Wedding Date: April 14, 2018
Bridal Prep: Bayou Haven
Ceremony Location: St. Genevieve
Reception Location: Palmetto’s
Bakery: Zoe’s Bakery
Video: Tone Production
Entertainment: Omega Sound
Brides Dress: Stella York
Bridal Salon: Town and Country
Tuxedos: Men’s Warehouse
Florist: Petals and Stems
Live Painter: Corrine Johnson
Candles/Lighting: Decor on a Dime
Hair: Flawless Bride
Makeup: Flawless Bride

How did you meet?
We met working at a summer camp in high school!

How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
Michael proposed on my birthday at a park we used to go to when we first started dating. He made a little picnic and then proposed as we were leaving. We’d been together for almost 8 years so I knew it should be happening in the near future but did not expect it to be that day!

Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
St. Genevieve Church in Slidell, LA. I grew up going to church there with my family and always knew that is where I would want to get married one day.

Where was your Reception held and why did you pick this site?
Palmettos on the Bayou in Slidell, LA. The food at Palmettos is amazing and we loved the deck overlooking the bayou with the beautiful lights. We also got engaged at Heritage Park which is right next to Palmettos!

What unique or special things did you do at the reception? 
My cousin who is a painter did a live wedding painting at the reception! We second lined around Palmettos at the end of the night.

Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Our first look and reading our letters to one another 🙂

Did it really go by as quickly as everyone says?
It went by so fast! 🙁

From the Bride – When you first saw the groom, what were you thinking/feeling?
“Don’t cry.”

From the groom – When you first saw the bride, what were you thinking/feeling?
I felt excited. I thought that I was the luckiest man on the planet.

Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
Zoe’s Bakery-Strawberry Cream & Almond Amaretto. So good! Trying not to eat the top layer before our anniversary.

Did you do a first look? If so how did you feel about it? If not, do you wish you had?
Yes! We weren’t originally planning on it but glad we ended up doing one. It was nice to have some one on one time before the craziness of the wedding day started! It also let us get rid of some pre-wedding jitters.

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?
My mom and I planned everything ourselves but Brittany at Palmettos was very helpful in the planning process. Stay organized with checklists so you don’t forget little details! Also, get as much done early so you don’t feel as overwhelmed closer to the day.

Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
DJ! David with Omega was amazing and kept our dance floor full all night

We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
Don’t sweat the small details because at the end of the day, things are going to work out how they were supposed to and you’re still married to your best friend. And when people offer to help, take it!!