January 29, 2016

Dawn + Michael

Michael and I wanted to get married in a unique New Orleans setting, so the Thoth Market Street Den seemed like the perfect venue! Michael’s dad is an officer in Thoth and Michael has been riding in Thoth for the past 15 years. Michael was even a page as a child. The entrance to the venue is lined with beautiful Mardi Gras floats. As guests entered, they were served a welcome cocktail prepared by Tyler from Treo. Lisa from Luminous Events made my visions of candle lights, lanterns, and string lights a reality. She is truly a creative genius. We got married in front of a beautiful exposed brick wall. The ceremony was very romantic and entirely candle lit. Our friend Megan played the harp during the ceremony. It was perfect. Our friend’s band the NOLA Troublemakers played during the reception. They were absolutely amazing. We danced the night away with our family and friends.

Michael and I met at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub. I bartended throughout nursing school and Michael was a customer and a good friend of the owners, Stephen and Pauline Patterson. Pauline and a few of our mutual friends set us up on a date one night to see a movie. We went to see the The Dark Knight. Our two years of friendship quickly evolved into a romantic relationship. Not only was Pauline instrumental in Michael and I going on our first date, but seven years later, she was also the minister who performed our marriage ceremony.

I finished nursing school at Charity School of Nursing in May 2012. Michael planned a romantic weekend getaway to Annadelle’s Plantation in Covington to celebrate. We spent the weekend relaxing and enjoying a much needed break from the chaos of work, nursing school clinicals and finals. Saturday morning, Michael dropped down on one knee and popped the question. Of course I said yes!

My favorite moment from our wedding day was our first look on the Magnolia Bridge on Bayou St. John. The stress of the day melted away the second i saw Michael. It was so intimate and perfect. We were also able to take most of our couple shots and family photos before the wedding so we had more time to enjoy our reception. The Bayou was absolutely beautiful.

Precessional: Pachabel Canon in D
Recessional: Chimes
First dance: “In My life” by the Beatles
Second line: Brass music played by the NOLA Treblemakers

Our wedding cake was from Gambino’s. It had 4 tiers. The first and third layers were wedding cake with lemon filling. The top and second tiers were dark chocolate with raspberry filling. The icing was buttercream.

The groom’s cake was made by Michael’s extremely talented cousin, Andrea. It was butter pecan with pecan pie filling.