REAL
WEDDINGS
nowweddingmagazine.com
WHAT YOU
NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT
WEDDING
CATERING
GALIA LAHAV’S
FANTASY CAPSULE
COLLECTION
november 2021
NOVEMBER 2021
CONTENTS
REAL WEDDINGS
26
Terrion Lomax + Frederick Smith
32
Meredith Portwood + Lance Brumfield
50
Carly Templet + Drake Glatter
PHOTO CREDIT: Arte De Vie | From the wedding of Meredith Portwood + Lance Brumfield at The Higgins Hotel, pages 32-35
ARTICLES
9
Eat. Drink. & Be Married
Questions to ask your wedding caterer
12
Catering Spotlight: Toulouse Gourmet Catering
18
Catering Spotlight: Dorignac’s Food Center
38
BRIDAL GALA
Galia Lahav releases their new Bridal Gala capsule collection
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PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Rena Sweeney
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dayna Dufrene
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FOR ENGAGED COUPLES
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PHOTOGRAPHER: Calvin Gavion, Jr
ON LOCATION: Jackson Avenue Evangelical Church
CREATIVE DIRECTION + PLANNING: Chocolate Bunnie Events
FLORALS: Grow With Us Florist
BRIDE’S ATTIRE: Morilee, Pearl’s Place
GROOM’S ATTIRE: John’s Tuxedos
HAIR + MAKEUP: Shanina Smith Brides, Hair by Priss + Makeup by AC
NEWLYWEDS: The Smiths
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.4466 | orders@toulousegourmet.com
toulousegourmet.com
Jessica The Photographer
DELIVERY WEDDINGS CORPORATE EVENTS PRIVATE EVENTS
8 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.8351 | info@cannerynola.com
cannerynola.com
W E D D I N G C E R E M O N I E S | R E C E P T I O N S
S H O W E R S | D I N N E R P A R T I E S | E V E N T S
brocato photography collective
cake, chandelier, draping courtesy element
NOW WEDDINGS
PLANNING 101
E A T. D R I N K .
& be married
& be married
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CATERER &
LOCAL CATERING SPOTLIGHTS
Image Credit: Sarah Alleman Photography
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Bon Appétit
IF THERE IS NO ON-SITE CATERER at
your reception location, the task will fall to
you to find the perfect catering company
for your wedding. Do your research,
accept recommendations and be sure to
taste-test! A full-service caterer provides
linen services, waiters and table service.
Choose one who will listen to your ideas
and help plan a menu for a delightful,
memorable event.
What To Ask Catering Prospects
n May we see a menu and package samples?
n Will you be at the reception? Who will be assisting? How will your staff be
dressed?
n How many servers do we need for a seated/buffet reception? What is the
estimated cost per person for each? What does that include?
n How much floor space do you need for preparation, serving and bar service?
n Are you licensed/insured for bar service?
n What is the bar fee? What does that include? How many bars and bartenders
can you provide?
n What amount of liquor do you recommend based on our guest list?
n Will we be charged for unopened bottles/can those be returned?
n What bar supplies do you provide?
n Can you provide cash/open bar services?
n What time will the bars close?
n When will we need to finalize our menu?
n When do you need a final guest count?
n Can you provide special dietary food?
n What are the taxes and gratuities? Are there any additional fees?
n How much set up time do you need? Are you full-service?
n How is the food presented? Do you provide any decor for buffet tables?
n Are we able to do a tasting? If yes, when?
n What are your payment terms?
n What is your cancellation policy?
Image Credit: Jessica The Photographer | Cake: Lemon Doberge, Dorignac’s Food Center
Image Credit: Jessica The Photographer
Cuisine: Toulouse Gourmet Catering
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Make it Personal
The cocktail hour is a wonderful time for couples to infuse their own unique personalities into the precursor to the
more formal reception. Everything from the food to the beverage to the décor of the cocktail hour can be customized
to reflect the couple and set the stage for the rest of the night.
Signature drinks can encompass anything from a favorite cocktail of the couple to a special concoction with a story
attached.
