Fairytale Wedding in Brittany, France
Apr 27th, 2013, 01:31 PM
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Fairytale Wedding in Brittany, France
It was over a year in the planning but now it's over and although I haven't written many trip reports in the past, this one I thought might be a little out of the ordinary so I wanted to share.
The bride is our daughter, a Canadian and the groom is from the Brittany area of France. They have been together for six or seven years, sometimes long distance...but for the last five years our daughter has lived in France. The engagement was announced in Feb. 2012 and it was then that the ball started rolling. Her choice was to be married there...her parents (we) were fine with that because we absolutely love France and we absolutely love her and our new son-in-law. A date of April 2013 was decided upon due to work commitments on our and their part (both teachers). They had some reservations about an April wedding in what can be a damp spring in Brittany but it was the only solution. Having announced the engagement we expected just my parents and our other two daughters to be on board...but as the days went on we had friends and other family members express interest till we totalled 24 in all who wanted to make the trip. This number settled at 19 in the end. We were thrilled to be able to share this wonderful happy celebration with those who could make it.
Their's is truly a love story. Their love overcame a geographic obstacle as they both worked hard to pursue their educational goals. After a few years of hard work they both landed jobs in the same French school, bought a house and began renovations. We were able to visit them on two occasions...once when they lived in northern Brittany and then last year after they had moved to Lille near the Belgian boarder. We had previously spent a week in a rented apartment in Paris and on a separate trip to France we spent a week in Provence. So this was our fifth trip to France...and our third meeting with the grooms family. Both previous visits were just wonderful even with the language barrier. The kids translated like crazy and we left after the first visit knowing that our daughter was in good hands...such a lovely family. So we looked forward to this vacation/destination wedding and I relished in the challenge of getting our family and friends, most of whom had never been to France or Europe for that matter, over there and situated for what we hoped would be an experience of a lifetime and a special moment in our family's journey. So the planning began....
The bride is our daughter, a Canadian and the groom is from the Brittany area of France. They have been together for six or seven years, sometimes long distance...but for the last five years our daughter has lived in France. The engagement was announced in Feb. 2012 and it was then that the ball started rolling. Her choice was to be married there...her parents (we) were fine with that because we absolutely love France and we absolutely love her and our new son-in-law. A date of April 2013 was decided upon due to work commitments on our and their part (both teachers). They had some reservations about an April wedding in what can be a damp spring in Brittany but it was the only solution. Having announced the engagement we expected just my parents and our other two daughters to be on board...but as the days went on we had friends and other family members express interest till we totalled 24 in all who wanted to make the trip. This number settled at 19 in the end. We were thrilled to be able to share this wonderful happy celebration with those who could make it.
Their's is truly a love story. Their love overcame a geographic obstacle as they both worked hard to pursue their educational goals. After a few years of hard work they both landed jobs in the same French school, bought a house and began renovations. We were able to visit them on two occasions...once when they lived in northern Brittany and then last year after they had moved to Lille near the Belgian boarder. We had previously spent a week in a rented apartment in Paris and on a separate trip to France we spent a week in Provence. So this was our fifth trip to France...and our third meeting with the grooms family. Both previous visits were just wonderful even with the language barrier. The kids translated like crazy and we left after the first visit knowing that our daughter was in good hands...such a lovely family. So we looked forward to this vacation/destination wedding and I relished in the challenge of getting our family and friends, most of whom had never been to France or Europe for that matter, over there and situated for what we hoped would be an experience of a lifetime and a special moment in our family's journey. So the planning began....
Apr 28th, 2013, 03:08 AM
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My first stop, as always in planning a trip was Fodors. I read and read, scoured the Paris postings about economical hotels. I wanted a place as close to Notre Dame as possible and walking distance for my elderly parents. I wanted an elevator, air-con, under $200 a night, clean...cheap but cheerful. I decided on Hotel Clement in Saint-Germain. It hit all the points and had some decent reviews.
