New Orleans Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Chic New Orleans Wedding Celebration with Traditional Second Line Parade

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Light Blue, Sage Green, Coral, Light Pink, Yellow, and Orange

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The atmosphere was inspired by the vibrant ‘spring in Nola’ Maximalist vibe. I aimed for it to be lively and exciting, much like the spirited ambiance of Brennan’s Restaurant as a venue!

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We were en route to our favorite hotel in Stowe, Vermont (Edson Hill) for a chilly ski weekend when we made a stop at Daniel’s aunt and uncle’s house in Schenectady, NY to visit his grandma, aunt, and uncle. Daniel’s aunt mentioned that her favorite nail salon was just a few minutes away, so naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to get my nails done. That evening, after enjoying a fabulous dinner at Edson Hill, in 8-degree weather, Daniel proposed with a two-stone ring I had designed with Lindsey Leigh.

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I purchased my dress at Spina Bride in Manhattan during a Lihi Hod “feature” at the store. I knew I wanted a classic dress, and I had always loved a square neck, but I was also drawn to the off-the-shoulder tulle look. Lihi made a custom tulle off-the-shoulder topper for me, which I wore for the ceremony along with a large clip-on bow. For the second line, I removed the topper and the bow. My veil was my “something borrowed” from Daniel’s first cousins, Christine and Danielle, who both wore the same veil. I designed my second dress with Mika Inatome in Manhattan, which was such a fun experience! Mika custom-made the rosettes, and it fit like a glove!

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I chose a “shades of baby blue” theme for the bridesmaids’ dresses, which was easily found and loved by my friends. Our bridal bouquets featured pink, coral, and orange hues, providing a nice contrast to the blue.[/field]
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Daniel donned a Zegna suit paired with a Tom Ford bowtie and Ferragamo patent loafers from Bergdorf’s.

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Working with Brennan’s Restaurant was an absolute dream. No guest left unsatisfied or thirsty! Our menu featured classic New Orleans barbecue shrimp and filet as the main course, followed by bananas foster for dessert. During happy hours, guests were greeted with oysters upon arrival. As the evening drew to a close before heading to the after-party, Brennan’s staff served espresso martinis to everyone.

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Angle Events did an amazing job with the decor! I told Anna and Adrienne that I wanted a lot of block print patterns, colored wine glasses, patterned plates, and texture – anything but simple! Brennan’s is such a unique, colorful place, and I knew we had to go all-out on the tablecloths, napkins, plates, candles, etc. The watercolor menus, designed by Angle, were such beautiful detail. We also had custom oyster shells with our guests’ names on them for our place cards. Several of our guests still have them as keepsakes! Leaf & Petal Nola and Luminous Events did an incredible job with the flowers and candles. Daniel and I both love hydrangeas, so we had to incorporate those into the design. Something that was important to me was that I wanted to make sure people could actually speak at dinner, so we did smaller arrangements on the tables with lots of colored candles in hurricanes and large flower arrangements in chinoiserie vases in various gathering places throughout the restaurant. At the after party behind the band, there was a greenery wall with a “Galvez” sign and lanterns hanging from the top of the clear tent which made you feel as if you were outside.

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I aimed to integrate the baby blue theme into the main cake, as it was a unifying color in our decor. Bittersweet Confections of Nola crafted a stunning Funfetti cake adorned with blue flowers sprinkled all over. They also designed the Groom’s Cake, which a special surprise for Daniel. Bittersweet Cakes created an extraordinary chocolate cake themed after Jackson Hole ski runs, featuring a sign for Corbet’s Couloir, the most infamous run at our favorite resort.

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A string quartet serenaded guests as they arrived during cocktail hour, adding to the ambiance. Despite only taking one dance lesson, we completely botched the choreography for our first dance to “L-O-V-E,” but we laughed and had a blast dancing nonetheless![/field]
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One of the most cherished moments of our wedding day was the second line and the journey to it! This was undoubtedly the highlight of our wedding day. Angle Events coordinated a police escort to transport our guests in buses from Uptown New Orleans (where St. Charles Presbyterian Church is situated) all the way to Canal Street. Daniel and I enjoyed a magical “just married” ride downtown in a vintage Rolls Royce where we met up with our guests. As our guests disembarked and began the second line to Brennan’s with Kinfolk Brass Band, we closed down Canal Street. It was an incredibly joyful experience, and for that day, we felt like celebrities!

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Sit-down dinner weddings aren’t the norm in New Orleans, where receptions are typically more casual. However, knowing our east coast parents and their guests would appreciate the full dinner experience, we opted for it. Brennan’s went above and beyond, allowing Angle Events to decorate early and seamlessly accommodating our 235 guests across all the restaurant’s rooms. Each room at Brennan’s boasts its own unique theme, so we took advantage of this by incorporating different dinner table decor themes to match.

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Anne Rhett Photography

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A Coastal Grandmother Inspired Editorial Overflowing with High Fashion and Natural Elements

The coastal grandmother aesthetic has arrived and we are here for it! The trend revolves around relaxed elegance and oceanside minimalism. This inspired editorial shoot planned by Belle Amour Wedding is all that and more. Flowers by Hummingbird Floral Studio are equally timelessly chic. You’ll love the mix of high fashion and natural elements all artfully captured in imagery by Dee Olmstead. Say hello to all the lovely in the full gallery.

