"I do..." the wedding everyone is talking about

State representative Gary Smith to wed Katherine Mosely, Huey P. Long’s great-grandaughter

By Heather R. Breaux

November 26, 2008 at 11:34 am  | Mobile Reader | Print 

After all, it was the day she was escorted by a Sergeant at Arms to the top of the Louisiana State Capitol building. And it was the day that State Representative Gary Smith got on bended knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Truly, it was a day of love, romance and surprise.

“Gary called and asked me if I wanted to go to the top of the capitol building and asked me to bring my camera,” said Mosely. “When I arrived, a Sergeant at Arms was waiting with Gary to escort us to the top and when the elevator doors opened there was a dozen roses, balloons and a bottle of champagne on ice waiting for us.”

At first, the two enjoyed the view of the Mississippi River and took pictures of Huey P. Long’s statue, but it wasn’t long before Smith popped the big question.

“A short time after we got to the top of the building, Gary pulled the ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” she said. “And I said ‘yes,’ of course!”

After the proposal, Smith and Mosely visited a bit and then her mother joined them to celebrate.

“I was so surprised,” Mosely said. “Gary had told my mom his plan ahead of time and arranged for the Sergeant at Arms to escort her to the top after the proposal.

“The proposal is special for so many reasons. The capitol is where we met, it’s where we both work and it was build by my great-grandfather, Huey P. Long. It was simple incredible. It was perfect.”

Smith and Mosely first met at the capitol building several years ago while working during legislative sessions.

“We became work accquantances and discovered that we had mutual friends,” said Mosely, who is a government relations executive for Entergy. “Early last year, our paths crossed outside of work at a party in New Orleans, and a few months later we had our first date at a cozy Italian restaurant called Diguilio in Baton Rouge. We became friends and our relationship developed from there.”

Smith says that his first impression of Mosely left him thinking that she was attractive, professional and down to earth and points out that it’s those traits, in addition to a few others, that attracted him to her.

“Katherine is caring, kind and thoughtful. She is also easy going and I very much enjoy her company,” he said.

Mosely says that Smith impressed her during their first meeting, coming across as a kind and intelligent gentleman who’s also “easy on the eyes.”

“Gary is a lot of fun and has a great sense of humor,” she added. “He makes me laugh, has a huge heart and is a great listener. He is very even-keeled and that is contagious. He has a calming effect on me.”

Mosely notes that even though the two enjoy each other’s company, there’s not much time to left after work to spend together.

“We both have pretty hectic schedules, so when we have the time, we enjoy spending time together with family and friends,” she said. “We also like to go a nice quiet dinner and take in a movie. But we don’t get to do that as often as we like.

“Also, when time permits, we like to travel, especially to new places. We love the beach and the mountains.”

Mosely and Smith will wed on March 14, 2009 in a 6 p.m. ceremony at the First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge followed by a reception at the Baton Rouge Country Club.

Each will be escorted by a party of nine attendants. Smith and the groomsmen will wear a traditional tux, but the wedding dress is being kept under lock and key.

“The dress has been picked out, but my lips are sealed,” said Mosely. “I want it to be a surprise for Gary. I can’t wait for it’s debut. All I can say is that it is designed by Rivini.”

Mosely says that the bridesmaids’ dresses are a midori green to coincide with the Baton Rouge St. Patty’s Day.

“The wedding is the night of the parade, so we went with green,” said Mosely. “The bridesmaids are carrying pink and coral flowers. My bouquet will be a muted version of theirs.”

The cake will resemble Mosely’s dress, flavored traditionally with fresh strawberries and vanilla cream filling. The groom’s cake will be a yellow-cake replica of the Louisiana State Capitol in 3-D with chocolate filling.

“We have not finalized the reception menu, but I do know that we are planning to have a sushi bar, a fresh selection of seafood, beef tenderloin and smoked pork,” said Mosley. “We are not having a sit-down dinner at the reception, so we will have a variety of foods that will be passed when guests first arrive including baked brie, lamb chops, coconut shrimp and miniature crab cakes.”

Mosely adds that she will travel to San Francisco and the Sonoma and Napa valleys for her bachelorette party. Plans for a honeymoon and Smith’s bachelor party are still in the works.

To view Smith and Mosely’s formal engagement announcement, turn to page 4B.