Louisiana Weddings

Time and again, I’ve heard brides-to-be tell me how they found inspiration for their big day on Style Me Pretty, making it such an honor to log on every day. But the credit goes to our Little Black Book members and vendors for constantly creating the pretty for us to showcase. That lovely at hand? A dose of Southern wedding inspiration, infused with whimsy—blooms crafted with care by Poppy + Mint, details designed by Logan Doerries Design and Melissa’s Fine Pastries on cake duty… all which make for one stunner of a gallery.

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From Poppy + Mint Floral Company… We were supremely inspired by the grounds of Southern Oaks Plantation, and Logan of Logan Doerries Design styled the shoot to highlight a theme of whimsical elegance and Southern charm! The moss covered trees, and the stately columns of the venue provided the most stunning backdrop to accomplish this theme. Overall, we wanted the shoot to be romantic and timeless. The gown provided by Wedding Belles tied our theme together, perfectly! We wanted to stay within a mostly neutral palette while still incorporating subtly colorful tones, and Destiny with Poppy + Mint Floral Company created the most breathtaking floral that perfectly fit this bill. The floral inspired cake provided by Melissa’s Fine Pastries complimented the florals in a lovely way! We also highlighted other southern elements such as the horses dressed in greenery wreaths, a classic rolls royce, and magnolia leaves and moss from the property to accent our custom stationery suite by Lady Adelaide, and southern details recently acquired from the Magnolia in Waco! Marissa Lambert captured the day through film, which gave a dreamy and ethereal vibe that radiated through each photograph.

Photography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Event Design: Logan Doerries Design | Floral Design: Poppy and Mint | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Makeup Artist: Ashley Sievert Beauty | Groom's Attire: John's Tuxedos | Wedding Venue: Southern Oaks Plantation | Bridal Salon: Wedding Belles | Details : Magnolia Homes | Film Scan: Richard Photo Lab | Stationer: Lady Adelaide | Video: Mon Soleil Weddings

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to pull out your passport for a destination wedding. In fact, New Yorkers, Megan and Will, chose to simply bring all their people down south for a lovefest in the French Quarter. The incredible Lance Nicoll photographed their 3-day celebration and come wedding day the NOLA Dukes kept guests partying well into the night. Congrats to Megan and Will!

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From Lance Nicoll… Megan and Will, New York City residents and avid travelers, brought their international crowd of family and friends to New Orleans for a 3-day event that culminated in their wedding celebration. Megan and Will began the day with a first look because they wanted to spend every minute possible together. The courtyard of the French Quarter home rental was where they first saw each other on their wedding day. A short but eventful walk led Megan and Will to their wedding party for beautiful family portraits on the steps of the New Orleans Courthouse, which sits across the street from their ceremony location.

At the conclusion of their joyous union, the newly married couple and guests marched with their very own brass band down the gorgeous Marche. Guests were then treated to an elegant sit-down dinner and proceeded to dance the night away.

Avid sailors, the couple had Bittersweet Confections create the cutest sailboat themed groom’s cake to accompany the wedding cake. Firefly Ambiance saw to it that the design work of Weddings By LuLu was perfectly accented. Floral design, which included a beautiful ceremony arch, was done by the talented Fat Cat Flowers. Megan’s elegant white and blush filled wedding day was filled with both joy and love.

Photography: Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography | Videography: Bella Productions | Floral Design: Fat Cat Flowers, LLC | Cake: Bittersweet Confections | Ceremony Venue: Brennan's | Reception Venue: Marche | Beauty: Verde Beauty Studio | Decor: Firefly Ambiance | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Music: NOLA Dukes Band | Planning + Design: Weddings By Lulu

This wedding photographed by Lance Nicoll is like a love letter to New Orleans. It’s the city where the bride, Molly grew up and she couldn’t think of a better spot to begin her forever with Matthew. From their classic church ceremony to the botanical garden reception, Molly and Matthew’s special day is what timeless elegance is all about.

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From Lance Nicoll... Molly is passionate about her home where she grew up and wanted her Fall wedding to be inspired by its location. The oyster shell ring dishes and pearl invitations with custom illustrations fit seamlessly into the violet and cream color scheme. The bride and bridesmaids spent the morning at Molly’s childhood home and were adorned in violet gowns. The Church ceremony was downtown at the Immaculate Conception, a beautifully ornate and classic New Orleans Church. The day wedding continued at the Botanical Gardens where guests were invited to spend time in the lush gardens, enjoying music, food, and time with friends and family.

Photography: Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Adrian's Florist | Cake: Sweet Life Bakery | Ceremony: Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church | Reception Venue: City Park | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab

If you are going to have a traditional New Orleans wedding, you better believe a second line parade for the new Mr. and Mrs. is in order. And that is only the beginning of this classic meets modern celebration held at the family’s estate and crafted by Everly. Also on the docket, not one but 3 insanely gorgeous dresses dawned by the fashion blogger Bride. Take a peek at the full celebration captured by Elisa Bricker right here.