From Dee Olmstead… One of the female models, Kaitlyn, was a real bride of mine. During her engagement she realized that to be true to herself, she had to call off her engagement to her then fiancé. I was devastated because she was so sweet and beautiful and I had been really looking forward to shooting her wedding. Kaitlyn felt empowered after this to embrace her true identity and began dating women. Since she had already purchased nearly everything required for a wedding and was still so excited about putting on a wedding dress; we decided to create an editorial where she could really play out those wedding day dreams. But in a safe and fun space. We also included a second couple, Timesha and Nyoki, who were just dying to dress up and relive their wedding day all over again.

From Kaitlyn… Last September, my best friend and partner of almost 6 years proposed to me and I said yes. He was and still is one of the most incredible people that I have ever known, so saying “yes” was very easy. We began dating when we were 19 and 20 so we truly watched and helped each other grow into the people we are today. Most importantly, we taught each other what genuine and wholesome love is. Our relationship was beautiful from beginning to end and I wouldn’t change my time spent with him for anything. Although I was engaged to the most wonderful man, the struggle with my sexuality didn’t go away. I have been both curious and confused with my sexuality my entire life, but growing up in a religious household, I was not presented the option of being gay. I eventually had to make the hardest decision I have ever made—to end my engagement. It was easily the most difficult thing that I have ever done. Regardless of the pain that would follow my decision, I knew that I had to be true to myself for not only my own happiness, but for his. Him and I both deserved to find a love that felt effortless and right in every way. We are both so genuinely happy now and I am so grateful for every moment that led us here. I was so excited when Dee asked me to be a part of this shoot. It was so fun modeling with my friend Allison and I love what Dee captured. This shoot gives queer love the platform and representation that it needs and deserves.

From Nyoki and Timesha… Our story began in 2019, with a blind date that was arranged by a good friend of Nyoki’s and Timesha’s sister. While a blind date may be awkward for some, there was an instant connection. Shortly thereafter Nyoki moved to Houston, Texas for work. While long distance relationships are challenging and demanding, we were committed to each other despite the barriers. We viewed Nyoki’s relocation as an opportunity rather to grow together in faith and live rather than a obstacle. After 2 years of dating, Nyoki proposed in June of 2021. We have been married for four months and we are looking forward to creating a rich and fulfilling life together.

Our vision for this editorial gathered some of the most talented vendors from the New Orleans wedding market to create a high fashion scene of citrus and blue amongst an Italian, coastal inspired, rustic venue. We were striving for a coastal grandmother aesthetic infused with sunny yellows, natural textures, and just a touch of old-world romance.

From Blakeley at Belle Amour Wedding… My vision for those shoot was to present a coastal, Italian vibe inspired by the concept of a shared celebration, with long tables over great conversations, food, and wine which is something I personally love! Everything turned out so beautiful. From the fabulous tablescapes to the overall design of the flowers, gowns, furniture- this styled shoot showcased a romantic escapade with an Italian vibe and our vision came to life right before our eyes.

From Annmarie from Hummingbird Floral Studio … We were inspired by the European stylings of Il Mercato, the timeless wood floors and stucco façade. Feels like you are being transported to the Amalfi coast, in the middle of New Orleans. We chose soft toned blooms for an effortless feel, enough color to feel fun but muted enough to be timeless. Delicate textures and whimsical shapes evoke a garden feeling.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Old World Elegance In The Heart Of New Orleans

This old-world wedding at the Marigny Opera House is the epitome of romance. The weathered stone of the Opera House is the perfect contrast to bright and beautiful floral designs by Janna Brown Design, in shades of yellow and orange, that will make you fall in love. Faith Roper Photography elegantly captured every detail in artful imagery that is sure to stand the test of time, you can swoon over all the pretty in the full gallery.

From Faith Roper Photography… Our editorial was set at the Marigny Opera House, a former church designed by French architect Theodore Giraud in 1847. With a palette of slate blue, cream, and gold, the design by Janna Brown Design features contrasting textures.

The delicate lace Monique Lhuillier gown against the weathered stone, marble, and wood of the Opera House is a feast for the eyes. The table design was kept classic and tone-on-tone, with cream and gold plate-ware and abundant florals. Clear ghost chairs ensured that the design could shine against the backdrop of the Opera House.

Gorgeous paper goods with an old-world European feel added touches of blue. Our models posed both inside and outside the Opera House, to capture all the textures and light that the venue offers. A white vintage Bentley was the perfect getaway car!

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Sugared Fig Paperie

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A Quintessential New Orleans Wedding, Complete With A Second Line At Il Mercato!

For today’s tried and true New Orleans wedding, captured by Clary Pfeiffer Photography, included everything from a champagne wall to a Second Line with nearly 100 of the couples guests parading through the streets! Held at the Il Mercato, the couple tied the knot, surrounded by friends and family and overflowing florals by Giverny Design, all planned by Ruby and Pearl Events. Take a look below and grab a pen to add ‘champagne tower’ to your wedding to-do list!

FromClary Pfeiffer Photography …Laura & Kevin’s destination NOLA wedding was a mix of fun and classic – the couple celebrated with a Second Line parade for their guests welcome party and a Champagne Tower for the wedding reception after their vows in the rain.

From the Bride…We said “I do” in New Orleans, Louisiana. Long before our wedding day, we felt a connection to the city as a couple — and now having begun our marriage there: New Orleans will forever hold a grip on our hearts.

We welcomed guests from over the country (and world) to partake in an extended weekend with us in the Big Easy. We kicked off celebrations Friday for our rehearsal dinner, followed by a Second Line parade through the French Quarter: which is a quintessential tradition in New Orleans. Nearly one hundred of our wedding guests paraded through the city’s historic streets to the sound of brass musicians the evening before the main event on Saturday.

