Marriage endures, but it is changing its face. In France, the number of unions celebrated is rising slightly again, while the age at which people say “I do” and the budget allocated to the ceremony continue to climb year after year. This finding, which emerges from both official data and observations from the event industry, paints the portrait of a marriage that has become a considered choice rather than an obligatory rite of passage into adult life.
A slight increase in unions in 2025
According to data from Insee, about 251,000 marriages were celebrated in France in 2025, of which nearly 7,000 were between same-sex couples, a slight increase compared with 2024. Meanwhile, the Pacs continues to hold an important place in civil unions: 197,176 pacts were concluded in 2024 according to the Ministry of Justice and the High Council of Notaries, of which around 10,400 were between same-sex couples. Among all couples recorded in France, 72% are married, 8% are pacsed and 20% live in cohabitation, a sign that marriage remains by far the most widespread form of union.
People marry later than twenty years ago
The most striking trend remains the rise in the age at marriage: married people are now, on average, around 34 years for women and 36 years for men, nearly six years older than at the beginning of the 2000s. Marriage is no longer experienced as a foundational step in couple life, but often occurs after professional establishment, the purchase of a home, or even the arrival of first children.
- Weddings are strongly concentrated in the high season: nearly 70% of ceremonies take place between May and September.
- The average budget reaches about €19,300, excluding honeymoon and rings, or roughly €215 per guest.
- More than half of couples exceed their initial budget, with the reception and catering representing the main expense item, ahead of the dress, photography and video.
A more expensive, but more thoughtful wedding
This increase in budget goes hand in hand with more meticulous planning: couples, marrying later and with more stable incomes, tend to compare providers more and negotiate the costliest expense items. Off-season periods, which are less in demand, also make it possible to significantly reduce the bill for couples willing to move away from the busiest months. The event sector, which has seen its prices rise with general inflation, thus observes a more demanding clientele seeking a balance between personalization of the ceremony and cost control.
Frequently asked questions
Is the number of marriages really increasing in France?
Yes, according to Insee, about 251,000 marriages were celebrated in 2025, a slight increase compared with 2024, after several years of downward trend.
Why is the age at marriage increasing so much?
Marriage now occurs later in the life course, often after professional establishment and sometimes after the birth of children, which explains an average age increase of about six years compared with the early 2000s.
How do couples limit the cost of their wedding?
By choosing dates outside the high season (outside May–September), by comparing providers more, and by prioritizing between reception, attire and photo/video services, which concentrate the bulk of the budget.
Sources
- Insee — 2025 demographic report: marriages and Pacs
- Exaronews — 2026 wedding season: more weddings, but later and more expensive
- Ined — Families in France in numbers: marriages and Pacs
Find more trends and advice in our section Mariage & Heureux Événement, or our society analyses in Vie Pratique & Société.
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