Louisiana Weddings

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Southern Romance Inspiration in New Orleans

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Vintage

From Catherine Guidry…Heather and Matt are quite possibly one of the most talented couples I’ve met. They’re also wedding photographers so you can imagine how excited and honored I was when they contacted me to photograph their wedding! Not only are Heather and Matt completely smitten and so much fun to photograph but their details were also lovely, unique, and personal.

The Grimm wedding could be described as vintage, personal, and timeless. Heather told me “If Pottery Barn and the French Quarter had a baby….it would be their wedding style.”

As a photographer, lighting is HUGE. So, photographing other photographers was really a joy because I could see that this played a large part in their day…everything from where they got ready to how the string lights hung overhead at the Degas House. The feel was very comfy, cozy, and crazy cool; I literally could go on and on.

The centerpieces consisted of oversized lanterns: different shapes, sizes, and colors (Heather’s favorite). They brought a classic element to this French Quarter wedding. The color palette was peach, gold, and navy, and their mix-matched bridesmaids’ dresses were to die for.

I think the largest visual theme for their wedding was the DIY, personal feel. Almost all of the decor was from their homes. Heather also hand painted every sign, created the table/bar runners and designed the printed items and CD Favors. The photo booth props and signs were hand crafted and the marquee lights were created by the couple as well. Heather’s mom planted the mint favors from their garden and the backdrops and decor were all hand-made. The bride and groom table is their farm table from home…and even their wedding iinvitationswere designed by Heather and addressed by hand.

Her Juliet cap was made by her mom from her own wedding gown and modeled after Heather’s great-grandmother’s veil from the 1920′s. Matt’s favorite detail was their rings: Heather’s were created from her grandmother’s wedding rings!

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Wedding Dresses

Tara Keely

Fall 2016 Collection

Spring 2017 Collection

Fall 2017 Collection

Spring 2018 Collection

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I can’t pinpoint it, but there is something about New Orleans that enchants me, draws me in. It holds an allure, a seductive mystery that I can’t get enough of. This shoot captured that spirit and more, and just like the city it was shot in, I can’t look away. Designed by the talented 12th Table and shot by Marissa Lambert, the full gallery has me longing to visit this sultry city and discover some of its romance myself.

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Fall New Orleans Wedding with Polish Traditions

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Rustic

From 12th Table… Environment plays such a huge part in how gatherings should be designed. You should tap into the heartbeat of the city, the culture, the home, and really take cues from the beauty that already surrounds you. That’s what we tried to do here and really capture that spirit of New Orleans. Sultry. Adventurous. Bright. Booming. Full of life and character. The venue, Race and Religious, was the perfect backdrop. Just the right dose of history mixed with intrigue. It’s so easy to fall in love here.

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Wedding Dresses

Claire Pettibone

Couture Bridal

Fall 2015 Romantique

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A New Orleans wedding in and of itself is usually a party. But when you throw a few fun Polish traditions into the mix? It becomes a full on celebration, lit with twinkling lights, vodka bottles serving as bloom vessels (crafted by Kim Starr Wise!) and even a late night second line. And it all started with this quiet moment at the altar. Head to the full gallery from Dark Roux Photography for more!

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Fall Weddings

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Backyard Religious Institution

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Whimsical

From Dark Roux Photography…A Race and Religious wedding is amazing no matter what, but take a Race and Religious wedding and add a whole lot of Polish traditions and you’ve got the ingredients for something truly memorable. Michal brought so many things to his wedding that we’ve never seen. After Celeste and all of her girls got ready in one of the suites at Race and Religious they went down for some good luck shots while the guys were at their hotel drinking things we’ve never seen and certainly cannot pronounce! Shortly after their celebratory libations, the couple met at St. Theresa de Avila to say their vows.

Once Celeste and Michal both said ‘I do’, it was back to Race and Religious for one of the biggest parties to date. The place looked beautiful with all of the floral arrangements (some in vodka bottles for the Polish touch) done by Kim Starr Wise. There was food everywhere with catering by Palate. When the party first started there was a traditional bread that the couple shared and then they had to take a shot, well kind of. One glass was water and the other was vodka. The newlywed who got the vodka has the upper hand in the marriage, or so the tradition says. What had us cracking up was the games they played! They each took turns wearing a blindfold and felt up different guests and had to guess only by touch, which guest was their new spouse. Celeste and Michal know each other well because they both guessed correctly! The night wasn’t complete without a little New Orleans thrown in there, because no New Orleans wedding is complete without a second line, and man was there ever a second line!!! The entire day ran smoothly with Mint Julep Productions running the show, and we’re so happy that we got to enjoy the party with these two.

Romantic Engagement Shoot in The French Quarter

This bride wanted the setting for her engagement shoot to mirror her relationship – the perfect blend of romance and excitement. Dressed in Badgley Mischka and a floral crown by Fat Cat Flowers, she and her fiance strolled the French Quarter for what turned out to be the sweetest e-session ever. See more from Marissa Lambert here.