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From the Photographer… Fashion blogger and bride, Bridget Ryan, chose to get married in her historic home town and celebrated her wedding at the family home. Their wedding was steeped in tradition, but her personal style is modern and fresh, so blending tradition and bringing in modern touches was important. Her husband and his family are French, so their wedding was also a blend of cultural tradition, and friends from around the world. They married these styles and traditions in a graceful ceremony at the church where she grew up and celebrated their wedding in the back hard of her family’s private estate. Of course, since it was a New Orleans wedding there were local traditions such as a king cake for guests in their welcome bags, beads galore, and a second line to celebrate the new couple!

Photography: Elisa Bricker | Videography: Khoi Pham | Wedding Planner: Everly Event Planning & Design | Floral Design: Fat Cat Flowers, LLC | Cake: Nikki's Frosted Fantasies | Invitations: Scriptura | Reception Venue: Private Estate | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Makeup: Belladona | Hair: Amber Buxton | Calligraphy: Sterling Calligraphy | Band: Sam Hill Entertainment | Dress Design: Nardos Design, Dallas Texas | Flower Girl Dresses: Banbury Cross

This Bride is as pretty as can be with her elegant ballerina bun, her gorgeous berry hued bouquet by Kim Starr Wise Floral Events, and the delicate lace neckline of her beautiful gown. Lance Nicoll captured this NOLA wedding, including the absolutely adorable, joy-filled look of the Groom when he first saw his Bride. We’re in love and know you will be too, so scroll on!

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From Lance Nicoll Photography… Fernanda and Farere hosted their wedding in New Orleans, Louisiana, centered around the unique and character filled French Quarter. The day began with a joyful first look in Armstrong Park. Family and friends met the lovely couple at the home of Farere’s parents for family formals. In the evening, the couple and wedding party gathered for a formal church wedding and then went to the main ballroom of the Westin at Canal Place. The couple’s entrance was filled with energy as they burst into the room, dancing with guests before taking their seats for their formal sit down dinner. Gold and blush accents were met with deep purple and dark gray tones for an untraditional but sophisticated color palette for the wedding day.

Photography: Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Cake: Bittersweet Confections | Reception Venue: The Westin Canal Place | Hair and Makeup: Wink Eyelash Bar Makeup Studio | Rentals: Distressed|Rentals & Revival

The French Quarter of New Orleans was the perfect choice for this couple’s destination wedding – they wanted to say “I do” in an exuberant city! Marissa Lambert captured the celebration (on film and video!), which included a lively second line parade to kick off the joy-filled night. A team of incredible vendors including Sapphire Events, Poppy and Mint Floral Company, and Melissa’s Fine Pastries put together the classic, festive event, and you can see it all right here.

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From Sapphire Events… Lauren knew from the moment she had met Colin, she was going to marry him. The couple dreamed of a destination wedding located in an exuberant city full of fun and happiness – New Orleans was the answer. The ceremony and reception were held at The Chicory, located right outside the heart of the French Quarter.

The ceremony decor focused on deep burgundy, ivory, and gold accents. The altar arrangement consisted of one large wreath and two smaller wreaths made of grapevines by Poppy & Mint. These wreaths perfectly foreshadowed the nine hanging grapevine spheres created by Luminous Events that guests would admire at the reception. Throughout the reception, centerpieces alternated between gold candelabras accented with flowers and full flower arrangements accented with gold votives. The marriage between the floral and candle decor gave a lush and illuminating ambiance to the reception. Above the stunning wedding cake, made by Melissa’s Fine Pastries, hung glass bubble tea lights of various lengths (also seen above the buffet). The celebration went into the night as guests joined the Bride, Groom, and family on the dance floor until the very last moment.

Photography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Cinematography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Event Planning: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Poppy and Mint | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Stationery: Crane & Co. | Shoes: Menbur | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: The Chicory | Hair and Makeup: Maritza Barthelemy | Lighting: Luminous Events | DJ: Mobile DJ Nola | Band: Kinfolk Brass Band | Groom's Attire: Tommy Hilfiger | Groomsmen's Attire: Menguin | Venue: The Chicory | Formal Photography Location: City Park

It was raining all week leading up to this New Orleans inspiration session by Erika Parker Photography, but the rain clouds cleared just long enough for her to capture these images – and we’re so glad they did! With exquisite bridesmaids in Jenny Yoo and Nouvelle Amsale and calligraphy by Pigment and Parchment that makes our hearts skip a beat, this wedding inspo is worth getting lost in.

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From Erika Parker Photography… This shoot had been on my mind for over a year before I actually started working on putting the pieces together. New Orleans has some really incredible buildings and architecture, and I always look for locations that have a timeless feel to them. We had some amazing vendors collaborate with us. Pigment and Parchment made the most incredible calligraphy suite that blew me away when it arrived in the mail. I couldn’t wait to shoot it! On the day of, it had been pouring for days. In New Orleans, it usually only rains for a short while at a time, but this particular week, it rained all week. I was so worried we would have to cancel. Somehow, for about two hours in the afternoon, the rain stopped, and the sun came out. It was just enough time to make the shoot happen. About five minutes after we got back in the car, the rain started again. Despite the mud and overcast weather, the images turned out beautiful!

