Here we answer the questions most commonly asked.

General questions

• Can we legally get married in France?
• How do I book a wedding?
• How far in advance should we book?
• How can I cancel an event?
• Do I need to speak French?
• What is the best time of year to come to Paris?

Wedding planning services

• Can I choose my vendors?
• Will I meet my planner?
• Do you help with hotel reservations?
• Can I ship my wedding dress?

Vow renewals

• What is a vow renewal?
• Why renew your vows?
• What happens in a vow renewal ceremony?
• What about a second honeymoon?
• Should it be a surprise?

Ceremony

• Do we need a legal ceremony in our home country first?
• Do you do weddings for same-sex couples?
• Can we write our own vows?
• Will our ceremony be in English?
• Can we get married at the top of the Eiffel Tower?
• What paperwork do we need to fill out for our Paris wedding?
• What does it mean that ceremonies are symbolic?
• Can we have a male officiant?

Church Weddings

• Does the American Church celebrate same-sex weddings?
• Does the American Church celebrate second weddings?
• What paperwork needs to be done?

Photos (general)

• How will I get my photos?
• How many pictures do we get?
• Are photos edited?

Photo tours

• Is two hours enough?
• Can guests come along on the photo tour?
• What happens if it rains?
• Can we choose any type of car?
• Can we take a different route?
• Can we go to the Montmartre area?
• Can we do an engagement photo tour?
• Should we book professional hair and makeup?
• Can we use our own photographer?

Have more questions?

Can we legally get married in France?

In France, there are two legal options to be married officially:

The first option is a City Hall wedding for residents, which is not considered very romantic and is mainly a legal affair. Typically, after their civil ceremonies, French couples choose to have a wedding blessing at a Church or Symbolic Ceremony in a style and location of their choice (both options come after their official wedding).

This option is possible after a 30 day residency requirement as well as meeting very strict legal and extensive medical requirements.

The second option is an Embassy wedding, which involves scheduling half a day in Paris for paperwork, with both partners and a witness present. All required documentation needs translation into french and depending on which country you are from notarized / authenticated by a solicitor. (You should contact you country’s Embassy for precise details).

Our recommendation is to simplify the process by completing the paperwork in your home country, enabling you to fully experience and celebrate your deeper commitment in the city of love.

How do I book a wedding?

After you have checked the availability of your date in our online calendar, you may directly book your wedding online by paying a deposit or full package price if your wedding is in less that 3 months. Our payment system is as easy as shopping online. You can add the services you want to your cart and pay with either your credit card or through PayPal.

How far in advance should we book?

How can I cancel an event?

Life can be unpredictable, even more when it comes to long distance travels. For this reason, we have considered every possible scenarios and we offer you options to cancel or re-schedule your event to a later date. For more details, please refer to our terms and conditions.

Do I need to speak French?

Everyone on our team speaks English. You will not need to learn un petit mot unless you want to.

What is the best time of year to come to Paris?

Paris is beautiful all year round. If you are looking for warm weather, then May to October are the best months. If you don’t mind the cold, then November and December will offer you a beautiful decor of Christmas lights around the city.

Can I choose my vendors?

You may have your heart set on one of our photographers or officiants based on our social media or website. If that is the case, let your planner know, your dream vendor may be available on your date! Please note that we do not book vendors outside of our team, but you are free to book vendors of your choice. Some couples come from the US with their own photographer or videographer, and that’s fine. Your planner will of course coordinate with them and inform them of the timeline.

Will I meet my planner?

Our team is based in France and we have become experts at planning everything via email. But we do understand that couples like to meet their Wedding Planner, so we are happy to schedule video calls for face-to-face conversations.

Do you help with hotel reservations?

We have noticed that people’s requirements and budget vary tremendously when it comes to booking accommodations, so we don’t offer to select or book hotels. However, we recommend Booking.com, as you can use the filters to indicate the part of Paris you’re wanting to stay in, and then read some customer reviews of hotels that have availability on the dates you require to help with your decision making. I have created this filter on Booking.com to show you some hotels that are centrally located. 

Once you’ve made a selection, you can let your Personal Planner know and she will be happy to check with you that your hotel is well located and within central Paris.

