When Jennifer, an actress, attended a Paris wedding fair with her fiancé while planning their big day, she came across a company offering something unusual. A local startup was suggesting that couples could sell tickets to their wedding to a few strangers through an app to help cover costs. In exchange, the ticket-buyers—who might not otherwise get invited to many weddings—could mingle with guests and enjoy the celebration.
“I thought, ‘Wow, that’s something,’ having strangers at your wedding,” Jennifer said. “But we took the flyer, thought it over, and decided, why not? If we could check their profiles on the app and choose who to accept, it could be a fun and unique idea.”
Jennifer, 48, and her husband Paulo, 50—who met on a dating app during the pandemic and now have an 18-month-old son—are getting married later this month at a countryside manor an hour outside Paris. Theirs will be the first wedding with paying guests. Alongside their 80 family members and friends (plus 15 children, some traveling from England, Germany, and Portugal), five strangers who bought tickets will also attend.
The ticket-holders will experience the full wedding day: the garden ceremony, lawn drinks with live music, a sit-down dinner (with fish or vegetarian options—no meat, since Jennifer is vegetarian), and dancing. They must follow the dress code (“chic and elegant”) and were vetted by Jennifer and Paulo before being approved.
“It’s not just about the money, which barely makes a dent in the overall cost,” Jennifer said, “though it does help with things like decorations and my dress. We also thought it could be fun—we’re outgoing and like sharing experiences.”
Jennifer, an actress, and Paulo, a former athlete now in construction, also hoped the paying guests—one couple and three single men—might balance out their guest list. “We have more single women coming than single men, so this evens things out a bit,” she said.
Among the paying guests is Laurène, 29, a toymaker from Paris, and her husband, a landscaper. “I thought selling wedding tickets to strangers sounded interesting,” Laurène said. “I don’t have a big family, so I don’t go to many weddings. It’s exciting to experience one, even with strangers. I’m looking forward to the decorations, music, and dancing!”
Katia Lekarski, founder of the app Invitin, launched the service earlier this year to connect couples with paying guests. So far, six weddings—mostly around Paris—have signed up. The idea came when Lekarski’s five-year-old daughter asked why they weren’t invited to a wedding nearby. “I thought, what if people could buy tickets to attend and help the couple at the same time?”
With apps already offering ways to meet strangers—from guided tours to group dinners—Lekarski saw weddings as a natural addition. Similar services, like Join My Wedding in India, already pair tourists with local couples for traditional celebrations.Traditional weddings offer a unique cultural experience, captured by the saying: “You haven’t been to India until you’ve been to an Indian wedding.” In France, the concept involves locals attending weddings as a day out and shared experience, with Invitin taking a commission.
Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn in The Wedding Crashers.
Lekarski, a former fashion model who previously ran an online platform for children’s interior design goods, described the project as still in its early stages. Her biggest challenge is finding couples and guests willing to participate.
Most couples interested in opening their weddings to paying guests are between 25 and 35, Lekarski said, though one older couple is preparing to renew their vows. Only a small number of paid guests—five to ten—would attend, each paying around €100 to €150, though ticket prices may vary depending on the venue. Guests must follow strict rules, including dressing appropriately, arriving on time, drinking in moderation, and not sharing photos without permission.
The wedding couple isn’t obligated to interact with paying guests. “A wedding has its own ecosystem where guests naturally mingle,” Lekarski explained.
Laurène and her husband, who married a month ago at a historic farm near Paris, are taking the experience seriously. “We’ll dress nicely and bring a small gift, just like real guests,” she said.
Laurène’s grandparents met at a wedding in Dijon, and she believes weddings are the ultimate feel-good social event. “Everyone is happy, dressed up, and celebrating love. Tickets are pricey, so we can’t do this often, but it’s a great opportunity.”
The only uncertainty? Whether they’ll appear in the wedding photos. “We’d love to be in the group shot, but I’m not sure how that works—it is a bit strange, after all.”