Photography: Erika Parker Photography | Floral Design: Leaf + Petal Nola | Wedding Dress: Gossamer | Hair and Makeup: Glam Nola | Invitations and Calligraphy: Pigment And Parchment | Bridesmaid Dress: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaid Dress: Amsale | Bridesmaids' Dresses on Loan From: Wedding Belles | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Hair Accessories: Echo and Laurel

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Sapphire Events – you deserve a standing ovation for this work-of-art wedding. Inspired by the idea of a lavish secret garden party, you pulled off some incredible design feats, including an inverted garden made up of 24,000 (!!) white tulips suspended upside-down above the dance floor. And if that’s not enough to leave you speechless, just wait until you see the cake by Melissa’s Fine Pastries or carefully crafted menu from Joel Catering. This opulent soiree is one we’ll surely never forget thanks to the captures by A Bryan Photo and Le Cape Weddings.

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From Sapphire Events… Haylie and Bradley are high school sweethearts with a love for travel and entertaining. The couple fortified their long distance relationship while Bradley attended Georgetown. Bradley and Haylie reunited in South Bend, Indiana during Bradley’s law school studies at Notre Dame, where he proposed marriage on a Christmas tree farm to an unsuspecting Haylie. The couple immediately celebrated with a bottle of champagne and a night out with friends. Now they call New Orleans home and teamed up with Sapphire Events to pull off a spectacular soirée in the historic French Quarter.

Inspired by the bride’s parents’ intimate garden wedding, Sapphire Events planned a regal affair inviting guests to enjoy a ceremonious and meaningful formal garden party with charming details, traditional flair, and majestic sensibilities.

The guests’ first touchpoint for this event was a delicate and beautifully designed save-the-date with an image of the couple superimposed with the date of the event in a gilded folder encasement designed by Lehr and Black, announcing the impending nuptials in New Orleans. To follow up the grand save-the-date, guests will shortly receive a lavish suede-lined boxed invitation featuring ivory 8-ply, engraved, gilded beveled-edge invitations for events occurring over the four-day weekend celebration. 

The wedding day started with a mid-afternoon Catholic mass at the St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter followed by cocktails, dining, and revelry in the evening at the Old Ursuline Convent, the oldest building in the Mississippi River valley. The decor consisted of creamy white, ivory, verdant greens, patina, soft hues, natural wood tones, and gilded details.

Inspired by the notion of a secret garden party, the dancing tent revealed itself as an unexpected and imaginative continuation of the motif with an inverted garden composed of 24,000 white tulips suspended upside-down over the dance floor. The center of the installation featured an oversized, crystal chandelier, and the entire suspension was enhanced with pin spotting and directional lighting from both overhead and underneath to maximize the impact of the statement piece.

As the focal point of the dining tent, the bridal cake was served as a dramatic statement piece anchoring the celebration space. A European-style confection in dramatic scale, layers covered in delicate buttercream with a smooth finish, interspersed with layers of dense, textural florals in neutral tones, using hydrangea, roses, garden roses, spray roses, gardenias, peonies, and dendrobium orchids. 

A custom dessert display was inspired by the flagship Ladurée boutique in Paris, both in scale and structure. One solid wall featured a custom built 8’ tall by 16’ wide by 1.5’ deep Ladurée dessert display. The Dessert Suite also featured Bradley’s cake, a realistic model of Tolkein’s castle city Minas Tirith. The five-foot scale model was placed on a 60” round table draped in a sage linen. 

This was a luxury garden party to remember!

Photography: A Bryan Photo | Cinematography: Le Cape Weddings | Event Planning + Design: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cakes : Melissa's Fine Pastries | Stationery : Lehr and Black | Ceremony Venue: Old Ursuline Convent | Reception Venue: Old Ursuline Convent | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Joel Event Catering | Hair and Makeup: Flawless Bride | Calligraphy: Lehr and Black | DJ: DJ Jacob Towe | Groom's Attire: Strong Suit | Beverage Service: The Grand Bevy | Custom Rentals: Luminous Events | Desserts: Sucre | Glassware: Casa de Perrin | Lighting & Projection: DJ Jacob Towe | Linens: I Do Linens | Reception Band: Elan Artists | Rentals: Revelry Event Designers | Rentals: 12th Table | Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals | Welcome Boxes: A Signature Welcome

Tucked away in New Orleans is a secret garden, full of beauty and wonder, and the absolute perfect location for this shoot by Elyse Jennings Weddings. Blooming with roses and romance, Marissa Lambert captured it all for us to ooh and aah over – fall in love with every image in our Vault right this way!

