The Wedding Day Part 2

Photobooth time

With some of my witchy friends

Ian and Clare

The evening reception was held at "La Marechalerie" (blacksmith's forge) very near the lovely village of Camembert. It has recently been opened by a couple who have renovated a beautiful timbered barn and offer accommodation for the night of the festivities. It has a huge area outside with amazing views over the countryside and that is where the aperitif cocktails were served whilst the two hog roasts were being barbequed. Naomi's partner Neil made two wonderful cocktails -Bramble and Le Normand which were served out of milk churns along with many tasty nibbles made by Remi's mother. The photobooth was in action which was (made out of plastic pipes and a sheet) and although I was still in the kitchen preparing the final salads whilst our dear friends Kate and Mark were busy preparing the starter of smoked trout pate, I was finally able to go out and socialise and enjoy a bramble cocktail.

Kate in the kitchen

Apero cocktail time

At around 8.30 we went into the reception area and found our tables which were themed around love songs. After the delicious starter the hog roast was served in platters and when we heard "our song" we were invited to go up to the buffet. Our table's song was Stevie Wonder's "Isn't she lovely" which was the song we played when Lisa was born so rather an emotional one for Andrew and me! The next course was an apple sorbet with calvados known as a trou Norman. Everyone was asked to bring cheese from their region so there was a huge spread of different varieties from all over France and Britain. There were a few speeches and even some games in between courses and then finally around midnight the wedding cake came in.

Remi

The wedding cake!

Jam and name tags

 I could feel myself flagging around this time but fortunately Patrick (DJ) started the music and the dancing started. I continued to about 3 am but many of them continued until 7 am when the 7 hour playlist stopped!

macarena

Mother and daughter dancing

We drove home so that we could be ready for the next part of the wedding which was "Curry at La Ferme des Vallots". I had forgotten to defrost it but by the time everyone turned up in various conditions and states of hangovers it was nearly ready. The only problem was it started to pour and the marquee tent collapsed with the weight of the rain!  However all the work and preparation of the barn proved worthwhile and we all went and enjoyed the curry inside the barn.

My big brothers and me

The Barn 

 Many people went home after but for others the festivities continued and the sun came out and somehow with all the food left around we managed another meal and everyone squashed into our living room to watch the World Cup Final. The firework display for the 14 juillet provided by the Mairie of Livarot gave the finale of the weekend and I collapsed into bed on Sunday night exhausted.

A full house watching the world cup final!

  It was a wonderful happy celebration and thank you all - friends and family for helping so much. I didn't feel sad about our daughter getting married as I feel Remi is already a part of our family and I can only feel joy for them both. I feel very blessed to be welcoming more members to our international family in the future.