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Entertaining With Bev: Let the World Be Their Oyster

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Give Kate Werner a few weeks and she and her board of The Choice Foundation, who operate Esperanza Charter School and Layfayette Academy, can pull off a fundraiser to benefit our elementary school children in a unique way! This event kicked off a campaign to raise $1.5 million dollars. The Choice Foundation says that: 98 percent of the 1,500 children in our public schools are minority and from disadvantaged populations, 100 percent qualify for free lunch, 17 percent have special needs, 20 percent are learning English and 17 percent are homeless. Thank goodness for the people in our city who care – for instance, Jim Huger founded the Choice Foundation!

First, Kate called her friends at IberiaBank, Hancock Whitney, Auto-Chlor Systems and Arnaud’s for sponsor donations. Katy Casbarian and chef Tommy DiGiovanni of Arnaud’s blew everyone away with shrimp Arnaud, lump crabmeat ravigote, filet and passed hors d’oeuvres, including crabmeat Prentiss. Gracious Bakery provided the desserts. And, Sazerac Company and Bizou Wines provided the libations. The hostess used her own china, silver, linen napkins and silver serving pieces to add an Old World feeling. Stephen Sonnier donated the exquisite flowers for the dining room table! There was a silent auction featuring Louisiana artists such as Gretchen Weller Howard, Phil Sandusky, Melissa Bonin, José-Maria Cundin, Ashley Longshore and more.
To carry through the oyster theme, Kate gathered oyster shells and tiny white lights to surround vases filled with white camellias from the garden. She also decorated the cocktail tables and created T-shirts with silk screened oysters to remind the children and the community to “Let the World Be Your Oyster!”

Successful charter schools are one of the keys to having successful adults. The Choice Foundation will continue to provide the children of Esperanza Charter School and Layfayette Academy a strong education in safe, nurturing, stable environments and help realize a future promise for New Orleans. Join them by visiting ChoiceFoundation.org to learn more.

Entertaining With Bev: Let the World Be Their Oyster

Chairmain Kate Werner and Katy Casbarian

 

Entertaining With Bev: Let the World Be Their Oyster

 Exquisite buffet donated by Arnaud’s; flowers by Stephen Sonnier of Dunn & Sonnier

 

Entertaining With Bev: Let the World Be Their Oyster

 Artist Alex Beard and IberiaBank’s Tommy Westervelt

 

Entertaining With Bev: Let the World Be Their Oyster

Oyster Shells, tiny white lights and camellias greeted guests as they ascended the stairs.

 

Dark NOLA Humor

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I think it’s pretty universal among long-term cohabiting humans that your mate’s habits can be either sort of quirky and adorable or absolutely infuriating and borderline unforgivable – depending not on the habit but entirely on the state of the relationship/mood of the other partner.

My husband, for instance, is actually biologically incapable of closing a cabinet door. When he and I are otherwise getting along and I’m in a good mood, I close the cabinets myself with a shake of my head and an affectionate smile. If we’ve recently had an argument and/or I’m crabby, I will scowl and slam the doors shut.

And so it is with New Orleans. When it’s 78 degrees in January and I’m drinking a Bloody Mary with the sun on my shoulders, the city can do no wrong. Its dysfunction is charming. But when it freezes and all the pipes also freeze and the toilets don’t flush and we have a boil order for days and schools all shut down, then suddenly every other flaw is magnified and I start having fantasies of moving somewhere, anywhere else.

Right now, I’m in a good place with New Orleans. The marching bands are practicing, Mardi Gras is just around the corner with my mom and daughter both marching/skating in subkrewes, and my husband and I just had a delicious Valentine’s Day lunch at MoPho.

That’s probably why this series of texts I got from a friend struck me as hilarious instead of giving me a rage aneurysm.

“OMG i just witnessed the most dysfunctional thing I've seen in a long time”

“S&WB shows up to my house to fix an exploded sewer line. They knock on my door and ask if there are any babies on the property. I'm like, yeah, the neighbors have one. The guy explains that part of the back-up is due to baby wipes being flushed instead of tossed in the garbage. Meanwhile, he's holding an armful of dirty, wet old baby wipes, ‘freshly’ vacuumed up from the pit of hell that is in my yard. The garbage bin is a few feet away. Instead of putting the baby wipes in the bin, he chucks them into the street and guides them with a hose toward the drain (not the sewer, but the drain).”

