petite anglaise

the big day

11.06.2008 11:31 amknot tying

I can’t think about my wedding day, or look at the photos I’ve received so far (and there are many, many more to come) without grinning like the Cheshire cat. But I’m not sure I can write about it in a coherent way, so I’m going to tear a leaf out of best woman Meg’s book and turn the spotlight on a list of the moments which stand out the most in my mind, instead.

 

  • staggering to the front door at 8.30 am, strung out on hairspray, to take surprise delivery of a bouquet of bonbons, courtesy of my lovely agent;
  • arriving at the mairie and seeing Manuel’s face when I stepped gingerly out of the taxi, still a little wobbly on those heels;
  • observing with much amusement how his eyes kept returning, spellbound, to my cleavage (see photo 1 above);
  • clinging to Rhino75’s arm as I climbed the staircase at the mairie (some of you will recall that he was, in part, responsible for our union);

 

  • watching Tadpole parade around the aisles of the salle des mariages while the ceremony was in full swing, proudly showing off her dress and my bouquet and totally stealing the show;
  • giggling up front with Manuel, both of us desperate to fast forward to the exchange of rings;
  • the moment when the master of ceremonies asked me what I wrote (my occupation being listed as ‘writer’ in the documents we signed) and then saying ‘ah, mais c’est vous qui écrivez sur le web?’;
  • being presented with the livret de famille and encouraged to go forth and procreate NINE times (nine being the number of blank pages waiting to be filled with the birth details of our offspring);
  • being presented with Tadpole’s ‘Mum Got Married’ picture during lunch;
  • watching a good friend – heart in my mouth – stand on a wheelie bin so that the baker could pass the two macaron pièces montées over the garden wall (the keys to the garden door having temporarily gone AWOL);

 

  • the moment at the party when we were summoned to the centre of the room and presented with a globe, signed by everyone present and with an arrow pointing from Paris to Bélize where a group of Manuel’s friends are sending us on our honeymoon;
  • the saucy gifts courtesy of Manuel’s work buddies, who somehow knew that I’d always wanted to test drive an anneau vibrant, the bashful look on the face of the colleague who had brought flowers but was too shy to approach me;
  • pulling out fifty thousand hairpins from my scalp to reveal a ponytail full of anglaises;
  • the way my skirt went horizontal when I twirled, revealing my wedding night undies to everyone present;
  • snuggling up under a duvet between Nico and Meg in a témoin “sandwich” at 8am;
  • going to sleep on an improvised lit de noces – a mattress in the middle of the main party room – surrounded by broken glass and empty champagne bottles, at 10 am, when the last guests had finally drifted away.

 

112 comments

  1. Congratulations! It sounds like the perfect day! Enjoy your trip!!!

    Amanda | 11:43 am

  2. What a remarkable journey you have already had! Bon voyage, Petite!

    Forest Green | 12:21 pm

  3. Awwww…..

    (Is it just me, and is this a really unoriginal comment, but does he remind anyone of David Schwimmer?)

    katie | 12:46 pm

  4. I love that last picture…The Boy looks SO pleased with himself and you are so cute on his shoulder! Awww…

    suziboo | 12:53 pm

  5. Sounds like a wonderful wedding. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us. You two are such a cute couple!

    Oh and that dress looks amazing on you. :)

    Have a great honeymoon!

    Marjolein | 1:00 pm

  6. These random moments can be some of the best memories. Congratulations again!

    Sarah | 1:02 pm

  7. What a beautiful day, and it sounds like the party was absolutely wonderful. You have such a giving group of friends. And may I just say? Your makeup was lovely.

    Assertagirl | 1:04 pm

  8. All I can say is Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

    Jen | 1:21 pm

  9. Please can you post a pic of the shoes Petite? My rotten workplace won’t let us view flickr and they look tantalisingly wonderful on Meg’s site.

    You both look just amazing, glowing, blissed out.
    And he’s infinitely foxier than David Schwimmer, sacrilège!

