Louisiana Weddings

You know those mornings you wake up and know it’s going to be a really good day? That’s kind of how I feel about this one. Mostly because this whimsical Louisiana wedding is first up on today’s agenda, and filled with about a million special touches that’ll Rock. Your. World. Knowing there wouldn’t be a dress on the market to perfectly suit her style, this bride and her mama set out to make their own. And boy, did it deliver! But that’s only the beginning. Read on for even more and don’t dare to miss the full gallery from Two Pair Photography right here.

From the Bride… My husband swears he knew he was going to marry me the day we met. I, however was clueless. Thankfully, he persisted to ask for three months before I went out with him, and exactly one year later we were engaged. Four months later, boom, married. He was right (for once!) Surrounded by the most creative people, with my work and my family, Ive always known my wedding would have very special and unique touches. The last thing I wanted was for it to be the same ole southern wedding. One of the most important things to both my husband and I was quality photography. We opted with Two Pair Photography, out of Abilene, TX and it was the best decision. Chad and Tressie Zellner made our day so easy and captured the essence of our relationship so beautifully. They have such a great quality of making you feel special and of knowing how to get the best shot in any situation. We are forever thankful to them. After we had that, we moved on to the actual day.

Thankfully, my parents have the most beautiful setting for outdoor weddings at their home, so we started there with aesthetic planning, using the outdoor space as our backdrop. Scouring books and blogs for months with my co-worker and wedding stylist, Kayla of We Are Gathered, we hand created almost every detail, from lace wraps for the trees, hand painted food labels on reclaimed wood, and gathering and detailing wine bottles for months from everyone we knew. I also knew I wouldnt be able to find a dress on the market that was just right, so my mother and I set out designing our own, and it could not have been more perfect. She and my mother-in-law embroidered messages inside the lining that I read on my wedding day. TEARS! For my veil, I had my good friend and fashion designer, Amanda de Leon, create me a custom piece with a leather fox face and feather, with birdcage. And in lieu of a bridal portrait, I sought out my fashion illustrator friend MAR of Markette, and had her illustrate me in my gown. I felt just like vintage Barbie!

I never really had a color or theme in mind, but I found my bridesmaid dresses when I wasnt looking, at Anthropologie, and the beautiful red orange color set the tone. I found coordinating fabrics, and made my husbands, my nephews and the groomsmens bow ties myself. We filled every vessel we could get our hands on, including vintage desks and dressers, with orange ranunculus, peonies, and garden roses. For the ceremony, my sister-in-law read I Carry Your Heart With Me by E.E. Cummings, right before I walked down the isle to my brother-in-law playing the violin. And in lieu of programs, we gave our guests cards with the lyrics to The Flaming Lips Do You Realize.

The cake and grooms cake were beyond. I chose a local baker I grew up with, who had just moved back to my hometown. She went over and above what I ever expected, and even dipped chocolate in bacon for my husband’s cake! For entertainment, we waned to give our out of state guests a real feeling for Louisiana, and why we love living in New Orleans so much. Our menu included fried alligator tacos, fried green tomato salad, crawfish etoufee tarts, and fried catfish. The day of my dad decided to throw in some extra flair and boiled crawfish and shrimp, with a little jambalaya on the side. It was divine. Musically we had to opt for a brass band, and went with Lagniappe Brass Band out of New Orleans, followed by a dj for the wee hours.

Photography: Two Pair Photography | Wedding Dress: Original Design by Bride + Mother | Cakes: Sweet Stirrings | Shoes: Dee Keller | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Anthropologie | Catering: The Edible Event | Makeup: Eric Vosburg | Hair: Avery Lane Salon | DJ: Huzefa Dossaji | Band: Lagniappe Brass Band | Venue: Private Home | Bridal Illustrator: Markette | Earrings: Anthropologie | Event Rentals: Event Rental | Floral Design + Decor: Sharime Jobe of We Are Gathered | Veil: Amanda de Leon | Violinist: Paul Johnson

Do you ever have dreams of being outside, on a lazy hazy Summer day, walking barefoot with your closest girlfriends, eating copious amounts of cake? Me neither. But what I do dream of is a gorgeous picnic that feels both thoughtful and yet wildly effortless. With fresh from the garden food and people that make me smile. Exactly like this shoot  from Southern Couture Weddings & Catherine Guidry. A perfect picnic overflowing with grace and total Summer loveliness. Click for more.

The location for this shoot was in the midst of an overgrown, country home…with all the character of Louisiana’s local charm. We thought the natural, lush, and intimate setting felt reminiscent of a summer getaway spot.

Sophie of Joli Petale Accessories, Hannah Trahan of Southern Couture Weddings, and I envisioned a whimsical and romantic event that suited the location. Everything from Flowers by Rodney’s wild bouquets to his loosely styled centerpiece set the stage for the rest of the decor. Val Marie Paper created blush and ivory table numbers, invitations, and name cards to fit the event and Event Rental’s chic and somewhat formal tableware were a nice contrast to Indulge’s blueberry cheesecake and fruit tarts. Together, they created a high-end, yet low-maintenance feel.

Joli Petale Accessories were reconstructed of vintage pieces which included a belt, earrings, necklaces, and hair pieces and Sara Buteaux’s Hair/Makeup expertise was used to create soft, natural looks for the women.

Photography: Catherine Guidry Photography | Florals: Flowers by Rodney | Stationary: Val Marie Paper | Accessories + Concept: Joli Petale Accessories | Desserts: Indulge | Hair/Makeup: Sara Buteaux | Vintage Clothing: Sky Blue Clothing Studio

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.

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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Wedding Photography: Troy Wells, Riversedge Lifestyle Photography | Ceremony Venue: Blessed Pope John XXIII Catholic Church | Reception Venue: The White Orchid at Oasis  | Event Design + Planning: Bride | Floral Design: Fort Myers Floral Express | Catering: Jamie and Jacob Catering, |Wedding Coordinator: Leslie DiPlacido | Makeup: Shannon Van Horn with Lasting Luxe  | Wedding Dress: Sottero and Midgley “Clarice” | Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: J.Crew | Cake: Publix Bakery | Hair: Ben Thigpen | Band: Mark Zauss and the Z Street Band

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.

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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Photography: Dark Roux Photography | Flowers: Rachal and Margaret Mascarenas, and Debbie Digilormo | Event Design: Ashley Smith, Buzzworthy Events SF | Event Planning: Ashley Smith, Buzzworthy Events SF | Ceremony Location: Race and Religious | Reception Location: Race and Religious | Caterer: Fly by Knight Catering, 504-885-8415 | Music: Kinfolk Brass Band | DJ: Quickie Mart | Hair: Jenny Lundy with Stardust Hair Salon New Orleans, LA | Makeup: Ashley Vignes, Avignes23@yahoo.com | Cupcakes: Sucre | Officiant: Jodi Capaci | Invitations: Artwork by Randy Muller

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.

From the photographer… Jen and Scott, both New Jersey natives, met through a mutual friend. After two first dates, they took a trip to New Orleans, where Scott had lived while attending Tulane. It was Jen’s first visit to the city, and as their love for each other grew stronger so did the affection for New Orleans. Jen says, “We love the atmosphere, history, and tradition of New Orleans and couldn’t imagine our wedding anywhere else!” Scott works for VH1, and both he and Jen are avid music lovers, but with differing tastes. Scott enjoys Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, while Jen prefers Mumford and Sons and the Black Keys. Both agree to love Louis Armstrong, and when they got engaged last year in the French Quarter, Armstrong’s “When You’re Smiling” was playing in the background. Because good food, great music, and fantastic atmosphere were their top three wedding day priorities, they planned a destination wedding in New Orleans for their friends and families to celebrate together.