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From Elyse Jennings Weddings and Marissa Lambert… This shoot was designed for one of Marissa Lambert’s recent one-on-one film workshops as a Secret Rose Garden editorial! It features roses galore, feminine blush colors with pops of scarlet reds, movement and romance in a New Orleans courtyard! The blush wedding gown showed how traditional and timeless silhouettes could be fresh and modern! The wafer petals fluttered on the marbled pink wedding cake! The roses floated in the courtyard fountain to complete the floral garland that flowed from the top of the statue to the water below! Romance was abound!

Photography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Cinematography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Event Design: Elyse Jennings Weddings | Event Planning: Elyse Jennings Weddings | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Invitations: The Lady Adelaide | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Ring: Trumpet & Horn | Makeup: Ashley Sievert Beauty | Hair: Hair By Ginger | Boudoir Attire: BHLDN | Bridal Boutique: Wedding Belles | Hair Accessories: Elizabeth Bower | Location: Beauregard Keyes House | Rentals: Event Rental

Danielle and Ben might just be the sweetest couple to have ever graced our pages because their New Orleans anniversary session captured by Julian N. Photography? Well, it’s downright dreamy. Celebrating six splendid years together, this darling pair set out to the Frech quarter and the rest you can see for yourself in The Vault!

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From Julian N. Photography… Danielle and Ben are Los Angeles residents but split their time between LA and New Orleans where Danielle is from. I posted that i was going to be in Nola for a few days, and through the power of the internet, a mutual friend connected us, talk about the right place and the right time! When Danielle got in touch and told me their story i know i wanted to style up their shoot a bit, so the day before the shoot I went to a local flower market in the french quarter and used my DIY skills to make a small loose organic bouquet for the session, i got all neutral colored florals not knowing exactly what color she was going to wear, finally I finished it off with a ribbon from Silk and Willow. Danielle brought a lot of options for the shoot, but when she pulled out her grandmother’s vintage dress I knew that it was going to be perfect. Knowing that Danielle grew up in New Orleans she knew where all the amazing places were, it was also great to shoot in places she used to go when she was younger. We started the shoot at a private residence, and then we went to the New Orleans city park, with so many amazing Spanish moss trees, finishing the shoot in the french quarter.

From the Bride-to-be… Ben and I decided to celebrate our 6 year wedding anniversary with whimsical a photo shoot in New Orleans, where we got engaged 7 years ago to the day! Ben and I met in college. We were the classic best friend story. I dated other guys and Ben would listen to me talk about the bad dates, sit with me when I cried over bad breakups, I always could count on him, no matter what was going on. Our Senior year of college came, and in a whirlwind of a weekend, Ben realized that he never wanted to lose me to another guy or never see me again after college was over! So we started dating!! We were engaged a few months later in the oak-lined streets of New Orleans, where I grew up. Shortly after getting engaged, Ben went away for three months for a mission in the Army and we could not speak at all during that team. So re-living the day we got engaged with this photoshoot was so memorable and romantic! I also got to wear my grandmother’s handmade vintage dress that she wore to a Mardi Gras ball in New Orleans when she was my age! We also got to have our boxer, Lucy, come along for a few pictures! We are so grateful to have these pictures. Young love is naive but magical, but “old love” is even better

Photography: Julian N. Photography | Floral Design: Julian N. Photography | Dress: Vintage | Suit : Nordstrom | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Ribbon : Silk and Willow

What’s better than a bistro wedding? Absolutely nothing! Just ask Taylor and Austin who planned the perfect destination fete in their favorite city, New Orleans. With Julie Paisley Photography behind the lens we’ve got every bit of this colorful celebration waiting for you to fall in love with in The Vault!

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From Julie Paisley Photography… New Orleans weddings are something special. The vibe of the city is electric and it’s a perfect place for a Destination Wedding. Taylor and Austin are both from Texas but their favorite city is New Orleans so they traveled with family and friends and enjoyed a full weekend of wedding festivities. Taylor’s smile is infectious. She was such a joy to work with and Taylor and Austin’s reception was one of the most fun receptions I’ve ever experienced. I mean, when you end the night with a second line, how can you go wrong? It was the perfect day. From a stunning wedding party, love of family and friends and a bride and groom who clearly adored each other and all set in one of the most fun cities in the country, how could it not be amazing?

Photography: Julie Paisley Photography | Wedding Planning: Down Annie Lane | Floral Design: Iris Floral | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Cake: Chez RuRene Bakery, Inc. | Invitations: Minted | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Glam Nola | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: Tomas Bistro | Bridal Boutique: Brickhouse Bridal

We’ve said it plenty of times before, but there is just something about the South that seriously delights. Take this stunning shoot dreamed up by the talented Janna Brown and proof. It’s opulent, untamed, and hauntingly beautiful. Captured by the incomparable Katie Grant, we’ve got every bit of beauty waiting for you to favorite via The Vault!