Two couples of our group left a few days ahead to spend more time in Paris. The rest of us were to meet up in Toronto for the flight over to France. On departure day it was freezing rain in Toronto and flights were being cancelled with this massive storm. It was supposed to change over to just rain by afternoon, but my husband and I and my parents had an hour and a half drive to our airport, then a flight to Toronto in a BLIZZARD...we were on the cold side of the system. It took us over two hours to drive to our airport but the ceiling was lifting and the snow diminishing. Things were looking up. Our flight was an hour delayed but it was a go! WHEW!
What a great reunion we had at the Toronto airport. After a brutal winter that just would NOT quit, we needed this holiday. We gathered at an airport restaurant for some munchies and the first of MANY...I repeat MANY toasts over the next two weeks. We were all excited like kids on Christmas eve.
We were spending two nights in Paris before training on to Rennes. The flight over was on time, full and uneventful, just the way I like it. Customs is always a breeze there, just a stamp and away you go. It's the baggage area at CDG that is SOOO congested. It was almost an hour before our bags started trickling along the conveyer belt. I was so anxious to get my Dad to the hotel so he could rest...AND I knew that bride-daughter and my son-in-law-to-be were waiting for us on the other side of the doors. I couldn't wait to throw my arms around them! Finally we had all our luggage collected(none of us believe in travelling light it turns out)and I was able to see my beautiful girl, just bursting with excitement and so happy to see her Canadian family and friends. Her big day was almost here.
Two couples of our group left a few days ahead to spend more time in Paris. The rest of us were to meet up in Toronto for the flight over to France. On departure day it was freezing rain in Toronto and flights were being cancelled with this massive storm. It was supposed to change over to just rain by afternoon, but my husband and I and my parents had an hour and a half drive to our airport, then a flight to Toronto in a BLIZZARD...we were on the cold side of the system. It took us over two hours to drive to our airport but the ceiling was lifting and the snow diminishing. Things were looking up. Our flight was an hour delayed but it was a go! WHEW!
What a great reunion we had at the Toronto airport. After a brutal winter that just would NOT quit, we needed this holiday. We gathered at an airport restaurant for some munchies and the first of MANY...I repeat MANY toasts over the next two weeks. We were all excited like kids on Christmas eve.
We were spending two nights in Paris before training on to Rennes. The flight over was on time, full and uneventful, just the way I like it. Customs is always a breeze there, just a stamp and away you go. It's the baggage area at CDG that is SOOO congested. It was almost an hour before our bags started trickling along the conveyer belt. I was so anxious to get my Dad to the hotel so he could rest...AND I knew that bride-daughter and my son-in-law-to-be were waiting for us on the other side of the doors. I couldn't wait to throw my arms around them! Finally we had all our luggage collected(none of us believe in travelling light it turns out)and I was able to see my beautiful girl, just bursting with excitement and so happy to see her Canadian family and friends. Her big day was almost here.
Apr 28th, 2013, 05:14 AM
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Thanks for the kind words Fodorites. Hope you are enjoying.
So, we have landed and have been reunited with our girl and now where is Bluvan...we wait and wait. Future S.I.L. takes charge and makes a few stern calls and voila...our chariots await. We were late, but they were even later. The weather was a lot warmer than what we left behind and the sun was even shining. That's all it takes to cheer up a bunch of winter-weary Canadians. I couldn't wait to get to the center of Paris to see the amazement on my parents and youngest daughter's first glimpse of Notre Dame and the Seine and just EVERYTHING...and they were amazed.
A few words on Hotel Clement. The reception was friendly, the rooms were all ready. They were small...really small...but clean. The two nights we stayed were great. The breakfast room was cute and well stocked. On both evenings we congregated in their small lobby...well, we overran their lobby. They welcomed us to use the space for our cocktail hour before heading out for dinner. I apologize to others who may have been staying there at the same time for the noisy laughter and chatter. We tried to use our inside voices...really we did.
My worries about Dad making this trip seemed to be fading as he rallied around after a rest and was present for the first group meeting in the hotel lobby but by the time we were to set out for dinner, he and Mom decide to just have a quiet snack and head to bed early. The rest of went out to find a bistro that would accommodate our group of about 14 on short notice. The choices in the area are numerous so finding something that looked good was not difficult. I cannot remember the name of the place but they led us to their upstairs room and the wine started to flow and the food was great...or maybe the wine tasted great and the food was just so-so. It didn't matter, we were all happy to be there and very tired. It was an early night and we fell into bed listening to the late Saturday night patrons at the restaurants below...till well after 2 a.m. We got sleep, but not the best sleep.