From The Bride…Jon and I’s entire relationship has been fairytale status. After our first date, I woke up to a single red rose on my porch. Since then, he is constantly surprising me with sweet thoughts and knick knacks. He is a hard working man that will put a bow tie on for me. He lovingly agreed to take engagement pictures that were a little bit out of his comfort zone, and I am forever grateful. I love film, so there was only one person to ask to photograph our love. The sweet and talented Marissa Lambert. I had designed what I wanted in my head, and after just a few words with Marissa, she was able to take and create exactly what I wanted. We started at Race and Religious for a very romantic, intimate session. A beautiful flower crown by Fat Cat Flowers adorned my head, and I wore an elegant dress by Badgley Mischka. Jon completed his outfit with bow tie and suspenders… obsessed! Then we changed into a more casual outfit and graced the streets of the French Quarter. We were playful, walking down the streets holding hands, exchanging “I love yous”, and laughing every few steps. I love the ambiance of New Orleans… it was the perfect blend of romance and excitement. We are happy to share our love, and we hope to continue to create a truly romantic, Southern wedding this Fall.

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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A New Orleans French Quarter Wedding at the Kingsway House

From this moment on, when I think of a New Orleans wedding I’m pretty darn sure this stylish soiree captured by Kent Meister will pop in my mind. Beautifully planned by Valerie at Sapphire Events and complete with stunning florals from Kim Starr Wise, this gallery is perfectly NOLA and perfectly personal.

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Fall Weddings

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Estate Weddings

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Mardis Gras Inspired New Orleans Wedding

From Kent Meister Photography…When you think about New Orleans, it’s usually all about having a good time. That’s exactly what Matt and Simone’s French Quarter wedding was all about. It was loaded with laid back, classy, NOLA-style charm. Their was at the Kingsway House, a refurbished historic recording studio on the edge of the French Quarter. It had just the right combination of Southern charm and modern edge. Plus, the location couldn’t be beat! The best memory I have from the day was taking the wedding party out into the French Quarter for portraits and interacting with everybody on the street that joined in to celebrate with them! As an NYC-based photographer I’ve had my fair share of street participation during wedding shoots, but the French Quarter is on another level entirely!

Yes, this was very much a New Orleans wedding and the best thing about that is it perfectly complimented Matt and Simone. They welcomed their friends and family into their city and made it a large part of the event itself. By doing that, they kept the vibe of their wedding personal and true to who they are. That’s what’s called “doing it right.”

From The Bride…We met in and started our relationship while living in the French Quarter, so wanted to to get married where it all began. Since we were inviting lots of friends and family from out-of-town to a destination wedding, we ordered more casual and fun “map-style” invites from an etsy.com vendor, flagging New Orleans within the state of Louisiana. The venue–the Kingsway House–was an old mansion that served time as a recording studio for acts like Bob Dylan and Pearl Jam before being converted into a home and event space for a local developer. We felt like the space was fresh and modern while maintaining the architecture and eclecticism of the Quarter, and the edge of the house’s former life.

The ceremony was outside in the courtyard on a beautiful fall evening. All flowers and decorations were done by Kim Starr Wise, who brought in festoon lights to keep everything lit as the sun set. We had gotten engaged while in Paris over Kronenbourg beers, so we had a tub full for our guests to start with as they arrived. We made the programs ourselves on paper bags to put the beers in–Quarter Koozies. Great local jazz musician Linnzi Zaorski provide the music.

We tried to keep the whole affair personal and involve friends however we could. Our officiant was a friend that Simone went to law school with, Brian Page, who we asked to get ordained through the same online humanist church Matt previously used to do the same thing. We wrote out our own ceremony and vows and tried to make it about us and what we loved/liked about each other rather than something rote and religious. Our cakes were made by Simone’s high school friend Amanda Malone at Petticoat Pastries out of Lafayette (where Simone grew up). We got the handmade cake topper online on etsy.com because they reminded us of a trip to Australia we took together for another friend’s wedding (Koala Groom, and Kangaroo Bride), and had the Groom’s cake decorated with the logo of the Quarter bar at which we met (One Eyed Jack’s). Kent Meister, a Brooklyn photographer and friend of Matt’s from high school, was nice enough to fly in to take the pictures.

The reception was on-site with great food and plenty of booze from Pigeon caterers. Party music was by Brice Nice, a great local DJ with a Saturday night show on local radio station, WWOZ.

We were seen out to a Quarter pedicab that took us on a ride through the Quarter for the after party at the Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone.

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Romona Keveza

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal Fall 2016

Romona Keveza Bridal Fall 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Spring 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Fall 2019

ROMONA New York

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This is what happens when traditional elegance meets a seriously fun duo, a fab team of New Orleans vendors and a little dose of Mardis Gras goodness: a day that is as awe-inspiring as it is pretty. I’m talking an enchanted garden-like ceremony meets drop-dead gorgeous details and Mardis Gras masks perfect for a dance party. See it all captured by Koby And Terilyn Brown right here.