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From Janna Brown… The southern sun shone down through the mighty oaks and set Trinity aglow. She moved gracefully along the plantation grounds, weaving through the gardens and floating up the stone staircase as Katie Grant captured her every move. The fountains pattered in the distance and we longed for shelter from the heat, but we knew we were capturing magic with each frame. Trinity’s gown, a stunning design from Zanzis Couture, fit her as if it was created just for her in this moment. The beaded details shimmered in the golden afternoon light, and the and the hem of the gown danced playfully behind her.

The florals for our Mystérieuse Dame were created to soften the lines and textures of the opulent gown that she donned. The composition of the bouquet was quite organic, free-flowing and untamed, as if it were still growing and reaching toward the light. Large white peonies softened the base, as blueberry branches and rosemary added layers of texture. Soft blush astilbe sprigs were complimented by the rose-colored tones in Trinity’s cheeks. The bouquet was adorned with antique white silk ribbon by Silk & Willow.

As the golden hour ensued, we ventured to a nearby cemetery to capture the stunning architecture and textures of the stonework. As Trinity sauntered through the winding paths of towering monuments, there was a haunting silence, a stillness in the air. The Zanzis Couture gown seemed to find it’s place among the dilapidated tombs; the silk was unruly in the breeze, and seemed to reach toward the inscriptions as if reading each one. The soft lines of the skirt contrasted beautifully with the crumbling structures at each turn.

The clouds cast a shadow that crept upon us, and we acknowledged this as a sign from mother nature that our work for the day was complete. It was an honor to capture beauty in such a sacred setting, with a group of exceptional creatives.

Photography: Katie Grant Photography | Gown: Zanzis Couture | Rings: Susie Saltzman | Hair + Makeup: Ashley Sievert Beauty | Calligraphy: Signora E Mare | Cemetery: Metairie Cemetery | Creative Direction + Styling + Floral Design: Janna Brown Design Co. | Film Scans: PhotoVision Prints | Plantation : Longvue House And Gardens | Silk Ribbon: Silk and Willow

See this beaded vintage dress the bride rocked at the reception? It’s a dress that previously belonged to the wife of music legend, Nat King Cole. It was the ultimate “something old” for a vintage-inspired wedding and set the tone for an unforgettable day planned by Sapphire Events. More (including a must-see cake by Melissa’s Fine Pastries) in the gallery of images from Greer Gattuso.

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From Sapphire Events…After weeks of rain and dreary days in New Orleans, Elizabeth and Nick said “I Do” on the first clear day of Spring. Being that both of them are New Orleans natives, the two did their first look in the heart of the city, the New Orleans French Quarter. From there, the couple made their way uptown to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for a small ceremony in front of their family and friends. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour complete with a Bubbly bar in the back gardens of the Audubon Tea Room. Upon the completion of cocktail hour, guests entered the Audubon Tea Room they were greeted by pops of the wedding color, light blue, perfectly mimicking the cloudless, Spring sky. The light blue and white lace linens were accented with an array of pink and white flower centerpieces. At the end of the reception, Elizabeth changed into a beaded vintage dress that had previously belonged to the late wife of Nat King Cole. In true New Orleans fashion, Elizabeth and Nick, along with a New Orleans Brass Band, led guests through the Audubon Zoo in a second line to celebrate the start of their lives together.

Photography: Greer Gattuso | Cinematography: Terrington Films | Event Design: Sapphire Events | Event Planning: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Ceremony Venue: St. Francis Of Assisi | Reception Venue: Audubon Tea Room | Hair + Makeup: Kiss And Makeup | Band: Felix & Fingers Dueling Pianos | Hotel: Cornstalk Hotel | Bride's Vintage Dress Source: Century Girl Vintage | Rentals: New Orleans Party Rentals | Second Line Band: Paulin Brothers Brass Band

If there were ever a couple to be inspired by, it’d be Alyssa and Jon. They met in college, fell in love, walked through Alyssa’s battle with breast cancer, and later moved to NYC for her dream job as a fashion editor. And as if that’s not enough, they also happened to throw one of the most amazing weddings of all time. Sapphire Events helped them design their classic French Quarter affair at Latrobe’s on Royal and Rylee Hitchner documented everything waiting inside The Vault.

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From Sapphire Events…Alyssa and Jon are the epitome of college sweethearts. They met during their freshman year at Tulane University and have been inseparable ever since. Jon supported Alyssa through her year long battle with breast cancer and moved to New York City with her when she landed her dream job as the online fashion editor for Marie Claire Magazine. After their rooftop first look with a view of the charming French Quarter in the crisp Fall weather, the two said “I Do” at the New Orleans landmark, St. Louis Cathedral, in front of 200 of their family and friends. From the ceremony, guests participated in a traditional New Orleans second line to the reception venue, Latrobe’s on Royal, where the celebration continued into the night.

