Real document

Read a French wedding invitation and reply

A French wedding invitation (faire-part) with the mairie, the church, the vin d'honneur and the dinner. Understand each part, then learn how to reply.

In short

A French wedding often has several parts: the legal ceremony at la mairie, sometimes a religious ceremony, a vin d'honneur (drinks reception for all guests) and a dîner for closer guests. Reply by the date given (Merci de répondre avant le…).

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A newly married couple leaves a French town hall with a few guests.
A French wedding’s legal ceremony takes place at la mairie. Illustration: Atelier

Faire-part de mariage

Camille Martin et Julien Robert

ont la joie de vous annoncer leur mariage

le samedi 14 juin 2025

Programme

14 h 30Cérémonie civile · Mairie de Dinan

16 h 00Cérémonie laïque · Château de la Roche

18 h 00Vin d'honneur

20 h 30Dîner et soirée dansante

Merci de répondre avant le 1er mai, par carton-réponse ou sur notre site.

Tenue chic, chaussures plates conseillées pour le jardin !

Liste de mariage sur notre site

Question 1No account needed
Where does the legal ceremony take place?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

at the town hall. Cérémonie civile · Mairie de Dinan.

Question 2No account needed
What is the vin d'honneur?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

a drinks reception. A drinks reception, often for all guests.

Question 3No account needed
By when must you reply?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

1 May. Avant le 1er mai. Check it in the text above.

Question 4No account needed
What shoes are suggested?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

flat shoes. Chaussures plates for the garden.

Question 5No account needed
Cérémonie laïque means…

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

a non-religious ceremony. Laïque: secular. Check it in the text above.

Words from the document

Vocabulary
FrenchEnglish
le faire-partinvitation card
la mairietown hall
le vin d'honneurdrinks reception
la tenuedress code
le carton-réponsereply card
la liste de mariagewedding gift list

In France only the civil ceremony at the town hall is legally binding, so every couple goes to la mairie, where the mayor or a deputy marries them. Reply with Nous serons ravis de venir or Malheureusement, nous ne pourrons pas être des vôtres.

  • Je vais répondre oui à l'invitation de mariage.Je serai ravi(e) de venir.

    Use the warm set phrase in your reply.

  • Je ne peux pas être des vous.Je ne pourrai pas être des vôtres.

    Être des vôtres: to join you.