Summer 2016 feels like just yesterday – the distinct memory of sitting on the beach with my mom wishing I had a French friend to talk with, to practice my (very poor at the time) French language abilities.
Not even a month later, starting junior year of high school, I found myself in study hall each day wondering why this girl was always looking at my French homework. We didn’t speak, but to my luck, this seemingly strange girl joined Dance Club, where I learned that she was French.
We quickly became friends, and from that point on, Marie and I spent every day in study hall together, helping each other with language homework, taking way too many selfies, and exchanging about our cultures. It was one of my favorite periods of the day.
Little did I know, 8 years later, I’d be living in France and going to Marie’s Bachelorette Party and wedding…
EVJF: The French Bachelorette Party
In France, the Bachelorette party is called an EVJF, enterrement de vie de jeune fille, or the ‘burial of the life of the young girl’. A little morbid, no?
What I’ve been told is that Bachelorette parties in general are not super common in France, but that due to the power of social media and the ‘Americanization’ of the concept in France, they are becoming increasingly popular.
Marie had a Bachelorette exactly like I’d imagine they are in the US. Seven other girls and myself traveled to a town called La Baule to surprise Marie with a weekend filled with activities.
During the 2 days there, we went horseback riding on the beach, tried pole dancing, went to the spa, and ate a lot of good food. It was truly such a fun weekend and it was nice to see all the girls 2 weeks before the wedding. Full French immersion, too!
Wedding Weekend
First, let me just say, since this wedding I’m now convinced that when I get married one day it will be French style.
This was my first wedding, and therefore first French wedding, and wow- it was so fun. My day started at 6:30 am with the unlucky spot of first to have my hair done. By 7:30 am I was ready for the wedding, but the festivities didn’t really begin until 1 pm. Around 1:30 the girls who attended the Bachelorette went to Marie’s room for the dress reveal, and of course we all started crying. She was beautiful!
We had the church at 2-4 pm and then what they call vin d’honneur, ‘wine of honor’, which is a reception time between the church and the wedding dinner. Marie really had the best taste, as the food was mini desserts for the first few hours – my dream! Servers would approach with eclairs and cakes, and then as soon as you look the other direction another server was there to fill your other hand. And it was only 6 pm!
After that, we had a cocktail time, with drinks and salty foods. This lasted from 6:45-8:45 pm, when we eventually sat for dinner. Marie’s family are hospitality professionals, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, so you can only imagine how elevated the food selection was throughout the entire day. Dinner was no different. We had steak and potatoes, with their selected wine pairing and a dessert buffet to conclude the meal around midnight. The dancing began a little after midnight… shocking for my American mind.
It was so special seeing the opening of the ‘bal du mariage’ (dancing), where Marie and her now husband Clément danced to choreography I had done for them. They looked amazing!
Then we danced the night (or morning?) away. It was truly an unforgettable weekend celebrating love!
Congrats Marie & Clément!
Julia's Journey in Paris 