Eloping in Champagne – everything you need to know
This blog has everything you need to know for planning and eloping in Champagne, France (and is written by someone who actually lives there!.) The Champagne region is located in northeastern France about 150km east of Paris. It’s best known for – you guessed it! – Champagne.
The production of Champagne here makes many of the vineyards and cellars UNESCO heritage sites. You’ll find iconic Maisons like Veuve Cliquot, Moët & Chandon, and Dom Pérignon here, steeped in the history of French royalty and coronation ceremonies. Eloping in Champagne will add a touch of history and French culture to any wine lover’s day.
The 4 most important things to figure out first:
- BUDGET
- CEREMONY LOCATION
- GUEST LIST (IF ANY)
- SEASON
What to budget while eloping in Champagne, France
Budget is usually the first thing you should figure out. While elopements typically can be cheaper than traditional weddings, they don’t have to be. Depending on what you want to include, you can land anywhere from 10k to 20k to 30k+.
Therefore, what to budget and how much will range a LOT, so let’s consider three ranges: luxury, average + budget:
LUXURY BUDGET (first class, more vendors, top shelf everything)
First class flights for two:
(from NYC to Paris) 9,000
(LA to Paris) 14,000
There and back first class transfers by train for two, CDG → Champagne: 800
Sport car rental: 150/day
MUA: 1,000
Venue: Free if outside
4-7 nights accommodation, 5 star hotel: 6,000+
Wedding Planner: 6000+
Celebrant : 1,500
Photographer (full day): 5,000+
Videographer (full day): 5,000+
Florals: 4,000+
String Quartet/Live Musicians for the Ceremony: 2,000+
Micheline star dinner for two with top shelf wine: 2000
Misc. Costs: 2,000+
TOTAL: ~30,000-40,000+
AVERAGE BUDGET (focus on photo/video and selected indulgences)
Economy flights for two (from NYC to Paris) 2,500
(LA to Paris) 3,500
There and back transfers by train for two,CDG → Champagne: 320
SUV car Rental: 100/day
Venue: free if outside or on hotel property
Wedding Planner (optional)r: 1000
Celebrant (optional)t : 700
Photographer (full day): 5,000
Videographer (full day): 5,000
MUA: 500
Florals: 1,000
Micheline star dinner for two: 600
Misc. Costs: 1,000
4-7 nights accommodation, 4 star hotel: 2,000-3000
TOTAL: ~20,000
DIY/BUDGET (focus on photo/video and outdoor ceremony)
Budget airline flights for two (from NYC to Paris) 1,600
(LA to Paris) 2,500
There and back transfers by train for two,CDG → Champagne: 320
Budget car Rental: 80/day
Venue: outside, free
Celebrant (optional): 600
Photographer (4 hours): 2,500
Videographer (4 hours): 2,500
MUA: DIY
Florals (bouquet and boutonniere): 200
Micheline star dinner for two: 600
Champagne, one good one, one cheap one for spraying: 100
Misc. Costs: 1,000
4-7 nights accommodation in an AirBnB or 3-star hotel: 1,000
TOTAL: ~10,000
CHATEAU COMTESSE LAFOND
Beautiful locations in Champagne for your elopement or intimate wedding ceremony
Overlooking the Champagne Vineyards.
This can be any village along the Montagne de Reims where there’s some elevation: Villers-Allerand, Rilly-la-Montagne, Hautvillers (Dom Perignon’s hometown). A sunset picnic setup would be beautifully romantic!
Hot air balloon vows over the vineyards.
Flying season is April to October and it’s a unique way to see the vineyards from above – especially at sunrise. It costs €300 – €500.
Chateau’s
- Chateau de Mairy Stunning Chateau in the heart of Champagne with on-site accommodation.
- Chateau de Sept-Saulx A gorgeous 1920’s Chateau with incredible symmetrical French gardens
- Chateau Comtesse Lafond Beautiful Champagne House on the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay, with several great indoor + outdoor options perfect for all weathers!
- Chateau de Cormicy You can rent it out either just for yourselves or for a small group of friends and celebrate all weekend. Your elopement ceremony could take place in the garden of the Chateau.
- Domaine du Chalet This is a secret French guesthouse not very well known about (even by locals) with beautiful grounds.
- Chateau de Sacy Exceptional panoramic views and classic French chateau interiors
Hotels:
- Royal Champagne luxury hotel (with exceptional panoramic views of the champagne vineyards) or Domaine les Crayeres in Reims
- A Champagne House (Winery): Ruinart and Pommery have incredible spaces and gardens available
- Residence Eisenhower. A stunning mansion in the heart of Reims, gorgeous architecture, the perfect backdrop for your ceremony and gorgeous guest rooms to stay overnight.
ROYAL CHAMPAGNE HOTEL & SPA
Eloping in Champagne, FAQs:
What is a good minimum budget for eloping in Champagne, France?
10k. This includes international flights, car rentals and accommodation, and 4 hours photo/video coverage.
Should I hire an elopement planner?
Not necessarily. Many specialised, local elopement photographers (like myself) go above and beyond to make sure everything is taken care of. We often help with location coordination, communication with French vendors, timelines, flower arrangements and lots more. Speak with a number of photographers to find out which provide help with what you need most – or if you may need an additional planner. Clearly a a bilingual local (like myself) who can provide everything for you in one place ensures a stress-free elopement in Champagne.
Can foreigners get legally married in France?
Technically yes, but for most asking, no. Legal weddings in France can ONLY take place at the Mairie (courthouse). You need to be a resident here for at least one month prior with proof of address, utility bill in your name and an ID.
