First Look Weddings, Weddings by Beebe

Panda King Wedding Photographer | Gabrielle & John Paul

Thank you so much for being helpful and patient. We had such an enjoyable experience working with you guys.

Married: May 21, 2022
Bridal Prep: Hilton Hotel, St. Charles Ave
Ceremony: St. Andrew Catholic Church
Reception: Panda King
Band: DJ Pat Black
Makeup: Lillian Luxe
Hair: Loan Tran
Coordinator: Loan Tran

How did you meet?
We met at university through a mutual friend group playing video games. We eventually started dating and going out to play competitively around Louisiana and occasionally out of state.
Include a little bit about yourselves. What do you do?
I love hip hop dancing, weight lifting, and reading manga. I’m generally a very active person and can’t sit around long enough. As a job, I’m a financial planning assistant. -Gabby

I’m a bit of a nerd. I love playing games like Dungeons & Dragons or competing in platform/fighting games such as Street Fighter and Super Smash Bros. I work as an IT representative.
what is your favorite thing about each other? Share a personal story.
My favorite thing aboutĀ GabrielleĀ is her passion and drive for improvement. She has many achievements of her own, but being successful doesn’t stop after a few times. She will always look for a way to improve her day-to-day life and work; rarely staying content for too long.

My favorite thing about JP is that he’s really kind and compassionate. I’ve never met someone who has so much patience amd empathy for another. It’s easy to fall in love with someone who genuinely sees me and everyone else as an equal.
How did the proposal go? Who proposed to who, were you surprised?
JP got home way earlier than me and hid in the house like he was playing Assassin’s Creed for almost two hours trying to avoid me. I came home thinking I was by myself just catching up on changing clothes and eating late lunch. Eventually, I heard the shower running and got spooked, so I went to the bathroom and turned it off. I tried to make an excuse thinking maybe it was the cats and not a ghost.

I eventually decided it was time for me to use the toilet and browsed my phone, oblivious to JP peeking at me through our bathroom’s walk-in closet. After 15 minutes, I then decided it was time for me to finish and wash my hands. When I washed my hands and looked down, that’s when I hear an aggressive “HEY” and screamed turning around to see JP on his knees with the ring. Anyways, I almost pissed myself when he proposed.
Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Dancing. Also I finally got my dream after pestering my spouse to let me play Tokyo Drift as our entrance after 5 years. I needed to show everyone the power of my cringe.-Gabby
Did it really go by as quickly as everyone says?
It does if you party hard.
From the Bride – When you first saw the groom, what were you thinking/feeling?
He’s so hot. Lmfao
From the groom – When you first saw the bride, what were you thinking/feeling?
I couldn’t believe it. She looked so beautiful and so powerful, like royalty. It made me wonder what I did to deserve someone so incredible.
Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? Was it delicious?!
Juju was my baker and we chose the pandan and almond flavor cake with coconut cream. Everyone said it was delicious.
Did you do a first look? If so how did you feel about it? If not, do you wish you had?
Nope, and I’m okay with not doing one. I got to enjoy picking out my dress and having my spouse hype me up during the process.
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 aunt was my wedding coordinator and she killed it. Couldn’t have asked for someone better. Definitely recommend one if you’re not too into planning weddings.
What was your first dance song? Why this song?
Love Like You – Rebecca Sugar
We just loved Steven Universe and adored the opening. The wording really showed how we thought of each other a lot and wantingto be good for the other person but not feeling like we’re enough sometimes. It’s wholesome to us.
Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
ABSOLUTELY. DJ PAT WAS AWESOME.
We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
Don’t get caught up in the shallowness of trying to impress other people with a large bridal party. Enjoy being with your future spouse in all intimate aspects of the wedding. You’ll remember your forever best friend more than the ones that’ll drift apart.

The friends that are there for you and would’ve been in your bridal party should you choose to have them WILL show up and WILL help if they WANTED to and not because they felt OBLIGATED to. I still had tons of hands-on deck from our closest friends and family.