There is a serious Terrell House party about to happen on your screen. The bride is every bit the guest of honor of this 20’s inspired New Orleans bash in a shimmering Jenny Packham sheath. Fancy as this couple looks on the big day, their first date took place at a hot dog stand (an upscale one, of course, as the groom would interject right about now). Tory Williams for Kristy May captured the colorful Great Gatsby meets Mardi Gras celebration, so it’s time to grab a mask on a stick and peep through those holes at the big easy on the eyes entire gallery!
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From the bride… Alex and I were both transplants living in Los Angeles — he in the radio industry and I am a footwear designer — looking for love, but we had no idea we would actually find our soul mates. On our first date, he asked me out and took me to a hot dog stand (he insists it was a classy hot dog stand!), and I knew from that day that he was the one. Not too many months later, we decided to change our lives, take a leap of faith and move across the country to North Carolina to start our life together. He proposed on the front steps of our little southern bungalow, and we let the planning begin!
I have always loved the 1920’s era for its music, glamour and sense of free spiritedness, so when it came time to look for inspiration, I knew my hometown would be the perfect setting for a modern “Great Gatsby” themed soiree. My mother and I searched for the perfect New Orleans courtyard and found it in the Garden District’s Terrell House. Its lush greenery, romantic fountain and grand guest houses made perfect place welcome our family in friends and to create a magical evening with a nod to the past.
On Friday, Alex’s parents carried the theme and hosted our reherarsal dinner at John Besh’s Domenica Restaurant inside the Roosevelt Hotel. The grand columns, gilt accents and art-deco elegance was the perfect complement to the modern Italian fare the guests dined on. One of our favorite memories of the evening happened when all of the chefs and staff cheered as we were escorted to our private dining room — through the kitchen! So many of our guests had never visited our beloved city, so we especially wanted to give them a quintessential New Orleans experience, sharing our love of food, music and community. As we planned the big day, these elements were the keystones. For food, the Terrell House proprieter, Linda O’Brien, created a classic creole-cajun menu, including jumbalaya, crab bisque and cajun fried turkey on french bread. For music, the Brent Rose Trio played rag time and jazz classics throughout the night with a surprise appearance from the Young Pinstripes Brass Band and Mardi Gras Indians who led the second-line parade (traditional New Orleans parade). Our family and friends flew in from literally all over the U.S. and as far as Paris. To get guests mingling Alex and I created a grapefruit Tom Collins to sip on, and Kristy May Photography and Tory Williams set up a photo booth and encouraged the guests to don the Mardi Gras themed props. Together, being surrounded by all of our loved ones in our favorite city, it just doesn’t get any better. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Wedding Photography: Tory Williams for Kristy May / Wedding Venue: Terrell House in New Orleans, Louisiana / Floral Design + Catering: Linda O’Brien of Terrell House / Wedding Cake + Groom’s “New Jersey” Cake: Swiss Confectionery / Cake Pops + Candy Bar: Queen of Pops / Brass Band: Young PinStripe Brass Band / Jazz: Brent Rose Trio + Mardi Gras Indians / Wedding Invitations, Hand-Drawn Map, Monogram, Save-the-Dates, Guest Book, Candle Favors with Custom Match Books: PAPER+SNOW / Fabric Poms, Table Runners, Custom Handkerchiefs for the Second Line Parade, Candy Bags for the Candy Bar, Second Line Umbrellas, Antique Teacup Collecting: The Bride’s Mother / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham / Bride’s Stole: Vintage / Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / Bride’s Jewelry: Borrowed from the Groom’s Mother / Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Groom’s Suit: J.Crew