What a busy weekend – We love our job!!
by Cherry - 13:44 on 30 May 2016
On Saturday we drove to the medieval cite of Carcassonne to meet Amy and Mark. They will be getting married at the sumptuous Hotel La Cité in the centre of the castle-city in September and were visiting to finalise arrangements. It’s always great to meet couples in person before their wedding day if we can. It gives us all a chance to get to know each other, discuss their ceremony detail and get a feel for how the day will be.
It’s more than just the words – it’s about creating an inclusive ceremony, involving their parents, friends and sometimes, children! On this occasion we were able to see the private terrace where the ceremony will take place - WOW what a backdrop! It overlooks the turrets and crenelated walls of the Chateau Comptal!
Another day another wedding - Sunday dawned wet and stormy and we drove the 200kms to Chateau Puissentut in trepidation, not sure if Lindsay and John would be able to have their outdoor ceremony as planned. Thankfully, the weather brightened as we passed Toulouse and we arrived in sunshine to hear everything was going ahead as planned.
The chateau is beautiful and has been lovingly restored by its owners Angela and Dirk and they welcomed us when we arrived. The wedding planners were busy arranging the flowers and decorations for the ceremony and the celebration meal in the barn. So after letting the Bride and Groom know we had arrived and making sure they were happy and relaxed, we made our way down to the ancient Pigonnier, where the ceremony was to take place. As part of their ceremony John and Lindsay had chosen to have a ‘Loving Cup’ to seal their vows and we provide an ornate goblet – that they keep – and a bottle of the local sparkling wine for this. Ray always manages to create a light- hearted moment at this point in the ceremony, popping the cork, he fills the glass and then gets them to share it, making sure the Groom empties the glass!
As the guests gathered the brides brother played guitar helping to create a lovely atmosphere. The Bride arrived on the arm of a very proud Dad, her three bridesmaids leading her through a decorated doorway and down the grassy path through the trees to the pigonnier with its spectacular views across the Gascon countryside.
I always have a lump in my throat at this point as I watch Ray ask everyone to stand for the arrival of the Bride…. It was a lovely ceremony with two readings from the groom’s sister-in-law and a very emotional mother of the Bride. John's young nephew Danté was ‘Master Ring Bearer' and proudly stepped forward with the ring box for the exchange of rings. He really looked the part in his new navy suit and bow tie! The couple kissed to cheering guests and then led everyone up to the chateau gardens for a vin d’honeur. After a celebration drink with the couple and their guests we set of home. Happy in the knowledge that we had played an important part in making the day a success!
Wedding planners - Sarah Thomas www.andthenwegotmarried.com
Florist - Le Coeur Sauvage. www.lecoeursauvage.com
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