French weddings are super elegant and mix old traditions with modern influences. They are all about celebrating the joining of two families. French wedding traditions have a lot of cool practices that show off the country’s intricate history and culture. Being part of a bridal celebration in France is an exquisite experience because there are so many authentic elements you do not get to see at other weddings. French wedding style is known for its unique French Wedding venues, elegant ceremonies, and cultural richness.
This blog gives a deep dive into these traditions and will help you create an image that really captures the spirit of a French wedding, from the pre-festivities all the way through the big moment! If you are unfamiliar with French customs, now it is time to learn about them and possibly include them in your big day in France! Whether you’re planning in Paris, Aquitaine, South of France or any other beautiful French destination, understanding French wedding traditions can truly enhance the experience.
What are the pre-wedding customs in French weddings?
Like in every country, weddings in France have special pre-bridal customs. Many couples incorporate them to mark special moments and create a fun wedding experience for everyone, especially the closest family members.
What is the significance of the fiançailles in French weddings?
When a couple gets engaged in France, they have a formal gathering called a fiançailles where their families come together to celebrate. This event is all about uniting the two families, not just the couple. They keep the engagement a secret from friends until the relatives are told, and then the bride can start wearing her engagement ring. Nowadays, the bride and groom-to-be might not keep it a secret before the engagement party, but most of them host one. It is a great way to announce it to more people at once and also get some great photographs of these first wedding moments in true French wedding style.
What is a trousseau and wedding armoire in French wedding traditions?
Preparing the trousseau is one of the oldest French wedding traditions that some brides still include in their big days. The word trousseau means a bundle that the bride-to-be prepares for her life in a marriage. It is a bundle that would include wedding dresses, lingerie, and linens for the bride’s new home. These special items are carefully chosen and embroidered by the bride and her mother with her married initials, and then they are stored in a Wedding Armoire or Hope Chest, usually carved by the bride’s father. However, nowadays, a more modern twist on this tradition is gifting the bride with French bed linens for her home, to be kept in a beautiful French Armoire. Some brides even do this during the bridal shower or the bachelorette party. It really depends on the bride and her ideas for the bridal events.
What are the ceremonial traditions in French weddings?
When we talk about ceremonial traditions, we refer to the big moment when the bride and groom say their “I do’s.” This event is a magical moment for the couple and their families. And, of course, we should not forget close friends! Couples in France can choose the type of ceremony they want to have and decide if they wish to go with a more traditional or contemporary approach. French wedding venues, whether a classic château or a quaint church, are often chosen for their elegance and historical significance.
What is the importance of the civil ceremony (La Mairie) in French weddings?
In France, the civil ceremony is a must and takes place at the town hall. The mayor or an authorized person leads it, and it is open to the public to allow objections. Usually, it is a quick event with just close family and witnesses present to make the marriage official. It is pretty formal, and many couples do not include big preparations for this moment.
What happens during a symbolic wedding ceremony in France?
The celebration usually happens after the civil ceremony and is a more personal and special event for a lot of couples. It can happen in different spots, like a church, a chateau, or a beautiful outdoor venue. During the ceremony, you will see some traditional things like the groom walking with his mother and the bride being escorted by her father. Symbolic ceremonies are quite emotional, and couples go to great lengths to make them magical. Namely, in many French weddings, the symbolic ceremony is the beginning of the bridal celebration and includes many candid moments. French wedding venues provide stunning backdrops for these events.
What is Le Cortège in French wedding traditions?
Among the French wedding traditions, the bridal procession is one of the most special. It starts with the groom walking down the aisle with his mother, then come the flower girls, ring bearers, and finally the bride accompanied by her father. This order shows how important family is in the ceremony, so many couples decide to include it in their wedding.
Flower girls – Source: Julie Derache Photographies
What is the French wedding attire and fashion?
The newlyweds, especially the brides, pay a lot of attention to the bridal attire they will wear for the big day. Picking the right wedding gown is not easy since there are many styles, shapes, and designers to choose from. Selecting the bridal dress is a whole process that is done in several steps. However, some customs might also take place.
What are the common bridal fashion choices in French weddings?
