Wedding Day

Leaving the Church of St Gilles Croix da Vie

Well where do I start ? At the beginning I guess and share some pictures.....not the official ones, some taken by my daughter on her i phone, but they will give you a taste of it all.

We ended up doing the whole journey in one day........we had planned an overnight stop half way......... and from the minute we arrived Tuesday night it was a sort of week long party. The French certainly do make the most of weddings and the few days rest we planned did not not come to fruition quite as we anticipated. I am never a late one for bed, but 11.30 ended up the earliest night of the trip and rarely very sober at that !!

Posing outside the Church

The weather was pretty iffy the whole time and on the wedding day itself it rained solidly, but apparently that's good luck in France. None the less it was a wonderful day and all went by so quickly as they always do.

Real rose petal confetti

The Town Hall formality was fairly quick (and confusing for me as according to what I could make out I'm not married as he referred to me by my maiden name) and the Mayoree who did the marriage gave the couple along with the certificate of marriage, a map of the region, a fish cookery book and another book..........I never did fathom out exactly what that was all about.

But the Church service was lovely, even in French, the priest was a happy jovial type with a permanent smile and had an absolutely wonderful singing voice. And yes, tears from me at the end, I found it all so emotional. What with all that has been going on health wise lately I really thought I would never get to see the day and it just got to me. Real rose petal confetti in little bags for all guests and ages outside the Church which is right in the middle of the town square with crowds of locals and tourists watching on........all quite oblivious to the rain.

Mum and Son

(ignore the grey, all my boys went grey in their teens like myself)

The bride looked beautiful and elegant, white strapless dress and train, crystal tiara (my wedding gift to her) roses and orchids. All the men had orchid buttonholes and the floral arrangements everywhere had matching orchids........the largest I have ever set eyes on.

After the service we made our way back to the reception venue, a slow 45 minute journey to travel the 12 miles along the coastal road which in true French tradition all guests followed in convoy behind the bridal car, hooters blasting and ribbons flying - everyone is given ribbons and tulle to decorate their cars.........you are going to love this......I managed to get some craft in spending our first afternoon in France with the bride and Maid of Honor playing with ribbons and tulle making huge bows with flowing ribbons for the cars. By the way, the Missing Maid of Honor dress never did turn up, so she wore a very pretty silk dress and instead of following the bride into Church, assisted the bridesmaids and bride from the 'wings'.

Crutch Problems

(but our girl did brill on just one, well hidden amongst her dress)

The French really embrace weddings to the full and as the convoy drove to the reception, people walking on the streets, cars passing the other way and those in houses all stop and wave and peep their hooters. All quite bizarre but lovely.

The cocktail reception lasted two hours, lost count of glasses, nibbles of oysters (yuk big time, could not bring myself to do it), scallops, foie gras and all sorts. The wedding breakfast started at 7.30 and went on till 11.30, lobster dressed with langoustines, sorbet made from rose champagne with cherries, guinea fowl with veggies, cheeses, chocolate cake, strawberry gateau and caramel profiteroles........you got some of everything as they were all calorie free !!

Speeches were half way through and more tears I'm afraid. Unbeknown to hubby and I, our son had prepared his speech in English and French, having asked someone to help him prepare a French version which he delivered so confidently, despite speaking very limited French. One of the French guests complimented him saying he read it with such clarity that they understood him perfectly and everyone clapped. More tears.

Then the wedding cake which arrived in darkness with flares and fireworks - Crockenbouche which is the traditional French wedding cake - huge stack of caramelised profiteroles and a five tier take on our wedding cakes which the chef had never made before but wanted to have a go. That was on a spiral stand and was a mixture of sponge, chocolate etc.

The cakes

(they were huge, but hard to tell from the photo)

At midnight fireworks on the beach (still raining so watched from inside), then the dancing started until 4am.......are you still with me ? A bit of sleep, champagne breakfast then the Brunch which again was gorgeous and plentiful. And every day both before and after there was something arranged for lunch and evening meals and of course more wine and bubbles.

All smiling except one

(Missing my craft, one too many or just because they are all taller than me now ?)

So all in all a wonderful time. The happy couple are now driving down the French coast and round to Spain and due back next Thursday. The honeymoon proper in Barbados is November - when the surf is at it's best.