A FUNKY WEDDING IN NEW ORLEANS COMPLETE WITH PARADE, GLITTER & FEATHER FANS!

Ever been to a wedding where the couple parade themselves and their guests down the streets of New Orleans with an epic band?! Me either but now I really want to after seeing Trevor and Nicole’s wedding! It was their goal to throw the ultimate funky party for their family and friends and you can see they certainly succeeded!

“Trevor and Nicole have lived in over 12 cities across the United States and now, currently reside in Portland, OR. Trevor and Nicole knew that for our friends and family from across the country, this wedding was going to be a destination wedding no matter what. New Orleans came into focus because it’s central, but also because the couple spends a lot of our time enjoying good music — especially of the New Orleans funk variety. It’s their favorite. So, when thinking about where to throw the big party, Nicole and Trevor could think of no better place than New Orleans. When Trevor and Nicole found the venue, the Royal Frenchman Hotel, which is located at the end of the famous music-filled Frenchman Street, it couldn’t have been a better fit. The Royal Frenchman is a boutique hotel with a funky vibe that is filled with colorful surrealist art and a regular host to some of their favorite New Orlean’s artists. The outdoor courtyard was exactly what they had in mind for both the wedding and the reception. The venue hosted both the rehearsal dinner with food from the local joint NOLA Po’ Boy, and was transformed the next day by Michelle Norwood to host 150 of Trevor and Nicole’s family and friends.”

“New Orleans has it’s own party vibe, and It was Trevor and Nicole’s goal to throw the ultimate funky party for their family and friends. The vibe really came together with Trevor’s purple suit, a custom design by Portland’s Duchess Clothier, and it really set the stage for everything else. Nicole’s dress was from Novella Bridal, complete with a peacock feather lace pattern. Anna Lee Jackson, the Bride’s hairstylist, is a friend of the family, but also a well-known stylist in Chicago. Nicole wanted someone she knew she could trust to pull off this complex ladyhawk hairstyle.”

“Michelle Norwood was the planner. She and her team provided most of the referrals for the wedding, including Theresa Elizabeth Photography, My House Social Catering, Leaf & Petal NOLA, and more. Michelle is impeccable about her relationships with vendors and has high expectations for follow-through that made everything flow smoothly. Pinterest definitely helped with brainstorming, but it came down to Michelle’s planning that really helped everything come together. She hooked us up with the Aisle Planner App, which had a timeline, color scheme, floor plan, and more. It made long-distance planning a cinch!”

“As fans of New Orleans funk music including Galactic, Hot 8 Brass Band, and Rebirth Brass Band, the couple wasn’t looking for a regular wedding band. They wanted a funk show. They were connected through a friend to the one and only, John “Papa” Gros. John is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter and when he said he would pull together a supergroup of talented, local artists to play for their wedding, Trevor and Nicole could hardly believe it. The band brought down the house and even had a crowd gathered in the road outside the venue, drawing in locals and tourists alike for the show!”

“Bridemaid Noel Rohayem, an art director and stylist, created a custom ostrich feather fan to complement Nicole’s look for the couple’s iconic Second Line parade. The wedding program, featuring a New Orleans language guide, list of all guests, and parade route map, was created by designer and Bridesmaid, Natalie Devine. The Bride’s mom made the card box to complement the handmade Polaroid-filled guest book, which became a testament to the absolute blast people were having. Wedding party gifts were flasks from ToonedUp, featuring customized caricatures of each friend showcasing each person’s unique flair (see the awesome photo of Bridesman, Emmett).”

“Having wedding coordination support is an absolute must. And don’t worry about all the expectations and best practices, and just do what feels right. That just made the day the most fun day we’ve ever had.”

Dress Designer: Pronovias//Ring Designer:Northwood Rings//Band: John Papa Gros//Band: Knockaz Brass Band//Reception Venue: The Royal Frenchmen//Caterer: My House Social//Jewelry: Trabert Goldsmiths//Makeup Artist:Chris Carter//Dress Store: Novella Bridal//Floral Designer: Leaf Petal New Orleans//Event Designer: Michelle Norwood Weddings, LLC//Photographer: Theresa Elizabeth Photography// Submitted via Two Bright Lights //