“Babe, we can totally plan our wedding ourselves!”
“Sure, honey. And who’s dealing with the florist when the flowers don’t arrive?”
If you’re dreaming of a fairytale wedding in France, you’ve probably asked yourself:
👉 Should we DIY and create a unique, personal experience?
👉 Or go all-in on a luxury wedding, where professionals handle every detail?
Both options have their charm (and their challenges). Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the unexpected costs of planning a wedding in France—whether you’re the hands-on type or want to sip champagne while someone else makes the magic happen.
DIY Wedding in France: A Love Story… or a Logistics Nightmare?
Why Go DIY?
A DIY wedding is all about creative freedom and personal touches. You can choose the exact look, feel, and vibe without a wedding planner dictating what’s “trendy.” Plus, it can save you money. (Emphasis on can—we’ll get to that.)
The Realities of a DIY Wedding in France
❌ Finding the Perfect Venue is a Full-Time Job
From charming châteaux to rustic barns, France is packed with stunning wedding locations. But securing one without a planner’s connections? That’s a different story.
🔎 Try this: Château de Villette (a dreamy estate just outside Paris).
❌ The French Bureaucracy is… Special
Planning a legal wedding in France? Get ready for paperwork en français (a fun challenge if your French stops at “baguette” and “merci”). A workaround? Have a civil ceremony at home and host a symbolic wedding in France.
❌ Vendors Speak French, and Google Translate Won’t Save You
Communicating with florists, caterers, and musicians in another language can lead to surprises (like ordering “simple centerpieces” and ending up with a jungle).
❌ Costs Can Spiral Fast
You think you’re saving money by skipping a planner, but factor in:
✔️ Extra fees for importing decorations
✔️ Vendor markups for working with foreigners
✔️ Last-minute panic purchases (because something always goes wrong)
Bottom Line:
DIY is for couples who love a challenge, have great organizational skills, and don’t mind a few hiccups along the way.
Luxury Wedding in France: Effortless Elegance (For a Price)
Why Go Luxury?
If you want a stress-free wedding where every detail is handled, a luxury wedding is for you. Planners have insider knowledge, top-tier vendors, and access to exclusive venues. Your only job? Enjoying the journey.
The Benefits of a Luxury Wedding in France
✅ Exclusive Venues at Your Fingertips
Ever dreamed of a château wedding or a vineyard celebration? The best spots are booked years in advance—but planners have the connections.
🔎 Luxury hotspot: Château de Chantilly—the definition of regal romance.
✅ Michelin-Starred Dining & World-Class Florals
Instead of stressing over who will cook, serve, and arrange flowers, you get experts who turn every detail into art. Think custom menus, top-tier sommeliers, and floral installations straight out of a Vogue spread.
✅ Zero Logistics Hassle
A luxury planner will handle:
✔️ Legal requirements (so you don’t have to decode French laws)
✔️ Vendor coordination (no lost-in-translation moments)
✔️ Guest logistics (so Grandma doesn’t get lost in the vineyards)
❌ The Price Tag is… Considerable
Let’s be real: luxury doesn’t come cheap. Expect:
💰 €50,000 – €150,000+ for a full-service luxury wedding.
Bottom Line:
If you want a flawless, high-end wedding experience, a luxury wedding in France is worth the investment.
What About a Middle Ground?
Not sold on full DIY or full luxury? Try a hybrid approach:
🔹 Hire a planner for the logistics, but personalize the details yourself
🔹 Book a coordinator just for the wedding day to ensure smooth execution
🔹 DIY certain elements (like handmade invitations) but leave the big things to the pros
DIY vs. Luxury: Cost Breakdown
| Expense |
DIY Wedding in France |
Luxury Wedding in France |
| Venue |
€2,000 – €10,000 |
€10,000 – €50,000+ |
| Catering (per guest) |
€50 – €150 |
€200 – €500 |
| Photographer |
€1,500 – €4,000 |
€5,000 – €15,000 |
| Planner |
€0 (but you’ll need Advil) |
€5,000 – €25,000+ |
| Decor & Rentals |
€2,000 – €8,000 |
€10,000+ |
| Florals |
€1,000 – €4,000 |
€7,000+ |
| TOTAL (50 guests) |
€10,000 – €30,000 |
€50,000 – €150,000+ |
Which Wedding Style is Right for You?
🔹 Go DIY if:
✔️ You love hands-on planning and have an eye for design
✔️ You’re comfortable dealing with international vendors
✔️ You have a realistic understanding of the work involved
🔹 Go Luxury if:
✔️ You want a stress-free, seamless experience
✔️ You dream of an exclusive, high-end venue
✔️ Budget is not your main concern
Either way, France will be the perfect backdrop for your love story. Whether you craft every detail yourself or let a team of professionals create magic, your day will be unforgettable.
Capture Every Moment – No Stress Required
No matter which route you take, you deserve wedding photos that feel effortless, emotional, and timeless. That’s where I come in.
📸 See my destination wedding portfolio: Your Happy Moments
💍 Explore my photography packages: Investment
📩 Let’s chat about your dream wedding in France: Contact Me
Whether you’re celebrating in a vineyard, a château, or a sunlit garden in Provence—I’ll be there to capture it all, naturally and beautifully. No awkward poses, no forced smiles. Just real, happy moments. 💛