French brides usually go for understated yet stylish wedding gowns made of luxurious materials like silk or lace. They focus on effortless elegance rather than intricate details. Moreover, they pair the dress with veils and simple accessories to enhance the bride’s natural beauty, which reflects the French love for simple sophistication. The classic yet elegant look is one of the most common French wedding traditions many brides embrace for their big day.
Why don’t French weddings have bridesmaids and groomsmen?
Do not expect to see bridesmaids or best men in traditional French weddings. Instead of best friends, they have “witnesses” who partake in the ceremony. The bride and groom can have one or two witnesses each. Also, they have children leading the way for the bride, kind of like flower girls and ring bearers. Around the world, many couples decide to have a bridal party since that has become a standard for weddings. However, the same cannot be said about French newlyweds who strive to create a traditional event. Therefore, brides do not pick matching dresses for their girlfriends.
Do French guests wear fascinators and hats at weddings?
In more classic or rural weddings, it is common for female guests to rock fascinators or hats, especially during the church part. It adds a classy touch and shows respect for the occasion’s formal vibe. Hats at a bridal celebration are one of the most French things you will ever see during a traditional wedding.
What are the traditional reception elements in a French wedding?
Reception is the second most exciting part of every wedding. Couples pay a lot of attention to the elements they pick for this celebration phase. From the wedding venue to the decor, everything at the reception is supposed to reflect the newlyweds’ style. If French wedding traditions are included, you can expect to see some specific features.
What is le vin d’honneur in French weddings?
After the ceremony, the French have a really long cocktail hour called “le vin d’honneur” that goes on for two or three hours. During this time, guests get to savor some tasty appetizers like pâté, mini veggie tarts, and various French cheeses, all while sipping on local wines. It is a chance for everyone to mingle and have a good time before sitting down for the official meal. This is an amazing time for foreign guests since they get to experience the local delicacies in a special setting.
What is served at the wedding meal in French weddings?
Everyone knows food is a big deal at weddings, especially in France. The French Wedding Menu usually consists of fancy dishes like beef, duck, and fish. For dessert, they have this tasty creation called croquembouche, which is like a tower of cream-filled pastries held together with caramel. During French weddings, the party goes on all night, with food and fun for everyone.
What are the late-night traditions in French weddings?
French weddings typically last until the early morning hours, usually wrapping up around 4-7 a.m. Before guests head home, they are served a traditional dish called la soupe à l’oignon (onion soup) to help them recover from the night’s festivities. The French are quite serious about celebrating weddings, so you should rest well before the event. Otherwise, you will not be able to handle it all.
What are the unique customs in French weddings?
Now that we have covered the big parts of bridal celebrations in France, it is time to move to the smaller, more authentic French wedding traditions. These details are the features that make the event more spectacular, so many couples decide to include at least one.
What is la voiture balai in French weddings?
In France, there is a fun tradition where a decorated car, usually a quirky Citroen 2CV, follows the wedding procession to make sure all the guests get to the venue. They deck out the car with ribbons, flowers, and sometimes cans trailing behind, which adds a nice festive vibe to the journey.
What is the white ribbon-cutting tradition in French weddings?
In some small French villages, it is a tradition for kids to stretch white ribbons across the road while the bride heads to the ceremony. The bride then cuts the ribbons to symbolize overcoming the obstacles of married life. Nowadays, it is turned into the couple cutting through a white sheet with a heart shape in the middle. Whether it is the old custom or the one with the modern twist, this tradition offers quite the experience for both the couple and the guests.
What is la coupe de mariage in French weddings?
The coupe de mariage is like a fancy, engraved silver cup passed down through generations in some families. The newlyweds would use it to make a special toast to each other, but more recently, most couples just use regular champagne glasses for that. Today, this cup is a popular wedding gift because the couple can engrave it with their wedding date and other important dates in the future, like when their kids are born.
What are the gift-giving customs in French weddings?
The French are quite unique when it comes to wedding gifts. While in America and in other countries around the world, it is common to have a gift registry, the French have different ideas when it comes to bridal presents.
What are les dragées in French weddings?
