Beginners at the forefront of the festive scene
Beauty
“Courtside Cocktails” was written in gold on the emerald green invitation that named the winners Courtland St. Paul, Lucy Normann And Maggie Ross, respective daughters of Mr. and Mrs. René Cooper St. Paul, Mr. Frank Barret Normann and Mrs. Lisette Elaine Milham NormannAnd Mr. and Mrs. Christopher James Roos. The evening was held in the upstairs ballroom of the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club, The 1876. The invitation featured a crest designed by Lisette Normann that included a pair of crisscrossed tennis rackets with the letters C, L and M, the initials of the winners. The emerald and gold colors of the invitation were decoratively repeated throughout the room.
Both colors also appeared in mothers' and debutantes' dresses, while fathers sported green ties matched with embroidered gold tennis rackets. The creators of the young trio were Rebecca Vallance for Maggie; Water Design, Courtland and Amanda UprichardLucy.
Specialty drinks with tennis terms are also linked to debs, thanks to Courtland's Grand Slam (Old fashioned), Lucy's Love Cocktail (French 75), and Maggie's Match Point (espresso martini). As for gastronomy, the chef Brack may from NOLTC provided the many passed hors d'oeuvres, beef tenderloin station and roasted portobello mushrooms, among other taste delights. JCB Creations prepared the desserts and a special late night menu took place at 10pm with robust dishes.
Among the many participants in the “Courtyard” adventure, there were Maggie's parents. Chris and Rebecca Roos; his brothers and sisters, Leo and Jackand his grandparents, Bob and Julie Murphy And Bess Roos Holton. Also, John and Holly Gordon, Chep and Paige Morrison, Rob and Amie Stassi, Joel and Gretchen Dondis with his daughter Hailey, Hal and Dierdre Moffett with Claire, Randy and Maria Argote with Evelyn, Noel and Maria Johnson with Emily and Larry, Justin and Mary Schmidt with his daughter Conery and son Calder, David and Meredith Picou with William, Charlie and Rebel Caplinger, Bobby Bailey, Chris and Leigh Ellen Puckett, Storey and Anne Lynne Charbonnet with John, And Pierre and Susie Villere.
Deb Lucy's brother, John Marshall Barrett Normannwas in the party, as was Elizabeth and Gray Redditt, Andrea and John Milham, Catherine and Peter Freeman, Suzie and Stephen Winston, Karyn and Bill Kearney, Barbara and Clark Fitz-Hugh, Chris CarbineAnd Jacques and Julie Kuchta.
For music creation, the name to know was the New Orleans Music Company, directed and planned by Dr. Brice Miller. The New Orleans Jazz Band played for the first hour, followed by two hours of House Band and special guests. Big Sam And Tonya Canon. Each deb had a favorite song.
Socialization with the St. Pauls and other host families was Marcelle Landry, Sara and Michael Landry, Todd and Coco Johnson, Amy Johnson, Cole Johnson, Lauren St. Paul with Luke Stanford (from Houston), the Eric Browns with Emi, Hayden and Karyn Matheson, the Gregor Hoffmans, the Clay Gearys, the Fred Mentzes, the Haden Lafays And the Wayne Zeringues.
As the party wound down, more treats awaited. A lively second line featuring the Mahogany Brass Band and the Mardi Gras Indians led guests to transport buses heading to F&M's Patio Bar, where Courtland, Lucy and Maggie were the famous backdrop.
Blooms with a view
Butterflies, various pink flowers and greenery framed the message of the invitation launched by Mr. and Mrs. Justin Burton Schmidt, Mary and Justin, and designed by Katie Rafferty (Rafferty Studios). He declared “A flourishing elegance honoring Conery Schmidt» with the New Orleans Country Club as the venue and black tie, the attire. Rafferty also made the paper flowers/floral decorations, as well as the 'Conery' party emblem.
Upon entering, the guests were stunned. The country club was transformed into an enchanted garden, thanks to the trees, the abundance of pink and white flowers (roses, lilies and amaryllis), the chandeliers draped with flowers and greenery, the candles on the tables and fireplaces and the large pink paper dogwoods — a tribute. to Conery's love of Virginia and North Carolina – arched over the doors. Steven Baker created the “real” floral arrangements and See-Hear Productions, the lighting in shades of pink, the staging and the backdrop, while John Parker Jazz Band “designed” the music for the reception. Elizabeth Kellerwith In Any Event LLC, has classified raves as a party organizer.
More colors and cuts appeared in the honoree's strapless dress which was covered in pink lace with organza flowers re-embroidered on fuchsia netting, and in that of her mother, Mary, which also featured ornate lace . Both were creations of Royal Design House.
The fried oysters seemed to fly off the serving platters as they were passed around, accompanied, among other things, by onion and goat cheese tartlets and crayfish fritters. In the fixed locations, a carving station for beef tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, ahi tuna and sushi (Rock-n-Sake Metairie) attracted everyone. As is the ice cream bar with NOCC's famous peppermint ice cream, plus pink and purple flowers. Joan Farrell Mathis cookies. An ice sculpture served as a vodka “sled” for super chilled martinis and cosmopolitans.
Appreciating these taste pleasures were deb brother Calder Schmidt with Winnie McCarthysisters Ellie and Anna Schmidtand grandmother Beth Hassinger. Also, Marguerite and Jimmy Kock, Helen and Tim Young, Michael and Nancy Walshe, Helen and Kim Butcher, Elly and Merritt Lane, Wendy and David Joseph, Doug Holmes and Janet MorseAnd Dee McCloskey. Conery's friends from college and camp also joined us.
The party favors were an added success. Cups, light-up martini glasses, koozies and napkins all bore the party emblem, and hot pink “flashing” necklaces were handed out on the dance floor.
On their “Blooming” tour – many of Deb’s bandmates accompanied their parents – were Heather Hammond, Laura and Paul Politz, Anne and Edmund Redd, Anne and Jody Guillot, Rachael and Christian Gambel, Ashbrooke Tullis, Kelly and Bill Ellis, Cinny and Andy Anderson, Miriam and Ned Henry, Caroline and Murray Calhoun, Cathy Drennan with Jeff Amann, Betsy and Woodie Van HornAnd Sheldon and Michael Schmidt. To talk, they sat in the living rooms.
As the joyful momentum shifted from “Elegance” to electric, Big Bling & the Funk Machine charged the dance floor. Meanwhile, late-night bites fueled the fun and energized the crowd, who boozed to “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Brown Eyed Girl” with Conery leading the levity.