Your chosen hotel will serve as the epicenter of your wedding day preparations – the place where your hair and makeup artist will work their magic, where your exquisite bouquet will be delivered, and where your chauffeur will be waiting to escort you. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that your hotel is centrally located in the heart of Paris. When making your hotel selection, we kindly request that you ensure it is situated within one of the following areas: Eiffel Tower, 15th arrondissement, Louvre and Tuileries. We kindly advise against booking accommodations in Montmartre, Opera, Saint Germain des Prés, or Bastille. If you have any uncertainties or require further guidance, please don’t hesitate to consult with me before finalizing your booking. 

Can I ship my wedding dress?

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What is a vow renewal?

A vow renewal ceremony is not a second wedding, it’s a more intimate affair to reaffirm your love and celebrate your time together. It can be just the two of you or shared with a few close family and friends

Why renew your vows?

Here are the main reasons why couples decide to renew their wedding vows:

To celebrate a special anniversary
They didn’t have their dream wedding
To rekindle the fire after many years of marriage
To share their love and commitment with their children present

The top 5 reasons why couples renew their wedding vows in Paris:

Paris is the iconic city of love
The Paris streets and monuments offer the perfect setting for romantic photos
In Paris, couples can treat themselves with fine food, culture, and attractions
It’s the perfect destination for a second honeymoon
To fulfill their dream to travel together

What happens in a vow renewal ceremony?

During a vow renewal ceremony, your celebrant welcomes you to Paris and reads a short, meaningful and romantic ceremony script which focuses on you exchanging personal vows.

Personal vows give you the opportunity to reflect on your marriage, thank your partner for their love and support and recognize everything you’ve accomplished together so far.

Your ceremony can also include the exchanging of rings and readings by family or close friends.

Finally you can sign a commemorative certificate, followed by a champagne toast to your love and continued future together.

What about a second honeymoon?

What better reason do you need than renewing your wedding vows to get away to Paris for a second honeymoon? Make it special and stay at least one night in a top Paris hotel.

Should it be a surprise?

A few couples do surprise their partners when they arrive in Paris by proposing to them again just before their vow renewal ceremony. Others leave a surprise note saying “Marry Me Again” while at home and then enjoy the whole process of planning the event together, thinking about their vows and anticipating their second honeymoon in Paris.

Do we need a legal ceremony in our home country first?

Your Paris wedding is about your true inner commitment. In that sense, it is very different from the legal paperwork required in your home country. For outdoor weddings, we do not require that you provide a marriage certificate. For wedding blessings at the American Church however, you will be asked to send your marriage certificate before your wedding day or vow renewal.

Do you do weddings for same-sex couples?

This is a question that we have been asked several times sadly. And the answer is and has always been YES of course. Our purpose is to celebrate love and make dreams come true. We even offer wedding blessings by a Pastor who never misses a chance of reminding people that the heart of God is vast, accepting everyone.

Can we write our own vows?

We feel that writing your own vows is a very important part of your wedding ceremony and your celebrant will provide you with guidelines of the best way to compose them. Some couples like to keep them secret from each other until their wedding day.

Will our ceremony be in English?

Our ceremonies are normally conducted in English. If however you require a ceremony in French or Spanish please make sure to inform your Personal Planner early in the planning process.

Can we get married at the top of the Eiffel Tower?

The top of the Eiffel Tower is not suitable for elopements or intimate wedding ceremonies due to several factors. Firstly, the limited space at the top can make it challenging to accommodate even a small group comfortably. Additionally, the top of the tower is a public area with constant visitor traffic, which can make it difficult to ensure the privacy and intimacy typically desired for such ceremonies. Safety regulations and logistical concerns, such as access and the unpredictability of weather at that height, also play a role in making it an unsuitable location for weddings.

We offer ceremonies at a variety of surrounding locations that have the Eiffel Tower featuring in your photos.

What paperwork do we need to fill out for our Paris wedding ?

For your Paris wedding, you don’t need to do any paperwork. Our ceremonies are symbolic, so… complete

What does it mean that ceremonies are symbolic?

It simply means that you won’t have to do any paper work! Your wedding in Paris represents the true inner commitment you are making to each other. Any legal formalities can be done in your home country. For this reason, you don’t need to reside in France to get married there, and you don’t need to the 30 day residency that is required for city hall weddings.

Can we have a male officiant?

