WEDDINGS
Love ALWAYS
Inspiration for creating a dream wedding, plus a glimpse into the celebrations of local couples
Rachael B Photography
EDITORIAL
Editor: Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois
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Volume 35 Issue 18
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Kidding Around
‘And they’re going to hold flower wands,” she told me as we talked through the details of my boys acting as “flower children” for her wedding to one of our dearest friends. “That sounds so cute,” I responded. But all that was going through my mind as a not-so-seasoned but boy mom all the same was “weapon.”
When our friends initially asked our children, who would be 1- and 3-years old on the big day, to be a part of their wedding, my husband and I were elated. But then reality set in. Would the youngest be walking? Would they cry? Would they ruin the entire ceremony?
A worrier to my core, my anxiety only grew as my boys got bigger and the days until the big day became fewer. I remember telling my mother just hours before the ceremony that I hadn’t even felt that nervous on my own wedding day. This situation was, unfortunately, out of my hands.
“You need this,” my mom said as she handed me a glass of sauvignon blanc at 3 p.m. Something to take the edge off. But, let me tell you, the edge did not come off.
As I stood in the holding room with my children just prior to their debut, I remember closing my eyes and praying that they would make it down the aisle and that none of the wedding guests would get whacked in the head, stomach or legs with a so-called “flower wand.”
Then, the moment came. I frantically pushed the boys out into the spotlight. On my hands and knees in a butter-yellow evening gown, I pleaded with them to walk. But, as expected, things did not go to plan.
The oldest, in a sweet but misguided attempt to save the day, tried to drag the youngest, who had gotten distracted by some lights that had been added to the floor since our test run at the rehearsal the night before. A backup started to occur, and I urged the oldest to walk on while I grabbed the youngest—likely already with visual impairments due to the amount of time he spent staring into up-lighting.
Mortified, I paced back and forth in the side rooms of New Orleans’ The Cabildo as the ceremony took place, my youngest reveling at the artwork and running around in his adorably tiny knee socks. Meanwhile, the oldest was double-fisting lollipops in the front row as our friends said their vows and sealed them with a kiss.
The roses, so to speak? Neither of my sons had used those wands as weapons. The thorns? Well, I think those are obvious.
Was this a dramatic retelling of a not-so-dramatic event? Sure, you could say that. But it still feels very significant to me, just as all small details do to those intimately involved in a wedding day.
As you read through this January Weddings issue—I’m so excited to write those words—you will hear from the brides, grooms, parents and planners about just how much every little aspect of these celebrations means to everyone involved. Whether it’s the dress or the flowers or the cake or even—dare I say it—the flower girls and boys, every choice a couple makes is intentional and meant to tell the story of their relationship.
To all of the engaged couples reading this, take pride in the details. Don’t feel shame for caring about the napkins, the lighting or the photo booth props. If it’s important to you, it’s important for the big day. I do encourage you, though, to choose your flower children wisely.
Looking forward,
RILEY BIENVENU BOURGEOIS
Double Take
inRegister Weddings is twice a year, now. Yay! We are so excited to celebrate local couples and all things weddings in January and June. But while this is new to many, it’s not new to the inRegister brand. For years, we have celebrated local nuptials in the winter and spring, and we are excited to get back to that tradition. If you are interested in being a part of our June issue, visit, inRegister.com/weddings/ submit-wedding.
JORDAN HEFLER
IN THE KNOW E
Come
Together
ngagement photo sessions aren’t just about getting close with your fiancé. They’re also about building a relationship with your wedding photographer prior to the big day. “On your wedding day, you’re going to have a person show up to your getting ready rooms while you’re in your robe with no bra or your boxers watching TV. They will be snapping photos all day and being a part of your most intimate and private moments with your new spouse,” says photographer Whitney Stark of Les Petits Bijoux Photography who captured this photo of Leslie Dupré and Nelson Bean in New York City. “When you do an engagement session, you can learn your photographer’s posing style, editing style and personality,” Stark says. “This is so important when it comes to the wedding day.” She suggests getting creative with the destination, attire and formality of engagement photos in order to ensure that the gallery allows your personality as a couple to shine through. “These are going to be more carefree, silly, unique, truly whatever you want them to be,” she says. “Do it on a vacation, make a weekend trip or do it right from your own home.”
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
One local couple turned the page on their love story with a wedding at Red Stick Reads. Caroline Hebert and Tam Nguyen are regulars at the Mid City bookshop. After an unexpected conversation with owners James and Tere Hyfield, the pair decided the shop was the perfect setting for their nuptials. James, an ordained minister, even officiated. “To have them entrust us with their big day was such an incredible honor, not to mention quite a bookshop dream come true,” says Tere. “It goes to show that bookshops are where great stories come to life.” Read the full story at inregister.com/weddings/hebert-nguyen-wedding.
WAIST TIME
Sparks Fly
Cold sparks offer a safer alternative to traditional pyrotechnics for couples who want extra dazzle without any danger. Local company Complete Weddings + Events notes that the smokeless special effect creates a shower of cool-to-the-touch sparks, adding pizazz to a grand entrance, exit or as part of a live performance. @completelouisiana
The dress experts at local bridal boutique Bustle expect unique waistlines to be everywhere in 2025. For the past couple of years, brides have been experimenting with necklines. That trend is here to stay, and it’s moving downward, explains Bustle founder and curator Sarah Wampler. “Now they’re venturing into different waistlines, which can give such personality to the look,” she says.
YOUR IS OUR FOCUS. Progress
North Commerce has reimagined a once-condemned group of buildings into a vibrant shopping and dining destination, complete with a boutique hotel and reception/event center, all nestled among the historic oak and magnolia trees in the heart of Downtown St. Francisville.
Come for a day or come for a weekend. Explore the new St. Francisville, Discover North Commerce.
Happy Plate
WHETHER SIMPLISTIC AND CLEAN OR VIBRANT AND LOUD, LET THE CHINA YOU CHOOSE PAVE THE WAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR REGISTRY.
