A New Orleans Wedding
I’m convinced weddings are just reunions for college friends.
I always look forward to weddings for the chance to celebrate the love between the bride and groom, to admire the wedding dress, the catch a glimpse of the groom when he sees her for the first time, and to catch the bouquet. Not because I want to get married any time soon. I just love the flowers.
Andrew and Ivey’s wedding was no exception. I had their big day marked on my calendar for months in advance.
Summer DeLoach, Mary Hannah (MH for short), and I have been friends with Andrew for a few years. We went to Jones County Junior College together and had the time of our lives. Even though it was only two years, we formed the best kind of friendship. You know, the kind where you just pick up where you left off.
After college, Andy moved to Orlando to pursue his career at Disney, and we were convinced he’d marry a Disney princess. Sure enough, he did. Her name is Ivey, and she looks like she walked right out of a fairy tale. I could tell he was crazy about her from the beginning, as I watched from afar (from Instagram.) I didn’t actually meet her until their wedding day!
The three of us used the two hour drive from Laurel to New Orleans to catch up and listen to songs we haven’t listened to since college. Reminiscing the last time we drove this route nights long ago. I haven’t been to a wedding in awhile, and it felt nice to be all dolled up. They’d tell me to hush, but Mary Hannah and Summer looked like actual models and I hoped that a hint of their beauty might rub off by standing next to them.
The wedding was at the Pavillion at Dreyfous Park in New Orleans. It felt like we were in a wedding scene in a romantic comedy somewhere in New York. Aren’t all the best rom-coms set there? It honestly looked just like a Monet painting. The weather couldn’t have been any better for an outdoor wedding, thank goodness. I was scared I was going to melt.
After the ceremony, we made our way to their intimate reception at Race & Religious, a restored New Orleans courtyard and townhouse compound. It was stunning with its reflection pool and charming sitting spaces. It was fitting for the bride and groom.
The funniest realization of the entire trip was that we were officially tired by 10pm. Here’s to officially being in our late 20s!
Get the look (or close to it):
Mary Hannah’s dress and shoes.
Summer’s navy dress and shoes.