Woke later than I anticipated and jumped out of bed to get ready for the day. A good bunch of us decided on the 10 a.m. Gregorian mass at Notre Dame. What a gorgeous morning. As we walked to church you could feel the sun's warmth already and the forecast was for a full day of it. YES!!!!! It was just the perfect way to begin our short Paris stay. Sitting in that beautiful ancient cathedral with my family and friends all around was just surreal. The light streaming in the windows and the wonderful music was incredible and yup...I was teary eyed. Let's just say that on this trip I was an unashamed cry baby. Between the emotion of our daughter's wedding and the trip finally coming together, extreme fatigue and my menopausal state hahahaha...you get the picture. I was loving it!
We went back to the hotel to gather up the rest of the crew who were onboard for a tour on L'Open tour bus. With the weather so nice it seemed like a great way to see as much as possible and convenient for my parents who weren't able to walk a lot. We hopped off at the Eiffel tower and enjoyed an ice cream while gazing at her beauty and shoeing away the "petition people". They are like vultures around that area for sure. I caught my mother being sucked in at one point and quickly dragged her away. Everyone enjoyed the ride and we all ended up a little sunburned and by dinner that evening we all had a red glow that was not just due to that good French wine.
Dinner that night was at...and I can hear the collective groans from the crowd already...Le Procope. At first we had decided that everyone would do their own dinner arrangements for that night but in the end we decided that dinner in Paris together would be more fun. So my bride-daughter called Procope and arranged for a group of 17. I know some find this place ultra-touristy and overpriced but I must say that most people loved their meal. They set us up in a lovely dinning room...the service was excellent, with our bride-daughter translating for us, and we had a fabulous time. Prices were what you expect in Paris...but not outrageous. We all went to bed that night (after a few night caps at various bars on the way back to the hotel) satisfied and ready for some needed sleep. Tomorrow we were off to Brittany.
I may need some assistance in posting pics. Anyone?
So, we have landed and have been reunited with our girl and now where is Bluvan...we wait and wait. Future S.I.L. takes charge and makes a few stern calls and voila...our chariots await. We were late, but they were even later. The weather was a lot warmer than what we left behind and the sun was even shining. That's all it takes to cheer up a bunch of winter-weary Canadians. I couldn't wait to get to the center of Paris to see the amazement on my parents and youngest daughter's first glimpse of Notre Dame and the Seine and just EVERYTHING...and they were amazed.
A few words on Hotel Clement. The reception was friendly, the rooms were all ready. They were small...really small...but clean. The two nights we stayed were great. The breakfast room was cute and well stocked. On both evenings we congregated in their small lobby...well, we overran their lobby. They welcomed us to use the space for our cocktail hour before heading out for dinner. I apologize to others who may have been staying there at the same time for the noisy laughter and chatter. We tried to use our inside voices...really we did.
My worries about Dad making this trip seemed to be fading as he rallied around after a rest and was present for the first group meeting in the hotel lobby but by the time we were to set out for dinner, he and Mom decide to just have a quiet snack and head to bed early. The rest of went out to find a bistro that would accommodate our group of about 14 on short notice. The choices in the area are numerous so finding something that looked good was not difficult. I cannot remember the name of the place but they led us to their upstairs room and the wine started to flow and the food was great...or maybe the wine tasted great and the food was just so-so. It didn't matter, we were all happy to be there and very tired. It was an early night and we fell into bed listening to the late Saturday night patrons at the restaurants below...till well after 2 a.m. We got sleep, but not the best sleep.
Woke later than I anticipated and jumped out of bed to get ready for the day. A good bunch of us decided on the 10 a.m. Gregorian mass at Notre Dame. What a gorgeous morning. As we walked to church you could feel the sun's warmth already and the forecast was for a full day of it. YES!!!!! It was just the perfect way to begin our short Paris stay. Sitting in that beautiful ancient cathedral with my family and friends all around was just surreal. The light streaming in the windows and the wonderful music was incredible and yup...I was teary eyed. Let's just say that on this trip I was an unashamed cry baby. Between the emotion of our daughter's wedding and the trip finally coming together, extreme fatigue and my menopausal state hahahaha...you get the picture. I was loving it!