The process is full of bureaucracy and paperwork, especially if neither of you is a resident or citizen. My advice is to have a symbolic ceremony during your destination wedding in France. See this blog here for a full breakdown of that process to help you decide.
How much does a good wedding/elopement planner in France cost?
€1,000 – 2000. I recommend finding a good one, who is familiar with US/UK style weddings. I cover this extensively in my French Wedding Vendor Guide here.
Are there any surprise costs we should budget in?
Transfers to Champagne. The nearest airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle which is 1.5 hours drive or a 45 minute train. The Champagne region is not a very well-serviced area in terms of Uber or taxis. I HIGHLY recommend a rental car for the duration of your stay in Champagne for greater flexibility.
Should we elope on a weekday?
I would definitely recommend eloping in Champagne, France on a weekday. Just avoid Monday as many things are closed on Mondays. There is nothing more annoying than wanting to go somewhere or do a tour just to realise that it’s closed!
How far out should we book vendors for eloping in Champagne, France?
6-12 months out.
My recommended vendors to hire while eloping in Champagne, France:
Best Elopement Planners in Champagne
- Lovin Concept: A wedding planner and florist all in one, absolutely perfect for elopements and intimate wedding ceremonies.
Best florists in Champagne
- Histoires Sauvages
- Les Babineries de Marie
Best celebrants for a Champagne elopement
There are very few in the Champagne Region, so I strongly recommend the following:
- Nathalie Shaw: English speaking Celebrant with the best personalised ceremonies I’ve personally ever seen
Should you invite a few guests, or elope “just us?” How to decide – and stick to it.
First, be brutally honest about what you both really want. Do what feels right and try not to let others’ opinions change your heart.
In terms of planning, it’s significantly easier to organise an elopement with just the two of you. Fewer people mean fewer opinions, and fewer expectations to manage. That also means more time for drinking champagne, exploring the vineyards, and focusing on your own enjoyment.
That in mind, if there are a handful of guests you really want to invite, do it! Elopements don’t have to be solo; you can always have 2-10 guests along. More than 10 though, and logistics start to get more complicated.
Seasons: the pros and cons of each
Generally, season is very important when eloping in Champage, France. Most of the winter is not a very attractive time to be outside, while August is also notoriously hot and rainy. Fall is my favourite, but May through July are also ideal times.
WINTER – late November to March
Winter can have beautiful light, or none at all. The vineyards will also be bare, and most of France doesn’t get snow, making it a barren landscape. Prices for hotels and chateaus are lower, but the cold is not for everyone, and often these buildings aren’t well heated.
SPRING – April & May
From April to May, the weather is great. The vineyards will just begin to fill out by late April/May and many trees and flowers are blooming. This time is perfect for a colourful garden or hotel ceremony.
SUMMER – June, July, August
Summer days are long, hot and sunny. Evening ceremonies in France are delightful. The vineyards are full with leaves and luscious grapes, and perfect locations for outdoor ceremonies, picnics or intimate parties. Just avoid August due to the rain and heat!
AUTUMN – September, October, early November
Personally, autumn is my number one choice for outdoor elopements in France. I especially love the end of October through the beginning of November. The weather is sunny, dry and mild, and the colours are peaking.
Symbolic ceremonies vs. legal ceremonies
In my opinion, there is only one real option: symbolic all the way! The bureaucracy in France isn’t something you want to involve yourself with. Plus, you cannot get legally married anywhere but a courthouse.
Symbolic ceremonies have no rules or bureaucracy to deal with. They can be whatever you imagine them to be, wherever you want.
My advice is to have a symbolic ceremony during your destination wedding in France.
There is no advantage to having a legal ceremony as two foreigners with no residency.
Legal weddings in France can ONLY take place at the Mairie (courthouse). You need to be a resident here for at least one month prior with proof of address, utility bill in your name and an ID. You must go to the town hall prior to the wedding to register and for the publication of banns.
Banns have a 10 day waiting period, after which, you can get married any date after that within 1 year. If you want that French Chateaux wedding, a legal ceremony isn’t it!
Planning checklist and timeline for eloping in Champagne, France
12 months out:
- Book your local elopement photographer so they can help you with the planning early on
- Book videographer (photo/video usually book out 9-12 months in advance)
- Determine the vibe for the day, activities you might want to do, etc.
9 Months out:
- Book your accommodation, train tickets and rental car
- Book your celebrant
- Start dress/suit shopping
- Book your flights to France
6-9 months out:
- Go ring shopping
- Book florist and musicians
- Book wedding cake
- Book HMUA
3-6 months out:
- Book restaurants and activities (visiting champagne houses, vineyard picnic, tastings, spa day, day trip to Paris etc.)
1 month out:
- Check in with your elopement photographer/planner to finalise details and timelines, including any props or misc. items (picnic blankets, confetti, cutlery, ice bucket)
1 week before flying:
- Last minute beauty appointments (eyebrows, lashes, wax)
- Pre-pack your bags
The day before:
- Get a good night’s sleep!
HOW TO CHOOSE A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT IN FRANCE
Look for someone with French and English fluency. Fluent French goes a LONG way here. You’ll also want someone who can offer activity, hotel and venue suggestions, as well as a Little Black Book of talented local vendors. Meet with 2-3 of your top choices over video and go with the one who you feel the most excited to spend a day with. Remember, your elopement photographer is your third wheel for one of the most important days of your lives. You should feel really good about hiring them.
The average cost of a specialised elopement photographer in France is €3,000 – €5,000.
HI, IM RACHEL!
FRANCE BASED DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
I’m from the UK, but live and work in France. With my mixed background, I’m the bridge between cultures you’re looking for. If you’re planning a destination wedding in France, I would love to be a part of your wedding team. Let’s create the most memorable day imaginable!