Jen and Scott wed in a simple courtyard ceremony at Kingsway House located on Esplanade in the French Quarter. Jen carried a bouquet of blush and ivory flowers, and the groom and groomsmen wore carnation boutonnieres inspired by Nuchy Thompson’s character on the couple’s favorite drama, Boardwalk Empire. They led guests on a second line parade with the Paulin Brothers Brass Band throughout the quarter to kick off the celebration in the traditional New Orleans fashion. They transitioned to the WWII Museum for cocktails and dinner. Jen and Scott’s first dance was to “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin. One of the most touching moments of the night was when Scott sang the following lyrics to Jen: “If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. If mountains crumbled to the sea, there would still be you and me.”

Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes had the dance floor packed all night. When the band went on break, the Victory Belles performed a set, singing and dancing on stage to songs from the 40s. This was a wonderful surprise for the guests and another interesting element special to Jen and Scott that they wanted to incorporate into their celebration. Jen and Scott also invited live artist Frenchy to paint their reception on site, and guests enjoyed watching the artwork come to life before their eyes.

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Photographer: Greer G. Photography |Event Planning, Design, and Coordination: Sapphire Events New Orleans | Ceremony Venue: Kingsway House | Reception Venue: National WWII Museum US Freedom Pavilion | Florist: Bee’s Wedding and Event Design | Candle Decor: Luminous Events | Bakery: Pure Cake | Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals | Hair and Makeup: Kiss and Makeup Beauty Services | Ceremony Musicians: New Orleans Finest Musicians | Second Line Band: Paulin Brothers Brass Band | Reception Band: Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes | Photo Booth: Big Easy Photo Booth | Transportation: American Luxury and Hotard

I can’t begin to tell you how many weddings I’ve fallen in love with on the pages of SMP. From the eclectic and cool to the refined and traditional, it’s a love-fest around here day in and day out. But this New Orleans affair, my dears, is different. Special, really. Why? Because when a destination wedding is designed by the likes of P.S. Creative and Kim Starr Wise, it transforms any “I do” into something unforgettable. From the first look to the last dance, Amy Carroll was there to capture it all. And the full gallery? It’s the best place to be.

From Amy Carroll Photography…Putting into words just how amazing Carrie and Ben’s day was is nearly impossible. From the location, the food, the details and the couple themselves, it was a day filled with love and surprises and a whole lot of fun. I’m going to try to give a short synopsis of some of my favorite details and let the pictures themselves fill in the rest.  First of all, if you can’t tell from Part 1, Carrie and Ben are a force. Smart, determined, fiercely loyal to their friends and family…they planned a day that couldn’t have been a more perfect reflection of themselves. They love good food, both have impeccable style and even though they reside in NYC, are proud and celebrate their Mid-Western roots (Carrie hailing from Michigan and Ben from Ohio) It was a destination wedding for all and filled with traditions from both of their backgrounds and New Orleans itself.

My personal favorite of the day was right after the ceremony, the brass band Kinfolk came marching in, ready to take the newly married couple and the wedding guests on a march throughout the streets of New Orleans for the second line. I can’t even look at the pictures from this part of the day without humming ‘When the Saints Come Marching In’ out loud. Other fun details to note…the girl’s hairpieces, guys boutineers and two of Carrie’s headpieces (love me a girl who changes it up throughout the day!) were done by none other than the amazingly fabulous Pixel+Hank. The day was coordinated by the super sweet Patricia from P.S. Creative who I whole-heartedly hope to work with again someday. After the ceremony Carrie changed into her mom’s super long and super gorgeous wedding veil from the ’70s. It was fun to see the flower detailing matching Carrie’s own wedding dress!  The food was ridiculously good and set up all throughout the venue’s various buildings and outdoor areas.

Carrie and Ben’s first dance was under the stars surrounded by sparklers. Carrie sang karaoke (Carrie-oke?) and I was thoroughly impressed that she sang every.single.word. to ‘Baby Got Back’ without a prompter. At the end of the night, traditional muffulleta was served to the guests. I left with a lot of full memory cards and a happy heart.

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Photography: Amy Carroll Photography | Event Stylist: P.S. Creative, Patricia Stokes | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Event Ceremony + Reception: Race and Religious | Catering: Palate | Custom Hair Pieces + Boutineers: Pixel+Hank | Lighting: Luminous Events | Cake: The Royal Cakery | Small Cakes + Sweets: Melissa’s Fine Pastries | Second Line: Kinfolk Brass Band | Band: Mojeaux Band | Hair: Salon Sanity | Makeup: The Makeup Lab Artistry | Props: Mrs. Vintage | Wedding Dress: Christos | Short Veil: Pixel + Hank | Long Veil: Vintage, Bride’s Mother’s Veil

If there is one thing I love about this wedding, it’s that it is on my computer screen right now. Seriously, I can’t pick just one detail. Mark Eric Weddings captured a soiree so grand, everything about it is my favorite. And rightly so. It’s filled with so much of the couples’ personality, and so much of Elyse Jennings Weddings‘s touch, that every single image screams fabulous!

From the lovely bride … Nate and I were born the same year, one day apart. Me, May 10th. Nate, May 11th. We took a trip to the Bahamas for our 30th birthdays and on my birthday while sitting in front of an old rusted sunken ship with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop, he asked me to marry him. We had only been there one day and he said that we didn’t have to discuss the wedding plans during our whole trip, but wanted me to know that he thought having southern food at the wedding was a must. I agreed, which meant there was only one place to make that possible!

I have been to many New Orleans weddings and sometimes you get the feeling as though if you’ve been to one, you’ve been to them all. We knew that we didn’t want a traditional wedding. We wanted to do something that would embrace the local flavor of New Orleans while avoiding the popular tourist areas of the city and use as many family and friend vendors as possible. We also knew that a lot of our friends had never been to New Orleans, but had always wanted to go and needed a reason. Well, we were their reason and were going give them a true local experience, so they would understand why we love this city so much. An exciting weekend of airboat tours on the bayou, late nights in the French Quarter and on Frenchman Street and more than enough opportunities to get an appropriate fill of po-boys, gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee and beignets.

I had the idea of using a space that had a history. Perhaps once upon a time it was glamorous or had an important purpose, and overtime had worn with age and was currently in the process of rehabilitation. Probably not the most common thought that enters a bride’s mind, but knowing that there are many buildings currently being rehabbed in New Orleans, I really wanted to embrace the architecture of the past. When I came across the Marigny Opera House, my jaw dropped to the floor. The decommissioned Catholic Church had recently been bought by a couple from San Francisco and was being used for community events including the performing arts. The inside was absolutely stunning and exactly what we were looking for.

We wanted to embrace the weathered, grittiness of the building while transforming the space into elegance – a “Great Expectations” Mrs. Havisham’s mansion kind of vibe. We tried to keep the colors to what you would actually see in the building if it were still functioning as a church. The idea of dusty rose, antique peach and slate gray with splashes of metallic hues really seemed to work. The natural wood color of the chairs came into play as if they were church pews and the rod iron candelabras on the altar gave a sense of Romeo and Juliet romance. We also used old doors and furniture made from repurposed wood originally from New Orleans homes crafted by local carpenter, Jim Horvath. The two white columns and small wooden table used on the altar now has a permanent home in our living room.

The first thing many people noticed when walking into the building after the flip were all of the flowers. I worked for months with my talented and artistic sister, Brenna DiGerolamo, to select unique, beautiful flowers and foliage. She with the help of the staff at Distinctive Floral Designs assembled all of the arrangements. The building was also filled with beautiful ficus tress and ferns courtesy of Convention Plant Designs.

For six months, my mother and Aunt Janet hand crocheted more than half of the doilies scattered under the votives on each table. We were able to give stacks of these away to family members after the wedding.

Our cake design was very special. We wanted to bring a piece of our neighborhood in Pasadena, California to the wedding. Bungalow Heaven is the name of the historical area where we live and it’s made up beautiful craftsman style homes with Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architecture. We met with the team at Melissa’s Fine Pastries and showed them photos of these houses. We wanted our cake to encompass elements of the homes, but not necessarily look like a house. Not only were they spot on with the design, but Nate actually built the lantern topper made out of balsa wood in lieu of one made of sugar glass, so now we have it forever as a keepsake.

