FAQ

I have a British passport, do I need a Visa?

No, at the moment you do not need any extra paperwork to visit the EU with a British passport, for a visit of less than 90 days (within a 180 day period). You do need to ensure there is 3 months remaining on your passport, and it was issued less than 10 years ago. For more information, see the UK government website, here.

What will the weather be like?

The weather in May can be variable and during the day it could be rainy 15°C or sunny 30°C. The last few years have been more around 17 to 23°C at the end of May, and relatively sunny. At night it can get quite chilly, around 10°C or lower, so please keep that in mind. We do advise packing an umbrella if the forecast suggests rain. Please check the forecast in advance on your favourite website/app (you can use Soustons, France as the location).

How do people greet each other?

While the infamous “bise” (kiss on the cheeks) is still very much present between French people who know each other, it is definitely not mandatory overall, specifically since Covid. Overall, if you don’t know someone, you can default to a handshake, or even just saying hi or waving at a distance.
BUT, if by any chance a “bise” comes your way, there’s no dedicated direction (to start left cheek or right cheek is decided on the fly), and the default in the South-West is two kisses. Our advice is to let the other person choose the direction, expect one kiss on each cheek, put one of your hands on the other person’s upper arm to help judge the distance between you, and try not to worry too much!

Can I bring a gift? / How can I contribute to your honeymoon fund?

We don’t have a gift registry, and our home is full of (too many!) things! We’re planning to go to Japan for our honeymoon, and donations towards this experience would be gratefully received. Please ask us for bank details as we’re not comfortable leaving them online for the world to see 🔐
You really don’t have to give or send us anything, and we’re just happy to celebrate with you 😀

How can I order a taxi?

There are a number of local taxi services available. We’ve included some contacts on the Travel information page.

Can I wear high heels?

We recommend avoiding any shoes with very thin heels because there’s a lot of grass around the venue and at the ceremony location.

Should I bring a swimsuit?

We won’t have time for swimming during the wedding celebrations, but if you’re staying in the area then you can definitely swim in the ocean or in Hossegor lake! (Maybe even that morning 😉 ). At this time of year there won’t be lifeguards on the beach, so please watch the waves, be careful of any currents and keep an eye on (young) children.
Some advice for the local beaches is published here.