Photography: Rylee Hitchner Photography | Event Planning: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Cake: Pure Cake | Ceremony Venue: Old Ursuline Convent | Reception Venue: Latrobe's on Royal | Hair + Makeup: Kiss And Makeup | DJ: DJ Phresh | Lighting Decor: Luminous Events | Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals

Hidden away at the Carmelite Monastery, lush romance overflows, seeping into every image from Trent Bailey. Created by Sapphire Events, this sultry scene before us is alluring and inspiring – from Distressed Rental + Revival’s pieces to Melissa’s Fine Pastries’ cake that doubles as a work of art. Fall in love with this look and this Southern spot before the rest of the world gets the word – all in our Vault right here!

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From Sapphire Events… This styled shoot was a collaborative effort between Sapphire Events and Trent Bailey Photography. The abandoned Carmelite Monastery from the 1800s tucked away in the heart of the French Quarter served as the inspiration for this shoot. The bouquet created by Kim Starr Wise mirrored the overgrown, wild, and lush feel of the Monastery’s hidden courtyard. The Romona Keveza gown served as the perfect contrast to the structured, ornate architecture of the historic building. Trent Bailey perfectly captured on film the magic and intimacy of the exclusive venue.

Photography: Trent Bailey Studio | Event Design: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Wedding Dress: Wedding Belles | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Stationery: Julie Ha | Makeup: Ashley Sievert Beauty | Hair: Ashley DeLatte for Glow Hair and Beauty Bar | Bridal Boutique: Wedding Belles | Location: The Monastery | Rentals: Distressed|Rentals & Revival

When wedding photographers themselves says “I do” it’s kinda guaranteed to be great. But this one here took it to a new level; to say I’m smitten would be an understatement. From the Jenny Yoo dresses to the gold and silver sparkles, this New Orleans celebration has my heart and isn’t letting go anytime soon. Brock Gomez Productions brought it to life and this darling duo wisely chose Marissa Lambert to snap all their special moments. This Vault gallery is my new happy place – meet me there and thank me later.

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From the Bride… As designers and wedding photographers, we sort of knew what we wanted fairly quickly. A wedding in daylight, during the month of December with our closest friends and family were just a few must-haves for our wedding.

We chose New Orleans as the destination. We were residents at the time and love the culture and unique aspects of the city. The Magnolia Bridge is a pedestrian crossing located in the heart of Midcity (the neighborhood Brad lived in); it just felt like the perfect spot for our small, afternoon wedding.

Everything about our ceremony was personal. Brad’s cousin officiated, we hand selected readings, hand wrote our vows, and our good friend Jesse wrote the music. Even the cones filled with dried petals were made of song lyrics from “You’ve Got a Friend” (the first song Brad said reminded him of me).

Following the wedding, we second lined (using stamped napkins with our wedding logo) over to the Pitot House (a historical landmark in the city). On the grounds outside the house, we hosted our guests inside a clear tent with string lights… and spent the earlier portion of the reception mingling with friends and family.

It’s not tradition in the South to have toasts or even a sit down dinner… but we loved the idea of both so we went for it. The seating chart was created out of a laser cut map of New Orleans. Each name on the seating chart was laser cut and corresponded to the table (named after all our favorite neighborhoods in the city). Everyone had their own name cut out of wood again larger this time on their individual place setting. And the tables were decorated with pine cones and a deep colored floral and eucalyptus garland from end to end.

Our linens were mixed: some ivory and occasionally gold or silver to highlight our toasting, dessert, cake and sweetheart tables. Our cake was simple… white fondant with olive branches and lovely Crate & Barrel flutes (I love these!).

We ended the night with dancing and placed a lock gifted to us on the bridge to seal the deal!

Peruse more New Orleans weddings here!

Photography: Mon Soleil Weddings | Videography: Brock Gomez Productions | Event Planning: Southern Couture Weddings | Floral Design: Root Floral Design | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | Reception Venue: Pitot House | Catering: Best Catered Events | Makeup: Sara Buteaux | Hair: Nicole Pigeon | Calligraphy: St. Blanc Calligraphy | Band: Three37 | Ceremony Music: Jesse Zenon | Getting Ready Location: Ashton's Bed And Breakfast | Headpiece: jennifer behr | Wedding Branding: Haylei Smith | Wedding Dress Capelet: Carol Hannah

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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I love a pop of color as much as the next girl, but a wedding designed solely around a sea of neutrals? Oh, be still my heart. That’s exactly the approach Elyse Jennings took as she put together this inspiration shoot, along with a team of talented including Melissa’s Fine Pastries and  Bella Blooms Floral. Just one look at the gallery from Greer Gattuso or clip below by BRIDE FILM and you’ll be convinced that neutrals-on-neutrals is the only way to go.

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From Elyse Jennings Weddings… I wanted to design something elegant and gorgeous that resonates with the bride who wants a truly timeless wedding day, a design with traditional roots that pushes the boundaries a bit, a neutral and classic color scheme, and incorporating elements that were a little organic and full of movement and emotion. My inherent designs feature all of those characteristics, so I brought this shoot to life with my photographer and friend, Greer Gattuso.

