Renewing wedding vows in Paris - need help . . .
 

Hi all:

We want to renew our wedding vows in Paris for our 10th anniversary in May of 2005. This will be our 6th time in Paris. Here's our ideal, somewhat unique scenario:

We'd like to renew our vows in front of Notre Dame (my husband's favorite building in the world) by a reform rabbi (we're both very reform Jews). Any info (esp. with the rabbi part) would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Carol
www.davidandcarol.com

I'm not sure I can help you with any specifics on this, but I can help you with the rabbi part. At least, tracking one down. Just look at the index on the web site of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. It lists about 3 congregations in Paris -- in the 18th, 20th and 15th arrondisements. Perhaps you know about that organization, but here is the URL

http://wupj.org/home/index.html

DOn't know if language will be a problem, unless you know French pretty well. They also have forums on that web site which might be of help, I perused them a little to see what was on there and all posts appear to be in French.

Christina,
Thank you so much for your reply.

I've quickly looked at the website you recommended (will look in more depth later when I have a bit more time), and it looks to be a great source.

Still deciding how we're going to do this - with a rabbi or not, but the info we get may be the deciding factor.

Thanks again for your help,
Carol

For our 20th we renewed our vows at the American Church in Paris http://www.acparis.org/ a couple of years ago. It is the first American church established outside of the U.S., in 1814. It is on the Seine at the Quai d'Orsay, and is lovely. Not Notre Dame, but we met with the Pastor, so he could get to know us, and he could tailor yes service to fit us.

It this interests you at all, go to the website and click on "Vow Renewal".

Best money I have ever spent in Paris!

nukesafe:
Thanks for the reply, but my original question was five years ago!!!

We DID renew our vows in the garden at Notre Dame - we didn't have a rabbi, just spoke some words to eachother and it was filmed by some friends who were with us! Very memorable!

Carol

OK, I know the thread is was 5 years ago.. but just have to ask... if you are Jewish, why would you want to renew your vows in front of a Catholic cathedral?

Very good question . . .

We are both Jewish, though we're not religious but when I was planning this, I thought it would be nice to have a rabbi - a very reform rabbi - though not necessary.

As it turned out, it worked with us doing our own vows.

Why Notre Dame?

Paris is our favorite city and Notre Dame is my husband's favorite building. The gardens are wonderful and it just felt right to be there behind this magnificent cathedral with so much history - just a personal choice for us that worked.

Don't know if this answered your question . . .
Carol

Yes, it did! Thanks, Carol!

My parents were the first American military couple to be married in Notre Dame at the end of WWII.

WOW - now THAT is a GREAT story!!! What a piece of family history!

Thanks, clehrman!

LOL! I learned about it in my 5th grade history class... apparently, my mother and my 5th grade teacher went to the same hairdresser!