We went back to the hotel to gather up the rest of the crew who were onboard for a tour on L'Open tour bus. With the weather so nice it seemed like a great way to see as much as possible and convenient for my parents who weren't able to walk a lot. We hopped off at the Eiffel tower and enjoyed an ice cream while gazing at her beauty and shoeing away the "petition people". They are like vultures around that area for sure. I caught my mother being sucked in at one point and quickly dragged her away. Everyone enjoyed the ride and we all ended up a little sunburned and by dinner that evening we all had a red glow that was not just due to that good French wine.
Dinner that night was at...and I can hear the collective groans from the crowd already...Le Procope. At first we had decided that everyone would do their own dinner arrangements for that night but in the end we decided that dinner in Paris together would be more fun. So my bride-daughter called Procope and arranged for a group of 17. I know some find this place ultra-touristy and overpriced but I must say that most people loved their meal. They set us up in a lovely dinning room...the service was excellent, with our bride-daughter translating for us, and we had a fabulous time. Prices were what you expect in Paris...but not outrageous. We all went to bed that night (after a few night caps at various bars on the way back to the hotel) satisfied and ready for some needed sleep. Tomorrow we were off to Brittany.
I may need some assistance in posting pics. Anyone?
Apr 28th, 2013, 06:18 AM
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Again, we had Bluvan picking us up at the hotel and taking us to Montparnasse train station for our trip to Rennes. The first van arrived and took half the crew. The second van was M.I.A. Some frantic telephone calls by bride-daughter to Bluvan, with them saying they wouldn't be able to pick us up and they would credit our visa for that van. Bride-daughter turned to Bridezilla and voila...we had our van arrive with the driver complaining that he was supposed to be at the airport. I reminded him that we had booked and paid for this trip over three weeks ago..so NO...he was right where he was supposed to be. With not much time to spare we were on our train to Rennes. These train tickets were bought by bride over the phone with TGV as a group three months out, so we got good fares and we all sat together on the train.
On arrival in Rennes we all picked up our cars rented through Autoeurope. That went smoothly and we were met at the train station by various members of S.I.L.'s family. Each family member jumped in a rental and helped guide the driver to our rented chateau/manoir about 40 minutes south of Rennes. It was a brilliant way to get us all there without losing anyone. Lovely drive to what was to be our home away from home. Through winding roads in the spring green countryside. Farmland dotted with grazing cattle following the beautiful, winding Vilaine River. The chateau...I found it on VRBO. We have rented several times using this website and we have never been disappointed. From an apartment in Paris and Venice to beachside cottages in Florida and condos in Turks & Caicos, I have always had good luck. This place boasted room for 20 with 10 bedrooms with individual bathrooms. It had a large dinning room, huge kitchen, fabulous gardens and it was old...really old, I believe 400 years old. Full of antiques and some creaky floors, stone walls, with wood beamed ceilings and a hot tub for 12! Roaming the property were some geese, hens, a duck, two cats, two dogs and two ponies...oh, and throw in a donkey. This was heaven on earth, even with the mustiness that you would expect in a building of this size and age, it was more shabby chic than the description on the website but it felt very homey. Once we got two of the fireplaces going and a huge pot of soup on in the kitchen we were good to go. Everyone chose a bedroom to their liking and we moved right on in. Groceries and wine...lots of wine...had been arranged to be there for us. Everyone pitched in to get a simple dinner of salads, cold cuts, cheese and my brother BBQ'd us some chicken. This scene repeated itself a few times that week where we all gathered at the end of the day to share stories of each others adventure that day.
My bride-daughter had arranged for myself and her two sisters to do a crepe/galette making class at a restaurant north of Rennes. The chef spent an hour and a half trying his best to get us doing the proper technique and in the end we turned out several passable crepe and galette to take home to share with the gang. More practice is needed I'm afraid, it is harder than you think!