Our wedding day was a beautiful, magical blur for Kevin and me — surrounded by our loving parents, family, friends, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and pastor from my hometown. The Garden District provided a truly special setting for our celebration, which felt romantic, lush, and fun.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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See All the Exclusive Photos from Reagan Charleston of Southern Charm’s Stunning New Orleans Wedding!

You might recognize this beautiful bride, Reagan Charleston, from Bravo TV’s Southern Charm New Orleans! Today we’re lucky enough to share exclusive photos from her utterly romantic New Orleans wedding, planned by Amanda Price Events and designed by Wink Design & Events. Prepare to fall head over heels in love with their outdoor ceremony, covered in white flowers, greenery and endless candlelight – it’s like something out of a fairytale! Our favorite part? The gorgeous couple decided to incorporate their gender reveal into the ceremony – is that not the cutest thing you’ve ever heard or what?! Keep on reading for a few words from the bride herself and don’t forget to check out the full gallery captured by Mateo & Company for all the can’t-miss magic!

From the Bride, Reagan… Reece & I reunited after nearly a decade apart after dating in college. We planned to get married within the year, and shortly after found out we were expecting. We wanted a non-traditional wedding that was still very southern and classic in spirit. I reached out to Wink Design & Events to help me plan an elegant and glamorous winter wedding. I knew I wanted candles and flowers absolutely everywhere with an ivory and gold palette with touches of natural greenery. My expectations were exceeded and I couldn’t believe how stunning the thousands of white flowers and hundreds of candles were that circled our custom wrapped dance floor emblazoned with our new monogram.

Both the reception area and ceremony area were ladened with gorgeous florals and candles. The champagne wall greeted guests as they came in. We were married by fellow Southern Charm New Orleans cast member Justin Reese’s father, Judge Kern Reese, who I met during my first year of law school. Given that we were having all of our friends and family in town for the occasion, we decided to incorporate our gender reveal into the ceremony (here comes the non-traditional!).

Our baker, Chef Shane Gorringe of Zoe’s Bakery, was the only one to know the sex of our baby in the weeks leading up to the wedding and was in charge of making sure the correct confetti canons were chosen, which were given to my sister and Reece’s brother, to shoot as soon as we cut in to our five tier magnolia adorned cake, of which the interior was dyed to reveal the baby’s gender. The excitement around the reveal was absolutely magical, and everyone was thrilled to see pink confetti erupt from the confetti canons. It was truly one of the most special moments of my life!

Guests dined on traditional New Orleans cuisine that included all of the classics, including seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice, beignets, and bananas foster. Our grooms cake was perfectly inspired by our thoroughbred race horse, Silver Dove. The entire wedding party accessorized with jewelry from my namesake jewelry line. I wore sunburst Sun King earrings and a sunburst Sun King cocktail ring from my Royals Collection, my bridesmaids wore custom pearl necklaces from my signature Leone Collection, and Reece’s groomsmen all wore gold Leone lapel pins and Constellation Collection Cufflinks. Reece adorned his custom Fellow Tuxedo Leone Cufflinks and a thoroughbred race horse lapel pin I designed for him especially for the occasion (a nod to his profession as a race horse trainer). My dress was a custom Pedram Couture nude gown with a royal cathedral length train. My bridesmaids all wore ivory off the shoulder gowns. Vegas Cola performed and entertained the guests, who danced the night away, while Kelly Boyett completed a live action painting of the occasion.

Guests were treated to freshly hand rolled cigars that they enjoyed in the candlelit courtyard. We danced the night away until our grand exit through a sparkler lit arcade of the New Orleans Board of Trade. Bravo TV, Mateo & Company wedding photographers, and Chad Dyle Films were there to capture all of the magic. The craziness of the day that included not only the normal wedding day preparations, but also filming for a television show with several film crews, was perfectly managed by Amanda Price. Our venue was absolutely stunning and Wink found the most amazing rentals to perfect the exact aesthetic we hoped to achieve. From start to finish, top to bottom, our wedding day felt like a fairytale. I honestly didn’t want to leave the venue!! I could have stayed forever!

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InvitoBella, LLC

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See All the Photos from Sports Illustrated Model Brooks Nader’s New Orleans Winter Wedding!

This past weekend, the gorgeous Brooks Nader and her handsome hub tied the knot in a stunning winter wedding filled with traditional elegance and New Orleans southern charm! From her chic strapless gown, to their towering 6-tier cake, to the living reception lush with greenery and white blooms from Billy Heromans… there’s just so much to fall in love with. Their lovely planner, Leslie Campbell, truly left no detail unturned. SO, without any further ado, we couldn’t be more excited to share the full gallery of exclusive images – all taken by Jenn Ocken Photography.

Before you dive in, you NEED to see this beautiful film of their wedding day, captured perfectly by Nathan Willis Wedding Films!

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From the Bride, Brooks… We exchanged vows at an elegant, gorgeous winter wedding in the heart of New Orleans’ French quarter!

The ceremony was very traditional as it was in a stunning Catholic Church. The bride walked down the aisle to the same hymn Kate Middleton did, it was very regal and fitting of the venue.

The 320 guests were later escorted through the gardens at Ursuline convent with a 10 person brass band welcoming them on the balcony. The reception was filled with good southern food and cocktails and ice sculptures, Hermes blankets, and TONS of flowers.

The couples custom crest can be found throughout the entire evening, from the photo booth to the cocktail cups and koozies for the beers.

