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LET
US
STAY
WITH
YOU.®
The day you’ve always dreamed of is our pleasure.
To plan the wedding you have always imagined, contact the Catering Team at
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans at (504) 670-2871 or visit ritzcarlton.com/neworleans
© 2022 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
FALL 2023
REAL WEDDINGS
30
Evelyn Allen + Derrick O’Neal
44
Cecilia Genova + Mark Emerson
64 Angie Harris + Chet Schutzki
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Alleman Photography
from our Butterfly Dreams featured editorial
ARTICLES
8 A Letter from NOW Publisher Jessica Burke
Celebrating 15 years of NOW Weddings
38 15 Ways to Create a Meaningful
& Eco-friendly Wedding
Suggestions for couples who want to give back
and minimize their wedding’s impact on the environment
EDITORIAL
10 BUTTERFLY DREAMS
Whimsical butterfly wedding
inspiration at Derbès Mansion
50 LET’S GO PARTY!
Pink poolside bridal shower inspiration
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
34
D&D Creations
2 | NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
About The Cover
About The Cover
Look for new issues of
NOW Weddings Magazine quarterly.
NOWWeddingsMagazine.com | 3
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@nowmagazine504
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Follow NOW Weddings Magazine
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Dayna Dufrene
DIRECTOR OF
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Alleman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
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 is published
quarterly by New Orleans Weddings
Magazine, Inc. Copyright 2023. 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 NOWM, 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
PHOTOGRAPHER + STYLING:
Sarah Alleman Photography
ON LOCATION
Derbès Mansion
FLORALS
Nola Flora
CANDLE DECOR
Glo Events
GOWN
Pearl’s Place Bridal
HAIR + MAKEUP:
Brittany Spreen + Kasey Smith
for AHB Hair and Makeup
FINE JEWELRY
Brilliance in Diamonds
ACCESSORIES
Nestina Accessories
MANICURE
Passport Polish
MODEL:
Amelia Bateman
Dear Esteemed Readers, Advertisers, and Partners,
I had no idea what the future held in store for me on
September 15, 2008 when I signed the paperwork taking
ownership of this magazine. I can hardly believe it’s
already been a decade and a half of creating this labor of
love, NOW Weddings Magazine! What a journey it has
been! As I reflect upon this milestone, I am overwhelmed
with emotions of happiness, pride, and a deep sense of
accomplishment.
My journey started with a vision of creating an inclusive
platform to share wedding inspiration. Today, standing
tall at 15 years, I am humbled to have shared countless
love stories from couples across the country (and even a
few from around the world!).
As we celebrate this milestone, I would like to first thank
our readers. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm
has fueled my passion to create content that resonates
with your dreams and aspirations.
To our advertisers and partners, I extend my heartfelt
gratitude. You have played an integral role in helping
bring this magazine to life, ensuring that our readers
have access to the finest vendors, products, and services
that contribute to their dream celebrations. I cherish
the relationships we have built over the years and look
forward to many more years of successful collaborations.
Behind the scenes, our dedicated team has worked
tirelessly to create and curate content that will inspire
you. Their passion, creativity, and commitment have been
the driving force behind the success of NOW Weddings
Magazine, and I am truly grateful for their efforts.
It’s only fitting that on my 15th anniversary at the helm
of NOW Weddings, that I get to announce exciting
news! 2024 holds an exciting expansion plan for NOW,
including the release of our brand new Annual Planner
Edition Magazine for both Southeast Louisiana (our
home!) as well as an edition focused entirely on Gulf
Coast weddings for couples across the Gulf South.
Over the last 15 years, we’ve also brought you 25
interactive bridal show experiences in the New Orleans
area. In 2024, we’ll be bringing you two more - one in
Louisiana as well as our very first Gulf Coast Bridal Show
in Mobile, AL.
As we step into the next chapter of our journey, I
promise to continue bringing you inclusive love stories,
trendsetting ideas, and expert insights that will inspire
your own wedding plans.
Thank you for being a part of our remarkable journey.
Here’s to 15 years of NOW Weddings Magazine, and to
the countless love stories yet to be written.
