Mar

06

Anissa + Kevin Married

Brides / Weddings  Posted by / 0 comments

As a wedding professional, the task of planning her own wedding was a “fun” experience for bride Anissa Eugene of Elegance by ACE.   “I already knew what I wanted and that made it easy for me to make it all come together,” she shared.

Kevin Coleman, Jr. and Anissa wed on October 27, 2012 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Marrero, Louisiana in front of their closest family and friends.

Candle decor by Firefly Ambiance definitely set the tone for the evening and created an intimate and elegant feel for the ceremony that captured just what the couple was looking for.

Anissa and Kevin’s overall theme  was “romance in New Orleans” and the romantic ambiance at Southern Oaks Plantation created the perfect backdrop for their October nuptials.

“Choosing Southern Oaks was an easy decision for us,” the couple shared.  “They made sure that all of our guests were well taken care of.  The incredible staff was a pleasure to work with and they were extremely knowledgeable about everything concerning our big day.”

Wanting their guests to have a fun and memorable experience, the couple embraced the “taste of New Orleans” theme with the food from Southern Oaks.  Guests dined on New Orleans classics that included an array of fried and boiled seafood,  bacon-wrapped oysters, butter pecan shrimp, crawfish pies, shrimp and corn bisque and tons of other delights.  “Our guests were amazed at how lavish the food and decor was. We couldn’t have picked a better place to have our reception.”

On hand to snap every memorable moment for the couple was Stacy Marks of Stacy Marks Photography.  “Working with Stacy was fantastic!” the couple raved.  “Stacy was the perfect photographer, as he didn’t fill our entire wedding day with posing for pictures. Stacy’s eye for capturing candid moments was priceless!”

The bride wore a beautiful lace gown with chapel-length train.  “The first dress I tried on was the one!” Anissa exclaimed.  “I walked around the shop for about an hour and a half before I took it off.  I fell in love!”

The groom and his groomsmen were outfitted in lovely gray suits from John’s Tuxedos.  “John’s Tuxedos was awesome!”  noted the groom.  “They made sure that I was well taken care of. They offered great suggestions for our suits and ties and even supplied the groomsmen gifts — engraved metal wallets.”

The couple’s wedding favors included a variety of Elmer’s Potato Chips that were imprinted with beautiful images from around the city of New Orleans.

From the first dance to the last, guests danced the night away and were able to share in the love between the happy newlyweds.  “We were told that our wedding was the best wedding that they had ever been to.  Everyone is still talking about their experience at our wedding.”

See their entire wedding in the new issue of N.O.W. Magazine
by: Christina Johnson

Feb

04

Happy Planning

Table Talk / Weddings  Posted by / 0 comments

All around the world, engagement proposals are being presented in creative ways this season. Did you know that December is the number one month for couples to get in engaged? That’s right– engagement season is officially underway!

Once the excitement settles down, couples will usually attend a bridal show as their first step. This enables you to see and compare the “best of the best” all under one roof! A show will include wedding planners, photographers, florists, caterers, ceremony and reception sites, bakeries, and much more. There are even agencies for those who are planning a destination wedding. Brides often look forward to wedding gown displays, which gives insight on selecting the prefect gown.

Below you will find my top 5 tips for a successful wedding:

  1. The Big Picture: Before diving head first into all the details, sit back and envision what you want your big day to look like. Remember organization is the key.
  2. Budget Allocation: Remember, there is no need to spend a fortune to have a beautiful wedding; just spend wisely.
  3. Décor:  When it comes to floral and candle arrangements, you should do a mixture of high and low arrangements. This mixture will also help cut costs.
  4. Food and Cocktails: Consider your food as more than just a meal. Allow your guests to experience your love story through your menu. Try options like favorite foods, places that you have visited, or your background/culture.
  5. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy: Planning a wedding is a once and a lifetime opportunity. Wedding planning should be made up of a sequence of events leading up to the finale. Also, remember to include friends and family to make the process joyful!

Happy Planning!

Photo from: Counting Graces

 

Dec

11

Kelsey + Cuong Married

Brides / Weddings  Posted by / 1 comments

Cuong and I met while I was working in Boston and he was doing his last year of residency at Mass General Hospital. I was still living in New Hampshire at the time, so we would take turns driving the four hour drive back and forth to see each other on the weekends. Both of our schedules were very tight so we had to work really hard at making time for one another.

