CIVIL CEREMONY IN BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT
The Boulogne-Billancourt City Hall awaits the bride and groom this morning. This place is the appropriate choice to symbolize a union, because the municipal building was located here specifically to embody the alliance of two villages.
Modern lines drawn by architect Tony Garnier characterize this town hall, listed as a Historic Monument. Breaking the rectilinear style, the rounded canopy marks the entrance and invites you to climb the large staircase with wide steps.
This is where the groom in a suit is waiting. He is smiling and laid back. His smile, fixed by the lens, leaves questions unanswered about the thoughts he may have at this moment. Does he smile at this young woman who approaches with a quick and determined step? She wears a loose bun and hides an immaculate white dress under her red jacket. This smiling and graceful bride is the object of his attention.
As she arrives next to her groom, an instance is captured: the fleeting moment of tenderness denoting the emotion of the young man: a caress of the hand and a tender kiss on the cheek of his bride.
Upon entering the wedding hall, there is a pause at the entrance: the lines and colors of the room reinforce the solemnity of the moment. The yellow walls and the deep black of the high ceiling contrast by accentuating the dimensions. Everything is sober and straight except the ceiling lamp, the bust of Marianne and the coat of arms of the city. So the attention is fixed only on the faces and spirits of each other during the celebration: it is the emotion of the parents, the attention of the guests and the seriousness of the spouses. Besides, what are the young couple’s thoughts while listening to the registrar read the proceedings?
At the end of the ceremony, on the steps of the Town Hall, an ephemeral myriad of soap bubbles welcome the newlyweds. They are happy to be surrounded by their relatives and friends and will prolong this happiness with the reception organized in a charming place, close to Paris, on the hillsides of Meudon.
LES ERABLES – A MAGNIFICENT PLACE OF RECEPTION IN MEUDON
In a magnificent green setting hides a pearl: the Erables. The property features an elegant mansion, dating from 1890, nestled into a superbly raised garden. The building has the charm of bourgeois houses of the time with its beautiful stone staircase leading to the entrance. Inside, stylish lounges with a cozy atmosphere are ready to receive guests. This house was built on the remains of a part of Bellevue Palace, which was the gift of King Louis XV to his love, the beautiful Marquise de Pompadour. This royal present was destroyed like many monarchical symbols, but it still remains a place where a love story is able to charm the newlyweds. The seduction of the place continues with the superb panoramic view offered on the Eiffel Tower and its surroundings.
In the green tranquility that surrounds the building, the pressure of the ceremony is released. The reception organized in the veranda is an opportunity for some to make the audience laugh with their speeches. To support them, a video projection features the jokes and memories of the new spouses. All the laughing faces of this celebration remain immortalized by the lens, either in color or in black and white.
This general hilarity calms down when listening to the symphony of a string quartet. Then, the couple slides gently towards a tender tempo which will be suspended by the sweet moment of dessert.
The end of the meal announces the ball and while waiting for the preparation of the room, a walk in the gardens is improvised. This is an opportunity to surprise the newlyweds in their stroll. Under the shade, they are joined by their witnesses who pose and put on a funny show in their friendship.
All the guests gather for a ceremony arranged to hear the professions of faith of the newlyweds. Facing the young man who completes his declaration, his wife is moved and contemplates him tenderly. They kiss to permanently seal their consent.
So, we join the building where the rooms light up. The newlyweds open the ball and are followed by the guests under the sunlights. It’s a crazy and festive evening celebrating the love of two people and sharing the joy of being together.