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Deborah “Debby” Smythe met Harry Kuhner during her debut year when he received a “please escort” for her for one of the fabulous parties her year. She actually had Harry take her home early because she had another date for a later party that night! Harry attended Tulane Law School while Debby attended Newcomb College, so they had plenty of time to see each other. Soon after, Harry saw her again at Bruno’s and decided she was the one! They dated for a couple of years, and one night while sitting on the sofa, Harry said, “What do you think about getting married?” Debby thought it was a great idea and voila, a summer wedding was born! Actually three weddings; Debby’s sister and Harry’s sister got married the same summer, so there were weddings in June, July and August!
There were parties galore, about 15 in all, but two parties stood out. Matilda Stream had a dinner party around her pool for about 40 people, and there was a house party for Debby and Harry at Avery Island! The rehearsal dinner given by Harry’s parents was at the Pontchartrain Hotel, complete with Mile High Pie for dessert.
Phyllis Smythe, Debby’s mom, planned the whole wedding, which was on a Wednesday night at 6 p.m., at Holy Name with the reception at the Orleans Club. At both the church and the reception Shirley Heumann of Rohm’s Florist had huge bouquets of pink peonies, stock and clematis. Debby’s dress, as well as the bridesmaids’ dresses were from Town & Country and her bouquet included lilies of the valley, stephanotis and sweet peas with bouvardia. Her cake was a fabulous Swiss Confectionary creation.
After the wedding Debby changed into her red-and-white gingham dress and jacket. Before their honeymoon to Cozumel, Mexico, they spent the night at the Pontchartrain Hotel and had breakfast at the Silver Whistle Cafe.
Debby and Harry have two sons and three grandchildren, and they just celebrated their 50th anniversary here in New Orleans!
