Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler !!!

June in New Orleans is like no other place.
Oppressively hot but enticingly intoxicating.
Here's my take on my weekend & Jennifer & Philip's Wedding...

~On Friday, a bridesmaid luncheon was held at

Ralph's on the Park, given by Jennifer's Aunts.

Ralph's on the Park is in a renovated historic building

overlooking the City Park.

A resturant of the famous Brennan family

so there's no doubt the food is excellent.

The bar was set up outside on the balcony

which gave a perfect view of the City Park entrance

& the Spanish moss covered oak trees beyond.

We were served Mimosas, Bloody Marys, or wine before lunch.

Lunch was Seafood Gumbo (of course), Shrimp Remoulade Salad

& a sinful Chocolate Cake with Brandied Cherries,

Fudge Sauce & Double Cream!

Everyone raised their Champagne glasses to Jennifer

before heading off to our hotels to get ready for the weekend.

Let the good times roll !!!
Jennifer's Bridesmaid's luncheon menu...

balcony overlooking City Park...

Jennifer & her lovely Bridesmaids...

Jennifer & Philip were married at

St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.

The church was perfectly decorated with white lilies,

Jackson vine & the largest white roses I've ever seen in my life.

The historic church was beautiful & the wedding party

looked straight out of Vogue magazine.

large white lilies, roses & Jackson vine...

the wedding party...

the handsome Best Man...

~The wedding reception was held at the New Orleans Country Club.
Stunning. Old South. Grand.

Just some of the words that come to mind.
The women were dazzling in their gowns

& the men were handsome in their white dinner jackets.

Was that Blanche DuBois I saw disapearing into a room?

Maybe not but I'm sure I saw Tennessee Williams

with a Bourbon in one hand,

a cigar in the other & dressed in an all white tux.

But then I do tend to hallucinate in hot weather!

newlyweds Sarah & Aaron Smith

Matron of Honor & Best Man

~The 10 piece band was phenomenal.

The 3 lovely ladies as the background singers

were elegant in their sequined gowns

& the 3 singers in front had voices like butter.

Classic Motown sound w/a little Cajun thrown in for spice.

~An open bar was in each of the 4 enormous rooms.

Anything & everything you would want to chase away the heat.

Want it mixed? You got it.

Want it straight? You got it.

Want it domestic? Want it imported? You got it.

Want wine? Want champagne? You got it.

And with the sharply dressed Bartenders at your beck and call.

~In 2 of the largest rooms was the food.
In 1 room was an enormous poached salmon

& smoked salmon with all the extras.

Chilled steamed asparagus with Parmesan lemon butter.

Then extra extra extra large gulf shrimp. All beautifully displayed.
Next room was a mashed potato bar & a deep fried burrito bar.

Huge silver platters of fresh mozzarella cheese & tomatoes

with drizzles of basil olive oil, quiches & other delicious tiny things.

~The Bride's cake was magnificent.

A vanilla cake with an almond flavored icing.

Again, giant white Roses & Hydrangeas between the layers.

As a last jab to his Ole Miss graduate brother,

the Groom who's an LSU graduate,

had his cake made into a replica of Tiger Stadium

with the fantasy score - LSU 53 - Ole Miss 3 -

PLEASE! AS IF!

Bride's Cake Charm Pulls...

the Groom's cake...

~The Groom was handsome & enjoyed himself enormously.

The Bride was lovely beyond words.

A classically beautiful blonde in a classically beautiful gown.

She wore a cathedral length lace veil -

an heirloom passed down

through multiple generations on her father's side -

as well as the pearl choker she wore.

Jennifer & Philip left in a classic car that belongs to Jennifer's father.

Congratulations Jennifer & Philip