MY DAUGHTER VANESSA MARRIES IN ST TROPEZ

It was a lovely, original, spiritual ceremony. The French guests, unused to such, were rather surprised and fascinated by the “Feel the earth under your feet;” and “breathe in the energy and let any concerns or doubts you may have leave with your breath.” There were traditional exchanges of rings, vows like “do you accept …,” “I do’s,” and the final Kiss. As the bride and groom walked back down the grassy steps between stands where huge glass vases held white rose petals, all the young children tossed the petals to the newly weds in a perfect shower of white.

We had 3 days of wonderful fun, food, friends, ex-husbands, families of ex-husbands, former wives of ex-husbands, perfect weather, time to cruise the port and back streets of St Tropez.

All the events surrounding the wedding took place at the home of Catherine Schneider, Vadim’s wife after me, who has been a second mother to Vanessa over the years. Her graciousness, class, generosity and joi de vie, ensured that everything would be splendid in every way. It was all enhanced by the talents of jewelry designer par excellence, Carlo Traglio, and his friend, Thomas. They came from Italy on Carlo’s yacht, bringing the flowers, candles, and Thomas’s amazing creative talent at turning an already startlingly beautiful estate into a magical wonderland. I am exceedingly grateful to Catherine, Carlo and Thomas.

Had to leave for the airport in the middle of a totally splendid and gorgeously laid out table of raw veggies (arranged on thick cork platters as is custom in St Tropez) and grilled fish with 39 of us at the famous Club 55 on the even more famous Pamplona Beach. Vadim and I spent many months over our 8 years together at Hotel Tahiti, a little bit down to the left on that same beach. In fact, that’s where we were when the morning french papers announced that the U.S. Congress had voted to bomb North Vietnam–the “Tonkin Gulf Resolution.”

I cried a lot seeing my daughter so happy. And all of us are crazy about Paul Van Winkle, the handsome and kind groom.

I return to Paris tired and relieved that it all went so well (with no effort on my part, I have to add) and without any meltdowns.

A big whew!! Enjoy the photos.

children of guests playing during our happy hour

Boo Boo with his daughter

handsome groom-to-be

Boo Boo (purple scarf) with some of his guests

The about-to-be-married lovers at the cocktail gathering

Frday night--Happy Hour offered by Catherine's son, Boo Boo (Olivia) from her first marriage, the night before the wedding.

Italian jewelry designer, Carlo Traglio

The Port

The harbor

The church in the background is where Vadim's funeral services took place

There are a number of Botero statues along the port's edge

The view from where I had lunch Saturday

Tulea not-to-cautiously approaching a peacock in the street

The Saturday market in the square

Market

Other side from the port of St Tropez

lots of narrow streets

You can't move at the height of the season--July and August

Thomas's flower arrangement in my room

the walk to the ceremony

Waiting for the bride

left to right--Troy, Catherine, Vania, Vanessa, Paul and me

Barbara Wiliams, Tom's gorgeous wife--actor and singer

wedding cake with rubber ducky bride and groom on top

Tom Hayden, his wife, Barbara Williams and friend of all, John Rubin

bride and groom walking to the ceremonial spot

left to right: Vania, Nathalie, Natacha who is Carlo's international Director, Marie Christine, Helene, Simone, troy, Olivia, Vania's girlfriend

The next day at club 55

There was what Catherine described as a shish kabob of children at the far end of the table

me with my daughter, the newly wed

crudities (raw vegetables on a cork tray)