Destination Wedding in France

If you're considering a wedding in France, you're choosing an enchanting destination with endless possibilities. France offers a wide variety of stunning locations for your ceremony, from historic castles and exclusive boats that sail along the River Seine passing in front of the Eiffel Tower, to picturesque wineries and vast manor houses where all your guests can stay on-site.

To simplify the process, it’s highly recommended to hire a local wedding planner. They’ll expertly handle logistical and legal matters, such as obtaining permits and coordinating with suppliers. Additionally, it’s important to choose the right season for your wedding, as each season in France offers its own unique experience. For outdoor, sun-filled weddings, the best months are from May to September. If you're up to indoor celebrations, you can find attractive discounts during the cooler months, from October to April.

A traditional French wedding typically unfolds in four parts: the ceremony, the cocktail hour (or "vin d'honneur"), dinner, and the dancing. The ceremony may take place at a nearby church or at the venue itself. Afterward, guests head to the cocktail hour, where champagne and appetizers are served. The DJ plays soft music, and some couples opt to hire a live band to enhance the atmosphere.

After the cocktail hour, guests are invited to take their seats for a traditional French-style dinner. This is a seated, multi-course meal, typically featuring a starter, main course, cheeses, and dessert. In some cases, weddings may serve up to six courses, including two starters and two main courses. Only wine is served during dinner. Between courses, guests often are entertained with games, presentations, and toasts. During this time, the DJ plays soft background music and helps coordinate the entertainment, making announcements and handing the microphone to those who wish to speak. Depending on the number of courses, dinner usually lasts between two and three hours.

As dessert is served, the DJ transitions to more upbeat music, setting the tone for the dance floor. Many couples open the dance floor with a choreographed first dance, often to a special song that holds personal meaning. DJ Astúria offers a pre-mixed version of your chosen songs for rehearsal, allowing couples to perform a customized remix for their first dance.

After the first dance, the couple invites their guests to join them on the dance floor, officially starting the party. The wedding cake is typically a “pièce montée,” (or mounted piece) a tower of profiteroles or macarrons arranged in a cake shape, brought out during the dancing. The mounted piece is often presented on a trolley by a waiter, accompanied by sparklers or volcano candles, while festive music plays. The bride and groom make toast with champagne to celebrate. The dance floor is open for four to six hours, and no additional food is served during this time. Drinks are either placed on a table for guests to help themselves or served by a waiter stationed nearby, though waitstaff typically do not circulate at this point.

Photographers and videographers usually do not stay during the dance time, and the decorations are often simpler, as fresh flowers can be expensive in France. The day after the wedding, many couples host a brunch for their guests, bringing the festivities to a close.

This summary gives you a glimpse into what French weddings look like. You don’t have to follow every French tradition to the letter—after all, it’s your wedding, and it should reflect your style. However, French suppliers may be less flexible with changes, so you might encounter some difficulty if you want something outside the norm.

Regardless, a wedding in France is bound to be unforgettable, filled with magical moments for you and your guests.

If you're looking for Brazilian suppliers, here's a list of recommended professionals who offer excellent services:

Fotografia: Fernando Nobre https://www.osnobres.fr/