I design from the grandest scale of the venue, to the smallest detail on the tabletop, and the goal is always creativity and cohesiveness. The venue Il Mercato offered great architectural aspects for my design to play off of: rounded arches, a grand outdoor fireplace, gorgeous wrought iron gates, and modern landscaping.

The fireplace would be our ceremony location and I knew I wanted to deck it out with layers and layers of exposed candles, lush florals, and natural greenery cascading from one level of the structure to the next. My incredible florist, Dee with Bella Blooms Floral, and my candle team, Lisa and Jason with Luminous Events, turned my vision into my favorite ceremony backdrop to date.

I wanted our tablescape to sit perfectly between the arch of the venue’s arcade. Our dining table would remain bare and our chairs were round to mimic the arch. Each chair decor was different, but greens and florals accented each to tie the look together! The centerpiece featured asymmetrical florals that created a lush runner of neutral, fluffy flowers! Bare candles nestled between to keep the look natural yet luxurious! I featured beautiful silver rimmed Vera Wang china for the place settings and each plate was adorned by a different floral bloom with the place card. To finish off the setting, we layered exposed candles in the windowsill and added foliage and florals to each gas lantern.

The cake from Melissa’s Fine Pastries was a textural, slate colored fondant cake with the most intricate white sugar flowers. I love the way the pattern created interest in an understated way. Our invitation suite by Jaynie of Ebb and Flow Ink showcased her gorgeous calligraphy on fine art paper which was torn on the bottom edges. It created a polished, yet natural look for all of our paper products. Our bridesmaids in taupe dresses offered the ability for Bella Blooms to show how different style bouquets with varying focal flowers could still have a cohesive look. And they gave me the opportunity to style them for some great Vanity Fair-inspired photos.

With movement in mind, everything from the dress skirt, her hair style, to the raw silk ribbons that adorned her bouquet would be able to flow in the breeze and exude emotion. An elegant, neutral affair that could make our ideal brides want to get married in New Orleans and bring a similar design to life with us!

Photography: Greer Gattuso | Cinematography: BRIDE FILM | Event Planning + Design: Elyse Jennings Weddings | Floral Design: Bella Blooms | Wedding Dress: Theia | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Watters | Makeup: Ashley Sievert Beauty | Hair: Ginger Dufriend | Groom's Attire: Perlis | Venue: Il Mercato | Bridal Boutique: Blanc Bridal Couture | Bridal Boutique - Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Bride Model: Alexandra Chaisson | Bridesmaid Model: Gabrielle Chaisson | Bridesmaid Model: Sara Comiskey | Cake Stand: BHLDN | Calligraphy + Stationery: Jaynie Lighter | Candle Decor: Luminous Events | Groom Model: James Kemp | Rentals: Event Rental | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

It’s pretty hard to complete with a hand painted gown like this Kate McDonald one, but when you add in feminine florals by Kim Starr Wise, an almost-too-pretty-to-eat cake from Melissa’s Fine Pastries and have it all captured through Catherine Guidry’s lens, well, the entire shoot shines bright, thanks to Sapphire Events’ planning and design. Our VAULT has every darling detail for you to pin right this way!

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From Sapphire Events… Sapphire Events paired up with Wedding Paper Divas to create an ethereal and timeless wedding inspiration shoot. This unique shoot, shot entirely on film by the talented, Catherine Guidry, was inspired by the Mcleod dress hand painted by Kate McDonald. The combination of the soft pinks and statement gold foil accents in the dress influenced the decor of everything from the flowers down to the delicate stem of the wine glasses, all with the backdrop of the New Orleans event space, Il Mercato.

The soft pinks and pops of color in the flowers, created by floral designer, Kim Starr Wise, echoed the feminine feel given off by our two brides, Ashley and Courtney. The way Ashley’s neutral dress with metallic belt complemented Courtney’s hand-painted dress symbolized how the two girls’ personalities complement each other and also tied in the rose gold of the their engagement rings. Melissa’s Fine Pastries followed Kate McDonald’s lead by hand painting the cake to be a replica of the Kate McDonald dress.

While this shoot was stunning at first glance, the couple’s story behind the pictures gives meaning to the aesthetically pleasing set up. Courtney and Ashley are eagerly awaiting their upcoming nuptials in New Orleans in March. When Wedding Paper Divas approached Sapphire Events with the opportunity to collaborate on a shoot, Catherine Guidry jumped at the chance to be the photographer and knew she had to use this opportunity to document Courtney and Ashley’s love story.

The partnership of Sapphire Events, Catherine Guidry, Wedding Paper Divas, and Kate McDonald accented by the love and commitment of Ashley and Courtney, created a truly one of a kind wedding inspiration shoot.

Peruse more New Orleans weddings + inspiration here!

