A Royal Nola Wedding
Lisa and Tony just celebrated their one year wedding anniversary; and, this has me all nostalgic thinking back to their momentous wedding day and all of the planning that went into it to make it happen...
There is so much to say about Lisa and her fabulous husband Tony. Lisa is a natural performer and when she walks into a room, let me tell you, she owns it, she lights it up... And, Tony, well he is a member of the Rolling Elvi – what could be cooler than that! And, when Lisa walks into a room, Tony lights up. As you will see in the pictures below, their love shines right through every image.
Lisa and I went on quite a journey planning her fabulously glamorous wedding at the Saint Louis Cathedral and Harrah’s Hotel Vieux Carre Ballroom. A journey that began with her father’s wish that Lisa and Tony get married in the Saint Louis Cathedral. And, even though he was not there on her wedding day, he was ever-present through every special moment, laugh, and tear.
Lisa’s vision for her wedding was glitz, glamour, purple, and gold. She had two rules (and one sub-rule). Rule one – no white. Rule two – no silver. The sub-rule (even though they are Tiger fans), please don’t let the purple and gold read “LSU Wedding.” Lisa and I met many times to create her dream wedding. Many times we had to go back to the drawing board, when a linen turned out to be the wrong shade of purple or rental items weren’t available. In the end, we found the perfect shade of purple linen, we found the perfect rentals from Royal Event Rental, and we customized and created the rest. We fashioned Lisa and Tony’s ceremony programs and place cards for their rehearsal dinner, created sparkly sheer overlays for the cocktail tables, searched high and low for gold crown centerpieces, and personally embellished 160 votive candles with shimmering tulle and rhinestone trim. And, the custom-made beaded gold lace overlay for the wedding cake table was oh so exquisite!
The day began with Lisa, her bridesmaids, and her family getting ready at Harrah’s Hotel – in their super-cute Satchmo room! It was outfitted with special lighted mirrors and lounge furniture – perfect for such a dazzling bride and her entourage. A carriage took Lisa to meet her groom for their dramatic first look. Lisa knew the exact location to stage their first look – the place where they first met – at the Desire Bar, in the Royal Sonesta Hotel at the corner of Bienville and Bourbon. Now, unfortunately, the Desire Bar happened to be closed for renovations at the time of her wedding; but, that little detail did not ruin this moment. First, I had to make friends with some very colorful individuals, whom I enlisted to help stop traffic so that this moment could be captured on film by the incredibly talented Jose L. Garcia. Then, Tony walked down Bourbon toward the blinking Desire sign, while Lisa walked down Bienville toward that same all important blinking light. Slowly they walked in perfect time and magically they met – right at the corner, under the Desire sign, the exact spot where they met. It truly was a magical moment!
After the First Look, Lisa and her mom were whisked away via carriage. The bride and her mom took a turn around the Vieux Carre waiving to the passersby as they cheered her on. Lisa told me she felt like the queen of New Orleans and as she arrived at the Saint Louis Cathedral, which is the only proper description for this grand entrance! It was a royal breath-taking moment... The ceremony was followed by a Nola tradition – the second-line. The newlyweds led their wedding party, family, and guests past Jackson Square and down the middle of Decatur Street. But, this was no ordinary second-line – the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians joined the revelry in full pomp and regalia.
The revelry continued at Harrah’s Hotel Vieux Carre Ballroom with Dat Band rocking it out. Lisa and Tony’s first dance, “Sunday Kind of Love,” was sung by a good friend and I can still feel the love that filled the room… Purple and champagne linens were complimented by glimmering tulle overlays, gold and crystal embellished votive candles, and Royal Event Rentals’ gilded candelabras. Sentimental, personal details were throughout from the wedding cake table, groom’s cake, and favors, to the table of family photos. And, where there was sentiment there was Love – which just so happened to be the Mr. and Mrs.’s last name - Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Lisa Love!
To round out the celebration, Mr. and Mrs. Love led yet another second-line through Harrah’s Hotel to the casino where the party continued. It was a royal day indeed – a regal day where Love reigned! Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Lisa Love!