One southern wedding tradition is having little charms attached to ribbons that stick out from the bottom of the cake called “cake pulls.” All of the single ladies and close friends gather around the cake, grab a ribbon and pull out a charm. Traditionally, a charm might be a ring, which means you’re the next to be married, or an anchor, which means an adventure, is coming soon. But since there was nothing traditional about this wedding, we had all New Orleans inspired charms, which included a crawfish, red bean, king cake, fleur de lis, umbrella, among others.

Music played a major role at our wedding. Our leading lady on the mic during the reception, Jenn Howard, was responsible for bringing in all the musicians for the day. Since the buildings’ acoustics are very sensitive, non-amplified instruments are a must. We took advantage of the baby Grand Piano already in the space and had a pianist play all the songs for the ceremony. During the cocktail hour, we had a 3-piece jazz band play some New Orleans classics. Nate and I spent a lot of time selecting our favorite songs for the reception that would showcase the soulful and rocking voice of Jenn. The showstopper of the night was when she played “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes and every lady came to the floor and sang along at the top of their lungs.

The last song of the night was “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.” That was everyone’s cue to take out their hankie they’d been hanging on to all night and wave it around for the second line. My dad was at the front of the line, which sort of resembled a conga line because it was a parade that wrapped around the whole room. The line started going outside the building and we were pulled to the side because we were to be the last to exit. Nate and I had a little moment before we said good-bye to our beautiful reception and when we took the first step outside, we were drenched in iridescent confetti and Mylar pink hearts and silver dots. An unbelievable ending to the first day of our lives as a married couple.

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Photographer: Mark Eric Weddings |Wedding Coordination: Elyse Jennings Weddings | Venue: The Marigny Opera House | Flowers: Brenna DiGerolamo + Distinctive Floral Designs | Plant Rentals: Convention Plant Design | Bakery: Melissa’s Fine Pastries | Caterer: Vega Tapas Cafe | Rentals: Mandeville Party Company | Band: Jenn Howard | Dress: Badgley Mischka | Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Happy Monday, SMPers! We couldn’t think of any better way to start the week than this Louisiana love-fest and its true country spirit. Set on the very same grounds where the bride’s parents wed 33 years prior, it’s a wedding with a whole lotta heart and a focus on sustainability woven throughout. Simply Stunning Events and Brocade Designs designed a day to pay homage to the couple’s history and heritage, and Austin Gros snapped up all the stunning moments we so luckily have to swoon. For even more of this beautiful day click right here. (Pssst: Last week’s giveaway winners are announced below!)

From Simply Stunning Events…Whitney and Jacob chose the bride’s family home– Loggy Bayou Plantation– as their wedding destination. The spot held special significance: not only were the bride’s parents married at Wedding Point 33 years prior, the Loggy Bayou homestead has a vast archaeological history, with evidence of settling from families going back some 7 millennia. The farm is situated in the alluvial river valley about 45 minutes outside of Shreveport, a beautiful, natural protected woodlands where sustainability and nature are at the forefront, and these concepts were reiterated in so much of Whitney and Jacob’s wedding day.

Wedding Point– a broad expanse of land spanning nearly 2 football fields– started as a grassy knoll overlooking a sleepy lake. In the months leading to the wedding, event designer Hillary Yeager worked from a distance to assist in transforming the space to accommodate the nearly 400 guests: the point was regraded and re-sodded to meet the needs of the tent and dance floor, a bridge was built to offer accommodations to the guests from the landing, a beautiful wooded path composed of freshly gut gum trees, and a custom built pergola were only aspects of the design plan. Early in the planning process, Brocade worked with the bride and groom to come up with a signature monogram: a hand drawn oak leaf with a “D” in a heart– as the motif of the day. That image appeared in several iterations– beginning with the Save the Dates and invitations, to the branding along the Bridge, koozies, the program, the favors– and so much more. The bride and groom focused on sustainability with locavore eating, and the Dickson family and friends caught all the meats consumed at the reception, as well as providing many of the locally grown veggies.

With the many unique touches through the day, one of the most unique was perhaps the ceremony entrance. While the bride was rowed by her father across the lake, centered in the middle of the homestead, the groom and his best man rode on horseback around the lake to meet at the ceremony plot. All in all, this couple reflected that a down home country wedding for 400 can be one that plays homage to history and heritage while maintaining a sense of local responsibility and love of the land- culminating in one of the most beautiful and touching nights of a lifetime.

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Wedding Photography: Austin Gros | Venue: Loggy Bayou Plantation (Bride’s family home) | Wedding Planning: Kristin Kaplan with Simply Stunning Events | Floral + Desgin: Hillary Yeager of Brocade Designs | Cinematography: Trussell Media | Catering + Bar: Wine Country Bistro & Bottle Service | Invitation + Paper Products: Hillary Yeager with Brocade Designs | Calligraphy: Hardink Calligraphy | Lighting: Nashville Audio Visual | Tent + Rentals: Pelican Tents & Events | Linens: Graceful Tables | Lounge Furniture: AFR Furniture | Vintage China: Southern Events Party Rental | Bluegrass Band: Blue Moon Rising | String Quartet: Bellamusica with Lydia Davis | Cake Baker: Alyson Foreman | Transportation: Red River Coaches | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier

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And now we have some very special winners to announce! Drumroll please…

Katie is the lucky winner of five free hours of wedding consultation from Mathes and Co. Yay, Katie!

Lindsey and Cathal have a sparkly new Carlyss Ring from Trumpet & Horn’s Pin it & Win it contest headed their way!

A big congrats goes to Lauren who will receive an engagement session, complete with disk and one 16×20 print, from Mad Love Weddings!

And last but certainly not least, Lauren Hensley is the winner of a Tier 2 wedding package (with venue included!) for a 2013 wedding from Ceremony Design Company! Woohoo, Lauren!

If you’ve ever been to New Orleans, whether for Mardi Gras, the weekend, or a fabulous wedding, you’ll agree with the bride who says “a good party is expected” after tying the knot in the Big Easy. I can only imagine NOLA weddings are the most fun. So when Stacy Reeves sent over the N’awlins nuptials of two fellow wedding photographers, planned by Sapphire Events New Orleans, it was pretty much a party in the SMP offices. Complete with a Second Line band, parade down Bourbon Street, and a bit of dancing in the French Quarter – and the gallery!

Here’s a little extra love from Studio Vieux Carre…

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From the beautiful bride … Doug and I met in college while pursuing our photojournalism degrees at Western Kentucky University. He spotted me from across the room at our first department meeting of the year and knew that he had to get to know me. He’s from New Orleans, so his boyish charm and his Nawlin’s accent quickly won over my heart.

Fast forward eight years, (yes he made me wait eight long years!) it was the evening of December 28, 2010; we were hosting a welcome home party for my brother-in-law whom had just gotten back from a tour in Iraq. Doug, in true Doug fashion, had arranged an amazing welcome home party at our friends local brewery, Nola Brewing. He had invited family and friends, had the lead singer of Cowboy Mouth – a local favorite, a redfish cake, and a second line band to come in and blow things out at the end of the party. Unbeknownst to me, he had asked Kevin’s permission to propose that night because he knew of all night’s I would never be expecting it that night. He was right! He interrupted Fred LeBlanc during one of his songs – that was planned to – it was “Take Me Back to New Orleans.” He got on the microphone and started telling everyone why that song was important to us – and I was just trying to figure out – “what is he doing?!” It didn’t take me long to realize as he pulled out a piece of paper he had notes on, and he became misty-eyed. It’s still one of the best nights of my life to this day.

We keep joking that our wedding week was 99.9 percent perfect, and our honeymoon 70% good. (Delayed flights getting there, Doug got sick, I got thrown off a horse….that’s a whole other story though!) We surrounded ourselves with some of the best wedding vendors possible, and we couldn’t have done a better job. We are actually in the wedding industry too — which made some decisions very easy, and others very difficult because we didn’t want to offend anyone.

