Today, Claire joins us as a professional wedding celebrant with over 15 years of experience, specialising in bespoke destination wedding ceremonies across France.
Claire crafts perfect ceremonies for couples and flawlessly executes every detail on the big day. She focuses on personalisation, meticulous organisation, and a touch of fun. With her extensive training and background in event management, Claire brings a blend of professionalism and warmth to every ceremony.
So let’s explore Claire’s journey and discover her top tips for creating an unforgettable wedding in the heart of France.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a professional wedding celebrant in France?
I’m English, but I’ve spent the last 15 years living in France. As a fully trained and qualified professional Civil Celebrant, I bring a wealth of experience to every ceremony. Before training, my background was in business management, and I was already familiar with public speaking, managing events, and working closely with others. My qualification shows that I successfully completed all formal training, underwent full assessment, and had my knowledge tested! It’s important to feel confident that your Celebrant is a competent and a safe choice.
What makes hiring a professional celebrant important for a destination wedding in France?
So firstly, let’s cover the basics. As a Celebrant, I mainly focus on English speaking Wedding Ceremonies and travel widely. Generally my clients travel from another country to a destination in France and choose their wedding ceremony to be performed in English. Sometimes I deliver the ceremony in a mix of English and French and sometimes learn a few phrases in other languages too for very international weddings.
I work hard to be meticulously organised and I hope my clients feel their ceremonies are in safe hands. I also enjoy a sense of fun and find great joy meeting new people and being creative. Being a professional Wedding Celebrant combines all these skills and more. It is my privilege to meet wonderful people and be part of one of the most meaningful milestones in their lives.
What is a civil celebrant?
A Civil Celebrant is not aligned with any specific belief and therefore has complete freedom to include any content within a wedding ceremony. So it could include elements which may be non-religious or religious, spiritual, secular or cultural, or any combination.
Can UK citizens legally marry in France?
A Celebrant is not permitted by law to perform the legalities for marriage registration in France so, in general, couples book an appointment at a Register Office in their own country to perform the marriage legalities. In its simplest form, in the UK this appointment costs around £60 takes just a few minutes and it’s worth knowing that midweek appointments are often cheapest!
Most couples choosing a destination wedding in France keep the legal appointment low-key (sometimes a secret) and save everything else—such as the rings, vows, readings, music, rituals, procession, bridesmaids, outfits, best men or women, guests, buttonholes, bouquets, confetti, and more—for the full, bespoke destination wedding ceremony in France.
What is the secret to creating an unforgettable wedding ceremony in France?
Authenticity is a game changer. For me, the secret to a wonderful wedding ceremony is to be authentic to the couple and set the tone of the ceremony accordingly. Don’t try creating a wedding celebration you don’t easily identify with, or feels artificial for you or your guests.
Whether the ceremony is solemn, fun, romantic or inspirational, long or short or a mixture of any of the above. If it’s true to the couple’s personalities it is more engaging and meaningful for them and their guests.
Think of three or four words which might describe your perfect ceremony….and aim for that. (for example, meaningful, fun, romantic). Consider how the ceremony looks, feels and sounds for you and for your guests. Will you remember it for the rest of your lives? Does it tick all the right boxes? Does it have the capacity to surprise and delight everyone?
Can you share some creative ideas for a French destination wedding?
Be imaginative. It’s not always necessary to spend money. One of my most beautiful wedding ceremonies was in early November, the venue was an open-front barn, wild foliage from surrounding fields and hedgerows was used for the bouquets and the confetti was natural autumn leaves. Hand-made bunting from fabric scraps, borrowed fairy lights decorated the beams. No budget was spent on flowers or décor – just imagination.
How do you create personalised wedding ceremonies for couples?
I take great care to get to know each couple personally, discovering exactly what they hope for in their wedding ceremony. No prior knowledge about wedding ceremonies is needed, as that’s my job! Once I’m booked for a wedding date, I follow a clear and creative process, where I gradually gather information about the couple and their unique love story. I guide and prompt them every step of the way to ensure their ceremony is exactly as they envision.
What are your favourite types of wedding venues in France?
I don’t have a favourite venue or area; I have performed ceremonies throughout France—sometimes at spectacular château venues, sometimes in local ‘salle des fêtes’ (like a village hall), and sometimes in a field or rustic farm buildings. They all have their own beauty. For me, it’s not about budget or scale but more about the style and tone of a wedding ceremony being truly authentic to the couple and their personalities, regardless of the venue.
Do you have any memorable wedding stories to share?
One of my wonderful couples in 2024 enjoyed having their much loved Hungarian Puli (dog) sitting at their feet throughout their wedding ceremony. She was very well behaved and had her own matching corsage of yellow roses on her collar!
What are your top tips for international couples planning a French destination wedding?
- Book your venue and celebrant as soon as possible – Remember some
are booked as early as two years in advance! - Enlist the help of someone who speaks the language – If you don’t speak French, it’s essential to have someone on hand who does. This ensures that your vision for the perfect wedding doesn’t get lost in translation and all your important details are communicated effectively.
- Book the marriage registration ‘legalities’ appointment in your home country – Book this as soon as you can, to take place before the ceremony in France (many couples keep this legal appointment very low key, and some keep it secret)
- Delegate tasks to trusted people – Don’t hesitate to delegate wedding day responsibilities to friends or family members you trust. This helps lighten the load and allows you to focus on enjoying your special day.
- Prepare a plan B for outdoor ceremonies – If your plan A is an outdoor ceremony; have a workable plan B for dodgy weather!
