Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Marrying in France

 

French Weddings

 

 

Most couples in France live together, marrying might happen, but if it doesn't it doesn't mean less.

 

 French Husband and I didn't have that option. We could not just pick up and live in one or the other country simply because we loved one another and wanted to be in a relationship. We had to marry to be together in the same country. Luckily for us, we could, but back in 1988 that wasn't an option for same-sex couples. French Husband and I never thought of that until we were faced with the fact that we could only be with one another if we married.

 

 

 

Fleur de Lys Letter opener

 

 

"France has specific laws concerning marriage. These must be followed by both French citizens and foreign nationals. A marriage in France is recognized as valid in most other countries.

French law only recognizes civil marriage. This must be performed by a French Civil Authority (officier de l'état civil), which includes the mayor (maire), their legally authorized replacement – the deputy mayor (adjoint) – or a city councilor (conseiller municipal).

Religious ceremonies are optional, have no legal status and may only be held after the civil ceremony has taken place (which can, but need not be, on the same day.)"

 

 

 

Legal documents 1900s

 

Prenuptial Agreements

"A prenuptial (or pre-marital) agreement (the contrat de marriage) stipulates the terms of the marriage (régime matrimonial). If this is desired it must be drawn up by a notary public before the wedding; if a wedding proceeds with no prenuptial agreement the couple is automatically married in community of property (communauté de biens réduite aux acquêts). This means that items each party owns personally before the marriage and whatever comes to them afterward through inheritance remains their property. That which is acquired during the marriage is owned equally by both parties.

The two most common marital regimes are: being married out of community of property (séparation de biens) and a combination of separation and joint ownership (participation aux acquêts). A notary will advise."

 

(Click on any of the above to read more about French weddings, and here to learn more.)

 

 

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Martin and Chelsea will have their legal ceremony May 6th in Paris, and Sacha will be home for their special day.

Though we all agree that the real wedding the Sacrament of Marriage will take place July 6th, on the eve of my Mother's and Father's wedding anniversary.

 

 

Comments

9 responses to “Marrying in France”

  1. Jenny M

    your post has brought a tear to my eye…that your girl is all grown up & happy AND that the real wedding will be on such a special date.

    Reply
  2. Diogenes

    This was a very interesting post, Corey. Things one would never know without experiencing them. France beat the US in legalizing same sex marriage by a few years, I think.
    Interesting that the legal marriage is the civil one. What a great picture of Chelsea and Martin! And how nice that they will marry on your parent’s anniversary!

    Reply
  3. Jeanne

    I love to hear all the things about marriage and love.
    The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
    Blessings and love to you all
    X0X0

    Reply
  4. Alan

    I love how practical French marriage is. Mark has asked me when are we getting married now that it’s legal. Answer is, never. We would actually lose some benefits if we did that. Marriage sounds romantic, but just isn’t always right. Everything is taken care of in our wills.

    Reply
  5. Jacklynn Lantry

    So interesting. Do they get two wedding anniversaries? Do they get to celebrate twice? Yippee!

    Reply
  6. Debby H

    So Corey, I’m just wondering, when you say you didn’t have an option, that you and Yann could not live together in one country or the other without getting married, was that your standard, your family, your church or what? Since there is no law commanding you to be married. It’s all very interesting. I’m enjoying reading about all the happy wedding plans. And I am so impressed that the groom is having a tailor-made suit! I love it! And why shouldn’t he – why don’t more grooms do it?!

    Reply
  7. Leigh NZ

    French laws around his, her and their property is so civilised and a fair way of doing things I think. Loving hearing about all things wedding.

    Reply
  8. Tongue in Cheek

    Good question. But I think only once July 6th

    Reply
  9. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Debby, We couldn’t live together because neither of us had “green cards” or resident cards, or passports to live in one another’s countries. I could not live in France, and Yann could not live in the US for more than six months out of the year. Marriage was the only option for us at that time.

    Reply

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