As I prepare to join with people all over the world to celebrate Mardi Gras and “Carnivale” that precede the Christian Lenten season, I am reminded of two beautiful ladies from New Orleans that I married last summer.Justice and Loren embraced life and the wedding celebration with the gusto you expect from folks who live in the Crescent City. And for their big day they selected a New York cultural landmark, the famed Russian Tea Room.
The Tea Room, located adjacent to Carnegie Hall on 57th Street, has long been a favorite spot for New Yorkers and those visiting our great city. For those of you who haven’t been, it is a sight to behold, with vivid colors and ornate decorations, one might find in Russia’s historic capitol St. Petersburg. The Russian Tea Room boasts an 80 year history and was started by members of the Russian Imperial Ballet, and has long been the home of the “intellectual and cultural elite.”
On a rainy summer day (of which we had many in 2013!) the brides arrived with their white NOLA wedding umbrellas, regularly scene in the parade following the wedding. And boy did the Let the Good Times Roll! (Or, as they say in New Orleans, laissez le bon temps rouler!)
The women hosted their ceremony and dinner in two beautiful rooms, on the restaurant’s second floor. This location was every bit as breathtaking as the public dining room. The first spot was set up for a traditional ceremony, with theatre style seating for guests and a beautiful backdrop for the ladies. The celebration moved to another room, with a cocktail reception followed by a sit-down dinners. Their departure, featured in the photo, reminds me of the traditional “Second Line” stroll of New Orleans couples!
As I’ve said in other pieces, restaurants often provide perfect space for a small or mid-sized wedding. Just take a look at these photos:
