It’s the question I get asked most often by couples getting married in Paris from abroad. The answer is clear, but it’s rarely explained simply online.
The short answer
In France, a civil marriage is held in a commune where at least one of the two spouses-to-be has a lasting connection. Where that connection is residence, it means at least one month of continuous residence on the date the banns are published (Service-Public.fr, the French public administration). A tourist stay does not meet that condition.
In other words, the idea of “coming to Paris to get legally married” does not work in practice.
What most couples do
Almost all of them take the same route: the civil marriage happens in their own country, and a symbolic ceremony takes place in Paris.
The day itself does not change at all. You exchange your vows, you put on the rings, I photograph. The only difference is that the official signature happened earlier.
It is not a compromise: many couples prefer to settle the administrative part simply at home, and live in Paris the moment they actually want to celebrate.
What a symbolic ceremony needs
No legal obligation, so no paperwork. You need a place, possibly someone to lead the ceremony, and two witnesses.
People run these ceremonies in Paris regularly, and I can put you in touch.
Where to hold it
For a small ceremony, the parks, the gardens and the banks of the Seine work well. The Trocadéro early in the morning, Pont Alexandre III at the end of the day, or a private courtyard to rent.
The choice depends on the number of guests: for two people, the options are very wide.
How many days to allow
Avoid putting the ceremony on the day you arrive. Getting in at least the day before lets you recover from the flight and avoids the stress of a delay.
Tell me what you have in mind and we will look together at which place suits the season and the hour you have chosen.
Planning your wedding in Paris from abroad? I detail what is included on the wedding in Paris page.