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.
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petite anglaise 
Congratulations! It sounds like the perfect day! Enjoy your trip!!!
Comment by Amanda — June 11, 2008 @ 11:43 am
What a remarkable journey you have already had! Bon voyage, Petite!
Comment by Forest Green — June 11, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
Awwww…..
(Is it just me, and is this a really unoriginal comment, but does he remind anyone of David Schwimmer?)
Comment by katie — June 11, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
I love that last picture…The Boy looks SO pleased with himself and you are so cute on his shoulder! Awww…
Comment by suziboo — June 11, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
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!
Comment by Marjolein — June 11, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
These random moments can be some of the best memories. Congratulations again!
Comment by Sarah — June 11, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
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.
Comment by Assertagirl — June 11, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
All I can say is Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Comment by Jen — June 11, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
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!
Comment by Jaywalker — June 11, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
oh wow. congratulations. beautiful!
Comment by jacqui — June 11, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
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
Comment by angelesque — June 11, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Sounds like a wonderful, magical day. You looked beautiful and I love the dress.
Congratulations!
Comment by marmite and tea — June 11, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
It sounds like the most beautiful day!
Comment by Louisa Hibble — June 11, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
May you both (and Tadpole, too!!) have all the happiness in the world…..
Comment by Laurie Feldman — June 11, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
I love that last piccy – knackered with a certain – deserved – smugness [and you don’t have many opportunities to say that]
Comment by Daddy Papersurfer — June 11, 2008 @ 2:24 pm
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.
: )
Comment by franko — June 11, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Seems like a very nice wedding and you look so pretty in that dress!! You two are beautiful. Enjoy your honeymoon!
xx
Comment by Mae — June 11, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
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 !!
Comment by Thierry_J — June 11, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
Congratulations – the Boy is very yummy. Have a fantastic honeymoon in Belize.
Comment by valley girl — June 11, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
Its looks like you had the first of what will be many fabulous days ahead.
Congratulations…
Comment by sp999 — June 11, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
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
Comment by carol — June 11, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
I should point out that the honeymoon will be in the winter… not going anywhere just yet, more’s the pity…
Comment by petite — June 11, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
You look phenomenal, absolutely stunning! I’ve only recently discovered your blog, but I’m addicted already.
Bisous, V x
Comment by Victoria — June 11, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
congratulations!
seriously, i am so happy to see petite anglaise so happy!!
keikoxxx
Comment by keiko — June 11, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
Many congratulations. You all look so happy and what a stylish wedding!!
Amanda xx
Comment by Amanda — June 11, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Beautiful day, Petite. You certainly do look to be glowing with happiness.
Comment by Kitten/Barbie/Tammi — June 11, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
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.
Comment by Clare — June 11, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
How sweet life is!!
Comment by Chantel — June 11, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
Great pictures and description. Tadpole is a real scene-stealer.
Comment by Jean-Luc Picard — June 11, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
I hope the two of you have a lovely time. I like your memories of the day.
Comment by Peggy — June 11, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
“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…
Comment by Dave of the Lake — June 11, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
Congratulations on your marriage. May it be a long and happy one! :D
Comment by Halcyon — June 11, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
I said it before and I’ll say it again: FAB DRESS!!!!
thanks for sharing such a beautiful day of your life.
Comment by Brigita — June 11, 2008 @ 6:38 pm
You are both look so stunning!!! Makeup and dress, flawless. But can I beg? Please show us your shoes????
Comment by Iza — June 11, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Wonderful! Best wishes to you both!
Comment by Lost in France — June 11, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Absolutely beautiful!
Best of luck to you and family.
Comment by Mad William — June 11, 2008 @ 7:58 pm
Absolutely fantastic! I’m sooooo pleased for the three of you. Many congratulations and here’s wishing you years and years of happiness.
Comment by sablonneuse — June 11, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
It sounds like you had a wonderful time. Did you get to the end and wonder how it went so fast?
Congratulations.
Comment by Damian — June 11, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Some greater moment that people unable to forget.Thanks for sharing these touching moments.
Comment by Kredit ohne Schufa — June 11, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
Thank you for sharing more photos. Truly, the happiness oozes across the screen. How lovely.
p.s. FABBY shoes!!!!!
Comment by Iza — June 11, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
You look absolutely stunning. And what a wonderful day you had!
Congratulations!
Comment by ewe_are_here — June 11, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
many congratualtions sweetie looks like a perfect day for you both! x
Comment by Emmie — June 11, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
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.
Comment by cheshire wife — June 11, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
and looking lovely all the while!
Comment by barbie2be — June 11, 2008 @ 11:10 pm
Awww — you all look so beautiful and glowy — brought a little tear to my eye right here at work. Many many blessings!
Comment by Charlotte — June 11, 2008 @ 11:33 pm
The photos are lovely, it looks like such a fun wedding, and you look radiant.
Felicitations,
LKH
Comment by lkh — June 11, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
Congratulations!
Comment by Alys — June 12, 2008 @ 12:03 am
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!
Comment by Iris — June 12, 2008 @ 2:15 am
Thanks for posting the pics and letting us all share in your joy.
Comment by running thread — June 12, 2008 @ 2:29 am
What a lovely couple! Congratulations on your new journey together. It looks like it was a beautiful day!
Comment by poetmama — June 12, 2008 @ 2:50 am
What a fabulous day. I LOVE the last pic!
Comment by metro mama — June 12, 2008 @ 3:31 am
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
Comment by Michelle Lim — June 12, 2008 @ 5:04 am
Vous êtes adorables tous les deux. J’ai une petite larme aux yeux… Tous mes vœux de bonheur.