BY SALLY GRACE CAGLE
1. 17th-century Delft charger, $980, Inessa Stewart’s Antiques
2. Sicilia charger plates, $280 for set of two, Gourmet Girls
3. Vintage Famille Rose Medallion plates, $98 for set of two, Lola Jay Collection
4. Ginori 1735 “Oriente Italiano Meringa” dinner plate, $174, Gourmet Girls
5. Hunt Slonem “Rabbit Run” dinner plate, $150, The Queen Bee
6. “Simply Anna” dinner plate, $35, Rickey Heroman’s Florist & Gifts
7. Orchid dinner plate, $525, Rickey Heroman’s Florist & Gifts
Sweet Stirrings’ Custom Cakes
There’s no downplaying the importance of a wedding cake. Part design feature, part dessert, the multi-tiered beauty occupies a key part of the reception’s rituals and visual landscape. Discerning a bride’s dream cake is an art for pastry chef LauraKate Amrhein, founder of Zachary-based custom bakery Sweet Stirrings. The 14-year-old business specializes in design-forward cakes with trendy flavors and finishes.
BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
PHOTO BY CAROLYNN SEIBERT
These days, the rustic, “naked” cakes of the recent past are making way for towering creations draped in fondant and icing details that mimic fabric, bows and other girly touches. The toughest decision, however, may be flavor. “We’re known for having a lot of really cool gourmet fillings that are not run-of-the-mill,” Amrhein says. Opt from raspberry limoncello, pecan praline or Grand Marnier with orange-infused mousse, but take comfort in the option to make each tier something different.
by appointment
EVENT RENTALS AT THE NEXT LEVEL
Based in New Orleans - Ready to Serve Baton Rouge
THE DETAILS
Prep Squad
Motivational speakers love to remind us that how you start your day matters. And for what many consider the biggest day of your life, setting a positive tone from the beginning is key. Increasingly, brides are recognizing that establishing the right tone in the dressing rooms is no minor detail. Enter Jordan McMills, founder and creative director of Social Graces Vintage, who is helping brides, grooms and their wedding parties start the day off right with her new Wedding Prep Ritual. This offering combines curated vintage glassware, bespoke floral arrangements and luxury styling to enhance wedding day preparation.
“My work blends timeless vintage elegance with modern luxury, creating unforgettable designs that tell a cohesive story,” McMills says. “Every detail is thoughtfully selected to reflect the couple’s unique style.”
socialgracesvintage.com
FROM EVERY DAY TO YOUR
Mother May I?
DECADES-OLD WEDDING GOWNS FIND NEW LIFE AS BRIDES MODERNIZE THEIR MOMS’ DRESSES INTO SENTIMENTAL BRIDAL LOOKS
BY SALLY GRACE CAGLE
Traditionally, the father of the bride plays a large role in a wedding. From the walk down the aisle to the father-daughter dance, they get plenty of special attention and recognition. But what about the mother of the bride? Many daughters today are taking note of this omitted appreciation and have found a way to honor both of their parents by wearing a modernized version of their mothers’ wedding dress for one of their bridal looks.
The sweet sentiment offers a spotlight for the mother of the bride while commemorating the wedding that ultimately led to their own. Courtney Crooks chose to give her mother’s 1998 wedding dress a refresh, crafting a short rehearsal dinner look from the pearl-adorned piece that holds so much sentimental value.
“Many of the guests didn’t even realize it was my mother’s dress because it’s so timeless,” Courtney says. “It was so different for back then and ahead of its time. I loved getting to make her feel confident in what she wore 26 years ago.”
Courtney’s mother, Carol Crooks, says she was shocked when Courtney expressed a desire to wear her dress for the rehearsal and following dinner.
“I never thought that either one of my daughters would want to wear it one day,” she says. “It made her wedding weekend even more special for me.”
Michael Remondet III and Courtney Crooks at their wedding rehearsal in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Courtney chose to wear an updated version of her mother’s wedding gown.
With the help of Suzanne Perron St. Paul, one of Carol’s best friends from high school and a widely known Mardi Gras ball and debutante gown designer, Courtney go to play a key role in the customizations. Shortening the dress and adding a new bow to the scooped back were a few of the main changes. But despite the alterations, Courtney was adamant about preserving the original gown for the future by saving remnants not used in the new design.
“I have a younger sister,” Courtney explains, “so if she wanted to use it one day, she has all the fabrics and the freedom to do so.”
To put a finishing touch on the wedding weekend, Courtney thoughtfully gifted her mother the original bow from her wedding dress in a shadow box as a keepsake.
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“God gave me the best mom,” Courtney says, “and I wanted to honor her by giving her something she can always look back at and remember how much I love her, and how beautiful she is to me, inside and out.”
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Courtney’s mother, Carol, wearing the original dress for her wedding to Kevin Crooks in 1998.
ELEVATE YOUR EVENT WITH THE AMBIANCE OF Candlelight
When planning an event, whether it’s a wedding, gala or intimate dinner, the details can make all the difference in creating a truly memorable experience. One element that can transform a space is the strategic use of candlelight. Candles have the power to set the mood, add warmth and romance and elevate the overall ambiance of an event.
As Baton Rouge-based Truly Haute Candles has discovered, more and more event hosts are recognizing the impact that thoughtful candle design can have.
“Even five years ago, candles weren’t really on people’s radar when planning events,” says Truly Haute co-owner Rachel Baron. “It was all about the big-ticket items like the venue, flowers and entertainment. But now, candles have become an essential part of the decor budget.”
Truly Haute started as a wedding planning business before Rachel and business partner Lauren Barbalich recognized a gap in the market for specialized candle design and rental services. They pivoted their focus and have since grown the company into one of the fastest-growing businesses in the Baton Rouge area, landing a spot on the prestigious LSU100 list.
“We realized there was a need for a fullservice candle design and rental company that could take the guesswork out of incorporating candlelight into events,” explains Lauren. “From intimate backyard weddings to grand galas, we work closely with our clients to create custom candle displays that bring their vision to life.”
Truly Haute’s services range from designing the candles, delivering, setting them up and breaking them down at the end of the event, to customer pickups. They offer a wide variety of options, from classic tapers and floating candles to more unique styles and even LED candles, allowing them to cater to any aesthetic or budget.
“Candles can truly transform a space,” says Rachel. “Whether it’s lining the aisle for a ceremony, creating a romantic ambiance around the couple during their vows, or adorning the tables at a reception, the right candle display can make all the difference.”
One of the company’s most popular services is “aisle flooding,” where they line the entire aisle with candles to create a stunning, ethereal effect.
Other sought-after designs include cascading candelabras, candle-filled fountains, and cozy lounge areas accented with glowing votives.
“The great thing about candles is that they’re accessible to events of all sizes and budgets,”
Lauren notes. “You don’t have to have a lavish wedding or gala to incorporate candlelight. Even a small dinner party or proposal can be elevated with the right candle design.”
