REAL
WEDDINGS &
ENGAGEMENTS
DREAMY
SOUTHERN
WEDDING
INSPIRATION
THE SMALL
PARTIES
AROUND THE
BIG DAY
GALIA LAHAV’S
NEW
PRET-A-PORTER
BRIDAL
COLLECTION
20+
Years
1000s
of Weddings
Unlimited
Creativity
Alchemy Events
Wedding Planner + Event Designer
Exceptional, unexpected, unparalleled.
alchemyeventsnola.com
Let’s make some magic!
IMAGES BY ROBERT T
TIA NASH
THE WEDDING MATINEE
DGASS PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIAN JARREAU PHOTOGRAPHY
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA BURKE
THE PARISAN PHOTOGRAPHERS
JESSICA BURKE
THE NOW WEDDING EVENT
W W W . T H E N O W W E D D I N G E V E N T . C O M
S E P T E M B E R 1 5 2 0 2 1
6 - 8 : 3 0 P M
W E D N E S D A Y
AT CHATEAU GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
JULY 2021CONTENTS
REAL WEDDINGS
26
Gabrielle Ganci + Taylor Russolino
32
Ife Okoh + Kevin Bobb
40
Maria Cervini + Nathaniel Eaton
8 The State of the Wedding Industry
An insider’s perspective on weddings in 2021
36 The Small Parties Around the Big Day
A guide to pre- and post-wedding parties
46 DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
Designer Galia Lahav’s New Pret-A-Porter
Bridal Collection for 2021
ARTICLES
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Alleman Photography from the Southern Romance Editorial (pages 11-25)
LOOK WHO’S ENGAGED!
54
Sara Nealis + Colin Cuzman
55
Ciera Edwards + Willie Malone
55
Kelia Dufrene + Tyler Hernandez
FEATURED EDITORIAL
11
Southern Romance
Take a trip with us to beautiful Charleston,
South Carolina for this stunning editorial
filled with dreamy wedding details
@nolawedding
@neworleansweddings
@nowmagazine504
@nowmagazine504
we're social !
Follow NOW Weddings Magazine for daily inspiration.
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Rena Sweeney
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dayna Dufrene
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
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.NOWWeddingMagazine.com
NOW Weddings Magazine is published
monthly by New Orleans Weddings
Magazine, Inc. Copyright 2021. 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, New Orleans
WeddingsMagazine 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
NOWWeddingMagazine.com
About The Cover
About The Cover
Look for new issues of
NOW Weddings Magazine every month.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sarah Alleman Photography
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Pure Luxe Bride
VENUE: Gadsden House
BOUQUET: Juniper & Jasmine Floral Design
GOWN: Emily Kotarski
MENSWEAR: M. Dumas & Sons
HAIR: Brianna Adams
MAKEUP: Cheryl Quinn
BRIDE: Jasmine Dustin
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 3
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.4466 | orders@toulousegourmet.com
toulousegourmet.com
Jessica The Photographer
DELIVERY WEDDINGS CORPORATE EVENTS PRIVATE EVENTS
IT’S 1 A.M. ON A FRIDAY AND AS I TRY TO WRAP UP MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE JULY
issue so I can head to bed, I’ve contemplated over and over how to begin this article. Nothing short of complete honesty and
transparency seems fitting, though. So for better or worse [deep breath], here we go.
We are living in unprecedented times. Even vendors, like myself,
who went through Hurricane Katrina have never experienced
anything like it. We keep a smile on our face, apologize for delayed
responses, hope that it won’t result in a negative review, and keep
working until all hours of the night. We’re trying to hold it together,
but to be honest, it’s hard. Harder than ever before.
Behind the mask of smiles, it’s important that you as engaged
couples know the truth of what’s happening because this is all part
of your own planning process as well. Sure, you know 2020 was
probably a rough year for us but now we’ve got business again and
should be more than happy to have you as a client, right? Yes, we
are, but there’s a dark depth to what’s happening right now that you
need to know about.