“I'm pretty baffled by this move and ask, ‘But … isn't that counterproductive? Won't that just cause the same, if not more problems???’”

“He goes, ‘Yeah, baby, but that's for the Department of Public Works. Whole different organization. We just handle the sewers.’”

I couldn’t help but laugh – I know it’s not actually funny but worrisome, but what can you do?

Fixing the Sewerage & Water Board is a much bigger job than just closing a cabinet.

 

 

Boycott Bowl

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I’ve written before, several times, about my college crush with whom a serious relationship was never realized and who subsequently died in a car accident.

I still half-believe that Alex and I only fell for each other because we rode roller coasters together on the day we met, but if it wasn’t that, then the magic happened when I read this sentence he’d written in his column in the student newspaper: “Now, you might say that I'm not much of a ‘club-goer.’ Indeed, you might say I'm not much of a ‘room-leaver.’”

Like the best lines do, it made me laugh with self-recognition. I, too, am not now, nor have I ever been, much of a club-goer or even a room-leaver. I hear people talk about FOMO, but I don’t have it. As I stated in last week’s column, I am really pretty delighted to stay home most days with my kids and my husband and watch horrible murder shows on Netflix in my ratty Mizzou sweatpants while drinking wine and baking bread.

My homebody attitude makes it hard to write much of a column, though, so this week, I turned to my friend Hollie Garrison to get her thoughts on the joyful chaos that was last Sunday’s Boycott Bowl. (My favorite meme said, “The city of New Orleans has created an alternate reality and is throwing a party in it.”)

 

Tell me about your Saints fandom.

I've watched (or at least listened) to pretty much every Saints game since I was old enough to hold my own head up. When I was a kid, my dad and I would post up in his vinyl recliner on Sunday afternoons in front of the Zenith, me in his lap, TV muted and WWL cranked on the boom box next to us. At one point we even had our own cheer for Jim Mora and Bobby Hebert, and we wore our paper bags around the living room until we realized they were traumatizing the cat. When I moved to Lafayette for college, I didn't have a TV but I listened to every game while I did laundry or churned out last-minute class projects. Now, even two years out, I still feel a dull emptiness every time I turn on the radio and it isn't Jim Henderson giving me the play-by-play. I'm not one of those superfans who can rattle off stats or positions, but my devotion runs deep.

 

How did you watch the other games this season?

Work has been pretty demanding lately, so I watched most of the games on my phone while doing meal prep for the week ahead. Until we got to the playoffs – then it was time to hit my favorite bar downtown to be amongst other anxious, overeager Who Dats.

 

Why did you go to Boycott Bowl even though you hate people as much as I do?

OK, I don't hate people, Eve. I just always feel so awkward, and so I hate having to interact one-on-one. But maybe the only thing I love more than costuming is getting lost in a crowd, and there was no way I was going to miss out on being a part of this one.

 

What were the crowds like?

If you took all the best things about Mardi Gras and tripled them, that was the vibe. I have never been in an ocean of humanity that dense, but I didn't see a single act of aggression; I didn't hear a single harsh word. Everyone was so genuinely happy to be there and to be together. There was so much hugging and dancing and high-fiving and sharing — beads and flags and glitter and beer and smiles. I can't describe it better than another Boycott Bowler, Anne Beck, did on her now-viral Facebook post: "This was just the family. It wasn’t tourists filling our city tonight. It was just us. The WHODAT Nation. And when we got home (early, because it’s a school night) we realized… we didn’t see a single police officer in all that crowd. And we didn’t need policing, because we were one united thought. No sour grapes here, Roger. You can take no credit for the best Super Bowl Sunday ever – it was ours alone." And she's right, it was the best Super Bowl Sunday ever.

 

What were your favorite things you saw?

The quick and easy answer is the costumes. I'm sure it's not news to anyone that the outfits and accessories were ON POINT. And no matter how long I live here, I never cease to be amazed by my neighbors' creativity and craftsmanship. But my absolute favorite thing about the day was the camaraderie – just how purely content and cordial everyone was. I saw a lot of national news coverage that described Sunday's festivities in some way as "angry" (like SBNATION's headline "Saints fans had a big, angry parade before the Super Bowl"). But nothing could be further from the truth. The reality was that it was an overwhelmingly positive vibe, and with that came the kind of intermingling of ages and races and classes that you usually only see in a utopian Pepsi commercial. There's really no way to describe the day without sounding saccharine, and I'm not usually one to get all in my feelings about things, but Sunday was truly something special

 

What was your biggest takeaway from the day?

