Throwing A French Country Wedding: Tips & Tricks For The Perfect Day

French Mediterranean vibes

A French country wedding doesn’t mean you have to steer clear of the coast. Celebrate as though your wedding is between two French worlds — the coast and the country! And what better way to do so than in a gorgeous venue like this in South Orange, New Jersey.

The drucker-style bistro chairs, rattan details, and reclaimed wood finishes give this space a bright and cheerful French feeling!

A French countryside cafe

The ambiance of a beautiful cafe-style wedding venue like this one will make you feel as though you’ve been transported straight to France! This large historical building in Pasadena, California features a gorgeous cafe room and large outdoor courtyard, ideal for a small, intimate wedding ceremony and reception.

This venue also provides food and drink as an add-on service on Peerspace. You can learn more about the space, view the photos, and read reviews on their Peerspace page!

Tip #2: Consider making your wedding a two-day affair

Why just have one day of wedding fun, when you can extend it to two? That’s what any good French couple would do! In France, it’s common for a French country wedding to have two days of ceremonies. On the first day, a civil ceremony is what makes the marriage official. Generally, only witnesses and close family are invited to this small, intimate ceremony.

Then, the next day — it’s time to party! Day two is the symbolic ceremony, where you rent a larger venue and invite all your friends! With Peerspace, it’s easy to find venues near you that can accommodate both of your ceremony needs. Try filtering spaces by the number of guests to help you to find the best size spaces for each day of festivities. 

Tip #3: Fill the venue with flowers

To give your wedding the sweet smell and feel of the French countryside — decorate with flowers native to France! You can choose from beautiful native flowers, like lavender, lily of the valley, and chrysanthemum, or even find a Peerspace venue that has these plants already growing naturally in the space!  

Tip #4: Seek French-inspired catering

If the Peerspace venue you found and fell in love with doesn’t include catering options — don’t worry! Peerspace Concierge can help you book everything from a caterer to audio equipment for your big day.

The Peerspace Concierge service sorts through vendor quotes to find the best fit for your individual requests. They’ll then send you a few options to choose from. And once you’ve made your choice, Peerspace will make sure the services are delivered right to your venue, in plenty of time for the big event!

Tip #5: Sip out of La Coupe de Marriage

Who doesn’t love a little tradition in their wedding ceremony? One of the most beautiful wedding customs in France is the tradition surrounding “la coupe de marriage.”

The coupe de marriage is a double-handed goblet, specially made with your wedding date engraved. After the toast, it is customary to take a sip from your goblet. This goblet is to be saved, and later engraved with other special dates as well — like the birthdates of your children!

Incorporate elements of a shabby-chic wedding to put a new spin on your nuptials!