As more event hosts discover the transformative power of candlelight, Truly Haute Candles continues to see a surge in demand for their services. By offering customized solutions and a full-service approach, they’ve carved out a unique niche in the event industry, proving that a little bit of flame can go a long way in creating unforgettable moments. Learn more at trulyhaute.com or scan the QR code.
True Colors
BY BRE PIZZOLATO
PHOTO BY COLLIN RICHIE
PROFESSIONALS HELP BRIDES COMMIT TO THE BEST HUES FOR THEIR BIG DAYS
Every bride dreams of walking down the aisle, radiating confidence and an air of effortless elegance. Such aspirations fuel the pursuit of the dress that makes you glow, along with florals and bridesmaid attire that highlights your best features. This coordinated effort is not a matter of chance— it is the art of color analysis. The process is a powerful tool that will help you choose the ideal color palette for your wedding day and every day after.
The tailored approach of a professional color analysis curates shades that enhance a bride’s natural beauty to help them magnetically show up, explains Emily Pourciau, color analyst and style consultant with House of Colour in Baton Rouge. The personalized service identifies your seasonal palette and the style archetypes that suit your personality and lifestyle. With a clear idea of your best hues in mind—and in hand, as each of Pourciau’s consultations comes complete with a book of your best swatches to make shopping a breeze—brides can simplify the planning process, streamline design choices and elevate any bridal look. Read on for how Pourciau’s service helps brides show up and shine.
1. Which white is right for you? A professional color analysis identifies your skin’s undertones to determine the white that will highlight your best features based on your seasonal palette. For example, brides identified as autumns or springs often glow in ivory or cream, while winters shine brightest in stark white, Pourciau explains. For summers, it’s all about the cool undertones of the white.
2. Enhancing your natural beauty is key to feeling confident throughout the celebration. After a color analysis
session, you will arrive at your makeup consultation with a clear understanding of the best foundation, blush, mascara and bronzer shades that align with your skin tone and undertones to ensure a harmonious, radiant look, Pourciau says.
3. For every event leading to “I do,” there’s a new outfit to consider. Equipped with swatches of your most flattering colors, shopping becomes effortless. Pourciau notes that each seasonal palette offers soft pastels that feel bridal and timeless while allowing for more personal expression.
TRUST
Rose to the Occasion
BY JEFFREY ROEDEL • PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
Alanguage all their own, flowers have been used for centuries to convey care, condolences and a collection of romantic intentions.
But for floral designer AnnMarie Meyers, the conversation of flowers is as much about listening as it is about speaking.
“We let the flowers tell us what they want to do,” Meyers says. “We embrace the natural structure of the flower and go with that. It keeps the integrity of the flowers themselves, and that makes it a lot more fun.”
For more than a decade now, Meyers’ Hummingbird Floral Studio has been elevating wedding venues,
churches and homes into playgrounds for dream-like experiences with her colorful floral arrangements and whimsical installations.
The mood is reverent revelry, with a big splash of color.
Whether it’s a harvest bloom of roses and greens cradling the ivory tower of a cake, the folklore canopy of a secret garden chandelier overlooking a dance floor, or a burst of blooms draped around plush seating areas for guests, Meyers’ work never feels placed or forced into a space, but grown there, instead.
“A wedding is the biggest day in someone’s life, so there’s a lot of pressure to make it perfect for them,” Meyers says. “[Floral]
ANNMARIE MEYERS
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Age: 40
Artistry: Floral designer and owner, Hummingbird Floral Studio Online: hummingbirdfloralstudio.com, @hummingbirdfloralstudio on Instagram
recipes are important to me because I don’t like to just wing things. I’m a planner. I plan what I can but stay flexible. I sort of float between loosey-goosey and mellow to very particular.”
Navigating supplier issues, carpal tunnel syndrome (in both hands), and battling south Louisiana’s often oppressive heat are continual challenges to this artist and the flowers themselves, but Meyers and her associate Sarah Mollere have grown a successful business that has adorned everything from hundreds-strong wedding receptions to a fantastical walk-through solar system for Flower Fest—the event returns this year April 4 through 6.
“My first step as a creative was learning how to set boundaries, just in general,” Meyers recalls. “Deciding what I like to do and the things I didn’t want to do.”
That focus influences the decision-making conversations she has with brides as two visions evolve into a shared one for a special celebration that speaks to the love a couple has for each other and for their guests.
“Ultimately, I had to figure out my style, because I knew I didn’t want to do something just like everyone else did,” Meyers says. “Early on, it was practicing a lot and figuring out how I wanted to enter this space, and discovering what I wanted to say with flowers.”
FAITH FAMILY EDUCATION
Good as New
BY MADISON BENNETT PHOTOS BY SARAH LESSLEY
HOW—AND WHY—MODERN-DAY WEDDINGS ARE BREAKING TRADITION WITH INTENTION
Growing up in New Orleans, I was immersed in wedding traditions as vibrant and storied as the city itself. From jubilant second lines winding through the French Quarter to receptions in historic ballrooms and church ceremonies brimming with Southern charm,
these celebrations were nothing short of grand. Yet, when it came time to envision my own wedding, I found myself looking for something different—something intimate, intentional and reflective of the life my fiancé, Austin, and I have built.
For me, this isn’t about discarding tradition for the sake of rebellion; it’s about reshaping those rituals to reflect who we
truly are as a couple. Take, for example, the age-old notion of not seeing your partner until the ceremony. While it’s a charming relic, it feels out of step with the modern desire for intimacy and connection. I’m much more drawn to the idea of sharing a quiet, private moment on the morning of the wedding—maybe exchanging vows over a cup of coffee or
Madison Bennett is a former inRegister staffer, as well as the founder of The Ceremony Edit, which offers brides styling and design direction services.
Madison Bennett and her fiancé, Austin Coker
simply lying together in bed. There’s something profoundly tender about sharing your heart away from the eyes and ears of others—a kind of sanctuary in stillness if you will.
This approach has shaped every aspect of how we’re planning our wedding. For us, it meant forgoing a traditional church ceremony in favor of an intimate celebration overlooking the stunning landscape of Lake Como, Italy. This choice reflects our shared love of travel and our desire to immerse ourselves in a setting that feels deeply personal, surrounded by our closest family and friends. It’s not just about the ceremony; it’s about creating an experience that allows us to savor the connection, love and joy of the moment, crafting memories that will stay with us forever.
I’ve noticed that couples everywhere are finding creative ways to reimagine tradition. Some are trading large guest lists for smaller, destination weddings that double as shared vacations with loved ones. Others are choosing ceremonies that break the mold—incorporating personalized vows, blending cultural
elements or even walking down the aisle together.