Frequently, Cuong would only have time to see me post call (he would go into work at 7am, and would not get finished until 7am the following day). Cuong would then stay up another 12 hours to spend time with me, bringing his total awake time to almost 36 hours. I don’t know how he did it.

We chose to get married in New Orleans for two reasons. One being that Cuong’s family was from the West Coast and my family was from the East Coast; New Orleans was a bit of a half-way point for both families. The other was because Cuong had gone to college at Tulane. He’d always wanted to get married at St. Louis Cathedral, and after seeing it for the first time, I wasn’t about to argue!

- Kelsey Vu

Thank you so much, Kelsey and Cuong, for allowing me the privilege to tag along in your love story! It was the GREATEST experience planning with you and I am honored to have been chosen to help! To many years of happiness and bliss!

And a huge thank you to our amazing vendors! You all were a perfect addition to the team! Can’t wait to work with you again!

Planning and Design | Elegance by ACE
Ceremony | St. Louis Cathedral
Venue | Royal Palms
Photography | Genovese Photography
Videographer | Bella Productions
Florist | Mitch’s Flowers
DJ | Direct Entertainment
Bakery | Swiss Bakery
Transportation | GNO Limousines
Dec

04

Jessica + Jasen Married

Weddings  Posted by / 0 comments

Jessica and Jasen wanted a very fun and unique “summer” feel at their wedding, which of course explains why they fell in love with Fair Grounds Race Course! This Fair Grounds venue set the perfect backdrop for their reception. When the time came to create a menu, the couple chose themed stations of heavy hors d’oeuvres. “Blackened Shrimp Tortellini” was offered as the delicious entree for the guests to enjoy. The color scheme was easy. The bride went with fun and happy summer flowers with a focus on vibrant colors and interesting textures. Jessica’s main wedding color was tangelo (bright peach) with accents of sunny yellow, white, dusty purple, and gray (foliages). The bridal flowers focused on Gerbera daisies and roses designed in a textural pave style, with “fun” accents of crespedia.

Thank you so much, Jessica and Jasen, for allowing me the privilege to tag along in your love story! It was the GREATEST experience planning with you and I am honored to have been chosen to help! To many years of happiness and bliss!

And a huge thank you to our amazing vendors! You all were a perfect addition to the team! Can’t wait to work with you again!

Planning and Design | Elegance by ACE
Photography | Renaissance Photography NOLA
Ceremony | St. Peter Claver Catholic Church
Venue | Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots
Florist | NOLA FLORA
Photobooth | Eclipse Nola Photobooth
Bakery | Swiss Bakery
 

Nov

21

Table Talk: Holiday Decor with ACE

Inspired Details / Table Talk  Posted by / 0 comments

Not every wedding needs to be based upon the season that it takes place in, but we love to bring seasonal elements into the wedding to give it a little bit of character! From inspiring color palettes to little details, you can incorporate the season in a big or small way.

We’ve gathered some ideas on bringing a little “Thanksgiving” or “Fall” detail into your wedding.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving or Fall inspired wedding detail?

When I think of Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to my mind is my appreciation for God, family, and friends. I also think of those who have made a difference in my life who may not be with us anymore. When you sit around the Thanksgiving table, you are not only thankful for the present and the future, but also that past. I love this table centerpiece detail below. It shows runners made of beautiful family photos, including the past and the present. The images can be a great conversation piece, as well as a way to encourage your guests to reminisce and share memories with each other. You can incorporate wedding photos, baby photos, etc. I also adore the place cards on each plate utilizing an old film canister; a fabulous Thanksgiving wedding detail!

 

 

Fall decor done in a neutral palette! Fall weddings shouldn’t be limited to the red, orange, and brown color scheme. I am inspired by the clean and crisp neutral palette pictured below.

 

Mason jars have become increasingly popular in the wedding world. However, we typically see them in spring and summer weddings. I love these hand painted and distressed mason jars. They are the perfect wedding detail for a fall wedding. Like any mason jar, they are inexpensive, versatile, and functional!

 

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