10 French Traditions to Embrace (Traditions de Mariage Français)

French weddings are a major part of our beautiful FOUR Wedding Magazines. They are fairytale inspired and luxurious, often steeped in beautiful traditions and customs, many of which are still widely practiced today.

Here are 10 key French wedding traditions:

1. La Mairie (Civil Ceremony): In France, the legal marriage must take place at the local mairie (town hall) before any religious ceremony can be held. This is the official, legal part of the wedding.

2. Le Vin d'Honneur: After the civil ceremony, guests are typically invited to enjoy a "vin d'honneur" (a reception with drinks and appetizers), often held in the mairie or a nearby location. It’s a more casual gathering where guests can socialize before the formal wedding banquet.

3. La Noce (Wedding Procession): In some regions, a wedding procession, or "la noce," involves the couple and their guests walking to the reception venue together, sometimes with music and singing.

4. Bride’s Attire: French brides often wear elegant, sophisticated wedding gowns, with many choosing understated designs. However, tradition dictates that the bride's attire should have something old, new, borrowed, and blue.

5. La Chambre de la Mariée (The Bridal Chamber): In some regions, there’s a playful tradition where the bride’s room is decorated by friends or family, often with flowers or themed items. It can also involve a special "wedding night" surprise for the couple.

6. Cakes and Pastries: French weddings often feature a selection of delicious cakes and pastries, such as the famous croquembouche (a tower of cream puffs), or macarons, a favorite French dessert.

7. Le Bal (The Wedding Dance): The couple's first dance, often to a romantic French song, is a highly anticipated moment at French weddings. It is followed by a lively celebration with dancing into the night.

8. La Soupe de Cidre: In certain regions of France, particularly Brittany, a traditional drink like cider (cidre) is served to guests at the wedding, especially for toasts.

9. Les Cadeaux d'Honneur (Gifts for Guests): It’s common for the bride and groom to give small gifts (often regional specialties or personal items) to their guests as a token of appreciation.

10. Les Rires et les Larmes (Laughter and Tears): Emotions are an important part of a French wedding, and it’s not uncommon for both the couple and their guests to share moments of laughter and tears throughout the day, often during speeches or special tributes.

    
    
    
    

These traditions vary by region in France, but they all reflect the joy, love, and celebration of the couple's new life together. We love the French people we have had the honor of working with. They truly inspire us here at our magazine.

What's your favorite French wedding tradition?