Our wedding weekend began Thursday evening with our Rehearsal dinner. We had dinner at the Maison Dupuy in their beautiful courtyard with the fountain as our backdrop. We were surrounded by our closest family and friends. This was what we had been waiting for. We were overcome with emotion as we realized everyone we cared about so deeply was there with us all at the same time.

The next day we had a crawfish boil planned at Audubon Park in order to spend more quality time with our family and friends. We were so grateful for the extra time this allowed us to spend with everyone. It was a beautiful April afternoon in New Orleans. Most of us took the street car from the French Quarter through the historic Garden District to get there.

The morning of the wedding was just as beautiful as the day before, and everything I had been praying for for the past 15 months. When you’re having an outdoor ceremony, you tend to get a little antsy about Mother Nature. I began my morning by having a hearty breakfast on my hotel balcony overlooking the French Quarter. The perfect start to a perfect day.

Once my hair and makeup was finished and I was reveling in all my glory of being a bride, I rode in a pedi-cab to meet Doug for our First Look – that was an exciting and fun experience as we passed people and they yelled good wishes. It was an impromptu part of the day suggested by my amazing coordinator that is still one of my favorite parts of the day. My heart was fluttering as I walked up behind Doug. I couldn’t wait to see him. He turned around after I hugged him from behind, and I’m pretty sure he was already crying before he even laid eyes on me. I’m a crier too, but I was simply overjoyed to finally be marrying my best friend.

We love New Orleans, and we wanted to show our family and friends the reasons why we love New Orleans so much. We were married in front of the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. It doesn’t really get more New Orleans than that! The whole time we were planning we wanted to make sure our wedding reflected who we are as a couple and add personal touches throughout. We were married by Doug’s best friend from elementary school who had gotten ordained online in order to marry us. His words during our ceremony were beyond perfect, and it was a perfect representation of who we are. We also had a sand ceremony after reciting our own vows to one another, but instead of just us pouring the sand, we also had both mom’s pour to represent our family, two of our best friends pour to represent our friends, and then he and I topped it off as we merged our sand in the heart shaped vase.

Once we arrived at the reception we had Mint Juleps as an ode to my Kentucky upbringing. Doug and I also had an amazing wine registry created by our friends at Kiefe and Co. This was a part that was also so “us” because we had gone on a trip two years prior to Burgundy, France. Some of the bottles purchased by our guests were from that very region, which will remind us of those fabulous memories we made when we open those bottles.

My cake was a topsy turvy, whimsical cake, while Doug’s groom’s cake was a replica of the Mardi Gras float we ride on. The twenty some riders that were guests at our wedding couldn’t get enough of this cake! It was so accurate, everyone was flipping out over it. Our main surprise of the night though came when Doug and I got on stage and performed to AC/DC’s Shook Me All Night Long with Groovy 7!! Doug was on the guitar, and I was on the drums! Months of preparation paid off and our family and friends went nuts! It was amazing, definitely one of my favorite parts of our day. There were so many favorite parts to the day really – we lived it up, and I can say I truly enjoyed every single minute of the day.

The night ended with our second line brass band coming into the ball room and playing Party Rock Anthem with our band, and then leading us out into the streets of the French Quarter for an epic second-line. Doug and I danced like no bride and groom have danced on a second line. We had sooo much energy and excitement for at least a full 45 minutes (they usually only last 20-25 minutes!) We felt bad for our photographer and videographer because we knew we worked them hard during that part of the day. It was incredible though! We went straight up the middle of Bourbon St. Strangers were dancing in the street with us and taking pictures of us. It was the best way to wrap up a perfect day!!

One of our friends told us after our wedding that they felt like we threw them a party. We took that as a wonderful compliment, and was really what we set out to do – well of course, other than the part where we committed our lives to one another. In New Orleans a good party is expected after you say I do. I think we succeeded in giving our guests and experience they’ll never forget. And we were just so thrilled to be married at the end of the day. It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching our first anniversary. The wedding was so incredible that two or three days into our honeymoon we were ready to do it all over again. And I’m sure we will, but maybe we’ll wait another ten or so years.

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Photographer: Stacy Reeves | Planner: Sapphire Events New Orleans | Ceremony location: Jackson Square | Reception Location: Bourbon Orleans Hotel | Videographer: Studio Vieux Carre | Florist: Nola Flora | Bakery: Melissa’s Fine Pastries | Hair and Makeup: Flawless Bride | Reception Band: Groovy 7 | Second Line Band: Young Pinstripe | Lighting: Abstract Productions | Transportation: Need A Ride Pedicabs

We usually basque in the beauty of The Nichols photography within the state lines of good ol’ Texas which we adore. But seeing The Nichols do New Orleans is a whole new ballgame. And that ballgame includes a parade through the streets accompanied by a jazz band. Now tell me that doesn’t sound amazing. See even more right here in the NOLA filled gallery.

From the bride…Justin and I have known each other since we were kids but didn’t start dating until we were in college. After being together for almost six years, I had planned a trip for Justin’s birthday to New Orleans, our favorite getaway, a place I grew up visiting frequently and where we have a family home. I had planned a birthday surprise for him, little did I know that he had an even bigger surprise in store for me! He proposed to me on the balcony at my family’s place in the French Quarter, it was completely romantic and nothing short of amazing!

So when Justin and I began discussing wedding plans, the idea of a destination wedding in New Orleans seemed perfect. It’s a city where we have had some of our best times, and it seemed perfect to have our guests share the joy in a place that is so close to our hearts, a place that is full of life and conveniently not too far from home! With Justin being a graphic designer and photography being one of our hobbies, there were a few things that were really important to us for the wedding. We wanted a great photographer, we searched thoroughly and then fell in love with the style and beauty of The Nichols’ pure talent. From there we ended up making or creating most of the details for the wedding. We made our invitations, programs, website, favors, welcome bags, etc. We got very inventive and resourceful, wanting the wedding to be a product of us and our creation. Deciding on wedding favors, we wanted something that our guests could bring home as souvenirs. We created a handkerchief that we included in the program so that our guests could use it in the second line parade between the ceremony and the reception. If you’re not familiar with New Orleans culture, a second line parade is a traditional jazz parade where you walk through the streets in celebration led by a brass band and in this case, also by the bride and groom. We also thought it would be fun to give out pralines, a traditional treat known in New Orleans, as well as a personalized set of Mardi Gras beads that we designed and my dad had produced.

When the actual wedding day arrived I was slightly anxious until the moment I locked eyes with Justin at our first look prior to the ceremony. From then on, I felt at ease and nothing could go wrong. One of the best moments of the day was when the ceremony was coming to a close, we had just been pronounced husband and wife and were about to walk back down the aisle when a group of talented singers came out of nowhere and began singing “All you need is love.” If you have ever seen the film “Love Actually,” which is one of Justin and my favorite movies, then you know what came next. After the singers began an A Capella version of this song, random musicians with their instruments began popping out of the crowd playing the melody. In an effort to make this the most amazing day of our lives, my dad had orchestrated this as a surprise for us…and boy was it! The pictures that The Nichols captured during this were priceless and it made for an amazing memory that will last a lifetime. From there, we had so much fun walking through the streets with the brass band during the second line parade, swinging our handkerchiefs back and forth. When we arrived at the Omni for the reception, it was beautiful as always and they did an amazing job putting everything together. The band was phenomenal…they had everyone going on the dance floor all night long. It was simply the best time of my life. The day was filled with love, laughter and overwhelming emotions. The weather was beautiful, our family and friends were present and we were finally getting married. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.

