Christmas is just 364 days away my loves, and we have an early, absolutely gorgeous, present for you to unwrap today in a gallery if images from L Photographie. You’ll find an Art Deco, Great Gatsby, Old World New Orleans inspired fête complete with a cake so wonderful we have been dreaming about it for days, balloons galore, and a Second Line Band escorting a wedding to the party. Like I said, it’s a present like no other. Click here for it all!
Click here to see the full image gallery!
When John and I met he had lived, for 5 years, in the historic neighborhood of Soulard, Saint Louis, Missouri. I immediately fell in love with the red brick neighborhood and all of its historic elements including wrought iron fencing and carriage houses. A year after moving to Soulard from Texas, John and I decided to move to San Francisco for work, he an architect and me an event production and design manager. Even after the move and before any wedding planning or proposal happened we knew that we would return to Soulard for the big day.
In early stages of planning we had honed in on the “Gatsby” theme. We loved the frivolity of the parties and the art deco styling and lines that generally accompanied this era. As we started researching we more or less took elements from the 20’s and 30’s, vintage French decor and the New Orleans Jazz Age.
In a nod to the era and styles, which over the year we definitely made our own, John wore a crisp white bow tie (that he RE-learned how to tie the day of via YouTube) and me in nude fishnets with black French seaming up the back.
The best place to see the styles come together was definitely the brass band walking us and our balloon holding guests from the church to the reception site. It was so fun! The neighborhood came out to greet us and all of our guests were dancing in the street! Upon arrival a cocktail bar with signature drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres of oysters on the half shell, candied bacon and deviled eggs greeted our guests. We kept the flowers very simple, vintage garden roses with white ostrich feathers tucked here and there, pearl and candle accents. We used long family style tables to ensure conversation and down the center of each table we used mercury glass votives, pillar candles and single rose blooms with a feather on candlesticks.
Music played a huge role in both the second line reception with the brass band as well as the music we played during the ceremony. The church is a historic church and we only had the option of a classic baby grand piano or the organ. We chose the piano and we also chose secular music that meant something to us. I walked down the aisle to “La Vie en Rose” and the processional was to “World on a String.” It just made the ceremony that much more personal to us.
When we returned to Saint Louis in a whirlwind weekend of wedding planning we pretty much had everything nailed. I can honestly say that the easiest part of the wedding process was choosing our vendors. We had a rock star team and I couldn’t have planned this amazing event from San Francisco without them!
My advice to couples planning their big day is to NOT spend every day planning! Hire a wedding planner and designer (if you aren’t design inclined) and let them handle timelines and production for you! Take their advice regarding other vendors. They work with different vendors every day and know which ones are great and others that are not as great. Enjoy all of the parties and fun that goes with this amazing love filled time in your life! It flies by! JUST HAVE FUN and make it your own!
Photographer: L Photographie / Hair & Makeup: Tami Scott Studio / Planner: Ashley Rath of Dishy Events / Dress: Glamour Closet / Florist: Belli Fiori / Ceremony: Trinity Lutheran Church / Reception: Soulard Preservation Hall / Second Line Band: Funky Butt Brass Band / Catering: Entre Underground / Linens: Connie Duglin Linens / Cake and desserts: Whipt Cream / Paper goods: Seahorse Bend Press / Specialty cocktails & photo stop: Amsterdam Tavern / Favors: Billy Goat Chip Co.