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French Wedding Checklist

16 items across 3 categories to plan your French wedding, in the order they come up.

Pre-Wedding Preparation

These are the things to prepare in the months before a French wedding, including the legal requirements.

Tradition

Book Appointment at the Mairie
Contact the town hall to set the date for the civil ceremony. You will need recent birth certificates, proof of residence and identity documents.
Obtain Required Certificates (Foreign Nationals)
If either of you is a foreign national, get a certificat de coutume and a certificat de célibat from your embassy. All foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté).
Publish Marriage Banns
File for the publication of banns at the mairie at least 10 consecutive days before the wedding date. French law requires it.
Choose Witnesses (Témoins)
Choose two to four adult witnesses for the civil ceremony. They will sign the official register.
Book Church for Religious Ceremony
If you are having a religious ceremony, reserve the church and arrange pre-marital counseling with the priest.
Order Dragées
Order sugared almonds and presentation boxes or bags. Count five almonds per guest, plus extras.
Commission Croquembouche
Find a pâtissier who has built croquembouche towers before. Schedule a tasting and confirm that they will assemble it on site.
Plan Vin d'Honneur Menu
Work with your caterer on the champagne, canapé and petit four menu for the cocktail reception.
Hire Caterer (Traiteur)
Book a professional traiteur for the vin d'honneur and the seated dinner.

These are the things to arrange for the ceremony day.

Ceremony

Confirm Livret de Famille
Confirm that the mairie will have your Livret de Famille ready to issue at the civil ceremony.
Prepare Ribbons for Procession
Cut and prepare silk ribbons for the children to hold during the ribbon-cutting tradition.
Purchase Sparklers
Buy long-burning sparklers for the grand entrance, and check the venue's fire safety rules.
Arrange La Soupe
Plan the onion soup for the dawn tradition, and ask the caterer or a family member to prepare it.

These are the things to arrange for the dinner reception and the celebrations.

Reception

Finalize Dinner Menu
Confirm the multi-course dinner menu with the wine pairings. Traditional courses are entrée, plat principal, fromage and dessert.
Assemble Dragée Favors
Put five dragées per guest into decorative containers, and prepare the display.
Confirm Croquembouche Delivery
Confirm the timing and logistics for assembling the croquembouche at the reception venue.

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Elsker turns this checklist into an interactive planning tool with budget tracking, guest management, and built-in French tradition support.