How did you meet and how long have you been together?
We met in college through a class and then were reintroduced socially through mutual friends! That was four years ago, now.

New Orleans Fine Art Wedding

What were your highlights of the day? Were there any surprises?
The whole day felt like a highlight! Being from different places and attending college out of state means lots of our friends and family are spread across the country. It was a complete dream to all be together for the weekend, and knowing how supported and loved we are as we embark on this next journey with each other – there are just no words to describe it! Wait. The other highlight is definitely having the best band ever and spending the entire night sharing the dance floor with all of our guests.

What advice would you give to other couples planning their day?
Relax and enjoy the process of planning this celebration together. Don’t take the “wedding” things too seriously. All that matters in the long run is marrying your best friend with your loved ones there to celebrate with you!

New Orleans Photographer | The Chicory

Spring Wedding at The Chicory, New Orleans Louisiana

Ceremony + Reception Location | What made you decide to get married there?
I actually chose are ceremony location after our reception venue. We still looked at having the ceremony somewhere else, but in the end, we knew that sharing the location with the reception would make it so much easier on our guests. We wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable to show our appreciation for them taking the time to travel and be with us that night! I loved the exposed brick and wooden beams. It was exactly what I was looking for! Plus the Chicory made everything so easy. It was a one stop shop, and the food – that is probably what really sold us!

Vendors | New Orleans Photographer The Chicory

Videography – Unique Video Creations
Catering – The Chicory
Florist – Herbivore Floral Design
Wedding Cake – The Royal Cakery
Wedding Dress Designer – Lea-Ann Belter
Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Show Me Your Mumu
Getting Ready Attire – J. Crew
Wedding Shoes Designer – Kate Spade x Keds
Bride’s Hair Dresser – Ali Vasquez
Makeup Artist – Cat Vo
Groom & Groomsmen Apparel – Nic’s Toggery
Reception Music – Got Groove
Event Rentals – Luminous Events
Wedding favors – Naquin Apiary
Invitations / Stationary – VistaPrint

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New Orleans Wedding | The Roosevelt Hotel | Kaitlin + Christoper

Rural Life Engagement Session | Randi + Kirk | Baton Rouge

2018 Styled Shoot at Villa Barberino with Inspired Design Workshop!

“Marriage is a bond between a person who never remembers anniversaries and another who never forgets them.”

“Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:17

“I love being married. It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life”

INSPIRED DESIGN WORKSHOP | VILLA BARBERINO

VENDORS

Designer: Winner Circle Events
Photography: Tasha Rae Photography
Floral: Erin Steen Flowers
Beauty: Just Face It, LLC
Cake: Gambino’s Bakery
Stationery: Dulce Muse Designs
Bride: Angela Manzione
Groom: Alessandro Picchianti
Bridal Gown Shop + Styling: Seven Luxe Inc
Shoes: Michael Kors
Ring Box: Esselle SF
Linen: BBJ Linen
Venue: Villa Barberino
Event: Inspire Design Workshop
Production: Weddings by LuLu
Designer + Floral Jewelry: All RelEvents, Inc.
Floral Centerpiece: Chiara Sperti Floral Events
Stationery: Tiger Lily Invitations
Bride: Honey Anarkos Iheme
Groom: James Mbaye
Bridal Gown Shop + Styling: Seven LuxeInc
Charger Plates: Plate Occasions – Luxury Tabletop Styling & Rentals
DMC: From Italy with Love Weddings

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Magnolia Rouge Feature | Allison + Aaron Wedding | Il Mercato

Ruffled Blog | Styled Social | Il Mercato | Brooke Casey Wedding

How did you meet?
We met through mutual friends at a Kid Cudi Concert, then ran into each other at a Flume Concert, and then again at a Phantogram Concert! We decided if we liked enough of the same music we probably had other similar interests and going on a date seemed like the natural next step. By the end of the first date, we already planned our second.. a concert just three days later.

SAM + ELI | NEW ORLEANS CITY PARK

How did he propose?
We were traveling in Argentina. We learned Dove Hunting there is considered the Best in the World, so we booked a couple of nights with an outfitter in Cordoba. On the second day of hunting, I asked our guide to take our pictures, at which point I got down on one knee. Luckily she heard me through the ear plugs and said YES! We finished the trip by celebrating in the Mendoza Wine Country which led to a truly magical engagement.