This Couple Chose New Orleans To Tie The Knot Without Ever Visiting!

Imagine choosing the city where you will say I Do, without ever going there?! Well, this creative couple did (along with the help of their wedding planner Sapphire Events)…and the city of choice, New Orleans! What better city, for their guests from all over the world to come together to celebrate them and, what better venue than the New Orleans Museum of Art?! With stunning emerald green and ivory floral arrangements by Bella Blooms, the ceremony and reception arrangements were stunning and Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography captured them beautifully, along with every magical moment and fun elements like dancing the night away with the sounds of NOLA! Take a peek below to see it all come to life!

From the Bride…Since we’re an international couple (I’m originally from New Jersey and Rene is from Germany, yet we met in London) we had friends coming from all over for the celebration. We chose New Orleans because it is such a fun city and knew it is such a unique place yet easy to get to. We chose New Orleans without having visited…

We were our wedding planner’s couple that chose the city without having previously visited. After we decided on the location, I flew out two weeks later and looked at eight venues and knew immediately the Marigny Opera House and the New Orleans Museum of Art was so special.

One thing we loved would be the band because we had such an eclectic audience (wide age range, people from all over) and we wanted a party band that could reflect New Orleans and play to the diverse audience. Many New Orleans bands are Jazz bands so we did a lot of research to find a great party band, which ended up being the Manhattan Party Band from Houston.

Flowers. They were beautiful but the expense was much greater than we initially anticipated; partially because we had four different venues to decorate (ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner table, and reception). Our color palette was emerald green and gold. We were drawn to jewel tones to match the vibrancy of New Orleans and thought emerald green would look great with crisp white flowers. We had a creative friend hand-make soaps, we ordered postcards online, found local pralines, and had a family member with a products company order the custom made favor bag.

My one piece of advice would be Don’t forget to pinch yourself and to take in all the love on your big day!! Something may go wrong but you have to be able to brush it off and enjoy the moment :-)

This Monique Lhuillier Wedding Dress May Just Break The Internet!

A truly whimsical yet classing wedding day for this bride and groom with a lace wedding gown by Monique Lhuillier that might just break the internet with its beauty! Greer Gattuso photographed every angle of that dress (jaw drop) and all of the magic, that Elyse Jennings Weddings put together from soft seating to elaborate centerpieces, including stunning florals throughout by Bella Blooms! Add in a 5-tier cake by Zoe’s Bakery and all of the love you can feel for miles and miles and you have absolute perfection! Scroll away to have a look for yourself!

From Elyse Jennings Weddings… A timeless wedding full of high fashion! Krewe du Loupe was that wedding you’ll look back on in 20 years and still love every single detail! The one where the lace wedding dress breaks the internet! The one fit for a royal couple, but with the most down to earth, genuine and in love bride and groom. It was sheer perfection, oozing fashion and dripping in florals and candles!

Their Catholic wedding ceremony was in St. Mary’s Italian Church, which is connected to their wedding venue and made for an easy guest experience. After the wedding, the guests were greeted with cotton candy champagne and they entered the reception through a tunnel of greens and antique chandeliers! The reception tent at Ursuline Convent offers a blank canvas where every wedding can make the space their own. The Winter reception was timeless and light, blending wooden furniture and velvet linens, and classic clear candlelight everywhere.

Their florals added just the right touch of blush and green contrast to the white ceiling! We added soft seating as many places as the venue could support to add comfort for the near 300 guests. The design by Elyse Jennings Weddings was polished and formal, yet whimsical and romantic- the perfect setting to dance the night away to one of Nola’s best bands!

Olivia’s family is blessed with a ton of adorable cousins, nieces, and nephews! All of which stood in the wedding as junior bridesmaids, junior groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls! They added so much energy and excitement to the day, and many precious photo ops that Greer Gattuso captured perfectly!

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You’re Going To Want to Hear This Bride’s Advice for Future Brides-To-Be AND See Her Fairy-Tale Wedding!

For this Mr. and Mrs., their favorite city of New Orleans was the destination of choice to say I Do, filled with historic buildings, delicious food and the bride frolicking through the streets with her besties, which made for some of the best photos captured by Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography. The day was a glamorous mix of beautiful florals crafted by Bella Blooms and romantic, heartfelt moments all planned by Brooke Casey Weddings. Take a look and check out the heartfelt video by Nathan Willis Wedding Films to see all of the glamour and all of the love!

From the Bride…

How we met: Matt saw a photo of me on his friend’s Facebook page and messaged him to say I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen… and I was currently with his friend, who read me the sweet message, and sang praises about Matt. He thought we would get along well, so he connected us, however, Matt never reached out except for liking my photos, so I had to slide into his DMs, and we went out for coffee and have been together ever since!

Planning: Planning our wedding was so much fun. New Orleans is our favorite getaway city in the US, so having the opportunity to visit and try amazing food, and tour these old historic buildings around the city, really added another layer of magic to our wedding.

Picking out my dress: I tried on dresses with my mother, and just couldn’t decide between these two gorgeous ballgowns. And after stressing over it for a week, I decided neither of them must be the one, so I started over with a clean slate. I went back to my old Pinterest board and saw the first dress I ever pinned, that had all the details I was looking for: off the shoulder, ball gown, v neck, and decided to track it down. I called my local Boutique that carried Lazaro, and they told me they actually had the dress in store for a truck show, but it was going back in a day, so I made a same-day appointment and went to try it on by myself, and just knew it was the one.

