Weddings Special

Preparing for the BIG day

Weddings are one of the most special occasions in our lives, and one of the most stressful. Here we highlight the legal aspects and offer advice on ways to make it truly memorable.

Whilst in Japan solo weddings are becoming popular where young women celebrate youth and independence with a dedication to themselves, we take a look at the more traditional event here in France.

THE LEGALS

Many people opt to marry in their home country and then celebrate in France and, in looking at the legal aspects of marriage in France, it’s an understandable decision. A French marriage starts with a civil wedding at the Mairie, then a ceremonial wedding a day or so later with a religious, multi-faith or non-religious service. Naturally, there is paperwork to complete so you really can’t just arrive and marry. If you don’t have the necessary documents you may have to spend at least 30 days prior to the service in the commune where you plan to be married. Then there are the contracts and French law offers a range of options to suit your circumstances. The Régime Légal de Communauté Réduite allows each partner to retain ownership of their property and inheritances, whilst anything acquired during the marriage is owned jointly. The Communauté Universelle ensures that everything before and after marriage is jointly owned and goes direct to the spouse. If each spouse chooses to retain their own assets separately, they will need a Séparation de Biens. Originally aimed at same sex couples, the Pacte Civil de Solidarité (PACS) has grown in popularity amongst heterosexuals too. In terms of French law, it can be ideal for divorcees, widowers and young people as it doesn’t affect the inheritance rights of dependents. At the same time it enables inclusion in the couple’s taxation system and, not that the duo start out with this in mind, is easier to dissolve than a civil marriage. That said, around 40% of cancelled PACS are because the couples have decided to marry after all!

PLANNING

Beth Stretton of Marry Me in France has years of experience in choosing venues and planning weddings. She gives us this oversight. You have decided on an area in France for your wedding, now what? The best place to start your plans is often with the venue and finding one that is appropriate for your needs is not always easy. Are you planning a small or large number of guests, will they be staying over, would you like a church at the venue or to be in walking distance or able to use the monolithic church, do you want to bring

your dog? This is where local knowledge comes in and can prove to be invaluable. Good wedding planners will have their own tried and tested venues, ensuring a smooth and experience-driven process. Working closely with the owners, they understand what is both possible at, and what can be provided by, the venue and, because they will have talked with you at length, can ensure that your wedding is as individual to you as you are. Current trends can be incorporated along with the more obvious elements such as colour schemes and ethnic requirements but, with years of practical experience behind them, the planner will also have a wealth of ideas and suggestions to turn your marriage into a harmonious, memorable and, most of all, happy occasion.

Then of course, because the wedding is here in France, there is the added benefit of having someone fluent in the French language, not to mention a keen knowledge of local wines, gourmet foods and even which flowers work best when the sun is at its hottest. Another major benefit is a financial one. It is no easy task to go it alone, collating all the information sent to you by suppliers and venues in French and without that all important local knowhow. When comparing the basic rental of a property, for instance, the various charges, add-ons and supplier costs will not be taken into account. Filtering out what could well turn out to be the perfect location is all too easy at this stage. Venues might quote a “from price” which is, typically, only available in the low season and might not even be appropriate for you and your theme. Weddings for small parties are obviously lower in cost than the larger occasions and are often comparable with the prices one might expect in the UK for instance. However, a wedding here in France will not be the same. For a similar budget you could be looking at several days spent with friends and family, enjoying both a wedding and a break, amazing food and wine and quality services. www.marrymeinfrance.com www.perfectlittlewedding. com What will be in season, what will be appropriate for the venue, what about special diets, which wines pair with what? Unless you know the inside outs of French gastronomy and its local specialities you could struggle to find a cost-effective, delicious solution. We asked Roseanne Greenhalgh of Party in France for some tips on catering. She suggests we bear these things in mind when talking to a caterer.

Price

The cheapest is not always the best. A good caterer will be able to work with your vision and offer a range of budgets. Communication is the key. Be prepared to discuss options to make it work for you.

Logistics

Good catering is not just about fabulous food, it is also about making sure it arrives hot to the table (and you) on time, and correct. Service is just as important, staff are more expensive than food but you need them.

