SOUTHERN WEDDING INSPIRATION
SPRING 2025
DISPLAY UNTIL
JUN 1, 2025
$12.99
2 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
OAKLEIGH GARDEN ROOM
CRYSTAL PATIO
HISTORIC.BREATHTAKING.REFINED.
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 3
CRYSTAL BALLROOM
26 NORTH ROYAL STREET, MOBILE, ALABAMA
251-338-2000 | BATTLEHOUSEMOBILE.COM
PHOTOS (LEFT): STEFANI MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY |
4 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
A Letter From The
Publisher
NOW Weddings Publisher Letter
As we step into 2025, there’s a renewed sense of optimism in the wedding industry—a fresh season filled with love,
creativity, and unforgettable celebrations. The past few years have shown us the resilience of love, and now, more than
ever, couples are embracing their wedding dreams with bold vision and heartfelt meaning.
This Spring+Summer issue is a celebration of that spirit. From the latest trends to innovative ways couples are making
their weddings uniquely theirs, we are inspired by the endless possibilities this season holds. Vendors and venues alike
are raising the bar, crafting experiences that are not just about the day but about the memories that last a lifetime.
As a publication dedicated to all things wedding, we’re thrilled to bring you expert insights, stunning inspiration, and
the heartfelt stories that make this industry so special. As you delve into this issue, look for two editorial shoots - one
photographed in our home base of New Orleans at the beautiful Glass Light Gallery Venusian Gardens and the other
in the charming town of Fairhope, Alabama. We also have hand-selected 6 beautiful love stories to share with you - we
hope these couples will inspire you as you plan your own big day!
Whether you’re a newly engaged couple, a wedding professional, or someone who simply adores love stories, we hope
this issue fills you with excitement for the year ahead.
Here’s to a year of breathtaking weddings, joyful moments, and new beginnings!
With love and inspiration,
Jessica Burke
Publisher
NOW Weddings Magazine
Jessica Burke
Dear Readers,
@nowmagazine504
nowweddingsmagazine.com
NOW Weddings Magazine
@nowweddingsmagazine
@nowwedding
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 5
8 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
REAL WEDDINGS
40
Elise McCanless + Connor Fields
54
Mx. Khayla Williams + Mrs. Irene Beauvais
74
Madeleine Hug Long + Evan Samuel Hall
100
Mallory Broadus + Nicholas Shoaf
112
Amber Boudreaux + Justin Harris
130
Cristine Broadus + Jacques Crochet
CONTENTS
SPRING + SUMMER 2025
FEATURES
18 ILLUMINATED LOVE:
Modern fashion and elegant décor come together amidst the
luminous glass sculptures of Venusian Gardens in New Orleans
60 TASTY BITES:
A Culinary Adventure
82 BOHO BLISS:
Dreamy gowns meet Southern charm in the serene beauty of
Little Point Clear’s chapel and courtyard in Fairhope, AL.
82
Follow NOW Weddings Magazine for daily local wedding inspiration.
@nowmagazine504
NOW Weddings Magazine
@nowweddingsmagazine
@nowwedding
Sarah Alleman Photography
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 9
FEATURED ARTICLES
126 DO YOU REALLY NEED A
WEDDING VIDEO?
136 BRIDGING THE GAP:
Combining Finances After Marriage
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Publisher’s Letter
10 About the Covers
140 Vendor Resource Guide
144 Advertiser Index
INSPIRATION
106 Spring Romance at the Hotel Provincial
122 Modern Classics: Sleek lines with modern
details are perfect for a classic formal event.
