Un mariage à la française? I didn’t know what to think, how it could be, how I should behave. The questions that rolled around my head made me slightly nervous until Remi reminded me that I was not, actually, the one getting married but simply a guest.
How excited I was to have been invited, for Nathalie is one of the very first people that I had met in France. Remi and I both watched as she climbed up and up the corporate ladder, all while keeping her truly radiant personality intact.
When she first told us about Laurent, she couldn’t contain her smile. We understood why after having met him and jumped for joy–literally–when she announced her engagement to him. Would we come to the wedding? Mais bien sûr!!
Up to Paris by plane, down through Burgundy wine country to see family, tracing the Loire and over to Chartres…all under a cold rain. And yet, within mere hours before we were to meet at the church in the tiny village of Manou (while Natalie is an urbanite, her parents live in this bucolic corner of the Perche region), the sun broke through, victorious.
We arrived just in time to see the couple emerge from le Mairie or town hall, where the mandatory civil ceremony was performed.
It was only a quick dash across the street to the churchyard…
…where friends and family took turns giving bisous and saying hello.
I felt the energy of anticipation gather as the priest emerged to call everyone into the church…
…and a flutter of my heart as Nathalie entered it graciously on her Father’s arm.
As Remi was the official photographer for the ceremony, I sat in the back and took it all in…the warm and steady voice of the priest, the silvery notes of a flute, the helpless fit of giggles of three parisiens in the pew beside me.
It was simple, genuine and deeply moving.
Afterwards, we gathered at the entry to wait, each with a fistful or rose petals or rice to throw…
…the bells rang out…
…and the Newlyweds did not disappoint.
A circuit of happiness…
…shined through us all…
…zapping in celebration…
…for the inherent hope of Love.
Félicitations, Nathalie et Laurent! I wish you many, many great years together ahead.
I hope you will join me for my next post as the wedding dinner was surprising and wonderful…
Have a wonderful week everyone.
So beautiful! The wedding looks like it was lovely – what a beautiful chapel! I think I spied Remi in one of the shots, and how cute is that little French boy in his – what appears to be a – leather jacket! I happen to know you looked lovely as well! And I laughed out loud at La Contessa's question! Thank you for another wonderful post!
Congratulations to Nathalie and Laurent. A beautiful day and I love how you captured the images and all the fashionable shoes. Wishing you a delightful week Heather
Helen xx
I was happy to see the pictures of the wedding as I have not been to a wedding in France up to now. This one was beautiful and you caught the spirit beautifully. I look forward to reading and seeing details about the wedding dinner. Have a great day.
Oh Heather. How beautiful it is to see a celebration that is lovely while not going over the top. It's about the couple and their happiness, and the pleasure of the guests in seeing it and being part of it.
Merveilleux.
LOvely account of the activity…………..now when is YOURS????
Just lovely. I look forward to the next post.
It looks very serene.
Heather- you captured the palpable feeling of love in the air . . .
How charming. I love weddings.
This is the most charming wedding I've seen in a long long time. So happy you showed us and I cannot wait to see the dinner photographs.