A Wedding in France

We have been invited to a wedding in France. We have seen these as passers by but this is our first experience of one first hand. June was looking forward to driving through the village in convoy all sounding our horns. But this was the only thing lacking from a lovely afternoon and early evening.

Inside the Marie's office

Outside the Marie's office

Cameras at the ready!

The event starts at the Marie. Here the couple are legally married. The room is upstairs and far too small for us all so we wait outside the open doors taking it in turns to step forwards and snap a photo. Then down the narrow stairs where the bride and groom kiss everyone as they exit.

Just after the legal ceremony

The kiss (one of 3 in fact)

Once outside, and the photographers are waiting for the couple to appear and give the obligatory kiss to each other.

The next venue is a house down the road (hence the lack of car horns, we just needed to walk). The house and garden have been turned into an open-air location for the Christian ceremony.

The old house and grounds

Although it rained during the day, it kindly made sure we were all inside the Marie or under cover when it did so. After that it came out warm and sunny. So we were able to have the everyone-together big photo.

The group photo

We had a full Christian ceremony because this is a 'church do'. Then champagne and snacks as everyone socialised and took more photos,

Everyone has their own photos

and listened to the accordion player who went round everyone making sure he serenaded us all. He even played a couple of English songs when he discovered our secret!

The French love their hair dressers and several ladies had special creations. Fortunately the bride outdid them all, as you can see here. Flowers are interwoven in the design.

Hair creation

The Accordion Player finds June and Mary

You can be sure that I was not the only one to snap the hair creation.

As the evening wore on, the bride and groom found time for a moment together and we enjoyed more accordion playing.

A moment together

Music

And we finally left just before the sun was setting on the garden party and close family retired indoors for a late night…