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Photographer: The Nichols | Ceremony: Jackson Square | Reception: Omni Royal Orleans | Floral Design: Dunn & Sonnier | Cinematography: Dyle Films | Band: MoJEAUX | Wedding Dress: Reem Acra (The King and I) | Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor | Bride Shoes: Vera Wang  | Second-Line Band: The Storyville Stompers | Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Black by Vera Wang via Men’s Warehouse | Bride + Bridesmaid Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Wedding + Groom’s Cake: Zoe’s Bakery | Hair + Makeup: Flawless Bride

Happy Saturday SMPer’s. We have a charming French Quarter wedding with more than just a few ways to start your day off right. One. A cool as can be couple. Two. Carefree NOLA style. And three. A fabulous film that really lets you in on this chic soiree. A film that brings this southern romance to life. A film that gives you such an honest sense of this blissfully in love duo. Brought to us by 3Ring Weddings this New Orleans wedding is a sweet reminder of what it’s all about. You can see even more images from Keith Cephus Photography right here in the gallery.

From the bride… I had recently returned from a wonderful “girls” trip to the Bahamas with my best friend and another close friend. I returned energized and definitely with a sun-kissed glow of spending a week in the Caribbean. I almost contemplated not going as I was still recovering from my vacation, however, I had a family friend who was visiting and also wanted to reconnect with my friends hosting the event. The date was Saturday, August 15, 2009. The hosts were one of my favorite couples from college. The wife was a sorority sister who had become General Counsel of the agency that Chafula worked and the husband, also a college classmate. Upon arrival and lots of hugs, I settled into the kitchen when I noticed a man in the kitchen prepared some type of specialty punch.

He was so handsome and something about his presence intrigued me. He was wearing a pale pink polo shirt, madras pants, and flip flops. I didn’t introduce myself immediately and continued to join reconnecting with friends (old and new) and line dancing. As the evening progressed, I soon found myself sitting a table in the backyard when the gentleman I had noticed all night, pulled his chair next to me. It was an immediate chemistry and talking to him was so easy. I must mention that he had arrived to the barbeque with a close female friend. I assumed that she was a girlfriend but she left after a few hours and then Chafula moved his chair next to mine. I, of course, attempted to call him out for trying to make a move after she left. It turns out (as I would learn later) that she was indeed a great friend (we have spent the past three new year’s eve/day holidays with her and her boyfriend). Turning back to our first meeting, Chafula and I continued talking and laughing as if we were old friends. The next thing we knew, the hosts were putting us out as it was 2:30am and everyone had left. As a gentleman, Chafula walked my friend and me to the car and we exchanged information. At first, I had no idea how to correctly pronounce his name! An hour later, I was home and the phone rang. It was Chafula and we continued the conversation and the rest is “history.”

We knew early on in our relationship that we wanted to get married and spend our lives together. Both of us felt it was important to focus on our relationship with each other and spend the time on building our foundation. We attended pre-marital counseling in June 2011 to make sure that we had discussed the issues that sometimes derail couples. Until that point, our relationship had sustained some very significant events in our lives and we were able to overcome them together. On the last business day of December 2011, we decided that we wanted to go into 2012 as a married couple and headed down to the D.C. Superior Court to apply for a marriage license. And that is the day; we were engaged to be married.

I spent several months in New Orleans for a short term work assignment and got to know the French Quarter very well. I fell in love with the Ritz Carlton for its aesthetics and wonderful customer service. Not to mention, New Orleans is a wonderful destination locale and I knew that the Ritz Carlton would take great care of my guests. Chafula is originally from Louisiana and we wanted to have our wedding that reflected our personal style. Our wedding colors were pale pink, raspberry, silver, and black. My floral preferences were peonies and calla lilies. My florist used a combination of white and varying shades of pink flowers. We felt it was important to incorporate the themes of New Orleans throughout weeding. Our reception was held in the French Quarter Bar which was a room that had large French doors and balconies that opened out to the French Quarter. The floors were dark wood floors and had the room had wonderful architectural details. We had a three tier cake – each was a different flavor and color. One layer was red velvet. I incorporated a very unique southern tradition using cake pulls baked into the bottom layer of our wedding cake. Cake pulls have the origin in the old Victorian tradition of “ribbon pulling.” In those days, charms of luck and good fortune were placed into the wedding cake by the bride for her single friends. Our wedding cake was prepared by the pastry chef at the Ritz Carlton. The pastry chef placed the 7 sterling silver charms with specific means inside the bottom layer of the cake and all the single ladies are given the opportunity to pull a charm from the cake (a ceremony called the “ribbon pull”) just before the cake is cut. I asked our deejay to play Beyoncé’s single ladies song and read the meaning of each of the charms aloud instead of doing the traditional bouquet toss. Each charm had a special meaning.

Our wedding day was so special and aside from moving the ceremony indoors was perfect. We had fun. Our family was there to celebrate with us. We did have a few guests that were delayed due to the wedding. I will always remember Chafula’s look when I was walking down the aisle and the moments of our ceremony when we exchanged our vows. Our vendors were fabulous and we were blessed to work such a wonderful group of ladies and gentlemen.

Cinematography: 3Ring Weddings / Photography: Keith Cephus Photography /  Planner: All Events Perfect / Florist: Nola Flora / Makeup: Faces of Virtue  / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Jewelry: Tejani / Venue: The French Quater Bar at the Ritz / Cake: Ritz Carlton

We like to keep you on your toes so we’re switching things up a bit this week. Meaning today we have a lineup of nine beautiful weedings coming your way with tons of inspiration tucked inside the full galleries and the good news? No waiting until Wednesday. The even better news? It starts with this beauty captured by Bonnie Sen that is completely eco-friendly. Yup, from recycled paper goods to reclaimed window panes, every inch of this savvy affair was mother earth approved. And behind each DIY detail, there lies the love of family or a friend who pitched in along the way. In the bride’s words, it was truly a labor of love. For even more ideas to go green, head on over to the gallery.

From the Bride… As Louisiana natives through and through, Adam and I wanted to spend the night celebrating the casual Louisiana atmosphere, while also focusing on an eco-concious theme. Using this as our inspiration we decided to personalize the day with many DIY elements using recycled and reclaimed materials where possible. As a result, our wedding was a labor of love. We could not have pulled off this amazing celebration without the help of so many friends and family who pitched in to make the day perfect. My mother, a talented artist and local high school art teacher, was especially crucial to the transformation of the backyard ceremony and reception space. She wore many hats from florist to electrician, and none of it would have been possible without her. One of my favorite moments of the night was when Adam and his friends spontaneously took over the band’s equipment for a rendition of “Stand By Me” as my father and I danced. It couldn’t have gone better if it were planned.

The catering was a unique element at our wedding, and the delicious Louisiana cuisine was one of my favorite things about the night. Rather than hiring an expensive caterer, my mother had the idea to hire the teacher and students at her high-school ProStart program, a nationwide, two- year program for high school students that teaches students everything from culinary techniques to management skills. Steve Oubre is the culinary teacher, and previous to his teaching career had a small catering business. We thought it would be wonderful if we could make a donation to the schools program, the participants could gain some real world industry experience, and we were able to create our very own custom menu along with the chef and the kids in the program. The result was a delicious, authentic creole menu, which was a huge, hit with the guests!

Keeping with the unique catering theme, we ordered several small cakes from a local bakery rather than getting an elaborate wedding cake, which can cost a small fortune. In addition to these cakes, we thought it would be nice to have friends and family add to the dessert mix so we encouraged them to bring their signature dessert. It felt very personal having so many wonderful friends and family members contribute. My grandmother, Gigi, made her apple pie, my friend Julie and her sister created a chai spice pie – so unique and delicious, we had pumpkin, pecan, raspberry, a lemon tarte and my best friend Alice’s father even made his famous blackberry pie with blackberries from his own backyard vines.

My groom Adam is a musician and music has played a big role in our relationship, so we decided to hand out a personal play list with some favorite songs as favors. Blackbird letterpress did an amazing job with the CD sleeves made from 100% recycled paper. We also chose to give out homemade praline candies. My grandmother, and a family friend made hundreds of pralines for guests to take home. DIY elements designed and executed by the bride, mother, family and friends: wine bottles/candle holders, string balloons, huppah, window wall, succulent centerpieces, wood circles, and chalkboards.

