When marrying in France the marriage is held at the city hall. If you want a religious ceremony that comes afterwards, though a wedding in a church or by a minister, on its own, is not legally binding, nor recognized in France. A legal French marriage must first take place at the city hall.
Mimi and Alain were married at the city hall. Usually, family and friends gather outside then walk in together, followed by the mayor reading the legal marriage documents. The ceremony is over in fifteen minutes not personal, let alone uniquely special.
I warned Mimi preparing her for "how it is" in France. I could feel her disappointment at the reality of how a "French Wedding" was going to be like.
But my warning was not needed yesterday. The mayor was amiable, a kindred spirit regarding the elements of beauty, sacredness and romance. The smallest details were not overlooked but highlighted… I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the legal marriage documents with a pink ribbon laced down the side.
At a French wedding the mayor rarely says more than a few words, most of them about the legal contract regarding the laws of marriage. Looking at the paper to see the names to announce.
Though yesterday the mayor spoke directly to Mimi and Alain, he spoke of marriage as a path taken by two people, saying that the road ahead is more beautiful when shared, that when the path is uneven or rough, we must reach out to one another, hold one another's hand. Believing that the path ahead is our happiness. His words flowed, those of us gathered were touched. He spoke of problems as rocks as obstacles in our path, saying that the boulders we can see in advance and plan for, together… but the small stones…. we need to look out for one another, tripping is easy, but if we reach out to one another we can make it.
Look ahead the future is yours…
Wedding clothes.
Alain is classic, Mimi is Bohemian Rhapsody.
She likes pink, he likes yellow.
He wore pink for Mimi.
He loves her style.
But moreso he loves her… whole story, light hearted steps, brocante madness, crazy lace tales and her two dogs and cat.
Mimi loves Alain every ounce of his past, present and future. His family, his step, his French ways, his silliness, his bachelor ways and his apartment that does not have one stitch of pink, let alone lace.
He finds her beautiful, she founds him handsome…
Happiness is love found.
Who is next up for my Matchmaking?
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