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Fall Weddings

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Romantic French Garden Inspired Photo Shoot

From Koby and Terilyn Brown… Meribeth’s wedding card for Lad features two skeletons holding hands and the words, “Till Death Do Us Part Is For Quitters.” This couple’s love runs deep and we had the opportunity to create some fascinating pre-wedding portraits for them in one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries. What made this especially challenging was Meribeth and Lad’s request NOT to see each other before the ceremony. We accomplished the images taken in the gorgeous cemetery by keeping the bride and groom on opposite sides of the architecture and occasionally using double exposures to make it appear the couple is standing side by side in the frame. This set of images is one of our favorites from this fall – we really enjoyed all the unique aspects of this wedding.

Meribeth and Lad currently reside in Houston, TX, but they have strong family roots in New Orleans, LA. They really wanted to embrace the flavor of the city and give their guests an authentic adventure. Meribeth chose the beautiful, historic Opera Guild as the venue. Guest were provided with venetian masks, snacks, and maps to the city in the welcome gift bags. A lovely outdoor ceremony followed by a fabulous 2nd line march around the block, lead into an indoor-outdoor reception complete with a tarot card reader and a band that had guests dancing well into the night. Bridesmaids were given the freedom to choose their own dresses for the event, and a sagebowl was available for guests wishing to be smudged before the ceremony.

Three words: French, Garden, Toile and from that comes this gorgeous inspiration awash with a simple outdoor dinner, a champagne toast and a cake that nearly steals the show. This is a modern version of that classic french pattern crafted by Bee’s Wedding And Event Design + Mrs. Vintage + imagery by Marissa Lambert. And the cake? That beauty was designed by Melissa’s Fine Pastries. See it in all its toile glory right here.

Perfection is simply the only way to describe this styled shoot. This utterly romantic shoot was pulled together so seamlessly by some of the best vendors in New Orleans. The photos tell the story of a dreamy wedding day that includes the perfect mix of blue french toile and lovely pinks, reds, purples, and greens. From the prep to the exit, this shoot is sure to inspire any bride or groom planning their BIG day!

Gift Ideas for your Bridesmaids!

We’re all about gifting your girls pre-wedding. But let’s be real – finding that perfect something doesn’t always come easy. *Enter* A Pinch Of Lovely who’s here to share unique gift ideas your ‘maids will L-O-V-E. From the prettiest phone cases to a sparkly Kate Spade clutch, she’s taken the leg-work out of shopping and all you have to do is buy, wrap and go!

From A Pinch Of Lovely…A girl’s bridesmaids are one of the most important (and first!) decisions a bride will make. Bridesmaids can be the operative difference in helping guide their BFFs wedding experience sail right into smooth waters. In addition to all of the emotional support, they also take on the huge monetary responsibility as being a member of the bridal party – the dress, the shoes, the showers – your maids deserve a little love too!

On the morning of the wedding or the night before, shower your maids with pretty gifts they can use both the day of the wedding and to keep forever, and don’t forget the bubbly and sweets! It’s a thoughtful gesture to thank your besties for their lifelong friendship, support of you and your groom’s relationship and all their assistance leading up to your big day.

Beauty products like flattering lip colors, body bronzer (this Kismet brand won’t budge until you wash it off) and girly polish will help your bridesmaids look their best all day long. Include a fragrance sample or two that you’ll think they will love. Also, picking product packaging with a touch of gold will feel oh-so-luxe!

One always-popular option is picking out coordinating jewelry for the bridesmaids to wear on the wedding day. Try to look for transitional pieces that can be re-worn afterwards. You can even choose individual pieces depending on each bridesmaid’s personal style – a bracelet for the friend who loves bracelet stacks and earrings for your more minimalistic maid. Jewelry lines that have many styles utilizing the same stones like Kendra Scott provide endless possibilities.

And, since your bridesmaids are always on the phone with you, treat your bridesmaids to personalized phone cases. These embossed leather cases by Graphic Image come in a rainbow of colors with the option of customization. Gold lettering can signify monograms, acronyms (like BFF) and words (like SIS for sisters or future sister-in-laws).

And finally, they are going to need somewhere to keep all of their new favorite gifts. A hand-painted jewelry box, sparkly clutch or pouch make for a thoughtful gift and a way to stay organized on the day of the wedding. Again, look for versatile styles that can double as a makeup pouch or a small, clutch so they can use your gift over and over again.

It’s easy to get caught up in the planning and countless decisions that need to be made, and that’s why your bridesmaids are there to help support you in the process. Remember to shower your BFFs with thoughtful gifts they can appreciate after the wedding and treasure for years to come!

New Orleans Engagement Session

Falling in love with this southern e-sesh from Robert and Kathleen Photographers was an easy fete for me. For starters, these two lovebirds are A-dorable. Second, how could you not be enamored with the richness and romance of NOLA? It reels me in every time and I don’t fight it one bit. Get lost in the sweet, sweet gallery here.

