8 Things You May Not Need For Your Wedding in France
And could save thousands of euros without sacrificing the experience.
Planning a wedding in France often means being presented with a long list of "must-haves." Yet after working on weddings throughout France, I've noticed that some of the most memorable celebrations are often the simplest.
Photo: Jade-Sequeval
Photo: Jade-Sequeval
Here are eight things many couples think they need—but often don't.
1. A Full-Service Wedding Planner
This will be controversial.
For large multi-day celebrations, complicated logistics, or couples planning entirely from abroad, a planner can be invaluable.
But for a small château wedding with 30–60 guests? Sometimes couples spend several thousand euros on planning services while still doing much of the decision-making themselves.
Before hiring a planner, ask:
What specific problems will they solve?
What tasks will they handle that I cannot?
Will they truly reduce stress or simply coordinate vendors I've already chosen?
The right planner adds tremendous value. The wrong one becomes an expensive middleman.
2. Matching Bridesmaid Dresses
French weddings often feel more relaxed and personal than the highly coordinated aesthetic common elsewhere.
Allowing bridesmaids to choose dresses within a color palette often:
Looks more elegant
Photographs beautifully
Makes everyone more comfortable
Saves your bridal party money
Perfect matching isn't what makes a wedding memorable.
3. Elaborate Wedding Favors
Many favors get left behind.
Guests rarely remember the personalized candle, coaster, or keychain.
Instead, invest in:
Better food
Better wine
Better flowers
Better guest experience
Guests remember how they felt, not what they carried home.
4. A Massive Wedding Cake
France already excels at desserts.
Many couples spend hundreds or thousands on a large cake that serves mainly as a photo opportunity.
Guests often prefer:
Dessert buffets
French pastries
Mille-feuille
Macarons
Late-night treats
The cake tradition matters less than couples think.
5. Endless Reception Decor
This one surprises people.
Many French venues are already beautiful.
Historic stone walls.
Gardens.
Château architecture.
Ancient courtyards.
Sometimes Simple is Better
You don't always need:
Charger plates
Custom napkins
Table overlays
Ten different decorative elements
Often a few thoughtful floral pieces create far more impact than dozens of small decorative purchases.
6. A Huge Bridal Party
Large bridal parties can create:
More scheduling
More coordination
More expenses
More opinions
Many French weddings have only a maid of honor and best man—or none at all.
The day becomes simpler and often more intimate.
7. Pinterest Perfection
Perhaps the most expensive item on this list.
Not financially.
Emotionally.
Many couples spend months chasing a collection of photos that were styled specifically for publication rather than real weddings.
Your wedding is not a photoshoot.
It's a gathering of people who love you.
The most meaningful moments are usually the ones nobody planned.
8. Following Every Tradition
You don't need to do something simply because everyone else does.
You don't need:
A bouquet toss
A garter toss
Matching robes
A champagne tower
A sparkler exit
A first dance
If a tradition doesn't feel like you, skip it.
Every wedding element should earn its place.
What Do You Actually Need?
After seeing many weddings in France, the things guests remember most are surprisingly consistent:
Great food
Good wine
Beautiful surroundings
Meaningful flowers
Relaxed hosts
Time spent with people they love
Everything else is optional.
The most luxurious weddings aren't always the most expensive.
They're the ones where every choice feels intentional.