Some of the others had driven up to visit Dinan and we met up with them in Dinard for a quick seaside dinner before our drive back to the chateau. On another day, my daughter arranged for us to all go to a nearby dairy farm owned by their friend. We all went out to the pasture to herd in the cattle for their evening milking and saw the operation from start to finish. One couple in our group are former Ontario dairy famers so they enjoyed swapping and comparing farm operation stories with the help of our daughter interpreting of course. What a charming young man and so welcoming to all of us. Luckily he was also coming to the wedding so we enjoyed meeting him and his lady again.
On Thursday, it was civil wedding day. At 5 pm just our immediate family on both sides went to the town hall in Guipry where we were greeted by the mayor. Bride's two sisters and groom's two brothers were on hand to witness their civil marriage, as is the law of the land there. Following that we were entertained at the home of the groom where his parents had prepared a most fabulous meal that went on for hours. First it was canapé and an aperitif followed by seafood stuffed avocados, then fresh roast pork (freshly butchered by Uncle Jean-Pierre) with roasted potatoes, followed by a cheese course and salad...and bread...oh the bread. Each course was accompanied by a specially selected wine and just when you thought you would burst, out came a fabulous apple/caramel cake dessert that was to die for. We waddled out to the car to be driven back to the chateau. This is a lovely family that my daughter has married into and it makes that ocean just a little bit smaller and eases my heart knowing she is surrounded by such fine people. Friday would be busy with last minute preparations for the church ceremony on Saturday, followed by a dinner dance...more like our custom at home. I couldn't wait to see our girl on her "wedding" day.
On arrival in Rennes we all picked up our cars rented through Autoeurope. That went smoothly and we were met at the train station by various members of S.I.L.'s family. Each family member jumped in a rental and helped guide the driver to our rented chateau/manoir about 40 minutes south of Rennes. It was a brilliant way to get us all there without losing anyone. Lovely drive to what was to be our home away from home. Through winding roads in the spring green countryside. Farmland dotted with grazing cattle following the beautiful, winding Vilaine River. The chateau...I found it on VRBO. We have rented several times using this website and we have never been disappointed. From an apartment in Paris and Venice to beachside cottages in Florida and condos in Turks & Caicos, I have always had good luck. This place boasted room for 20 with 10 bedrooms with individual bathrooms. It had a large dinning room, huge kitchen, fabulous gardens and it was old...really old, I believe 400 years old. Full of antiques and some creaky floors, stone walls, with wood beamed ceilings and a hot tub for 12! Roaming the property were some geese, hens, a duck, two cats, two dogs and two ponies...oh, and throw in a donkey. This was heaven on earth, even with the mustiness that you would expect in a building of this size and age, it was more shabby chic than the description on the website but it felt very homey. Once we got two of the fireplaces going and a huge pot of soup on in the kitchen we were good to go. Everyone chose a bedroom to their liking and we moved right on in. Groceries and wine...lots of wine...had been arranged to be there for us. Everyone pitched in to get a simple dinner of salads, cold cuts, cheese and my brother BBQ'd us some chicken. This scene repeated itself a few times that week where we all gathered at the end of the day to share stories of each others adventure that day.
My bride-daughter had arranged for myself and her two sisters to do a crepe/galette making class at a restaurant north of Rennes. The chef spent an hour and a half trying his best to get us doing the proper technique and in the end we turned out several passable crepe and galette to take home to share with the gang. More practice is needed I'm afraid, it is harder than you think!
Some of the others had driven up to visit Dinan and we met up with them in Dinard for a quick seaside dinner before our drive back to the chateau. On another day, my daughter arranged for us to all go to a nearby dairy farm owned by their friend. We all went out to the pasture to herd in the cattle for their evening milking and saw the operation from start to finish. One couple in our group are former Ontario dairy famers so they enjoyed swapping and comparing farm operation stories with the help of our daughter interpreting of course. What a charming young man and so welcoming to all of us. Luckily he was also coming to the wedding so we enjoyed meeting him and his lady again.