From Robert and Kathleen Photographers… Maureen and James met when they were both thousands of miles away from home, spending a year studying abroad in Ireland. They each came from Irish families and loved being immersed in the Irish Culture as students of Trinity College in Dublin.

They didn’t tell me for sure, but I would say it’s easy easy guess that James was drawn to Maureen at first by her smile. It’s bright and unrestrained, the kind of smile that makes her eyes sparkle and implores you to smile in return. And when Maureen got to know James, she was no doubt captivated by his crystal-blue eyes and Southern-gentleman charm.

Maureen and James got to know each other over the course of that year in Ireland. When their friendship turned to something more, they were pleasantly surprised. They had been a bit tentative at first, not knowing how in the world they would manage a long-distance relationship when they would return to the US, to home states over 1,500 miles apart. But as Irish novelist James Stephens says, “What the heart knows today, the head will understand tomorrow.” Their hearts knew they wanted to be together, their heads would just have to figure out the logistics. Because when you really love someone, obstacles like distance don’t seem so challenging.

They spent the next few years in school – James at graduate school while Maureen completed her undergrad and then Maureen going to grad school in Boston while James started law school in his home state of Louisiana. This year, after Maureen completed grad school, she moved down to Louisiana to join James. They are finally living in the same city (something they haven’t done since the very first year they met), enjoying all of the same things that they did way back then; hearing about each others day over a drink in their favorite local pub, finding a new place to explore over the weekend.

And there’s little doubt that the same things that drew them to each other so many years ago, her bright smile and his undeniable charm, are the very same things that make every day together that much sweeter, especially now that they are finally back in the same place once again. This summer, they’ll stand in front of their family and friends and pledge what their hearts knew back on the campus of Trinity: that they are meant to be together and that no matter what the obstacle, their love will always find a way.

Photography: Robert & Kathleen Photographers | Dress: Tibi New York | Venue: New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Engagement Party at Bevolo Gas Lantern Museum

Gorgeous real weddings grace our pages on the daily, but we get super excited to see a chic engagement party like this one. Tucked inside this gorgeous gallery from Greer G Photography are so many steal-worthy ideas for your next soiree beautifully designed by the gorgeous bride-to-be herself (who happens to be the lovely Elyse of Elyse Jennings Weddings) you might need to create an entire new “Engagement Party” pin board for it. And we wouldn’t blame you one little bit. See why here.

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Classic New Orleans Wedding at Race and Religious

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Museum

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Romantic

From The Bride…When you’re in the industry and planning your own wedding, it’s safe to say that everyone sets the bar pretty high! I just want to design a beautiful space for beautiful people to make beautiful memories! First goal was to find a beautiful venue that no one had ever used before! When antique shopping on Royal Street in the French Quarter, my friends and I walked past the Bevolo Gas Lantern Museum! I just had to pop in and beg them to let me have my engagement party there! There’s nothing more New Orleans than 72 gas lanterns lining the wall! They agreed and I began dreaming of ways to make the space tell the story of our 10 year relationship! As our guests arrived, they were greeted by our “guest book” table of 3 champagne bottles for the guests to write notes for us to read on wedding day (the day we will finally get to enjoy the bottles)! I had to sneak a peek as I was packing them up and cried imagining myself in the wedding dress that they were describing! I really wanted to accentuate the wall of lanterns, so I started pulling old photos that could chronicle our relationship: from the night that he asked me to be his girlfriend, through embarrassing dresses at proms, high school and college graduations, and ending with an instax photo of us that very night! Our guests loved walking along the wall to watch our hair colors and our love for each other grow! We also brought in wine barrel tables and pews (with pillows) as creative ways for our guests to take a break from their heels! I loved a unique seating space! My fiancé and I both love doberge cake, so it was only fitting that we had a couple of our favorite flavors for everyone to enjoy with us! We chose a cake with Salted Caramel Doberge, one with Blueberry Pancake Doberge, and the biggest hit, Lemon King Cake! We had enough for each guest to have a piece of each! But most importantly, I knew that I needed an incredible photographer to capture all of these special moments on our journey down the aisle! So immediately after my engagement (and calling my parents and two best friends), I called my dear friend Greer of Greer G Photography! From the engagement photos, the engagement party, the bridal showers, couples showers, bridesmaids spa day, to wedding day, we are honored to have Greer behind the camera at all of our wedding events! She’s amazing!

I love how New Orleans has this wonderful style of its own. One that beautifully intertwines tradition with a little bit of spunk, so weddings there never fail to wow. This beauty coordinated by Sapphire Events and captured by Maile Lani takes that New Orleans style up about a hundred notches, leaving us with a gallery that will leave your jaw on the floor. See it all here.

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Winter Weddings

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Industrial

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From Sapphire Events…Katie and JT are an adorable couple from Alabama that planned their New Orleans wedding for last December. JT called us to coordinate their wedding at one of our favorite venues, Race and Religious, and help them tie up last-minute details for this destination event. Katie and JT prepared for the big day in the respective houses on the property, and Maile Lani captured their first look on the grounds of this beautiful venue. From the moment I met them, I could see how head-over-heels in love they are for each other!