Biggest takeaway: I'm so proud, and lucky, to live here.

 

 

Amen, Hollie. I might not be much of a room-leaver, but even so, I will never stop being proud or feeling lucky to call this city home.

 

 

Have Pajamas, Will NOT Travel

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Often, you hear people say that if they won the lottery, they would travel. Or they list it as a retirement goal: to travel more. They include it on dating profiles: “loves fine dining, hiking and traveling.”

That is not me.

Then there is a whole subset of people like my mom, people who don’t like the actual traveling part of travel and need three G&Ts and half a Xanax to set foot on an airplane but love being somewhere new and exploring.

That is not me either.

This is a character flaw on my part. I wish I were more adventurous. I wish I liked new things more. I wish I were more willing to take risks.

But I like routine. I like my city. Even more than that, I like my house, and more than that, I like my pajamas, and most of all, I love my family.

I have friends who travel a lot – my kids have berets from Paris from my bestie Sarah and souvenirs from Bali from my beloved former officemate Angie – but when they try to tell me how great traveling is, all I can think of is, “Yeah, Cuba sounds cool and all, but have you heard of Netflix?”

Have Pajamas, Will NOT TravelSo when I had to travel to Philadelphia this past weekend for a work conference, I was not exactly excited. Or – I was, but I was excited about A. meeting other people who work in my same field; B. learning about cool new ideas in my field; and C. having my own hotel room.

And yes, overall, I had a good time. I ate cheese steak and DiNic’s roast pork (aka America’s best sandwich) and butterscotch Krimpets. I met new people, learned new things, and passed out and took in a lot of business cards. I bought Philly-themed presents for my family and even did a very moderate bit of exploring.

Perhaps best of all, at the end of each day, after networking and going to the mix-and-mingle parties, I would take a bath all by myself and read a book without my kids interrupting me every 30 seconds.

I am glad I went – but even gladder to be home.

Even if I don’t care to see other places, necessarily, I am also not someone who thinks that New Orleans is the best/only place in the world. But I do know, with great certainty, that New Orleans is the best/only place for me.

Gumbo > cheese steak, always!

 

 

Make Music NOLA

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Albert Einstein was passionate about playing the violin. He was even quoted as saying that all a man needs in life to be happy is a table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin. But violin playing didn’t come naturally to him (it’s well known his dedication to consistent practice is how he became a respected musician in addition to his scientific acclaim). Einstein believed music not only brought him immense joy but also inspiration in all aspects of his life. These same qualities of commitment and joy are what Make Music NOLA strives to instill through providing access and opportunity for local young people to discover the positive benefits of playing string instruments.

Noting a lack of string instrument instruction options for students in a city with a long-standing brass instrument tradition, and following requests from teachers, Make Music NOLA (MMN) was formed in 2011 through the vision and funding of New York conductor James Blachly.

Beginning meagerly with one after-school program of 15 students led by one volunteer, it has since grown to offer instruction to over 600 students during the 32-week school year with 11 teaching artists and 15 volunteers. MMN’s seven after-school programs meet three days a week for four to five hours at locations around the city. Participants ages 6-18, receive intensive instruction on either violin, viola, cello or double bass in group classes of 12 students. But the program is much more than instruction as there are opportunities for students to participate in workshops with professional musicians and attend field trips to performances around town. Additionally, MMN students perform up to four concerts a year, including program wide recitals, a solo recital and six community-based concerts at local events. MMN students have performed at Tulane University, Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s Family Days, Celebration in the Oaks, and live on WWOZ. I was mesmerized by the skill and enthusiasm of the student musicians when I witnessed a performance!

With greater demand for their program and a lack of high-quality music instruction in schools, MMN expanded to offer in-school and Saturday instruction. MMN now provides string classes and K-4 general music classes, as well as guest artists for workshops and performances, partnering with area charter schools. Students participating in their in-school programs are invited to attend MMN’s Saturday classes, summer sessions and perform in their end of the semester recitals. “Over the last seven years our students have performed for major rock stars, attended summer camp in New York, and participated in workshops with students from all over the country. Through the program, students attending MMN have high-level performance opportunities and access to the highest quality musicians and venues. MMN has recently been awarded opportunities for our students to travel and participate in summer programs outside of New Orleans; our biggest goal is to raise the funds to make participation in these programs a reality,” says Executive Director Laura Patterson.

