Every girl has likely dreamed of being a princess at least once, and while I wasn’t actually one, participating in a Mardi Gras Ball felt pretty close. Although it was never something on my bucket list, I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Looking back now, it stands out as one of the most remarkable experiences in my life.
Invitation Only:
I feel incredibly blessed to have been invited to be a Maid in the Knights of Babylon. A family friend of my dad’s had been asking me for years, and my dad finally said yes. Surprised by my dad’s response, I jumped up and down, filled with excitement! I am honored to have gotten this special experience, and I am excited to share it with you now.
The Dress:
The first step was getting fitted for a ball gown at the bridal dress store, Town and Country. My mom and I had such a fun time! The dresses were absolutely unreal, and the energy from all the engaged women running around the store brought so much life to the place. My excitement grew as a lady measured my waist, and I could hardly wait to see what my dress would look like. When the dress finally came in, I couldn’t get to Town and Country fast enough. It was everything I had ever dreamed of: the gloves, the shoes, the mermaid-cut white dress. It was perfect!
Queen’s Luncheon:
So many wonderful events lead up to the day of the parade and ball. One of the highlights is the Queen’s Luncheon, a beautiful celebration where the ladies, past queens, and the new court members gather for a lovely lunch. The attire consists of tweed suits paired with fascinators or hats, a distinctive tradition that originated when the event was once a gala for a horse race. The luncheon was so elegant, with traditional New Orleans shrimp and grits that were simply delicious! But the highlight of the day was receiving the gifts and, of course, the crown jewels for the ball. This was my first time seeing the crown, earrings, and necklace I would wear for the ball. When I opened the box, I gasped in awe. It was beyond anything I had imagined.
Den Party:
Immediately following the Queen’s Luncheon, the court made its way to the Den Party, hosted in a huge garage where the massive floats can line up. There, the Knights of Babylon floats were showcased for everyone to admire! The craftsmanship and artistry behind each extravagant float were stunning, and it was such a joy to experience the creativity and effort that went into creating them.
King’s Party:
The next grand event was the King’s Party, and I was stunned. Hosted at the magnificent Orpheum Theater, each member of the court was introduced and greeted by the wonderful guests in attendance. The court members were required to wear long, formal gowns in soft pastel shades, which added to the elegance of the evening. The entire event far exceeded my expectations. The venue was breathtaking, and I savored every moment spent dancing the night away. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
The Day of the Ball:
The walkthrough for the production started bright and early, and as I took in the extravagant decorations of the ballroom, I couldn’t help but feel nervous. Thankfully, I had made some friends at previous events who were there to support me, and I was incredibly grateful for their help. They showed me how to curtsy properly, and with my dancer’s mindset kicking in, I felt a little more at ease. The most challenging part wasn’t just having to curtsy six times; it was maintaining elegance and a smile the whole time. I was terrified, knowing all eyes would be on me, but I pushed through the nerves.
My hair appointment was at 11:00, and “rushing” was an understatement. Although the salon was close to the Marriott where we were staying, my mom and I practically ran there. I showed the kind stylist pictures from my Pinterest, and he nailed the look perfectly. As he teased my hair, I couldn’t help but laugh. It looked like I hadn’t brushed it in years! Trusting the process isn’t something I do easily, but I knew I had to let him work his magic.
When I returned to the hotel room, I was stressing over making my makeup perfect. Everything had to be just right! With my entire friend group packed into the space, things felt a bit cramped, but we still had a blast. I was rushing to get everything done on time, trying to balance the fun with the preparations.
Finding the meeting room proved to be a challenge at first. The Marriott had several grand rooms, each set with tables and chairs for the ball. Once I slipped into my dress and gloves, the court made its way to Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, located along the parade route. The limo ride was nothing short of exhilarating! We danced and sang along to “Glamorous” by Fergie, completely caught up in the moment.
At Desi Vega’s, the atmosphere was nothing less than spectacular. The room buzzed with energy, filled with radiant smiles, hearty laughter, and an overwhelming sense of excitement for what was next!
Immediately as I stepped outside the restaurant onto the parade route, people started complimenting me on my crown and outfit. I had truly never felt so special.
Looking back on this moment now, the experience is unlike any other. Although the parade was a blur from my overwhelming adrenaline, I did enjoy dancing with Queen Caroline and her royal court.
The anticipation leading up to the presentation of the court filled me with nerves. The audience, filled with elegant women in long white gloves, applauded as each court member gracefully passed by. All eyes soon were going to be on me. As the kind man signaled it was my turn to go I felt uneasy. But the moment I heard, “Melia Simone Piediscalzo,” my anxiety melted away. My performance instincts, honed through years of dance, took over. Moving on autopilot, I executed everything flawlessly, reaching my spot without a misstep or a hint of embarrassment. Thank God! I will never forget the surge of adrenaline I felt both before and after the performance. I was incredibly proud of myself! Handling something with that much pressure was, in my opinion, truly impressive.
Now that the hard part was over, I was so happy. The ballroom, guests, and court were so incredable and beautiful. It was so surreal. The best way to explain it is that I felt like a real princess. Not many people can say they were a maid in a ball and I am so grateful for my parents, family, and friends!
Now that the hardest part was behind me, I felt pure joy. The ballroom, the guests, and the court were all incredibly beautiful. It was absolutely surreal. The best way to describe it is that I truly felt like a princess. Not many people can say they have been a maid in a grand ball, and I am so grateful to my parents, family, and friends for making this experience possible!
The final event of the night was the Supper Dance, where guests gathered to enjoy a three course meal together. The room was filled with elegantly set round tables and chairs, while a lively jazz band played, filling the space with energy. Between the music, the people, and the incredible atmosphere, I was in complete awe. I never expected this experience to be as magical as it was. I truly had the time of my life!
SSA Royalty:
https://ssanews.org/6675/community/spotlight/ssa-royalty/