117
Bridesmaids’ Responsibilities
119
Tux Talk
120
Groomsmen Responsibilities
123
Beautiful Bride
124
Memories Captured
128
Your Wedding Day Photography Timeline
134
Glamorous Getaways
135
Your Honeymoon
138
The Ultimate Name Change Checklist
141
Vendor List
142
Wedding Day Checklist
NOW WEDDING PLANNER
14
To Do Before I Do
16
Wedding Budget Planner
38
Finding Your Style
44
Your Guest List
46
Your Rehearsal Dinner
48
Ceremony Planning
50
Marriage License
52
Reception Planning
58
Bon Appétit
72
Entertainment Planning
73
The Ultimate Wedding
Music Checklist
78
Your Event Planner
80
Wedding Décor
104
Wedding Flowers
108
The Fine Print
110
Let Them Eat Cake
116
Your Gown
Catherine Guidry Photography
18
40
Anthony LaMothe Photography
60
Find More
Southern Wedding
Planning Inspiration
Online:
nowweddingsmagazine.com
Amin Russell Photography
10 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
SOUTHERN WEDDING INSPIRATION
SPRING 2025
DISPLAY UNTIL
JUN 1, 2025
$12.99
SOUTHERN WEDDING INSPIRATION
SUMMER 2025
DISPLAY UNTIL
SEPT 1, 2025
$12.99
SPRING + SUMMER 2025
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
jessica@nowweddingsmagazine.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Shana Lindsay
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vikki Reed
EDITORIAL LIAISON Ashley Revels
FOR ENGAGED COUPLES:
Our blog is filled with tons of great resources,
inspiration, wedding stories and photo editorials
that will help you plan an amazing wedding.
FOR THE WEDDING PROFESSIONAL:
NOW Weddings Magazine offers affordable
advertising packages with tons of perks.
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION:
Please contact:
NOW Weddings Magazine
Phone: 504-832-2775
Email: sales@thenowbride.com
www.NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
NOW Weddings Magazine is a trademark registered
in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
NOW Weddings Magazine Print Edition is published
bi-annually by New Orleans Weddings Magazine, Inc.
Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Reproduction
of any part of this publication without the express
written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
NOW Weddings Magazine is a registered trademark of
New Orleans Weddings Magazine, Inc. The use of the
trademark is strictly prohibited. The information in this
publication is believed to be accurate. However, NOW
Weddings Magazine cannot and does not guarantee
its accuracy. NOW Weddings Magazine cannot and
will not be held liable for the quality or performance
of goods and services provided by advertisers or any
other portion of this publication.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Sarah Alleman Photography
ON LOCATION:
Little Point Clear
(Fairhope, AL)
HAIR + MAKEUP:
Amber Champagne,
Champagne Artistry
Beauty Studio
FLORAL CROWN:
Arrie’s Flowers
MODEL:
Kiera Lindsay
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Amin Russell Photography
ON LOCATION:
Venusian Gardens
(New Orleans, LA)
GOWN + CROWN:
Bliss Bridal
MAKEUP:
Makeup Artist Chris Carter
HAIR:
Amira Thabatah,
Styled by Amira
MANICURE:
Passport Polish
MODEL:
Abigayle Lewis for
Chic Nouvelle Worldwide
About the Covers
NOW Weddings Magazine is published twice annually in March and September. We feature two cover changes per issue.
Follow NOW Weddings Magazine for daily inspiration.
@nowmagazine504
NOW Weddings Magazine
@nowweddingsmagazine
@nowwedding
SPRING 2025
SUMMER 2025
12 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 13
14 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
FOUR TO SIX MONTHS
❏ Finalize guest list and mail Save-the-
Date announcement
❏ Reserve rehearsal dinner location
and/or caterers
❏ Order wedding invitations and thank-
you notes
❏ Hire calligrapher
❏ Create wedding website with
directions, accommodations, local
attractions and other wedding details
❏ Reserve accommodations for
wedding night and out-of-town
guests.
❏ Book honeymoon and finalize travel
documentations, if necessary
❏ Order wedding cake, groom’s cake
and any other confections
❏ Research all legal requirements —
permits + licenses
❏ Purchase/rent any decor to be
used during the ceremony and/or
reception
NINE TO FIFTEEN MONTHS
❏ Announce engagement to family
and friends and plan an engagement
party
❏ Choose wedding date, preferably
more than one in case your preferred
venue and/or vendor is booked
❏ Select wedding attendants
❏ Establish budget early, with maximum
amounts for each event/vendor/etc.
❏ Decide on the style, formality and
guest-list size for the wedding
❏ Select wedding planner
❏ Reserve ceremony and reception
location
❏ Secure wedding officiant
❏ Begin compiling guest list and mailing
addresses
❏ Start the selection process for
wedding professionals, including
photographer/videographer,
entertainment, ceremony music,
caterer, transportation, florist and
stationery
❏ Start the wedding gown and wedding
attendants’ dress search
❏ Consult travel agent for honeymoon
plans. If traveling abroad, you will
need valid passports and up-to-date
immunizations
SIX TO NINE MONTHS
❏ Select gift registries
❏ Order wedding gown & accessories,
including veil, shoes and undergar
ments (wear to fittings)
❏ Order menswear for groom and
attendants
❏ Take engagement pictures
❏ Select and order bridesmaids dresses,
schedule fittings, etc.