I hold a unique position in our industry that I am not only a vendor,
an educator and venue consultant, but I also have the privilege of
speaking directly to couples through this publication. Lately I find
myself in the precarious position of trying to be understanding
to my fellow vendors while also juggling client expectations and
trying to help them understand what is happening in our industry
right now. So I’m taking this opportunity to use my platform here
to share what I hope will help us all work better together and also
offer some valuable insight to couples still in, or about to dive into,
the planning process.
2020 IN RETROSPECT
As vendors, we work with weddings because we love the
celebration of love! No, it’s not easy; expectations are high, but
we are passionate about helping our clients celebrate this time
in their lives. Many of us are small businesses either working on
our own or with just a handful of staff. This last year, even the
larger businesses felt the sting of covid, though.
As we were in the midst of spring wedding season, our world was
unexpectedly shut down. Not temporarily, but completely and
for the foreseeable future. After having held dates for couples
and working with them for a year or more, suddenly they were
asking for full refunds. In the blink of an eye, we not only had no
new business, we also had couples wanting money back.
Vendors disagreed on how to handle this and then as parishes
around Orleans had less restrictive regulations, venues within
Orleans Parish itself had couples asking for refunds so they
could move their events to those other areas.
Those vendors who did still have some business had to either
completely replan a wedding (so much extra work), risk their
own health or worry about backlash from unhappy clients.
As we trudged through, the inquiries dried up as well because no
one could guarantee what would happen. No one ever thought
it would last this long. Progressively more businesses had to lay
off staff, sell their equipment, get rid of warehouses holding their
stock or delay upgrading the equipment they needed for their
business. Some vendors closed shop entirely. Others took on
side gigs to make ends meet. Then almost as quickly as it had
begun, things began to open up again.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS
Suddenly we had two year’s worth of couples all wanting to get
married in the last 6 months of 2021, plus 2022 and 2023 couples
looking to book their vendors. No one wants micro weddings,
everyone wants a blow out party to celebrate with their friends
and family who have all been cooped up for the last year. No
matter the budget, guest lists are large again.
The only problem is that most of us are now understaffed
and might also be dealing with additional workload from
commitments we made when times were slow. Some might have
to outsource or have 2 employees doing the work of 5. Catering
companies and staffing agencies can’t find workers. Then the
unexpected shortages… wood prices skyrocketed, there’s a
flower shortage, a metal shortage, paper shortage. You name
it, we’ve experienced it recently. So we’re not only dealing with
more work than we’ve probably ever experienced before but
also with couples who are highly emotional (rightly so, having
been through covid engagements and/or postponements).
From personal experience, I can tell you that in 21 years of business,
I’ve never before had florists tell me they simply could not get white
hydrangea. I’ve never before called a vendor who was being
unresponsive to check on them because I was legitimately
scared for their health and safety because it’s unlike them to not
respond. Vendors who always respond back within 24 hours are
now taking days to respond and even longer to get quotes back.
Rental companies are getting calls for people wanting to have last
minute parties and events and they don’t have staffing to fulfill all the
requests. Vendors are refusing additional work for this year because
they can’t keep up as it is. Heck, I’m working until late into the night
every day myself.
In planning this article, I reached out to our wedding vendor community
to ask what things they wished couples knew right now. I promised
anonymity if desired and we heard many of the same responses over
and over again. I wanted to share some of them here to not only
help you as a client understand where we’re coming from but also to
encourage you that despite what it may seem like, your vendors are just
as invested in you as they’ve always been! We still want to give you the
most amazing day of your life and whether it seems like it or not to you,
we’re working ourselves ragged to do that. You’ll also get some insight
into how things have changed for your planning process.
THE STATE OF THE
WEDDING INDUSTRY
WRITTEN BY: Rena Sweeney, Alchemy Events | PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Alleman Photography
:: From the Creative Director’s Desk ::
8 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
“We are in the middle of a flower shortage. Don’t get your heart set on specific
flowers. You might be setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. Trust your
designers to get the best product for you. As the demand goes up in the fall this
could become more prevalent. Prices are also at an all time high.”
