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.
For privacy reasons I didn't share a photo of a very young couple smooching but suffice to say, you're right!!
You are such a romantic, Loree, no surprise there.
Marsha, you would have loved it! So fun and I know that you would have been up dancing the night away. 🙂
Okay, then, "Jackie & Joel"…….(1) thank you for the compliments…..and (2) how do we force Heather to "get on" facebook? I know how to "agent" her (I used to do this as a living), and she would readily gain even more fans/professional connections/etcetera.
Facebook isn't, of course, the end-all-&-be-all for anyone……but it could do her (and Remi) a lot of good.
As I've said previously?….the woman's already got at least two good books in her (my instincts are always good in this regard). So, let's get her out more?….
advisedly as ever,
david terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Oh Heather, once again I find myself following David who writes so beautifully of things and thoughts that my comments will pale in comparison. But a lovely report – I felt as though we were there with you. Congratulations to the happy couple! Actually, I must again mention David whom I would never have 'met' if it had not been for your blog. I look forward to reading his comments and envy you having him as a follower. I've begun following his FB page – a continuation of his wit, wisdom and a showcase of his artistic talents. Thanks for introducing us. xo Jackie
P.S. Heather?…..not entirely apropos of the "wedding theme" (but entirely appropriate for your writings and photography and what you've made of your blog)…?
A longtime friend just sent me this link (to which you should GO, missy). Amusingly enough, he used to be a neighbor of and friends with Mary Chapin Carpenter, and I met her several times during her very early days, when I was visiting him. I had NO particularly clear idea of how talented she was….just a vague notion that she was yet another singer-songwriter I regularly met at those sort of parties in my early twenties.
And, just for the record (so to speak)? One of your constant readers (I've never met the lady) has commissioned a piece from me (thank you, Heather), and another regular reader recently wrote to me…..writing that you had turned blogging into an "art".
Just thought I'd pass those thoughts on to you….
go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3rt30oFJGM
Admiringly as ever, (and you really do need to establish an American facebook page, so that we can all help you to gain further fans)
David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
So very charming. The sweet bouquet of peonies melted my heart. Gallivanta
DearHeather, I think I told you that my first trip to France was for Herve's brother's astoundingly elaborate wedding…..and that I went to weddings during each of the subsequent four trips. We found ourselves unanticipatedly (if happily)stuck inthe middle of one on our last trip to Aix en Provence.
The part I love best is the time of milling about in front of the Marie….never less than ten or so other wedding parties, brides & grooms included (and all of varying classes, races, etcetera)….everyone standing (some nervously, some laughing their heads off) about in the courtyard, waiting for the doors to open.
The scene is always quite heartwarming….and, I will admit, often amusing. I've reached the age at which I can't help but consider, in most cases, how YOUNG the brides & grooms are.
Thanks for the evocative posting,
David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Always fun to be a part of someone's wedding and this one looked charming. Hey my second French wedding….lol. Congratulations to Nathalie and Laurent I wish them well.
XXX
Debra~
Looks like a French fairy tale. How lovely to be part of such a charming celebration. Best wishes to the happy couple!!