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OAKLEIGH GARDEN ROOM
CRYSTAL PATIO
HISTORIC.BREATHTAKING.REFINED.
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
Dear Readers,
WITH IMMENSE JOY, I EXTEND MY WARMEST GREETINGS TO YOU AS WE PROUDLY UNVEIL THE
LATEST EDITION OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE. I am thrilled to announce our return to newsstands
and to producing the bridal show experiences we’re known for! I’m also excited to share that our plans to
expand the magazine’s reach across the Gulf Coast are well underway! You can now find NOW Weddings on
newsstands in 5 states at hundreds of stores!
The past few years undoubtedly presented challenges for us all. Still, it has also been a testament to the
resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of love that binds us together. As you turn the pages of this edition, you
will find a treasure trove of wedding inspiration and stories that reflect the unwavering optimism in the air. Love,
after all, knows no boundaries and is a force that transcends even the most trying times.
From intimate ceremonies to grand celebrations, our pages are adorned with the latest in bridal fashion,
enchanting venues, and expert advice to guide you through every step of the wedding planning journey.
In the spirit of adaptation, we fully embraced the digital realm in 2020, bringing you exclusive online content
that allowed you to immerse yourself in the world of Southern weddings from anywhere in the world. Our
commitment to delivering quality content online remains, ensuring that whether you prefer the tactile
experience of flipping through the pages or the convenience of browsing on your devices, NOW Weddings
Magazine is here to cater to your desires.
As we embark on this new chapter, I express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering support we have
received. Your enthusiasm has been the driving force behind our dedication to delivering a magazine that
captures the essence of Southern weddings and inspires and elevates the joyous moments that make them
truly unforgettable.
Happy reading, and may your love story continue to unfold in the most beautiful and enchanting ways.
With love and excitement,
Jessica Burke
Publisher
NOW Weddings Magazine
Jessica Burke
8 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
REAL WEDDINGS
40
Ashlie Lauderdale + Scott Johnson
54
Natalie Adcock + Carson McGraw
66
Garima Shrestha + Christian Queyrouze
76
Crystal Zheng + Hieu Nguyen
86
Dr. Hannah Autin + Mr. René Chiasson
112
Jasmine Walker + Phillip Tran
124
Madison Keenan + Chapman Rogers
138
Mallory + Stephanie Whitley Tapley
150
Myah Watson + Jordan McDonald
CONTENTS
SPRING + SUMMER 2024
FEATURES
18 BRIDES IN BLOOM
A collection of romantic, floral-inspired bridal gowns for 2024
32 SETTING THE SCENE
Decor Inspiration at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile
Hotel & Spa
94 COURTYARD ROMANCE
Dreamy Floral Wedding Inspiration at Chateau LeMoyne Hotel
18
Stefani Marie Photography
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 9
FEATURED ARTICLES
130 WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Photographer and Videographers vs Social Media Content Creators
134 BEHIND THE LENS AND THE LAUGHTER
A Look into the World of Alabama Boudoir Photographer
and Stand-Up Comedian Matt Mathews
148 UNLOCKING THE DOOR TO YOUR DREAM HOME
A Guide for Newlyweds Buying Their First Home
156 ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Publisher’s Letter
10 About the Covers
160 Advertiser Index
INSPIRATION
92 Cakes - Inspiration from Kimbla’s Cakes
111 Dressed to Thrill - Stunning Bridesmaid Gowns
120 Well Groomed - From Tuxedos to Timepieces
Inspiration for Men’s Attire
84
The Fine Print
85
Your Wedding Invitation Timeline
90
Let Them Eat Cake
108
Your Gown
109
Veil Lengths
110
Bridesmaids’ Responsibilities
116
Tux Talk
118
Groomsmen Responsibilities
122
Beautiful Bride
128
Memories Captured
129
Contracts 101
142
Glamorous Getaways
144
Your Honeymoon
145
The Ultimate Name Change Checklist
146
Day of Checklist
154
Vendor List
N.O.W. WEDDING PLANNER
12
To Do Before I Do
16
Wedding Budget Planner
30
Finding Your Style
44
Your Guest List
46
Your Rehearsal Dinner
48
Ceremony Planning
50
Marriage License
52
Reception Planning
58
Bon Appétit
60
Entertainment Planning
62
The Ultimate Wedding
Music Checklist
70
Your Event Planner
74
Wedding Décor
80
Wedding Flowers
82
Bouquet Shapes
Amin Russell Photography
Rae Leytham Photography
94
54
Stefani Marie Photography
32
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Look Who’s
Engaged
See Our All New
Engagement
Announcements
Page 156
10 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
jessica@nowweddingsmagazine.com
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Stefani Horn
stefani@nowweddingsmagazine.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Vikki Reed
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 MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADVERTISING,
PLEASE CONTACT:
NOW Weddings Magazine
Phone: 504-832-2775
Email: sales@thenowbride.com
www.NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
NOW Weddings Magazine Print Edition is published bi-annually by New Orleans Weddings
Magazine, Inc. Copyright 2024. 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.
NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
About The Covers
SPRING + SUMMER 2024
Display until June 3, 2024
Spring
2024
nowweddingsmagazine.com
Display until September 2, 2024
Summer
2024
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Spring 2024
PHOTOGRAPHER: Stefani Marie Photography
ON LOCATION: Battle House Renaissance Hotel
FLORALS: The Shade Tree Floral Events & Design
BRIDE’S GOWN: Bliss Bridal
HAIR + MAKEUP: Brushed + Blushed
MODEL: Amaya Kincaid
August 2020
PHOTOGRAPHER: Amin Russell
ON LOCATION: Chateau LeMoyne Hotel
FLORALS: Fat Cat Flowers
BRIDE’S GOWN: Bliss Bridal
HAIR: Jessica Jackson
MAKEUP: Chris Carter
FINE JEWELRY: Diamonds Direct
MANICURE: Update Nail & Spa
MODEL: Allie Simoneaux
NOW Weddings Magazine is published twice annually in March and September. We feature two cover changes per issue.
32
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we're social!
NOW Weddings Magazine
@nowweddingsmagazine
@nowwedding
Where Forever Begins
Tie the knot at InterContinental New Orleans' renovated
ballroom with grand chandeliers and high ceilings
overlooking St. Charles Avenue. Let us make your
wedding day as enchanting as the Crescent City itself!
www.icneworleans.com
shannon.buckley@icneworleans.com
504.585.4379
444 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
12 | 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
Amin Russell Photography
Rae Leytham Photography
Rae Leytham Photography
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 13
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 groomsmen’ attire, if
rented
❏ Prepare final checks 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!
Rae Leytham Photography
Rae Leytham Photography
Download
our Printable
Planner at
nowweddingsmagazine.com
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 & Bou-
tonnières
$____________ 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
$____________ ACTUAL COST
TOTAL BUDGET
your budget will determine every element of
your wedding - set a realistic budget and stick to it.
NOW Weddings Planner
(!irrnL (§, (7/l/1/
#$%
A Boutic1ue Hotel
MAI,E HISTORY.
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by Bistro Saint Emanuel
Fort Conde Inn is an award-winning, full-service ----
wedding & event venue located in the beautiful and historic
Fort Conde Village area of downtown Mobile, Alabama.
From day-of coordination to catering, rentals, accommodations
and more, Fort Conde Inn has everything you need for your
dream wedding!
www.fortcondeinn.com I info@fortcondeinn.com
I 251-405-5040
Photo Credits: Couple: Sarah Alleman Photography/ Cuisine: Stefani Marie Photography
18 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
BRIDES IN
Bloom
Photographed on-location at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
by Stefani Marie Photography
A collection of romantic, floral-inspired bridal gowns for 2024
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 19
DETAILS
Ashley, surrounded
by gorgeous
blooms by The
Shade Tree Floral
Events and Design,
is wearing "Johnny"
by Madison James.
This romantic
gown, available
at Bliss Bridal,
features realistic
blooms and trailing
vines - perfect
for a Spring
garden wedding!
DETAILS
THIS PAGE: Ashley's
romantic updo and natural
glam makeup showcase
the exquisite artistry of our
featured hair stylist, Chaney
Smith, and makeup artist,
Ashley West of Brushed +
Blushed Hair and Makeup
Artistry, in this editorial.
OPPOSITE: The illuminated
dome and decadent
architecture of The Battle
House Renaissance Mobile
Hotel & Spa's lobby is the
perfect backdrop to capture
these elegant gowns.
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 21
22 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
nowweddingsmagazine.com | NOW | 23
DETAILS
OPPOSITE: Amaya is
wearing a ruffle skirt ball
gown by Lilian West. This
V-neck plunge ball gown,
available at Bliss Bridal,
features a chapel-length
train and 3D chiffon
petal appliqués on the
bodice and tiered skirt.
THIS PAGE: Faith is
wearing "Carissa" by
Justin Alexander, available
at Bliss Bridal. This
glitter tulle ball gown
features a ruffle skirt
and plunging V-neckline.
The floral-embroidered
bodice is embellished
with pearls and crystals,
and a sequin tulle
underlay adds sparkle
with every movement.
24 | NOW | nowweddingsmagazine.com
DETAILS
Lush blush and ivory
florals by The Shade Tree
Floral Events and Design
cascade down the railings
of the grand staircase in
the Atrium of the RSA
Tower at The Battle
House Renaissance
Mobile Hotel & Spa.