With love, gratitude, and the promise of more beautiful
moments to come,
Jessica Burke
Publisher, NOW Weddings Magazine
PHOTO: SAARAH ALLEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
A LETTER
FROM THE
PUBLISHER
Jessica Burke
8 | NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
FEATURED COVER PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Amin Russell Photography | Arte de Vie | Ashley Kristen Collective | Brian Jarreau Photography | Calvin Gavion, Jr. | Dark Roux | Eau Claire Photographics | Gabby
Chapin Photography | GK Photography | Images by Robert T | Jessica Burke | Lauren Carroll Photography | Lance Nicoll | Madeleine B Photography | North
Photography | Oscar Rajo | Photography by Louis | Prince Photography | Sarah Alleman Photography | Stacy Marks | Stefani Marie Photography | Studio Tran | The
Crawfords | Theresa Elizabeth Photography | The Rylands Photo Co.
NOWWeddingsMagazine.com | 9
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This stunning folio-style invitation by Upscales Custom
Collection features a Safran Suede liner with gold foil orchid
motif. The clear acrylic invitation is printed in gold foil
with an orchid printed background liner.
Paired with this invitation are a Three Stone Oval
Engagement Ring with Petite Pears featuring a 2.05ct
Oval Center and 0.3cts of Pear Side Stones and a
Baguette Contour Ring from Brilliance in Diamonds.
details
details
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(above, right + next page) Amelia is wearing a sophisticated ivory sheath gown from
Pearl’s Place Bridal with a painted and beaded Butterfly veil by Nestina Accessories.
For her hair and makeup we chose a soft, romantic look styled by AHB Makeup.
Her hair is styled in loose, flowing curls and her makeup style is natural glam.
She carries a hand-tied bouquet of yellow and blush blooms with
dainty butterflies by Nola Flora. The bouquet echoes the stunning
floral “broken arch” also designed by Nola Flora. A crystal candelabra
from Glo Events adds an elegant touch to the setting.
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(above + left) Amelia is wearing 2.00 ct Round Diamond Studs, an Emerald Solitaire
Necklace, 3.01ct Emerald Three Stone Engagement Ring with Trapezoid Side Stones,
and a Diamond Tennis Bangle Bracelet from Brilliance in Diamonds.
Her manicure by Passport Polish features their brilliant yellow polish color, Saul’s Light, named
after the New Orleans-based non-profit of the same name. Saul’s Light provides support and
community to families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Passport Polish
donates 10% of sales of Saul’s Light Polish to the non-profit to help support their work.
NOWWeddingsMagazine.com | 17
This stunning jewelry ensemble includes a
1.54ct Bezel Marquise Solitaire and Baguette
Contour Ring from Brilliance in Diamonds.
To complement this stunning ring, we paired Nestina
Accessories’ Gold Plated floral earrings with
freshwater pearls along with a matching headpiece.
(inset) Bow Knot Satin Stilettos in the
color Khaki, available on Amazon*.
details
details
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details
details
This Polished satin sheath from Pearl’s Place
Bridal features dramatic draping and exposed
corsetry. The corset is finished with hand-
beaded pearl details for added drama.
AHB Makeup transformed Amelia’s look to
a dramatic low ponytail for a polished look.
NOWWeddingsMagazine.com | 21
details
details
Derbès Mansion is the perfect location for an
intimate gathering. We chose the sunlight-filled
Parlor as the setting for this table for two.
White butterflies hover over the table, suspended
from the stunning antique chandelier.
A lush floral centerpiece by Nola Flora nestles
elegant taper candles by Glo Events.
At each place setting, True Value Rentals’ Coupe
White China sits atop their gold-trimmed Ice Queen
Chargers. Gold Aztec Flatware and cut crystal
Melodia glassware complete the elegant look.
The table is draped in True Value’s Cafe linen and
topped with a milk white, chiffon tulle pearl overlay
from Amazon*. True Value’s Gold Linen Napkins are
presented in an envelope fold and “sealed” with gold
mirror butterfly place cards by ZCreateDesign.
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