String instruments are often more difficult to obtain and expensive than other instruments, so MMN partners with Hungry For Music, a nonprofit organization that collects used musical instruments and donates them to underserved youth.

Through small group instruction and emphasis on community building, inspiring role models and musical experiences and self-confidence gained through performing, Make Music NOLA offers our city’s youth a unique environment for success, becoming one of the most sought after and creative youth development programs in New Orleans.


A little more …

To register a student or make a donation to support Make Music NOLA, visit MakeMusicNola.org.


 

Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

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“O What a Night!” offered 500 attendees a festive opportunity to celebrate the Tricentennial and highlighted the important mission of The Ogden Museum of Southern Art: to broaden the knowledge, understanding, interpretation and appreciation of the visual arts and culture of the American South.

The evening also offered tributes to Honorees Coleman Adler II and John Alexander. Coleman Adler II, CEO of Adler’s Jewelry and Member of The Ogden Museum Board of Trustees, has been a valued source of advice and support for the museum since its inception. Internationally recognized artist John Alexander, whose work is a contemporary embodiment of the natural South, has been added to the permanent collections of many museums, including the Ogden.

A Patron Preview Party was held on Thursday, October 18 at the home of Troy Scroggins and Keith Malvitz. Guests were able to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, mingle and preview the gala’s 21 live auction items. Prior to the gala, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the Patrick F. Taylor Library, which additionally provided a preview of the 67 silent auction items.

The gala took place in a tent outside the museum with decor provided by Ware & Co. The walls were lined with silver drapery to contrast the powder blue tablecloths, contrasting with dark blue and purple lighting and white flowers and succulent vases from Pick-A-Petal.

Hors d’oeuvres were provided by chefs Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus of Coquette, with dinner by chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Balise.

Musical entertainment was provided by Jeremy Davenport, Blue Earth Productions Presents D Play Band and Trendafilka.

The event was Chaired by Charles Urstadt and David Bernard, along with Christa and Matt Schwartz.


Event at a Glance

What: “O What a Night!”, benefiting Ogden Museum of Southern Art
When: Saturday, October 20, 2018
Where: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art


Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

Chairmen Charles Urstadt, David Bernard, Christa Schwartz and Matt Schwartz

Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

Roger Ogden, Ken Barnes and Geneva and David Kerstein

Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

Anna Beth Goodman, Ware Porter and Allison Kendrick

Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

David Gamble, L. Kasimu Harris and Aron Belka

Philanthropic Fun: Artistry Through the Ages

Jessie Haynes and Chris Wayner

 

Philanthropic Fun: Cheers to Better Health

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A lively cocktail party with purple and white décor, music and a host of celebrity chefs set the tone for the annual “March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction,” which supports the organization leading the fight for the health of moms and babies through research, programs, advocacy and education.

The Omni Royal Orleans hosted both the Patron Party and the main event, which treated more than 250 attendees.

A fleet of celebrity chefs catered the event. Those in attendance included: Tom Wolfe, Chef Chair of Omni Royal Orleans Hotel; Aaron Burgau of Patois; Norman Conerly of Acme Oyster House; Thorsten Leighty of Marriott; Brack May of Cowbell; Bradley McGehee of Blue Line Sandwich Company; Chris Montero of Napoleon House; William Morrisette of Dickie Brennan’s Palace Café; Gregory Rosary Sr. of Arnaud’s; Dallas Webber of Parkway Bakery and Tavern; and David Whitmore of Jack Rose.

Music was provided by T-Ray the violinist.

The live auction packages featured special restaurant, vacation and sports packages. Dining highlights from the auction included a dinner and wine pairing for eight at Jack Rose restaurant at the Pontchartrain Hotel, a cocktail demo and wine pairing dinner for four at Arnaud’s, an in-home dinner for eight with chef Brack May, a family-style dinner at Paradign Gardens prepared by chef Aaron Burgau and more. A grand LSU/Alabama package included tickets and seats on game day, and to be used at any time, a 25-person party at Parkway Bakery & Tavern under the tented area, which includes all beverages and an assortment of po-boys decided upon by the winner of the auction!

Karen Eastman served as event Chair. Jay Batt was the Emcee.


