CLIMATE
The south of France is so popular for weddings because it has a distinctly Mediterranean climate; lots of sunshine, very warm summers, and mild winters. The most popular months for destination weddings in France are May, June, and September, and some venues are booked up to two years in advance.
TRANSPORT
Walking and cycling are great ways to get around in the south of France, especially in the more rural regions of Provence. You can hire electric bikes in Monaco so you can make light work of the hills, and if you want to hire a car, Avis offer a prestige car hire service. Some of the most prestigious wedding venues are located within 30-45 minutes of a major airport.
PLANNER RECOMMENDATIONS
There are some amazing wedding planners in the South of France who’ll help you plan your dream wedding and make sure your day is better than you had ever imagined. Here’s my pick of the best:
Lavender and Rose
The Wedding Planners MonacoRock My Love
Sumptuous Events
Wanderlust Wedding
Haute Weddings
White Eden Weddings
By Mademoiselle C
Lucy Till French Weddings
LAWS
If you want to get married in France, you have two options:
- Get legally married in your country of residence with a civil ceremony, then have a religious or more personal wedding in France. Remember to take your wedding certificate with you to prove you are legally married.
- Legally marry in France with a civil ceremony, then have a religious or personal ceremony on the same day or a few days later.
French law only recognises civil marriage, and the bride or groom to be needs to live in the area in which you intend to marry for over a month. Only then can you make an application to the town hall, so you can legally marry. The town hall will need to see some legal documents, including your passport and birth certificate.
When you complete the necessary paperwork, it has to be signed by the British Consulate, then translated into English by an official translator before it is sent to the town hall.
DOCUMENTS YOU’LL NEED
- Utility bills showing proof of address
- Certificate of celibacy to prove that you aren’t married (if you aren’t a French national)
- Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Divorce certificate if you have been married previously
FRENCH CIVIL CEREMONIES
Couples are required to marry in the town hall prior to any other type of ceremony taking place. The mayor, or one of their representatives will conduct the ceremony then you’ll sign a register to legalise the marriage. The ceremony is conducted in French, though you may be able to have a translator present.
LANGUAGE
In the south of France, especially in the rural regions, people sometimes speak in a rural dialect. In some places, you might notice road and street signs in two languages and you might see it in rural newspapers.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Think about the weather when you’re planning your wedding. Yes, even the glorious south of France can be unpredictable in the Spring, so the best time to go is between May and October. Peak tourist season in France is July and August, so factor this in if you’re going to be getting married in a busy resort.