On the 29th of July this year, Solal, my handsome best friend/partner in crime/boyfriend of 10 years and I got married in Normandy, France.
Well, got married again to be precise. Two years ago in Sydney we got married for the first time at the French consulate – but it was only a civil, "legal", 10-minute ceremony where only Solal's parents and our witnesses could be present (the downside of living so far away from your family!). Nothing too romantic, really! But still, you can bet I was already calling Solal "hubby" and him "my wife" with pride from this day forward ????
We always said we would do the "real" wedding - as in actual ceremony and party later. Well, later was this summer and it was well worth the wait! We are pretty private persons, so the idea of being the center of attention was a bit nerve-wracking as we were planning this wedding, but in the end, it was an absolutely beautiful week-end where we got to share our love with our dearest people. We created amazing memories for a lifetime. And did I mention that the food was amazing? I wish I could get married a third time, if just for the food! haha.
This is the story of our special day ❤️
Getting Ready
The Ceremony
When you decide to get married in Normandy, which is in the North of France, there's always a chance that it's going to be raining a bit, even in the middle of summer. We chose the date of July 29th to maximise our chances but...we weren't lucky - at least, only partially. It rained a lot the morning of the wedding, making the grass impraticable and so we had to cancel our plan A for the ceremony – it was supposed to be under this amazing oak tree (the pic below) – and we moved it inside. We were pretty sad because the view and surroundings were pretty amazing from there, but our awesome wedding designer still managed to do something beautiful inside. And the sun decided to show up for the cocktail so we really can't complain!
My dad (the handsome/cutie pie pictured below) gave me away to Solal, who was anxiously waiting for me with his groomsmen. You can't really see it on the pictures, but he was sooo stressed! Being the center of attention really isn't his thing - I think he was dying a little bit inside. Poor little thing???? The look on his face when he saw me enter the room was completely priceless though ????
Our wedding wasn't traditional in a lot of ways – mostly because we mixed French, Anglo-saxon and Jewish traditions. The one thing that surprised most I think was the fact that we didn't really exchange rings. Well, I did, but he didn't. Let me explain. Solal gave me a ring but I gave him...a watch. Very early on, Solal told me that he really doesn't like rings on men, he doesn't like the look of it. However, he's a big fan of beautiful watches. So we decided that I was going to have a beautiful wedding ring and he was going to have a beautiful wedding watch. We had bought the engagement + wedding band together a long time ago in Sydney but the watch was a surprise! He loves it ????
Also pictured: me trying to keep it together as I read my vows ????
The Cocktail
Luckily the rain stopped during the ceremony, so the caterer quickly set up everything outside, right in front of the castle. We were finally getting our views and enjoying the beautiful domain! ☺️
To fully enjoy what the region has to offer, we decided to serve local craft cider and a cocktail called Kir Normand made with a blackcurrant liqueur and cider (+ other drinks too!). The food was a pletora of finger food served in spoons, canapés, local oysters and hot food made freshly in front of the guests like this amazing braised veal or this marinated beef cooked on the plancha. The food was seriously amazing. We worked with a caterer that only uses the freshest local produces and gosh, it didn't disappoint. I wish he had a restaurant where we could go and re-eat all the things he made us for our wedding!
As you can see from the picture, my dress got dirty the minute I stepped foot into the ceremony room because of the rain and the dirty floors, but I decided I wasn't going to care about it and ignored it blissfully. Even when our plan A got canceled just before the ceremony because of the weather, it didn't bother me much - I had decided that I wasn't going to care about things I couldn't change and just focus on all the other millions things that were going great. That makes for a much happier bride, let me tell you!
My People
One thing I loved most about our wedding was to be able to be surrounded by all the people we love. We've lived overseas for many years now, Solal has a big family – some of them living in the US – and I come from a big blended family so we can pretty much never gather everyone at the same time. We hadn't seen some of these people for years! So it really was wonderful to have them all for the weekend.