This venue is one of my all-time favorites as a matrimonial backdrop. The grounds are quintessential New Orleans – exposed brick, rich architectural details, hidden nooks and aged mantles over crumbling stone fireplaces. Katie and JT’s celebration exemplified the classic elegance that Katie is known for. Simple white florals atop a marble slab table marked the altar space, flanked by the venue’s naturally sprawling bougainvillea which seems to eternally bloom. Sweet classical music wafted through the space for the ceremony and reception as the guests danced the night away in the outdoor courtyard under the stars. The bride and groom made their getaway in a horse and carriage after a sparkler send-off, celebrating their first evening united as husband and wife!

Maison Montegut Wedding

This might not be your typical Southern wedding, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s lacking on the style front. With European inspiration and Maison Montegut to play backdrop, it’s a day that captures the essence of New Orleans’ French Quarter to a pretty little T. See it through the fabulous lens of Maile Lani right over here!

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Eatery Estate Weddings

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Colorful Wedding at The Chicory

From the Bride… David and I were married in the amazing city of New Orleans, where we have been living for the last few years. He is British, and my family is French/Jewish, so needless to say this was not your traditional Southern Wedding!

We wanted to bring in our European roots for a romantic courtyard affair, while realizing that most of our guests had never been to New Orleans. There were too many amazing New Orleans traditions to ignore, so we picked our favorites and voila!

We were married in the stunning courtyard of the Maison Montegut, a historic house in the French Quarter. My now husband built the wedding canopy (chuppah) with New Orleans architecture in mind. We wanted a soft Parisian garden feel with lots of ivy and cream colors that our florist captured incredibly well. We loved the asymmetric flower arrangement on the canopy, and the intimacy of the smaller courtyard space. The entry to the courtyard was an original carriageway and was the aisle I walked down. We designed and printed the wedding programs ourselves, bundling them with pieces of lavender and white handkerchiefs.

Just before the wedding, we signed our wedding contract, which was a really small and special ceremony with only our parents and the officiant. We had our Ketubah (jewish wedding contact) custom-made with a papercut lacey design, backed with gold foil. Following this small gathering, everyone took a shot of Bourbon which was exactly what we needed to start the night!

Following the traditional wedding ceremony, we took to the streets in a New Orleans Second Line. We danced and waved our handkerchiefs in the narrow tourist-filled streets of the French Quarter with the brass band, Dr. Jazz, leading the way. David and I stayed at the front and danced with our umbrellas while our guests had Mardi Gras beads on their necks and camera phones in hand. This was by far the highlight of the wedding!

We arrived at Galvez Restaurant and spent the next hour cooling off with amazing cocktails on the balcony overlooking the Mississippi River and the French Quarter. David and I then had our first dance followed by the Jewish tradition of the hora! Looking at everyone smiling and dancing from a lifted chair was amazing.

For the reception, we really wanted it to feel like a large dinner party. The food was served family style with large serving plates floating above the tablescape. And to give our guests an authentic N’awlins feel, plenty of seafood, wine and cocktails were served. It was important to us to have a real restaurant for our wedding with a full bar, and not the type set-up just for events. Turns out our guests agreed, and the expansive restaurant bar was the most popular spot! The Chef at Galvez Restaurant is incredible and people raved about the Steak au Poivre and New Orleans Blackened Fish.

My favorite aspect of the reception was the tablescape that Nola Flora put together: Revere bowls and julep cups overflowed with baby’s breath, white hydrangea, white ranunculus, and ivory majolika spray roses. The tall candlesticks looked fantastic against the ceiling-height windows overlooking the river. Another fun touch to our reception was the table runners. My grandmother made these from a toile de jouy fabric we picked out together in Paris! This is something I will never forget–being at the foot of Sacre Coeur in Paris shopping for my wedding with my French grandmother.

My husband made two wooden boxes out of reclaimed wood for the escort cards (sitting on a bed of baby’s breath), as well as the wooden table number holders. He also designed and printed personalized dinner menus for each of our guests at their assigned seat.

For dessert, we had three delicious cakes. The first was the bridal cake, the second was a birthday cake for my sister and the last was a traditional southern Groom’s Cake. My husband builds houses, so I requested a cake in the form of his favorite nail gun, and it turned out wonderfully! Our wedding planner even asked someone to move the tool from the cake area before our reception!

Overall, we loved the blend of traditions and our visitors from England, France, and Spain were thrilled to be able to experience New Orleans with us. It will always be a city we hold close to our hearts.

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Wedding Dresses

Vera Wang

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

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I live right down the street from New Orleans and let me just say, if ever there were a wedding to embody the energy of the city, this is it. With Sapphire Events New Orleans behind the helm, it’s no surprise it’s amazing, and if Dark Roux‘s images have anything to say on the matter, it’s a wedding with heart that you won’t forget anytime soon.