Consider printing the signature cocktail recipe and story behind the featured signature drink right on coasters or
beverage napkins!
don’t forget the cocktails
don’t forget the cocktails
Image Credit: Sarah Alleman Photography
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CATERING SPOTLIGHT:
Toulouse Gourmet Catering
3811 TOULOUSE STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119
(504) 488-4466 | TOULOUSEGOURMET.COM
FACEBOOK @TOULOUSEGOURMETCATERING | INSTAGRAM: @TOULOUSEGOURMET
ABOUT TOULOUSE GOURMET CATERING “Absolute freshest ingredients, creativity, uniqueness, customizable menus, and really
listening to and working with our clients,” says Kellie Levy, Director of Sales and Event Manager of Toulouse Gourmet Catering. “That‘s
what we do. Also, approachability, professionalism, and attention to every detail that makes for memorable, flawless events,” she adds.
“With our innovation, creativity and passion, we have dedicated ourselves to providing memorable events with extraordinary food. We
are passionate about the food and dedicated to making each client’s event perfect.”
explore Toulouse Gourmet’s customer favorites>
explore Toulouse Gourmet’s customer favorites>
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A sampling of Toulouse Gourmet’s most
popular small bites for cocktail hour:
Seared Ahi Tuna
Chicken & Waffles with Crystal Honey Hot Sauce
Natchitoches Meat Pies
Shrimp Tostada Bites
Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Parmesan Flatbread
Seared Lamb Lollipops
Buffalo Fried Oysters with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
the dish
the dish
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Pulled Pork Slider Stations have
been popular selections for Toulouse
Gourmet clients. Toulouse Gourmet
serves their slow braised pulled pork
tossed in a spicy BBQ sauce with small
breads, slaw, pickles and condiments.
Pro tip: Enjoy these mouth-watering
sliders with Sazerac Rye, neat
or your whiskey of choice.
Shrimp & Grits is a New Orleans
favorite, so it’s no wonder that it’s one
of Toulouse Gourmet’s most popular
entreés. The shrimp are slowly simmered
in tasso based cream sauce and served
over sharp cheddar cheese grits.
Serve in a martini glass and pair with
bubbles to delight your senses.
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New Orleans Chicken Roulades are a treat
for your tastebuds. This popular entreé is
filled with spinach, sausage and cornbread
and topped with a Creole cream sauce.
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CATERING SPOTLIGHT:
Dorignac’s Food Center
710 VETERANS BLVD. METAIRIE LOUISIANA 70005
(504) 834-8216 | DORIGNACS.COM/WEDDINGS
FACEBOOK + INSTAGRAM: @DORIGNACS
ABOUT DORIGNAC’S FOOD CENTER Since 1947, Dorignac’s has been a New Orleans family tradition. This one-stop-wedding-
shop offers everything from catering, wedding cakes, and an impressive selection of wine and spirits to professional floral design. The
experts at Dorignac’s assist couples in planning fabulous weddings, allowing their clients to focus on celebrating.
explore Dorignac’s customer favorites>
explore Dorignac’s customer favorites>
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Perfect for a bridal tea, shower or
luncheon, Dorignac’s Tea Sandwiches
are a wedding party favorite.
Trays include a selection of sandwiches including:
Tomato, Basil & Reggiano Cheese
Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream Cheese
& Cucumbers with Creole Cream
Cheese/Chive Spread
(florals also provided by Dorignac’s)
the dish
the dish
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If charcuterie is your guilty pleasure,
Dorignac’s Antipasto Platters should
be on your menu. The platters include
Boar’s Head Imported Dry Salami,
Prosciutto, Soppresata, and Sharp
Provolone and are garnished with
roasted garlic, pickles and olives.
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Cheese lovers, your party tray is here!
Dorignac’s Gourmet Cheese Trays
include a selection of gourmet cheeses
accompanied by grapes, olives and crackers.
Muffalettas are always a hit
with guests. Dorignac’s makes
the seeded buns in house and
over-loads then with Italian
olive salad, ham, mortadella,
salami and provolone cheese.
There’s no wrong way to
enjoy a muffaletta, enjoy this
taste of Italy hot or cold!
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End your event on a sweet note with Almond
Petit Fours from Dorignac’s bakery.