❏ Engagement party
❏ Finalize wedding professionals:
❏ Baker
❏ Caterer
❏ Florist
❏ Photographer
❏ Party Rentals
❏ Ceremony Music
❏ Reception Entertainment
❏ Stationery
❏ Videographer
❏ Other __________________________
DO YOU FEEL AS THOUGH you have a million things to do before you say, “I Do”?
Not to worry. We’ve compiled a time line to help organize all your wedding events. Review the
numerous wedding professionals at nowweddingsmagazine.com and let them help plan your perfect wedding.
To-Do Before “I DO”
NOW Weddings Planner
allow at least 6 weeks for
wedding gown alterations
Sarah Alleman Photography
Sarah Alleman Photography
Sarah Alleman Photography
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 15
TWO WEEKS PRIOR
❏ Confirm all appointments and finalize
professional services:
❏ Baker
❏ Lodging Reservations
❏ Beauty Appointments
❏ Party Rentals
❏ Caterer
❏ Photographer
❏ Ceremony Music
❏ Reception Entertainment
❏ Entertainment
❏ Transportation
❏ Florist
❏ Videographer
❏ Honeymoon Reservation
❏ Other_________________________________
❏ Arrange for pick-up of wedding gown,
if you haven’t done so already
❏ Plan seating arrangements, if
necessary
❏ Pick up marriage license
❏ Plan honeymoon wardrobe, obtain
travel tickets and confirm
reservations
❏ Remember to update wedding
website with any event changes
TWO TO FOUR MONTHS
❏ Purchase wedding bands and have
engraved if desired
❏ Order favors and gifts. Purchase cake
knives, toasting crystals and other
accessories
❏ Mail out-of-town invitations
❏ Reserve wedding day beauty ap
pointments for bride and attendants
❏ Select wedding readings
❏ Confirm menu selection and/or bar
with caterer
❏ Book specialty services, including
photo booth, ice sculptures, rentals,
Second Line, etc.
❏ Continue writing thank you notes
for previous bridal parties, couple
showers, etc.
FOUR TO SIX WEEKS PRIOR
❏ Mail local invitations
❏ Take bridal portraits and have framed
for reception display
❏ Begin addressing wedding
announcements
❏ Pick up wedding rings
❏ Complete name-change documents
❏ Print ceremony programs
❏ Remember to update wedding
website with any changes
❏ Review banking and insurance
information and see what needs to
be updated after you’re married
❏ Fill out a Change-of-Address at post
office, if necessary
ONE WEEK BEFORE
❏ Schedule pick-up and return of
groom’s and groomsmens’ attire, if
rented
❏ Prepare final payments to wedding
vendors, as well as donations to
ceremony officiants and musicians, if
necessary
THE DAY BEFORE
❏ Welcome family and friends from
out-of-town
❏ Have honeymoon bags packed
❏ Gather all wedding day items
❏ Attend rehearsal dinner and give gifts
to wedding party and family
YOUR WEDDING DAY
❏ Arrange to see hairstylist and make-
up artist BEFORE your attendants
❏ Be dressed and ready about two
hours before ceremony for photos
RELAX...
saying “I DO” is the easy part!
schedule a hair and makeup run-through
two to four weeks prior to your big day!
Download
our Printable
Planner at
nowweddingsmagazine.com
Sarah Alleman Photography
Sarah Alleman Photography
16 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
BEFORE YOU SAY “I DO,” you need ask “How Much?” Traditionally, the bride’s family carries the majority of the financial responsibility.
But with the cost of weddings growing as well as the average age of couples increasing, many couples are picking up some of the wedding
expenses. Grooms’ families are also chipping in more than just the traditional rehearsal dinner and other small expenses. But no matter
how the bill is divided, couples need to decide on a budget and stick with it. Use the worksheet below to decide how your budget will
be divided.
