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.
Welcome, Mr. Terry. But all I did was snap at other's joy. And that the bride and groom were not, say, 20, in this case made it all the more lovely. They KNOW what they are doing! 🙂
Your second? I need details Debra!!!
Jeanne, it was so well-thought out, every detail and yet wasn't the least bit pretentious or bling.
Thank you, Sister!!! I loved how the kids were totally allowed to be themselves at the wedding–you would have too!
Yay!!! You noticed the shoes!! I don't know what was up with me but I was so into the shoes. I actually have TWO other shoe shots that I didn't publish…heehee….
Sending much Beauty your way, Helen…
Merci beaucoup, Michel! And if you ever have the invitation go…by all means! Because you know that the wines and food are going to be good and hopefully the company even better…
Yep, right to the essentials of what it is all about. You would have loved it–plus the shoe spotting was good! 😉
Don't hold your breath for that one, my dear Contessa…
Lovely being in contact with you today. 🙂
Oooh, just you wait until the next post, Mr. Laoch…