Favorite Moments: Dancing through the streets of New Orleans in our second line parade with all of our family and closest friends, was our favorite moment of the night. It was so unique and special, and something we will never forget.

Advice for future brides: Wedding days fly by faster than other days, which I’m sure you’ve heard before. All the weddings I have been apart of, I remember waking up early, sitting around getting ready all day, then the wedding, and next thing you know, you blink and it’s bedtime. I really wanted to make the most out of every second of my day, so we pushed back the hair and makeup schedules, woke up early, and my girls and I went and got coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde, and then got foot massages before we got ready. And those few hours of calm and quality time with my girls before the chaos started, really set the tone for a personal, special day. Also, when Matt and I arrived at the reception, we snuck away for a nice private moment to sit, eat, and talk about everything. The day is very hectic, and having those quiet, precious moments is highly recommended.

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A Romantic Wedding with Venetian Flair at the Ritz Carlton New Orleans

The minute we laid eyes on this stunning New Orleans wedding captured by Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography, we were immediately infatuated by its statement-making color scheme of burgundy, mauve, deep ocean blue and gold hues. Bella Blooms created wild and dramatic arrangements (plus a truly unforgettable arbor) lush with roses, greenery and cascading amaranthus. The elements of this day planned by Sapphire Events perfectly intertwined the lively spirit of New Orleans with subtle pops of venetian flair. Take in all the moody and romantic details below…

From Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography… Friends and family traveled from all over the country to celebrate Samantha & Tyler’s elegantly designed wedding day. The planning process began with beautiful design plan from Sapphire Events with sought to include, “romantic elements to create a dramatic design with pops of venetian flair and chic elegance.”

The floral design of Bella Blooms perfectly brought together the burgundy, mauve, and deep ocean blues of the color palette. The burgundy and gold paper pieces with velvet textures by Yonder greeted guests before the day began and tied all of the elements from the day together. The intimate setting for the ceremony staged an incredibly emotional ceremony as these two families who are so closely tied watched and these two great friends, Samantha and Tyler vowed a life together.

From Sapphire Events… Stationary: A moody and romantic suite with chic details. Personal Flowers & Bridal Bouquet: A mixture of wild and lush garden greenery with dynamic floral statements. Pops of dramatic color such as burgundy and mauve will be interspersed among neutral tones to create a stunning piece to compliment the bride and her gown. Ceremony Design: A wild, organic floral statement piece will surround the bride and groom, with the densest part of the arbor cascading just above the newlyweds.

Cocktail Hour: The design for the cocktail hour is intended to be light and relaxing, acting as a transition between the ceremony and the romantic reception design. Dance Room: Chandeliers will hang amongst dramatic burgundy drapery from the beams in the space, providing romantic lighting and visual interest from above. All of these elements came together to turn Samantha and Tyler’s dream of a romantic, elegant wedding with venetian flair into a reality. It truly was the perfect day!

This Elegant Louisiana Wedding at the Bride’s Family Plantation Is Everything

Today’s gorgeous wedding from Greer Gattuso Photography with planning from Wink Designs and Events is a true Southern fairytale. The bride and groom exchanged vows under a canopy of ancient oak trees and an abundant arbor of white roses and greenery by Bella Blooms. Our favorite part? The floral-covered swing hanging from the oak trees that the bride’s father made – talk about the sweetest DIY moment ever! Check out the full gallery to see every perfect detail of their special day.

From the bride… Zach proposed on a private boat ride through the canals of Amsterdam, while on vacation. Our captain greeted us with a beautiful spread of cheese and champagne, and as we slowly rode through the charming little canals lined with flowers, I thought there was no way the day could get any better. Next thing I knew, Zach was down on one knee! It was such an unforgettable day of pure joy. Once we were back home in New Orleans, we met with our wedding planner, Kim Tran, from Wink Design and Events. We knew instantly that she was the perfect fit for us!

I had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding at my family’s home in Southern Louisiana. Lagonda is a gorgeous piece of land on the Atchafalaya River that is the site of an old sugarcane plantation. The original home burned down over 50 years ago and my parents spent years building their dream home in that same spot, surrounded by huge oak trees. My inspiration for the wedding really came from the natural beauty of this land and the pure warmth of it being my family’s home. I envisioned saying “I do” under the ancient oaks surrounded by moss. Zach and I couldn’t think of anything more perfect or more Southern. My parents built the house in a French style, which I also got a lot of inspiration from. We wanted everything to feel very classic and timeless.

It was important to Zach and l that our guests felt relaxed and at home, which is why they were greeted with champagne upon arrival, before taking their seats at the ceremony. The stunning boxwood champagne wall held champagne glasses with gold scrolls with the guest’s names and table numbers, and was a favorite feature at the cocktail hour. Guests then made their way to the clear tent, for a seated dinner of oyster rockefeller soup, lobster and filet mignon, and our delicious pistachio wedding cake. 26 antique chandeliers nestled in greenery hung over the dance floor, which was packed all night, thanks to our incredible band, the Party Crashers. When guests weren’t dancing, they were enjoying the MirMir photobooth, and the bananas foster station. We also incorporated a few surprises for our guests; a fireworks show over the river, a late-night Pizza Hut delivery (served on silver trays of course) and a confetti bomb finale! We also hosted a brunch the following morning complete with shrimp and grits, bloody Mary’s, and a jazz trio.

