Social Brights
The Belles of Bridgerton
The invitation intrigued one and attentive all. “Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers” was scripted on the top and the names of Miss Colleen Elisabeth Daly and Miss Mary Kate Luetkemeier followed. Invitees were summoned to Grand Oaks Mansion at Port of New Orleans Place for a ball given by the debutantes’ parents, Lexi (the invitation and party designer) and David Daly and Erin and Hans Luetkemeier. The attire was “Black Tie” or “Your Bridgerton Best.” Clearly, the Regency-era episodes of the close-knit Bridgerton family and their romantic encounters (that have riveted millions of television watchers) were at play. As party favors, beautiful tasseled fans, complete with dance cards, pleased the comely crowd, who read the attached note from Lady Whistledown. She thanked NOLA Readers for their attendance at “this most special ball under the oaks” and for making the “Soirée Swoonworthy!” She concluded with the query, “Did you find somebody to burn for?” Ardor to the fore.
With his electric violin, Sam Craft ushered in the Bridgerton brigade through an aperture in a wisteria-draped wall. A lady in waiting wearing a Champagne dress guided them farther along the “garden” walk by a fountain and statuary to a door. There, a carriage and footman awaited, and guests clicked photos galore
Inside the party premises, the look, according to Lexi Daly, was “Bridgerton meets NOLA.” Lavender, pink and white wisteria was draped over string lighting to frame the view of the Mansion, like the Bridgerton house. Everyone marveled at the setting, which suggested a lush outdoors via trees, waterways, little bridges and fountains, but was in reality covered above.
Signage was thematically clever, such as “The Tipsy Teacup” and “The Royal Crown Social Club” for the bars, and “Mme. Delacroix Modiste” for the interior room styled like a dress shop, where the 360 photo booth was set up, alongside a specialty drink, The Bees Knees. A painting of three-year-old Colleen and Mary Kate in princess costumes, and behave-yourself quote signs from Lady Whistledown added to the overall picture. So did the ensembles of the mothers and daughters, the latter opting for contemporary looks that they created with help from Sophie Nhung Tran. Lexi and Erin (in Pilot & Powell) touted modes with puffed sleeves.
Twelve Seasons Catering fed the flock, who relished mini beef Wellingtons, duck confit empanadas, a sweet and savory crepe display, an abundance of desserts, and late-night nibbles passed by servers who, as did the bartenders, wore masks.
Entertainment was everywhere, thanks to the Electric Yat String Quartet; singer Anais St. John as Queen Charlotte, who spearheaded joy with “Dancing Queen”; "live" party- painter Amy Jo Wisehart; and a caricature artist. Credit for talent and décor tapped Tammy Kern of Paper Doll Promotions.
Real family partying included deb sister Mignon Daly, grandparents Barry and Dianne Breaux, Jennifer and Michael Daly with sons Jack, Conner and Christian, Aundrea and Scott Daly, Michele and Kevin Murphy, Kim and Jim Rogers with Elizabeth, Karen Mosca with sons PJ and Chuck Archer (with wife Nkule), Crickett and Andrew Lapeyre, Carolyn and Brian Fitzpatrick, Libby and Mark Adams, Joy (posing as Lady Whistledown) and Jimmy Roussel, Helaine and Ned Benjamin with Joan, Nicole Roach, Kate Goodwin, and Maya Cvitanovich. Also, Mary Kate’s sister Cali Jane, and grandmothers Hilde Luekemeier and Helene Bell (and the Bell clan). More mingling were Dana Hansel, Caroline and James Brady with Grace, Mary and Justin Schmidt with daughter Conery, Helen and Tim Young with Julia Smith, Lisa and David Farnsworth with Meghan, Gwathmey and Fritz Gomila with Evie, Micheline and Fred VanDenburgh, Malise and Clay Kearney, Denise and Bill Galloway, Lynne and David Gibbons, Muffin and Jason Adriance, William Nelson, Elizabeth and Clifton LeBlanc, Holly and John Gordon and countless others who relished the Regency revels. To cap off the bash, for which Colleen and Mary Kate had a blast, DJ Phil of Downtown Sound devised dance music and a light show. Gobsmacked, my dear, in Grosvenor Square!
Viva Fiesta!
