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

A French country wedding is one of the classiest wedding themes out there! But how do you plan a French country wedding that’s both jaw-droppingly gorgeous and unbelievably fun? Make sure to follow these tips and tricks for planning the perfect day!

From finding the ideal venue, to incorporating fun French traditions, we’ve got everything you need to make sure your French country wedding is everything you ever dreamed it would be.

Tip #1: A venue as beautiful as the French Countryside

Ready to get married “a la campagne” (in the countryside)? Then Peerspace is your go-to spot to find all the best French country wedding venues. On Peerspace, you’ll find an array of gorgeous spaces that will transport you to France, even though your feet are still firmly placed on U.S. soil.

Here are a few of our favorite Peerspace venues, perfect for a French country wedding in America.

A French Country cottage

It doesn’t get much more romantic than renting a French Country cottage for your wedding festivities! This five-acre property is less than 30 minutes from Austin, Texas, and features gorgeous old-growth oak trees and stunning views. It’s absolutely ideal for an unforgettable French country wedding experience!

Still stuck on your wedding colors? Then consider throwing a sage green wedding to remember!

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!

Tip #6: Unite through wine

Looking for a special way to sip on your coupe de marriage wine? Consider adding in another French tradition!

Buy wine from two separate vineyards, one to represent the groom’s family and one to represent the bride’s family. Take a sip of both, from different glasses, and then pour them both into your goblet for a sip! This is a beautiful way to symbolize the unity of your two families.

Tip #7: Incorporate the mischievous tradition of Charivari

According to Collins English Dictionary, Charivari is, “a discordant mock serenade to newlyweds, made with pans, kettles, etc.”

Basically, it’s a fun way for your friends to give you a hard time on your wedding night. When you leave the party, friends will stand outside your bedroom and hit pots and pans! The word charivari comes from the Latin word “caribaria” meaning headache, which makes sense — considering that’s exactly what you’ll have if you incorporate this tradition into your french country wedding!

Find unique wedding venues on Peerspace