Elizabeth + Jared

Ceremony + Reception: Nottoway Plantation | Hair: Amber Sonnier | Makeup: Janie LaPlante + Katie Fromenthal | Florist: Cole’s Floral Design | Calligrapher: Paper N Things | Cake: Ambrosia Bakery | Band: Stormy | Second shooter: Ryan Swanson

Jared and I met through mutual friends while we were both living in Monroe, LA. It just so happened that we had both moved up there in a time of transition and self discovery. We knew each other for about 6 months before our first date. We began as acquaintances, and our relationship flowered into romance. Once we started to embody the qualities we sought in a partner, we just happened to kind of “find” each other.

First, it’s worth noting that Jared had asked my father for my hand in the summer of 2015, but because my sister was pregnant with the first grand baby, Jared chose to wait for the proposal till after her birth. A week before Christmas 2015, I met him at Acadian Village, a tourist attraction in Lafayette that covers itself in lights for the holiday season. I had been talking about how I wanted to take a picture with Santa Claus, and my friends convinced me to go one night after work. It also happened that the following day was my last day at that job, and the day of the engagement was especially hellacious. Once at the Village, we stopped in front of the chapel (the main attraction) to take a picture and he hit his knee. We immediately went to take a picture with Santa.

My favorite moment of our wedding day was having that quiet hour alone right after the ceremony, where we could bask in excitement. Also, walking into and leaving the reception and having everyone cheering for us. I don’t want to be typical, but honestly every moment of that day was the best moment. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

First Dance: “Satisfy My Soul” by Bob Marley

Cake Flavors:
1st tier – Chocolate
2nd tier – Strawberry
3rd tier – White
4th tier – Coconut