Wedding traditions of Paris
In France the civil wedding at the town hall comes first, and the city has more than twenty mairies where it happens.
A French marriage is made at the mairie before an official, and only that ceremony counts in law. Many couples then hold a church wedding on another day. Paris has an arrondissement hall for each district, and weddings there are public.
A wedding here
The mayor or a deputy reads parts of the Civil Code, asks both for consent and signs the register in front of witnesses. The couple receives a livret de famille, a family record book. A church blessing, a vin d'honneur, and a long dinner may follow.
Dress and food
The wedding dress is often white and the Parisian bridal quarter is known for design. The croquembouche, a tower of cream puffs, is a classic dessert, and dragees, sugared almonds, are given in small bags.
Wedding customs of Paris
Also part of it, and being written: Croquembouche (A tower of choux pastry served at weddings.), Mairie (The town hall where the civil ceremony takes place.), Dragee (Sugared almonds given as favours.), Pacte civil de solidarite (A civil partnership used by many couples.).
A wedding trail idea for Paris
- Mairie du 4e arrondissement A historic town hall in the Marais that holds civil weddings.
- Rue de Provence bridal shops A cluster of bridal dress shops in the 9th arrondissement.
- Sainte Chapelle A medieval chapel used for concerts and photographs.
- Pont des Arts and the quays A traditional place for wedding photographs.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, venues and wedding-season dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