Wedding Photography: Bonnie Sen Creative Photography / Wedding Venue: Private Residence in Louisiana / Wedding Design + Styling: DIY by Bride, Mother, Family + Friends / Day-of Coordination: Bobbie Rice Weddings / Floral Design: Bobbi Rice Weddings (Bridal Bouquets and Boutonnieres) / Catering: Woodlawn High School ProStart Program / Butter Cream Cakes: Baum’s Bakery / Pies: Family + Friends / Favors: Praline boxes, Etsy State Stamp, Pralines made by Family + Friends / Invitations + CD Sleeves: Blackbird Letterpress / Doggie Bowtie: Sillybuddy / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Bride’s Veil: Twigs & Honey / Bride’s Shoes: Topshop / Groom’s Attire: J.Crew (Ludlow Suit) / Groom’s Tie: Speaklouder / Bride’s Ring (Large Coral Ring): Family Heirloom / Bride’s Ring (Sapphire Engagement Ring): Designed by Groom

We meet some crazy cool couples on the pages of SMP and today is no exception. This fabulously chill duo had us wishing we were on their guest list from the very first image. We’re totally embracing their hip vintage vibe and laid-back (but still super stylish) Louisiana nuptials. With colorful florals and a flirty Lena Medoyeff dress, this wedding is DIY done right. Photography dream team, Jamie and Heather of Dark Roux were there to capture all the magic, music, and melt-worthy moments. You won’t want to miss a beat, so make your way on over to the gallery to see every more.

From Dark Roux… The second we got to the hotel, Heather fell in love with Alicia’s dress as well as all of the hand made ties for Rex and the groomsmen that Alicia made. The ceremony took place outside of the Destrehan Plantation (which is right outside of New Orleans, Louisiana) with the reception happening just behind in the Mule Barn. Alicia’s smile, (As Rex’s older brother put it) had enough energy to light up the entire city! The best moment of the night is when all of their siblings sang a hilarious song that Rex’s brother wrote about the two of them falling in love in Machu Picchu. The ceremony, the second line that followed, the dancing, the band, the food, the second line (which is a New Orleans tradition of dancing with a Jazz band back to the reception after the ceremony), all of it was second to none. This was a really an amazing night!!

Photography: Dark Roux Photography / Venue: Destrehan Plantation, / Dress: Lena Medoyeff in Portland, OR / Floral Design – DIY by the bride, her mother, bride’s sister-in-law, and family friends / Flowers: Online and Whole Foods / Pinwheel decorations: DIY / The Band: Sharon Martin Band / Cake: Gambino’s / Cake stands: Debbie Kraemer of DK Clay / Veil: Made by the bride with pieces of lace from her mother’s veil / Hair & Makeup: Salon M

I basically did a jump for joy when I saw this pretty, little gem in my inbox. Not only am I a huge fan of the Crescent city, I just so happen to be heading there in just a few days. There really is no destination like New Orleans, and this colorful wedding proves it over and over again with its fab images from Amalie Orrange Photography. There’s nothing not to love, from the fun yet formal ceremony to the gold accented reception and it’s all right here for you to enjoy.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Amalie Orrange Photography… Amanda and Justin met while living in San Diego while Amanda was working as an events planner and Justin was in the military. They decided to have a beautiful wedding in New Orleans and went all out. This was a weekend wedding party! Amanda wanted a true New Orleans wedding from the brass band, trolley, the classic French croquembouche as their wedding cake and the insanely gorgeous Galvez as their venue. Everything was simple stunning! I am in love with the images and this couple — the bride smiled from ear to ear all day long.

Wedding Photography: Amalie Orrange Photography / Wedding Venue + Catering: Galvez Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana / Wedding Planning: Kelley Mitchell / Floral Design: Bee’s Wedding Designs / Officiant: Rev. Charles R. Cross / Wedding Cake: Zoe’s Bakery / Wedding Invitations + Paper Goods: Jenny Lam-Jolley / Brass Band: Salty Dog Brass Band / Band: The New Orleans Suspects / Linens, Candelabras, Cocktail Tables + Rentals: Event Rental / Photo Booth: Big Easy Photobooth / Transportation: Capital City Trolleys / Wedding Dress: Yvonne LaFleur / Hair: Warren English / Makeup: Make Me Up

After a long Holiday weekend full of toasting and cheer, we know it can be a bit challenging to get back into the swing of the work week. Have no fear SMPers, that’s where Tanja Lippert comes in. You see, one peek at the pretty below from her beyond talented lens, and you’ll be singing the “I love Monday” tune right along with us. Because Monday means the wait to unveil this timelessly perfect fête is finally over, and that this gallery is ready and waiting for you to devour. So get cozy lovelies, because there is so more to sing about right here.

From the Bride… When we started planning our wedding, we had two objectives in mind: we wanted it to reflect who we are as a couple, and more importantly, we wanted our friends and family to have fabulous time. Having had an interest in art from an early age and ultimately getting a degree in art history, I have always admired the New Orleans Museum of Art, and I knew it would be a beautiful backdrop for New Orleans-worthy party. Because the building, a neoclassical, beaux arts-style structure built in 1911, is so grand, we tried to keep all of the details elegant and simple to let the space itself shine. The ceremony and cocktail hour were held outdoors in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden with the reception following inside of the museum itself.

We wanted to include a few uniquely New Orleans touches, and my favorite, by far, was the Roman Candy man, who parked his cart outside of the museum to hand out candy at the end of the night. I have fond childhood memories of the Roman Candy man handing out the sticky treat at the Audubon Zoo to a line of children, myself included. As a child, obtaining a stick of the chewy taffy that stuck to your teeth, the roof of your mouth, and anything else that it touched much to our parents’ dismay, was the highlight of any trip to the zoo.

I cannot thank our fabulous photography/stylist team of Tanja Lippert and Tia Reagan enough for their vision and expertise. We met Tanja and Tia in California in January for an engagement shoot, so having them come to New Orleans to style us and photograph our wedding felt like having family with us cheering us on and supporting us on the most important day of our lives. As you can see from the gorgeous photos, which they captured the day perfectly on film, we have a keepsake that will last for generations.

Wedding Photography: Tanja Lippert Photography / Wedding Venue: New Orleans Museum of Art in New Orleans, Louisiana / Event Planning: Michele + Brittany Adams of Unique Weddings in New Orleans / Floral Design: Perfect Presentations / Wedding Cinematography: Nola-NYC / Catering: Joel Catering & Special Events / Wedding Cake: Haydel’s / Candy Cart: Roman Candy Man / Band: Crescent City Soul Band / Lighting + Rentals: Fleur de Lis Event Rentals / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair + Makeup: Tia Reagan

DIY has come a long, long way. Perhaps it’s the new breed of seriously crafty Brides (and Grooms), but wherever the uptick in craftiness is coming from – I am loving every minute of it (and not so secretly envious of their skills). What’s even better is when I have zero idea that anything is DIY until my eyes stop at the description, and then my socks are literally knocked off. Which is just what happened with this wedding captured by Maile Lani Photography. The Bride just happens to be a DIY genius (and the talent behind P.S. Creative) and she had her stylish hand on every little detail, making for one envy-worthy wedding. See so much more here!

From the Bride, Owner of P.S. Creative… Our three main priorities for our wedding were a great venue, great photography and create a big impact on a small budget (the unofficial theme of this wedding was great deals). We achieved all three and more. Race & Religious is a beautiful old New Orleans gem. It captured our style perfectly and we knew it would set the right mood: an intimate celebration that felt like a great party at our own home (if our home were a 200-year-old, eclectic, antebellum showplace).