Your Budget Planner
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
$____________ Ceremony Location
$____________ Officiant’s Fee
$____________ Marriage License
$____________ Reception Venue
$____________ Caterer
$____________ Bar
$____________ Rentals
$____________ Cake
$____________ Transportation
$____________ Wedding Planner
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
ATTIRE
$____________ Wedding Gown
$____________ Headpiece/Veil
$____________ Shoes
$____________ Trousseau/Undergarments
$____________ Jewelry
$____________ Hair & Makeup
$____________ Groom’s Tuxedo/Suit
$____________ Groom’s Shoes
$____________ Wedding rings
$____________ Other
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
STATIONERY
$____________ Save-the-Date
$____________ Invitation & Envelopes
$____________ Reply Cards & Envelopes
$____________ Programs
$____________ Seating Cards and/or Menu
Cards
$____________ Thank-You Notes
$____________ Postage
$____________ Calligraphy
$____________ Announcements
$____________ Other
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
FLOWERS & DÉCOR
$____________ Ceremony Decor
$____________ Bridal Bouquet
$____________ Attendants’ Bouquets &
Boutonnières
$____________ Corsages & Boutonnières for
Family
$____________ Reception Centerpieces/Decor
$____________ Delivery Fees
$____________ Other
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
$____________ Photographer’s Fee
$____________ Videographer’s Fee
$____________ Engagement + Bridal Portrait
Sessions
$____________ Wedding Album
$____________ Additional Album(s)
$____________ Additional Prints + Video
Copies
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
ENTERTAINMENT
$____________ Ceremony Music
$____________ Reception Band/DJ
$____________ Second Line
$____________ Artists (Live Painters, Photo
Booth, Etc)
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
DETAILS & GIFTS
$____________ Attendants’ Gifts
$____________ Parents’ Gifts
$____________ Guest room Welcome Gifts
$____________ Favors
$____________ Toasting glasses/Cake Knives
$____________ Second Line Umbrellas
$____________ Guest Book
$____________ Announcements
$____________ Other
$____________ BUDGET
$____________ ACTUAL COST
TOTAL BUDGET
your budget will determine every element of
your wedding - set a realistic budget and stick to it.
NOW Weddings Planner
18 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
Illuinated
Modern fashion and elegant décor come together amidst the
luminous glass sculptures of Venusian Gardens in New Orleans.
LOVE
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 19
ABOUT THE VENUE:
Venusian Gardens is a
contemporary luminous art
gallery and sculpture studio
located in New Orleans, La.
Venusian Gardens Art Gallery
specializes in contemporary
sculpture incorporating neon
light. The gallery space offers
an extraordinary backdrop
for the artwork on display. By
blending contemporary art
within the setting of an historic
150 year-old church, Venusian
Gardens provides a unique
and stimulating ambiance
for weddings, parties and
special events of all kinds
20 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
DETAILS
Abigayle is wearing Jax, a
sparkling fit and flare gown
from Justin Alexander’s
Signature Collection with
jewel neck and illusion back,
available at Bliss Bridal.
Abigayle’s manicure by
Passport Polish is in the
color “Martinique” - a
beautiful peach color. Styled
by Amira styled her hair
in dramatic glam waves
and Makeup Artist Chris
Carter chose a natural
glam look for her makeup.
Luis is wearing a Steel
Grey “Barrow” tuxedo
by Kenneth Cole with a
Raspberry long tie, available
at John’s Tuxedos & Suits.
This tuxedo features a 2
button closure with a satin
trimmed notch lapel.
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 21
22 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 23
DETAILS
The ceremony was set
with one of Venusian
Gardens artist Dr.
Eric Ehlenberger’s
illuminated triptychs as
the centerpiece with lush
florals designed by Le
Fleuriste Nola Owner and
Principal Designer Justin
Musgrove surrounding
the artwork. Musgrove’s
designs are inspired
by nature and created
sustainably, foregoing
the use of floral foam.
Floral accents by Le
Fleuriste Nola complement
glass light sculptures,
also created by Dr.
Ehlenberger, that line the
aisle. Elegant, yet modern
Clear Napoleon Chairs
from True Value Rental
provide guest seating.
24 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
DETAILS
Abigayle is wearing
Anastasia, a
sparkling lace
ball gown with a
dramatic side slit
by Sincerity Bridal
with sweetheart
neckline and 3D
appliqués, available
at Bliss Bridal.
Luis is wearing
a Heather Grey
“Lenox” tuxedo by
Kenneth Cole with
Salmon long tie,
available at John’s
Tuxedos & Suits.