Married: September 7, 2018

Prep Location: Omni Royal Hotel
Ceremony: Rayne Methodist Church
Reception: Omni Royal Hotel

Videographer: Tres Bien
Band/DJ: Mixed Nuts
Florist: Herbivore Floral Designs
Bakery: Haydels
Bridal Boutique:  Town & Country

How did you meet?
We actually grew up in the same town and went to the same high school. However, we did not officially meet until we were both in our hometown summer of 2012. James was back at home visiting family after finishing his sophomore year at the University of Georgia and I had just graduated high school about to head to Ole Miss to start college. We had some mutual friends hanging out together and we hit it off. We spent to rest of the summer together and here we are 6 years later.

Include a little bit about yourselves. What do you do?
James is a lawyer and I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. We currently live in New Orleans. We love traveling, trying new restaurants and exploring New Orleans.

How did the proposal go? Give us all the romantic details!
James and I were on a trip with my sister and her husband in May 2017. We were going to 3 different places in Italy & Croatia. James proposed at our 2nd destination in Ravello, Italy. (I still don’t know how he waited that long haha). At the beginning of our trip, I momentarily thought this could be when we get engaged, but I quickly dismissed the idea because James was way too calm.
Our first night in Ravello, we were getting ready to go to dinner at the hotel. My sister called and said she was running behind getting ready. James and I went to get a drink by the restaurant to wait on them. While we were having drinks, the hotel manager asked if we wanted a tour of the gardens. As we were walking around the gardens, James proposed overlooking the Amalfi Coast. My sister and her husband came out shortly and we all celebrated. James had worked with the manager to set it all up months before 🙂 I was very surprised and it all felt like a dream!

Where was your ceremony held and why did you pick this site?
Our ceremony was at Rayne United Methodist Church. I grew up in a Methodist church and Rayne was absolutely beautiful!

Where was your Reception held and why did you pick this site?
Our reception was at the Omni Royal Orleans (Royal Garden Terrace). I picked this site because it had a classic New Orleans feel and the most amazing courtyard!

What unique or special things did you do at the reception? 
2nd line, memory table, mercury glass vases from my sister’s wedding, toasting flutes from my parent’s wedding, Mardi Gras beads and passed beignets toward the end of reception.

Pick one moment in the day that was your favorite thing?
Walking through the church doors with my dad and seeing James at the Alter.

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

What was the inspiration behind picking the color palette and decor that you picked?
I love neutral colors. Ivory and green are very simple yet elegant.

Who was your baker, what was the flavor of your cake? 
Haydel’s Bakery made our wedding cake. It was AMAZING! We had an almond cake covered with almond buttercream. We had 3 different fillings: Chocolate, pecan praline & lemon. I had an entire piece during the reception.

Did you do a first look? If so how did you feel about it? If not, do you wish you had?
Yes. We loved our first look. It was the perfect way to put some of the nerves at ease and talk about how excited we were that our wedding day was finally here.

Did you have a coordinator or did you plan everything yourself? 
I did not have a coordinator. My mom, sister and now sister-in-law helped so much during the planning process. I could not have done it without them! Advice: be organized and set aside time during the week to plan.

What was your first dance song? Why this song?
Unchained Melody by Righteous Brothers. It’s a classic love song.

Band or DJ? Did they rock it?
Band. The Mixed Nuts rocked it! We danced all night.

We want to hear YOUR advice for future brides.
Everything will fall into place and your wedding day will be amazing!

Anything else you want to say?
Studio Tran rocked it! They were so great to work with!