KATIE SUTTON AND Clément Mounier were married on September 12th in Briançon in the French Alps.
Katie, whose parents John and Jean Sutton are Irish, grew up in south London. She attended James Allen’s Girls’ School before moving to Dublin and following in her grandfather’s footsteps by studying at Trinity College. On graduating, Katie went to France to work during the ski season, and was assigned to a bar in La Rosière, where Clément, who grew up in the Alps, was working as a ski instructor. The couple met on New Year’s Eve 2005, and became engaged last year.
They live in Briançon, a medieval Alpine town which boasts an average 360 days of sunshine a year. The wedding took place in Briançon’s cathedral, following the traditional French service at the mairie.
The bride’s Irish roots were reflected in a variety of green telltales during the service and reception. Katie walked up the aisle to traditional Irish music on the arm of her father John, and her cousins Andrea and Jessica handed out green mass sheets. Prayers of the faithful were read in both English and French by the mothers and godparents of the bride and groom. The bride wore Irish lace.
Honouring a mountain tradition, the groom’s friends formed a guard of honour with pickaxes as the couple exited the church. The wedding party walked along cobblestone pavements to a terrace where drinks were served and photographs taken. The meal was held in a nearby hall, where dancing continued late into the night. One of many highlights was the groom’s performance when he joined the band for several numbers, singing and playing guitar.
The speeches were impressively bilingual. The cake, made from profiteroles, which were piled high like the mountains where Katie and Clément have made their life together. The Irish theme continued with green place settings, decorations and shamrock confetti sprinkled around the room.