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The answer is simple: yes, it is absolutely possible to get married at the town hall without a big ceremony. But be careful, this does not mean that you can skip the wedding rings, the awkward speeches or the completely blurry group photos... In reality, it's more about doing things in express mode , without fuss, without fuss, and especially without the violin orchestra in the entrance hall .
We'll explain everything, from A to Z, on how to organize a simple, quick, and romantic wedding without the drama of a romantic movie. No need for a function room, an all-you-can-eat buffet, or TikTok choreography to say "I do" in front of the mayor.
Ready? Hold on tight, we're breaking this down.
Before we talk about ceremonies (or rather the lack of them), let's put things into context. Civil marriage is the only form of marriage legally recognized in France. Even if you dream of a barefoot wedding on a beach, in a wedding dress , with a llama as witness, as long as it's not validated at the town hall, it's as if you were only official roommates.
And contrary to what you might think, a civil wedding doesn't have to be a big celebration . It can be very simple, very quick, and almost administrative. Yes, a bit like renewing your passport, but with a little more emotion (and even then, it depends on the couple).
It is important to understand that even if you have a religious wedding, the town hall is mandatory . The church, the mosque, the beach, the mountain, it's all good for Instagram photos, but the only place where your union is legal is the town hall.
So whether you want a quick wedding or a ceremony worthy of a Hollywood movie, you'll definitely have to go to the town hall.
The "ceremony" at the town hall is not a requirement in the festive sense of the term. It's not a performance. A civil wedding can last 10 minutes flat . No children's choir, no 12-minute speech from the mayor about eternal love.
Basically: you can definitely get married without a fancy ceremony.
Absolutely. It's actually quite common. More and more couples are opting for a minimalist civil wedding, with no guests, no bouquet, no wedding ring, and even no traditional white dress—some prefer a Winter Wedding Dress , which is more understated and suited to the season. Yes, you read that right.
The town hall is a public service, not a reception hall. Therefore, you can perfectly request a sober union , with only the legal formalities and that's it.
Just specify this when booking your appointment. When submitting your wedding application, you can say that you don't want a formal ceremony. Some mayors will even take the initiative to offer a shorter version if you're a small group or if you're coming "on a casual basis."
But rest assured, even a very simple civil marriage remains legally valid . It is not the length or style of the ceremony that makes the commitment, it is the signature (and consent, of course).
Even without a ceremony, you'll need at least two witnesses . They'll be the ones to confirm that you actually said "I do" and that no one tried to sneak out at the last minute.
But beyond that, there's no need for a crowd. You can come as a group of four, get the papers signed, exchange a knowing smile, and leave for brunch. Quick and efficient.
So, in practice, how does a wedding at the town hall without a ceremony work?
As with any civil marriage, you must begin by submitting an application to the town hall of the municipality where one of the two future spouses has a connection (residence, family, etc.). This application contains identity papers, proof of address, and the famous information on witnesses. It is also often at this time that we begin to think about preparations, such as the choice of the satin wedding dress , a symbol of elegance for the big day.
Nothing more classic. It is generally done 1 to 2 months in advance , but some town halls are more flexible.
Then we set a date and time . If you request a slot during the week, outside of very busy periods (like June or September), you will have a better chance of finding a quiet time.
And here you can specify: "We would like a simple wedding, without ceremony." You will be taken at your word, and often with a smile. Less speeches, more coffee for the municipal agents, everyone wins.
On the big day, you show up at the appointed time, with your witnesses , and possibly one or two close friends and family. You enter the wedding hall, the mayor (or his deputy) reads the articles of the Civil Code , tells you that you are now married, you sign... and that's it.
Some town halls will still offer a little welcome message, just to mark the occasion, but no unnecessary blah-blah if you don't want it.
This is a question that comes up often, and the answer is: almost .
The only real obstacle to a wedding in "let's get married incognito" mode is the mandatory presence of witnesses . You need at least two , and a maximum of four .
But hey, it can be your friends, cousins, or even... people you meet locally (if the town hall is accommodating). Some small towns allow municipal employees to serve as witnesses, provided it's exceptional. And it doesn't matter if you wear a Plus Size Wedding Dress or not, the important thing is to be surrounded for this unique moment.
Yes, it's absolutely possible. There are no dress codes or imposed protocols. You can come in jeans, sneakers, or a Star Wars sweater if you like. As long as you're two consenting adults with all the papers in order, it's fine.
Same thing for photos: no obligation to take any . But hey, it's still nice to keep a souvenir, even if it's just a blurry selfie in front of the town hall.
There are plenty of good reasons to avoid large, traditional weddings . Whether for practical, economic, or personal reasons , no one is obligated to turn the day into a mega-production.
Sometimes we don't have the time or the desire to organize everything. A minimalist civil wedding is the most direct solution to formalize your love .
It's done in 30 minutes. You can literally get married during your lunch break (if you work close by, of course, we don't encourage late arrivals back at the office).
No caterer to choose, no venue to rent, no seating plan to manage... Zero hassle. And that, frankly, is a luxury.
You say yes, you sign, and you can go off on a romantic weekend without wondering if Uncle Jean-Paul has monopolized the microphone for another 40 minutes.
Some couples prefer to experience this moment in complete privacy . It's their choice, their moment, without an audience or spectacle. And that's perfectly respectable.
Sometimes it's also a symbolic choice: getting married for yourself , not for others. And between us, it's not so bad.
Yes, most of the time. City officials are used to all types of weddings, from the grandest to the simplest – whether it's a traditional ceremony or one where the bride wears a backless wedding dress . As long as the paperwork is in order and everyone is in agreement, there's no obligation to have a grand ceremony.
In some larger cities, there may be more formality , especially if there are a large number of weddings. You may be asked to stay within a certain time frame, or to adhere to a standard length of time.
But overall, if you come with a clean file and a clear request, they will roll out the carpet for you... in recycled paper.
Of course. Nothing prevents you from celebrating at another time . Many couples choose to have a low-key civil wedding, followed by a party later, at home, in a rented venue, or even on the other side of the world.
And that has its advantages: less pressure, more flexibility, and often lower costs.
Don't be fooled by the idea that a "real wedding" involves a meringue dress, 150 guests, and a cheesy DJ playing "Midnight Demons." A simple civil wedding is just as valid, just as romantic, and often more sincere.
The main thing is you two. And the Civil Code. But above all, you two. Click here to find out a little more .
So, let's summarize? Yes, you can totally get married at the town hall without a ceremony . It's legal, it's simple, it's quick. And above all, you choose how you want to experience this moment.
It doesn't need a big show to be a real commitment. Love isn't a TV show. It's often in the simple things that it's strongest.
So, dress or no dress, bouquet or no bouquet, speech or knowing silence, the important thing is that you agree to say "yes" to each other. And that doesn't depend on the length of the ceremony, but on how you feel.
And if you change your mind… there's always cake.