The Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Wedding in France from Abroad
Paris and the Loire Valley are two of the most desired destinations for weddings. Whether it is the timeless elegance of the French capital or the fairytale atmosphere of a château surrounded by vineyards, France offers a unique setting that attracts couples from the United States, Canada, and beyond.
But planning a wedding from another continent comes with its own set of challenges. Different time zones, legal requirements, cultural habits, and logistical details can quickly become overwhelming if you are not prepared.
Here are the most common mistakes couples make when planning a wedding in France from abroad, and how to avoid them so your celebration is smooth, joyful, and unforgettable.
1. Underestimating the Timeline
In France, especially in Paris and the Loire Valley, the most popular venues and in-demand photographers are often booked twelve to eighteen months in advance. Many couples start planning too late and are disappointed when their dream château or Parisian palace is no longer available.
The solution is to secure your venue and your wedding planner as soon as possible. Once the date and location are confirmed, your planner can help you build the rest of your vendor team in the right order. Even if you are not ready to dive into all the details, fixing the essentials early will save you stress and open up better options.
2. Forgetting About Time Zones
When you live in New York or Los Angeles, your working day overlaps very little with office hours in France. This time difference can create delays in communication with venues and vendors. Couples sometimes expect immediate answers, but many French vendors do not work evenings or weekends.
The solution is to agree on clear communication habits early. A planner based in France can act as a bridge, answering on your behalf and following up with vendors during French working hours. You can also schedule regular video calls at times that overlap, and use tools like WhatsApp or shared project platforms to keep everything moving smoothly.
3. Ignoring Legal and Cultural Differences
Many international couples assume that they can legally marry in Paris or the Loire Valley during a short trip. In reality, French civil weddings are strictly regulated. At least one partner must be a resident of the local town to be married at city hall. Without this residency requirement, you cannot have a legal ceremony in France.
This does not mean you cannot celebrate your union. Most couples choose to handle the legal paperwork in their home country, then host a symbolic or religious ceremony in France. This way you enjoy the same emotional impact while avoiding administrative stress. Understanding these differences early helps you plan realistically and prevents last-minute disappointment.
4. Skipping Venue and Vendor Visits
Social media and styled shoots can make venues and vendors look flawless, but they do not always show the full picture. A château that appears magical in photos may have a strict noise curfew or limited indoor space in case of rain. A photographer’s Instagram may showcase only a few beautiful moments, rather than a complete wedding story.
Whenever possible, plan a visit to your venue before booking. If traveling is not an option, ask for a virtual tour or video call with the venue manager. When reviewing photographers or other creative vendors, request a complete wedding gallery instead of relying only on highlight images. A wedding planner based in France can also conduct site visits for you and provide detailed feedback to help you make informed decisions.
© Milo photographie
5. Misunderstanding Budgets
Many couples expect wedding costs in France to be structured like packages in the United States. In reality, most French venues and vendors work à la carte. A château rental often includes only the space itself, not furniture, catering, or staff. Catering proposals usually separate food, drinks, and service staff. Decor, tableware, and even linens may come from different suppliers.
The mistake is to assume that one quoted price includes everything. The solution is to build your budget category by category, with the help of a planner who knows how to anticipate hidden costs. Do not forget taxes: in France, a 20% value-added tax (VAT) applies to most services. Setting aside a 10–15% buffer for extras or adjustments ensures you stay within realistic limits.
6. Overlooking Guest Logistics
When you invite guests to travel across the Atlantic, their comfort and experience become an essential part of your planning. Couples sometimes focus so much on the venue and décor that they forget practical details like airport transfers, hotel blocks, and bilingual communication. Guests may arrive tired, confused, or unsure how to reach the celebration.
The solution is to think of the guest journey from start to finish. How will they get from the airport to the venue? Do you provide shuttles between the hotel and the château? Is your ceremony program available in both English and French so everyone can follow? A thoughtful guest experience creates lasting memories and reduces stress for both you and your loved ones.
7. Trying to Do Everything Alone
Perhaps the most common mistake of all is attempting to manage everything from abroad without professional support. Even the most organized couples struggle with contracts in French, cultural differences in vendor expectations, and last-minute changes. What seems like a small issue can quickly turn into a major problem when you are thousands of miles away.
A local wedding planner is not just a coordinator. They are your advocate, translator, and problem-solver. They know which vendors deliver consistently, they negotiate contracts, and they anticipate details you may not even consider. With their expertise, you can focus on the excitement of your wedding rather than the stress of logistics.
Planning a wedding in Paris or the Loire Valley from abroad is both possible and magical. By avoiding these common mistakes — underestimating the timeline, overlooking time zones, ignoring legal rules, relying only on social media, misunderstanding budgets, forgetting guest logistics, or trying to manage alone — you will save time, money, and stress.
With the right guidance, preparing your celebration becomes not a burden but an adventure. And when the big day arrives, you will be free to enjoy what truly matters: celebrating love with your favorite people in one of the most romantic places in the world.
About the Author
Marie-Svetlana Kadjo is the founder of a wedding planning agency dedicated to curating emotionally rich, detail-driven, and culturally mindful celebrations in Paris and the Loire Valley.
With over 13 years of experience leading teams and organizing complex projects — and a wedding planner since 2016 — she guides couples through every stage of their destination wedding journey with grace, precision, and intention.
