My First Wedding Season in France- What I've Learned So Far...
- Sarah Pearce
- Aug 15
- 3 min read
2025 is my first wedding season here in France and even though I'm right in the thick of it, I've already learned so much!
Destination Weddings = Party Vibes
There’s just something about the atmosphere at a destination wedding — it’s pure fun, pure party. Guests often arrive a few days before the big “I do” and stick around afterwards, which means no frantic dashes to catch flights or get back to work. Instead, everyone is relaxed, unwound, and fully in holiday mode.
By the time wedding morning arrives, the vibe is already calm and joyful — a world away from the usual rush and stress. Honestly, for me, that’s one of the biggest perks of getting married abroad. Plus, destination weddings naturally lend themselves to a more intimate guest list, making the whole celebration feel even more special.
On-Site is Always Best
For most couples, a wedding day follows a familiar rhythm: getting ready, the ceremony, the wedding breakfast, cake cutting, and then the party. For some, a religious ceremony is an important part of the day — but it’s easy to underestimate how much time is lost travelling to and from the church, especially in an unfamiliar location.
It’s also worth considering the impact if your guests can’t stay at the venue with you. Logistically, it can make things trickier and potentially disrupt the flow of the day. Of course, budget always plays a role, but in my experience, the smoothest weddings are those where everything happens on-site.
When everything — from ceremony to celebrations — is in one place, no one is rushing off, you avoid transport headaches, and you can forget about hiring wedding cars in a country you don’t know. It keeps the day seamless, stress-free, and focused on what really matters: celebrating together.
Trials the Night Before? Yes, It Works!
One of the biggest differences I noticed after moving to France was how rarely makeup and hair trials happen months in advance. In the U.K., most brides book their trials a few months before the wedding so they can really think over their choices (and their chosen stylist) before finalising their look.
In France, though, making an extra trip ahead of the big day can be tricky. The cost of flights, time off work, and general logistics often make that all-important trial impossible.
Here, I’ve found huge success doing trials the night before the wedding! It’s common practice among many stylists and artists in France, and it still serves its purpose perfectly. I encourage brides to get a feel for my style and approach before booking — if our visions align, you can feel confident I’ll bring your dream look to life.
Even a last-minute trial allows room for tweaks. One bride recently tried winged liner during her trial, but after wearing it through the evening, she decided to go without on her wedding day. The result? She was absolutely delighted.
In Conclusion...
Those are my biggest takeaways for now, but I’m sure I’ll have plenty more to share once the season wraps up.
If you’re planning your 2026 wedding and want to lock in your hair and makeup without any last-minute stress, simply hit the button below and fill out my enquiry form. I’ll get back to you within 48 hours with a personalised quote, and for just €150, you can secure your date and services.
I can’t wait to hear from you and be part of your special day!
All photos in this blog post were taken by https://leannepeacock.photography/
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