In the end, I’ve realized that our wedding isn’t about following a script. It’s about creating a story that feels true to who we are. It’s a celebration of love, not bound by convention but enriched by the choices that reflect our values, passions and the journey we’re embarking on together. By breaking tradition with intention, we’re creating a day that resonates deeply—not just in the moment but in the memories we’ll carry with us for a lifetime.
Baton Rouge's premier event space and catering facility is located in Downtown Baton Rouge. De La Ronde Hall can accommodate up to 500 guests, and is the perfect choice for wedding receptions, corporate events, and private parties. With a full-service kitchen, De La Ronde Hall can facilitate both on-site and external catering.
ruffinoscatering.com
Photo courtesy of Renee
Lorio
Photography
WALL DECOR & MORE
BRIDAL 101:
BEFORE YOUR BIG DAY
FOREHEAD: BOTOX, CHEMICAL PEEL
BROWS: WAX, TINT, LAMINATION, MICROBLADING
EYES: LASH EXTENSIONS, LASH LIFT
UNDER EYES/CROWS FEET: PRP FILLER, RF MICRONEEDLING
FULL FACE: CHEEK FILLER, FACIALS, MICRONEEDLING, HYDROFACIAL, IPL, SPRAY TANS
LIPS: LIP FILLER, LIP FLIP
JAW LINE: FILLER, BIOSTIMULATION, RF MICRONEEDLING
NECK: NEUROTOXIN, RF MICRONEEDLING AND PRP
REAL WEDDINGS
Capital to Capital
When Summers Bruce and August Zosel got engaged, many assumed the couple would choose a wedding venue in Baton Rouge. Although Summers was born and raised in D.C., Louisian’s capital has always been important to her family. After all, her grandparents, John Terrell and Mary Kay Brown, as well as her aunts, uncles and cousins live here.
Ultimately, the couple decided to bring thier Louisiana family and friends to the nation’s capital for a ceremony in the National Cathedral followed by a reception at Chevy Chase Country Club.
In a nod to Louisiana culture, a second line provided party transitions and the cocktail hour and reception fare included Gulf oysters as well as shrimp and grits. “One of the best aspects was the Southern style reception,” says Summers’ mother, Collette Brown Bruce.
“Many of the guests from D.C. had never been to a wedding without a formal, sit-down dinner.”
Read more about the wedding at inRegister.com/weddings/ summers-and-august
BRIDE KATIE ADLER’S FAMILY LAKE HOME PROVIDED THE PERFECT BACKDROP FOR HER WEDDING TO MAX KILGORE
BY SALLY GRACE CAGLE
True Love on False River
PHOTOS BY CAROLYNN SEIBERT
The Adler family lake home has been a special place for Max Kilgore and Katie Adler since the beginning of their relationship. It’s where the couple first began dating, where Max later proposed and where they even thought about moving at one point. Katie admits she thought the idea of having an event in the backyard of the home was outlandish at first. But, she explains, her mother, Suzie Toups Adler, and the August Events team made all her wildest dreams come true for her April 2024 wedding day, transforming the grounds into a picturesque wedding reception venue.
A full-scale buildout of the backyard started about a month before the wedding day—and, of course, came with a set of logistical challenges, including a storm with some of the craziest winds seen on False River the week of the wedding and an extremely steep boat launch leading to the backyard. To conquer the steep boat launch, the August Events team had a 100-foot staircase installed, complete with custom railings and light-wrapped tree limbs cascading above, which served as the grand entrance. “Getting out of the car at the top of those stairs and seeing the entire reception was one of the most memorable parts of the day,” Katie says.
After descending the staircase, a 40-foot bar, which can be seen in Katie and Max’s wedding announcement on pg. 60, served as a focal point of the reception. Beyond the bar, plush seating and candles helped to set the mood.
“We wanted it to feel inviting and for everything to make sense at the lake while still being luxurious and fabulous,” Tiffany says, explaining that the event was complete with a firework finale and boat sendoff for the couple to end the night.
“Never in a million years could I have dreamed of what they created for our reception,” Katie says. “And having it at the lake just made the day all the more special to us.”
“We wanted it to feel inviting and for everything to make sense at the lake while still being luxurious and fabulous.”
Tiffany Pilgrim, August Events co-founder
CEREMONY: ST. MARY OF FALSE RIVER // RECEPTION: ADLER FAMILY
LAKE HOUSE // COORDINATOR: AUGUST EVENTS // CATERER: DRAKE’S CATERING // CAKE: SWEET STIRRINGS // FLORIST: BELLA BLOOMS FLORAL // INVITATIONS: HARK CREATIVE CO. // BRIDAL GOWN: MARTINA LIANA, TOWN & COUNTRY BRIDAL // RINGS: ANTON’S FINE JEWELRY // HAIR: EGGIE SALON STUDIO // MAKEUP: PAIGE JEANSONNE MAKEUP // BAND: THE V-TONES // EVENT DÉCOR: TENTS BY DESIGN/SEE-HEAR PRODUCTIONS/ DISTRESSED RENTALS & REVIVAL/PARTY CENTRAL
In SICKNESS In HEALTH
AMIDST A GRUELING CANCER JOURNEY, JULIA DYKES
PLANNED HER DREAM WEDDING TO PARKER FONTENOT
BY RILEY BIENVENU BOURGEOIS PHOTOS BY PAYTON BURRIS
When Julia Dykes and Parker Fontenot recited their vows in front of family and friends at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church altar on November 16, 2024, one line in particular hit home. “In sickness and in health.”
For so many couples, it’s an abstract and distant circumstance. A situation not to dwell upon during such a joyous occasion. But for Julia and Parker, the realities that underpin such a statement were all too real to them, as they had already faced challenging circumstances and made it out together on the other side.
In August of 2023, Julia was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24. The following months brought a daze of appointments, surgeries and hospital stays. Alongside Julia’s parents, Parker worked to support Julia through the grueling health journey, leaning on their shared faith and commitment to one another.
Three months after Julia’s diagnosis, on a much-needed weekend away, Parker popped the question in the living room of an Airbnb in Galveston, Texas.
“My first thought and what actually came out of my mouth was, ‘Are you serious,’” Julia recalls. “He then said, ‘Yes, I’m serious. Is that a yes?’ And, of course, I said, ‘Absolutely!’”
