Vive l’Amour: Discovering French wedding traditions
What makes a wedding truly enchanting are the cherished rituals and traditions that surround it. In France, these traditions are woven into the very fabric of the celebration.
Join us as we explore some of these traditions.
Building Bonds: Pre-Wedding Days of Connection
In the days leading up to the wedding, a special tradition unfolds—an intimate dinner that bridges the gap between families. For both the bride and groom, this occasion is an opportunity for their immediate families to come together in a relaxed setting, ensuring that on the wedding day, faces won't be unfamiliar. It is distinct from the rehearsal dinner. It is more like a heartfelt family meal. Whether scheduled a few days before the wedding or the night before, it's a chance for laughter, stories, and connections to flourish, allowing everyone to forge a shared bond that adds an extra layer of warmth to the upcoming celebration.
Embracing Anticipation: The Night Before the Forever Bond
Traditionally, the bride and groom sleep separately the night before the wedding.
By spending their last night apart before officially becoming partners in marriage, their reunion is infused with intense emotions, signifying the shift from single life to marital union.
Good Graces for the Future: Ceremony Rituals
Wedding ceremonies are full of symbols supposed to bring good fortune to the couple.
The bride's attire - something old, borrowed, new, and blue - symbolise family ties, luck, success, and fidelity.
Traditionally, the bride stands on the left during the ceremony - echo of a time where the groom’s position allowed him to protect his “dulcinée” by using his sword from his right hand.
Once the officiant formalises the marriage, the wedding rings are slipped onto the "Vein of Love" on the left ring finger, symbolising the connection between partners.
At the end of the ceremony, guests would throw rice to signify prosperity and fertility, showering the couple with strength and abundance.
And finally to get to the reception venue, a post-ceremony procession accompanied by honking horns and loud noises are a must to announce the union loudly to the world and avoid secrecy.
After celebrating til dawn, the groom traditionally carries his bride across the threshold of their home. The purpose of this is to prevent evil spirits from attacking the bride or her stumbling, a symbol of bad luck for the young couple in Roman times.
Gastronomie de l’Amour: Culinary Delights to elevate the wedding
With its rich culinary traditions, at a French wedding food takes the centre stage.
At the seated dinner, the service is carefully orchestrated with wine and food pairing that transforms the reception into a symphony of flavours.
The journey begins with a delicate starter, perfectly paired with a crisp white wine. It is then followed by a fish dish balanced with the elegance of a white wine. For the main course, the spotlight shifts to a rich and succulent meat dish paired with red wine. At this point, a refreshing palate cleanser is offered - either a digestive on its own or with an apple sorbet.
In true French tradition, the cheese board graces the table, inviting guests to savour an array of artisanal cheeses. Each cheese has a story to tell, a taste of its terroir.
The dessert course invites a final wine pairing—perhaps a dessert wine or a delicate champagne. Teas and coffees will then be offered to help revive the guests.
For the grand finale, it is the Pièce montée with Choux à la crème - but the wedding cake has been replacing it recently.
In the middle of the night, the Soupe à l’oignon will be served to help you and your guests soak up all the alcohol and stay on the dancefloor until dawn.
Celebrating with Laughter and Engagement: A Focus on Games and Activities
At the heart of a French wedding lies a commitment to creating an experience that is not only elegant but also full of laughter and engagement. The intervals between meals are transformed into opportunities for interactive games that keep spirits high and energy flowing. Whether it’s the famous “Elle et Lui”, blind test or karaoke, these activities foster connections among guests and keep them engaged.
A Sweet Gesture of Gratitude: Les Dragées
Disposed at each guest place in small bags, “dragées” are sugared almonds offered to the guests as a way of showing appreciation. Tracing back to Antiquity and finding their way to France in the 16th century, these candies serve as a symbol of everlasting love.
The Day After: Embracing the Rebound Tradition
“Le Rebond” (the rebound), also called “Le retour de noce” (the wedding return) or “Lendemain de mariage” (Day after wedding), is a laid back gathering the day following the wedding. It's about reliving the magic in a more intimate setting, taking time to speak with guests without rushing. Historically, leftover reception treats become stars once again but nowadays it’s a different event altogether. The rebound extends the festivities for guests, especially those who travelled far, providing a heartfelt send-off and a final taste of togetherness before their journey home.
With France's timeless landscapes and rich traditions, every French wedding tells a unique story of love that bridges generations, melds past and present, and crafts lasting memories of a magic-filled day.
From intimate pre-wedding dinners to the poignant separation of the couple before their union, the adorned bride's attire, the rice toss, the ring exchange, the culinary harmonies - all come together in a symphony of emotions.