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.
Hello Miss! The first French wedding I went to was that our our assistant's about 6 years ago. I remember it being a long, drawn out affair that started at noon and didn't wrap up until 3AM! The next day I was exhausted. The French seemed to have so much stamina for these things. I must admit though, sitting in the cathedral in Menton with all the decked out guests, listening to the beautiful organ music was really beautiful.
And I treasure each one of those 'blogosphere beings' who've become friends!
xo
J.
Hey Old Miss Heather?…..Judith is (as usual) right.
—-david terry
I'm arriving a little late here. Heather, I always tear up at weddings and this one was no exception. Thank you allowing me to be a fly on the wall to the very best parts of this one.
David is spot-on about the books. Maybe we can chat off-line about the FB idea. And you can just take a guess as to who your "regular" reader is who told him that you have turned blogging into an "art."
I love these photos — they are a beautiful testament to the joy and celebration of the day. And how cute is the little boy ringing the bells?
charm and splendor of weddings accented by rose petals…"A circuit of happiness." and "inherent hope of Love."
It's wonderful to read a clear flowing narration and see very nice photos from different chosen angles.