When a client comes to us and says she wants a wedding unlike any other, it definitely gets our attention. A year before her event, Brandi and I connected over our mutual love for pugs and her desire to host an elegant, gothic wedding to her beau. Using the operative words “ghostly romantic, lightly Victorian, and darkly ethereal” we set out to make Brandi’s dream come true. This San Francisco-based couple valued great taste, an intimate setting, and a nod to technology (the groom is a senior Dropbox employee) combined with their love of the romantic mystique of New Orleans.
To top it all off, the big event was to take place on New Year’s Eve, and we LOVE an intimate, heartfelt celebration to ring in the new year! Complete with a Twilight-inspired ceremony altar installation (you must see this!) at the historic Beauregard-Keyes House in the French Quarter, we incorporated pink lace details, rich black velvet, the scent of incense, and deep reds and burgundy for a gothic chic design that was the perfect fit for Brandi and Kevin. We located two ideal venues in the hauntingly romantic French Quarter and planned a second line from the Beauregard-Keyes House to Muriel’s Restaurant with a departure at 11:45pm in time to view the fireworks display at the riverfront to ring in the new year.
The glorious boxed invitation suite designed by Lehr and Black was the perfect introduction to enliven the senses as guests prepared for this intimate NYE celebration. Guests entered the ceremony, which took place at the intimate French Quarter courtyard at the Beauregard-Keyes House, with 70 of the couple’s closest friends and family members in attendance. The bride’s mother escorted her down the candlelit meandering courtyard path, past the decadently floralized courtyard fountain overflowing with large white hydrangea garland.
The scene was like something out of a movie, and in fact, was inspired by the wedding scene in Twilight that Brandi was hoping to recreate for her own ceremony. When we presented our design plan to her, she was delighted with the over-the-top organic florals and greenery that would have a huge impact with her guests. The ceremony was an important element to the couple, and they wanted to emphasize the importance of their love for one another with an intentional, momentous and impactful design at the ceremony venue.
After the ceremony concluded, Brandi and Kevin lead their guests on a traditional New Orleans second line parade through the streets, complete with brass band and on-lookers wishing them well along the way. As they approached the reception venue at Muriel’s Restaurant, which overlooks the historic Jackson Square, the newlyweds along with all of their guests literally shut the streets down with their dancing and revelry as the band played on. Brandi and Kevin lead the charge to the reception space upstairs, and kicked off the reception with a ceremonious champagne pour over a tower of vintage coupes and a selection of bespoke cocktails prepared by The Grand Bevy.
Take a peek at the images from Eric James Photography for a glimpse into this celebration of a new year, new life, and new love!
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