This Week in Weddings » Featured

Engagement Stories 2

jeff — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:14:12 +0000

Our second engagement story to celebrate the launch of our Look Who’s Engaged feature comes from Giselle Bodin from Huntsville, Alabama.

Our engagement came one year after the beginning of our courtship, and more than four years after I first decided that my future-husband was the rudest guy in Huntsville, Alabama. I guess you could say a lot happened in those four years.

My fiancé did not say much to me spent the first few years that we knew each other. His group of friends was popular at our Huntsville Young Professionals events, and while the rest of them were all
nice, I presumed he thought he was “too cool” for everyone else and therefore did not make much conversation. I, on the other hand, talk to any living creature as well as to inanimate objects on a frequent basis. I thought he was cute, but, did not speak to him much.

Three years later, he and a mutual friend decided to crash our girls night. I didn’t understand why he wanted to see “27 Dresses” with us, but now it’s clear that it was his attempt to spend time with me. The movie “27 Dresses” is about a perpetual bridesmaid who, indeed, uses a parasol in at least one of her multiple outfits. It was intended as a “Mary Bo Peep” look, but of course the parasol reminded me of second-lining.

That night set our relationship in motion, and I discovered that he was just a shy, small-town guy. He was apparently taken back by me upon our meeting and feared I wouldn’t remember him, causing him to clam up and not converse. Luckily, “27 Dresses” gave us something to talk and laugh about, and the bond immediately grew.

And so, one year after our courtship, he got down on one knee at during our anniversary dinner at our favorite restaurant. He knew what he was getting into, proposing to a loud New Orleans girl and he is prepared to do the second line himself at our wedding at Cedar Grove Plantation in March.

Do you want to announce your engagement? Post your engagement announcement today and we may contact you for an engagement feature!

Engagement Stories

jeff — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:11:26 +0000

This week we are commemorating the launch of our new feature “Look Who’s Engaged!” by posting a couple submissions we received during our Black & Gold Parasol contest. The first submission comes from the contest winner Brandi Liberty:

For years Brandi has always gone to Lincoln, Nebraska for her birthday. This year I decided to change things up a bit so that she would not suspect that I would be proposing to her. Instead of going to Nebraska, I decided to plan a surprise trip to New Orleans. Getting to New Orleans was going to be easy. Brandi and her mom had vouchers that expired Sept. We decided to buy two one way tickets from Kansas City to New Orleans. The next step was getting the ring back from the jeweler. Since I designed the ring, there were many steps involved that had to be done in order for the ring to be complete. Additionally, I was also trying to conserve costs where necessary.

Finally, ring was done but it was too big and there were few minor things I wanted changed so I sent it to Brandi’s uncle in Mobile, Alabama who is a jeweler. Cory, her uncle, receives the ring and begins working on it. Meanwhile, I was trying to arrange plans in New Orleans for us, figure out hotel accommodations, and find two one-way plane tickets home. With the help of Gerri, Brandi’s mom, we were able to get a very nice hotel downtown and find reasonable rates for our return flight home.

Two days before we are scheduled to leave I still had not received the ring from her uncle. Finally I get word that it’s on its way, insured and with a tracking number assigned. The next morning, the ring was supposed to be here and I realized there was a typo on the mailing address. I call the UPS store and they sent it back to the warehouse for return in Mobile, Alabama. I was able to be refunded the shipping costs, and hold the ring for a few hours, which gave me time to go pick up the ring in Kansas City. I found my way to the UPS warehouse and there it is! I had it in my possession and we were all set. Now, I just needed my proposal idea to go as planned.

The week prior to leaving I went to the airport to speak with the airline company about my proposal idea. Basically, I wanted them to help facilitate an unsuspecting proposal with a bit of humor. I knew Brandi would be suspecting the typical proposal every time we would be out alone, especially if we were at a fancy place, or dressed up nicely. However, I wanted my proposal to be different.

The idea was that Brandi and I would board the plane where the flight attendants would play along with this skit I created:

Flight Attendant: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are delighted to welcome you aboard flight 0556 with service to New Orleans.”

Flight Attendant: “Today we are excited to announce we are allowing one lucky passenger to recite the pre-flight safety announcement. As a reward we will present this passenger with a travel voucher valued at one hundred and fifty dollars.”

Flight Attendant: “The passenger that has been randomly chosen is seat 5C; Brandi Liberty. Brandi Liberty please find your way to the front of the aircraft for instruction.”

Brandi Liberty: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Brandi Liberty and I am delighted to welcome you aboard flight 1376 with service to New Orleans.”

Brandi Liberty: “Please ensure that your seat belt is fastened, your seat back is upright and your tray-table is stowed. Your safety is our first priority.”

Brandi Liberty: “Please focus your attention to the passenger in seat 5B, his name is Terry Jones and he’s about to ask me to marry him.”

Terry Jones: “ I will now ask you to be my wife – I hope you say yes! Happy Birthday and congratulations! I love you very much. This is going to be a great weekend in New Orleans!”

Overall, my plan worked! The flight attendants were great and Brandi was so shocked and happy. Brandi admitted later that she thought I was up to something but just thought I was playing a joke on her and somehow arranged for her to be the “chosen passenger.” She would never have suspected I would have proposed on the plane.

At last we are engaged and the wait was over. Now, it was time to go to New Orleans and have fun, or not?

The previous week I had been fighting a sinus infection and thought I was pretty much over. However, when flying to New Orleans, I realized my ears would not clear that I could be in for some trouble when I landed.

The next day the pain was worse, and I could tell was not going to go away. I spent the majority of the day in the Urgent Care facility where I would get two shots in my ear, and one shot in each hip. I was also informed that it would probably take 5-7 days before the infection would clear. Meaning, my trip is not going to be as exciting as I had hoped for and that if I flew again before my ears healed I would most likely rupture my ear drum.