We really wanted to highlight the oak trees on the property. One of the most special features was a swing that my Dad made. My amazing florist, Dee from Bella Blooms, really brought it to life. It had such a whimsical feel and the guests loved taking pictures on it. The swing is still hanging from our favorite tree and every time we go home, it’s such a sweet reminder. We lit the trees with twinkle lights and chandeliers. We also set up little vignettes around the yard with furniture from the house, and blankets and pillows for guests to lounge on during the brunch.

I remember walking down the aisle and being surrounded by the faces I love, and seeing Zach waiting for me. I remember the wind blowing and thinking how magical it all was. It honestly felt like a dream and was the most special moment of my life. Our 11-year-old Bichon Frise, Sophie, made an appearance and that was another favorite moment. It was so important to Zach and I that we included her and we are in love with the photos with her!

I would say take time choosing your vendors and communicating with them. I’m a very detail-oriented person and a little old fashioned when it comes to email, so I ended up calling quite a few of my vendors. Both my videographer and my calligrapher told me that they couldn’t remember the last time a bride called them on the phone! For me, it was nice to hear their voices and get to know them a little bit. I was also able to better explain my vision and what I wanted. I am truly thankful for Wink Design and Events, Greer Gattuso Photography, and the many others that helped to make our dream wedding a reality.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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My Favorite Bride EVER at New Orlean’s Audubon Tea Room

Today, I feel old. Why, you ask? Well, because my sweet little Kory – whom I’ve known and loved since she was knee high to a grasshopper – tied the knot in the most sophisticated, chic New Orleans wedding ever and I get to share it with everyone here today! It’s a weird feeling. Seeing one of your favorite little squirts grow up into such a stunning bride, plan such a beautiful wedding, give such wise and thoughtful advice. Especially when the fondest memories you have of the aforementioned bride are in trying to get her and her big sister, Kellie, to say bad words without knowing it. And laughing our tails off when they did. I blame my best friend, Katie, who has been a bad influence on me for as long as I can remember. Anyway, I feel so lucky to call this pretty girl and her family friends and can’t wait for you guys to see the stunning pics from Laura Caraway of her lovely, lovely day.

From the Bride… Jake and I have known each other pretty much forever… my parents and his parents are lifelong friends. Although I grew up in Houston, we have deep-seated family ties in Louisiana and many family celebrations and holidays were spent there. One Easter, when my family and I were there for the holiday, Jake and I bumped into each other. We started dating about a month later. We dated for six years before he finally popped the question!

THE DRESS.

Dress shopping was NOT the most enjoyable for me. I am so very indecisive, I must’ve tried on every style there is. After leaving our favorite store and wavering on one dress in particular, I decided to revisit the store during a trunk show.

I put the dress back on, met with the designer and after being allowed to make a few small customizations, it wasn’t even a question any more! The (added) removable straps were a hit and my favorite part of the dress.

THE VENUE.

The venue was the easiest decision out of our entire wedding planning process. Having one big open area where everyone could be together, whether it be to dance or enjoy the food, was our top priority. No venue compared to the Audubon Tea Room. Their amazing New Orlean’s food didn’t hurt either!

BEST MEMORIES

I feel like I (and we) broke all wedding rules on the day of. Not only did we have a first look but we were (surprisingly!) running a bit ahead of schedule and were able to enjoy a few minutes with family, friends and a few guests before the wedding in the hotel lobby, in my dress and all!

Even though it meant that some saw me before coming down the aisle, this is one of my favorite memories from the day of — no stress, just enjoying all of our favorite people in our favorite city.

SPECIAL TOUCHES.

The first decision we ever made was to go with a non-traditional wedding cake and have a tiered cookie cake instead. If possible, it was even more delicious than it was gorgeous.

Glasses of milk were passed around for guests to enjoy with their slice of cookie cake!

ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES

I spent a lot of time worrying “What will people think?” and Jake was so great at keeping me grounded and reminding me that the weekend and the wedding was about only the two of us. It’s definitely easier said than done but try to focus on what is important to you!

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Wedding Dresses

Enzoani

2014 Beautiful

2014 Blue

2014

2014 Love

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Meet in the Middle! A Destination Wedding in New Orleans at Race + Religious

Looking for a super-cool stateside destination wedding spot? With a motto of “laissez les bon temps rouler” (that’s Cajun-speak for let the good times roll) ~ there’s no better place to make merry. Or get married! The flawless photographs from Marissa of Mon Soleil Weddings are sure to convince you that you can’t go wrong with a New Orleans wedding. With superb wedding coordination by Mint Julep Productions, this event-planner-bride knew just how to design a wedding that would delight and charm everyone. Lovely florals from Poppy & Mint added to the welcoming ambience that surrounded the entire wedding weekend at Race & Religious. We’re pretty sure that every wedding at this historic venue will be an incredible experience, but as you’ll see… Trisha and Sutton’s wedding was the epitome of whimsy and romance that united families from all over the U.S….. They met in the middle in NOLA!

From the Bride… My now husband and I live in California, but his extended family is mostly on the east coast and mine is mostly the west coast. We chose New Orleans as it’s one of our favorite cities – the music, the food, the culture…

We go there often and thought it would be the perfect place to host our guests for a weekend destination wedding due to our love of the city but also it’s location being somewhat in the middle!

Our guests were our most important element of the wedding – sharing our love of New Orleans, and for each other – and for my daughter – as we wanted to celebrate the love of creating a family.

Race and Religious was the perfect venue – we moved in our closest friends for the weekend, held our rehearsal dinner and welcome party there on Friday and then changed the look and feel of the space on Saturday for the wedding. We had the most amazing vendors – they made every creative detail we wished for come to life.