“We understand that things are feeling more like normal for you, but they are
anything *but* normal for your vendors. Patience and planning ahead (very
ahead, not telling me TWO DAYS BEFORE that your guest count went from 100
to 200) will go a long way in making sure your wedding is what you envisioned.
And doesn’t cost quadruple the price you signed on. Read your contracts, or
ask that they are read/talked through with you BEFORE you sign. Everything
is more expensive. Every. Thing. All of the things. Even that. Communicate,
communicate, communicate!!”
“Inquiring sooner than 3 months BEFORE your wedding date for stationery
(which is essentially one month for me to design, produce and deliver without
a client dragging their feet on things). The paper shortage is real right now!
Letterpress and foil take an immense amount of production time due to custom
print plates and the overall print process. Reach out at least 6 months before
your wedding date, 8-12 if you’re wanting Save the Dates.” - Ashley Barado,
InvitoBella
“Expect response times to be slower.”
“Be wary of new vendors trying to make a quick buck in this post-covid market.
The ‘pandemic specials’ can be tempting to take advantage of but if they’re not
an experienced professional, you may be left without a cake or photographer if
something goes awry.”
“I cannot wait until the day that I’ll no longer need to apologize for how long it’s
taken to reply to an inquiry/email/voicemail.”
WHAT VENDORS WANT YOU TO KNOW
“Inquire sooner rather than later. A lot of us are
booking up farther out than pre-Covid.”
- Ashley Mercer, Ashley Kristen Photography
“Expect 100% of the guest count to show up
because people are ready to party!”
“Please don’t ask for deals/discounts, we are
catching up on a year of no sales!!!”
“We are SO mentally tired. Keep communication in emails and expect a little delay.” - Kristen
Soileau
“Many of us took on “side hustles” or offered “deals” that were greatly to our disadvantage
during the pandemic just to make ends meet and/or so we wouldn’t lose everything we’d
worked so hard for. Now that the world has suddenly reopened (something we’re both
grateful for and had no time to plan for), we’re finding ourselves needing to fulfill those
obligations (and we will because we operate with integrity) along with a huge influx for our
“regular” business. We’re working harder than ever to balance everything, but with reduced
or no staff due to the shut down, things are taking longer than we’d like. We WILL get
through this, but it will take time for things to even out. Please be understanding.”
“My advice to clients would be please please have patience and grace for your vendors
this year. Overworked and wildly busy and exhausted while also out of practice after 8
months while managing the frustration of rescheduled covid clients and trying to maintain
expectations of new clients is a LOT to handle! I’ve had more frustration from clients about
slow communication this spring than ever and it breaks my heart! Obviously I want to give
them the absolute best experience and blow their expectations out of the water, and I adore
each one of my clients but it’s been an extremely rough year! So yeah, grace toward your
vendors (oftentimes one man operations as mine is!) would be so helpful!”
Many of our businesses live and die based on reviews so my parting note is to ask you to
not only have patience and grace, as that last quote asked, but to also be considerate when
reviewing us. Online reviews live forever and most of us truly are still doing all we can to
give you the best of us. We promise to do whatever we can to go above and beyond for you
because of your understanding!
In closing, I’d like to also offer this as my explanation and apology to my own friends and
family. I know I haven’t been present. I know I forget to call, respond to your texts or have
to decline more invitations than normal right now (although weekends are ALWAYS busy).
