Saturday 9 June

The Wedding of Christopher and Ludivine

Morning

Well today is the day we traveled all this way for – Christopher & Ludivine’s Wedding.  As with all weddings the parents do all the running around and we were no exception.   

Firstly Maria offered to be at the hairdressers in Saint Fargeau by 9.00am to help Ludivine & Jacqueline with their nails and then get her  own hair done at 10.00am.  The car needed cleaning, (thank goodness for auto car washers).  Back to the hotel to pick Christopher up and take him to Ludivine’s parents for the pre-wedding photos.  Bring Sharon back into Saint Fargeau for her hair appointment.  Peter then took Luisa into the hair dressers.  I then took Maria back to the hotel to organise a few things.  Back into Saint Fageau to pick up Sharon and take her back to her place so that she could get ready.  Then back to the hotel for lunch.  I think I did 100km in a few short hours.

Lunch

Joined everyone for lunch on the lawn in front of the hotel.  We all enjoyed the experience – a tad cold but the weather was fine and sunny, it was a great day for the wedding.

It was now approaching 1.30pm and the ladies started to leave to get ready.  Last drinks for the guys before we were called!!!

In the meantime, Christopher & Ludivine were having lunch with her family & friends.  They then set off with the photographer to have their pre-wedding photos taken around the area.

Ludivine - looking beautiful

Getting help from her brother Renaud & Melanie

Marc getting the car ready

Christopher with Clinton & Sharon

Tristan, Elina, Abigaël and Elora

Setting up the broadcast

Maria & I had arranged to pick up Christopher, Clinton and Sharon before 3.00pm so they could assist with setting up the broadcast and also get them to the Town Hall before the Bride.

The Mayor, Martial Hermier welcomed us, he was excited to be part of a special event, he made us feel very welcome.  The Mayor could not speak English very well, but he was assisted by Consiellor Alain Fauvel who did an excellent job with interpreting.  The Mayor's secretary Nadige Brosse also assisted and made sure the paperwork and proper process was followed for the occasion.

Broadcast on uStream  is ready

The Mayor welcoming us to the Town Hall

The Mayor, explained that last year he officiated at one wedding of a local couple and this was his first for 2012.  He also said it was a first for a number of other reasons.

• A French local girl marrying an Australian.
• Being broadcast via the internet to Australia, Canada and Italy.  We weren’t sure if it was being watched elsewhere.

He was very honoured to have us there and for Ludivine to ask him to officiate.

In preparation for the wedding, the town was also prepared.  The gardens were cleaned up with new mulch, grass cut and the French flags set up at the memorial.

The ceremony was scheduled for 3.30pm, however, the Bride was fashionably late arriving with her parents at around 3.40pm.

Christopher's family

Christopher's family

Christopher waiting

Proud parents (or are we relieved?)

Ludivine with her father Marc

Ludivine arrives with her parents

The Mayor welcoming Ludivine

Saying hello on uStream

Saying hello on uStream

The Ceremony

The Mayor, Martial Hermier had his official duties to perform, however he made everyone relax and ensured we would enjoy the ceremony.

He made an effort to include the non-French by reading the ceremony first in French and then in English. There was also humour, at the beginning as the Mayor started the proceedings, young Tristan, Ludivine’s nephew, made a noise for all to hear, (he farted), everyone erupted into laughter.  The Mayor continued his duties in a very professional manner.  Christopher & Ludivine firstly exchanged their vows and then they exchanged their rings.  Christopher and Ludivine were very anxious about their ceremony but once they stood side by side, they relaxed and enjoyed their moment.   As per usually they kissed and held each other right through.  When the official part was all over, we all clapped for them and there was great happiness for both of them.  The Mayor closed the ceremony with a very personal speech which is included below. 

Its official!!

The Mayor with the newly weds

The Mayor Martial Hermier:

"Australia is a very large country far from France, but the relations between our countries have always been very good.

 During the first and last wars, a lot of your young people have given their live for our freedom. We do not forget.

I do not know your marvelous country but I think that it is the land of freedom and large spaces.

Ludivine and Christopher, receive all congratulations from the municipality of St Martin and my own one (Christopher, you joint a good family who have strong family values)

I wish you long happiness and a long union.

I hope that you will come back to France from time to time and that your future children will never forget our country and that they will learn French.

As said a French Poet Jean GABON, when we are in love, the weather is fine , very fine.

Be very happy together." 

After the Ceremony

The newly wedded couple emerged from the Town Hall to confetti and rice, and well wishes of all gathered.