You may have noticed that most of our officiants featured in the photos are women. This might be unexpected, but in France, the wedding officiant profession is predominantly female. While we do collaborate with male officiants, their availability is more limited, and we cannot guarantee their presence for all dates.

Can we change our ceremony location after booking?

You can change your ceremony location after booking. We understand that plans can evolve, and we’re here to make sure everything is perfect for your big day. Your Personal Planner is available to help you choose a location that best suits your number of guests and personal preferences. If you’re interested in a private location, we can also check availability and make the arrangements for you. The only fee that may apply is the cost of the selected venue.

Does the American Church celebrate same-sex weddings?

Unfortunately, the American Church in Paris does not propose same-sex wedding services. However, we – at Perfect Paris Wedding – work with a Pastor who gladly celebrates same-sex weddings at our outdoor ceremony locations. So feel free to inquire about your wedding and your planner will happily help you plan your perfect day.

Does the American Church celebrate second weddings?

Yes, you can have your wedding at the American Church in Paris, even if it is your second marriage.

What paperwork needs to be done?

Our wedding ceremonies are all symbolic, except for the American Church weddings. Getting married at the American Church in Paris means that you will be officially recorded on the Church’s books. In order to do so, you will be required to provide your official wedding certificate (that you obtained at your legal wedding in your home country).

How will I get my photos?

Your photographer will deliver your photos via a password-protected online gallery. You will be able to view and download them directly to your computer. Your photos will be available in HD and have no watermarks. You will be free to print them with your preferred printing service.

In addition to delivering your photos, some photographers may offer you printing services or wedding book packages. You are free to order these from them directly. Don’t worry though, you will not receive commercial emails advertising for these products.

How many pictures do we get?

In addition to a few social media friendly photos that you will receive within 24 hours, you will get 80+ photos to download from an online gallery. Photos are available in high resolution. Final photos will have no watermarks and you have full rights granted.

Are photos edited?

Images are lightly edited by the photographer – lighting, framing and contrast. More comprehensive editing, such as skin retouching or customized highlights are not included in the package price but can be discussed with the photographer and arranged for an additional fee. Our photographers do not do heavy editing like removing people or objects from the background, or making your appearance different.

Is two hours enough?

We consider two hours to be the ideal length of a photo tour: it allows you to cover several locations, but you will not be exhausted at the end. In two hours, depending on traffic, you can cover 3 or 4 locations. It is possible to add time/locations, this is something that you can discuss with your Personal Planner.

Can guests come along on the photo tour?

While this photo tour is ideally designed to be a romantic relaxing moment between two people, we are happy to accommodate your guests. With a Mercedes Viano car, you can have up to 4 guests coming along on your photo shoot. Unfortunately, we do not offer larger cars which would not fit some of our beautiful but smaller streets.

What happens if it rains?

Weather is unpredictable and you may be wondering “will rain affect our photo tour?”.

First, be reassured: we never had a photo tour ruined by rain. In Paris, most of the time, rain is just light sprinkles that come and go. On the rare occasions (maybe once a year) where heavy rain is forecast, we always offer an alternate time or day for the photo session.

Now, if you do have your photo tour on a rainy day, know that Paris in the rain actually opens up to another world. So many movies and writers mention how magical Paris is in the rain and it is true.

Some couples take the opportunity to accessorize with a red umbrella, which has a stunning effect on photos.

Can we choose any type of car?

The car included in the package is a premium Mercedes Sedan car with leather seats and air conditioning. If you hire a videographer, we automatically upgrade your car to a Mercedes Class V which can seat 7 passengers so that your photographer and videographer can both travel with you on your photo tour.

You also have the option to upgrade your car to a vintage Traction car for an additional fee (see details here). This is a car that can only seat the couple and photographer, but it is possible to book a videographer while also booking the vintage car. In that case, your videographer will follow in a different car or on a motorcycle.

Can we take a different route?

Yes, we are happy to accommodate special requests. Simply let us know the locations that you would like to cover in your photo shoot and we will design a route just for you. Please note that some itineraries may require additional time with your chauffeur and photographer.

Can we go to the Montmartre area?

You have probably noticed that the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre is not on our photo tour map. It is of course possible to do a shoot in the Montmartre area of Paris but it is a significant distance away from the city center and the other landmarks. For this reason, if you would like to go to Montmartre, we recommend that you focus your photo tour on this area of Paris.

