Now that we have been gifted some precious time to plan, dream and better ourselves, why not take the time to plan an intimate wedding or elopement wedding in Paris with us! You’re on this page because you and your partner have decided to elope in your dream city, Paris. And why not, after-all Paris is THE city of romance, lights and LOVE!
Wether you are planning a small gathering of your closest family or friends, or simply the two of you, Paris is the perfect elopement destination, and here is a bit of advice to help you start your wedding planning…
Paris is famous for its landmarks, the narrow cobbled streets, the cafe terraces, the architecture, quite simply Paris exudes romance on every corner.
First things first – Can I legally get married in France?
So you’d love to elope to your dream city, Paris! Is it even allowed to elope and marry in the city of lights and love if you are not French? For most foreigners planning to elope here, you have to reside in France for 40 days before your big day. So what do most of my clients do? Well, they simply get legally married in their home country (at a courthouse usually) and have a ‘symbolic ceremony’ in France. This ensures that all your “paperwork for the taxman” is done in your legal place of residence and the romance and dreaming happens in Paris!
Paris Ceremony locations.
Many of the luxury hotels in Paris make for the ideal ceremony locations. They can offer rooms with balconies or terraces, complete with beautiful views as well as private salons in which to have the perfect intimate ceremony and couples portrait sessions.
Another option is to have an intimate ceremony on the streets of Paris. This can be a great solution if you’re staying in a hotel or apartment that is less than ideal in which to hold a small ceremony. But you will need to keep the numbers down to below 10 persons, as Paris law require a city permit for any groups of 10 persons or more gathering within public spaces.
I also encourage all my clients to always have a Plan B! The weather in Paris can be temperamental at the best of times and as a wedding planner this is something I’m used to having to deal with. If you’re planning a ceremony in the open be ready to re-schedule to a covered location. There are lots of them around, and my team and I have discovered them all over the past 6 years of working in Paris on making wedding dreams come true for our internal clients!
Be ready to be treated like the king and queen that you are on your wedding day in Paris by other tourists! Tourists, along with their iPhones, tend to flock around ceremonies in public locations, so just be prepared for attracting more attention than you’re probably used to. Oh and if you choose to travel around Paris in our vintage car option during your photo tour, then be prepared to be followed around by the French Paparazzi! Just Kidding but, you will feel like a true star!
Stay flexible! Paris is a city full of constant change and activity. Construction works, events, temporarily closed off monuments and buildings etc that can all make the original location you had finalised unworkable on the big day. The good news – this is Paris, we’ve got other options planned out for situations just like this! Here are some of our clients favourites from the past 6 years of intimate weddings:
The Louvre/Palais Royal: This location offers so many options. We have the back courtyard of the Louvre which is a stunning French Chateau in the centre of the city, covered passages in case of rain and the tree-lined gardens of the Tuileries. The gardens at the Palais Royal offer amazing shade and symmetry and make the perfect spot for stolen kisses, and a quick cup of coffee should you need a pick-me-up during your photo tour of Paris.
The Eiffel Tower: The most iconic monument in the city. There are several locations to choose from all offering great views, however, please note the area around Trocadero is only available for sunrise ceremonies due to the large number of tourists in this area. We also have chosen some spots around this area in the garden spots that make for a great background in case you decide to have guests with you, and are not keen on saying your “I do’s” at 7:00am!
The Riverfront: The River Seine cuts right through the centre of the city and certain areas along the quay can make for a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony. We can recommend two to three spots that are picture perfect, and quite for an intimate ceremony for 2-10 persons.
Chapelle Expiatoire: Is a small private chapel in the centre of the city. You’ll almost certainly need to use our services to book this location but its stunning, both inside and out, and makes a perfect location for your ceremony. Preview a rental budget of around €2500 for the privilege of saying your “I do’s” in one of France’s most historical buildings!
If you’re thinking that we could be the right fit as your Elopement Wedding Planner in Paris, then let’s set up a Skype or Facetime call today!
Photography by: Maru Photography , Bonphotage , Celine Chhuon Photography,
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