Destination France Wedding Checklist part 1
Dreaming of a destination wedding? Destination best choice? France! The locations for a couple to say their vows in France are endless. Let’s not forget the plethora of chateaux. Food extraordinaire with gastronomy that will make your guests swoon: Either before or after you serve them French wines! Cheeses, a refined culture and its proximity to other countries in the European Union for continued traveling together.
Reality check just set in; probably while you’re lying awake at night in bed worrying about the planning of this huge event! A small detail? You don’t speak French. Oh la la.
Issues of language, passports, cultural differences, miles away, foreigner regulations and general lack of knowledge, you’re probably going to be up a few more nights with worry! This is where an English speaking planner and designer is a must with whom you can contact, plan and have guidance through these obstacles à la français.
Use this destination France wedding checklist to help you get started.
12 to 18 months before your wedding day:
Work out your budget. This includes most of the typical wedding items, but now you must consider travel expenses like airfare and accommodations.
Create your guest list This will be directly related to your budget but also on the travel that some people may not be able to do. 90 year old grandma?
Decide what region in France you want to marry in. Be sure to check which seasons have the best weather. There are chateaux everywhere but some are better situated than others.
Unless you or your partner are French, marriage requirements are restrictive. This isn’t to say you can’t but it is better to have your civil ceremony before arriving in France. The symbolic ceremony is the only option for couples who are not French residents. See my article on rules of getting married in France here.
Do you and your fiancé(é) have your passports or travel visas? If not, start the the application process as soon as possible. Not an option to procrastinate. Check if your current passport has at least 6 months before expiring as sometimes there is a minimum required.
Contact me-English speaking wedding florist and designer fluent in French. When it comes to international matters and planning from afar, I want to make sure you have all the essential information and the on location eyes for you.
Secure a wedding venue. Remember you’re not the only one getting married! Set your date! Get all details and contracts in writing and send in a deposit if needed. And if you can, come visit the venue and have as much visual inventory that you can. Or if you can't, that's what my job is for you.
Is the venue accessible to airports or public transportation? How will you get there? Or move 100 people at a time there?
Consider wedding insurance. Who would have thought we’d be in a pandemic for 2 years? Check with your venue about liability insurance and cancellation insurance. Check out the room availability and honeymoon suite. Will your other guests be able to stay or are there other accommodations for these guests?
9-12 months from your wedding:
Ask your wedding party participants whether they have passports and any other identification needed to travel.
Send or mail your Save the Dates. For a destination wedding, send them out early in order to give your guests plenty of time to make travel and accommodation arrangements. Tickets are most of the time cheaper the farthest in advance they are purchased.
Create a wedding website that includes details on travel and accommodations. Include local maps, airport information, and registry details, as well as predicted weather so your guests will know what to pack. Update it regularly even if just to say you’re checking in with them. Remember even your guests can be nervous about traveling.
Plan any additional wedding-related events. Since destination weddings require travel for almost all parties involved, they're naturally longer celebrations. Consider hosting additional events, such as a welcome party or post-wedding brunch. One bride I worked with had her party go to Disney Paris and a Bateau Mouche tour down the Seine. Planning these events early will enable you to add them to your RSVP card, so you'll know how many guests to expect. If you’ve chosen August to come to France, remember, most of Europe is on vacation at this time.
Create your gift registry. However, keep in mind that guests traveling for your wedding are already spending a pretty penny just to be there. You may want to let everyone know that their presence is a present enough.
Choose your wedding attire. Keep in mind that you'll want to carry it onto an airplane.
Purchase your airline tickets. And inform guests of good flight deals too.
Check in next time for the second part of this series Destination Wedding France Checklist!