The planning process proved a difficult one, with little time for making flower, cake and linen selections between treatments and trips to the hospital. Enlisting the help of wedding coordinator Cheryl Palmer, as well as a team of close friends and family, Julia and Parker were able to bring together their Baton Rouge wedding day from a state over and in the little downtime they had. “I also had the best doctors whose goal was to make sure I was able to walk down the aisle this past November,” Julia adds.
Thoughtful details were at the heart of the celebration, with things like the wedding invitation envelope liner, which
Julia’s parents, Tiffany and Brian Dykes, were with the couple every step of the way, temporarily relocating to Houston with Julia while she was receiving care there, as well as playing a key role in the wedding day with their restaurants, Bin 77 and Solera, offering key sentimental details to the reception.
featured the immaculate heart of Mary in a nod to a stained-glass window dedicated to Julia’s grandmother, who passed away in 2022, as well as more lighthearted aspects like a “mountain” of king cake—the only cake Parker likes—which included miniatures of the couple skiing, as well as ski lift.
“The details of weddings are oftentimes overlooked by most people,” Julia explains, “but those are what make each wedding unique and make it more special to the couple.”
While the circumstances that surrounded Julia and Parker’s wedding planning experience were challenging, to say the least, navigating a cancer diagnosis offered renewed
perspective into not just their wedding day but their next chapter as newlyweds and beyond.
“Although it was not ideal, it taught us both to not take life for granted, to find joy in the simple things, to laugh at life and with each other often, and to tell people how much they mean to you,” Julia says. “Going through this cancer journey while also planning a wedding truly helped us to love each other ‘in sickness and in health.’ We learned to stay strong in our faith and put all of our worries into prayer. Worrying and being anxious about your days ahead is not going to change the outcome. Learn to have a steadfast outlook and you’ll be just fine.”
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COUNSELOR CONFESSIONS: COUPLE’S EDITION
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CEREMONY: SACRED HEART OF JESUS CATHOLIC CHURCH // RECEPTION: THE LOFT AT CECELIA // COORDINATOR: CHERYL PALMER DESIGNS// CATERER: CECELIA/BIN 77/SOLERA // CAKE: SWEET STIRRINGS/HAYDELS // FLORIST: PEREGRIN’S // INVITATIONS: THE KEEPING ROOM // BRIDAL GOWN: AMSALE, I DO BRIDAL COUTURE // BRIDESMAID DRESSES: BELLA BRIDESMAIDS // RINGS: BÉJÉ HAIR & MAKEUP: SALON DU SUD // BAND: PARTLY CLOUDY TRANSPORTATION: CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC CARS
Ally B, LPC-S, CAS Paige M, LMFT
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More than LUCK
BY RILEY BIENVENU
LAYNE MCGEHEE AND ANTHONY NOTO TOOK A GAMBLE WITH A SURPRISE LAS VEGAS ELOPEMENT
BOURGEOIS
PHOTOS BY ELOPE IN LAS VEGAS
“We wanted to just enjoy and have fun. I would do it over again, and I recommend it to anyone.”
—Layne McGehee
After eight months of tightlipped secret keeping, Layne McGehee and Anthony Noto gathered their close friends and family in a private room in Las Vegas to announce that the couple’s joint bachelor and bachelorette trips would actually serve as their wedding weekend.
“Everyone was freaking out,” Layne recalls. “It was so fun and exciting to see all of our friends’ faces because they thought they weren’t going to be a part of our wedding day at all.”
Layne says she was always sure that elopement was right for Anthony and her, who met back in 2016 through close friends. But it wasn’t until Anthony expressed his desire to see the Tigers play their 2024
season opener against the University of Southern California in Las Vegas that the plans for a surprise elopement took shape.
“I suggested doing a joint bachelor and bachelorette trip to Las Vegas for the LSU game,” Layne says. “But then we thought, why not make it a surprise for our friends and get married that weekend instead.”
Hiring planning company Elope in Las Vegas, Layne and Anthony were largely hands-off when it came to the lead up to the wedding. “That meant that a lot of the weekend was also a surprise to me,” Layne says with a laugh.
The couple was married at The Neon Museum in a ceremony officiated by an Elvis impersonator in true Las Vegas fashion.
Following the ceremony, Layne changed into a short dress for a newlywed photo
session in Old Las Vegas. And to finish the night, guests met up with the couple at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant for dinner in a private room overlooking the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
“I made sure the restaurant brought a speaker into the space,” Layne says. “We surprised my dad and his mom with the traditional dances, which was special because they didn’t think they would get to share those moments with us.”
Looking back, Layne says she feels lucky to be able to look back on the entire weekend with zero regrets.
“We wanted to just enjoy and have fun,” Layne says. “I would do it over again, and I recommend it to anyone. There’s such a feeling in the air of love. It was such a fun, exciting and memorable experience.”
CEREMONY: THE NEON MUSEUM, LAS VEGAS
RECEPTION: EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT
PLANNER: ELOPE IN LAS VEGAS
DRESS: BLISS BRIDAL, NEW ORLEANS
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EXTRA A Little Something
SENTIMENTAL DETAILS MADE NIKKI VU AND DREW GALLMAN’S BATON ROUGE WEDDING DAY COMPLETE BY RILEY BIENVENU BOURGEOIS
PHOTOS BY RENEE LORIO & ELIZABETH WATTS
“The day comes and goes so fast. Throughout the day, I kept reminding myself to be present in the moment, and I’m so glad I did.”
—Nikki Vu
Nikki with her three older sisters, Vivian Ebrahim, Anna Tran and Samantha Vu.
Despite working at Blush Bridal Salon as the director of operations, as well as part owner of the store with her three sisters, Nikki Vu only tried on three gowns in her search for “the one” for her September 2024 wedding to Drew Gallman.
“One of the designers we carry let me pick from any collection and had the dresses sent in all the colorways for me to try,” Nikki says. “When I saw it online, I kind of had a feeling. It was the last one I tried, and it was just perfect.”
Nikki’s Martina Liana gown is what she calls “the best of both worlds,” with the fitted, embellished gown complete with a detachable overskirt to deliver a wow factor for the ceremony.
“I call it art,” Nikki explains. “It has a lot of detail, with plenty
of glamor and sparkle. I knew I wanted to be extra.”
Nikki and Drew’s wedding pulled from that same sentiment, with Nikki and her planner, Amy Shrader of Amy Hazel Events, as well as Sarah Stevens, focusing on every small detail, from custom ordering linens for the tables that would seat some 350 guests, to countless candles courtesy of Truly Haute, which delivered Nikki’s vision of dreamy romance.
