small wedding in Paris
 

Hi,

I'm planning a wedding for 30-50 people in Paris April 2006. I will have a civil ceremony in the US but want to have a Catholic chuch ceremony in Paris. I then want to go to a restaurant and have dinner with everyone afterward. Can anyone help me with the following:

Do you think I need a wedding coordinator?

How can I find a reputable coordinator?

Does anyone know of a small church? I don't want too big of a church that overwhelms the small number of people.

Restaurant? Ideally, I would like the church and restaurant to be in walking distance.

How can I find a reputable photographer? Is it necessary to be able to buy the negatives? Videographer?

I greatly appreciate any feedback.

I would say to hold a ceremony in such a strongly bureaucratic nation (meant in the nicest possible way) you definitely need a coordinator.

I gather you are Catholic? Perhaps things are laxer where you live, but I believe you are actually supposed to be a member of a parish to get married there, know the priest, have bans posted, etc.

YOu seem to be focused on the event rather than what this is supposed to mean. First, I think you'd better find out if any Catholic priest in Paris will marry people who aren't from there and just doing it for the glamour of the location.

Here is some info... read the two links on the left side.
http://www.weddingsinfrance.com/requirements.html

I've done the research on how to have a Catholic ceremony in Paris.

I need to go through the preparations at my parish church and get a letter from my priest and bishop stating it's ok to marry in Paris. We then send all the documentation (pre cana certificate, letter from priest, letter from bishop, baptism certificate, first communion certificate, and confirmation certificate) to the French diocese who then gives the ok.

At this point, I'm more concerned with organizing the logistics of finding the church, restaurant, photographer, music for the ceremony.

All feedback is welcome.

Thank you.

Perhaps I'm telling you things you already know but if you have the civil service in the US first, actually what you're doing in Paris is a renewal of vows. This could be much easier from a legal and religious standpoint. Any posting of bands or whatever else might be required if this were the first ceremony is not nec. At least, that was my experience in England.

theknot.com is the largest internet site for weddings and probably has links, info, wedding planners etc.

There are a number of hotels that have lovely restaurants/dining rooms. If you were to go that route, they could arrange flowers etc. I love the Hotel Raphael and think it's quite elegant and very "French" They have a roof top dining room that's not open year round. It would be a great place for the reception. I can't remember what churches might be nearby. This place is expensive though so you should tell us what sort of budget you're on for suggestions. Do you want someplace to yourselves? A private room?

2)bonjourparis.com might be a good place to try as well.

I don't know what the parish or religious rules are, but one of the prettiest small churches in Paris is
St-Etienne-du-Mont, in the 5th.
Gorgeous stained glass.
http://kunmr2.chem.ukans.edu/~dave/pages/steg1.htm has a picture

Thanks for the responses. Elaine's message of her favorite church was really helpful. If more people could let me know their favorite churches or restaurants, that would be the most ideal. I probably want to spend $100 a head or lower at dinner. I want to look into renting a private room but that might be too expensive. Does anyone know average prices of renting a private room or renting out a restaurant for a night? I'm thinking of maybe Chez Georges near Place des Victoires for the dinner. I'm fine with not having the whole restaurant and everyone just having dinner with other people.

Have you contacted St. Etienne du Mont? I am curious as to the church's availability.

Stan

Hi,
I am planning a wedding for 15 people in Sept./Oct. in Paris and I read your post. I am concerned about finding a catholic church that will marry me and my fiance. Any suggestions you can offer (contact info. for churches) would be a big help. (I have read the requirements to be married in catholic church on the link in this post).

Thanks!

portiaesq

See your other post for information; just click on your name to find it.

I love the Church of St. Louis en l'isle, which is on the Isle St. Louis. The young priest whom I met there was charming. Centrally located and not that big.