Bayou Wedding: Sometimes, dreams do come true - a fairytale wedding

Romantic and royal wedding on the bayous of Louisiana!

Many ladies dream of their weddings. Many dream of the princess fairytale and wonder if it's possible. Really, what girl doesn't want to be a princess (there are some, but many want it all)? They want to wear big poofy dresses and play with flowers and eat divine cake. So many ladies have this dream, but living in South Louisiana they wonder if it's possible. 

So when Jessica with New Orleans Weddings Magazine approached me with the idea of a bayou wedding, I could not turn it down! A great collaboration between some awesome vendors and models and it went oh so perfectly at Palmettos on the Bayou. This shoot was to die for fun and gorgeous! 

Palmettos on the Bayou offered so many options for the perfect Bayou wedding! (You can see our inspirations on Pinterest - think Princess and the Frog!) I knew what I wanted....to enhance the setting, not cover it up....to dress it up to make it fit for our royal event. 

This shoot included bridals, a ceremony, couple's time, reception ideas, and so much romantic lighting we simply fell in LOVE! 

 

Design and Coordination by It's Your Time Events, Erin St Pierre England

Stationery suite by Terez with Exquisite Events

Photography by Arte de Vie, CheyAnne and Doug

Videography by Dyle Films, Chad Dyle

Venue, Palmettos on the Bayou in Slidell, LA

Rentals: Event Rentals and Royal Event Rental

Candle Decor & Lighting: Firefly Ambiance

Florals: Grow with Us

Dresses/Fashion: Bustles and Bows Bridal Boutique, Fluente Designs, Ladies & Gents Formal Wear, Meyer the Hatter, Olivier Couture, Southern Bridal Boutique, MaeMe

Hair Stylist: Stacy Alugas for Blossom Salon

Make Up: Dee Rousan for Faces of Virtue

Bakery: Mad Batter Bakery

Models: Kaitlyn Morris & Jarrel Bowens

First published in New Orleans Weddings Magazine, Sept/Oct 2014

New Orleans Wedding: Here's to the joining of two people & their cultures: Emily & Gene

It feels like ages ago that I met Emily and Gene, but it was really just last Spring. We met early in the planning process so they were truly one of my first couples to help or be there throughout the entire planning process.  As we got closer, we became friends on Facebook and come to find out we know people in common! It's such a small world! I met their very good friend Erin Dunn while I was living in DC. They've known Erin Dunn forever. Putting these pieces together only made it easier to see who Gene and Emily really are, fabulously fun and well educated and culturally literate and just downright good people. 

And it was so refreshing and neat to see how much interest Gene took. He was so sweet and just wanted things right for his bride Emily. These two were truly meant for each other and I am so blessed to have met them and have been a part of their big day. 

Emily and Gene went to Loyola University and so it was only fitting they get married at Holy Name of Jesus. It is truly a gorgeous church with great people working there (Liz the wedding coordinator is extremely helpful and so caring!). Emily was married in her great aunt's dress which she had altered to fit her and her style. It was previously worn by two of her aunts. Love this!

Their reception was at Southport Hall where they also had their Rehearsal Dinner. la Cocinita the food truck catered it and the food and atmosphere were great! For the reception, Southport provided most of the delicious food, but instead of doing a traditional cake cutting, Gene and Emily cut a pig in honor of his Cuban ancestry. Have you ever seen this done? It's pretty cool!

Saturday, for the wedding Glowing Occasions and Ambrose Garden turned the Hall into a reception and not just a concert hall. Emily and Gene brought in a brass band to round out the fabulous party night. They danced and second lined for over an hour and onto their rented school buses (Gene is a teacher so it was only fitting!).

 

While I used to cringe at the thought of people using family or friends as their vendors, it's worked out so perfectly for several of my couples. Gene and Emily's photographer is his cousin which made it all that more personal. Her and her husband were great to work with for this wedding! 

Here's a snapshot of part our team - Rebecca! She's great!

Coordination: It's Your Time Events, LLC 
Church Ceremony: Holy Name of Jesus
Reception: Southport Hall
Photography: Wings of Time Photography
Second Line Brass Band: Big Fun Brass Band
Cake/Petifors: Swiss Confectionery
DJ: On Fire Entertainment
Bride lodging: Audubon Bed and Breakfast
Pig: Boucherie 
Photobooth: Mystic Photobooth
Food Truck at Reception: La Cocinita