We don’t see nearly enough rehearsal dinner inspiration for our fête loving hearts but these events are a a great way to bring personality into your wedding pre-party. While your Big Day might be reserved for the more traditional, the rehearsal dinner allows you to let loose, let your hair down and, in this case, throw an Oyster Dinner. Elyse Jennings Weddings designed this dream of a party fit for the glamour lover yet totally attainable with easy DIY elements woven throughout. And joining the knockout list of vendors is Greer G Photography who snapped all the loveliness including the perfect floral foliage by Bee’s Weddings and Events and Tupelo Honey’s invitations that had us at hello. I mean watercolor mollusks? Genius. Get your inspiration on in the full gallery.
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From Elyse Jennings Weddings…While I love a bride who is completely into personalizing their wedding day designs, I know that not all brides are ready to commit to that trend- especially our more traditional brides who are born and raised in New Orleans! We wanted those brides to know that there was a way to have the best of both worlds and prove to them that personalizing your event doesn’t mean that it has to be a “theme.” I designed and personalized this rehearsal dinner to show couples that it is okay to bring their heritage, passions, and personalities into their wedding parties! I based the designs of this rehearsal dinner on my own family’s heritage of oyster fishing. We named each of our dinner tables an oyster dish, incorporated oyster shells in the table decor, and even built an oyster chandelier! We also incorporated burlap, which oyster sacks are made out of {and a huge trend right now, as you know}! All small touches of the family without coming off as super themed! While oysters and burlap are very raw elements, we added the wedding glam by incorporating mercury glass and sequins–the perfect marriage where rustic meets chic!
We chose the beautifully unique backdrop of Race and Religious, a venue in New Orleans that has so much character and personality in itself! The messy clay, exposed brick, and gas lanterns exuded the unique Nola vibe that we were going for!
By using a bunch of DIY things {the chandelier, burlap and jute wrapped candles, pearl wrapped champagne flutes, banner, pool monogram, and bench swag}, we created a perfectly attainable and unique rehearsal dinner. My incredible team of vendors, and fantastic photographer, helped immensely to bring my vision to life and capture it perfectly! We hope to have given brides some ideas and inspired them to take a chance and add some of themselves to any of their wedding parties! It will separate their wedding from every other wedding! Enjoy!
Planning + Design: Elyse Jennings Weddings / Photography: Greer G Photography / Floral Design: Bee’s Weddings and Events / Lighting Decor: Luminous Events / Invitation Suite: Tupelo Honey / Venue: Race and Religious / Make-up: Ashley Melzer Sievert / Hair: Ginger Dickey at Color Bar Salon / Sweets: Sucre / Dress: Alice + Olivia via Saks