Long associated with the fantasy of a ceremony in Tuscany or the Maldives, the destination wedding is losing ground to a more down-to-earth reflex: getting married at home, in France. This is what the Vows & Venues study, commissioned by the hotel group Hyatt from 2,000 French people, reveals, its results outlining the contours of a pragmatic 2026 wedding, where the venue matters almost as much as the ceremony itself.
Nearly 8 in 10 French people want to get married on their own soil
According to this survey, 79% of French people surveyed prefer to celebrate their union in France rather than abroad. Distant destinations do not disappear completely from the ranking: Italy tops the list of desires abroad (15%), followed by Spain and Mauritius (8% each), then the Maldives (7%). But they remain in the minority compared with the attachment to a wedding organized close to home, which is easier to coordinate for both guests and providers.
The budget described as “ideal” reaches 33,465 euros, of which around 30% — or nearly 9,973 euros — is devoted solely to the venue and guests' accommodation. This figure confirms a trend already documented on the evolution of the average wedding bill in France: the reception venue has become, along with the caterer, one of the heaviest financial trade-offs for couples.
The venue, the new number-one criterion
The Hyatt study shows that the choice of venue is no longer limited to a pretty backdrop in photos. 63% of the couples surveyed are above all looking for a site capable of hosting all their guests under one roof, for the ceremony, the meal and sometimes even accommodation. Historic properties and country houses top the list of wishes (25%), ahead of restaurants (22%) and boutique hotels (18%); among 18–24-year-olds, the five-star hotel is particularly appealing (31%). This shift toward “all-in-one” venues directly benefits hotels and estates that know how to package accommodation and reception, a sector where some high-end establishments are already slashing their prices to attract event clientele.
Another sign of this more organized approach: 56% of couples now wish to extend the celebration with a brunch the day after the ceremony, a practice that lengthens guests' stays at the chosen venue and reinforces the appeal of venues able to host several consecutive days. A third of respondents (36%) even express the desire for a relaxing spa weekend just before the big day, proof that the wedding is becoming a short stay in its own right rather than a single day.
A choice also dictated by caution
This retreat toward weddings organized in France is also explained by a more cautious handling of the unexpected. Between the logistics of a wedding abroad — visas, guest transport, mismatches with local providers — and the risks of last-minute cancellations, more and more couples seek to limit areas of uncertainty. This is precisely the type of risk covered by wedding cancellation insurance, still far too often neglected by prospective brides and grooms, while a wedding organized far from home multiplies the possible sources of setbacks.
In the end, the Vows & Venues study outlines a 2026 wedding less focused on exoticism and more on control: a single, nearby venue able to accommodate everything, and a budget concentrated on the guest experience rather than on exotic getaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the French prefer to get married in France rather than abroad?
The Hyatt Vows & Venues study shows that 79% of French respondents consider it simpler to organize their wedding on national soil, to limit logistical constraints and the risks associated with a destination wedding.
What budget do couples devote to the reception venue?
On an average ideal budget of 33,465 euros, about 30%, or nearly 9,973 euros, is allocated to the venue and guests' accommodation, making it one of the largest expense items.
What types of venues are most sought after for a 2026 wedding?
Historic properties and country houses top the list (25%), ahead of restaurants (22%) and boutique hotels (18%), with a marked preference for five-star hotels among 18–24-year-olds (31%).
Sources
- La Tribune de l'Hôtellerie — Destination weddings in France: 2026 trends according to Hyatt
- Mariages.net — Report on the Nuptial Sector 2026
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy
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