The transformation of the Hilton Capitol Center’s ballroom was complete with sentimental touches like the performance of a dragon dance in a nod to Nikki’s Vietnamese heritage, as well as a friend of the couple’s acting as the DJ.
“The day comes and goes so fast,” Nikki says. “Throughout the day, I kept reminding myself to be present in the moment, and I’m so glad I did.”
CEREMONY: ST. GEORGE CATHOLIC CHURCH // RECEPTION & CATERING: HILTON CAPITOL CENTER // PLANNING: AMY HAZEL EVENTS & SARAH STEVENS // CAKE: TREDICI BAKERY // FLORIST: FORAGE FLORAL DESIGN // INVITATIONS: THE KEEPING ROOM DRESSES: BLUSH BRIDAL SALON // TUXEDOS: AFTER FIVE HAIR: SHAE JUGE // BRIDE’S MAKEUP: KELSY NGUYEN BRIDAL PARTY MAKEUP: FACES BY LEAH // VIDEOGRAPHER: CONGO NGUYEN // ENTERTAINMENT: DJ DAD/SOUTHERN LOTUS LION DANCE // OTHER VENDORS: TRULY HAUTE CANDLES/URQUID LINEN/SOUTHERN BLINK/MAMA MEAUX DESIGNS/JEAUX JUMPS/C&C LINENS/SPOT ON/ PARTY CENTRAL LAFAYETTE/RIVERSIDE LIMOUSINES
In true New Orleans fashion, a second line led the couple to the dancefloor to kick off the reception. Before the music started for their first dance to “La Vie en Rose” by Louis Armstrong, Elise’s bridesmaids and family gathered around to dance with the band.
“It felt surreal,” says Connor. “Then, within minutes, I was surrounded by everyone I love all in one place. It was an incredible feeling.”
Love by Design
ELISE MCCANLESS AND CONNOR FIELDS SAID ‘I DO’ WITH A STYLISH NEW ORLEANS WEDDING WEEKEND BY BRE PIZZOLATO • PHOTOS BY CATHERINE GUIDRY
HEN CONNOR FIELDS asked Elise McCanless to join him for a Mardi Gras ball, their moms were delighted.
As Elise’s mom, Anne McCanless, longtime Baton Rouge interior designer and co-founder of Texture, helped Connor’s mom, Kelly Fields, style her new home, the two often mentioned Elise and Connor to one another. Both were law students at the time—Connor at the University of Georgia and Elise at Tulane. The two knew of one another but never connected. “There’s even a picture of us on spring break with mutual friends in high school,” Elise says with a laugh. “But I didn’t really know him at the time.”
Although she had to decline his invitation to the ball due to prior plans to visit a friend, Elise agreed to meet for dinner while they were both in town. A week after their first date came the coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions. Their classes went virtual, landing the two in Baton Rouge for the
Elise said yes to the dress without trying it on first. When she saw this not-yet-available design in the Monique Lhuillier spring collection, she reached out to I Do Bridal Couture and ordered the gown. She breathed a sigh of relief during the fitting. “I loved it the second I put it on,” she says. “It was all worth it.”
next six months. During study sessions and long walks, the two fell in love. And in May of 2023, Connor proposed in City Park in New Orleans before surprising Elise with a celebration at The Bower with their families and friends. There, Connor had yet another surprise waiting. He shared that, with the help of Anne and Elise’s sister, Adair Weekley, they had already planned many key details for their wedding.
“I have always said that I would trust them blindly,” Elise says. “Without me even knowing anything, I could show up, and they would have done exactly what I wanted.”
Connor and Adair secretly contacted photographer Catherine Guidry, who Elise fell in love with when she photographed Adair’s wedding, to narrow down wedding dates. From there, Connor and Elise knew that they wanted to celebrate their vows at Hotel St. Vincent. With its Saltillo tile-lined pool and stylish design, the hotel is a cherished meeting place and beloved retreat that holds a special place in their hearts. With
Hear from Him & Her
What is your favorite thing about one another?
Elise: His endless positivity and ability to approach anything with a good attitude. He is the most resilient person I know.
Connor: She doesn’t miss anything. Her attention to detail—especially in the way she cares about and tends to the things that truly matter in our lives—makes me feel supported and loved.
How did you know he/she was the one?
E: From the beginning, it was clear we wanted the same things out of life. I especially loved how much his family means to him because of how important my family is to me. It always just felt right!
C: We first met at the height of the pandemic. With not much else to do, we would go for walks—a lot! That’s when I knew. I still remember how I felt in that period of life.
If you had one piece of advice for engaged couples, what would it be?
E: Always remember the meaning of your wedding day: to celebrate your love for one another. Don’t get too stressed about the little things. And hire a great wedding planner and vendors to surround yourself with.
C: Set aside time for yourselves even in the midst of planning for the wedding and everything else going on in your life. We got away for a long weekend, and it was a great reminder of the significance of this season of life and the joy that comes with it.
How would you describe your wedding in 5 words or less?
E: Stress-free and fun
C: Best day of my life
For a full list of vendors and more photos, flip to pg. 70.
The hand-painted wallpaper in the Paradise Lounge inspired the design of the entire wedding. Everything from the rattan chandeliers to the wedding cake and customdesigned pillows on seating areas in the courtyard echoed the Italian modernism motif, which featured mint, coral, fanned palms and artfully draped greenery.
Throughout the planning process, Elise leaned on her mom, Anne McCanless, and sister, Adair Weekley.
Elise and Connor exchanged vows in a ceremony at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church officiated by Rev. Cleo J. Milano.
the photographer, date and venue selected, they enlisted the help of August Events to bring their high-design vision to life.
“Elise fell in love with the hand-painted wallpaper in the hotel’s Paradise Lounge, and that’s what we used as inspiration,” explains Tiffany Pilgrim, co-founder of August Events. “We started with that in the invitation and carried it out through everything in the wedding.” August Events orchestrated a full-scale build-out of the hotel, including its restaurants and private club. As guests slumbered cozily in their beds following a Friday filled with festivities, including a bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner and post-toast, around 3 a.m., a crew began installing the pool cover and structure tent in the main courtyard to create the dance floor and stage along with a distinct food service and seating area.
The day before the celebration, one last finishing touch was added by Anne and Adair. They coordinated a surprise streamer drop that shocked Elise as much as it did the guests.
“I’m most surprised by how quickly it all went by,” says Elise. “I wish that we could relive it over and over again.”
