Reservation Process
The American Church in Paris receives a large number of requests for weddings. It is preferable to correspond by email in addition to any telephone discussions. Our wedding coordinator will help you make a reservation for your wedding or vow renewal service. Our pastoral assistant will help you plan the service after a reservation has been completed.
Step 1: Select a date
After your questions have been answered you need to make sure that your date is available. We urge you to plan early and have alternative dates in mind. To give you an idea of available dates for your ceremony, go to the Virtual Reservation Calendar and select “Browse For Space.” The wedding coordinator can send you more wedding information and the amount of the expected donation.
Step 2: Reserve
After you have read the information and agreed with the expected donation, the wedding coordinator can make a temporary reservation and send you an information form that you need to fill out and return as well as a 300 euro initial donation deposit. After the deposit is received, your reservation will be confirmed. You may either make a check or a bank draft in euros to The American Church in Paris or send your donation through PayPal. The remaining wedding donation should be sent at least a month prior to wedding date. You may then ask for a tax receipt.
On Your Wedding Day
The sanctuary is reserved for 2 hours. The first 30 minutes will be the time for set-up and the welcoming of guests. It is our goal to enable every couple to experience a joyful and meaningful blessing of marriage service that includes the sharing of wedding vows, the lighting of a unity candle, the signing of your blessing of marriage certificate, and organ music. Following the service there will be time for greetings and more photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to be church members or Christians to be married at the ACP?
No. But you need to accept to have a religious service.
Is there a room available for a light reception after the ceremony (vin d’honneur)?
Yes, there are several rooms suitable for holding a light reception after your blessing ceremony. You will either need to do the set up & clean up or hire a caterer who will do both the set up and clean up.
Can you help us find a caterer, photographer, soloist, or other service providers?
Flowers, a photographer, a caterer and any other service providers are the responsibility of the couple. The Internet is the best source for available providers. We can provide a short list of florists and photographers that have provided good service in the past. Music questions should be discussed with our Music Director at music@acparis.org.
Can we make suggestions to the pastor regarding our wedding?
The pastor will welcome any questions and suggestions that you may have about your service and will help you with your service plans. We seek to make every service personal and special.
Can we have the blessing ceremony in another language than English?
Our services are normally in English. However, we can arrange a bilingual ceremony in English and French. We can also discuss a bilingual service with English plus another language.
Can we rent the church to have a wedding with our own clergy?
No. An ACP pastor will be in charge of all weddings held at the church. A wedding is not only held in our church; it is a service of The American Church. At your request we can invite your pastor to co-officiate.
Why do we have to have a civil ceremony before our religious blessing in France?
In France, only weddings solemnized by the civil authorities have legal standing; thus, a church wedding has spiritual significance, but not legal status. Before the religious wedding ceremony can take place, you must show proof of civil marriage. The easiest way to do this is to be married in a legal ceremony in your home country. In the U.S., your pastor can perform your service or you can go to a justice of peace. If the service is legal in your country, it is considered legal in France. To be married by the civil authorities in France requires a 40 day residency and a great deal of bureaucratic paperwork. Please send a copy of your legal certificate by fax or by email ahead of time unless your legal ceremony is right before your service at ACP. If that is the case bring a photo copy to us when you come.
Can we throw rice or rose petals after the ceremony?
Only rose petals are permitted, and the couple is responsible to have persons available to sweep them up. Bubbles blown by wedding guests are popular and require no cleanup.
Can we get dressed and prepare at the church?
Unfortunately, we do not have dressing room facilities available at the present time.