Stylish Wedding Details for French-Inspired Nuptials

Five stylish elements from trendy French weddings to create a jolie fête.

If you’re thinking about incorporating subtle French details into your “I dos,” we’ve gathered a few of our favorite elements below to inspire your wedding vibe.

By Megan Simpson

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Photo: Steve Steinhardt

We’re at the tail end of engagement season, which means many couples in love have decided to make it official and start planning a wedding. At this stage, these pairs are likely still in the brainstorming phase and haven’t made any real choices on the décor of their special day. Well, what better place to draw inspiration from than France! Often thought of as one of the most romantic countries in the world and home to the most famous hotspots for lovers – Paris: the "City of Lights" – what fanciful duo wouldn’t want to incorporate the playful nature of un mariage français? 

Contemporary French wedding trends vary, just as they do in the US, but for the most part, their more popular motifs are the embodiment of what we would consider to be “rustic mixed with boho-chic.” With plenty of laid-back, nature-based elements and slight nods to the days of old, these events feel elegant without being even slightly stuffy. If you’re thinking about incorporating subtle French details into your “I dos,” we’ve gathered a few of our favorite elements below to inspire your wedding vibe.


Moon and star elements. Give a sweet shout-out to la lune et les étoiles with lighting fixtures, escort card holders, and menu designs in the style of a rustic French soirée. Photo by Samuel Lippke Studios; Floral & Event Design by White Lilac Inc.


Natural hair accessories. Achieve a graceful woodland-nymph look with floral features woven into your bridal coiffure. Photo by Andie Freeman Photography

Fairy lights. What could be more whimsical than a delicate string of lights over your alfresco dance floor? Photo by Lane Dittoe Photography; Linens by Luxe Linen; Wedding Planning & Design by Thomas Bui Lifestyle


Unstructured wildflowers. Add a pinch of eccentricity – while keeping things romantic and soft – with bouquets and centerpieces made up of blooms with a freshly picked vibe. Photo by Andie Freeman Photography


Petticoat skirts. Select a gown with a vintage petticoat look in the skirt, or a more understated, tiered dress for a modernized version. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

See photos from a French-themed wedding styled shoot, view a romantic soirée with a "pre-20th century Parisian Carnival" theme, be inspired by an engagement shoot in Paris, and learn five useful foreign phrases for your international honeymoon.

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