On Thursday, it was civil wedding day. At 5 pm just our immediate family on both sides went to the town hall in Guipry where we were greeted by the mayor. Bride's two sisters and groom's two brothers were on hand to witness their civil marriage, as is the law of the land there. Following that we were entertained at the home of the groom where his parents had prepared a most fabulous meal that went on for hours. First it was canapé and an aperitif followed by seafood stuffed avocados, then fresh roast pork (freshly butchered by Uncle Jean-Pierre) with roasted potatoes, followed by a cheese course and salad...and bread...oh the bread. Each course was accompanied by a specially selected wine and just when you thought you would burst, out came a fabulous apple/caramel cake dessert that was to die for. We waddled out to the car to be driven back to the chateau. This is a lovely family that my daughter has married into and it makes that ocean just a little bit smaller and eases my heart knowing she is surrounded by such fine people. Friday would be busy with last minute preparations for the church ceremony on Saturday, followed by a dinner dance...more like our custom at home. I couldn't wait to see our girl on her "wedding" day.
Apr 28th, 2013, 06:55 AM
#9
What a challenge to make arrangements for so many people and you did it so well. 
Can't wait to hear about the big day and would love to see photos. I use photobucket.com but there are many sites to choose from.
Can't wait to hear about the big day and would love to see photos. I use photobucket.com but there are many sites to choose from.
Apr 28th, 2013, 08:10 AM
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I know it's a long winded report but I have to do this while it's still fresh in my head..as foggy as it is with jet lag.
Thanks for sticking with me and I will try to post the pictures.
The church was in Saint-Malo-de-Phily...just a short distance from our home chateau. We had a rehersal on Friday night then welcomed everyone back to our chateau for a Canadian backyard BBQ. My brother went to the local butcher in the morning and watched him grid the beef right there. We made devilled eggs and my mom did her potato salad along with pate and a terrine made by same pork-producing uncle...fabulous fabulous fabulous. We had a ton of food and it was a beautiful evening. Some played a games of palet and boule out in the yard. Palet is like tiddlywinks on a larger scale. We ended the evening early in preparation for the big day.
Saturday dawned sunny and a bunch of us woman were off to the hair salon at 7:45. Mimosas helped ease the pain of the early start and within no time we all were looking pretty fine. Back to the chateau to get dressed and ready for the photographer who was actually waiting for us so he caught us getting ready from start to finish. First sight of my daughter in her finery brought tears, of course. She's a beautiful girl(if I do say so myself), but what was so lovely was how radiant she looked...so happy.
The bridesmaids were dressed in chiffon, light periwinkle blue short dresses...all three were just lovely. The flowers were various white roses and other flowers and a few periwinkle splashed in for colour. We loaded the guests into the van we had rented for the duration of the day to take everyone to the the three different venues.
Bride rode with my husband and I, bridesmaids were driven by my brother. As we approached the church up the winding road we could hear the church bells ringing out...and that was the start of several round of tears. My daughter quipped, hey you guys...it's not a funeral! Oh just wait till her daughter gets married some day! The church is just beautiful, the ceremony was splendid. Friends of the bride sang a duet and the gal sang Ave Maria...and quite unexpectedly, bride also sang a part in the ceremony. Let me just say, that bride has a degree in opera performance...so...another round of tears as her voice lifted to the ceiling and filled that church with her sweet voice. It was a treat to hear her sing again and a gift to all of us.
With the marriage blessed and registers signed the filled, church emptied to the sound of the organ and church bells ringing out. Outside there was a carriage waiting pulled by two horses and decorated with flowers (courtesy of uncle the pork producer) I mean...could it get any better? We were amazed. Off the bride and groom went down the road to a chateau where we all followed in our vehicles, horns blaring and all met for aperitif and canapé at this beautiful country chateau. This lasted a couple of hours, then we all were transported to the next little town for the dinner and dance reception.
More food and drink. It was a wonderful meal in the French tradition of wines and courses and chatter...then boisterous singing and swaying and towel waving and dancing. I'm exhausted thinking about it. We danced till 2:30 a.m. at which point out came the French onion soup and bread. I'm afraid our Canadian contingent just had to call it a night but when we left the party was still in full swing with the bride and groom riding about the crowd on people's shoulders. It was a grand time.
