The getting ready
Before the ceremonies, the bride and groom quietly prepared in the magnificent rooms of their house, decorated in gold and purple. The mother of the future bride helps her put on her radiant all-white dress, made up of two different dresses layered on top of each other. The back part of the wedding dress is indeed quite complicated to close for the person wearing the dress. A magnificent bouquet of white flowers was brought to the future bride. Nevertheless, she put on her high-heeled shoes herself. She preferred to do her own makeup before the ceremony, a moment of calm before starting this exceptional day. She also took the opportunity to write a text for the ceremony, to express what she felt.
The groom’s family in turn helped the future groom to dress in his suit in the best way, the setting is magnificent and so are the future spouses.
Religious ceremony at the Cathedral of Moulins
The religious wedding took place in the magnificent neo-Gothic cathedral of Moulins, a cathedral inspired mainly by the flamboyant Gothic of the fifteenth century, but which was however also built in the nineteenth century. This cathedral, however, has spires and a nave in white limestone influenced by the Gothic style of the thirteenth century. A triptych attributed to the Flemish master Jean Hey is also present in the Cathedral. This work of 1502 is located at the crossroads of the late Gothic and the beginning of the Renaissance.
Marriage in Moulins
The wedding took place in the town of Moulins, a slightly hilly town located in Auvergne. It is the prefecture of the department of Allier. The wild Allier river flows to the west of this city, whose history was marked by the Dukes of Bourbon and one of whom, according to legend, was at the origin of the creation of the city , after falling in love with a miller. A historical perspective that makes this village an ideal place for a wedding. The newlyweds traveled in a metallic gray convertible Beetle. The family and the witnesses accompanied the future spouses to the altar. The smile of the newlyweds was difficult to conceal, after the priest had blessed them. On leaving the church under the petals of white flowers, the groom carried his new bride in his arms to lead her to the ladybug which was to take them to the reception at the Château d’Azy.
Presentation of the Château d’Azy
Château d’Azy was built in the mid-nineteenth century by Count Denis Benoilt d’Azy. This castle is located between Saint-Bénin and Ixeure. Its architecture, influenced by the style of the early Renaissance, is close to that of the Ducal Palace of Nevers. The Comte d’Azy was a wealthy industrialist, also active in politics. He contributed enormously to the economic and industrial development of his century, as well as to the development of agriculture, the Château is indeed located in the middle of a vast agricultural domain. It hosted many philosophers and artists, such as Chopin, Montalembert or Winterhalter. It was also the place where the first workers’ social laws were drawn up, to be presented to the Chamber.
The wedding reception
Before the actual dinner, the newlyweds walked in the garden of the castle for a photo session around a small house built in the middle of the garden, to testify to their new union. The groom again carried his bride in his arms, while dinner and guests awaited them. The setting of the chateau was quite sumptuous. The family was able to share champagne to the sound of the trumpet during the cocktail party, while tasting petits fours. During the dinner, the newlyweds were cheered and they took the floor to express their emotions. A projection of images also told their story to the guests. A drunken dancing party could then take place, where all the guests, as well as the newlyweds, had a lot of fun.