Love in the Big Easy
By Laurette Veres Photography by Leah Michelle Mills
Proposal story: “At the time we were living in Baton Rouge and often drove to New Orleans for dates. We watched the sunset at one of our favorite parks where we walked around a little bit then Jonathan popped the question. He followed the proposal with dinner where he had both of our parents and close friends there. Our family lives in Houston, Dallas, and my sister flew in from South Carolina! It was such a surprise and so sweet for everyone to come in on a Monday to celebrate!”
Wedding location: Race + Religious in NewOrleans, LA
“We love New Orleans and who doesn’t love a good excuse to go to New Orleans. Accessibility + fun!”
Gown: BHLDN!
Cake: Pure Cake NOLA
Catering: Fete Au Fete Food truck
“We loved our food and it was a bonus it was out of a food truck! Jonathan’s a pie over cake kind of guy so we had several pies as the “grooms cake.”
Courtney’s advice: “Being a wedding photographer, I essentially help brides plan major parts of their wedding. Be sure to ask your vendors, mom, and friends “what am I missing?” I was a week out and forgot to order ice and napkins. Those small things are needed, but you get so excited about the photos, clothes, flowers, etc. you can totally overlook the practical things needed to make the day work. I also over looked the desperate need for someone to run the day. I loved getting to plan and coordinate, but having someone run the whole day and tell me where I needed to be and when was a dream. My last and most important tip is to take advantage of your photographer or videographer. You’re paying them to be there so you might as well take an hour or more to take as many pictures as YOU want. You won’t regret having more to choose from. Plan your ceremony around having a first look or enough light after to get the pictures you want.”