Becoming Brennan: Michelle & Sean

Michelle & Sean are married! They came to me through another client, one of my very first clients, Ms. Pam, of Amanda and Aimee :) Yup, my Houma people are going strong! I have fallen so in love with all of them and Houma that I've seriously considered moving down there! The people are just so nice!!!

Back to Michelle & Sean!

While Michelle was defintely a part of the planning process, it was Mrs. Shelly who worked really hard to give her only daughter a wedding anyone would dream of!

Mrs. Shelly contacted me even before Michelle was engaged (not sure if Michelle knew that :) She was truly on a roll! Mrs. Shelly took the reigns and I helped steer her through the New Orleans wedding planning process. And Michelle, all she wanted was for it to be pretty.

It was definitely a busy year for the May family. They're huge LSU fans which means they travel to both football and baseball games. They run their own business. And their only daughter was getting married, IN NEW ORLEANS! We needed a hotel and church and reception and transportation and we needed it to be "pretty." Of course Mrs. Shelly wanted help; she's from down south! You know, closer to the Bayou :)

I so enjoyed spending time with these ladies and planning this wedding! Both of them are smart, funny and completely successful! And on top of it, they'd chosen the lovely Catherine Guidry for photography which meant I was surrounded by some of the warmest, friendliest people we're going to find in the state! One of my favorite memories from the planning process was spending the day with all three ladies for Michelle's bridals. It was here where I learned Michelle likes to act like she is not photogenic, but I'm pretty sure between Mrs. Shelly, Catherine Guidry, Sean (her now husband), and many others, we would all beg to differ. Michelle May is beautiful inside and out!

Her mom definitely accomplished that goal! It was truly a wonderful day and night!

 

Of course to our vendors, thank you all so much! And to Ms. Shelly and family, thank you for being so open with me and for being so absolutely wonderful! You are all truly beautiful!

Coordinator: Erin with It’s Your Time Events 

Photographer: Catherine Guidry Photography 

Videographer: Randy Diddly Studios

Cake: Bittersweet Confections 

Photobooth: Boogie Booth 

Flowers & Decor & Candles: Bella Blooms Floral 

Drape: Event Rentals

Chandelier: Firefly Ambiance

Lounge Area: Fleur de Lis Rentals

Transportation: Big Easy Limos 

Lodging: Windsor Court 

Ceremony Music: Vincent Woolf 

Reception: The Chicory 

Reception Music: MoJEAUX Band 

Second Line Band: Red Hot Brass Band 

Bride's Dress from Wedding Belles & the Stationer

Seeing things from a different perspective and learning from others

This post is long overdue.

When I started It's Your Time Events, I made a decision (and personal goal) to work with and learn from as many vendors as I possible so I could learn as much as possible. Knowing what vendors need and want can only help in making sure all of my events go smoothly from beginning to end, and ensures both my clients and the vendors I work with are happy in the end.

The first wedding I got to see from a different perspective was with Studio Vieux Carre for a wedding planned by Jennie Keller - Weddings in the City by Jennie Keller. Terry asked me to help in getting from one location to the other and with miscellaneous items along the way. It was a big night because they were a "same day edit."

Because it was a same day edit, Studio Vieux Carre worked like a well oiled machine that night. The week before Terry sent out a timeline with details outlining where we were all supposed to be and what we were all doing. I was supposed to get Terry from location to location (on time). I was a little nervous because I was working with THE Studio Vieux Carre and THE Terry Taravella! And I was also a little nervous because I knew this was a big event when Terry told me it was taking place at Club XLIV in Champion Square! 

We started by leaving the Hyatt and heading to Immaculate Conception. Turns out, there was a monster truck show that night too (so glad I was a little early and saw Jennie outside so I could park in front of the Hyatt). Lesson learned: know the other events happening around your locations so you can plan accordingly. The streets were a MESS that night! But Jennie handled the limos and parking spectacularly and I was able to get out and to Immaculate Conception on time and ready to support Terry and team!

We left Immaculate for Champion Square where I basically dropped Terry off in the street because of how busy the street were that night. I ran to catch up and right into the Second Line into the square! It was truly a sight to behold!  (you can see more of the reception sites on Brandon O'Neal Photography Blog)

I caught up with Terry and team and had one mission: gather cards for Joe to download and begin editing. Joe, Terry, Jeana, and Gary started the "event" by shooting the bride and groom getting ready, moving to the ceremony and then continuing onto the reception. During the reception, they continued to shoot while simultaneously one of them began downloading and editing. At this point, for a same day edit and for the Studio Vieux Carre team, it's important for the editor to be able to focus on the editing and not shooting. It's important for the editor to be able to focus. So I did what I could by running back and forth for Terry, Jeana and Gary and getting Joe drinks occasionally. It wasn't much but they said they appreciated it so I'll take that :)

Watching them, as a part of the videography team, I was able to see the videographer and photographer blend in with the crowd and how they are dedicated to capturing everything from big moments to the smallest of details. I was also able to see how they move with their audience and clients. (I especially loved how Brandon, the photographer, moved with people while they were dancing. He didn't ask them to stop or hold that pose. He moved with them...rocking back and forth.) It was seamless.

Being a part of this team showed me how all the pieces come together for one ultimate goal - the happiness of the client. Jennie Keller was the leader, or maestro, who took the lead, answered questions, and made sure participants, photographers, videographers, and behind the scenes vendors all knew what was going on and when it would happen so they could do what they needed to do. And Studio Vieux Carre's "same day edit" was their solo which they executed flawlessly. There were so many pieces and parts moving. All of these vendors worked together to make sure Emily and Ron were happy in the end. And I was honored to be there for it and to help in any way possible! Thank you Studio Vieux Carre!