Trust

A good caterer will always be working in your best interests. If you have found a good supplier, you have to trust that they are going to help make your day wonderful. Equally, the trust goes both ways so please don’t forget to feed suppliers working for you all day. www.partyinfrance.com

ROSEANNE GREENHALGH

Catering and planning for weddings and events at any location Private chef services Every event is unique, please discuss with Rosie at: rosie@partyinfrance.com 0650554299 www.partyinfrance.com

PLACE DE LA HALLE 46250 GOUJOUNAC SIRET 81093658300022

CHURCH WEDDINGS

South west France is as popular as ever as a location and offers many excellent venues. But what happens if you want a ‘church’ wedding, especially if you want the ceremony to be conducted in English? We asked Chaplain, Rev’d Tony Lomas if that is possible. He explains that the answer to that question is emphatically, yes! The Anglican Chaplaincy of Aquitaine, part of the Church of England’s Diocese in Europe, has been ministering to the English-speaking community in this part of France for almost 200 years. Covering an area that takes in the Gironde (including Bordeaux), Dordogne and Lot et Garonne, the Chaplaincy is well placed to provide couples with a Christian wedding service in English or in French. Weddings can take place in a variety of venues other than in one of the churches used in the Chaplaincy. If required, we can help to find a suitable church near the chosen wedding venue, although many couples choose to use a chapel situated in a chateau or even a less formal setting, such as a garden, for their special event. Making promises to one another before God is an important step, made all the more special because it is made in the company of family and friends. We always strive to make sure the wedding service is a meaningful experience for each couple and an event that will live on in the memory long after the wedding day itself. One big difference, especially for couples coming from Britain or Ireland, is that the religious ceremony in France does not include the formal legal act of marriage. French residents will normally arrange for a civil marriage ceremony at their local Mairie (town hall) just before the church wedding. Couples coming from abroad are required to have been married at their local Registry Office before coming to France for the religious ceremony. Apart from this one important detail, the ceremony used in the Chaplaincy will be very familiar to anyone who has attended an Anglican wedding in Britain, or elsewhere. On occasions we are also asked to conduct a service for couples who wish to renew their marriage vows, perhaps to mark a significant anniversary. This is a somewhat simpler ceremony and can be arranged in almost any location. www.churchinaquitaine.org/weddings

More information

You will also find information on non-secular or multi-faith weddings, along with flowers and photography in our Mar/Apr 2020 weddings feature online at www. thelocalbuzzmag.com/read-online English-speaking wedding planners, Celebrants, florists, photographers, caterers, venues and even car hire can be found in our business directory listings at www. thelocalbuzzmag.com/businessdirectory/

OH DEAR MARIE!

Imagine the pomp and ceremony when these three Royal brides, all named Marie, married! Mind you, not everything went to plan, despite the lavish preparations, and marriages were not quite the same in those days…

Marie Leszcynska became Queen of France when she married Louis XV in 1725. She was 22, seven years older than her husband, and her dress, which was worn under a velvet robe lined with ermine, was said to be so heavily adorned with jewels that she nearly fainted. Louis was said to have fallen in love with her instantly and consummated his marriage to her seven times on their wedding night! Nine months later their first two children were born, the first of ten (eight girls and two boys). The only boy to survive was Louis. Marie Antoinette married Louis-August, Dauphin of France and heir apparent to the French throne, in May 1770 at just 14 years of age. Her silver, white and diamond covered dress was considered scandalous – not because of its over-thetop splendour but because, apparently, it was too small, leaving the lacing and shift sticking out at the back. Louis ascended to the throne four years later but it is claimed their marriage was not consummated for 7 years.

“In times of crisis, it is of utmost importance to keep one’s head” Marie Antoinette

Marie Louise of Austria was the second wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, marrying him by proxy in 1810 following his divorce from Joséphine de Beauharnais who had not produced an heir. She wore a silver, pearls and lamé dress under the imperial crimson and gold cloak. Her shoes, which were too tight and very uncomfortable, were made especially in white satin embroidered with silver. They had one child Napoleon Francis Joseph Charles, who reigned for just two weeks.