My brother-in-law, who hails from the great state of Alabama, said it best after the weekend's festivities: "Weddings, tailgates, festivities in general- the State of Louisiana remains undefeated. Everyone else is playing for second."
Where else does a brass band in seersucker pants and bow ties meet you on the street, mingling among the wedding guests while using a whistle to rally the jubilation?
Where else do umbrellas lead and twirling white napkins unite a second line of singing and music and celebration down the main streets of the city, drawing great attention to the city's most newly married couple?
I had a hard time capturing the scope of the occasion as it was extremely grand and so incredibly fun, but I tried.
We walked down Canal Street twirling napkins to the beat, celebrating the bride and the groom's new life together proudly, joyfully, and publicly.
It was incredible. And it was a sight to behold.
As the trumpet trumpeted and the drum beat, goosebumps swept over my arms and prompted my heart to reflect on another celebration, another procession, another wedding. The ultimate one- that Day when we will celebrate at the wedding supper of the Lamb. The glory of Saturday's second line pointed my heart to scriptural phrases of good triumphing over evil. "MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT! LOVE HAS COVERED A MULTITUDE OF SINS! DEATH'S STING IS NO MORE!"
Before our brass band celebration began and before
the bride and groom walked down aisle as man and wife, the priest had declared a Catholic nuptial blessing over them that pointed to that day. He prayed:
"Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.
And in that way, it was a testimony as we paraded down New Orleans' main drag.
Several years ago, an airport security officer, looking through my bag, noticed I was toting my Bible. He looked at me and then with a wink and a smile sent me on my way as he said, "See ya at the supper table."
Ah yes, the Great Supper Table.
I can't wait.
"Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'" Revelation 19:9
It's true.
There are no revelers like Louisiana revelers. Louisianians specialize in a lot of things from boudin to zydeco, but more than anything else, they specialize in celebration.
Where else in the world does your college mascot greet you on your way out of a wedding ceremony?
 |
| the beautiful wedding singer aka my MIL and Mike the Tiger |
Where else does a brass band in seersucker pants and bow ties meet you on the street, mingling among the wedding guests while using a whistle to rally the jubilation?
Where else do umbrellas lead and twirling white napkins unite a second line of singing and music and celebration down the main streets of the city, drawing great attention to the city's most newly married couple?
I had a hard time capturing the scope of the occasion as it was extremely grand and so incredibly fun, but I tried.
 |
| Congrats, Amy and Reiter! We pray blessings on your new life together!!! |
We walked down Canal Street twirling napkins to the beat, celebrating the bride and the groom's new life together proudly, joyfully, and publicly.
It was incredible. And it was a sight to behold.
As the trumpet trumpeted and the drum beat, goosebumps swept over my arms and prompted my heart to reflect on another celebration, another procession, another wedding. The ultimate one- that Day when we will celebrate at the wedding supper of the Lamb. The glory of Saturday's second line pointed my heart to scriptural phrases of good triumphing over evil. "MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGEMENT! LOVE HAS COVERED A MULTITUDE OF SINS! DEATH'S STING IS NO MORE!"
Before our brass band celebration began and before the bride and groom walked down aisle as man and wife, the priest had declared a Catholic nuptial blessing over them that pointed to that day. He prayed:
"Father, you have made the union of man and wife so holy a mystery that it symbolizes the marriage of Christ and his Church.
So yes, this ONE BLESSING- marriage- that was not forfeited by original sin or washed away in the flood is a sign for all to see, that we all might look forward to that great Day with great hope.
Father, by your plan man and woman are united,
and married life has been established
as the one blessing that was not forfeited by original sin
or washed away in the flood."
And in that way, it was a testimony as we paraded down New Orleans' main drag.
Several years ago, an airport security officer, looking through my bag, noticed I was toting my Bible. He looked at me and then with a wink and a smile sent me on my way as he said, "See ya at the supper table."
I can't wait.
"Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God.'" Revelation 19:9
8 comments:
How cool. I love the line that the man in the airport said. I am going to have to use that.
This = good x infinity.
Well done.
(I know right?)
thank you so much for writing about our wedding weekend so beautifully!! we were so happy to have y'all there to celebrate with us! we love the chaney family!!!
with love from the domenican republic,
Amy and Reiter Marshall
SPEECHLESS and AS ALWAYS BEAUTIFULLY STATED! Love everything about this post!
Magical. That's the word I would use.
Love it.
Beautiful post... Though it makes this New Orleans girl lonesome for home. I can't wait to get to the Supper Table!
Girl. . . it's only 9:06 this morning and I needed to be reminded. Reminded of the hope. Reminded of the celebrations along the way. Reminded to press on. Thank you friend!
CC:
I read this last week and it made me weepy with gratitude. I was thinking this morning of that wonderful wedding we will all participate in someday... dressed in our finest, with joy on our faces, singing praises to our Lord... and I had to come back and read this post again. So, so beautiful. And the story of the Supper Table... beautiful.
Have a great week.
xo
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