An Elevated Garden Party Brought Indoors in South Louisiana

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

We used Ice Blue and Shades of White with touches of peach throughout the wedding.

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[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Elevated Garden party: The bride wanted a unique venue, but with the unpredictable weather and heat of South Louisiana, it was chosen to use a popular ballroom instead of an outdoor tent. The planner transformed the space with trees, hanging florals, and a transformed layout with lots of details to give the bride the look she desired.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

On a beautiful April morning in Louisiana, Mary Catherine was under the impression that the day ahead was nothing more than a simple family gathering. She and Brennan were heading to meet what she thought were just her parents and sisters for lunch to celebrate her mom’s birthday. Her mother’s birthday lunch was the perfect excuse for a celebration, and with family Christmas card photos on the agenda, she dressed for what she thought would be just another special—but-ordinary—day wearing blue and white. Upon arriving, beneath the canopy of ancient moss-draped oaks, Brennan Dupeire led Mary Catherine through the breathtaking grounds of Rip Van Winkle Gardens as they walked to meet her family at Café Jefferson – the quaint lunch spot connected to the gardens. Rip Van Winkle Gardens wasn’t just any location; it was a place filled with meaning. Nestled near Mary Catherine’s family home, its lush botanical beauty and deep Louisiana history made it feel like home for both of them. Months earlier, Brennan had sat at that same Café Jefferson with her parents and grandmother, sharing a meal and asking for their blessing to marry the girl he knew was “the one.” Little did she know, Brennan Dupeire had been planning something far more extraordinary. As they arrived at the picturesque spot right before approaching the cafe, she walked to a beautiful spot, right under one of the famous moss trees, to see Brennan drop to one knee. With joyful tears and a huge smile, the moment felt like something magical, one written in fate, family, and the perfect Louisiana backdrop. The surprises didn’t end there. As they made their way to Café Jefferson, both of their families were waiting, ready to celebrate the newly engaged couple over a meal in the gardens that now held an even deeper place in their hearts. It was simply a perfect Louisiana morning, the moment Mary Catherine and Brennan’s chapter truly began.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Mary Catherine wore a stunning Amsale Couture dress purchased from I Do Bridal.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

The bridesmaids also wore Amsale dresses.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

The band wore custom attire designed by Hannah Trahan using the pattern created by Caitlin at Hark Creative, then sewn by Melanie Cocker. The groom and groomsmen wore tuxes from Mary Ellen’s Tux Studio. The waiters wore blue pinstripe custom aprons with the embroidered monogram and patterned bow ties. They each carried hand towels with the custom monogram.

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

Waiters butler passed Sesame Encrusted Tuna, Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Roasted Pepper Cream, and Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin, hand-painted trays by artist Lauren Sibley of Sibley Designs. Seafood Pasta, Southern Grits with Jumbo Shrimp Grillades, and Chargrilled Oysters were a few items served along with Louisiana Seafood Displayed on an Ice Sculpture with Marinated Crab Claws, Maine Lobster, Crab Ravigote Salad, and Oyster Shooters. A kids section had mini tables with Sketches of the Bride and Groom coloring sheets with a special mini kids buffet featuring PB & J sandwiches, chicken fingers, Homemade mac and cheese, and pigs in a pastry.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Guests were greeted with a greenery-lined walkway complete with chandeliers before signing the custom butterflies that were made into art by Lizzie of Modern Muse for the couple’s home. Oak Trees with added Roses and florals stood on either side of the guest sign-in area. The lobby included trees and greenery walls with photos of the couple and their families as they grew up. The main entry into the room allowed a peek into the dance area where thousands of florals were suspended from the ceiling, creating a perfect setting for the couple’s first dance, where Live Butterflies from Riverbottom Butterflies were released during the first dance “Butterflies” by Max. Ice Blue Satin Linens and the custom pattern covered every table beneath stunning florals and taper candles. The stage fronts held Roses, Ranunculus, Peonies, and other white florals. The bride carried a handheld bouquet of lilies of the valley with a blessed mother medal she got from the Vatican in Rome on a family trip the summer before her wedding. Hannah and Christy worked together to personalize the bathroom with a custom print skirt for under the sink, monogrammed toiletries, and a full floral pattern vinyl wrap on the bathroom stalls. Butterfly Mirror Decals were also displayed. A beautiful floor wrap by Advent Group covered the dance floor, and the same pattern was applied to the bar panels and stage walls customized by Texture Rental Collection. Hannah sourced custom-printed Matte Satin linens in the custom pattern from the invitations. Cake and entry table linens were monogrammed with the couple’s crest by Initials. The Lounge area included monogrammed pillows with coffee table photo books of the couple’s proposal, as well as their engagement parties and each wedding party held in their honor. The bar was equipped with Monogrammed Drink Stirrers, Custom Stamped Ice Cubes, and Frosted Cups.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Crystal Weddings created a custom pattern that complemented Mary Catherine’s dress, complete with the perfect shade of blue once the couple cut into the cake.

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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

Vermillion Strings provided Strings for the Ceremony as well as the cocktail hour at the reception. Three Thirty Seven kept the guests on the dance floor and the couple on the stage until the very last song, including the couple’s first dance, “Butterflies”.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

It was very important to Mary Catherine and her mother, Christy, to have personal experiences woven throughout the day. They worked with Planner and Designer, Hannah Traha, to create these special moments. Guests received their invitation boxes completely customized through Caitlin at Hark Creative, Co., which set the tone for what they were going to experience. The guest enjoyed many personalized touches throughout the night, several relating to the bride’s love of butterflies. When the guests entered the church, they were presented with a handwritten note from the bride along with a gift box holding a monogrammed handkerchief with the couple’s crest held in place with a gold butterfly pin, thanking guests for attending. Blue shelves from Distressed Rentals were lined with “Butterfly Kisses”, custom hand-dipped ranunculus flower candles, a nod to the detailing on the bride’s wedding dress, presented in a pattern gift box tied with a silk ribbon. Later in the night, gold bar carts were rolled out holding leather slippers for the guest to use for dancing, The couple gave Mardi Gras Necklaces, engraved with the couples name and wedding date and custom shirts with a caricature of the couple, saying “I survived the Dupeire Wedding” Guest were surprised when they walked out of the reception to an outdoor cafe complete with Vintage Umbrellas over round tables with wedding print tablecloths, mini white lights forming a ceiling over the beignet display where guest were served New Orleans style beignets and coffee.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The Bridesmaid wore custom pajamas while they spent the morning getting dressed. Stephanie Gaffney of Torregrossa Fine Art provided the live painting. It was a beautiful, large oil painting of the couple with their families.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

The bride left the reception in a limited edition Love Shack fancy mini dress and hand-painted golden goose sneakers. The couple walked out to the guest showering them with butterfly confetti and were surprised with a fabulous fireworks show by Pyro Mania Fireworks. The bride left the reception in a limited edition Love Shack fancy mini dress and hand-painted golden goose sneakers. The couple walked out to the guest showering them with butterfly confetti and were surprised with a fabulous fireworks show by Pyro Mania Fireworks.

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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