I Got Married at a Plantation Home and My Apology Is Not Enough

My wedding day was gorgeous, but now I know the truth behind that pretty facade

Lauren Salles
Momentum

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Photos courtesy of the author

From the moment I set foot on the grounds of the Houmas House and Gardens, I became enchanted by its elegance and Southern charm. The low-hanging tree branches, whimsical gardens, and grand structure seemed like the perfect backdrop for our special day. The website describes it as “one of the top plantations in Louisiana.”

Even more captivating was the way that the grounds transformed by nighttime. Carefully placed spotlights illuminated every fountain and sculpture on the 38-acre estate. It took my breath away. Our wedding guests would feel as though they were walking through a fairytale wonderland when they arrived. The beauty of this centuries-old mansion was blinding, and I couldn’t wait to get married beneath the live oak trees and Spanish moss. It would make for picture-perfect memories.

December 31, 2016, was the best day of my life. I sauntered through my wedding day as though I were in a dream — it far surpassed my wildest expectations. A string quartet played “A Thousand Years” as I walked down the aisle. My husband and I exchanged our handwritten vows with the soft glow of our unity candle between us. The night overflowed with joyful tears…

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Lauren Salles
Momentum

Living, learning, and writing about it. Mental health, motherhood, mindfulness, spirituality, and feminism. Subscribe: https://livelearnlauren.substack.com/