Planning a destination wedding or elopement in France? As someone who married there myself (to a French husband!), I’m sharing what I learned, how to keep things simple and beautiful, and how I can help capture your day with timeless, romantic photography.
Dreaming of a French Wedding or Elopement?
If France has stolen your heart and you're thinking about saying “I do” somewhere romantic and sun-soaked — I totally understand. I did it too.
My husband is French, and we got married at the town hall in a small coastal town in Brittany. It was a simple, heartfelt civil ceremony followed by a meal at a hotel overlooking the sea — just us and our immediate family. It was small, relaxed, and completely perfect. I floated through the whole day in a happy little bubble.
That experience has stayed with me ever since. And now, I love helping other couples capture their own love stories in France — whether it's a full wedding celebration, a low-key elopement, or a blessing in a place that means something special.
The Legal Bit: What British Couples Should Know
If you’re both British, it’s usually easiest to complete the legal part of your marriage in the UK before heading to France for your wedding day. This means giving notice at your local registry office and signing the paperwork there.
Then, when you head to France, you can have a wedding blessing or symbolic ceremony — one that’s beautifully personal and just as meaningful. The best part? It can take place anywhere you like: a garden, a chateau, a vineyard, or even a beach.
Why Get Married in France?
Here’s what I discovered from getting married there — and from being part of other weddings and elopements in France:
- It’s often more affordable than a UK wedding. You can usually find better value venues, and there's more flexibility to choose your own caterers or supply your own drinks.
- Weddings tend to start later and go on longer. You really can party into the early hours if you want to!
- It’s incredibly romantic. The slower pace, the scenery, the golden evening light — it all just feels different in the best way.
- You can keep it as simple or as detailed as you want. From intimate elopements to full celebrations with friends and family, France offers so many possibilities.
Why France Feels Like a Natural Fit for Me
While I don’t speak fluent French, my husband is French, and over the years I’ve come to feel very at home in the culture. I understand how things work over there and I’ve come to love the relaxed, joyful way weddings unfold in France.
Having planned my own wedding there, I know what it’s like navigating the process as a British bride — and I’m here to make it feel easy, exciting, and totally stress-free for you too.
My approach is always calm, thoughtful, and unobtrusive. I focus on capturing real, emotional moments as they naturally unfold — even in a new setting, you'll feel relaxed and completely yourselves. That’s when the magic happens.
You might be wondering… who took our wedding photos?
Well, funny story — I actually brought my own camera, set everything up, and then directed my sister-in-law and brother to press the shutter while I ran into position! It was a bit chaotic, a lot of fun, and totally worth it. That said… I highly recommend hiring a professional so you can fully relax and stay in that wedding day bubble from start to finish. 😉
Planning a Wedding or Elopement in France?
If you're imagining your day in a rustic countryside venue, a chic coastal town, or a vineyard at golden hour — I’d love to help bring that vision to life.
Let’s chat about your plans and how I can capture your love story, in a way that’s natural, relaxed, and uniquely you.
See a Real Wedding I Shot in Brittany
If you’d like to see what a wedding in France actually looks like through my lens, here’s one I had the pleasure of photographing in beautiful Brittany. It was full of relaxed vibes, heartfelt moments, and that soft French countryside charm I love so much.