What steps are you taking to prepare for married life?
Planning more for the future. I used to only plan for the weekend, maybe a month. Now I find myself planning for years down the road. Also, we now make decisions together and get the other one’s opinions on most things. Moving from the mindset of “I” to “we”.

While planning your wedding, what are you most excited about?
New Orleans has always been one of my favorites cities in the world. The idea of getting married here and sharing this unique experience with the most important people in our lives is very exciting.

What has been the most stressful part of planning a wedding?
So far the overall planning hasn’t been terribly stressful. I think mostly due to that fact that we are having a long engagement and are able to take our time, but also because we both enjoy planning and have really done this as a team.

Most importantly we can’t wait to get married and spend the rest of our lives with one another. Life really is more fun when you get to do it with your best friend. Being able to celebrate with family and friends in a city as vibrant and eccentric as New Orleans is just icing on the cake!

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Randi + Kirk | Engagement Session | Rural Life Museum

Ashley + Drew | City Park Engagement Session | NOLA

Emily + Kenny | Engagement Session | Rural Life Museum

Congrats Erin and Jett on being featured on Carats + Cake! Mint Julep Productions rocked this event, so if you’re on the hunt for an awesome planning team you need to check them out.

“Faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy.” – Dwight Moody

“You don’t marry the person you can live with—you marry the person you can’t live without.”

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

Nothing like a late night swim at Race and Religious!

“Sweet wonderful you / You make me happy with the things you do. Oh can it be so / This feeling follows me where I go.” —Fleetwood Mac, “You Make Loving Fun”

Vendors

Venue – Race and Religious
Planning – Mint Julep Productions
Second Line – Kinfolk Brass Band Jazz
Band – Souled Out LA
Catering – Black Pearl
Beverage – Brady’s Wine Warehouse
Rentals – Your Event Delivered
Florist – Antigua Floral
Rentals – Luminous Events
Cookies – The Ginger Bites @thegingerbites
Cake – La Louisiane Bakery
Hair + Makeup – Flawless Bride LLC
Custom Sign – Hark Creative
Wedding Dress – Hayley Paige (designer) Towne and Country Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaid Dresses – Wedding Belles

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Erin’s Bridals | Longue Vue House and Gardens

Magnolia Rouge Feature | Allison + Aaron | Il Mercato

How did he propose?
He bought us tickets to Celebration in the Oaks and had his old roommate following us without me knowing to snap the picture. Well, his roommate freaked that he would mess it up, so he hired someone to capture our pictures instead. Whenever we got under the infamous lite oak, someone approached us asking to take our picture. My exact words were “I’m way too awkward for this”. Once Q caught on to the change in plans, he proposed, and I was in shock for a week! All I remember is not knowing what to do with my gloves!!

“I think it’s important to be with someone that you not only share the same values and beliefs with, but also someone you can truly be yourself with, without any hesitations; someone who you can genuinely have fun with; someone who just really brings out your best side; and most importantly, someone who loves you unconditionally. He’s not only that for me, but we’re that for each other.”

What steps are you taking to prepare for married life?
We’re doing the little things, continuing to support and love one another, laughing, growing, and praying together, and continuously dating each other. Of course we’re having those serious conversations too, but we’re mainly just continuing to build on our relationship.

While planning your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Honestly, just getting to marry my best friend. There is no greater feeling. I think everyone, including us, knew instantly that we were right for each other, and I’m just genuinely excited to continue our lives together!

What has been the most stressful part of planning a wedding?
Making all the decisions because we both suck at making them, but luckily together, we actually haven’t done so bad!! That, and picking a dress, which was super overwhelming!

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Randi + Kirk | Engagement Session | Rural Life

Bridal Boutique – Town & Country Bridal
Venue – Longue Vue House and Gardens

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou

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Kristen’s Bridals | Marigny Opera House 

Brianna + Ben | New Orleans Wedding | Botanical Garden 

Lauren’s Bridals | Race and Religious 

Randi + Kirk | Engagement Session | Rural Life Museum 

How did you meet?
Dan and I met at a welcome party at our graduate school advisor’s house. We were both brand new in Boston, in graduate school, and at new jobs. We ended up in the same class during our first semester. This class was a tough one and we both were looking for a study partner to help learn the material. A few study dates at Starbucks later and it was off from there!

