best option is a traditional wedding in a French Catholic church. Catholic weddings in France are allowed to be performed in the English language so no worries if you don’t understand French. However, it can be challenging to find an English-speaking priest, but that’s something we can help you with. Take note that church weddings are not legally-binding in France so you have to either be legally married at home or civilly married in France before the religious ceremony takes place.

Legal requirements

There are three unique requirements that foreigners need to comply if they want a legally-binding civil wedding in France. First is the requirement of at least 30 days residency in France for both the bride and groom prior to the wedding day. Second is the requirement of having your own property in France. The third one is having at least one parent who is a French resident. The residency requirement can be waived at the discretion of the Mayor if you comply with either the property or the resident parent requirement. On top of all these are the basic requirements of proof of residency and evidence of no impediment to marry. As you can see, a civil wedding in France can be quite complicated, that’s why it’s more advisable to have a symbolic wedding here. For a detailed explanation on legal weddings in France, read this.

French food and drinks

Crêpes & galettes

Perfect as appetizers or desserts, crêpes & galettes are some of the French delicacies that everyone has come to love! Crêpes, as we all know, are thinner versions of pancakes that are mixed with fruits, chocolates, hazelnut cream, and all those sweet syrups that you’d like to have! The main difference with galettes is that they are the savoury type of crêpes so you can top them with cheese, bacon, zucchini, eggs, and the like. You can have either or both of them for your wedding in France!

Cheese and bread

It can be argued that the crustiest bread and the smelliest cheese comes from France. Lovers of this food combination will find France to be a food heaven. Bread and cheese makes for a perfect food to serve at your destination wedding in France and it works perfectly both as an appetizer, evening snack and even dessert. You should also consider swapping the traditional tiered wedding cake for a savory cheese tower!

Entrées

For the entrées served in French weddings, meat and seafood dishes should always be paired with vegetarian meals. Some of the best-tasting ones that we’ve tried are baked fillet of sea bass with a shellfish sauce, chicken breast with a morel cream sauce, the flavourful veggie-friendly dish - lentils and red cabbage purée, and the mouth-watering roasted lamb with dauphinoise potatoes! Other popular choices served by in-house caterers in French wedding venues are braised pork belly with herbs and roasted salmon fillet with a lemon beurre blanc.

French wine

When you get married in France, you can’t afford not to have French wines for the reception! The country is dotted with vineyards everywhere you turn and of course some of the most famous world wines are produced here. From earthy tones to fruity tastes, French vineyard wedding venues have some of the finest selection. And don't worry if you can't tell apart your Burgundy from your Bordeaux - they all taste incredible!

French wedding traditions

La Noce

A fun wedding tradition that you’d love to do for your wedding in France is what they call the La Noce. This activity requires the whole wedding party to follow the bride and groom as they march from the town hall to the church and on to the reception in a noisy and lively parade! These days, however, the wedding party rides vehicles, making some noise as they travel to the venue of the next leg of the wedding. The notable thing here is that they attach tin cans and other noise-inducing materials just to make sure everyone hears that a wedding party is traversing the road! How fun is that?

The croquembouche

Unlike in a normal wedding where a traditional cake is cut as a symbol of love between the couple, in France, there is no ‘traditional’ cake to speak of. The French take this symbolic pastry to a higher level by creating a special French wedding cake called the croquembouche. It’s a tower of pastry puffs piled together using caramel threads to form a cone-shaped delight for the cake cutting ceremony. The history of the croquembouche goes back as early as the 1500's and it is said to have been the centerpiece on the lavish dining tables of the French royals and noblemen. Parfait!

The invitation and RSVP

Flatlay of watercolor wedding invitation for a French chateau wedding

Did you know that the acronym RSVP is actually French? It stands for 'répondez s’il vous plaît', which means ‘answer please’. The RSVP plays an important role in French weddings, as there are usually two separate events on that day. First there is a civil ceremony in town hall which is required even if the couple will have a church ceremony afterwards, because in France religious ceremonies are not recognized as legally binding. The invitation to the reception that comes after. This RSVP is important because traditionally, the parents of the groom and the bride are paying for the wedding and costs are split according to the number of guests each family brings to the event.

Getting into and around France

Flights

With the 34 international airports in France and a comprehensive local transport system, it would be super easy to reach your elopement venue in France. The entry point to choose depends on the region where you’ll get married in France. Paris Charles de Gaulle is the best choice if you’ll have an elopement ceremony in Paris whilst the Marseille Provence Airport is where you’d want to land if you’re getting married in the French countryside. Provence is known for its lavender field wedding venues! Having a French Riviera elopement? You should land on the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport which is the most convenient option for those visiting the famous Côte d’Azur.

Car rental

Renting a car in France, as in other countries, can be very expensive so unless you’re staying here for the honeymoon, it’s not really advisable to rent a car. Driving in the crowded cities of France can be a real headache, so it’s better to take advantage of the comprehensive train system and the organized bus services in all parts of the country. The only exception to this would be if you’re getting married in the French countryside and you’ll stay for a week or two for a honeymoon trip. If you’re planning to explore French towns and villages, then it will be more comfortable to rent a car. After all, streets in the smaller towns of France are not as busy as the city roads.

Train system

To save time and cost, ride trains to get around the cities of France. There are high-speed trains running across 150 cities in this country and some of them can take you to neighboring countries. Riding a train is a practical way to maximise your honeymoon trip to French tourist spots like Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Caen, Bordeaux, and Lyon. You can book train tickets in advance and it doesn’t have to be a first-class seat. Save up on cost by going for second-class seats which are comfortable enough but definitely cheaper than first class.

Buses

If you planned your honeymoon trip well and you have the time to spare, buses can be the best mode of transportation for you. Both city and provincial buses here in France will give you a comfortable trip whilst allowing you to see the sights and sceneries as you travel. Unlike riding a train, you can watch the urban and rural scenes along the French cities and towns when you choose to travel by bus. But you’ll have to spend several hours to get from one point to the other. For example, if you want to reach Bordeaux from Paris, you’ll need to spend seven and a half hours on a bus trip.

How much does it cost to get married in France?

The cost of getting married in France will depend on the number of guests you’re bringing, the duration of your stay (we recommend a minimum of 3 nights!) and the season that you’ll choose to hold your wedding. The peak season here is summer, so expect venues for weddings in France to be at their most expensive during the months of June, July and August. May and September are usually cheaper but still fall into the peak months category with some venues and suppliers. If you’ll exchange vows during the off season between October and April, you can save on venue costs because the fees are at their lowest (except during the Christmas and New Year period). To get a better gauge of the expected cost for your destination wedding in France, be sure to ask a quote from our French wedding planner or use the quotation tool.

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