Unfortunately, a lot of our friends didn't make it to the wedding because they were too far away or were about to have babies - we're thinking about you our favorite Aussie, American, Israeli and Canadian peeps!
It's also the perfect occasion for me to introduce you to some of my favorite people ????
First up, our groomsmen and bridesmaids! From left to right: Vanessa, my sister #1; Mériam, my Maid of Honor and very close friend; Roxane, Solal's sister and Alexia, my sister #2 and then Sydney, Wesley and Bradley, all siblings and Solal's childhood friends.
My beautiful Mama, Chantal and my handsome brother, Matthieu ????
Vanessa, Roxane, Yours Truly, Alexia and Mériam
My Dadda, Gérard ????
All my siblings!! Matthieu, Alexia, Vanessa - and the cutie pies Camille (sister #3) and Charles (brother #2) (they're twins!)
Our friends - some I've known for more than 15 years now! ????
Couple's Session
After the cocktail, while our guests were finding their seats for the dinner and getting cosy inside the big tent, we took a little break and did our couple's session with our favorite photographer Typhanie. Here's a little sneak peek! Isn't she the best at capturing emotions and working with the light? Love her. We will have beautiful memories thanks to her.
The Dinner & Party
Our theme for the wedding was rustic chic, with touches of wood, zinc, white and blush. I absolutely loved our decoration. It was simple and elegant, exactly what I had pictured. Thank you for your amazing work Flavie ????
The traditional wedding favour in France is a bag of sugared almonds – "dragées"– but Solal and I don't really like them. We wanted to gift something a bit different and original (and actually tasty!) so we offered our guests little bags of local salted caramels ("Caramels d'Isigny", made with a famous butter from Isigny, Normandy). We bought some linen bags and a customized stamp et voila! the cuttest and most delicious favours ☺️
The food for the dinner was out of this world too! We had duck fillets with a sesame caramel sauce, pineapple and raspberry chutney, and a fava beans purée. Then an assortment of cheese (obvi, you're in France, it's illegal not to have cheese!) served with salad and for dessert, the most delicious almond cake made half with raspberry, half with chocolate (to satisfy both the bride and the groom ????) and an assortment of 8 mini-desserts that were to die for! I wish I had pictures of all the food but I don't, we were all too busy enjoying it!
After nightfall, we took a short break from the dinner to release lanterns in the sky. It was such a beautiful show! A very special moment ☺️ Then we went back inside to cut the cake, have dessert and after our first dance, it was time to get the party started!! My favorite moment was without a doubt the Horah - a Jewish dance during which the bride and the groom are lifted in the air on their chairs. It would be a bit scary if it wasn't so much fun!!
The Sunday Brunch
The next day, all the guests came back to the castle for a much needed invigorating brunch made of delicious grilled meats (including the best veal sausage I've ever tried), salads, foil-wrapped potatoes and the best ever homemade Boursin sauce. And to finish it off, amazing fruit tarts for dessert. We wanted something a bit more low key for the next day (no more foie gras and duck! haha) but honestly the quality of each product was so good, it made for an incredible meal. Simplicity at its very best!
I don't have many pictures of this day because our photographer was gone and I think everybody was more interested in chatting and eating than snapping! What I do have however is pictures of us thoroughly enjoying our wedding cake leftovers on the following days! haha
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our very special day ❤️
xoxo
Marie
The people we loved working with:
Venue: Chateau de Gonneville
Photographer: Typhanie Piton
Caterer: Lombardie Traiteur
Wedding designer: Flavie with French Wedding Belles (get in touch with me if you'd like to work with her as she's no longer working with the same agency)
Make up: Marie Martin
Hair: Zalla Création
Hair comb and earrings: Poetry Jewelry on Etsy
Dress: Confidence Mariage
Solal's suit: George & King Sydney
Bouquets + boutonnières: Margot Lys in Tourlaville
Paul Ackerman
That was a lovely story with beautiful pictures. The rain may have altered your plans, but rain on a wedding day is actually a blessing because a wet knot is harder to untie.
