Married: July 28, 2018
Videographer: inDEPTH Media
Band/DJ: Karma
Coordinator: Rebecca O’Meara
Florist: Beth’s Flowers
Bakery: Marguerite’s Cakes
Hair: Dorothy with Salon M
Makeup: Makeup by Meggan
Brides Gown Designer: Martina Liana
Bridal Boutique:  Town & Country
Tuxedo Store: Mr. John’s
Stationary: Name It Personalized Invitations and Gifts
Live Painter: Denise Hopkins Fine Art

How did you meet?
Kris and I both went to LSU. We met in Baton Rouge at Fred’s Bar and Grill in Tigerland, where Kris was a bartender. It was funny because we had many mutual friends but had never met before. On my first night ever going to Fred’s, Kris was working. Some of our mutual friends were with me, and Kris and I both expressed interest in each other to our friends. Kris even jokingly told one of our friends, “I’m going to marry that girl one day.” Little did he know, fast forward 5 years and here we are!

How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
Our proposal was actually on my birthday and Running of the Bulls. Kris works for a local beer distributor. He told me that he needed to drop off a tap handle by Jax Bar (by the Riverfront) before we headed out to meet our friends for Running of the Bulls. This was very early in the morning (around 7 AM), so this didn’t even phase me. As we were walking around to the back by the river, I was joking with him and his sister before seeing a table with balloons and a cake. Then, I noticed a bottle of champagne, which was when I began getting suspicious of something about to happen besides just celebrating my birthday. At this time, my family members and best childhood friends slowly began coming out from hiding. Then, Kris got down on one knee and proposed and of course I said yes! Then, we went on to meet the rest of our family and friends to celebrate not only my birthday at Running of the Bulls, but also our new engagement! It was absolutely perfect!

Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
The wedding ceremony was held at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church. This church was one one of the few things that I knew that I wanted for our wedding before beginning to plan. This has been my favorite church since I was a young girl. My parents were also married in the Jesuit Chapel of North American Martyrs so I loved that there was also a connection to their wedding day.

Where was your Reception held and why did you pick this site?
Federal Ballroom. Not only was this venue extremely beautiful and a very convenient location from our church, Rebecca O’Meara their event coordinator was absolutely amazing. From the first day that we met her at the venue, she set the bar extremely high. She helped to make the night the wedding of our dreams. Everything was absolutely perfect!

What unique or special things did you do at the reception?
We had a few special things at our reception. We had champagne outside of the church for the walk to the reception, LSU’s Mike the Tiger, Denise Hopkins as our live painter, a 2nd line, and Chick-Fil-A at the exit to end the night.

Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
There were so many it’s hard to choose! One would have to be our entrance into our reception. Kris and I both went to LSU and are big LSU fans. When we exited the elevator into the reception to see all of family and friends for the first time as husband and wife, LSU’s Pregame was playing and Mike the Tiger was there. At first we were confused because this was supposed to be later in the night. When we made it to the dance floor, we looked up to see my brother and his friends were the one’s playing Pregame for us. I was an LSU cheerleader and my brother and his friends were in LSU’s Golden Band from Tigerland. So, this was such a special surprise for Kris and I!

Did it really go by as quickly as everyone says?
YES!

Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
Marguerite’s Bakery. Our wedding cake was New Orleans’ traditional almond cake with fresh strawberries and cream cheese/buttercream icing. Kris’ groom’s cake was chocolate with chocolate ganache. Both were delicious!

Did you have a coordinator or did you plan everything yourself? If you didn’t have a coordinator any advice for brides planning their own wedding?
We did not have a wedding coordinator, my mom and I planned everything together! This was a very special time that meant so much to both of us and we loved it! We couldn’t have done it without Rebecca the event coordinator from the Federal Ballroom though. She helped make everything go so smoothly.

What was your first dance song? Why this song?
Amazed by Lonestar. While Kris was serenading me to this song one night, he also told me “I love you” for the first time.

Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
Band! We had the band Karma and they were absolutely amazing! They had everyone on their feet dancing the whole night!

We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
Make everything about the day for you and your soon to be husband! Don’t choose things based off what others want, this is your special day and should depict you. Don’t sweat over the small things, everything will be perfect no matter what, if you focus on the real point of the day. And most importantly, enjoy the day and take everything in because it will fly by!