3 FRENCH

WEDDING
TRADITIONS

Whether you are planning a wedding in France or looking to include

French wedding styles into your big day, looking to the past at wedding
traditions can be a great way to bring something a little different to your
big day.

There is no doubt that France is a favourite destination to celebrate a

wedding, as it has so much to offer in terms of venues, food, weather
and locations, therefore it is easy to understand why.

La Mairie
Not so much a tradition more a legal obligation, the marriage ceremony
needs to be performed by the mayor at the town hall. It is meant to be a
‘public’ event and the doors of the room have to stay open. This is
traditionally to allow somebody who wants to oppose the marriage to do
so. There is no other way to be legally married in France. French couples
can also choose to have a religious ceremony at their place of worship
afterwards, though this will be purely spiritual.

Le Cortège
The so-called ‘cortege’ stands for two lovely traditions: Firstly the
entrance to the ceremony where the groom leads the way with his
mother, followed by the rest of the wedding party (mainly close family)
in a set order of entrance, and secondly the presence of children,
comparable to flower girls and ring bearers. They either walk down the
aisle in front of the bride spreading petals or follow holding her train.
They are all dressed the same and choosing their outfits is as much of an
affair as it is to choose the bridesmaids. Oh and by the way, there is no
bridesmaids or best man;

Les dragées
They are going a bit out of fashion with modern brides, though this is a
very French tradition – sugar coated almonds offered to the guest as a
keepsake. They were typically given in a cornet or an organdy pouch but
more creative presentation are seen now. They are a symbol of long
lasting love and are easy to include as a French touch in a wedding
anywhere, I have even seen winter weddings where all the guests have
classic trapper hats, it was funny and cool at the same time, visit
FurHatWorld to buy yourself one.