Marie
In French we say "Mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux" which means "rainy wedding, happy marriage" - so yes, couldn't agree more with you! 🙂
Liz Beavers
What a lovely post about your wedding! You looked absolutely beautiful and Solal is so handsome. Loved seeing ALL the pictures and reading about the amazing food that was served over the wedding weekend.
Marie
He really is super handsome, isn't he?! I'm a very proud wife! haha. Thanks a lot for the kind words Liz!
Janet
Thanks Marie for sharing. . I wish you and Solal a very happy and healthy long life together, and I hope your family grows in a likewise manner. Also hope you will continue your blog. I always enjoy your very comfortable writing and recipes.
Marie
Thank you so much Janet! You can count on me for the blog - and looking forward to building our family too! 🙂
Sue B
Absolutely lovely...Congratulations to you both
Marie
Thank you so much Sue!
Allison Clark
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your happy day with us!!! You looked beautiful!
Marie
Oh hello Allison, I hope you're doing well! Thank you so much! 🙂
Teddi Aytona
Dear Marie,
I am sending my very best wishes on your marriage and my wishes are meant for a lifetime for you and Solal.
I am a recipient of your clean eating blog (here in Canada) for which I am thankful. I was glad when you lived here in Canada for a while and saddened when you left. I was hoping then that you'd make Canada your permanent home. I know you are traveling but is Australia your permanent residence? My husband and I are spending next winter in Canberra where our son and daughter-in-law are with the Canadian High Commission. I hear it is a beautiful country.
Again, congratulations????????????
Teddi Aytona
Marie
Hello Teddi! How wonderful that you're going to Australia soon! You're going to love it, it really is a beautiful country. It was our home for 5 years but we left a few months ago and won't be coming back (at least in the foreseeable future!). We loved Canada too but unfortunately were not able to stay for visa reasons.
Thank you so much for the kind words and wishes!
Ruth
Beautiful, fun, pretty! Thanks for sharing!
Marie
Thank YOU Ruth!
Laura
Marie - Lovely story and beautiful photos. You were a stunning bride. Many many happy years for both of you! Thanks for sharing your special day.
Marie
Oh hello Laura! Thanks for stopping by and thanks so much for your lovely words! 🙂
Joyce Addo
Thanks for sharing your wonderful day with us. You're really a beautiful person. I wish you a joyous, peaceful and fulfilling married life with Solal. Most of all, you'd probably have twins:) too!
Marie
Thank you so much Joyce! And YES I would love to have twins haha - even though they're a looot more work 😉
sonia
Hi there
Wow your dress was elegant and very feminine looking, just my taste too and you were glowing and amazing bride and beautiful, nice pictures and thanks for sharing them with us
all the best
Marie
Aww thank you Sonia! I did love my dress hihi 🙂
Dragana
Congratulations I wish you a lot of happiness! The pictures are wonderful!
Ps. You know what French are saying : mariage pluvieux mariage heureux !
Marie
Exactement ! 😉 Thank you so much 🙂
Allison
This looked like it was a perfect day: lovely bride, handsome groom, gorgeous dress, amazing flowers and awesome venue and food. Many years of happiness, you are both adorable and your photos are just wonderful!
Marie
Thank you so much for all the kind words Allison! 🙂 🙂
Diane
Your wedding day looks wonderful, Marie: elegant, joyous and full of special , symbolic moments: (love the pix of the Horah and of the lanterns being released).
Wishing you and Solal much happiness as you move into this new chapter of your life together!
Marie
Aww thank you so much Diane! I hope you're doing well and that we'll get a chance to see you in Auvergne some day! 🙂
Gill Stevenson
So beautiful! Gorgeous dress, beautiful bride (love the hair). Thank you for sharing. Could almost taste the food!
Marie
Awww thank you so much Gill! ????