As a designer and lover of all things beautiful, I set out to create every detail that I could on my own. I created the stationery as a modern nod to the city I have come to love and plan to build a life in. The save-the-date started it all. Using a vintage map of New Orleans I centered in on the intersection of Race & Religious Street where our wedding would take place. I carried the typography and color palette into the rest of the suite, and cut and tied everything up on one very long night in November. I knew I didn’t want one specific color as our theme, so I chose spring hues paired with crisp black and whites. I chose a cheerful Liberty of London floral print paired with a chic black and white pin dot fabric for our bunting and spent two weeks sewing 30 feet to hang from the venue’s amazing architecture. The Parisian ticking striped runners were also sewn by me, as a chic nod to New Orleans’ French origins. I collected vintage milk glass bud vases and chose an online flower retailer that had the perfect shades of raununculus, garden roses and my favorite little billy buttons. On the morning of the wedding, my mother and bridesmaids helped me arrange all the vases and create four lovely bouquets that not only looked fantastic, but also saved us a ton of money. We grouped vases on each table with wooden pillars and mercury glass votives. It was exactly as I imagined: chic, classic and timeless. All the work inspired me to expand my fledgling stationery business, P.S. Creative, in order to assist brides who want a certain level of styling for their wedding day, but may not have the time or expertise to achieve it.

We saved money in a variety of ways. First we chose to keep our wedding small, at around 65 guests. We wanted only our nearest and dearest. We choose to only serve beer and wine, along with two cocktails: a perfect pear and a blood orange old-fashioned, which saved us a ton. We did an elegant buffet of updated New Orleans fare, rather than a sit-down dinner. My dress was a beautiful, Grecian-style gown by Jenny Yoo that I snagged for a steal at an online flash sale site. My wedding ring also saved us a ton. By choosing a white gold and diamond band from the 1940s, we paid a fraction of the cost of a new ring in a similar style, and my super-crafty husband made his ring out of scrap wood. We saved hundreds on music by curating our own iPod playlists that played through the house’s speaker system and hired a great New Orleans brass band for one set after dinner to get everyone on their feet (best decision ever). My bridesmaids wore lovely black cocktail dresses from a local boutique that were half the cost of normal bridesmaids’ dresses, and who wouldn’t want to wear those again!? The DIY elements alone saved us thousands of dollars, and while at times it got a little tense, good planning and time to complete each task kept things moving. It made our wedding feel like it truly belonged to us. By making economic decisions and doing things ourselves, we were able to serve really good quality bar items, nice wine and the good booze. I was able to hire the photographer of my dreams, the amazing Maile Lani, who captured the day in the most beautiful way, so we can enjoy all our hard work forever.

Wedding Photography: Maile Lani Photography / Wedding Venue: Race & Religious in New Orleans, Louisiana / Flowers: FiftyFlowers / Floral Design: Patricia Quinn Stokes of P.S. Creative (The Bride) + The Bride’s Mother & Bridesmaids / Catering: Palate / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Shake Sugary / Wedding Invitations + Event Signage: Patricia Quinn Stokes of P.S. Creative (The Bride)  / Band: Young PinStripe Brass Band / Table Runners, Bunting + Tablescape Design: Patricia Quinn Stokes of P.S. Creative (The Bride) / Favors: The Groom, Owner of Leah’s Pralines / Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo via The Aisle / Hair + Makeup: Cat Vo of Aristocat Salon + Nail Spa / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Trashy Diva / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

This beautiful couple had dreams to elope in Paris, but when they decided they couldn’t tie the knot without their beloved grandparents present, they brought France to Louisiana in the most touching wedding story we’ve seen in a long time. One and Only Paris Photography flew to the states to capture the French-inspried fête which has brought a tear or two to this wedding blogger’s eye. You’ll need a few tissues when you read the bride’s story below, but once you’ve dried those eyes, click here for the gallery!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Austin and I met at a charity fundraiser. He was a complete stranger and approached me and my three friends ALL by himself. I was immediately captivated by his humble confidence and gentle demeanor. As time flew by, he won my heart. We had planned to get married in Paris and hired Audrey and Anthony at One and Only Paris Photographers to photograph our wedding there since they are the most talented photographers in the world! All of their portfolio photos exhibit the essence of the romance I wanted captured on my wedding day. About two months before the wedding, my maternal grandmother’s health declined and she was given less than a week to live. My dear husband-to-be suggested that we drastically change our plans and get married in rural north Louisiana (where my family has roots) in order to share our wedding day with my surviving grandparents and see them in our wedding finery.

The late date change of continents for the wedding and reception location presented quite a challenge. My parents were in the middle of a two year renovation of their home and installation of a walled English garden. My older brother and his wife graciously offered to host our reception in their home and gardens. We were married in the historic Rayville United Methodist Church, where 5 generations of McConnells have worshiped, surrounded by family and friends and a cloud of witnesses. My mother, my brother, and my mother’s best friend Gloria worked tirelessly to create the reception of my dreams. I had very specific ideas of what I wanted from antique french chandeliers hanging from trees that didn’t exist to candle lined stairs to silver champagne buckets filled with soft pink, lavender, and cream roses to antique silver trays with speciality chocolates on each table. They are incredibly talented and far exceeded my expectations.

My Grandmother fought through those next two months to see me on my wedding day. I have an amateur photo of her wiping a tear from her eye while we are dancing our first dance (without music!) around her hospital bed in their living room. She passed away peacefully within the month, but I will forever treasure knowing that she shared in my wedding dream. We are beyond grateful to all of those who made the last minute change in plans a truly unforgettable experience.

Photography: One and Only Paris Photography / Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Casa de Novia Bridal Couture / Rings: Catherine Ryder Ascot Diamonds / Shoes: Pour La Victoire / Flowers: Nora’s Flowers / Decor: Millicent McConnell, Gloria Lomax, & Annie Brahler from Euro Trash / Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy: Debi Zeinert with The Blooming Quill / Veil: Bride’s own design, created by Rupa Kandial / Lace caplet: Rupa Kandial / Church: Rayville United Methodist Church / Cake: KaCee’s Sugar and Spice / Reception Venue: Bride’s brother home

Weddings held in New Orleans are so deserving of jazz hands and maybe a few high kicks because they are that cool. And the pictures captured by NBP Images are also that cool. They tell the tale of a jazz-inspired love fest set amongst the awesomeness that is the Terrell House. And that love fest is the wedding that keeps on giving with even more to be perused in the full gallery. See it all right here.

From the Bride… Clay and I are both Texas natives, but it took meeting in the romantic city of Savannah, Georgia, while attending college for us to find each other and fall in love. His cowboy boots, shorts and John Deer green bicycle couldn’t be overlooked … how could I have not found myself smitten? On our first road trip back to Texas together, we decided upon an adventurous and impromptu stop in New Orleans, and it was the beginning of a love affair of a different kind for us both. It seemed all the things we shared a passion for could be found in this colorful city: art, music, history and food. It was the perfect place to bring our family and loved ones for our wedding. We knew the Garden District would be ideal, and a B&B would provide space for everyone to stay and showcase the cozy charm and feel of NOLA, while still being reminiscent of the Savannah we loved. We logged a lot of hours and scoured many options, but we knew the moment we crossed the threshold of the Terrell House that our decision was made. It was elegant in its southern charm, not to mention the hospitality that welcomed us with open arms. In order to set the mood, our friend Peter from Blackbird Press in Savannah did an outstanding job with the letterpress invites. They had an old world elegance with a garden-esque flair, which captured the spirit of our day.