    Jaywalker | 1:23 pm

  10. oh wow. congratulations. beautiful!

    jacqui | 1:24 pm

  11. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh how CUTE! I still ove that dress, by the way. What a beautiful, beautiful day – looks like you had the most fun ever!

    a x

    angelesque | 1:28 pm

  12. Sounds like a wonderful, magical day. You looked beautiful and I love the dress.
    Congratulations!

    marmite and tea | 1:39 pm

  13. It sounds like the most beautiful day!

    Louisa Hibble | 1:59 pm

  14. May you both (and Tadpole, too!!) have all the happiness in the world…..

    Laurie Feldman | 2:17 pm

  15. I love that last piccy – knackered with a certain – deserved – smugness [and you don't have many opportunities to say that]

    Daddy Papersurfer | 2:24 pm

  16. congratulations to you three! this is a fantastic post. i was just sitting here thinking how LONG i’ve been reading your blog, petite. i came upon you looking for a parisian blog, something to give me insight into life in a city that i have long dreamed of visiting. i still haven’t made it there, but in the intervening time i’ve read along and kept up with your incredible journey so far, from losing your old job to launching into writing, to loves and losses and love again, and now this fantastic wedding to a VERY handsome man. thank you for sharing it all. i wish you and your family all the best.
    : )

    franko | 2:25 pm

  17. Seems like a very nice wedding and you look so pretty in that dress!! You two are beautiful. Enjoy your honeymoon!

    xx

    Mae | 3:22 pm

  18. Don’t worry Petite every Mayor in france likes the 9 children livret de famille joke…

    Just filled one page myself ,)

    Other 8 can wait ,)

    Again congratulation !!

    Thierry_J | 3:27 pm

  19. Congratulations – the Boy is very yummy. Have a fantastic honeymoon in Belize.

    valley girl | 3:28 pm

  20. Its looks like you had the first of what will be many fabulous days ahead.

    Congratulations…

    sp999 | 3:47 pm

  21. great photos, thank you so much for sharing! they really captured the festive spirit that’s abuzz amongst everyone, in particular The Boy & You… as always, tadpole provided her unique touch both with her, apparently, dazzling entertainment-during-ceremonie, and the very adorable ‘mum got married’ card! kudos to The Boy’s friends for such a kewl honeymoon gift!! have a great great time in belize!

    proost! carol

    carol | 3:48 pm

  22. I should point out that the honeymoon will be in the winter… not going anywhere just yet, more’s the pity…

    petite | 3:52 pm

  23. You look phenomenal, absolutely stunning! I’ve only recently discovered your blog, but I’m addicted already.

    Bisous, V x

    Victoria | 3:54 pm

  24. congratulations!

    seriously, i am so happy to see petite anglaise so happy!!

    keikoxxx

    keiko | 4:13 pm

  25. Many congratulations. You all look so happy and what a stylish wedding!!

    Amanda xx

    Amanda | 5:42 pm

  26. Beautiful day, Petite. You certainly do look to be glowing with happiness.

    Kitten/Barbie/Tammi | 5:42 pm

  27. I have never posted before – although I have read your blog for so so long. Thank you for sharing your pictures with all of us. You look absolutely stunning.

    Clare | 6:01 pm

  28. How sweet life is!!

    Chantel | 6:21 pm

  29. Great pictures and description. Tadpole is a real scene-stealer.

    Jean-Luc Picard | 6:22 pm

  30. I hope the two of you have a lovely time. I like your memories of the day.

    Peggy | 6:28 pm

  31. “observing with much amusement how his eyes kept returning, spellbound, to my cleavage”

    Hmm……you would think he knows what it looks like by now…..must be the dress….. ;-) It looks like it was such a happy day. All the best to you and Manuel…

    Dave of the Lake | 6:32 pm

  32. Congratulations on your marriage. May it be a long and happy one! :D

    Halcyon | 6:33 pm

  33. I said it before and I’ll say it again: FAB DRESS!!!!
    thanks for sharing such a beautiful day of your life.

    Brigita | 6:38 pm

  34. You are both look so stunning!!! Makeup and dress, flawless. But can I beg? Please show us your shoes????

    Iza | 6:54 pm

  35. Wonderful! Best wishes to you both!

    Lost in France | 7:45 pm

  36. Absolutely beautiful!

    Best of luck to you and family.

    Mad William | 7:58 pm

  37. Absolutely fantastic! I’m sooooo pleased for the three of you. Many congratulations and here’s wishing you years and years of happiness.

    sablonneuse | 7:59 pm

  38. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Did you get to the end and wonder how it went so fast?

    Congratulations.