As a corporate event planner as my day job, I wanted to be able to share our vision and just have our vendor team go – and go they did – and far exceeded our expectations. Audrey of Distressed Rentals understood my fiance’s vision of creating small seating vignettes throughout the property for guests to relax and enjoy. Destiny of Poppy and Mint filled the front gate with the most incredible florals to create an amazing entrance for our guests.

We had the best southern food – both nights – Andrew and Dustin from Catering D’orelans were spectacular – guests were loving the oyster bars, boozy snow cone cocktails and traditional southern food specialties. We wrote each guest a love note to share how grateful we were for them to travel and spend the weekend with us and in return got some amazing Polaroid photos for our guest book. We danced the evening away and finished with a sparkler last dance to cap the night. It was a fantasy weekend – we are the luckiest family to have been surrounded and celebrated by our dear friends and relatives in our favorite city.

* * * * * *

And now, with these amazing images in mind, watch the wedding highlight film from Mon Soleil Weddings as Trisha and Scott welcome their guests to the wedding weekend, declare their love and belief in each other and as Scott vows to love and cherish Trisha and Emmy to the end of time! A celebration of “love, friendship, marriage and family!

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Marissa Lambert (aka Mon Soleil Weddings) has been featured at least fifteen times on the pages of Style Me Pretty! Pretty awesome fact, right?

Be sure to visit today’s full gallery of images from Mon Soleil Weddings that capture the love ~ the New Orleans way!

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Wedding Dresses

Hayley Paige

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Spring 2016

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige Occasions

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

Blush by Haley Paige

Spring 2018

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New Orlean’s Ogden Museum of Southern Art Weding

I’m not sure there is a city in the world that can compare to New Orleans. A city that is so rich in history, so alive, so beautifully flawed where stories dig through generations and despite hardship and pain, continue to thrive in the most warm and loving way. And this wedding – photographed by Audra Wrisley and planned by Elle Ellinghuas – bottles up those very sentiments and infuses them with a sense of Joy you can literally feel.

“How did you fall in love with New Orleans? At once, madly. Looking back, sometimes I think it was predestined.” –Andrei Codrescu. Invitations by Rifle Paper Co.

From Audra Wrisley Photography… Claire and Patrick hosted a destination wedding in New Orleans this spring, expertly designed by Elle Ellinghaus with dreamy hues of pink, royal blue, and purples in a theme of Marie Antoinette’s garden.

The bride went to school at Tulane and grew up visiting her Grandparents in New Orleans, and she had always dreamt of a beautiful southern wedding in the heart of the French Quarter.

Claire and Patrick said “I do” in the St Louis Cathedral and hosted a second line, dinner and dancing at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

Their elaborate Marie-Antoinette inspired cake held traditional cake pulls for bridesmaids, and the couple gifted their guests traditional praline cookies at the end of the evening.

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Photography

Audra Wrisley Photography

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We Love That This Editorial Dances Between Edgy + Romantic

Joy Proctor Design can do no wrong, my friends. And we’re heading into the weekend with one of my absolute favorite editorials she’s ever styled – this edgy yet romantic, French inspired bridal session captured by Lance Nicoll. All I’ll say before letting you dive right in is that those peep toe Bella Belle booties and the skirt on that Musat gown are a match made in wedding heaven…

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From Lance Nicoll… This styled shoot designed by Joy Proctor took place at Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is a city engulfed in French heritage, and so the blend of French culture and New Orleans history come together in this soft blush palette. The blush lace of the Musat gown was the perfect complement to the pops of pastels tied in throughout the shoot.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Joy Proctor Design

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The Perfect Blueprint for an Ethereal New Orleans Wedding

If there were a wedding dictionary, this photo shoot would sit right at the top of the list for all things whimsical. With SIX incredible Little Black Book members behind the beauty including Kim Starr Wise, Blue Gardenia Events, Nuage Designs, Melissa’s Fine Pastries, Bella Belle and Lance Nicoll to capture it all, the beauty is bursting at the seams. Which detail is your favorite?

From Nuage Designs… The following images, shot on film by Lance Nicoll, are inspired by Lord Bryon’s famous words “she walks in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies.” In a place where dark and light come together, a place that time forgot – but, where memories hold fast. Abandoned ruins of a plantation that burned long ago provide the backdrop for this dramatic, ethereal, & deeply romantic inspiration.

Lush and grand florals by Kim Starr Wise adorn a dramatic tablescape with gilded details in a palette of soft grays, blush, magenta, & lilac with pops of teal and black. Our two brides are dramatic yet modern, soft yet vivid in their Kelly Faetanini and Berta Gowns. Two wildly lush bouquets are just the beginning of the floral touches. A floral sash is the perfect new accent for the modern yet classic bride; while an imposing floral headpiece is an ideal statement piece. The teal and black cake by Melissa’s Fine Pastries is perfectly set against a gently blowing blush damask linen by Nuage Designs. The lounge area again has dramatic florals cascading down a vintage settee with pops of teal and blush – a perfectly wild palette against a backdrop of lush overgrown foliage and pale gray columns. Walk amongst the ruins…to another time, another place. The ruins still stand, the memories remain, the romance continues.

Classic New Orleans Wedding Complete with an Heirloom Dress

From an antique engagement ring to her grandmother’s wedding dress worn for her first dance, this Bride is all about “Something Old”. And that sentiment fits right in with a New Orlean’s celebration filled with classic details styled by Victoria Austin and lovely NOLA charm captured through the images of Greer Gattuso and lens of Bride Film. See it all unfold, including the perfect Second Line parade, right here.