Around the world, people often associate sugared almonds with 90s weddings, but in France, they are more than just a sweet treat. They are actually given as a gift at weddings, with each guest receiving five sugared almonds to symbolize health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity. It is a lovely custom that is more meaningful than just a simple snack for the kiddos.
What kind of gifts do guests give in French weddings?
In France, instead of giving cash gifts at weddings like in some other places, guests often give practical or luxurious items like silverware, crystal, or home goods. These gifts show the French value of quality and the idea of helping the couple start their new life together.
What entertainment options are included in French weddings?
Like at any other wedding, couples in France pay a lot of attention to the entertainment selection for their big day. We are not talking solely about French wedding music but other events that make bridal celebrations special. Luckily, French wedding traditions are quite amusing, so couples can pick how to entertain their guests uniquely.
What is the champagne tower tradition in French weddings?
It is common to see a cool tradition at French weddings, such as building a champagne tower! The bride and groom stack glasses in a pyramid and pour champagne into the top glass, which flows down to fill up the other glasses. It is a really stunning and fun way to celebrate, and it is a symbol of joy and plenty.
What is the father-daughter dance in French weddings?
The father-daughter dance usually kicks off the dancing portion. The bride dances first with her father, and then he hands her over to the groom to finish the dance together. It is a really authentic way to begin the bridal festivities at the reception.
Why do French weddings have all-night festivities?
French weddings are famous for their energetic and long parties. After dinner, the dancing starts around midnight and continues until the early morning hours. They keep the fun going with live bands, DJs, and even special performances from loved ones.
What is the cultural significance of French wedding traditions?
When it comes to French wedding traditions, it is essential to note that the customs are not solely about making the bridal celebration fun and joyful. It is also about cultural values that are at the core of French culture and heritage.
Why do French weddings focus on family unity?
The emphasis is on bringing two families together rather than just celebrating the couple. This is shown through various customs like the engagement party and the active participation of family members in the wedding preparations.
How is romance symbolized in French weddings?
French wedding customs are packed with symbolic acts that underscore love, togetherness, and the lifelong commitment to marriage. These traditions, like cutting white ribbons and making the first toast with the coupe de mariage, really emphasize the significance of romance and dedication in French culture.
What are the differences between French and American weddings?
When comparing French and American weddings, you may spot some similarities, but there are also a lot of differences. Namely, the French cultural customs are what make bridal celebrations in France so authentic and one-of-a-kind!
How are ceremonies structured differently in French weddings?
French weddings usually include two ceremonies: one at city hall and another symbolic or religious ceremony on a different day. This is different from American weddings, where there is usually just one ceremony.
How are French wedding receptions different from American ones?
Wedding celebrations in France are known for lasting a long time and having fancy meals, and the guests usually dance and have fun until the early hours of the morning. On the other hand, American bridal receptions tend to wrap up earlier in the evening due to curfew limitations.
Who pays for a French wedding?
One of the most common questions couples ask when planning a French wedding is about the financial responsibilities. Traditionally, French weddings followed the custom where the bride’s family would cover most of the costs associated with the wedding day, including the venue, the ceremony, and the wedding meal. The groom’s family was typically responsible for the reception and honeymoon.
However, in modern French weddings, it is becoming increasingly common for both families, or even the couple themselves, to share the financial burden. The exact breakdown can depend on various factors, including family traditions, cultural background, and financial ability. In many luxury French weddings, couples prefer to take full control of the budget to have more say in the wedding style and choices, such as selecting a venue like a château or church in France.
Why don’t French weddings have bridesmaids or groomsmen?
In France, couples do not have bridesmaids or groomsmen at weddings. Instead, they have witnesses (témoins) who have a more official role in the ceremony. This makes the whole thing feel less formal and more personal.
French wedding traditions bring together sophistication, symbolism, and cultural richness that set them apart in the wedding scene. In essence, French weddings celebrate love, family, and tradition, from the official part of the civil ceremony to the all-night festivities with champagne and dancing. Knowing about these customs can help couples include some French flair in their own weddings, making their special day both heartfelt and memorable!