    Damian | 8:11 pm

  39. Some greater moment that people unable to forget.Thanks for sharing these touching moments.

    Kredit ohne Schufa | 8:13 pm

  40. Thank you for sharing more photos. Truly, the happiness oozes across the screen. How lovely.

    p.s. FABBY shoes!!!!!

    Iza | 8:38 pm

  41. You look absolutely stunning. And what a wonderful day you had!

    Congratulations!

    ewe_are_here | 8:56 pm

  42. many congratualtions sweetie looks like a perfect day for you both! x

    Emmie | 9:06 pm

  43. You make a lovely couple. Your new husband looks like a younger version of my old husband. I hope that you will be very happy together.

    cheshire wife | 10:23 pm

  44. and looking lovely all the while!

    barbie2be | 11:10 pm

  45. Awww — you all look so beautiful and glowy — brought a little tear to my eye right here at work. Many many blessings!

    Charlotte | 11:33 pm

  46. The photos are lovely, it looks like such a fun wedding, and you look radiant.
    Felicitations,
    LKH

    lkh | 11:39 pm

  47. Congratulations!

    Alys | 12:03 am

  48. I’ve been reading your blog from the beginning and I love it! I just wanted to say félicitations, and that you look absolutely gorgoeous in your wedding photos :-) Je vous (Petite, Manuel et Tadpole) souhaite beaucoup de bonheur pour votre nouvelle vie ensemble!

    Iris | 2:15 am

  49. Thanks for posting the pics and letting us all share in your joy.

    running thread | 2:29 am

  50. What a lovely couple! Congratulations on your new journey together. It looks like it was a beautiful day!

    poetmama | 2:50 am

  51. What a fabulous day. I LOVE the last pic!

    metro mama | 3:31 am

  52. I love tadpole’s drawing / card. Congratulations and you looked lovely on your wedding day! It makes me excited for mine! Have a great honeymoon and God Bless you and your family! xoxo

    Michelle Lim | 5:04 am

  53. Vous êtes adorables tous les deux. J’ai une petite larme aux yeux… Tous mes vœux de bonheur.

    Séverine | 7:51 am

  54. What a great day…thanks for sharing.

    Caffienated Cowgirl | 8:06 am

  55. So happy for you both, mes amis… and today being exactly one month until my own wedding (night), your post filled me with anticipation! You looked gorgeous and Tadpole’s dress was worth a small parade at the mairie.

    The Bold Soul | 8:32 am

  56. Wonderful photos: they say it all, no need for words…
    Belize in the winter – now that’s something to look forward to!
    By the way, is The Boy a little bit Spanish?

    happyforyou | 10:07 am

  57. The dress floating out like a tutu is SO pretty! Congratulations again, and I think having the honeymoon to look forward to in the winter is the best part!

    Marianne | 10:41 am

  58. Very many congratulations. Happy days.

    alex | 11:56 am

  59. Aaah. COngratulations! and may your lives be long and happy together.

    Moses | 3:53 pm

  60. Oh! And you’re going to Belize! I spent some of the best months of my life there, mainly in Dangriga. Enjoy yourselves, and say Hi to the country from me.

    Moses | 3:56 pm

  61. Again, congrats! Lovely recount. I wish you all the happiness in the world. :)

    Aimee | 5:29 pm

  62. congratulations!!! i read your book and am now addicted to your blog. haven’t done this before.

    i hope the three of you will be very, very happy.

    tracy xx

    tracy | 5:42 pm

  63. You looked beautiful in the dress. Congrats on the wedding! Oh and I loved the photos :)

    Cheri | 5:52 pm

  64. Congrats!!! You look so happy on the pictures, I hope I am half as happy with my English amoureux (I am a French expat living in Ze Youké). Enjoy the honeymoon

    Baraginie | 7:30 pm

  65. Félicitations! Congratulations!

    LN | 7:57 pm

  66. Ah. You do give a bitter, old divorcée reason to hope.

    May you both always be as happy as you truly look in these photos.