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Thomas Bistro Holiday Wedding Inspiration Shoot

From the stunning bride… Jeff proposed on St. Patricks Day 2012. I knew right away that this was a festive start to what would be a whirlwind year for us. While we both currently live in Atlanta, I am originally from Louisiana and Jeff from Florida. Anyone who has met me almost immediately learns of my love for Louisiana, and subsequently, being in love with me means being in love with Louisiana as well. Throughout our courtship, I would take Jeff with me to Louisiana for food, family, football and fun! A defining moment in our relationship was when Jeff converted and became a Saints fan. As we both root for rival college football teams, having the Saints in common was a must!

When we began talking about plans, the only decision we already knew the answer to was where to get married – New Orleans. We wanted our family and guests to be in the middle of all the French Quarter action, so we chose our venues with proximity in mind. Luckily, one of the most beautiful churches in New Orleans, Immaculate Conception, is only a few blocks away from the heart of the quarter. That was easy! For our reception, we really wanted people, especially our out-of-town guests, to feel like they were experiencing New Orleans. I searched venues throughout the area, and luckily found The Chicory. With its exposed brick and gas lanterns, it was perfect; we fell in love. As a bonus, the food was amazing and the staff was incredibly attentive! In addition to location, Jeff and I really wanted our guests to have a good time. We wanted our wedding to be a great, New Orleans party! When I discovered our band, ELS, I knew we would easily accomplish this. They are a fabulous party band from Louisiana that plays anything from Motown to current hits. Its all fun music complete with choreographed dancing and costume changes!

Now, with all the logistics booked, we started researching photographers and florists. Jamie, from Dark Roux, was the first photographer I met with. I knew within two minutes of meeting Jamie that I needed him and his wife, Heather, to photograph our wedding. I feel very fortunate that they were available on our wedding day. The beautiful pictures they took will allow me to remember every detail, person and dance-move that was a part of our day. Jeff and I couldn’t be happier with the photos. After hiring a photographer, I started thinking about how I actually wanted our wedding to look. From the beginning, I knew I wanted it to be very colorful, but thats about it! I met with Juli Vaughn in Atlanta one day. I actually didn’t think much would come of it since she was based in Atlanta and our wedding was in New Orleans. When I told her all the colors I wanted her eyes lit up and she began sketching floral arrangements I couldn’t have dreamed of. Her excitement was contagious and I could tell that she and I were on the same page. Juli has flawless taste, and I trusted her completely to make our wedding look the way I would have imagined it had I been creative enough to come up with it!

On the day of our wedding, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Everything went so smoothly thanks to our planner, Valerie Gernhauser. My bridesmaids and I had a girly afternoon getting ready complete with matching robes and the requisite champagne. Since our ceremony was a full mass at 6pm, I wanted to take pictures beforehand so it would be sunny. Jeff and I had a private first look, in an intimate courtyard pool area at the hotel. It was really sweet. Then we went into the French Quarter to take wedding party photos. Jamie and Heather were able to perfectly capture the essence of New Orleans in the photos. The ceremony was very special to me. Jeff and I were married by my cousin, Father Beau Charbonnet. It meant so much to know, and further be related to, the person who would be joining our two lives. After the ceremony it was on to the reception. The band couldn’t have been better and we danced up a storm! I had a permanent smile on my face all day long. From the custom Mardi Gras beads to the beignets, New Orleans was the overriding theme of our wedding. We second-lined out of the reception into a waiting pedicab. People always ask me if I would want to do it all over again. It was the most fun day of my life, but I have to say no because there is no way everything could go as perfectly as it twice.

Bold statement alert: This holiday shoot is going to be your favorite thing today. I know that’s a big exclamation, being Christmas Eve and all, but Sapphire Events, Mrs. Vintage Rentals, Kim Starr Wise, and SO many more talented pros pulled together the sweetest pink holiday shoot, which Pure 7 Studios captured beautifully, and… you’re welcome. Merry Christmas loves!

And of course, it wouldn’t be the perfect present without the film!

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From the photographer… Inspired by the upcoming holiday season, we designed a modern inspiration shoot with a twist on traditional holiday décor! We developed a design that diverted from the expected red and green so often used in Christmas decor. The inspiration for this shoot came from a favorite fabric we found in pink and gray tartan plaid – a traditional pattern with an unexpected pop of fun and flirty pink! This fabric was the central focus for the overall design and informed our decision making in selecting the venue, invitation design, tabletop décor, and even the delicious naked cake!

With mixed metals, white sequins, metallic curly willow, a touch of glitz and glamour, plus the lovely floral centerpieces from Kim Starr Wise, we juxtaposed natural elements with glamorous touches. The venue’s exposed brick, wooden beams, rustic chandeliers, and plentiful natural light pouring in from the skylight above set the ideal backdrop for our holiday scheme. Think about Santa coming down the chimney into this winter wonderland – and having a party to kick off the festivities! The naked cake we designed exposes the structure of the confection’s delicious layers, topped off with a sparkle glaze drizzled down the sides and a touch of the floral scheme to carry over the table top design.

