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12 months before: laying the foundations
A wedding takes an average of 14 months to plan in France. Starting 12 months before is the minimum for high season weddings (May-September). For a Saturday in June or July at a popular venue, some halls are booked 18 to 24 months in advance.
In France, the average wedding budget is €35,000, but the range extends from €8,000 (intimate wedding for 30 people) to over €80,000 (150 people in a chateau). The region plays a huge role: the same services cost 30 to 50% more in Île-de-France than in the provinces.
The key figure
73% of couples exceed their initial estimate. You must plan for 10% of the total as an unforeseen reserve - it will be used. Anticipating this risk already halves it.
Recommended budget breakdown
| Item | Budget share |
|---|---|
| Caterer | 30-35% |
| Venue | 15-20% |
| Photo / video | 10-15% |
| Outfits | 8-12% |
| Flowers and decoration | 6-10% |
| Music | 5-7% |
| Stationery and gifts | 3-5% |
| Contingency | 10% |
The impact of the day of the week on price
| Day / Season | Impact on venue price |
|---|---|
| Saturday high season (May-Sept.) | Maximum rate |
| Friday or Sunday | -10 to 20% |
| Tuesday or Wednesday | -20 to 40% |
| Low season (Oct.-March) | Additional -20 to 30% |
The calculation that changes everything
A Tuesday in November at the same venue as a Saturday in July can cost €3,000 to €6,000 less. This single decision can fund your photographer.
Town hall documents to prepare
- Identity documents for both future spouses
- Proof of residence
- Birth certificates less than 3 months old (6 months if born abroad)
- Names and contact details of your 2 to 4 witnesses
10 months before: booking key vendors
This is the critical period. The best vendors for summer Saturdays go fast - very fast. Do not postpone these bookings.
What to evaluate during each venue visit
Practical aspects:
- Exact seated capacity (not just cocktail)
- Freedom to choose your own vendors
- Kitchen access, parking, setup hours
- Nearby accommodations
- Amplified music cutoff time
- Other weddings scheduled the same weekend
Contractual aspects:
- Cancellation and postponement policy
- What's included in the price (furniture, sound system, lighting, cleaning)
- Deposit amount and conditions
What your caterer's quote should detail
- Price per person including VAT, drinks included or not
- Number of servers (recommended ratio: 1 for 8-10 guests)
- Special menus: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher
- Wedding cake included or extra
- Crockery, glassware, tablecloth rental - included or not
- Guaranteed hours of presence and cost of overtime
Photographer: 2026 price ranges
| Package | Price range |
|---|---|
| Photographer only | €1,500 to €3,500+ |
| Photographer + videographer (2 vendors) | €3,000 to €7,000+ |
| One photo + video vendor | €2,500 to €5,000+ |
25 mistakes that ruin wedding budgets
Having a checklist is good, avoiding mistakes is even better. Discover the 25 most common pitfalls and save an average of €3,200.
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8 months before: launching communications
6 months before: outfits
What to bring to dress fittings
The underwear you'll wear on D-Day, shoes with the final heel height, and a trusted person - but not too many people. Conflicting opinions paralyze decisions.
4 months before: stationery and decoration
Wedding flower price ranges
| Service | Range |
|---|---|
| Bridal bouquet only | €150 to €400 |
| Complete package (bouquet, boutonnière, arch, centerpieces) | €1,500 to €5,000+ |
Flower budget tip
Seasonal flowers cost 2 to 4 times less than the same flowers out of season. Discuss with your florist seasonal alternatives that match your aesthetic. Peonies in June cost €3 a stem. In December, they're €12.
3 months before: logistics
Golden rules for the seating plan
- Wait until you have at least 90% of RSVPs
- Prioritize affinities, not family etiquette
- Elderly guests near the entrance and restrooms, away from speakers
- Plan 2 "buffer" seats for last-minute contingencies
Checklist, budget and seating plan - all in one place
Over 1,800 couples use Nupty to organize their wedding: integrated checklist, real-time budget tracking, drag-and-drop seating plan. Lifetime access.
Organize my wedding - €14.901 month before D-day: the home stretch
1 week before D-day: the finishing touches
The complete emergency kit
The D-day schedule must contain
- Arrival time of each vendor
- Civil and religious/secular ceremony timing
- Duration and time of cocktail hour
- Room entry and dinner plan
- Planned speeches and indicative durations
- End time
D-day: the ultimate checklist
The most important advice
Delegate. On D-day, your only role is to enjoy every second. Everything else - emergencies, logistics, delays - must be handled by your witnesses and your designated trusted person.
Wedding checklist FAQ
When should I start planning my wedding?
Ideally between 12 and 18 months before for a wedding in high season (May-September). The reasonable minimum is 9 months. Below 6 months, you'll need to significantly simplify the initial vision as the most sought-after vendors will often be unavailable.
Can you organize a beautiful wedding in 6 months?
Yes, but with constraints. The most sought-after vendors will often be unavailable. Prioritize the venue, caterer, and photographer - these have the longest lead times. Consider a weekday or off-season wedding to maximize your chances.
What's the first thing to do when you get engaged?
Define your overall budget and guest count range. Everything else directly stems from this: the type of venue, caterer choice, decoration style, and number of vendors.
How to not forget anything in wedding preparations?
By using a centralized checklist accessible from your phone, which you and your partner consult regularly. The Nupty app offers a complete wedding checklist integrated into the schedule and budget, for €14.90 lifetime access.
Do you absolutely need a wedding planner?
No. A professional wedding planner costs between €2,000 and €8,000. Applications like Nupty allow you to centralize all organization for €14.90 lifetime access, while maintaining control over every decision. A wedding planner remains relevant for very ambitious weddings or if you completely lack time.
Conclusion
Organizing a wedding is one of the most complex projects of your life - and one of the most beautiful. The key: start early, be methodical, and centralize everything in one place so nothing gets lost.
All the organization in one place: this is exactly what a dedicated tool like Nupty, used by over 500 couples in 2026, allows.
All your organization in one place
Over 1,800 couples are already organizing their wedding with Nupty: complete checklist, real-time budget tracking, guest management, interactive seating plan, and retroplanning - all in one, accessible from your phone.
Lifetime access for €14.90. 14-day money-back guarantee.
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