They next day it was right back to the same venue as the dinner/dance was held where another huge buffet of more food and wine was laid out. How do these French woman stay so thin!!! I only gained 2kg after all of this gorging but I'm finding it very hard now that I'm home to get back on the weight loss wagon. It was worth every morsel and sip of that fabulous wine. We have so many great memories and I thank everyone who made the effort to join us in France. It was so special to have them along.
Thanks for sticking with me and I will try to post the pictures.
The church was in Saint-Malo-de-Phily...just a short distance from our home chateau. We had a rehersal on Friday night then welcomed everyone back to our chateau for a Canadian backyard BBQ. My brother went to the local butcher in the morning and watched him grid the beef right there. We made devilled eggs and my mom did her potato salad along with pate and a terrine made by same pork-producing uncle...fabulous fabulous fabulous. We had a ton of food and it was a beautiful evening. Some played a games of palet and boule out in the yard. Palet is like tiddlywinks on a larger scale. We ended the evening early in preparation for the big day.
Saturday dawned sunny and a bunch of us woman were off to the hair salon at 7:45. Mimosas helped ease the pain of the early start and within no time we all were looking pretty fine. Back to the chateau to get dressed and ready for the photographer who was actually waiting for us so he caught us getting ready from start to finish. First sight of my daughter in her finery brought tears, of course. She's a beautiful girl(if I do say so myself), but what was so lovely was how radiant she looked...so happy.
The bridesmaids were dressed in chiffon, light periwinkle blue short dresses...all three were just lovely. The flowers were various white roses and other flowers and a few periwinkle splashed in for colour. We loaded the guests into the van we had rented for the duration of the day to take everyone to the the three different venues.
Bride rode with my husband and I, bridesmaids were driven by my brother. As we approached the church up the winding road we could hear the church bells ringing out...and that was the start of several round of tears. My daughter quipped, hey you guys...it's not a funeral! Oh just wait till her daughter gets married some day! The church is just beautiful, the ceremony was splendid. Friends of the bride sang a duet and the gal sang Ave Maria...and quite unexpectedly, bride also sang a part in the ceremony. Let me just say, that bride has a degree in opera performance...so...another round of tears as her voice lifted to the ceiling and filled that church with her sweet voice. It was a treat to hear her sing again and a gift to all of us.
With the marriage blessed and registers signed the filled, church emptied to the sound of the organ and church bells ringing out. Outside there was a carriage waiting pulled by two horses and decorated with flowers (courtesy of uncle the pork producer) I mean...could it get any better? We were amazed. Off the bride and groom went down the road to a chateau where we all followed in our vehicles, horns blaring and all met for aperitif and canapé at this beautiful country chateau. This lasted a couple of hours, then we all were transported to the next little town for the dinner and dance reception.
More food and drink. It was a wonderful meal in the French tradition of wines and courses and chatter...then boisterous singing and swaying and towel waving and dancing. I'm exhausted thinking about it. We danced till 2:30 a.m. at which point out came the French onion soup and bread. I'm afraid our Canadian contingent just had to call it a night but when we left the party was still in full swing with the bride and groom riding about the crowd on people's shoulders. It was a grand time.
They next day it was right back to the same venue as the dinner/dance was held where another huge buffet of more food and wine was laid out. How do these French woman stay so thin!!! I only gained 2kg after all of this gorging but I'm finding it very hard now that I'm home to get back on the weight loss wagon. It was worth every morsel and sip of that fabulous wine. We have so many great memories and I thank everyone who made the effort to join us in France. It was so special to have them along.
Apr 28th, 2013, 09:03 AM
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Apr 28th, 2013, 09:22 AM
#16
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Forestland, What a beautiful fairytale wedding! The bride is lovely and I love her bouquet and the color of her bridesmaids dresses.
Thank you for sharing you memories and pics of this stunning event. May they live happily ever after....
Thank you for sharing you memories and pics of this stunning event. May they live happily ever after....
Apr 28th, 2013, 10:17 AM
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Well, I loved every word of that and the photos were wonderful, what an adorable couple. Thank you so much for sharing. I am a sucker for weddings so tears were welling as I was reading. Every happiness to the bride and groom.