Event at a Glance

What: “Signature Chefs Auction,” benefiting March of Dimes
When: Friday, October 26, 2018
Where: Omni Royal Orleans


Philanthropic Fun: Cheers to Better Health

Grady and Jill Fitzpatrick with Ana and Dr. Juan Gershanik

Philanthropic Fun: Cheers to Better Health

Francis and Jennifer Maness with Paige and Paul Prechter

 

Philanthropic Fun: An Audience With the Creole Queen

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Kingsley House hosted a private dinner with world-renowned chef Leah Chase. More than 150 friends and supporters gathered at Dooky Chase Restaurant for delicious food and heartwarming stories from the Creole Queen. All proceeds from the evening supported Kingsley House children and families.

At the event, a VIP entrance included a private audience with chef Leah Chase, autographed cookbooks and French 75s prepared by mixologist Berni Ralston of Select Brands Inc.

The main dinner, prepared by chef Chase, included her famous Creole gumbo, shrimp remoulade, fish topped with crabmeat, vegetable jambalaya and assorted dessert plates for each table. Chef Chase delivered remarks.

Chef Chase and Kingsley House share a bond in their history: In a time when society was separated by the color of one’s skin, Chase’s restaurant was a vital gathering place for all people to come together to push for civil rights. Kingsley House faced a similar situation at that time, as the only traditionally white organization in New Orleans that had integrated all of its programs. Both Chase and Kingsley House pushed for civil rights and equality.

The program directly benefits Kingsley House’s capacity building programs, which include Early Learning Services, Adult Day Care and Community and Supportive service.


Event at a Glance

What: “A Night With Leah Chase,” benefiting Kingsley House
When: Thursday, November 1, 2018
Where: Dooky Chase


Philanthropic Fun: An Audience With the Creole Queen

Chef Leah Chase and Marianne Cohn

Philanthropic Fun: An Audience With the Creole Queen

 Kingsley House President Miles Thomas and Rebecca Thomas

 

St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide

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12 local ways to show off your personal style

 

Once a wedding budget is set, the real fun begins. Deciding where to spend the bulk of your resources is what will inevitably define the character and ambiance of your special day and create those lasting memories. Priorities differ for everyone, and while some focus on an enchanting venue, others hone in on entertainment or a memorable meal. New Orleans is a destination city full of history and charm, so the options here for exercising your personality and flair are countless. Local wedding professionals can help get your creative wheels spinning and generate ideas for an unforgettable day.

For even the most ambitious, control-hungry couples, a wedding coordinator or event planner is a godsend for manifesting your vision. When an event planner knows how to turn your budget into your vision, it takes enormous pressure off of everyone.

“We understand that the perfect wedding means something different to every couple. We are careful to reflect their personal style in the décor and ambiance,” says Susan Zackin, Owner and Lead Designer at Z Event Company. Zackin has over 25 years of experience helping couples create the wedding they envision. According to Zackin, it isn’t more expensive to hire a planner when hosting a luxury wedding.

“The planner has the ability to negotiate pricing on contracts, stop some of the overage and waste on orders and bookings and put your money where it will be most effectively spent,” she says. “For us, the goal is simple: make the wedding process enjoyable, stress-free and memorable.”

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

Some of Zackin’s favorite custom wedding splurges have included full orchestras at the ceremony, a full gospel choir recessional, breath-taking floral installations and hiring a celebrity chef for the reception meal.

Of course, event location is one of the first and biggest decisions to be made in the planning process. According to Lauren Langenstein, Conference Services Manager at NOPSI Hotel, hotels are a trending venue for couples. NOPSI offers the “industrially elegant” Dryades event space with exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling arched windows, chandeliers and views of the city skyline.

“Dryades has the feel of a stand-alone venue with all of the added benefits that a hotel provides, including the ability to take the elevator home after the conclusion of your event,” says Langenstein. “Unlike stand-alone venues, when booking at a hotel, one has the benefit of having the linens, tables, chairs and dance floor included.”

Royal Sonesta New Orleans, in the heart of the French Quarter, also plays host to weddings. According to Wedding Specialist Wyeth Metz, the hotel is a “destination in and of itself” with all services under one roof.

“Restaurant R’evolution is the perfect site for an intimate family dinner, and our Fleur de Lis Suite attached to the courtyard or a Bourbon Balcony Suite serves as a great location for a welcome party. Most importantly, there are a number of options to host a ceremony and reception, including the Grand Ballroom,” says Metz.

At Royal Sonesta, food is one of the most fun ways to make a statement. In addition to robust wedding packages, the team is willing to think outside the box for unique, custom dining experiences. Past examples include caviar, wild game and foie gras action stations.

