It seems that New Orleanians have to do everything just a little bit different
and (let's drop all pretense of modesty here) just a little bit better than
the rest of the world. Witness Mardi Gras. In other places residents might
hold a block party. We hold a city party and then invite the whole world
to come. Other places have meat and potatoes. We have mudbugs and jambalaya.
Weddings are no exception. While we pay homage to tradition by following
standard wedding customs like throwing the bouquet and garter, and wearing
something old, new, borrowed, and blue and a penny in the shoe, New Orleans
weddings tend to add a little more flair for a little more fun.
Even before the wedding party has reached the reception, some Brides and
Grooms have made the statement that this is a New Orleans wedding. Instead
of renting limousines, if the church and reception hall are in close proximity,
some couples and their attendants ride to the reception in French Quarter
horse-drawn buggies. And for lagniappe - perhaps a marching brass band to
precede them to the party playing jazz music all the way.
Uptown wedding-goers have the option of renting streetcars to transport
the guests from any church on or near St. Charles Avenue to a reception
on the Avenue or to a downtown hotel.
Many weddings and/or receptions have taken place in other unmistakably New
Orleans surroundings. Having your wedding on a riverboat as it cruises up
and down the Mississippi past the bright shore lights of New Orleans and
other communities is not only very romantic, it also guarantees that none
of your guests will leave the reception too early.
But, come to think of it, why would anyone want to leave our receptions
early? They're too much fun. In many other places around the country, especially
the Northeast, wedding guests attend a sit-down dinner. In still other places
it's a punch-and-cake affair. But around here a wedding reception is the
ultimate party.
The good times associated with our celebrations have even given rise to
a popular local expression. The promise, "I'll dance at ya wedding,"
is offered as payment for a small debt. For example, you might have heard
(or said), "Hey, Mary, lend me five bucks and I'll dance at ya wedding."
But this is the sweetest of debts to repay because the music at the wedding
is bound to be great - and, of course, unique. After the newlyweds dance
and the Bride and her father take their sentimental turn on the floor, it's
time to "laissez les bon temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!)
Included in the repertoire of songs are some New Orleans favorites. Pull
out the white hankies and give the father of the Bride the umbrella. It's
time to "Second Line." The umbrella is a specially decorated parasol
usually with white lace, flowers, and streamers. The Bride's father (or
whoever is leading the procession) struts around the floor followed by a
long line of fun-loving guests who wave white hankies in the air, dancing
and twirling as they walk. The custom, of course, originated with Mardi
Gras and the "second line" of dancers who keep up with their favorite
marching band by walking behind the first line of parade-goers, thus forming
a "second line." Later on, do it all again to "They All Ask'd
For You." Of course, now that we have a winning team, you can expect
to hear "When The Saints Go Marchin' In."
There are two other favorites: the LSU and Tulane fight songs. It is unwise
- perhaps dangerous - to play one song without immediately following with
the other.
Cajun music also makes its way into most local weddings. "Jambalaya"
and "Jole Blon" are popular. That's your cue to do the two-step,
a lively, simple dance well-suited to this music.
And if you live in Cajun country or have any of the blood coursing through
your veins, you're likely to observe one or more of their wedding traditions.
One such custom is the practice of pinning money on the Bride's veil for
the honor of a dance with her at her wedding. Strange as this looks, most
Brides (and Grooms) don't seem to mind having the white veil decorated with
green during the reception.
Another obscure Cajun custom is the mop or broom dance. An older, unmarried
brother or sister of the Bride and Groom is obligated to dance with a mop
or broom, alone on the dance floor - a form of good-natured teasing for
being passed up in the race to the altar by a younger brother or sister.
The dance is customarily done in bare feet, and men should do it with their
pants legs rolled up a few inches, both indicating the "poverty"
of the "loveless existence" of the sister or brother. Dancing
alone with a mop or broom signifies that the person has no permanent partner
to dance with and is in danger of becoming an old maid or a confirmed bachelor.
It is hoped that the embarrassment of having such a lifeless dance partner
will prompt him or her to get married - if only to avoid another such dance
at the wedding of the next sibling.
Even the cake takes on more meaning - and more fun - at a New Orleans wedding.
The custom of ribbon pulls planted in the wedding cake is actually a local
tradition in origin. The ten trinkets (the number varies) attached to ribbons
each have their own significance. Unmarried ladies are given the honor of
pulling the ribbons, but in so doing they are taking a risk. Not all of
the trinkets are happy omens. Two of the worst are the button and the thimble,
both of which supposedly indicate that their owners will be old maids. Another
bad choice is the penny, which predicts poverty for its bearer. However,
the young lady who pulls the dime is destined to a life of wealth. The clover
and horseshoe (or wishbone) are said to bring good luck. The anchor signifies
hope. The remaining three predict a favorable love-life. The heart means
"Love will come" and the fleur-de-lis means "Love will flower."
But the luckiest young lady - according to custom - is the one who pulls
the ribbon with the wedding ring attached, for she will be the one who is
next to marry.
As you pass the table which holds the Groom's cake, don't always expect
to find the usual chocolate fare. Instead, you may find a black and gold
Saints cake. Other popular decorative themes are alligators and crawfish.
Speaking of crawfish, sooner or later you're bound to attend a wedding where
the Bride and Groom, locked arm-in-arm, exchange crawfish or shrimp instead
of the piece of wedding cake.
Of course, weddings are fun wherever you live. And other localities may
have their own quaint traditions. But when it comes to New Orleans weddings,
well, like the song says: "Nobody does it better."