    Dawn | 10:23 pm

  67. lovely to see pics

    Babycakes | 11:49 pm

  68. Congratulations! You look radiant… and thanks for sharing your ‘Happy Ever After’ with the blogosphere! Tadpole was right all along: you ARE a princess! x

    Ariel | 12:13 am

  69. Doesn’t get any better! Much joy to all.

    Peg | 2:45 am

  70. Félicitations!!! Congratulations.
    You look amazing (and totally like I think you would be ;) ) I just read your book (not out in Belgium for so long) and I must say that I am a BIG fan. I love Paris (went there several times) and during the reading, I felt in Paris. I love the way you wrote it.
    This is the first time that I visit your weblog (wanted to finish your book first), but I’ll defenitely do it again.
    Enjoy your trip. I hope that you’ll all be very happy!
    Lots of greets, Natalie (from Antwerp)

    Natalie | 7:26 am

  71. I’m having a wee tear – you all look so happy. All the best for the future and thank you for sharing your special day Petite.

    Julia | 1:22 pm

  72. Thanks for sharing these pictures. Love, love, love the red shoes with the dress!!!!

    Perfect! And you looked positively radiant!

    Best wishes to you all!!!

    Sara | 5:56 pm

  73. What a lovely dress! I could not be happier for you! I’ve a bit of familiarity with Ambergris Caye in BZ if that’s where you’re going….. we vacationed there this year and last. It’s our favorite place to go. Email for restaurant recommendations, etc… if you need anything!

    Shelley | 10:18 pm

  74. Hello Petite and everyone….. Very off subject, I just discovered an author, Cara Black, and started reading her first book, Murder in the Marais. It’s very entertaining so far. Check it out!

    Kathryn (Sanders!) Romero | 11:46 pm

  75. I don’t know you, but the photos made me smile. Congratulations :)

    goddamnright | 12:30 am

  76. You look gorgeous!

    Best wishes for the future.

    miss london | 11:11 am

  77. Petite, I’ve been reading your blog for a while and I had to say many many congratulations. Thanks for sharing the most special moment of your life with us, and pictures of your beautiful family. It’s very nice to have faces (great looking ones at that!) to put to the people you write about to us regularly. I hope that I can only be so lucky someday. Best wishes.

    Jasmine | 12:26 pm

  78. The Boy does look rather charismatic, I must say, but I hope he doesn’t go and ruin it all by wearing nasty pointy shoes, as a lot of French men seem to. I couldn’t marry anyone who wore those.

    Vache Normande | 4:35 pm

  79. you look so beautiful. And Manuel is very hot (for want of a better word)

    Susie Foxton | 8:28 pm

  80. The more views I see of your dress, the more I love it! You look GORGEOUS!

    unbalanced reaction | 4:38 am

  81. What a beautiful, happy ending!

    Carrie | 5:53 am

  82. OK I admit it – I peeked at your undies but only because we never got the PJ picture a while back.

    Thanks for sharing the day with us and all the very best for the future.

    Mark | 9:23 am

  83. Petite Anglaise,

    It has taken me 4 non-consecutive days to read the blog from the start of April 2006 right the way through to a post written four days ago. At times I laughed out loud, others I was close to tears on your behalf. Your style of writing is absolutely amazing-I felt like I was with you as you explained so many things. I am delighted to see how everything has worked out for you in the end, it’s like a fairy tale. Let me just say you have the most beautiful and intelligent daughter. She can speak 2 languages fluently and I can’t even speak my mother tongue fluently at the best of times! I’m ashamed to say I’m about 12 years her senior. You looked absolutely stunning in your dress and The Boy obviously knows how lucky he is to have you. I wish you every success in all that you do, and hope you see many more blog posts in the future.

    Best wishes,
    Eimear (in Ireland)

    Eimear | 4:07 pm

  84. Best wishes petite, you have a lovely family.

    Jules | 6:48 pm

  85. Congratulations, Petite! I hope you’re having a lovely honeymoon even as we type..

    Drusilla | 8:09 pm

  86. Congratulations on your wedding! Even more congratulations on managing to last till 10am!! Beautiful photos for a memorable day!

    Di | 8:31 pm

  87. Congratulations!!! I wish all the very best for your future.Keep smiling.

    Fotobuch | 10:34 pm

  88. Catherine,
    Felicitations to the absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, happy couple. An inspiration to l’amour!

    I hope you have a fabulous and relaxing honeymoon in Belize and hope to see you sometime when you return to Paris.

    All the best,
    Polly

    Polly-Vous Francais | 2:34 am

  89. “SIGH” Just too beautiful for words.

