Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

30/10/2007, 11:47 Lucinda Joined on 23/10/2007 Dordogne Posts 42 Weddings in France There are a great number of couples now choosing to have their wedding in France - British, Irish, Americans to name a few - but in order to not have to get involved in the paperwork here they are tending to have a civil ceremony in their own country (quietly) and then come here to celebrate their wedding with family and friends. There are plenty of Chateaux catering for this and several wedding planners who will organise everything, not to mention celebrants who will carry out the blessing. It's a fantastic way to have a fairytale wedding without getting bogged down in the formalities. Lucy     Report

30/10/2007, 12:00 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 244 Re: Weddings in France The reason for the civil ceremony is probably because of the residence requirements - one of the parties to the marraige must have been resident in France for at least 40 days prior to the wedding (30 days prior to the bans being read and then a further 10 days for the bans) - and you have to provide evidence of this - rent book, utility bills etc etc. Most people can't take 40 days out pre the wedding to meet this requirement - hence the civil ceremony in their own country and blessing in France.    Report

30/10/2007, 17:27 val douest Joined on 28/08/2004 Hautes Pyrénées (65) Posts 245 Re: Weddings in France If you are happy just to have the wedding celebrations in France then there is no doubt it is simpler to do the actual  marriage bit in the UK (or the USA, or wherever).  However, if you want to, it is often possible to do the whole thing in France.  Like many other things here, it all depends on where you live and on how your maire interprets the regulations.  Ours, when asked, confirmed that as we are full-time residents of several years standing she had no hesitation in marrying our daughter; we know of other communes where this attitude prevails. The same thing often happens, we were told, when French families want a local wedding for a child who has been living or working away from home for some time, but we know of at least one other maire who has stood by the letter of the law. So if you have a child who wants to be married in France rather than just have the celebrations here then it's at least worth asking.  Our Mairie is adjacent to the Salle de Fetes so after the ceremony, which we all felt very much a part of, everyone moved just a few yards away for the vin d'honneur outside and then on into the Salle for the wedding dinner - a memorable day!    Report

France Forum » Leisure and Pas... » Getting Married... » Weddings in France

(Quick links) Forums Home |- Search Forums |- Active Topics |- Unanswered Posts User Options |- Sign In |- Join this community |- Forgot Password About This Forum (READ ONLY) |- About This Forum Moving |- Finding/Owning French Property |- Making the Move From Outside the EU |- Long-Term Letting |- Employment Vacancies in France Legal and Finance |- French Legal Issues |- French Finance Building and Renovation |- House Renovations |-- Working with Wood Living |- Earning a Living |- Driving |- French Education |- Pets |- Animal Welfare, Rescue & Protection |- French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone |- Health |-- Changes to Healthcare Entitlement, CPAM, CMU and Cartes Vitales |- Swimming Pools in France Owning/Running a Business |- French Artisans |- Gite Owners |- Hotel and Restaurant Owners |- B&B/Chambres d'Hôtes Owners Leisure and Pastimes |- Gardening |- Sport, Leisure and Pastimes |- Shopping |- French Antiques, Arts & Crafts |- Photography |- Motorcycling in France |- Books and Literature |- Getting Married in France |- Pregnancy and Birth French Culture |- French Food and Wine |- French Culture |- French Language |-- French Language FAQs and Useful Links |- Wildlife/Nature/Environment |- French History Travelling to/from France |- Travelling to/from France |- Latest Good Value Deals to/from France Holidays |- Holidays General Discussion |- The Complete France Post Bag |- The Lighter Side |- Other Topics |- Forum Technical Support |- Useful Links About France/French Living Regions |- HOTEL SEARCH |- Central |- North East |- North West |- Paris Ile de France |- South East |- South West |- East |- West |- Corsica and DOM-TOMs