Going to a French Wedding
Reply to the invitation, find your way through the town hall ceremony and the vin d'honneur, and toast the newlyweds.
In France only the civil ceremony at the mairie is legally binding, so every wedding starts with the mayor or a deputy reading the vows in front of the couple's witnesses (témoins). Guests are often invited in tiers: some only to the ceremony and the vin d'honneur (the drinks reception), others also to the dinner and the party that runs late into the night. You reply to the faire-part (invitation card) by the date given, and most couples have a liste de mariage or an online cagnotte instead of you choosing a gift.
- 1
Merci pour le faire-part, on sera là !
Thanks for the invitation, we'll be there!
- 2
On est invités au dîner aussi ?
Are we invited to the dinner too?
- 3
Est-ce qu'il y a une liste de mariage ?
Is there a wedding list?
- 4
On a participé à la cagnotte en ligne.
We've put something in the online kitty.
- 5
Quel est le dress code ?
What's the dress code?
Tip: The French borrow the English term here.
- 6
La cérémonie est à la mairie à 15 h.
The ceremony is at the town hall at 3 pm.
- 7
Qui sont les témoins ?
Who are the witnesses?
- 8
Ils viennent de se dire oui !
They've just said 'I do'!
- 9
Vive les mariés !
Three cheers for the newlyweds!
- 10
Toutes mes félicitations à tous les deux !
Congratulations to you both!
- 11
La mariée est magnifique.
The bride looks stunning.
- 12
On va au vin d'honneur ?
Shall we go to the drinks reception?
Tip: The drinks party everyone is invited to, straight after the ceremony.
- 13
On est à quelle table ?
Which table are we at?
- 14
Vous vous connaissez comment, tous les deux ?
How do you two know each other?
- 15
Je travaille avec la mariée, on est collègues.
I work with the bride, we're colleagues.
- 16
Je voudrais porter un toast aux mariés.
I'd like to propose a toast to the couple.
- 17
À votre bonheur !
To your happiness!
- 18
L'ouverture de bal va commencer.
The first dance is about to start.
- 19
On va y aller, c'était une très belle journée.
We're going to head off, it was a lovely day.
- 20
Merci beaucoup de nous avoir invités.
Thank you so much for having us.