Tupelo Honey executed the perfect stationery suite for our event, incorporating shades of pink, silver and gold with calligraphy that sparkled. How could anyone say no to such an invite? Holiday wreaths and pink flocked trees were festive additions to the backdrop. The contemporary yet cozy lounge area with textured and striped wallpaper, silver couch, and mirrored table is perfect for snuggling up with the one you love! While it may be cold outside, our couple has their love to keep them warm (and hot cocoa, too)! Steaming mugs of cocoa with marshmallows are a staple that this holiday celebration wouldn’t be complete without!

Cheers to a merry and bright holiday season!

New Orleans Engagement Session from Marissa Lambert

My love for this engagement shoot from Marissa Lambert is off the charts. It’s stylish in every sense of the word, and filled with special moments these lovebirds will cherish forever. It’s image after image of some of the prettiest engagement pictures you’ll ever see, and they are all sitting pretty right here.

From Marissa Lambert…This session was photographed with film in a gorgeous park in New Orleans. In the past, this couple has spent plenty of time at the tree in the photographs. Living in Louisiana, I see many majestic trees with Spanish moss, but I have yet to see one as magical as this one. The story is that this tree first started as two separate trees and over time became one. How romantic!

The soon-to-be bride is Gabriela, and her man’s name is David. They are a full of love and giggles. Gabriela invested much of her time pondering how to make this shoot unique and special to them. I believe that she nailed it! The dress, the flowers, the bow-tie, and the rose filled ice for the Dom Perignon that was poured into those fabulous champagne glasses – sheer perfection!

Photography: Mon Soleil Weddings

New Orleans Wedding from Greer G. Photography + Kim Starr Wise

This, my friends, is one wedding that is all about the glamour. A vintage-inspired glamour that is pretty much the most awesome thing I have ever seen. Think Jenny Packham meets sparkle-clad bridesmaids meets the always amazing city of New Orleans. And beyond all of the sophisticated details (thank you NOLA BASH and Kim Starr Wise) and jaw-droppingly gorgeous settings, there’s a burst of pure love radiating from every moment captured by Greer G. Photography. See it all in the full gallery.

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Winter Weddings

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Backyard Ballroom Weddings

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Vintage

From NOLA BASH… From the Big Apple to the Big Easy, Elina and Jason threw a true destination bash leaving their friends and family wanting more! Let’s begin with the bridesmaids spectacular dresses! Elina entrusted each of her best gals to get a beaded, tan, vintage dress. These girls knocked this one out of the park! Their bouquets jumped off of the dresses and truly became their best accessory of the night. The gentlemen complemented the ladies in crisp, black tuxedos which really brought this vintage feel together for pictures under the mossy oaks of New Orleans City Park.

The two committed their lives to each other in an intimate courtyard at the Masion Montegut House followed by a 2nd line parade which had guests dancing in the streets. The parade, led by the Young PinStripes Brass Band, ended at the New Orleans Board of Trade where guests were greeted with cocktails and raw oysters. Vintage, mirrored window panes hung from trees displaying table assignments. Inside the tables were adorned with sequin linens (that were to die for!) accented by vintage books, bottles and camera. Not to mention the silver tea pots which boasted with gorgeous, bright flowers. Taboo rocked the stage keeping the dance floor full at all times – with the exception of the flower girls who felt it was past their bedtime and were found in deep dreams on the vintage lounge furniture. The reception ends but not the party; everyone moved to an after party down the street which kept them dancing until the early hours of the morning.

Fort Myers Wedding at The White Orchid from Riversedge Lifestyle Photography

What do you get when you combine a stunning bride + lover of all things New Orleans and a handsome groom with a passion for his home state of Florida? Well, lovelies, you get one downright gorgeous Fort Meyers shindig infused with New Orleans style from start to finish. A shindig, mind you, that boasts lush florals from Fort Myers Floral Express, fab DIY stylings and an entire gallery of lovely captured by Riversedge Lifestyle Photography. Join me there for all of the pretty. It’s a must-see.

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From the Bride… I fell in love with New Orleans after attending law school there pre and post Katrina. There’s something about NOLA that just gets under your skin and into your blood- the food, the music and vibrancy of the city are things I miss now that I have moved back to my home state of Florida. In fact, New Orleans is where Ryan asked me to marry him. Right in front of Saint Louis Cathedral, in the middle of a crowded Mardi Gras street. By the time we were on the plane headed home, I had the whole wedding planned- a destination wedding in my favorite city! But when I asked my soon-to-be groom if he was on board he responded, “Honey, I want you to have the wedding of your dreams but I just have one request- I want to get married in Florida. It’s where we both grew up and where we’ve both come back to start our lives. It’s important to me.” Well who can argue with that? Not a problem- I would just bring my New Orleans vision to Florida.

