The wedding

Don’t freak out just yet. It was not my wedding, not yet. Although I was kind of wishful thinking it was mine (laugh out loud).

It was in France. Yes, it took some time before it deeply hits me how opportune I was to witness my friend’s precious wedding vows and magical celebration. I don’t really get a lot of wedding invitations my whole life, let alone being invited as a bridesmaid. And so to fly a hundred miles – to France – as a Bridesmaid – and witness this special occasion was mind-blowing. It was one of those great-things-come-to-those-who-wait moments.

The venue of the ceremony and reception was in the town of Pontault-Combault, about 19kms in the eastern suburbs of Paris. Getting out of the city of love and driving for about an hour offered me a different side of France, a breathtaking view of french landscapes and a taste of rustic and laid-back lifestyle.

The City Hall looked so quaint that especially turned picture perfect with its colorful garden in the frontyard and invigorating trees and greenfield at the back. While waiting for the couple, we had some awesome photo ops in the midst of beauty and tranquility and of soft-sweet-french-countryside breeze.

It was an intimate wedding rite, where only the closest relatives and friends of the groom were invited (except a few, lucky us). It was officiated by the town’s mayor who happened to be his cousin. And of course it was in French! Oh no, what happened to the english language?  And so it was my first French wedding experience. Wonderful, wonderful time.

Now for the reception and celebration, we all drove further down to the location of Chateau de Santeny where we met a stunning 19^th century chateau that’s nestled in a 4-hectare park. The ancient structure was godsmacking for sure! I don’t remember having been in a chateau before and to be able to experience it the first time and in a place where it’s most famous for? Please wake me up.

We were all welcomed by a gorgeous cocktail table right in the front entrance of the chateau and where served probably one of the finest wines and champagnes in the country. Add to it some beautifully-plated party finger food. I was there -looking at the long, exquisitely-decorated table by the entrance of the imposing castle, facing the vast and mesmerizing garden with the glorious sunset at the backdrop. A fairytale. Flabbergasted.

About under an hour we spent a perfect social time, befriending everyone and catching up with long lost friends. We also took advantage of taking some time for ocular inspection around the lovely place and found some beautiful spots for photo ops. Everything was great that I never wanted time to tick.

At night, the chateau has multiplied it’s magnificence. It felt and looked like disneyland. The setting was so magical and I was smitten a million times over. By the time dinner was set, we all entered into the dining hall and celebrated the special night of our dear friends with much awe and amazement. It was a french course and although nothing was familiar to me, not even the cheese that were served at the end of the meal, they just tasted so heavenly – like all else.