The Fillmore, the latest local venue from Live Nation, presents a new option for New Orleans couples. Modeled after the original San Francisco music venue that helped launch the careers of psychedelic acts such as The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Doors, the new spacious venue features 22,000-square-feet of flexible event space.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

“From rocking your vows center stage to the post-wedding champagne brunch with delicious eats, we’re dedicated to making your special day one to remember,” says Lauren Ramos, Senior Sales Manager. “In terms of entertainment, Live Nation is the largest entertainment company in the world. Therefore we have access to the world’s leading talent. There’s no artist we can’t book if the price is right,” she says.

Two additional new options in town for event spaces include The Pearl Room in Harahan and Laurenia in the CBD. The Pearl Room is a new venue from Mr. Ed’s Restaurant Group that combines modern elegance with the well-known cuisine of the local restaurateur. The well stocked, all-in-one venue offers convenience and flexibility, and its bridal suite, foyer and patio offer places to relax and take photos. The menu selections include favorites from both Mr. Ed’s and Austin’s Restaurant.

Laurenia offers 3,500 square feet of new space in the CBD above the new Pythian Market. Housed in what was originally the historic Pythian Temple, Laurenia features floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Duncan Plaza, hardwood floors and restored ironwork from the original building. According to Marketing Manager Alessandra Madrid, the unified space includes an additional events area called 2three4, a commercially equipped kitchen and a bridal suite.

“We are located right on the downtown streetcar line. Wedding parties can rent out an entire streetcar for their wedding party and arrive in true New Orleans style,” says Madrid. Other worthwhile splurges include signature cocktails from Bar 1908 and a decadent raw bar that can be added to catering packages.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

Floral design can transform a space, adding ambiance with life and color. According to Denise Richter and Megan McHugh, Co-Owners of Pistil & Stamen, a floral budget is best spent on a few things: personals (what they call “wear and carry”), large statement pieces and site-specific installations.

Personals are in most photographs, so it’s important for them to feel special and reflective of the couple’s personalities and style. Meanwhile, large statement pieces provide visual dynamism and set the tone of the event, whether it’s classic and elegant, opulent and lush or modern and cool.

“Last, site-specific installations, like archways, living florals around columns and windows and suspended floral designs are almost always the most memorable florals of the events we do, and draw the most comments, oohs and aaahs from our clients and their guests,” says Richter. For example, Pistil & Stamen once created a “living forest” inside of Marigny Opera House, transforming the bare, tall columns into trees with vines and Spanish moss.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

Likewise, Kim Starr Wise, a third-generation floral designer with over two decades of experience, recommends focal installations as a must.

“Centerpieces may be forgotten, but I love to have a high-impact floral piece that a client’s friends will still be talking about a few weeks later,” she says. Depending on your floral budget, the sky is the limit. Favorite installations of Wise’s include a tulip ceiling consisting of 24,000 white tulips suspended over a dance floor and 10-foot hoops with streaming long garlands that created a jellyfish-like chandelier.

While venue and design make their statement about the wedding couple, the wedding dress (or dresses) gives brides a chance to be a bit more personal in their taste. According to Camille Wynn, Owner of LVD Bridal, many brides look at the wedding weekend as a chance to express their fashion and personal style multiple times.

“Brides looking for stylish second dresses for their reception and knockout rehearsal dinner jumpsuits or dresses are so fun and inspirational to work with,” says Wynn. “While working with brides to find their actual wedding gown is so special and meaningful, sometimes it’s just plain fun to get a little more non-traditional, daring and bold for the second or rehearsal dinner look.”

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

When gown shopping, Wynn suggests researching dress shops in advance and visiting multiple shops that fit not only your wedding aesthetic, but also check off logistical boxes like timeline, sizing and pricing.

Wedding style should go on to determine the style of favors and stationary suite, and at Gem Printing Co., Co-Owner Melissa Cousans Mortillaro has a lot of expertise in the area of invitations. She recommends couples discuss their wedding style before shopping for invitations, as the save the dates and invitations can help give the wedding guests hints as to the formality of the event – from casual and relaxed to modern or traditional.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

“Some of my favorite invitations have incorporated both letterpress and very traditional engraved typography. Using a family crest or cipher is always a beautiful touch,” says Mortillaro. “Besides invitations of course, personalized cups, koozies and second-line handkerchiefs really give a laissez les bon temps rouler feel.”

