Brooke & Matt’s wedding is one of those that had so many personal details, I don’t even know where to begin!  Every single thing from the dressed candles made by her friend to the macrame she had made from a design she created, was personal & meaningful in some way.

Their wedding day started with torrential rain & several inches of standing water in the courtyard which unfortunately, did effect some of the plans & decor for the day.  However, all of the phenomenal vendors we had on board for their wedding pulled together to make everything beautiful & then just before the ceremony was set to begin, the rain finally let up into a drizzle.

As guests entered, they were greeted by a welcome bar featuring purple shots as well as gorgeous jello shots with blackberries on top.  They entered the courtyard & began to mingle as buskers played music & passed hors d’oeuvres made the rounds.  Suddenly, all the lights went out & the balconies & bridge overhead were lit with purple lights.   Music began, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” and as Prince continued on, the bridal party began to file out onto the balconies on each side of the bridge overhead.  Then as the bride, groom & her son made their entrance out into the middle of the bridge, purple smoke bombs were off & a spotlight hit them.  They danced as they threw custom Mardi Gras beads down to the partying guests below and when the song finished, guests moved to the front courtyard where a drum line escorted the bridal party down the mud cloth aisle runner for the ceremony.  Following the ceremony, guests joined them in a blessing from the Virgin Mary.

Guests then partied the night away with a Boomerang green screen photo booth, props for a karaoke hour with the live band and tarot and palm reading! Brooke & Matt served nods to New Orleans such as gumbo alongside favorite foods of theirs, some reminiscent of their travels, including a poutine station and grilled cheese station which featured a collard green and muenster cheese option.

In addition to a full bar, shot bar and specialty cocktail bar, guests also had the option of making a selection in the apothecary bar where small vials of “potions” were available to drink or mix for a color changing effect.

Guests were then treated to dessert which consisted of a table of completely edible magical elements to complement their cake such as rune macaroons, tarot brownies, edible smudge sticks, herbal sage tarts, and mousse.

As the reception came to a close, guests were given personalized wristbands for the after party and hangover kits, which everyone surely appreciated the next day! A second line band surprised the guests and led them onto waiting streetcars to take them to Frenchmen Street, which is considered by many to be the “Bourbon Street for locals” and just had two Mardi Gras parades pass down it. The second line and drumline led guests off the street cars and through the packed streets for an unforgettable second line complete with Grand Marshall and Mardi Gras Indians.

By the time guests got to the after party being held in an upstairs private balcony overlooking a live band below at one of the most popular spots on Frenchmen Street, they had a following of non-wedding guests who had joined in the second line in typical New Orleans fashion.

The invitations from this wedding were featured on Brides and a full feature was run on Wedding Chicks blog & it’s easy to see why!