Last Saturday I attended a friend’s wedding reception in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both the bride and groom are from the deep south and I was excited to partake in their unique rituals and style of entertaining. The event was held at a Cajun heritage center. As we approached the venue, the first thing we noticed was the LOUD live music! My friends didn’t just have a band; they had a 10 piece brass ensemble performing all evening. The music and entertainment were amazing and really set the tone for the evening. The cuisine was entirely local and featured red beans and rice, gumbo, catfish, and other traditional Louisiana fare.
My absolute favorite part of the evening was the second line. A second line is a simple dance where you grab a napkin or handkerchief and dance around in a line waving the napkin in the air. This tradition is popular in New Orleans at weddings, balls, Mardi Gras events, and even jazz funerals. The bride and groom lead the procession (it really looked more like a parade) around the ballroom and out into the street. The bride carried a “southern belle” style umbrella and all the guests trailed behind the couple. It is a unique way to end a wedding on a high note and I’m sure I will remember it for years.
by Laura Miller
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