I know you truly love me because you understand but still, I’m sorry. I’m not a fan of this
season of my life either but know that it will pass and then I promise, just like with my clients,
I’ll be all the more grateful to you for having given me grace during this time.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 9
10 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
3803 Toulouse Street | New Orleans
504.486.8351 | info@cannerynola.com
cannerynola.com
THANK YOU TO THE FABULOUS WEDDING PROFESSIONALS FEATURED IN THIS PHOTO:
STYLED BY: LAVISHLY CHIC DESIGNS
DSW PHOTOGRAPHY | NOLA FLORA | J COLEMAN DESIGNS | CHAIR COUTURE NOLA | FIREFLY AMBIANCE | CRYSTAL NEW ORLEANS | BBJ LINEN | ROSA’S CAKES
WEDDING CEREMONIES RECEPTIONS DINNER PARTIES EVENTS
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 11
NOW WEDDINGS
STYLE
SOUTHERN
romance
romance
ON LOCATION: Gadsden House, gadsdenhouse.com |
COORDINATOR Pure Luxe Bride, pureluxebride.com |
PHOTOGRAPHER: Sarah Alleman Photography,
sarahallemanphotography.com | SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER:
Courtney Bowlden Photography, courtneybowlden.com | FLORALS:
Juniper & Jasmine Floral Design, juniperandjasminedesigns.com |
RENTALS: Ooh! Events, oohevents.com | LINEN: Nüage Designs,
nuagedesigns.com | CAKE: Flowerchild, flowerchildchs.com |
PAPER: Studio R Custom Stationery, studio-r-design.com | HAIR:
Brianna Adams, briannabadams.com | MAKEUP: Cheryl Quinn,
cherylquinnmakeup.com | WEDDING DRESS: Emily Kotarski Bespoke
Bridal Design, emilykotarski.com | VINTAGE CAR: SC Express,
scexpresscharleston.com | RING BOX: Mrs. Box, themrsbox.com
| NECKLACE: Wilma and Ethel, wilmaandethel.com | BRACELETS:
Michael Kors, michaelkors.com + Allie and Bess, shopalliebess.com |
RING: James Allen, jamesallen.com | MEN’S ATTIRE:
M. Dumas & Sons, mdumasandsons.com | BRIDE: Jasmine Dustin,
stiledivitadi.com
TAKE A TRIP WITH US
TO BEAUTIFUL
CHARLESTON, SOUTH
CAROLINA FOR THIS
STUNNING EDITORIAL FILLED
WITH DREAMY DETAILS
FEATURING:
12 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
Designer Emily Kotarski created Jasmine’s ethereal gown with stretch
crepe and included sketch lace appliqué details over the bodice.
Kotarski’s cathedral length organza Coast Cape with charming puff
sleeves pairs beautifully with this gown. Jasmine’s fiancé wears a
dapper suit from iconic Charleston clothier M. Dumas & Sons.
Jasmine’s jewelry includes a
layered necklace by Wilma
and Ethel, bracelets by
Michael Kors + Allie and
Bess and a stunning custom
designed rose gold engagement
ring with a pear shape
diamond by James Allen.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 13
The Gadsden House, circa 1798, was originally built as a wedding gift from Revolutionary War hero Christopher
Gadsden to his son. The home remained in the Gadsden family until the mid-20th century when the property
was converted to apartments and office space. In 2014, the Historic Charleston Foundation, in partnership with
Luxury Simplified Construction, began the restoration of the property to its current grandeur. The property, which
is listed on the National Historic Register, now serves as one of Charleston’s finest private event venues.
14 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 15
The Gadsden House’s verandas feature
quaint gas lanterns and traditional “haint
blue” ceilings to ward off evil spirits.
16 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
Juniper & Jasmine Floral Design
created lush floral arrangements within
Pure Luxe Bride’s neutral, terracotta
color palette for this editorial.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 17
Pure Luxe Bride styled this wedding
table in one of The Gadsden House’s
parlors with elegant yet modern
touches such as black taper candles
atop a crisp, neutral linen from Nüage
Designs with Stoneware place settings
and Ghost Chairs from Ooh! Events.
18 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 19
20 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
Studio R Custom
Stationery created
the wedding invitations
and menus with
elegant calligraphy
on handmade paper,
incorporating wax seals
and black velvet ribbons
as the finishing touches.
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 21