Comment by Séverine — June 12, 2008 @ 7:51 am
What a great day…thanks for sharing.
Comment by Caffienated Cowgirl — June 12, 2008 @ 8:06 am
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.
Comment by The Bold Soul — June 12, 2008 @ 8:32 am
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?
Comment by happyforyou — June 12, 2008 @ 10:07 am
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!
Comment by Marianne — June 12, 2008 @ 10:41 am
Very many congratulations. Happy days.
Comment by alex — June 12, 2008 @ 11:56 am
Aaah. COngratulations! and may your lives be long and happy together.
Comment by Moses — June 12, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
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.
Comment by Moses — June 12, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
Again, congrats! Lovely recount. I wish you all the happiness in the world. :)
Comment by Aimee — June 12, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
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
Comment by tracy — June 12, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
You looked beautiful in the dress. Congrats on the wedding! Oh and I loved the photos :)
Comment by Cheri — June 12, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
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
Comment by Baraginie — June 12, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Félicitations! Congratulations!
Comment by LN — June 12, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
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.
Comment by Dawn — June 12, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
lovely to see pics
Comment by Babycakes — June 12, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
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
Comment by Ariel — June 13, 2008 @ 12:13 am
Doesn’t get any better! Much joy to all.
Comment by Peg — June 13, 2008 @ 2:45 am
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)
Comment by Natalie — June 13, 2008 @ 7:26 am
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.
Comment by Julia — June 13, 2008 @ 1:22 pm
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!!!
Comment by Sara — June 13, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
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!
Comment by Shelley — June 13, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
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!
Comment by Kathryn (Sanders!) Romero — June 13, 2008 @ 11:46 pm
I don’t know you, but the photos made me smile. Congratulations :)
Comment by goddamnright — June 14, 2008 @ 12:30 am
You look gorgeous!
Best wishes for the future.
Comment by miss london — June 14, 2008 @ 11:11 am
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.
Comment by Jasmine — June 14, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
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.
Comment by Vache Normande — June 14, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
you look so beautiful. And Manuel is very hot (for want of a better word)
Comment by Susie Foxton — June 14, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
The more views I see of your dress, the more I love it! You look GORGEOUS!
Comment by unbalanced reaction — June 15, 2008 @ 4:38 am
What a beautiful, happy ending!
Comment by Carrie — June 15, 2008 @ 5:53 am
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.
Comment by Mark — June 15, 2008 @ 9:23 am
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)
Comment by Eimear — June 15, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
Best wishes petite, you have a lovely family.
Comment by Jules — June 15, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Congratulations, Petite! I hope you’re having a lovely honeymoon even as we type..
Comment by Drusilla — June 15, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Congratulations on your wedding! Even more congratulations on managing to last till 10am!! Beautiful photos for a memorable day!
Comment by Di — June 15, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Congratulations!!! I wish all the very best for your future.Keep smiling.
Comment by Fotobuch — June 15, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
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
Comment by Polly-Vous Francais — June 16, 2008 @ 2:34 am
“SIGH” Just too beautiful for words.
Congrats, well deserved
Comment by QldDeb — June 16, 2008 @ 3:27 am
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
Comment by Soozyuk — June 16, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
You look beautiful!!!
Congratulations!
Big Kisses
Nena from Belgium
Comment by Nena — June 16, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Lovely bouquet of flowers and perfect twirling dress! I bet Tadpole loves it!All the best..1
penelope
Comment by penelope — June 16, 2008 @ 1:34 pm
beautiful couple!
mabuhay!
Comment by ms firefly — June 16, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
I would like to wish you both very many years of happiness. Congratulations.
Comment by Meredic — June 16, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
never before commented but this definitely warrants a congratulations :) beautiful photos.
Comment by anne — June 16, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
What a fabulous party – that’s what a wedding should look like :-)
Comment by Yu Ming Lui — June 17, 2008 @ 3:41 am
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??)
Comment by jooles — June 18, 2008 @ 8:46 am
Aw, your dress is beautiful, and so are you.
Congratulations.
Comment by clare — June 18, 2008 @ 11:25 am
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
Comment by Maxi — June 19, 2008 @ 12:13 am
CONGRATULATIONS. You all look gorgeous and SO happy. Here’s to a long and happy married life. Enjoy!
Comment by teeweewonders — June 19, 2008 @ 6:21 pm
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.
Comment by Claire — June 19, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
Felicitations, Petite et Manuel!
Comment by Sharon — June 20, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Fabulous! Congratulations to you both, you really do make an incredible duo, and have a great trip!
Comment by Alex — June 21, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
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.
Comment by Danna — June 21, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
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…)
Comment by andrew — June 23, 2008 @ 1:44 am
You looked beautiful and he is gorgeous.
Best wishes to you both from Barcelona
Comment by Elise — June 23, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
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!
Comment by IloveWinnie&Frankie — June 25, 2008 @ 12:13 am
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
Comment by English Mum — June 27, 2008 @ 10:20 am
That last photo. Well!
It’s Beauty and the Beast!
(Darling, I think you are Beeootifoolll!!)
我給它六個月
Comment by andrew — June 28, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
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…
Comment by magillicuddy — June 28, 2008 @ 7:13 pm
Congratulations. The dress is spectacular and the husband is rather hot. I wish you heaps of happiness together. xx
Comment by Hollinda — July 14, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
A very belated congrats…. what lovely photos (and your hair looks amazing!!)
Hope you’ll be very happy together xxx
Comment by Lucy Diamond — July 15, 2008 @ 10:15 am