How Long Do French Weddings Last?

If you've just been invited to a French wedding or you're planning to get married in the country of romance, you may be wondering what to expect. One of the key differences is how long weddings last, with many lasting longer than a couple of days due to French wedding traditions and administrative requirements.

So just how long do French weddings last?

How Long is a French Wedding?

French weddings often span multiple days. The first day involves a civil ceremony at the local town hall. The next day, couples then participate in a religious or symbolic ceremony, immediately followed by an all-night party. The wedding then comes to a close with a brunch on the following morning.

Not all couples follow this specific routine. However, most tend to follow the broad pattern of having a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, a wedding reception party, and a brunch the following day.

Unless you are a close family member or friend, you likely won't attend the civil aspect of a French wedding. Thus, it's worth looking in more detail at what to expect for the religious/symbolic ceremony onwards.

What Time Do French Weddings Start?

There are no hard and fast rules about when a French wedding begins. However, most religious or symbolic ceremonies tend to occur in the afternoon or early evening, with the majority taking place between 3 pm and 5 pm.

Then after the ceremony, guests gather for the Le Vin D’honneur, a couple of hours of aperitifs, cocktails, and finger food. This wedding segment has a lot more significance than it does for traditional Western weddings. It's often the period when distant family members, colleagues, people of the village drop in to give their wishes to the newlyweds.

Afterwards, around 8 pm to 9 pm, guests will be seated for the wedding meal called the Repas De Noces. This meal consists of several courses and will often take four hours, finishing up around midnight. 

What Time do French Weddings Finish?

After the wedding meal concludes, the party starts in earnest, with dancing (led by the bride and bride's father) lasting for hours under cover of darkness. It is not unusual for French wedding parties to finish as late as 7 am, with 5 am representing a typical cut off point.

French weddings then conclude with a brunch served in the early afternoon before guests give their thanks and depart.

Expect a Weekend of Fun at a French Wedding

As you can see, if you are due to attend a French wedding soon, then you are in for a fun-filled weekend. Unlike many Western traditions, weddings in France span multiple days and the parties often go on all night.

If you are not used to these prolonged celebrations, it's worth preparing yourself for what will be one of the most exuberant celebrations you've ever attended.