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WEDDING Announcements
Elizabeth Upp & Jacob McCain
Adler + Kilgore
KATIE ADLER AND MAX KILGORE
April 13, 2024
Carolynn Seibert Photography
Ceremony
St. Mary of False River
Reception
Adler Family Lake House
Coordinator
August Events
Caterer
Drake’s Catering
Bar
The Grand Bevy
Cake
Sweet Stirrings
Florist
Bella Blooms Floral
Invitations
Hark Creative Co.
Bridal Gown
Martina Liana, Town & Country Bridal
Rings
Anton’s Fine Jewelry
Hair
EGGIE Salon Studio
Makeup
Paige Jeansonne Makeup
Band
The V-Tones
Event Décor
Tents by Design/See-Hear Productions/Distressed Rentals & Revival/Party Central
Bankston + Estes
March 21, 2024
SAVANNAH BANKSTON AND FORREST ESTES
Mollie Suzanne Photography
Ceremony location
SkyView at Fall River Village, Estes Park, Colorado
Caterer
Three Leaf Catering
Florist
Bloom Floral Boutique
Invitations
Minted
Bridal Gown
Town & Country Bridal
Rings
Shavarsh K Jewelry
VIDEOGRAPHER
Lilly Foster
HAIR & Makeup
Bridal Glow
ENTERTAINMENT
Trading Post Productions
HONEYMOON
Antigua
Breaux + Orlic
March 8, 2024
Ashleigh Jayne Photography
JESSICA BREAUX AND MARK ORLIC
Ceremony location
Bride’s Family Home
Caterer
Gilded Artichoke Catering Co.
Florist
Angela Marie Florals
Invitations
Angela Marie Events
Gown
Blush Bridal Salon
Rings
Béjé
VIDEOGRAPHER
Lilly Foster
HAIR
Alison Bailey/Mallory Oaks
Makeup
Jenna Kelley/Faces by Leah
BAND
The Sugar Shakers/The Original Magnolia Quartet
OTHER VENDORS
Element/Alex Harvie/Tippy Tap
Dubuc + Walker
May 18, 2024
EMMA DUBUC AND KYLE WALKER
Alayna Louise Photography
CEREMONY & RECEPTION
The Hill at St. Francisville
COORDINATOR
Kristy Furlow-Green
CATERER
The Francis
BRIDAL GOWN
Bliss Bridal
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Azazie
RINGS
Anton’s Fine Jewelry
HAIR & MAKEUP
Glam 2 Geaux
VIDEOGRAPHER
Red Stick Productions
BAND
Capital City Soul/Pan String Quartet
HONEYMOON
Sandals Royal Barbados
Massucco + Richard
JIAN ELIZABETH MASSUCCO AND DR. BRENT RICHARD
November 16, 2024
Joanna Fotopoulou (Santorini)/Randy Vu & Mark Landry (Baton Rouge)
Details
CEREMONY
El Viento (Santorini)/St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (Baton Rouge)
RECEPTION
El Viento Lighthouse Cave (Santorini)/Mansurs on the Boulevard (Baton Rouge)
COORDINATOR
Christina Galani
CATERER
El Viento Santorini
CAKE
Petranart Santorini/Gambino’s Bakery
FLORIST
Amela Décor Studio
INVITATIONS
The Knot
BRIDAL GOWN
Winnie Couture
GROOM’S TUXEDO
Tom Ford
RINGS
Tacori/David Yurman
HAIR
Mirror Hair Salon Santorini/Kaleidoscope Baton Rouge
MAKEUP
Kay R. & Iro Gixona (Santorini)/Karsyn K. (Baton Rouge)
VIDEOGRAPHER
Phosart Cinematography (Santorini)/Bryce Williams & Carly
LeJour, Chateaux Rouge Cinema (Baton Rouge)
BAND
Maria Papadopoulou (Santorini)/Alanna Buckley & Ladonna Turnipseed (Baton Rouge)
HONEYMOON
Santorini, Athens, Rome, Amalfi Coast & Paris
OTHER VENDORS
City Club of Baton Rouge/Fr. Henry & the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge/Bistro Byronz/The Magic Party Bus Baton Rouge/ Weddings & Whimsy Santorini/Royal Albus Court Villas/Le Blanc Villas/Naoussa Restaurant/Multimedia Events Santorini
McCanless + Fields
ELISE MCCANLESS AND CONNOR FIELDS
Catherine Guidry Photography
CEREMONY
Our Lady of Good Counsel
RECEPTION & CATERER
Hotel St. Vincent
COORDINATOR
August Events
CAKE
Social Bites Confections
FLORIST
NOLA Flora
INVITATIONS
Scriptura
BRIDAL GOWN
Monique Lhuillier, I Do Bridal Couture
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Amsale, Bella Bridesmaids
RINGS
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry/Robert Roth Jewelers
HAIR & MAKEUP
Verde Beauty
VIDEOGRAPHER
Tone Weddings
BAND
Blue Rhythm
HONEYMOON
St. Lucia
OTHER VENDORS
Tents by Design/See-Hear Productions/Distressed Rentals & Revival/Truly Haute Candles/Nüage Designs/True
Value Rental/AD Event Group/The Pixure Booth
Tomeny + Myers
October 11, 2024
RILEY TOMENY AND DAVID MYERS
Emily Green Photo
CEREMONY
St. Joseph Cathedral
RECEPTION & CATERER
Baton Rouge Country Club
COORDINATOR
Cheryl Palmer Designs
CAKE
Sweet Stirrings
FLORIST
Forage Floral Design
INVITATIONS
Paperwhite Stationery Boutique
BRIDAL GOWN
Rita Vinieris, I Do Bridal Couture
HAIR
EGGIE Salon Studio
MAKEUP
Marissa McKey, McKey Bridal Co.