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From the Bride… The dress I wore for our first dance is actually very special to me. My Grammy was like a second mother to me, as well as my best friend. She is no longer with us, but I was honored to wear her wedding dress and have her with me, in a way, for my first dance. It was a very special moment, not only for me, but also for my mother and her two sisters. (And yes, it is blue, but it really was her wedding dress! I like to think I get my individuality from her )

I think Grammy also inspired my penchant for antiques. We spent months searching for the perfect antique engagement ring and finally found my circa 1890 pink sapphire ring at Erstwhile Jewelry, a boutique store in NYC owned by a fifth-generation jeweler. My wedding band is a reproduction of a Tiffany & Co., also circa 1890, as the original could not be re-sized. I love knowing that my ring had a history before us and that we aren’t contributing to any unethical gemstone mining or trade practices. For our first dance, we knew we wanted a song from the ’50s and finally settled on “When I Fall in Love”, as performed by Nat “King” Cole. We took some dance lessons with the lowly intention of breaking out of our standard “turn in a circle” move, but we ended up having so much fun that our first dance became one of our favorite moments both preceding and during our wedding day. Our favorite moment, however, was exchanging our wedding vows in front of all of our loved ones. We were blessed to have my best friend, Reverend Felsha Foster, perform our marriage ceremony. Felsha has been my best friend since the third grade, so we have shared some amazing memories over the years, but having her unite us in marriage was by far the best. Finally, working with you, Greer, was a dream. Prior to the wedding, Ryan was worried that he would feel self-conscious about the photography and videography, but we hardly even remembered we were being photographed and filmed.

New York City Lovebirds Wed in New Orleans

This New Your City couple wanted their wedding to be timeless, romantic, and sweet, and they couldn’t have chosen a more perfect location—New Orleans. Complete with twinkling lights hovering over the courtyard, Erika Parker captured their I do’s and the stunning bridal portraits below. Head to the full gallery for more!

From the bride…We fell in love in New York City. It must have been our destiny to meet each other in a city of more than 8 million people. Five years later he proposed on a sunset walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. That night, he shared his dream that we get married in a small courtyard with twinkling lights. From that moment, we knew New Orleans was the perfect destination. We wanted our wedding to feel timeless, romantic, and sweet. The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum was the first pharmacy in America, and the perfect blend of the old with the new. Its rich history and beautiful courtyard were the ideal backdrop for our intimate wedding. Our florist incorporated soft touches of blush tones, with roses and dahlias, that added a beautiful elegance to the evening. Our wedding cake and delicious treats for the dessert bar were homemade with love by our families. And our mutual love for jazz filled the night—from the second line band, to the Louis Armstrong soundtrack we played throughout the evening. We loved seeing our guests enjoy the wedding together and celebrating our love. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better place than NOLA for our special day.

Southern Wedding Complete with the Sound of New Orleans Jazz in the Air

From start to finish, this New Orleans wedding planned by Blue Gardenia Events along with florals by Poppy and Mint is layered in classic elegance. It has the signature Southern style mixed with cozy details that give Il Mercato the feel of home… just with a lot more champagne and the sound of New Orleans jazz in the air. In other words, it’s perfection captured by Greer Gattuso. See every last gorgeous image right here.

Cozy and warm and effortlessly chic, Alice & Mike’s wedding day evoked a relaxed sophistication with layers of texture and elegance woven throughout. Surrounded by her sisters & her closest friends, Alice started her day at the beautiful & historic Windsor Court hotel. However, Alice had one little secret… Her very high heels from the night before combined with a traditional New Orleans second line led to some unfortunate blisters! But, Alice did not let it ruin her day for one second – she opted for her comfy tennis shoes and on she went! Alice is a classic Southern beauty & looked completely timeless in her Rivini gown & cathedral length veil. When Mike saw his bride for the first time outside of where they would saw their vows, everything fell into place & the day truly began. Alice and Mike had a beautiful and traditional service at Rayne Methodist church. Following the service, everyone gathered at Il Mercato for cocktail, dinner, & dancing. Guests were greeted with champagne and sounds of New Orleans Jazz wafting through the air. The night continued with traditional creole faire from Joel Catering and thoughtful touches around every corner. Alice wanted to combine organic elements such as wood, muted gold, aged silver, and lavish greenery against a backdrop of pale blues, grays, & creams. Lush velvet, oxford, & silk linens from Nuage Designs complemented these elements bringing in layers of texture. Twinkling candlelight and abundant florals from Poppy & Mint topped off the overall aesthetic giving everything an intimate, “your home,” feel… A relaxed sophistication. Timeless and elegant, Alice & Mike’s wedding day was pure perfection from start to finish.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Pretty in Pink New Orleans Wedding

Mindy and Harold’s wedding is proof that you don’t have to leave the U.S. for a destination experience. They took their guests to New Orleans for a celebration in the city’s historic French Quarter and Lance Nicoll captured every bit – from courtyard ceremony to a second line down Bourbon Street. See even more of this charming lovefest with a trip of your own right inside the gallery.

Mindy and Harold hosted their destination wedding the French Quarter of New Orleans. The centered around one of the cities newest top wedding locations, the Mazarin. Soft pink, blush, and creams colors highlighted the design palette for the day surrounded by the inescapable character of the French Quarter.

The couple was married in the central courtyard of the Mazarin with their reception following. The evening was capped in traditional Big Easy fashion, with a second line down Bourbon Street with family and friends.

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