    Congrats, well deserved

    QldDeb | 3:27 am

  90. Havn’t been about the last few days just catching up now what great pics it looks like you had the perfect day, once again many congrats to you Manuel & tadpole…..:)

    Sooz x

    Soozyuk | 12:42 pm

  91. You look beautiful!!!

    Congratulations!

    Big Kisses
    Nena from Belgium

    Nena | 1:32 pm

  92. Lovely bouquet of flowers and perfect twirling dress! I bet Tadpole loves it!All the best..1
    penelope

    penelope | 1:34 pm

  93. beautiful couple!

    mabuhay!

    ms firefly | 1:47 pm

  94. I would like to wish you both very many years of happiness. Congratulations.

    Meredic | 2:53 pm

  95. never before commented but this definitely warrants a congratulations :) beautiful photos.

    anne | 6:17 pm

  96. What a fabulous party – that’s what a wedding should look like :-)

    Yu Ming Lui | 3:41 am

  97. Congratulations on the book – I have just finished reading it. Not having browsed your blog for a while i then discover you have gone and got yourself wedded!! – Double congratulations!

    The book was fab – I hardly put it down (which pleased my boss no end!). It made me long to be back in France (although I lived in the country not Paris – now I am residing in leighton Buzzard!).

    I am sure you will go down a WOW stateside.

    (PS in one of those gorgeous wedding shots you look like Sarah Jessica Parker – albeit the side view and you are far prettier!)

    Best wishes to you, Tadpole and the Boy (or are we invited to call him Manuel??)

    jooles | 8:46 am

  98. Aw, your dress is beautiful, and so are you.

    Congratulations.

    clare | 11:25 am

  99. Congrats, you looked amazing!
    Tadpoles so TALL! I remember when i first found the site, reading about when she was tiny, only seems like yesterday. Youve come so far-look at you go! Amazing life id say-hope you enjoy the honeymoon

    Maxi | 12:13 am

  100. CONGRATULATIONS. You all look gorgeous and SO happy. Here’s to a long and happy married life. Enjoy!

    teeweewonders | 6:21 pm

  101. I was away and missed all the fun! Gorgeous pictures. May every day be as happy as that one for you and your little family.

    Claire | 7:15 pm

  102. Felicitations, Petite et Manuel!

    Sharon | 12:35 pm

  103. Fabulous! Congratulations to you both, you really do make an incredible duo, and have a great trip!

    Alex | 8:07 pm

  104. I am so late, but want to add my best wishes and thanks for your wonderful marriage photos. You both look so happy that you are about to burst. That is JUST the way it should be. Best wishes for a long and loving marriage.

    Danna | 9:33 pm

  105. Admit it, he looks such a scrote it must be love.

    Btw isn’t he, well, a bit foreign.

    :)

    (Well, I think it’s funny…)

    andrew | 1:44 am

  106. You looked beautiful and he is gorgeous.
    Best wishes to you both from Barcelona

    Elise | 12:44 pm

  107. Adding my late congratulations to convey my happiness and excitement for you .. not only is Manuel truly beautiful and handsome, from the various wedding photos I’d say he’s also kind, curious, mischevious, intelligent, calming, thoughtful, steady but full of surprises and a truly lovely and supportive partner. You of course looked beautiful and gorgeous as well, happy and content and … finally home. And yet it’s only the beginning. How interesting and fun it will be to go through your lives together and learn things from each other, one day at a time. I’m so glad for you and send you both every best wish in the world!

    IloveWinnie&Frankie | 12:13 am

  108. Ah, what a beautiful dress…and a beautiful bridesmaid…and what a gorgeous, gorgeous day you had. Oh and loving those knickers too. Ahhh, I love a wedding *sighs*. Hearty congratulations! x

    English Mum | 10:20 am

  109. That last photo. Well!

    It’s Beauty and the Beast!

    (Darling, I think you are Beeootifoolll!!)

    我給它六個月

    andrew | 7:05 pm

  110. wow congrats — I’ve not been to visit in a few weeks and suddenly (well, that is my fault) you’re MARRIED !! and you look(ed) belle belle belle !! he’s not so bad either but…

    magillicuddy | 7:13 pm

  111. Congratulations. The dress is spectacular and the husband is rather hot. I wish you heaps of happiness together. xx

    Hollinda | 1:20 pm

  112. A very belated congrats…. what lovely photos (and your hair looks amazing!!)
    Hope you’ll be very happy together xxx

    Lucy Diamond | 10:15 am