Enchanted Evening
Gallier Hall was both the site for the night and a social stroll through an enchanted garden at a party honoring a debutante brace, Misses Caroline LeBon Henry and Lucile “Lucy” McGlinchey Monsted. Their respective parents are Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Edward Henry, Melissa and Gerard, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Niels Monsted IV, Fionuala and Charles.
Guests entered historic Gallier Hall, the former city hall of New Orleans and designed by architect James Gallier Sr., under a small white tent that was decorated with leafy garlands. Flanking the entrance were a pair of small stone horses with foliage emerging from their backs. Steve Baker was credited with those designs. Within, the party eye immediately targeted two huge crepe paper flowers – one in yellow-gold and the other crimson – that bedecked the base of the staircase. Upon ascending the stairs, and entering the capacious party area, more flowers of various sizes (some quite delicate) appeared in the form of lilies of the valley, poppies and irises. Quite a few were centerpieces in the ballroom and intertwined with tiny white lights, all enhanced by emerald-green up-lighting that bathed the walls. Butterflies were constant motifs. At the base of the stage, a series of oversize flowers added colors of purple, pink and white, while in the adjacent checkerboard-floor hallway, tall red oversized posies framed a doorway. Compliments galore were directed to co-hostess Melissa Henry, who hand-crafted the statement flowers, along with the help of co-hostess Fionuala, Stephanie Huger and Andrea Finkelstein. Elizabeth Kelleher of In Any Event was the party planner.
For the looks of the four limelighted ladies, the moms and daughters, the frock choices were “ethereal floral designs.”
Nell’s Catering fed the flock with their modern take on Southern classics and such sauces as remoulade, “Henry Bain,” horseradish crema, and a mustard trio. Desserts included a croquembouche and mini red velvet cupcakes, while drinks contained light-up plastic ice cubes for libationary levity.
Among the nearest and dearest meandering through the thematic “garden,” were the brothers of Caroline and Lucy, respectively Stephen and Hugh, and their grandmothers, Carolyn Hudson (for Caroline) and Ellen McGlinchey (for Lucy). Additional family members included Deirdre (née McGlinchey) and Hal Moffett, Claire and Colin Moffett, and Eric and Nicki Hudson.
Joint-list friends were Frances and Calvin Fayard – who hosted a beautiful party for Lucy – and son Carter Fayard, as well as Stacey (née Couvillon) and David Spoto, Aimee and West Freeman, Ashley Beron Miller and Kyle Miller, Stephanie and Pete November, Carroll Suggs, Anne and Edmund Redd, Amy and Tom Mabon, Carla and Jay Adams, Reecee and Charlie Lanier, and Laura and John Sillars. For starters.
One of the evening’s many thrills was the arrival of Black Masking Indians (Mardi Gras Indians), whose pretty suits rated raves. Fuchsia-colored lighting, along with the green, added to their dazzling presence.
Music for dancing was provided by Creativity Band out of Atlanta, who mixed up Motown and variety songs. The lure to boogie commanded compliance. Additional music making came from pipers and two violinists, who played earlier in the evening. Their “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” set a lilting tone for the fanciful revels that followed.
Drinks at dusk
A debutante trio, Kate Drury, Piper Franks and Elizabeth Johnston, were celebrated during “Drinks at Dusk,” which took the festive form of an enchanting happy hour (really hours!) at the Audubon Tea Room. They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd L. Drury III, Stacy and Trey; Mr. and Mrs. Zeljko Stephen Franks II, Ashley and Stephen; and Mr. Robert R. Johnston and Dr. Michelle K. Johnston. For their dresses, mothers and deb daughters chose “enchanted floral attire.”
The party design was by Fancy Faces Décor, who used a tree with delicate white leaves as the central focus and centerpieces of lanterns, white roses and votives. More names were party planner Vivian Eppling, photographer Norris Gagnet, and the Harry Hardin Jazz Trio, whose “When You’re Smiling” summed up the socializing. Banh mi (the popular Vietnamese sandwich), tuna tartar cones, meat pies, and dessert cake pleased the palate. Dickie Brennan & Co. catered. Each deb has a glitter-garnished specialty drink: a Hugo spritz for Kate, a Moscow mule for Piper, and an Aperol spritz for Elizabeth.
Enjoying “Dusk” with the Drurys were deb brother Max, grandparents Mr. and Mrs. L. Leonard Drury Jr., more Drurys in Eric and Maria and Jonathan, Hale Murch, Pam Reynoir, Meg and David Sumrall, and Ann and Paul Long. Piper’s siblings, Taylor and Garrison, added to the festive fun, as did grandparents CarlosAnn and Gary Danos, Kay and Joseph Franks, and Sharon Franks. Also, Stephanie Franks and JV Franks II. The Gainey family had representation in Suzanne and John, John IV, Elizabeth, James and Matthew.
Elizabeth’s grandparent set included Edward Lynn Kirby, Barbara and Bob Johnston, and Christie and Gunther Perdigao. Others were Erica Cross with daughter Kaylie, Alissa and Ted Kantrow with Lily, Jill and Chris Cassard, Elvige Cassard, Bob Spencer, Marjorie and Gene Simon, and Rachael and Christian Gambel with Grace, Tullis and Jane.
Further friends of the honored threesome were Emma Rose Baumer, Isabel Cabrera, Lilly Munoz, Ellie Schmidt, Alex Primeaux, Stella Carradine, Lara King, Adele Miller, Kiki Costello, Michael Baumer, Watson Scriber, Walker Montgomery, and Mason Mimeles.
Myriad forces blended for the merry format and fun, including the favors of homemade ornaments that contained within a wee enchanted forest terrarium. More enchantment awaits for Kate, Piper and Elizabeth, whose memories of their crepuscular caper will last for many a moon.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