- Plan, but stay flexible – Remember that even the most successful ‘relaxed’ and ‘informal’ weddings are well-organised and carefully planned. If being organised or planning isn’t really your thing, delegate it.
- Keep your ceremony authentically you – A wedding ceremony should reflect your personalities and values. Focus on creating a ceremony that feels true to you, whether it’s formal, fun, or intimate.
- Designate a ‘Responsible Person’ for the day – Having someone in charge of overseeing the proceedings ensures the day runs smoothly. Whether this is a professional planner or a well organised friend.
- Trust your professionals – They’ve done this before and will help and guide you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What makes Chateau Bee venues stand out for celebrant-led ceremonies?
Chateau Gassies: A Picturesque Setting for Your Celebrant-Led Wedding in Bordeaux
Gracefully poised on top of a hill with spectacular views overlooking Bordeaux with low buildings surrounding a courtyard, in the local cream coloured stone – all freshly renovated and beautifully presented. This venue is classical with parkland grounds, well maintained and a real sense of space and elegance. Light, bright and airy, Chateau Gassies delivers a successful blend of some contemporary decorative touches with traditional French elegance.
Chateau Le Brossay: A Dream Location for Your Custom Wedding Ceremony in Brittany
An impressively authentic, handsome Breton Château with stone turrets and gables. High ceilings, stone staircases, beautiful wood panelling and fireplaces inside – all very atmospheric. Set in a traditional country estate surrounded by a lake, woods, farmland and its own tiny chapel (which looks like a wedding cake!) in the grounds. Owned by the same family for generations. If ever a large grand château could feel homely and cosy, this is it.
Chateau des Lavandes: Stunning Destination Wedding Venue in Provence
Approach it along the classic avenue of rustling poplar trees surrounded by vineyards. Stately and manicured grounds include a spectacular maize, slimline cypress trees, fountains, an elegant pool flanked by pavilion buildings. The grounds are the stuff of fairytales. The main house is a beautiful traditional Provencal ‘manor house’ overlooking the fabulous grounds.
Can a wedding celebrant marry you anywhere?
Yes. Anywhere! The thing to remember is a Celebrant wedding ceremony can be anywhere and everywhere! In a building, a woodland, in a field, on the beach, on the side of a mountain. With or without guests….it can be as simple or as creative or imaginative as you wish.
How to Avoid Misunderstanding Jargon in Your Destination Wedding Planning
Best advice? When you talk to your professionals, just explain exactly what you mean. Be aware that jargon may have a slightly different meaning between different nationalities, professions and generations!
So, for example, if you want a wedding ceremony without religious content …. say exactly this! (avoid the word ‘humanist’ which may not be quite what you mean. Strictly speaking, a ‘humanist’ is a person aligned very specifically with the beliefs of the humanist movement).
What Do You Mean by a ‘Blessing’ in a Wedding Ceremony?
Blessings are the heartfelt spoken wishes for a married couple within the wedding ceremony or during the celebrations. These words can be religious or non-religious and can be delivered by anyone.
A ‘blessing ceremony’ is a term sometimes used to mean a Celebrant Wedding ceremony or, a wedding ceremony which excludes the legalities. It can be religious or non-religious.
What Does the Legal Component of a Destination Wedding Involve?
So just as a reminder, the legal component required for a legally binding marriage. In its simplest form it lasts just a few minutes and is performed by your local register office in your own country before your bespoke Celebrant wedding ceremony in France.
What Are Wedding Vows and Why Are They Important in a Celebrant Ceremony?
Vows – or promises. The words spoken by the couple to each other explaining how they intend to relate to each other, navigate life together and what meaning they give to their marriage. In a celebrant Wedding Ceremony these words can take any form. There are no restrictions.
How Do Wedding Readings Add Meaning to Your Celebrant Ceremony?
Readings are short quotes, poems, or excerpts chosen by the couple and read aloud during the ceremony. They can be a beautiful way to personalise your ceremony, with each reading adding a special touch to the day’s proceedings.
How do you as a Celebrant Manage the Unexpected on a Wedding Day?
My mantra is plan well but expect the unexpected…
On the big day I always arrive about 2 hours before the ceremony to set up and do a sound-check and speak to all individuals involved in the ceremony. You might be surprised to know how many best men have no idea the bride and groom want them to present the wedding rings, or guest ‘readers’ have not been given a copy of what they are reading! I have also been known to hang bunting, snip off price tickets from suits, jackets, trousers and shirts of 6 groomsmen (whilst wearing them), pack confetti sachets, arrange flowers, label the front row seats, polish wedding rings, iron the best man’s jacket, hold the hand of a very emotional mother-of-the-bride and fix button holes…. my ‘wedding emergency kit’ goes everywhere with me.
Ready to create the perfect wedding ceremony in France?
We hope these top tips from a wedding celebrant have provided you with both valuable advice and inspiration for your destination wedding ceremony. A key takeaway for me is that authenticity and personalisation are essential for creating a truly memorable experience.
Whether you’re still seeking inspiration or ready to secure your venue, we offer a stunning array of locations that can turn your wedding vision into reality! Explore our handpicked collection of stunning French venues here! Chateau Bee’s founders, Ingrid and James, have personally journeyed across France carefully selecting only the most breathtaking venues to add to their collection. Plus they provide personalised recommendations perfectly suited to your style – at no cost!
So if you’re ready to start exploring, reach out to us today! Call us at 00 44 (0) 1481 234 442, email hello@thechateaubee.com or use our easy contact form. Let’s make your dream wedding come true – get in touch with Chateau Bee today!
Top tips from a Wedding Celebrant in France, Interview by Bella Dean
Foodie, yogi and travel lover!
