After returning from our hiking holiday, we had a day to reorganize, then Chris and I headed to Paris for a few days.
The reason for our Paris getaway? Chris’s good friend from our time at Cornell, Lucas, was getting married.
Lucas and Chris
This was not the norm in a destination wedding, but rather it was black tie . . . and Persian! Neither of which we had experienced before.
I probably don’t have to tell you how much stress went into finding a dress suitable for black tie that was also modest. I finally found something I was quite happy with and I felt I would fit in even though I’d still feel out of my element.
The night before the wedding we attended a welcome party where the dress code was ‘casual chic’. To show how much this isn’t part of my normal life, I had to google it to see what that meant! Everything I read said mixing casual with fancy – like nice jeans, heels, and a fancy blouse. I could do that – but I took a pair of trousers just in case it was a little bit more fancy. I’m so glad I did because I was SO underdressed with my nice trousers! Everyone was wearing what I had brought for the actual wedding – fancy dresses of all lengths. I started worrying about my wedding attire so much that I asked Lucas’ cousin if I’d be okay with what I had and she suggested I find a floor length ball gown. What?! I had a hard enough time looking for a modest fancy dress for two months in London!
Not having anything planned for our open day in Paris, we went shopping. After looking at shop after shop and not finding anything, one of the sales’ associates noticed my frustration. She asked me what exactly I was looking for. When I told her a floor length dress with some type of sleeves, she said, “I have the perfect thing!” She returned from the basement with the perfect dress.
I was so happy! They altered it for me in 4 hours and I felt so much more comfortable fitting in with the dress code.
Not only that, but Chris had me get my makeup done at a makeup counter – so I was feeling like an entirely different person!
The wedding itself was beautiful with all the Persian symbolism.
Wedding Set-up
Dancer Ushering in the Ceremony
Ceremony
Then the night was set aside for an all-out party, complete with dinner and dancing.
The Cake
Since we had an early morning train back to London in the morning we left early, at 1:00 am!
That weekend was definitely a different experience for us, but we were so happy to be there for Lucas and Tania!
We returned home to four wonderful children who had had a fun weekend being chauffeured to all of their own activities . . . and it was nice to get back to our normal, casual lives!
I love your dress!! What a fun experience to be able to get dressed up! But I can totally understand where your stress was coming from…
You look absolutely stunning!! What an adventure!
Wow! I would be so stressed to attend an event like that. How incredible that you were able to find something at the last minute and have it altered to fit. You lookk fabulous!
That sounds super stressful but you look absolutely stunning!