Aurelie and Olivier traveled from Paris to get married in Saint Privat des Pres in the Dordogne. Aurelie was originally from the area and hence planned the wedding in her home town. It was a 100% French wedding less than 2 km from my home and it promised to be a fun day and it was. "Attention au tracteur" the French said as I waited with the towns folk outside the church and 10 minutes later the tractor arrived pulling a trailer suitably decorated with the groom, best men, bridesmaids and others from the wedding party all drinking and signing. Seconds later a Porsche delivered the bride. It looked like all the Saint Privat inhabitants were waiting to witness the arrival of the wedding party and as they pulled up they were greeted by cheers. It was going to be an interesting wedding day.

Aurelie & Olivier Wedding (12 of 296) - 9736 Aurelie & Olivier Wedding (19 of 296) - 9749 The settling for the ceremony was behind the Salle de Fetes in Saint Privat and was lovely. Rose petals on the floor, flowers, voile and ribbons in the trees, wooden benches for the guests and a ceremony area decorated in flowers and voile; it was really pretty. The children led the wedding party to the ceremony and the sun shone through the trees to create dappled light to make it special.

Aurelie & Olivier Wedding (85 of 296) - 9855 Aurelie & Olivier Wedding (130 of 296) - 9963 The ceremony was very informal and very long as all 6 bridesmaids and 6 best men gave a speech and it created lots of laughter. It was very personal and lovely. After the ceremony it was time to celebrate and drinks flowed and canapés were served. The Candy Stripes were there and they entertained and were enjoyed by everyone. There seemed to be no formal plan and everyone went with the flow which was great. I didn't know what was happening next so had to stay alert and I was pleased I managed to capture some of the impromptu fun in my photographs. I particularly liked the wedding bouquet throw to the single men and I wasn't expecting them all to run away as it was thrown, it was funny and everyone laughed.

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