The colorful Paper Picado invitation, styled on individual cards of turquoise, blue, orange, red and yellow and designed by Ashley Lieb, was a Navidad nod to debs Elizabeth Finkelstein and Gabrielle “Brie” Rivé. Their parents, Andrea and Lee Finkelstein and Courtney and Jay Rivé, hosted the Fa La La Fiesta at The Tchoup Yard, where a custom sign by Melissa Henry welcomed the crowd. Furthering the fiesta motif were paper flowers, piňatas, tequila bottle centerpieces, and neon signs with the honorees’ names as the band’s backdrop.
Brie made rounds in a Lucy Paris dress (finished by Debbie Gill), while Elizabeth chose designer Shona Joy. The looks for Courtney and Andrea were by Otomi Boho and Arte Omari.
The venue’s specialty, taterachos, were a gustatory hit, along with tacos, churros and Mexican wedding cookies. Tequila was a choice libation. Enjoying the seasonal salute were close kin, such as deb siblings Jack Rivé and Voss Finkelstein and grandfather Ron Finkelstein.
Among those enjoying the warmth of friendship, as well as that of the blazing firepits, were Michele and Ricky Arbuckle and family, Susie and Brien Toso with Caroline and Elizabeth, Michele Chauvin Heiger, Lily Schaefer, Victoria Marcus, Gal Caspi, Diana and Jim Bercaw, Christine and Scott Zazulak with Stephen, Trip Trask and Jenny Crisp, Lenox Hill, Jane Slatten, Lari Moazami, and Brad and Dodie Powers with Anabel, Eliza and Lillian. And, Gerard Henry with Melissa, Harry and Chrissy Kelleher, Stephanie Goliwas Huger, Amy White, Susu and Witt Kellam, Drew and Alice Herrington, David and Amy Browne, Sam and Michele Prokop, Caroline and Murray Calhoun with son Murray, Keil Moss, Eli Abramson, Edmund Philipson, Matt Opotowsky, and Brad and Leslie Gottsegen with Andrew.
To nourish the night trippers, Krystal burgers filled the bill. All the while the 4 Unplugged band nourished the beat, luring the gleeful debs, along with other gyrating guests, to the stage. “Sweet Caroline,” a debutante party anthem, and “Uptown Funk” added musical spice to Fa La La Fiesta.
A Spooky Salute
Amy L. Sandridge and William S. Renaudin Jr. requested the pleasure of one’s end-year company at a celebration to honor daughter Ice M.S. Greer. More formally, the debutante answers to Isis Magdalena Sandridge Greer. It was held in an Uptown club, where Ice’s stepdad, Mr. Renaudin, is a member. Tessa Martinez of Contessa & Co. planned the party.
Inspired by the bold designs of such Tim Burton films as “Beetlejuice,” the soiree took shape. Establishing the mood were bold colored balloon garlands, lavender flowers, black lace table runners accessorized by ceramic skulls, gold mercury votives, and floating candles up-lit in bright green. “Candy,” a life-size skeleton, was stationed on the grand stairway to welcome guests. Further, and fun, idiosyncratic aspects were a psychic medium named Kalila, who read tarot cards in a nook; Champagne from the Renaudin Chateau in Moussy, France; the music making of pianist and baritone Armand St. Martin; and Ice’s ensemble. She donned a blood-red evening gown by Dress2Party from London, which she accessorized with a devil mask from Eastern European costume designer DOM. Mother Amy, in a sea-green sequined gown from Ballin’s, eyed guests through a glitter mask.
Making their rounds — and enjoying the catering by Martin Wine & Spirits, Tracy Lasseigne and Nothing Bundt Cakes — were deb sister Michael Lucinda Jane Greer, Diana Boylston Clark, Jennifer Dyer and Jon Hanvy with sons Phoenix and Blaise, Mary-Margaret and Stephen Cazalot with Mark and Anthony, Santhi and Todd Perilloux with Vivian and Keith, Michelle and Judson Chase, Marjorie Garnier, Dorothy and Joseph Childress, Kim and Rene Navarre, Geary Mason, Sandy and Billy Fowler, Eleanor and William Lieder, Karen and Maurice Duplantiss with Karl, Patrick McFadyen, Stacey and Tony Giacontieri with Jodie, Anna and Tom Bruno, Joy Lobrano with son Nicholas, and Suzy and Mike Daly with Shannon, Michael, Ellen and Elizabeth. Members of the debutante coterie also joined in the Gothic gambol.
Near the conclusion of the 4 to 7:30 p.m. spooktacle, DJ David Punch of The Cat’s Meow packed the dance floor with “Mr. Brightside” and “Cupid Shuffle.” Adding her noteworthiness, honoree Ice took to the stage to sing “New Romantics.” `