WEDDING WEEKEND MINIMONY IN NOLA

NOW WEDDINGS STYLE

Multi-day weddings have been common for thousands of years and I thought, why aren’t more local couples doing that here? For this editorial, I wanted to show how you can plan an intimate wedding weekend experience with your nearest and dearest in our beautiful city and embrace our culture and nuances. It’s more important than ever to “support local” and “support small business” so we called in some of our favorite local and small businesses to inspire you. - Rena Sweeney, Alchemy Events

CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHY: Images by Robert T

VENUE: Jazz Quarters

CREATIVE DIRECTION: Alchemy Events

VIDEO: Jessica The Photographer

FLORALS: Berry Blossom Flowers

CUISINE: Pigeon Catering & Events

HAIR + MAKEUP: Ann Marie White, Dazzle Doll Salon + Glam Bar

PERFUME: Bourbon French Parfums

NAILS: Passport PolishD

ECOR RENTALS: ELEMENT

INVITATIONS: Upscales Custom Collection

FASHION: Honeybee Bride | MaeMe The Bridal Boutique |Pearl’s Place

PHOTO BOOTH: Gift Horst Tintypes

OFFICIANT: Kevin J. Centanni, Judge, 6th Justice of the Peace Court

MERINGUE FAVORS: Lord of Meringues

MODELS: Dayna Dufrene + Hanna Wehbe

“I believe that individuals should embrace their personal fashion sense for their wedding day attire. Couples don’t have to ‘match’ nor should they feel compelled to conform to any fashion expectations. Pant suits can be sexy and a bride can absolutely wear black for her wedding!” - Rena Sweeney, Alchemy Events

Here Dayna is wearing a sexy three-piece black pant suit ensemble and Hanna is wearing a modern ivory Mikado fit and flare wedding gown with notch neckline from MaeMe The Bridal Boutique. The tulle overshirt is detachable and adds an extra touch of glamour to her look. Both brides have a soft, natural look by Ann Marie White of Dazzle Doll Salon & Glam Bar for the wedding ceremony.

Dayna’s bouquet includes dried pampas grass, bleached Italian Ruscus, Nigella Pods and Hanna’s incorporates white tulips, ranunculus, white astrantia, and blush scabiosa.

Start your wedding weekend off with a night out on the town and enjoy the music, food and “lassiez les bons temps rouler” vibes of New Orleans. Even with social distancing there are so many fun activities you can enjoy!

THIS PAGE: Comfort is queen, and looking good is a must! Fortunately, you *can* have both. Here, Dayna is wearing the Rooney Pant Jumpsuit, a black and gold animal print-inspired look from Honeybee Bride. Hanna is wearing a buttercream Lace A-line Midi Dress, also from Honeybee Bride that features a plunging neckline and lace overlay. They’re carrying coordinating So Extra Bride handbags from Honeybee Bride in silver and gold respectively.

INVITATION SUITE: Upscales Custom Collection’s Suede Rose Invitation Suite will set the tone for a luxurious wedding weekend event.

PERFUMES: Scent is one of the most powerful memory creators. While you’re in New Orleans, visit Bourbon French Parfums for a custom blending session and relive your wedding weekend experience every time you wear your custom fragrance.

ABOUT JAZZ QUARTERS: Located in Faubourg Tremé, steps from the historic French Quarter and the revitalized Louis Armstrong Park, this “Creole Hotel” offers the best of all New Orleans travel: accommodations in iconic Creole cottages and suites, the modern amenities of a hotel, and the charm and upscale ambiance of a boutique inn. The cottages and suites are inspired by and named after local musicians and the central courtyard is the perfect spot to gather for an intimate wedding ceremony or brunch!

Judge K evin J. Centanni served as officiant for our candlelight ceremony. To set the scene for the intimate wedding ceremony, we brought in tufted black velvet chairs for guest seating, red velvet draping, and gold “Elsa” candle holders and glass and gold candlesticks from ELEMENT. Amy Marshall of Berry Blossom Flowers created an asymmetrical floral design incorporating Black Baccara roses and Lady Eva blush roses on Jazz Quarters’ existing pergola.

For the reception, Dayna and Hanna add lots of sparkle and a pop of color - red lipstick! - to their looks. Dayna is wearing a black sequin-embellished, V-neck formal gown from Pearl’s Place and Hanna is wearing a backless white lace wedding dress that she designed, with a ruched back, scalloped train and embroidered jewelled detailing.

THIS PAGE: Details, details, details! Lord of Meringues and Passport Polish coordinated the favors and nail colors for this mini moon wedding. Dayna’s nails feature Passport Polish’s Ayo Scott Collection and Hanna is wearing their Puerto Rico nail color with custom “love” embellishment. The matching meringue favors are in Dragonfruit and Violet flavors and perfectly match the nail designs.

...hot tub that is. Hanna and Dayna enjoy a bottle of bubbly in Jazz Quarters’ hot tub. It’s the perfect place to end the reception and enjoy the ambiance of this New Orleans courtyard. Hanna is wearing a satin white bodysuit with ruffled neckline of her own design and Dayna is rocking a black bikini with a black and gold body chain. Floating LED Pro Spheres from ELEMENT add to the party atmosphere.

by Pigéon Catering & Events Chef Geoffrey Rhode, Culinary Director Leah Berhanu, Director of Sales and Marketing Lauren Pigéon, Sales Manager

No wedding weekend in New Orleans would be complete without brunch! For this editorial, Pigeon Catering & Events prepared a decadent menu of sweet and savory NOLA brunch staples along with custom cocktails to go with!

Pigéon prepared this Burrata Board with an assortment of fresh and pickled toppings. This colorful board is served with ciabatta croutons and pairs perfectly with sparkling wine.

For those looking for the sweet side of brunch, Chef prepared Bananas Foster French Toast with toasted pecans and English Muffin French Toast, with layers of cream cheese and fresh berries, drizzled with raspberry compote. Enjoy both Kahlua Foam Iced Coffee.

On the savory side, Chef created an elevated version of shrimp and grits featuring a grit cake topped with jumbo tail-on shrimp and Creole Sauce Piquant.

Served in miniature cast iron pans, enjoy a frittata made with sweet potato, spinach and roasted tomatoes. Enjoy with a Green Tomato Bloody Mary.

Dayna is wearing Honeybee Bride’s Versailles wide leg, sleeveless jumpsuit with a bustier bodice and Hanna is wearing Honeybee Bride’s Euphoria Dress, a vanilla, lightweight v-neck dress with cap ruffle sleeves and center slit. Completing their looks are “Honeymoon” and “Wifey” crystal hair pins, exclusive designs for Honeybee Bride. Now that they’re “official,” Dayna swaps out her Bride handbag for a “Mrs” variation.

For something truly unique, consider bringing Gift Horst’s tuk-tuk photo booth to your wedding. You and your guests can pose in the velvet-draped mobile tintype studio. After your event, Gift Horst will create your custom metal print art portraits that will become treasured keepsakes for years.