Paris Elopement: How to Plan Your Elopement in the City of Love

Paris Elopements are a different type of elopement compared to the mountain and beach elopements you usually see on our site. Despite being in a city, eloping in Paris can still give you the same wanderlust and intimate feeling, especially being in the city of Love.

Let’s break down what you need to know to plan an intimate Paris elopement without becoming overwhelmed by tourists.

How to Elope in Paris

You may not have trails, forests, and mountains to explore in the city, but you do have cobbled streets, historical architecture, and artists to admire. Keep in mind that Paris is a beautiful city, but it’s a city at the end of the day. With that said, even though some of the best places to elope are remote, that doesn’t mean that Paris isn’t an amazing place to elope.

Here’s how you can get started: Let’s Build Your Paris Elopement Package. 

• Paris Marriage License
• When to Elope in Paris
• Pick a Ceremony Location
• Ideas for Your Paris Elopement
• Pick Your Elopement Vendors

Feeling overwhelmed with the idea of planning your elopement? Check out our guide on how to elope.

Paris Marriage License

Getting married in Paris for foreigners is actually complex. A lot of paperwork is required, and we have realized a lot of couples, like most who decide to elope out of their country, will do all their legal paperwork back at home. This is the easiest way to avoid any complications during your wedding day, and you can always do a symbolic ceremony wherever you decide to elope in Paris.

So why is it complicated to legally get married in Paris? The biggest complication is you are required to show proof of residency in France for at least 30 days prior to applying for your marriage license. If one of you will be living in France for that long, then having a legal ceremony in Paris may not be complicated. You will also need to make sure to bring your passport, birth certificate, and other documentation required.

When To Elope in Paris

If you’re planning to elope in Paris, then we can assume that you don’t want to deal with crowds of tourists. The busiest months to visit Paris is from June to August. We recommend visiting in April or October to early November. The weather will be milder and the tourist crowds will also be smaller. The low season to visit Paris is from November to March, but these months are also cold. If you’re planning a winter elopement in Paris, then this could be a great option for you.

Another thing to consider when planning your elopement in Paris is what time your elopement will be. If you’re planning during the busier months, then we highly recommend having a sunrise elopement.

“Be ready to get up early in the morning if you’d like to do your ceremony in front of famous attractions like the Eiffel tower or Louvre museum. Otherwise, look for possibilities to rent gorgeous, private terraces for your elopement ceremony.” [Linh, Photographer from Through The Glass Paris]

Paris Elopement Ceremony Locations

Eiffel Tower

The first location on our list has to be the Eiffel tower. This is the most iconic Paris elopement destination for many couples. The biggest concern, however, is having a huge crowd in your photos as you both exchange vows. The best way to avoid this is to plan a sunrise elopement ceremony or a ceremony near the tower. You will have to wake up extra early to make sure you have this area significantly less crowded, but we promise it’s 100% worth it.

“Be open to more location options rather than just the Eiffel tower. There’s so much beauty in Paris, even in the streets. Ask your planner or photographer for some of their favourite hidden locations of the city. Make your elopement intimate and unique! Also, traffic in Paris can be bad, so you would also need to take into account traveling time from one location to another.” [Linh, Photographer from Through The Glass Paris]

Romantic Streets and Rooftops with a View

There are many hidden streets your photographer and planner can suggest for your ceremony location. A lot of these spots are more secluded and still have an epic view of the Eiffel Tower in the background. Another great option is to consider eloping on a rooftop or terrace nearby, so you can have a much more secluded experience any time during the day.

Louvre Museum

This is an EPIC spot for wedding portraits. The unique architecture will give your photos the elegant Paris vibe. We recommend planning your elopement during the week here. Places like the Louvre are usually closed on specific weekdays, so this is something to consider when planning your Paris elopement together.

Île Saint-Louis

This is a gorgeous natural island in the Seine river in Paris, France. This is a wonderful place to plan a romantic picnic or ceremony. We also love this area for couples who want to enjoy views from one of the four bridges that connect this island to the city.

Explore Somewhere Outside of Paris

If you’re getting overwhelmed planning your Paris elopement, keep in mind there are so many beautiful places to explore in France. If none of the places here sound like your type of elopement, then don’t hesitate to look somewhere else in France!

 

Ideas For Your Paris Elopement

Plan a Romantic Paris Elopement

A Paris elopement can be the definition of romance and elegance. There are multiple ways to have a romantic getaway experience in Paris. Some ideas you can incorporate to achieve this is planning a romantic picnic or going to a bar or restaurant during the week when there aren’t that many people. We also love it when couples have a romantic dinner together, on a private terrace, overlooking the gorgeous city.

Exploring the City During Your Paris Elopement

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, and you’re looking to wander the city, then exploring the city is your best bet to have a unique Paris elopement experience. Make sure to communicate to your elopement vendors what your elopement vision looks like, so they can help map some key spots in the city that are remote, but still full of culture and architecture to appreciate.

“It’s the city of love, imagine getting away into the city fulled of beautiful architecture, delicious French food, luxury art-de-vivre, even the atmosphere here makes Paris so magical.” [Linh, Photographer]

Elopement Vendors in Paris 

At Wandering Weddings, we encourage all couples to wander and plan an elopement that feels right to them. Check out our vendors who specialize in documenting and planning romantic Paris elopements. These vendors will continue to help you build out your Paris elopement package and help bring your elopement vision to life.

Check out these vendors who specialize in elopements in France.