Planning a wedding in Paris? Then read on… 

Have you fallen in love with the idea of a wedding in Paris? We have! Maybe it’s the excitement of this year’s Olympics or all the fashion and frolics in the new season of everyone’s favourite programme, Emily in Paris. Although, we suspect it’s also because the French capital has always been synonymous with romance and elegance. Plus a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that you just won’t find anywhere else.

So, inspired by the city and Emily’s fabulous sense of style, we’ve tracked down the most à la mode dresses and the chicest locations for a romantic wedding à deux…

Style in the city

On your big day, Emily’s maximalist style - think bold berets and an abundance of bright colours and patterns - might be bit too much. However, bridal fashionistas can still channel all the season’s key trends. And, when it comes to the perfect dresses for a wedding in Paris, MiaValenca should be your first stop. 

The city provides the backdrop for the brand’s bold new Rebelle Collection and its evocative streets are the perfect complement. Known for sexy sheaths, catwalk-style bodices and high fashion details, these are designs for a new generation of brides. They’re also the ideal look for a place with such a distinctive sense of style and self confidence.

This dress’s structured sheer corset with flattering exposed boning is a dream for a cutting-edge feel. Plus, the contemporary leaf-shaped pattern, with 3D leaves that seem to grow off the bodice, is also bang on trend.

A fitted modern sheath exudes Parisienne confidence, particularly styles that contrast intricate detailing with sleeker fabrics such as soft crepe. Also, look for chic details, such as a dramatic plunging neckline or a sexy low back enhanced with rows of twinkling beads, for a touch of Emily-worthy wow factor!

A Paris elopement

Real bride Jennifer and her husband Colin eloped to Paris for a sunrise ceremony at the Eiffel Tower. “We wanted to go away just the two of us and have an amazing trip at the same time,” says Jennifer.

The couple married on 23rd March 2022 (like Jennifer, most UK couples will need to have a civil ceremony at home first). “We had to be there early to catch the sunrise and before it started getting busy with tourists, so I was up at 4am in the morning. Then we were picked up at 6:30am and had some photos taken at the Eiffel Tower, just while the sun was coming up. Our officiant wrote our beautiful personal vows and we had a hand-fasting ceremony to tie the knot. The weather was perfect, the sunrise was beautiful and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky the whole morning.”

Breathtaking wedding portraits

One of the main attractions of a wedding in Paris are the iconic locations for your photos and the city radiates romance at every turn. After the Eiffel Tower some of the best locations include… 

• Place du Trocadéro.
• Pont de Alexander III.
• Bir-Hakeim Bridge.
• Pont d'Iena.
• Rue de l'Université
• Rue Buenos-Ayres.
• Place de Mexico.
• Avenue de Camoens.
• The Pantheon

Jennifer and Colin made the most of the dramatic setting. “After the ceremony we went to two other locations in Paris, the Louvre Museum and the Luxembourg Gardens for our wedding photos,” she says. “Later, we went for a lovely Parisian lunch. We sat outside in the sun, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, sipping cocktails and wine,” says Jennifer. “It was very chilled out.”

And the trip doesn’t need to end there…

After the wedding make sure you send time exploring the sights, such as the endless corridors of the Louvre or the Tuileries Garden with its bronzed sculptures and fountains. You can also follow in Emily’s footsteps. Check out some of the amazing places she visits on her travels and grab a café au lait or a glass of champagne in one of the filming locations. After all, if you’re in Paris you really should make a weekend of it!

The perfect weekend in Paris

After the ceremony, celebrate with authentic French pastries from the Boulangerie Moderne, where Emily takes selfies over a pain aux chocolate. Plus, not too far away is the Tram Cafe where she hangs out with friends on a regular basis. 

Then, for dinner, Gabriel’s Restaurant - Bistro Terra Nera in real life - with its typically Parisian red facade and tables on a cobbled street, is a true classic. Later, get dressed up for a big night out at one of the grandest locations in the show, the Palais Garnier (where Emily watches Swan Lake in an incredible ballgown). Très chic!

Several scenes have been shot in the outside seating area of Cafe de Flore, a legendary cafe that's been in the heart of Paris since 1880. So, why not drop by with your brand new husband the morning after the wedding for a typical French breakfast and to soak up the atmosphere?

Finally, an über romantic meal in picturesque Montmartre is a great way to end your trip. Famous for its winding cobbled streets, artistic history and lively atmosphere, head to the Sacré Coeur first to take in the panoramic views of the city. Then, grab a table at La Maison Rose, the elegant pink restaurant with green shutters that features in Season One, for a last meal before you head home. No doubt having fallen head over heels for this magical city. Bon voyage! 

Click here for lots more ideas for a romantic wedding in Paris from our brilliant real life brides. Also, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.