My mom and I discovered the White Orchid at Oasis very late in our venue hunt. Someone mentioned to me in passing “an old house on the river” that they heard was now being used for parties. My fiancé Ryan grew up in Fort Myers, so being near the river was something I knew he would love and I was hoping to find. When I finally located this beautiful, old house and stood on its wrap around back porch looking across the long lawn and into the water, I knew this was it. The house is like a blank canvas and I was armed with a list of DIY’s to fill the rooms with. I got so much inspiration from sites like Style Me Pretty. I devoured the photos of real weddings that had been in New Orleans or had that old world, antique feel that I so badly wanted my guests to experience. My DIY projects turned out to be a family affair, with loved ones from both sides pitching in. My mom found the black, wrought iron centerpieces in a clearance sale and my mother-in-law’s best friend helped design and decorate our “New Orleans dessert room”- even crafting the “Café du Monde” cart that served chicory coffee and hot, powered beignets as our specialty dessert. And what a pleasant surprise to find my groom get inspired as well when he saw how dedicated I was to detail. He researched and then made a delicious homemade blood orange vodka that we used in our signature cocktails.

On the morning of the wedding, I walked into the house to find the loveliest gift. Ryan’s two Uncles, who lived in New Orleans for 10 years before Katrina forced them to move, had stayed up all night making us each an authentic, elaborate 2nd line umbrella. I was truly touched and these are two incredible pieces of art I will forever cherish. I must say that Jamie & Jacob Catering were wonderful also at embracing my vision and making it a reality. Their chef even made a crawfish tasso cheesecake recipe from my favorite New Orleans restaurant as an appetizer! Of course we had to finish the night with my favorite memory and a New Orleans essential made a reality by Mark Zauss and the Z Street Band- the 2nd line parade around the property including all the guests.

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New Orleans Wedding from Dark Roux Photography

I love this wedding. Not because it was super gorgeous (even though it was) or perfectly planned (again, it was) but for the heart. The love that went into it. The brides wanted their favorite blooms, succulents, but because they were going to be hard to get in New Orleans… they grew them in their garden in California, packed them up in a suit case, and flew them to their wedding. And that is just one of the many amazingly heartfelt details this whole wedding, captured beautifully by Dark Roux Photography, possessed.

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New Orleans Wedding from Greer G. Photography + Sapphire Events

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From one of the beautiful brides… Even though we can not legally marry we decided that it was important to us to have a ceremony signifying our love for one another. We believe our love is no different and just as important as anyone else who loves someone. Plus, I couldn’t think of anything better than being able to call Tyra my wife. It just so happened to fall on the same week that the Supreme Court was in discussion about whether to uphold Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act.

We really were about anti-formalities. Our idea of the perfect wedding was close friends and family, good food, and lots of dancing. We are both very family oriented so we incorporated different details throughout to honor them. For Tyra since her dad passed away at a young age I wanted to honor him and have him present. I put an antique locket in her bouquet with pictures of him because I couldn’t bear the thought of him not walking her down the isle. She had no idea until right before our first look when she noticed it. For my grandmother who was a painter, we used her easel to display the “pick a seat not a side” sign. For my Uncle Sandy who loved to read, we used his vintage books as the cupcake display.

We have so many close friends therefore we chose not to have any bridesmaids or wedding party and instead chose to have all of our nieces and nephews as ring bearers and flower girls. I really wanted a vintage feel so in order to achieve this I collected antique bottles for months to put flowers in. We also used a lot of my families silver heirlooms as the vases for our flowers and displays. Succulents are my favorite and I really wanted them in my floral arrangements. So I grew them in California in my garden and brought them on the plane to New Orleans with me because they can not be found there. I was honored to have my cousins, whom spent years making floral arrangements, prepare our flowers. Every arrangement was so unique and perfect in every way. I have always loved romantic quotes and wanted to incorporate them into the decor, so we placed different quotes throughout in flowers. I was even lucky enough to have an artist friend of mine make me an amazing sign with a quote from Dr. Seuss. It fit in so perfect with our decor.

Every single detail you see was uniquely crafted for our wedding. It truly was a labor of love. We wanted to have a magical day that was filled with contributions from so many loved ones and it truly was! Our friend Jodi was our officiant and she put so much thoughtful detail into our ceremony. She really tied everything that we thought about each other together and made it so beautiful. She said, “Each of you expressed the balance, the harmony that you find in the others presence. That yin & yang quality. Where in the puzzle of life’s challenges, you have found in each other that those pieces create a perfect fit- where in the absence of each other, the picture would otherwise be incomplete.”

One of my absolute favorite memories of the night was the dance off during the reception. I must say my friends can really get down! I still laugh thinking about it. We wanted so much for everyone to have a blast and enjoy themselves and that was confirmed by each and every guest who are still telling us that it was “THE BEST WEDDING EVER!!!!!” Our only wish was that we could go back and do it all over again.

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Dear, sweet New Orleans wedding, you have my heart. The lovely images from Greer G. Photography captivated me from the very beginning… the shot of the bride with her lace and sleeve staring out the window. It says so much, that one image. But don’t get caught up on just that one. The rest of the wedding, planned and perfected by Sapphire Events, is just as absolutely beautiful.

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