Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Bride Wore White

 

 

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My second cousin, the bride, knew her groom since they were in the fourth grade.

They married in the Catholic church were many cousins have been married.

The bridesmaid walked in a pretty row, the priest said things about love, family and friends gathered. It was beautiful.

The small town hall was packed. The decorations gorgeous, the food delicious, the energy electrifying.

The traditional details were observed by the newlyweds: They danced their first dance, cut their cake, tossed the bouquet and the garter. There were speeches of thanks, love, and happily ever after.

I gathered it in…. watching my aunts sitting together, cousins dancing, people laughing, the newly married couple kissing. I danced with my aunts, my brothers, my sister in laws, the bride, my cousins, and friends, I listened to an aunt sing along with a Patsy Cline song, I admired another cousin who danced just like his mother when was young. I floated in that atmosphere of joy.

 

What part of a wedding do you like best?

 

Note: My camera is still not working. It was frustrating.

 

Comments

21 responses to “The Bride Wore White”

  1. Karen@PasGrande-Chose

    Lovely bride, gorgeous dress. Hope your camera recovers soon, Corey, but so glad meanwhile that you get to share in this happy family occasion.

    Reply
  2. Bev

    I like the reception best!

    Reply
  3. Chris Wittmann

    It pays to have a back-up camera, even if it’s only a cheap little digital like the one I carry in my handbag. I too took photos of a friends’ wedding and endup up using both my 35mm film camera and the cheap digital. The wedding looks fabulous, what a beautiful bride. I have to admit my favorite parts are watching the couple take their vows…and the food afterward!! 🙂

    Reply
  4. missy

    the dancing….thats when all the joy just next to the surface overflows!!!!! sounds like you do too!
    missy from the bayou

    Reply
  5. Jackie

    I love the first look at the bride, I love the couples first dance, and of course I love the cake…

    Reply
  6. deborah

    I love wedding cakes! They are so gorgeous and delicious. And, of course, the bride’s gown!

    Reply
  7. Kathie B

    Not to go all picky genealogist on you — that’s what comes from making friends with an amateur family tree researcher (LOL!) — but a first cousin’s child is a “first cousin once removed.” In the instant case, a second cousin would be, e.g., Chelsea and Sacha’s relatioship to the bride. If your head wasn’t already hurting this morning, I apologize for making it hurt now 😉
    Re camera woes: When our very old Nikon failed on me during my 2008 Azores visit — horrors, after I’d spent good money on the trip! — I decided it would be a false economy not to purchase a few disposable cameras along the way, so I could judiciously snap the several dozen photos I knew I couldn’t live without. If your camera’s still acting up (and disposables are still being manufactured), that might be a tolerable temporary solution. Of course, that means the film has to be developed and you can’t do that till you’ve completed the roll — goodness, doesn’t that sound so-o-o-o 20th century?!?!?

    Reply
  8. georgie

    The father and/or mother escorting the bride down the aisle and the groom’s first sight of the bride.

    Reply
  9. Franca Bollo

    Thanks for the genealogy lesson … really. I’ve never understood how the use of “removed” works. Is the reverse true, i.e., does Corey’s first cousin’s daughter refer to Corey as her first cousin once removed? And will her children be first cousins twice removed?

    Reply
  10. Franca Bollo

    An open bar stocked with top shelf liquor.
    Seriously … recently, I witnessed the wedding of my first cousin, once removed, on Kaua’i. The ceremony was performed by a Hawaiian officiant, using some of the culture’s traditions. It was lovely and memorable. And it didn’t hurt that the Pacific Ocean served as the backdrop.
    Joan, if you’re reading, well done. <3

    Reply
  11. Lilly

    Dear Corey. I’m so glad that you could make it home for this wedding. Having been to your dad’s memorial and witnessing the amazing community of friends and family in Willows, I can imagine that the banquet and festivities for this wedding were generous and lively and loving.
    So sorry about your camera! Quick, grab someone’s to borrow! You are such a fine photographer.

    Reply
  12. Brother Mathew

    First cousin, second cousin, third cousin, once twice three times before. She is my Grandmother’s sister which was my…..funny but talking about a wedding one day removed is fun too. Too foggy.

    Reply
  13. Kathie B

    “[D]oes Corey’s first cousin’s daughter refer to Corey as her first cousin once removed? And will her children be [Corey’s] first cousins twice removed?”
    You earned an “A” in genealogy today, Franca!

    Reply
  14. Gretchen Seibert

    I love the church ceremony the best and always cry a few tears of happiness, even if I am not dearly close to the bride or groom.

    Reply
  15. Barbara (Australia)

    Preparations, thats my favourite part. My God-daughter is getting married in February and sadly her Mum, my sister, passed away many years ago, so I have the honour and joy of helping her prepare for her special day. The dresses, the venue, the decorations,the bridal shower are all such fun to plan, and purchase and make. Most of all is the coming together of our family with love and excitment for this wonderful couple who have found each other and look forward to their future.

    Reply
  16. Franca Bollo

    She’s your great aunt, Choop. None removed.

    Reply
  17. Cathy

    I love hearing the couple recite their wedding vows. It reminds me of the vows I took to love and honor my husband so many years ago. I unexpectedly cried when I recited my own vows and fell a little teary eyed when I hear others recite theirs.
    Of course a wedding is judged in my opinion on the cake. I consider myself a baker and there’s nothing worse than dry, favorless wedding cake. I say skip the huge monstrosity cakes and do sheet cakes, maybe a better chance of a cake that’s done right.
    Enjoy your stay in Willows!

    Reply
  18. Sheala

    Memories……always loved the big, Willows weddings!!! Haven’t been to one in years!!!!!

    Reply
  19. Jeannie

    The first dance and the reception!

    Reply
  20. Marie-Noëlle

    I like the wedding mass (or mere blessing, if no mass) at church.
    I like the moment when the bride and bridegroom step out of church (or out of town hall, if no religious wedding).
    I like the reception too and the whole night through !!!

    Reply
  21. julieannevins@googlemail.com

    The after dinner speeches, Jx

    Reply

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