 

 

 

 

 

Ludivine introducing Geoffroy on uStream

 

 

Saying hello on Skype to Lilydale, Australia

Quentin with William, youngest member of the Bernard Family

The Family Pictures

We left Saint-Martin-des-Champs for Saint-Sauveur-en-Puisaye for the photos in a convoy of cars lead by Ludivine’s parent’s car with Ludivine and Christopher, bedecked in ribbons, blowing horns and making as much noise we could.  This occurred especially in the towns we passed through but also as cars passed.

There is a large garden adjacent to the venue where the photographer had set up a four level stand for us to get onto for the group photo- it was safe because it did not collapse and no-one fell off!!

Ludivine & Chris leading the way

Getting ready for the group shot

Ariane with William and Abigaël

The Bernard family with there newest member, Christopher

The Bernard family LtoR: Geoffroy, Melanie & Renaud with Elora & Triston, Jacqueline, Christopher, Ludivine, Marc, Quentin & Ariane with William, Abigaël and Elina.

The McCarthy photos:

The Vin d'honeur

The Vin d'honeur began with drinks and finger food.  The hors d'oeuvre's were made by Jacqueline in the previous days with Christopher’s help, he was very proud of his efforts.

Some how Clinton and Sharon found themselves behind the bar with Ludivine's brother Quentin.  Between them there was a lot of laughter and jovial interaction as they learnt French and served everyone with drinks.  It was an experience to try and get to the bar and then get a drink, everyone just loved Clinton and Sharon.

Tasting the Hors d'oeuvre's

Very proud parents

One of the Hors d'oeuvre's made by Jacqueline was Escargot, Ian and I were offered some which we tried before realising what they were.  We went back for seconds, now we can both say we ate French snails!!  Later in the night I noticed that Ian was enjoying the local French beer. 

Dinner

When the room was ready Ludivine and Christopher welcomed everyone in.  The room was setup beautifully.  We found our table and chair and the evening began.

Kids corner which included mattresses

Main table

The food was great – 5 courses plus wedding cake.  The wines were provided by Geoffroy (Ludivine’s brother) who is a wine maker at Bailly Lapierre, in a word GREAT.

 The Menu

Mise en bouche

Salade de Foie Gras a l’Huile de Noix

Salad seasoned with walnut oil, served with Foie Gras and thin slices of smoked duck

Noix de Saint-Jacques aux Ecrevisses SauceChampagne

Scollops with crayfish tails served in a vol-au-vent with a Champagne sauce

Granité au Crémant de Bourgogne

Digestive lemon sorbet with Burgundy Sparkling

Filet de Carnard a la Normande

Duck breast with an apple and Armagnac sauce served with provencal tomatoes, potatoes gratin and chicoree baked with bacon

Salade & Plateau de fromages

Salad & Selection of regional cheeses

Pièce Montee

Croquembouche

 

Salade de Foie Gras a l'Huile de Noix

Noix de Saint-Jacques aux Ecrevisses SauceChampagne

Granité au Crémant de Bourgogne

Filet de Carnard a la Normande

Wedding cake

Getting ready to cut the cake

The DJ played the Australian national anthem to everyone’s surprise and the Australian’s all responded, except Christopher, followed it up with “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oui, oui, oiu!!” with great gusto, this seemed to impress the French side of the family.   The DJ then played the French national anthem soon after.  On reflection, this help cement the national relationship based on the speech of the Mayor earlier.  The music then played softly in the background allowing everyone to talk and talk and talk.

Bernard family table

Bridal table

McCarthy family table

Later the music increased in volume, inviting everyone to dance which was lead off by Ludivine and Christopher.

We were starting to wilt around 12.30 am but the party was now starting.  The Battistone’s, Roney’s and Luisa decided to ‘retire’ around 1.00 am and we left around 1.50 am, but the party was now in full swing.  When we left there were 30 people on the dance floor with 6 sitting, this included Maria and I.  We heard later that Ludivine and Christopher arrived at our hotel, where they were staying the night (what remained of it) at 3.30 am.

It was a great night enjoyed by everyone.  Following this link to read more about French wedding traditions.


A big thank you to Peter Battistone, Ludivine and Marc Bernard for sharing their pictures of the day with us to put on this page, we had 966 pictures to choose from.


We would like to acknowledge Ludivine's parents for all there work and effort they put in to the reception.  The food, wine and entertainment chosen was absolutely fabulous.

We now have a new Mr & Mrs McCarthy/Bernard, a couple who are very fortunate to have very supportive friends and family literally from all over the world attend their wedding.  A truly international affair:

• Australia
• Canada
• Spain
• Ireland
• Belgium
• Germany
• Italy
• Poland
• and of course France