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France has long cherished its traditions, and few celebrations showcase this more passionately than a French wedding.
Some customs date back centuries, while others have evolved alongside modern French life. Today, many couples mix time-honored traditions with contemporary influences from around the world.
From exchanging vows in a centuries-old château to dining and dancing well into the early hours, the French know how to throw a fabulous fête for the bride and groom.
Whether you’re attending a wedding in France, marrying a French partner, or just curious about how the French celebrate love, here is everything you need to know about saying I do in France.
France has long cherished its traditions, and few celebrations showcase this more passionately than a French wedding.
Some customs date back centuries, while others have evolved alongside modern French life. Today, many couples mix time-honored traditions with contemporary influences from around the world.
From exchanging vows in a centuries-old château to dining and dancing well into the early hours, the French know how to throw a fabulous fête for the bride and groom.
Whether you’re attending a wedding in France, marrying a French partner, or just curious about how the French celebrate love, here is everything you need to know about saying I do in France.
1. The Engagement (Les Fiançailles)
Unlike the Hollywood proposal we’ve all grown up watching, traditional French engagements aren’t centered around a surprise proposal complete with a diamond ring hidden in a velvet box.
Historically, the man would ask the woman’s father for her hand in marriage. Although this practice is less common today, some families still observe it as a sign of respect.
Nowadays, the decision to marry is usually made together. Once the couple agrees they want to marry, the man asks, Veux-tu m’épouser ? (“Will you marry me?”). If she accepts, he then traditionally seeks the blessing of her parents before the engagement is officially announced.
Only then do the couple shop for an engagement ring together.
After the engagement becomes official, it’s traditional for both families to gather for un repas de fiançailles, an engagement dinner. It typically marks the first official meeting between two families where they approve the union. In more religious Catholic families, the engagement could also be blessed during Mass.
Some French couples do embrace the surprise proposal, but this more American “down on one knee” style is still less common in France, where relationships often reflect a more egalitarian approach to partnership.
2. Two Weddings
In France, there are two ceremonies that take place: a civil and a symbolic service.
Every legally recognized marriage must first take place at la mairie (the town hall). It’s the only ceremony that has legal value under French law, and it must occur no less than 10 days and no more than a year after the couple has been given the authorization to marry.
During the civil ceremony, the mayor (or deputy mayor) reads articles from the French Civil Code explaining the rights and responsibilities of marriage before the couple exchange their consent and sign the marriage register.
The civil ceremony is often the same week as the wedding celebration (many couples do it the day before). Typically, there are only immediate family and witnesses in attendance.
After the civil ceremony has taken place, the “real wedding” can be held. This is the ceremony that most guests will attend, and it can be anywhere the couple wishes. Often it’s in a church (if the couple is religious), a castle, an auberge, or even a wine estate.
3. Paperwork
It wouldn’t be France without administration and plenty of paperwork.
Before a civil ceremony can take place, couples must provide their local town hall with a collection of official documents, including proof of identity, birth certificates, proof of address, and evidence that neither person is already married.
Generally speaking, at least one member of the couple must also have an established connection to the commune where the civil ceremony takes place through residency or family.
At the end of the civil ceremony, the couple receives something uniquely French: the livret de famille, a small booklet that serves as the family’s official civil record for life.
It contains details of the marriage and is later updated with the birth of children, adoptions, divorces, or deaths. French families keep it for decades, and it’s often required for various administrative procedures throughout life.
4. Witnesses (Les Témoins)
Unlike many weddings in North America and the UK, French weddings traditionally do not include a large bridal party. Instead of choosing bridesmaids and groomsmen, couples typically select a handful of témoins, or witnesses.
Their role is primarily legal rather than ceremonial. During the civil ceremony (and the religious ceremony, if there is one), they sign the marriage register to confirm and witness the union.
The témoins do not wear matching dresses or suits either. They can be any gender, wear whatever they like, and are usually among the couple’s closest friends or family members.
Because there is no traditional wedding party, French weddings also do not typically feature a procession of paired bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle. Instead, the entrance follows its own customs.
In a traditional church ceremony, the groom often enters first and escorts his mother down the aisle before the bride arrives (this is called le cortège). The bride is then traditionally accompanied by her father, who walks her to the altar.
Weddings in France may also include les enfants d’honneur (similar to flower girls or ring bearers), although their job is to help carry the bride’s train.
5. French Wedding Attire
Rather than dramatic ball gowns coated in crystals or elaborate embellishments, many French brides gravitate more toward understated looks on their big day. You can explore my list of French wedding dress designers to get a better understanding of the bridal style in France.
Like brides elsewhere in the world, French brides often wear la robe de mariée, a white or ivory wedding dress, frequently paired with a veil and train.
Hair, makeup, and accessories typically follow the same philosophy. Everything is pared-down to keep the focus on the bride herself.
Of course, every bride has her own style, but if there’s one thing French fashion values above all else, it’s elegance that feels effortless.
We can’t forget about the groom’s garb either. Historically, formal wedding attire often included the jaquette (a morning coat worn at country weddings) or the habit (an even more formal tailcoat). White gloves and a top hat completed the look.
Today, most French grooms opt for tailored suits or tuxedos.
6. White Ribbon Cutting
In small villages, it was once customary for the groom to “collect” his bride at her home before the ceremony. Musicians, friends, and family would form a lively procession to the church.
Along the route, children stretched white ribbons across the road to block the bride’s path. To continue the journey, the bride had to cut through each ribbon. The ritual symbolized overcoming the obstacles that married life might bring together.
Today, the custom has largely disappeared, but some couples recreate it for fun or replace it with a modern version in which they cut through a white sheet decorated with a heart before entering the reception together.