The next day we evacuated New Orleans because of Hurricane Gustav with Brandi’s sister and her family making our way to Memphis where we stayed for the next two days waiting to see how the storm was going to affect the region and also how we would be returning home. The problem came because I couldn’t fly, rental cars were sold out, and the bus and train systems were full and required some complicated connections.

Then, I remembered that Brandi’s other cousin who lives next door to us was in Memphis on vacation and we were able to arrange a ride home with them. Had it not been for her cousin’s we would have most likely had to stay another day or two in Memphis deciding on another plan to return home.

To see the Brandi and Terry’s engagement video click here: www.liberty-jones-wedding.com.

Check back on Monday for another engagement story! In the meantime post your engagement announcement today!

Contest Announcement: 1,000 Followers!

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:38:46 +0000

This week we made a major milestone on our Twitter account, @NOLAWeddingsMag: We hit 1,000 followers! To celebrate we’re going to run a twitter contest over the next 2 weeks.

To enter all you have to do is recommend us in your Follow Friday tweets on either March 12th or 19th 2010. It can be as simple as “#FF @NOLAWeddingsMag” or whatever you want as long as we’re in your Follow-Friday recommendations. We’re going to be picking one lucky twitterer to win one of two parasols featured at the N.O.W Booth at Bridal Event 2010.

Photocredit: Black & Geauxld Photography

Rules:

Contest is open to individuals with non-business twitter accounts.
While businesses twitterers are always welcome to include us in their Follow-Friday tweets they will not be included in the drawing.
For entries to be counted the tweet needs to reference at least @NOLAWeddingsMag and one of the Follow Friday hashtags: #FF or #FollowFriday.
Entries will be accepted as long as they show having occurred on either March 12th 2010 or March 19th 2010.
Winners will be picked at random and notified via Twitter on the following Monday.
It is the responsibility of the prize winner to claim their prize by picking it up at the N.O.W. office or arranging for shipping. Winner is responsible for shipping fees.
Employees of New Orleans Weddings Magazine and their families cannot enter for this contest.

TWiW Episode 32 – Bridal Event 2010

jeff — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:00:46 +0000

iStockphoto/knape

This week on the show Rachel and Jeff are previewing some of the exciting happenings with Bridal Event 2010! Which will take place on Tuesday, March 2nd 2010 from 6 to 9 pm at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

We will also unveil our new 2010 Annex edition of the magazine which includes a 32 page supplement with more articles, style guides and Real Weddings

Advance Tickets $10 or $15 (cash only) at the door. Partial Proceeds from Ticket Sales to Bridal Event 2010 will be donated to the Louisiana SPCA to support them in their efforts to care for and find permanent homes for homeless animals. Join us and help Save a Life while Planning the Biggest Day of your Life!

Please remember that if you buy your ticket online to print your receipt as it will serve as your ticket!

Don’t forget we are giving away free tickets!

All you need is either a Facebook or Twitter! It’s that easy.

Post a message on our Facebook fan page or tweet @NolaWeddingsMag telling us you’re coming to Bridal Event 2010, (“I’ll be at Bridal Event 2010!”) and you’ll receive 1 complimentary ticket into the show.

We will put your ticket on the Will Call list at the entrance of the New Orleans Museum of Art under your Facebook or Twitter name.

So start tweeting @NolaWeddingsMag or send us a Facebook post today saying “I’ll be at Bridal Event 2010!”. Only one post per account, please. Only posts received before February 26th at 11:59 pm will receive 1 complimentary ticket.

Don’t have a Facebook or Twitter? We still want to give you a chance to get a ticket into the show. Pick up one of our complimentary tickets to Bridal Event 2010 at Bustles and Bows Boutique in Metairie. We have a limited number at the boutique, so make sure to get yours today. You can also stop by our booth at the “Everything Bridal Extravaganza” on the Northshore Feb. 25th, from 6-9 pm.
See you at Bridal Event 2010!

Venue Options for a Beautiful New Orleans Wedding

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:13:05 +0000

For a New Orleans destination wedding, the city offers a variety of venues to suit the theme and personality of your special day. Some of the more popular venues include:

Royal Sonesta Hotel- This hotel offers up a tropical courtyard and sweeping ballrooms for your special day.
Bourbon Vieux- With the largest balcony on Bourbon Street, you and your guests can have the best view in town from this popular wedding venue.
Broussard’s- This French Quarter restaurant is old-world French Creole. The cobblestones and flowering courtyards add charm and beauty to your nuptials.
New Orleans Museum of Art- Get married surrounded by classic and contemporary art in the gardens, patio or courtyards of the museum.
W Hotels of New Orleans- For an elegant modern flair, these two hotels do everything for you. From offering wedding packages to planning the big day, they do it all.

Other popular New Orleans wedding places to check out include: Nottoway Plantation, Maison Dupuy Hotel, Magnolia Plantation, Southern Oaks Plantation, Le Pavillion Hotel, Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Tchoupitoulas Plantation and many more. But whether you choose an indoor location or a floral courtyard, New Orleans makes a perfect wedding destination spot.

[View with PicLens]

Photo Credits:

NOMA- Wedding: Laura Krevsky & Aron Goetzl, Photographer: Oscar Rajo
Royal Sonesta- Wedding: Amy Jacobson and Randy Kessler, Photographer- Studio Tran
Maison Dupuy- Wedding: Deanna Lambert and Dan Thomas, Photographer- Artisan Style Photojournalism
Le Pavillion- Wedding: Julie Viosca and Nico Lambert, Photographer- Eau Claire Photographics
Broussards- New Orleans Weddings Magazine, Photographer: Jessica Caradona