Marriage in France : 251 000 unions in 2025, a rebound that masks a transformation

251,000 marriages were celebrated in France in 2025, according to provisional data from the latest demographic report by Insee. A figure up from the 248,174 unions of 2024 — and a sign that, for the first time in years, hints at a sustained recovery. Behind the appearance of a return to the golden age of marriage, the republican rite has in reality been deeply transformed: later, more intimate, more expensive, more chosen.

A confirmed demographic rebound

Insee's 2025 demographic report, published in January 2026, estimates the number of unions celebrated last year at about 251,000, of which 244,000 were between people of different sexes and 7,000 between people of the same sex. The curve has been gradually rising since the historic low of 2020, when only 154,581 marriages could be organized during the pandemic.

• 2020 : 154,581 marriages (Covid low)
• 2023 : 241,080 marriages
• 2024 : 248,174 marriages
• 2025 : 251,000 marriages (provisional data)

However, this level remains below the threshold of 280,000 annual unions still exceeded in the 2000s. Marriage is attractive again, but in a social and economic context very different from that of the previous generation. The Pacs, with nearly 197,000 registrations in 2024, remains a massively popular alternative.

A later and more intimate marriage

Another notable development: the average age at first marriage has never been so high. In 2025, women marry for the first time at just over 34 years, men at just over 36 years. A shift of nearly six years compared with couples in 2000. The French marry later, often after several years of living together, sometimes after a Pacs — and increasingly within small circles, a phenomenon that aligns with broader changes observed in family and parenting.

Industry professionals observe a clear trend toward a smaller-scale format. The average number of guests falls to around 90 people, compared with 97 the previous year. Collective weddings of several hundred guests are giving way to celebrations conceived as bespoke events, where every detail matters, every supplier is chosen and every invitation calibrated.

A bill that is soaring

This search for a personalized experience comes at a price. The average wedding budget in France is estimated, according to specialized platforms, at between €13,500 for 100 guests (figure reported by Mariée.fr) and nearly €19,300 on average overall (Mariages.net data), with a cost per guest close to €215. The break is clear compared with the €15,400 of two years ago: the question of project financing comes up very early in the process, with more frequent recourse to dedicated savings or even consumer credit.

Three items account for the bulk of the spending:

• The caterer, the largest item, represents 30 to 40% of the budget (i.e. €4,000 to €7,000 on average).
• The rental of the reception venue weighs 15 to 25% of the total package.
• The photographer (€1,000 to €3,000), the dress (around €1,600) and musical entertainment complete the top three.

Result: more than one couple out of two (51%) exceeds their planned budget, despite planning that starts up to eighteen months in advance.

Search for meaning: what this rebound really means

How can we explain that, despite the bill, the French are returning to marriage? Sociologists quoted by the press point to a search for meaning and stability in a context marked by successive crises (health, economic, climatic). Marriage is becoming a deliberate marker again, an affirmed and often late choice, rather than an obligatory passage. A development that affects both practical life and society and the intimate sphere.

For couples preparing their union in 2026, the real question is no longer should we get married?, but rather how to get married without going broke? Simplifying ceremonies, intimate formats, choosing local suppliers, weekday weddings or off-season dates: cost-saving measures are multiplying. The challenge remains to find the balance between the dream celebration and budgetary reality — an exercise that, in 2026, increasingly looks like a project in its own right.

Frequently asked questions

How many marriages were celebrated in France in 2025?

According to provisional data from Insee's demographic report published in January 2026, about 251,000 marriages were celebrated in France in 2025, of which 244,000 were between people of different sexes and 7,000 between people of the same sex.

What is the average wedding budget in France in 2026?

Estimates vary by source: around €13,500 for 100 guests according to Mariée.fr, up to €19,300 on average overall according to Mariages.net. The cost per guest is around €215, with the caterer as the main expense item (30 to 40% of the budget).

At what age do people get married today in France?

The average age at first marriage has never been so high: just over 34 years for women and just over 36 years for men in 2025. That's nearly six years more than in 2000, which reflects a profound change in attitudes toward commitment.

Sources

• Insee — Marriages and Pacs, annual data 1990-2025
• Mariée.fr — The average budget of a wedding in France in 2026
• Le JDD — Why marriages are on the rise again in 2025