7. Wedding “Broom Car” (La Voiture Balai)
After the ceremony, the newlyweds make their entrance in style. Rather than arriving in a stretch limousine, as is common in some American weddings, French couples often choose a classic car (like a Citroën 2CV).
There is, however, a second vehicle that’s common at traditional French weddings: la voiture balai, which translates literally to “the broom car.” It basically follows the wedding procession from one location to another and makes sure all guests arrive at the reception venue without a hitch.
In some cases, the car may be decorated with ribbons, cans, hearts, balloons and even actual brooms!
8. Le Vin d’Honneur
Instead of going straight to dinner, many French weddings begin with a vin d’honneur, a cocktail reception that takes place between the ceremony and the formal dinner.
Unlike the typical one-hour cocktail reception often seen in American weddings, the French vin d’honneur can last two or even three hours. Guests sip on Champagne or wine and munch on small bites like canapés and petits fours.
It reminds me a lot of a French apéritif, only fancier!
It also lets couples invite a larger group of people, maybe colleagues, neighbors, extended family, and friends, without needing to host everyone for the entire evening. Usually, only the closest family members and friends continue on to the repas de noces, or wedding dinner.
9. French Wedding Dinner (Le Repas de Noces)
The French are proud of their culinary history, so naturally, food is an essential part of any celebration (including weddings).
The French wedding dinner, or repas de noces, is one of the highlights of the day. It’s typically a multi-course feast with appetizers such as foie gras or escargots, followed by a fish or meat course (beef bourguignon, potatoes au gratin, coq au vin, etc.), a cheese platter, and an assortment of desserts. Of course, there is also plenty of wine and champagne to go around.
Unlike some weddings where the entire guest list attends the dinner, the seated meal is often reserved for a more intimate group of loved ones, usually close family and friends. In keeping with French dining traditions, dinner begins late (often around 8 or 9 p.m.) and can continue for several hours.
And before guests finally head home, there’s often one last surprise: la soupe à l’oignon, a French onion soup served in the early hours of the morning to energize everyone after hours of dancing.
10. Wedding Cake
When most people think of a wedding cake, they imagine a multi-tiered white cake decorated with flowers, ribbons, and a mini bride-and-groom topper. That’s not what you’ll find at the average French wedding. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to even find a patisserie in France that will willingly make you one!
Instead, many couples serve une pièce montée, better known as a croquembouche, a tower made from small cream-filled pastries called choux or profiteroles. The choux are stacked into a pyramid shape and held together with caramel, then decorated with spun sugar, flowers, chocolate, or other delicate details. Miam !
Unlike a traditional American cake, a croquembouche isn’t really sliced into neat pieces. Guests usually take several individual cream puffs from the tower.
And just like American newlyweds often feed each other the first bite of cake, French couples traditionally share a few bites of the croquembouche together after it’s brought out.
11. All-Night Entertainment
Many wedding traditions around the world include speeches, toasts, and dancing, and in France, the entertainment is just as memorable.
Family members or witnesses make speeches before everyone makes a toast to the newlyweds. Close friends and family members sometimes prepare personalized performances for the couple (like a skit, a song, a slideshow, or even a surprise dance).
Single females crowd together to catch the bride’s bouquet (a sign that they will marry next).
Some weddings also include more elaborate entertainment, from live musicians to artistic performances.
One thing that surprised me about French weddings, however, is how late they go! Parties can last all night until the next morning. This differs greatly from the receptions I’ve attended in the U.S. that usually end around 11 or 12 p.m.
It’s not uncommon for guests to stay for a late breakfast or lunch the next day.
12. The First Dance
One of the biggest differences between French and American weddings is the way the dancing begins.
In many American weddings, the newlyweds open the dance floor with their first dance as a married couple. In France, the tradition usually starts with the bride and her father.
The father and daughter share the first dance, often a waltz, before he eventually hands her over to her husband. The bride and groom then finish the dance together.
So if you ask a French couple about their “wedding song,” they might not think of a romantic first dance song at all. They’re more likely referring to the musique d’entrée—the song played when they entered the reception.
During this entrance, guests traditionally stand, applaud, and sometimes wave their napkins above their heads as the couple arrives.
13. Champagne Tower (La Fontaine à Champagne)
By now, it will come as no surprise that champagne plays a starring role at French weddings.
One of the most elegant traditions is la fontaine à Champagne, or the champagne tower. A pyramid of flute or coupe glasses is carefully arranged (by an experienced professional, bien sûr), and champagne is poured into the top glass, flowing down into the glasses below.
Today, champagne towers have become a popular feature at weddings around the world, but the tradition is especially fitting in France aka the birthplace of Champagne itself. And while you’ve likely seen similar displays elsewhere, there’s one question worth asking: was it actually champagne, or just sparkling wine?
14. La Coupe de Mariage
Instead of modern champagne flutes, many French couples toast their marriage with la coupe de mariage (the wedding cup).
This traditional two-handled silver cup is often engraved and passed down through generations as a family heirloom.
In the modern day, it’s less commonly used for the actual wedding toast, but it remains a meaningful wedding gift. Many couples engrave their cup with their wedding date and later add important milestones and dates.
15. Dragées
Les dragées are special sugar-coated almonds (sometimes chocolate-covered) and a traditional wedding favor given to guests.
Traditionally, each guest receives five dragées, representing five wishes for the newly married couple: fertility, happiness, health, longevity and wealth.
Other wedding guest gifts might include olive oil, soap, lavender pouches, honey, candles, or local products.
Discover More French Traditions
- How the French Celebrate New Year’s Eve
- 10 French Christmas Traditions to Try This Holiday Season
- The French Tradition of Galette des Rois
Have you ever attended a French wedding? What was your favorite tradition? Let me know in the comments below.
