Could your heart have been stolen by a French boy? Well, if your fiancé is French but you have no experience of French wedding customs, don’t worry! I’ve gathered for you the 5+1 most important factors you should pay attention to when planning a French-Hungarian wedding, no matter where in the world you are on your big day!
1. The wedding ceremony
In France, a civil wedding is a very short, legal act during which the passage of the Civil Code relating to marriage is explained. The formal marriage ceremony therefore does not include any symbolic element, speech or ritual to express emotions. This is why the so-called “boom” is very widespread in France. cérémonie laïque, the possibility of a symbolic ceremony. What in Hungary is still a child’s playground – separating the celebration of emotional togetherness from the legal procedure – is taken for granted in France. A cérémonie laïque is the ultimate personalised, unique wedding ceremony, with lots of emotion, heartfelt vows and symbolic rituals. Make room for heartfelt moments and gestures that really touch you! A symbolic ceremony tailored to you will be the emotional highlight of your Big Day.
2. Vin d’Honneur, azaz a francia welcome, koktél, aperitivo, vendégfogadás
The French are masters of culinary delights and they don’t like to rush it. In France, the vin d’honneur and lasting at least one and a half to two hours. And by no means just a glass of lemonade with two scones: tasty bites, amuse-bouche, small snacks and good quality wines, champagne are a must. The food is more of an appetizer, cakes and sweets are not usually offered. Otherwise, the vin d’honneur-referred to time. You can read our article on this here.
“You were our point of contact throughout the day, open to all our requests, helping us and coordinating all the way. You constantly interpreted, welcomed and guided the guests, facilitated communication between the guests and made them laugh with a charming game. Thank you for everything, and we hope many more French-Hungarian couples will find you to help them on their big day as much as you helped and supported us.” Csilla & Yoann
3. The wedding dinner
Still on the gastronomic side, the absolute highlight of a French wedding is the celebratory dinner. Menu selection and serving options deserve a separate post, but there are several other factors to pay special attention to. Dinner usually starts at 8pm, which is a ruthlessly late time for Hungarian guests, but a more substantial vin d’honneur can also be a solution to ensure that guests have enough to eat before the dinner starts later, so that they are not hungry until the first course. Of course, compromises are always necessary, and the French may have to give a little ground here, but the most important requirement for dinner is to give the meal the way it is served. Dinner is not about quickly satisfying your hunger. A special, high-quality menu with many varied dishes is the key to the French soul. This becomes even more important at the holidays.
4. Discours, discours, discours – French wedding toasts
A French wedding can never be crowned with enough speeches. Make room for heartfelt, entertaining and touching speeches, which include emotions, touching shared childhood memories and funny stories to set the mood. But make sure that all guests understand what is being said, otherwise you could cause embarrassment for your guests. We wrote about wedding speeches in a separate article here.
5. Let’s dance!
An opening dance is always timeless and wonderful. Dance a waltz together, or do a choreography with a twist in some other more fun style. It will surely be a lasting memory, especially if you add visual effects (smoke machine, cold spark machine). It’s a memory you can take with you forever, especially if it’s in your photos and film. However, if you don’t like performing and are far from the world of dance, don’t push yourself. An honest and relaxed slow gives more than a nightmare of overstressed and forced choreography.
5 + 1. Elegant effects
Let’s not forget the unexpected surprises! Whether it’s small moments of wonder such as fireworks, cold sparklers, smoke, sparklers or a unique light show, they can add to the glamour and intimate charm of a French wedding.
I hope these tricks will help you to make your wedding truly French, wherever your special day shines! If you want more tips and a professional helping hand with the organisation, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Request a free consultation and let’s see together where you are stuck and what I can do to help you have the perfect French-Hungarian wedding!
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