Tippins' Wedding Part 2: Friday

Friday morning, we woke up, thankfully not moving slow at all :) , ate a quick breakfast at the hotel, and got ready for the bridesmaid luncheon at Commander's Palace.  I had heard so many great things about this highly esteemed restaurant place so was thrilled to be able to experience it!

We were seated in this gorgeous private room overlooking the garden/ patio to our right.  I don't particularly love bloody marys, but had my favorite one so far followed by a mimosa while we mingled amongst the crowd.

All the bridesmaids. . . I'm disappointed the camera flash is above my shoulder. . .

As we mingled, I was in awe of the beautiful table settings.  Each seat had its own small bouquet of flowers.  It was a great way to decorate without a large centerpiece blocking the views.  And a neat sercy to take back to our hotel!

We were presented with a fabulous menu, and our mouths started watering!  The meal began with a crisp romaine salad with Parmesan, pecan smoked bacon, and a black pepper-buttermilk dressing.  Our entree was a griddle seared gulf fish, served with a dish of crab boiled seasonal vegetables with a brown butter vinaigrette.

And for dessert, a bananas foster shortcake that was absolutely fabulous. . . for a girl who says she doesn't really have a sweet tooth, I killed mine.  It was some kind of heaven with bananas and caramel sauce served over a warm buttermilk biscuit with cinnamon whipped cream.  Needless to say, I was about ready to be rolled out of there!!!

Though we were hoping to have time to take a nap after our feast, we got back to the hotel at a little after three and had to be ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner by 4:30!  I ran by and spoke to my parents and sister who had just gotten into town, and rushed to get ready for round two.

After the rehearsal at St. Stephen's Catholic church, we boarded our buses and headed for Antoines for the rehearsal diner.  Again, I was thrilled to get to experience this restaurant that I'd heard so much about.  I think it's safe to say we got wined and dined on Friday!!  

These pictures do not do the setting justice.  It was stunning.

There was a jazz ensemble playing in the background, too. It was so lovely!!

The happy Mr. and Mrs. Gandy!!

Gosh I'm trying to remember what all we ate.  During the cocktail hour, the waitresses passed their famous potato souffle.  We were seated for appetizers of oyster foch, oyster rockefeller, crawfish reoumelade, and shrimp ravigote.  Then we were served an fish almandine with asparagus, then a chateau brimand with creamed spinach, and then for dessert baked alaska.  Again, food overload but it was great!!

So after our fabulous five course meal, Tippins' dad began the toasts with a perfect toast, that was just the right mix of sentiment and laughter.  The best part of all was when he said "you know, people have told me that I am supposed to feel like I am losing a daughter. . . but I don't. . . I feel like I am gaining . . ." and then he paused.  And of course, we thought he would say that he was gaining a son. . . But he didn't!  He concluded, "I am gaining a VISA card back!!!"  Y'all, we about fell out of our chairs.  Best of all, he then presented Tippins with this piece of jewelry:

A necklace made out of the hollogram of her old VISA card.  It was too perfect!

I learned last month from my cousin's wedding that I can get a little emotional at these things so I decided not to give a toast, but include the Wofford girls in playing the Shoe Game with the bride and groom.  It was such a huge hit (if you have never heard of it, it is probably a whole other post in itself)! I would highly recommend it for any rehearsal dinner. Tippins and Wilson were such great sports and the crowd got really into it!!  It was definitely a top toast of the evening.

I think the question on this one was definitely "who wears the pants in the relationship?" hehehe

I think this picture was after we asked "Who's more excited about tomorrow?"

The rehearsal dinner lasted until almost midnight so I was so happy to crawl into bed that night.  Coming up in the next post will be the actual wedding!  Gosh I miss New Orleans already!!!