Photography: Catherine Guidry Photography | Event Planning + Design: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Kim Starr Wise Floral Events | Wedding Dress: Kate McDonald Bridal | Cake: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas | Venue: Joel Event Catering | Bridal Boutique: Wedding Belles | Linen Rentals: I Do Linens | Rentals: Perrier Party Rentals

I fell in love with succulents awhile back and my affection hasn’t wavered despite the rest of the world catching on to their beauty, and these pretty plants, plus the moss table runner, the blush dress, and sweet treats galore (thanks to Melissa’s Fine Pastries) has me literally oohing and aahing over MARROW By Glass Jar Photography’s pics. Race + Religious is one of my all-time favorite venues and with a wedding like this one, it truly shines. All the goodies are in our VAULT so enough talk, time to dive in!

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From MARROW By Glass Jar Photography… A timelessly classic and romantic fall wedding in New Orleans at Race & Religious, loads of details, moss and rustic touches throughout the florals, a blush wedding gown, and groom in a blue suit. Not to mention a pizza truck and sno-cone reception!!

From the Bride… My husband and I have been to and in our fair share of weddings, so we knew that when we planned our own, we wanted it to be something we’d never seen before. Which made deciding on Race & Religious as our venue a no-brainer. The property is very romantic and ethereal, so we really wanted our wedding day to embrace that quality while still reflecting who we are as a couple. And I absolutely think we succeeded in making that happen with the help of Mint Julep Productions!

Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ has always been a favorite of mine and something about the Race & Religious house felt like the perfect place to bring that overgrown, enchanted forest to life. Our florist and lighting vendors did an incredible job creating lush backdrops and natural tablescapes to reflect that theme. It’s such a relief to be able to tell someone that you have a vision and let them bring it to life.

When it came to the food, we wanted it to be delicious and unforgettable, so a food truck made total sense. The fact that pizza is essentially it’s own food group in our home put St. Clair Wood Fire Pizza at the top of the list and I couldn’t have been happier with our choice. The dessert table was where we had the most fun. Greg and I both have a serious sweet tooth, so we didn’t want to just choose one cake. We wanted it all! The tradition of cutting a cake was important but having all of our favorite flavors on the dessert table was paramount. And that includes the delicious Louisiana sno-balls at the end of the night. What’s better than a boozy sno-ball?

Outside of what we wanted the day to look like, we knew what we wanted the whole experience to feel like. I think everyone has been to weddings where you spend two minutes with the bride and groom and then you never see them again. That is just the nature of a wedding day. It goes by in a flash! We wanted to do our best to spend time with everyone, so getting married on a holiday weekend was key for us. We spent the whole weekend with our family and friends, and that made all the difference in the world to us. From having my bachelorette on Friday night, meeting up with everyone on Saturday, to our wedding on Sunday – Greg and I both felt incredibly loved and got the chance to love on the best people we know. I couldn’t ask for more.

Peruse more Southeast weddings here!

Photography: Glass Jar Photography | Coordination: Mint Julep Productions | Floral Design: Poppy and Mint | Catering: St. Clair Wood Fired Pizza Truck | Catering: Imperial Woodpecker Snowballs | Catering: Melissa's Fine Pastries | Hair + Makeup: Wink Eyelash Bar Makeup Studio | Lighting: Firefly Ambiance | DJ: Aaron Lane Pro DJ Entertainment | Venue: Race And Religious

I’ve never been to New Orleans, but I have a feeling I would love the Big Easy, especially if this glam wedding is any indication. In the heart of the French Quarter, old world romance met Manhattan glamour with Greer Gattuso Photography behind the lens, a cake flown in from the one and only Sylvia Weinstock and Sapphire Events to plan it all. See every detail of this stunning fête in THE VAULT!

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From Sapphire Events….Adrianna and Glen wanted to host an elegant affair in New Orleans for their fall wedding and they chose the ever stunning, Latrobe’s on Royal for their nuptials. Bringing in glamorous floral arrangements and linens in shades of purples, they truly compliments this historic building in the heart of the French Quarter.

The couple originally met when the bride was working at 1OAK in Manhattan. Considering this was such a huge part of their love story, they wanted to incorporate this into their design and had her left over business cards hand calligraphed as the escort cards.

Another amazing detail for this wedding was the cake, designed and created by the incredible Sylvia Weinstock. Weinstock is a personal friend of the family’s and wanted to gift the newlyweds with a cake, which was created in New York and shipped on a plane to New Orleans just for this special occasion.

After a seated dinner in The Grand Banking Room at Latrobe’s the guests moved into the covered courtyard where DJ Chachi, the couple’s favorite DJ in New York, played the best dance music until the end of the night.

Photography: Greer Gattuso | Cinematography: Harmonic Films | Event Planning & Design: Sapphire Events | Floral Design: Bella Blooms | Cake: Sylvia Weinstock | Hair: Nicole Pigeon | DJ: DJ Chachi | String Quartet: Pan String Quartet | Transportation: American Luxury | Transportation: Alert Transportation | Hotel: Windsor Court Hotel | Venue: Latrobe's on Royal | Second Line Band: Kinfolk Brass Band