How to get married in France?
Let’s talk about your symbolic ceremony in Paris. You two are about to do one of the most romantic things possible: Getting married in France, eloping in Paris! Saying your “I do’s” is already an unforgettable moment, even more so if you do it in Paris, the most romantic city in the world!
There is just one thing that you have to keep in mind before planning your Paris wedding, Paris elopement or Paris vow renewal. Your symbolic ceremony in Paris performed by wedding celebrants in France is not legally binding!
In France you can only get married by law in a city hall (“La mairie”) according to France marriage laws. But getting married in Paris for foreigners is very complicated!!! It involves tons of paperwork. The government has complex and abundant bureaucratic requirements for foreigners who want to get married in France. (Just one example: You have to be a resident in France for at least 45 days in a row before you are able to get married in France.)
So what most couples do: They have a quick civil ceremony back home (to make the marriage legally binding). Before or after their civil ceremony they celebrate their symbolic ceremony and create unforgettable memories with a Paris elopement, destination wedding in Paris or dream wedding in France.
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Your Symbolic ceremony in Paris
So you may ask now: Why should I elope in Paris or get married in France if my symbolic ceremony won’t get me legally married? The answer is pretty simple: Because it is the city of love! So where else could you have a more romantic and memorable symbolic ceremony?
Besides civil ceremonies at your local city hall or courthouse are legal matters. So they often feel just like that: Rather impersonal. But marriage is more than just a legal matter. It is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other.
Your wedding is your big moment. It is you and only you who defines what is important in your marriage. Your wedding ceremony is the moment when you start your lives together as a married couple. So you should be able to create, celebrate and enjoy your symbolic ceremony the way you want. As your English speaking Paris officiant I believe in crafting a ceremony that is perfectly you and creating a moment that you’ll always remember and cherish.
Your symbolic wedding, elopement or vow renewal ceremony in Paris or France is completely yours! Therefore your ceremony script will be unique and personal, romantic and meaningful. It will reflect your individual personalities and your beautiful love story. You can completely customize your wedding ceremony. For instance by choosing the location for your ceremony, by exchanging your personal wedding vows, by deciding for a religious, spiritual or non-religious ceremony, by choosing your favorite wedding reading, by including wedding rituals – and whatever else you got in mind!
“Laure made our symbolic ceremony everything we ever wanted and more!
She incorporated our love story into the ceremony as well as our favorite poems and French vows. We cried and laughed all along!
She made our ceremony so special and one we will never forget!”
As your English speaking celebrant in Paris I’d be happy to hear from you! Let’s create unforgettable moments – just contact me!
Photo: Photographer in Paris Pierre Torset, Paris Happy Pictures