Our ceremony was an intimate, loose blend of tradition. We incorporated the Quaker practice of having the ones you love circle you while exchanging promises and declaring your love and devotion. Our guests were invited into the courtyard, where the music and cocktails welcomed them. While everyone mingled, Clay and I met inside the house enjoying a quite moment together before joining hands and stepping outside together as one. At the right moment, we locked eyes and rang a little a bell (given to us by my mom) that indicated the start of the ceremony and an unforgettable evening to come. Our contact at the B&B was extraordinary! She kind enough to order flowers for us to design ourselves, so I took on the challenge of the bouquet, boutonnière and centerpieces. Another Savannah friend and chef, Michael Gottlieb, who had moved to NOLA to share his passion and gift for all things scrumptious, provided food. With his help, we arranged for a selection of southern, passed hors d’oeuvres with service and silver provided by our gracious host at the B&B. Clay’s mother and friend made some bunting, and we strung it with handmade doilies and a felt pennant found on Etsy to mark the celebrative atmosphere. Clay and I shared a panache for all things old and with a story. We had also searched antique stores for old brass instruments to set the tone and pay homage to the history of the city. Along the way we found some old wooden letter stamps with our initials, which we embellished with gold paint. We also, were fortunate enough to find some vintage music flash cards that guests could leave their wishes and advice on. Music on a budget was a huge challenge — but the city has many wonderful options and all one needs to do is stroll the streets in order to stumble upon endless talent. After many emails, we found a lead and were put in contact with a fabulous band. They were pleasant, punctual, talented and stylish … we couldn’t have asked for more! We danced, drank and ate our way into the evening and then took the festivities to the streets. Our guest left with old iron fleur de les finials that we’d found during a flea market trip and brushed up with a little antique gold paint. We took the apropos strands of gold beads in search of the best jazz in the city!

My best friend and a fellow SCAD alumnus, Nichole Barrali of NBP Images, was kind enough to capture our day and all of its magical moments, all while celebrating with us and looking stunning! She had the artistic vision to capture the best parts of the New Orleans we both adore, utilizing some of the iconic backdrops and scenes of the city: Preservation Hall; historic, hand-painted wall advertisements; local Lucky Dog stands and unparalleled architecture. She made our pictures not only stunning but also treasured memories and beautiful keepsakes.

Wedding Photography: Nichole Barrali of NBP Images / Wedding Venue: Terrell House in New Orleans, Louisiana / Flowers: DIY / Bouquet Wrap Fabric: A Vintage Pillow / Catering: Michael Gottlieb / Desserts: Sucre / Wedding Invitations: Peter Roberts of Blackbird Press / Bunting: DIY / Felt Pennant: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Designer Unknown via Kathi Rich Boutique / Groom’s Suit: Macy’s

A beautiful blend of southern style and Danish traditions, this New Orleans wedding by  Studio Tran Photographers just lovely in every way. From the gorgeous couple who couldn’t be more in love to the gorgeous florals by Bee’s Wedding & Event Floral Designs and all the sweet touches in between – this is one full gallery you do not want to miss!

From Bee’s Wedding & Event Floral Designs… Kelli carried a hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus, lily of the valley and geranium greens. Bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets with Juliet cabbage roses, parrot tulips and ranunculus. The bride and groom stood in front of an old repurposed door frame featuring an arrangement of ranunculus, baby’s breath, tulips and English ivy. The door was flanked by two wooden shutters, Boston ferns and two large wooden barrels of baby’s breath. Down the aisle, we accented the chairs with clusters of baby’s breath on every other chair and clusters of Juliet cabbage roses on every other chair. Her table centerpieces were all a little different. We used mason jars and mercury vases accented with flowers in the same color palette as her bridesmaids’ bouquets.

From Studio Tran Photographers… Kelli and Simon are two beautiful people, and their love for one another was so infectious! Their southern New Orleans wedding that incorporated Danish traditions was intimate, emotional, inviting and beautiful. Our southern New Orleans weddings are fast-paced, going from ceremony right into open bars and lots of dancing and partying. The Danish aspect of the wedding slowed things down with a three-hour dinner, complete with lots of heartfelt speeches. I had many conversations with Kelli asking her if she was sure the dinner would actually last that long, and she assured me it would! I couldn’t believe how quickly the time flew by, as the speeches were all so endearing with stories of this amazing couple growing up, Kelli traveling around the world, how they met and fell in love and how they decided to blend traditions and get married in New Orleans. 

The day really did start like any other, but right after the ceremony, the Danish guests passed out lyrics to a song and they all began singing to Kelli and Simon. Kelli was tearful during this time, and you could tell she was so touched that Simon’s family and friends had done this for them. Following this Danish tradition we dove right into a New Orleans tradition, the Second Line parade! The Coolbone brass band started up, the umbrellas and custom handkerchiefs were passed out, and the police escorted the bride, groom, wedding party and all the guests on a parade through the streets of the French Quarter. Once seated for dinner, the cheerful yet tearful speeches began. Throughout the night you would hear the clinking of forks on the wine and water glasses, and Kelli and Simon would duck under the table for a secret kiss and then climb on to the seats of their chairs for a very cute and public kiss! Other cute Danish traditions were the cutting of the groom’s socks during the first dance and making sure we cut the cake before midnight!  

From the Bride… For both Simon and me, our wedding has always been an exciting opportunity to bring both of our worlds together. Simon is from Europe (Denmark), and I am from the US (Louisiana). And we couldn’t think of any better place that New Orleans and the French Quarter, with its history built on the blending of different nationalities and cultures. I must be honest that I was not always sure how the whole day would turn out – blending Southern and Danish traditions… But for us, it was always about us having the day that was perfect for us and not necessarily what a typical Danish or American wedding was supposed to be. Our only wish was that every single person at the wedding know how special they were to us, and we hoped they would feel this in the details we put into planning our big day!

Wedding Photography: Studio Tran Photographers / Ceremony: Montegut House in New Orleans, Louisiana / Reception: The Chicory in New Orleans, Louisiana / Wedding Planning: Michele Adams of Unique Weddings in New Orleans / Floral Design: Bee’s Wedding & Event Floral Designs / Wedding Cinematography: Lipari Films / Wedding Cake: The Royal Cakery / Wedding Stationery: Southern Fete Creative / Ceremony Music + Second Line Band: Coolbone Music of New Orleans / Entertainment: After8 / Lighting: Luminous Events of New Orleans / Goodie Bags: Lost Bridge Designs  + Aunt Sally’s Pralines / Table Name Plan: DIY by the Bride’s Mother + Kathy Curry / Handkerchiefs + Umbrella: Gems Printing / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Bridal Loft / Bride’s Belt: Icing 101 / Bride’s Bird Cage Veil: Fascinating Creations / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Hair + Makeup: Flawless Bride / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Groom’s Suit: Custom from Switzerland / Groomsmen’s Ties: Burberry

This couple is dipping for joy all over New Orleans and to be honest, we can’t blame them. They were married in a super duper romantic ceremony in the hustle and bustle of downtown NOLA, in a break in the downpour – and it was stunning. The soiree was captured by the bride’s friend Carla Ten Eyck in a way only Carla could do. They day, which can be found in it’s entirety in the full image gallery, has got us practicing our dips all over the SMP offices!

Marrying Rob in New Orleans was a dream come true. After seven years together and him proposing in New Orleans it was only natural for us to get married only blocks away from the proposal.

Our wedding was on the corner of the famous Royal Street and Pirates Alley. Royal street is lined with art galleries and musicians. We really wanted our wedding to be something special and not ordinary, especially since I am a wedding photographer also. The idea of getting married in the middle of the street at that corner was something that to my knowledge had never been done. So of course we had to do it and with the help of Danielle from NOLA Bash it was pulled off!

The day of our wedding it poured! I mean poured, but I was determined to get married on that street corner rain or shine! Minutes before the ceremony it stopped just long enough for us to have the ceremony and our traditional second line band parade. One of the best moments for me was walking down Royal Street with strangers watching and cheering. Rob and I looked at each other and both said at the same time… only in new orleans … only here. It was then we both realized that after 7 years we were husband and wife.

Photography: Carla Ten Eyck / Event Coordination: NOLA BASH / Candle Decor: Luminous Events / Reception Venue: Hotel Mazarin / Second Line Band: The Young Pin Stripes / Reception Band: Dwayne Burns / Cake: Haydel’s / Makeup: MAC / Hair: Beautique Salon / Video: Jim Alteri of Vintage Cinema / Brides Dress: White Dress By the Shore, Modern Trousseau / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Flowers: Cat from Datura: A Modern Garden / Bridesmaid Dress: Victoria’s Secret