A Magical Evening

A hot Indian summer day has given way to a magical evening at the Grand Oaks Mansion. The blooms of the lush gardens in the yard quiver in the dying breeze. Above, bright stars burst into visibility in the sapphire sky. The spanish moss, perches precariously from the branches of the mighty oak tree. The stream wanders along, trickling over pebbles and banks. The jasmine perfumed air hangs tranquil now, pregnant with anticipation. But the air is the only thing that’s still today.

Inside the kitchen, pots are boiling, and oven fires are stoked. Tablecloths who’ve spent their day sunbathing on the wash line are shook out, ironed and folded. Flowers are pruned and fashioned into bouquets. Candlewicks trimmed, silver polished, corsets tightened. Tonight is the wedding of the plantation owner’s daughter, Greta, and Jason, the handsome young barkeep from the neighboring town. And it looks to be an unforgettable event.

Out in the yard, the preparations are in full swing. There are small tables with board games like checkers and dominoes for the playful, rocking chairs on the porch for the weary, and a pile of straw hats and paper folding fans for the temperature sensitive. The tablecloths are white with vintage lace overlays and the centerpieces are simple jars with small bunches of flowers, with small votive candles providing a romantic light. In the corner a white sheet hangs by clothes pins from a wash line and onto it is projected a slideshow of family pictures. On the branches of some trees hang jars with illuminated fireflies. In dark corner an altar is set up for wishing good voodoo only on the betrothed. In another corner, a vintage camera sits on a tripod connected to a remote, an old fashioned photo booth, for the guests to photograph themselves.

On the dessert table a small and beautiful wedding cake sits for the couple to cut. It is surrounded by pies, and cookies, pralines, and candies. By the bar, there are metal buckets filled with ice and small glass coca-cola bottles. Large glass spigot pitchers filled with iced tea and blueberry lemonade await the thirsty. A miniature pirogue is filled with ice and raw oysters on the half shell rest beside the assortment of condiments.

As the guests arrive to the Spanish Plaza at the end of Canal Street in town, some board a real riverboat and are ferried, some board a street car and are transported to the Mansion. They arrive with their vintage handkerchiefs in their pockets and handbags. A gift sent to them from the couple, printed with save the date information which they will wave over their heads as a small brass band leads them out in a second line parade to end the evening.