Here, second-lines are one of the most popular ways to congratulate and send-off a couple and add distinct New Orleans flair to a celebration. MemoireDesigns supplies couples with custom, artful, one-of-a-kind second line umbrellas created by Owner and Artist Kari Lee.

“A pair of umbrellas can be used for the couple’s parade, and more additional parasols can be integrated into the overall wedding décor,” says Lee. The small, personal touches engage guests and makes them part of the celebration while shaping a memorable event for the couple, she adds. Other decorative uses of the umbrellas include use as table centerpieces, hanging décor or even a photo-op background made of differently sized, open parasols with outward facing canopies.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

These touches of a wedding go a long way towards expressing the couple’s fun side. And another fun touch is hitting the spa beforehand. Good for the body and mind, a spa or salon date for the couple and bridal group is well worth the time.

“It definitely benefits wedding parties that we have a salon within a day spa,” says Lauren Duhe, Spa Manager of Spa Atlantis. Duhe loves seeing bridal groups come in together for body scrubs, facials and hair and makeup.

For couples, it can also be a one-stop shop for relaxation with its steam room and massage services.

“This can make the difference between an anxious, distracted bride and a bride who is truly centered in this special moment and connected to the people who have gathered to celebrate with her,” says Duhe.

 


St. Charles Avenue's Couture Wedding Guide


 

Z Event Company
508 Metairie Road, Metairie
510-5838
ZEventCo.com

 

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
317 Baronne St.
(844) 439-1463
NOPSIHotel.com

 

Royal Sonesta New Orleans
300 Bourbon St.
586-0300
Sonesta.com/neworleans

 

The Fillmore
6 Canal St.
872-3295
FillmoreNola.com

 

The Pearl Room
2310 Hickory Ave.
Harahan
737-0604
MrEdsRestaurants.com

 

Laurenia
234 Loyola Ave.
459-4005, extension 1025
LaureniaNola.com

 

Pistil & Stamen
PistilAndStamenFlowers.com

 

Kim Star Wise
437 Philip St.
315-5607
KimStarrWise.com

 

LVD Bridal
3512 Magazine St.
962-7668
LVDBridal.com

 

Gem Printing Co.
1904 Veterans Blvd.
Metairie
834-9580
GemPrinting.com

 

MemoireDesigns
913-2330
etsy.com/shop/MemoireDesigns

 

Spa Atlantis French Quarter
536 Bienville St.
566-8088
SpaAtlantis.com


 

Vintage Wedding: Ana Ester Garfinkel and Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik

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Ana and Juan are both from Argentina and met each other when Ana was 16 and Juan was 19. Ana was in college studying to be a teacher and Juan was in medical school when they met at a special lecture that Juan came to with his cousins. Ana met Juan and thought he was so handsome and that this could be the one! Juan felt the same way – he thought Ana was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever met! Juan had many years of medical school and fellowships ahead of him, so they dated for five years. Juan decided that he wanted to study in the United States in Miami, but before his internship he went to Europe with his friends for six months of studying there. While there, he decided not to go to Miami without Ana. Ana’s mom had to plan the wedding in two months!

The wedding took place, first in a civil ceremony on June 14, 1966, and then the fabulous wedding and reception for 500 friends and family at Temple de la Asociación Israelita de Beneficencia. This was a spectacular wedding and reception with only the best for Ana and Juan! Ana’s dress was created by the finest seamstress in Rosario, and they entered the synagogue through an elaborate canopy covered with fresh flowers and greenery. After the ceremony they went into the reception area, where guests were treated to appetizers in one room, then went to another room for the seated dinner for 500 with a fabulous band. The last room featured sweets along with a beautiful wedding cake.

After the wedding, there was no time for a honeymoon, so they spent a few days in Miami, went to the beach and had a wonderful time – there would be lots of time for honeymoons later.

Everyone knows Dr. Juan Gershanik as a famous neonatologist and philanthropist, and Ana as an amazing philanthropist, columnist and former teacher. After living in Miami; Lexington, Virginia; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Charleston, South Carolina, they settled in New Orleans. They have three children, Alex, Vivianne and Esteban, and six beautiful grandchildren.


Vintage Wedding: Ana Ester Garfinkel and Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik

Vintage Wedding: Ana Ester Garfinkel and Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik

Vintage Wedding: Ana Ester Garfinkel and Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik

Vintage Wedding: Ana Ester Garfinkel and Dr. Juan Jorge Gershanik


 

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