How do he propose?
Dan couldn’t have surprised me more! I had just gotten back home from a trip to Abu Dhabi with a very delayed return flight. We had a quick turn around and headed off to a weekend getaway on Nantucket. We were staying in a cute little Airbnb on Nantucket and Dan spent the afternoon trying to convince me to head out to check out the beach. I was jet lagged (and clueless to the upcoming proposal) and refused so that I could catch up on some sleep. Dan eventually gave in and ended up proposing in the living room of the Airbnb before we headed off to the most perfect dinner!

What steps are you taking to prepare for married life?
We’re fortunate in that we already live together and have some of the groundwork down. Planning a wedding has taught us to plan for a future together, compromise, and continue to put our relationship first.

While planning your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Seeing all of our friends and family together in one place! And the live painter. So excited to have a custom piece of art from such a special day!

What has been the most stressful part of planning a wedding?
Making decisions on some of the smaller choices! The big stuff we prioritized was easy–things like a photographer , a venue, and the food. The smaller things were so much more stressful. It took us weeks to commit to an invitation suite!

Venue – Nottoway Plantation
Makeup Artist – Jenna Kelley 

“Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” – Franklin P. Jones

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness–and call it love–true love.”
– Robert Fulghum, True Love

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Lauren | Race and Religious | Bridal Session

Kristen | Marigny Opera House | Bridal Session

Randi + Kirk | Rural Life Museum | Engagement Session

How did you meet?
Kenny and I met at the church we currently attend. As time went on, I randomly started to catch him stare at me. At first, I was weirded out! Until I realized he was crushing on me. So, one Friday evening at a Lifegroup we have he finally introduced himself to me. From there, we talked as friends until he called me after church one day and asked if I wanted to go have dinner with him. It was so funny because he was about to leave for Mexico to go on a missions trip, so he called at like 12 am because he said he couldn’t wait until he got back. So that week we went on a casual date and the rest is history.

“It was the sweetest night! Oh, and he had a hidden photographer. So many little details made the night unforgettable.”

How did he propose?
The second date that Kenny and I took was a picnic at the park. He made homemade chicken noodle soup and brought the whole set up. So for our proposal, he secretly set up this entire date all over again complete with the chicken noodle soup, candles, flowers, music, and so much more. He told me we were going somewhere for my birthday, but I would have to be blind-folded. I was so anxious the entire day! When it was finally time to leave he picked me up and blind-folded me and drove around until we got to the park. I had NO idea where we were. Whenever we got to the park we ate and reminisced about the date we had there and he told me he had something for me. He reached into the picnic basket and pulled out the ring box. (Cue the boy scout club members cheering HAHA). After, he RE blind-folded me and told me there was another surprise. We arrive at my grandparents and my entire friends and family were there waiting for us. It was the sweetest night! Oh, and he had a hidden photographer.

“I loved our entire day. It was the perfect weather, everything. We spent the day starting our forever with some of our favorite people.”

What has been the most stressful part of planning a wedding?
Honestly, nothing has really stressed me out. Everything has gone smoothly. BUT, I am sure there will be something along the way that will stress me out. I try not to stress too much about anything, I know in the end the day will be perfect.

What were your highlights of the day? Were there any surprises?
I loved our entire day. It was the perfect weather, everything. We spent the day starting our forever with some of our favorite people.

What made you decide to get married at Maison Lafitte?
We had our ceremony and reception at Maison Lafitte in Mandeville. We loved this place because we could have both events at the same location. Our venue was so quaint, we absolutely loved the atmosphere!

Videography – Chelsea Chifici
Event Planner – Chloe Henderson
Catering – The lakehouse
Florist – Forget me knot
Wedding Cake – Clark’s cakes
Wedding Dress Designer – Allure Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses – Sorella vita
Wedding Shoes Designer – Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Hair Dresser – Lacey Henderson
Makeup Artist – Alex McCarty
Groom & Groomsmen Apparel – Michael Kors
Reception Music – D2 entertainment
Event Rentals – GLO decor

Check out more!

April + Kirk | Northshore Wedding | The Greystone

Groom Prep Tips  | New Orleans Wedding Photographer

When you’re only an hour away from Magnolia Market you have to go, right!? Last week Katie and I traveled to Austin, Texas for Radiant Conference 2019. We laughed, shopped, ate… and then ate again. It was a much needed girls trip that left my soul recharged and my tummy full!

Our super cozy Airbnb | Austin, TX

Magnolia Market at the Silos | Waco. TX

Our Airbnb in Austin, Tx – HERE!

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New York City | November 2017