Can we do an engagement photo tour?

There is no convention to have a reception but as Paris is full of amazing restaurants, your renewal of vows gives you a perfect excuse to splash out on a memorable and romantic meal.

Should we book professional hair and makeup?

You are free to come as you are, and some brides are particularly talented when it comes to fixing their own hair and makeup. There are however great reasons to book a professional hair and makeup artist for the occasion:

Your makeup and hairstyle will last longer
You can send any inspiration photo and they will know how to make it (see our hair and makeup gallery)
Getting pampered offers you a relaxing time – you don’t even need to go to a salon, our hair and makeup artists will come to your hotel or apartment rental

Can we use our own photographer?

It is possible to use your own photographer. We would offer a 500 Euro deduction from the package price. You would then be responsible for all the arrangements with your photographer. Because of the number of weddings we organize we have a special long term agreements with all our English-speaking Paris based photographers and it would be unlikely that you could find such talent directly to do a similar shoot for less than 1500-2000 Euros.

Have more questions?

Our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have! We look forward to speaking with you about your special day!

Miscellaneous questions:

Will any cost be deducted for doing my own hair and makeup?

Yes, if you choose to handle your own hair and makeup or hire your own artist, you will receive a deduction of 200 Euros from the package price. To apply this discount, simply use the coupon code NOH&M when making one of your package installments.

Can we get married at Disneyland?

Unfortunately, we do not offer elopement services within Disneyland Paris.

Can we get married on top of the Eiffel Tower?

The top of the Eiffel Tower is not suitable for elopements or intimate wedding ceremonies due to several factors. Firstly, the limited space at the top can make it challenging to accommodate even a small group comfortably. Additionally, the top of the tower is a public area with constant visitor traffic, which can make it difficult to ensure the privacy and intimacy typically desired for such ceremonies. Safety regulations and logistical concerns, such as access and the unpredictability of weather at that height, also play a role in making it an unsuitable location for weddings.

Can we add services after booking?

You are welcome to add services from our online store at any time during the planning process. Simply check with your Personal Planner to ensure that the service you’re interested in is available on your specific date.

What is a typical wedding day like?

• We give you our private number and itinerary of the day well in advance.
• Hair and make-up artist arrives at your hotel about 2.5 hours before your ceremony for a relaxing beauty session.
• Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom are delivered to your hotel.
• Your chauffeur picks you up and takes you to your ceremony location.
• Your celebrant and photographer are waiting to meet you at your ceremony location.
• You get married or renew your vows :)
• Then you hop back into the car with your photographer for your Paris photo shoot – see our typical photo tour itinerary.

What’s included in a wedding package?

Our all-inclusive wedding package includes:

• Personal Planner to design the perfect day!
• Professional hair and makeup artist
• Symbolic ceremony and souvenir certificate
• Iconic Paris location
• Professional Wedding Officiant – please keep in mind that we only have one Pastor on our team, if you would like a religious wedding ceremony, please let us know as soon as possible.
• Professional Wedding Photographer who knows how to capture your day perfectly – on top of being very friendly! – 3 hours covering your ceremony and romantic photo session around Paris
• Couple’s car & Chauffeur – 3.5 hours from the pickup at your hotel until the end of the photo tour
• Wedding bouquet and boutonniere, delivered to your Paris hotel
• Restaurant suggestions and reservation for two (meals not included)
• Day-of Coordinator (offsite) to orchestrate your team on the day

Is there an additional cost if we have guests?

We do not charge for guests attending your Paris elopement, however there are a few rules to keep in mind:

• The following public locations are adapted to a maximum of 4 guests: Trocadero, Medicis fountain, Invalides, Parc de Bagatelle, Parc de Sceaux, Pont Bir Hakeim
• The following public locations are adapted to a maximum of 8 guests: Champ de Mars, Notre-Dame Parc, Parc Monceau
• The following public locations are adapted to a maximum of 15 guests: Trocadero garden, Louvre, Luxembourg garden, Tuileries
• The following private (paying) locations are adapted to a maximum of 20 guests: Port Debilly
• The following private (paying) locations are adapted to a maximum of 35 guests: American Church in Paris

How much does a package cost?