Insights About your Wedding at The Opera Garnier In Paris

What is the Opera Garnier in Paris?

Founded by Charles Garnier in the late 1800s, the Garnier Opera House is one of the most historic monuments in France and one of the most iconic landmarks of Paris.
Why iconic? Because with its sumptuous interior decoration, its grandiose chandeliers and its exceptional sculptures, it’s almost as if it came straight out of a fairy tale!
The opera house was built in the eclectic Napoleon III style and borrows from many historical sources; one can spot inspirations and hints of Baroque, Classicism and Renaissance architecture, all blended to form the most breathtaking architectural work ever.
This exclusive venue, on top of hosting some of the best artists in the world, can also accommodate the most spectacular events, weddings and celebrations.

How to visit the Opera Garnier in Paris?

If you want to visit the Opera Garnier, there’s nothing easier in the world! Tickets can be purchased onsite or online, and once you’ve got them, you’ll be able to discover the treasures of the Palais Garnier’s public areas, aka a masterpiece of the 19th century theater art architecture. A good way to be a tourist and yet to make the “reperage” for a potential wedding there.

My Wedding At The Opera Garnier

Why get married at the Opera Garnier in Paris?

Honestly? It doesn’t get more exclusive than that. You’ll win “wedding of the year”, no questions asked!
When you choose to have your dream destination wedding at the Opera Garnier in Paris, you choose to have a once in a lifetime experience. Trust me, it is one of the most incredible venues in Paris; and I know what I’m talking about! You will feel like you’re in a fairytale, like you are royalty. The design, the history, and the reputation of this venue talk for themselves. After all, this is the most important and beautiful day of the rest of your life, so why not go all the way and bet on a breathtaking location? Believe me, when I did this wedding at the Opera Garnier, the bride and groom as well as the guests did not stop having glitter in their eyes throughout the
celebrations.

How many wedding guests can the Opera Garnier in Paris accommodate?

The salons and foyers around the Grand Staircase can host up even 2,000 people for a cocktail wedding reception: we’re talking spectacular wedding reception here! It is quite unique to be able to host that many guests in one location as venues in Paris are quite small.
The grand hall calls for a long dinner table, and it can fit comfortably about 300 guests for the most high-end dinner.
The Rotonde du Glacier seats up to 100 people for dinner, and 200 in a cocktail-party setup; ideal numbers of guests for your luxury wedding.

From an entertainment perspective, the Opera Garnier in Paris being an opera house, you’d obviously be able to have your favorite artist can perform your favorite songs, thanks to the Italian style auditorium with its 2,105 velvet covered seats.

What is the cost for a wedding at the Opera Garnier in Paris?

You think this would be the “one-million-dollar question”. But it’s not. To organize your own royal/magical wedding at the Opera Garnier, the French monument will have to close its doors to the public and be privatized for 12 or 24 hours, which will be charged. You will also have to respect certain guidelines to protect the building and its works of art. Other details will also have to be planned in order to comply with the requirements of this sumptuous place.
All in all, it’s safe to bet on a starting point of 200,00 euros for a wedding at the Opera Garnier.

Should I hire a planner to get married at the Opera Garnier in Paris?

Oh oui!! Yes, a hundred times yes. There is no debate here for me. It is the Opera! Indeed, a wedding at the Opera Garnier is something quite incredible and spectacular, so there is a lot to manage. It is quite a big production so a qualified planners with solid skills will be key to a seamless day in my opinion.

If you need a recommendation, I will be happy to introduce you to wedding planners in whom I have complete trust to manage this kind of high-level event. Do not hesitate to contact me, I will be happy to introduce you to my favorite ones.

What are your thoughts on decorations for a wedding at the Opera Garnier?

The Opera Garnier, as you can see, is a place with a lot of gilding and with already important decorations.
You can either go big and dramatic or rather minimalist, it will always work: the Opera Garnier is already majestic on its own! I can also advise you a very floral decoration all along the stairs and balconies, it will give an even more magical side to the place and will sublimate your arrival in this hall.
If you need me to recommend reliable florists for this special kind of place, do not hesitate to send me a message.

What entertainment would you advise for a wedding at the Opera Garnier?

I won’t lie: when I entered the Opera Garnier before the couple to set up everything for their wedding photos I got quite emotional. The musicians of INSPIRATION were rehearsing and the music bouncing on the walls of the Opera Garnier was just the most mesmerizing experience ever. In this temple of Art and Music having incredible entertainment is a must and will leave your wedding guests, and yourselves, speechless.

A wedding at the Opera Garnier, cake or no cake?

Cake, of course!! Having a wedding at the Opera Garnier in Paris is already a statement. But you still want to wow your guests when they arrive: look at this BASTIEN cake on top of the stairs, surrounded by thousands of roses. Doesn’t this scream “showstopper”? Also, it doesn’t hurt that this wedding cake was absolutely scrumptious too.
If you want me to put you in contact directly with Luxury cake designer Bastien let me know, I will be happy to!

The best photos for your wedding at the Opera Garnier

If you decide to get married at the Opera Garnier in Paris, you will want incredible photos as a legacy. For this wedding we were a team of 5: 3 photographers and 2 assistants. Trust me, it was not overdone to have such a big team for their wedding photos in the Opera Garnier: the venue is so big you will want coverage from every angle.
It is your wedding and you will want to enjoy your guests but trust me on this: privatizing the Opera Garnier for your wedding is a onetime experience. Please consider dedicating at least 45 minutes if not 1 hour to your couple photos in the Opera before the guests arrive. You will cherish these photos forever!
If you are afraid to not spend enough time with your guest, like for Aurore and Benoit, plan a day event with a Welcome Night when you can greet and chat with all your guests and a Day after Brunch for some more quality time.
As a wedding photographer working in the most luxurious venues, it is always a piece of advice I give my couples: take the time on your wedding day to have photos of yourselves.
You will never ever be able to recreate these images so work with me on your wedding timeline to make the best of it.
I hope I was able to answer most of your questions if you consider a wedding at the Opera Garnier in Paris.Feel free to contact me if you are looking for a photographer who has experience there, I will be happy with my team to capture this incredible experience.