VIDEOGRAPHER
Abshire Films
BAND
Blue Rhythm
HONEYMOON
Italy
OTHER VENDORS
Doug Olinde Event Rentals/Truly Haute Candles
Upp + McCain
April 6, 2024
ELIZABETH UPP AND JACOB MCCAIN
Brooke Boyd Photo + Film
CEREMONY
First United Methodist Church
RECEPTION & CATERER
Baton Rouge Country Club
COORDINATOR
Leslie Campbell Weddings & Events
CAKE
Karl Will, Baton Rouge Country Club
FLORIST
Billy Heroman’s
INVITATIONS
Paperwhite Stationery Boutique
BRIDAL GOWN
Monique Lhuillier, I Do Bridal Couture
BRIDESMAID DRESSES
The Dessy Group, Bella Bridesmaids
RINGS
Robert Roth Jewlers
HAIR
Dani Borgmeyer, EGGIE Salon Studio
MAKEUP
Olga Longoria
VIDEOGRAPHER
Brooke Boyd Photo + Film
BAND
The Time of Your Life
HONEYMOON
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
OTHER VENDORS
The Pixure Booth/Albrecht Ice Sculptures
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Fisher + Hebert
CLAIRE
FISHER AND CHRISTIAN HEBERT
June 7, 2024
Ceremony location
St. George Catholic Church
Reception venue
Country Club of Louisiana
Coordinator
Leslie Campbell Weddings & Events
Cake
Cake That
Florist
Rickey Heroman’s Florist
Invitations
Paperwhite Stationery Boutique
Event Decor
Truly Haute Candles/Soiree Social/ Cigar Factory New Orleans/Lucky Dog/Spot On Dance Floor/BBJ Linens
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Reem Acra, I Do Bridal Couture
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EGGIE Salon Studio
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Evolve Esthetics
Nikki Bardwell Photography
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Johnston + Patton
ALLIE JOHNSTON AND ETHAN PATTON
September 14, 2024
Micahla Vaughn Photography
CEREMONY
First Baptist Church Shreveport
RECEPTION
Petroleum Club of Shreveport
PLANNER
Hannah Lamb Events
CAKE
Uptown Downtown
FLORIST
Brianna Belton Design
BRIDAL GOWN
Fabulous Frocks of Shreveport
HAIR
Grace Coyer-Trahan
MAKEUP
Hailey Kilpatrick
VIDEOGRAPHER
Anointed Media
BAND
Manhattan Band
OTHER VENDORS
Pelican Tents/Lilac Lane Rentals
Lara Ashley Harrison & Eddie Xavier Ruffin
Their love story began when they matched on the dating app Hinge, leading them to thier first date at Roux 61. After three hours of conversation, laughs and connection, both Eddie, Lara and even their server knew something special was happening.
Two years of adventures, travels and unforgettable moments later, on December 30, 2023, on a beautiful beach in Hawaii, Eddie shared his excitement for the future, saying he couldn’t wait to bring in the new year as Lara’s future husband.
The couple is excited to announce that they will be married on January 10, 2026, in North Carolina.
Taylor Nicole LaFargue & Evan Perry Tidwell
Taylor LaFargue, daughter of Craig and Pam LaFargue of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Evan Tidwell, son of Buddy and Janie Tidwell of Zachary, Louisiana, are delighted to announce their engagement. The couple were both college athletes but at separate universities when their paths had yet to cross.
Taylor is a former Louisiana State University Golden Girl and a graduate of LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans School of Nursing. Evan is a former four-year letterman pitcher for the Northwestern State University Demons baseball team and a graduate of NSU School of Business.
The couple met in surgery, where they are both healthcare workers, Evan as a device consultant and Taylor as a registered nurse. Their wedding ceremony will be held at the historic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana, in the summer of 2025.
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Daniel + Kate Connell
Baton Rouge, Louisiana December 30, 2023
1 YEAR MARRIED
Dr. Kate Chiasson was visiting friends in Birmingham, Alabama, when she met her now-husband, Daniel, through a group of mutual friends over dinner. Daniel, originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, had lived in Birmingham for over 20 years working in banking, where Kate had previously lived for her plastic surgery fellowship training.
Their long-distance romance blossomed between Baton Rouge and Birmingham—despite their LSU-Alabama rivalry—over a shared love of travel, live music and skiing. Daniel later moved to Baton Rouge, where Kate had already established her practice, Ford Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and where he continues to work for Regions Bank in Louisiana.
The couple was married in an intimate wedding ceremony at St. Aloysius Catholic Church on December 30, 2023, with their immediate family members present and the church still beautifully decorated from Christmas. The bride’s flowers were arranged by friend Meredith Cooper of Forage Floral Design and included two camellias from the bride’s grandmother’s garden. A small but festive family gathering ensued at Juban’s for dinner following the ceremony. The wedding cake was made by friend Amanda Sicard Tran of Moda Bakery.
In their first year of marriage, the couple has been blessed with their first child, daughter Barbara “Birdie” Reilley Connell, who is named after her great-grandmother, the same whose garden provided the beautiful camellias.
EVER AFTER
Where the Heart is
NEWLYWEDS CAROLINE AND SPENCE TAYLOR’S HOME COMBINES THE BEST OF BOTH OF THEIR WORLDS BY
KELLI BOZEMAN • PHOTOS BY KIM MEADOWLARK
The walls of the entryway are painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Yeabridge Green,” a hue that perfectly complements the Loom and Company rug. The French antique chest and mirror were purchased at the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas, and the chairs were found on Facebook Marketplace.
Caroline Bondy was a student in Clemson University’s graduate accounting program in Greenville, South Carolina, when she first met Spence Taylor Jr. in the elevator of the condo building where they both lived. There was an instant spark, “but then I didn’t see him again for six months, even though he lived across the hall,” Caroline recalls. “Finally, I decided to slip a note under his doormat asking for his phone number as an emergency neighbor contact.”
That little note broke the ice, and a few days later, they had their first date. Nearly two years later, Spence proposed on Caroline’s last day in Greenville before moving back to her hometown of Baton Rouge. The couple got married in April of 2024 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, with a ceremony and reception that brought together Spence’s South Carolina family members and Caroline’s South Louisiana clan.
While planning their wedding, Caroline and Spence were also picking out their first home together. They found it in the small Highland Meadow neighborhood adjacent to Magnolia Woods. Previous owners had completed thoughtful renovations, including the addition of a keeping room and second-story mother-in-law suite, so Caroline— who took residence here while Spence was still living in South Carolina—focused her energy on all the little details involved in creating a welcoming space for her and her husband after the big day. “I wanted to pour my heart into making this house a home,” she says.
To help her achieve that goal, Caroline reconnected with a childhood friend, Emily Wood, who, since their days together at St. Aloysius Catholic School and St. Joseph’s Academy, had gone on to graduate from LSU and launch her own business, Emily Wood Interiors. After an initial lunch together at Beausoleil, Emily was up to speed on Caroline’s desire to bring warmth and personality into each room of the house, much like the welcoming Southern ambiance of the home in which Spence grew up. “Most newlyweds do one room at a time, but Caroline said she wanted Spence to come home to a finished house when he moved to Baton Rouge,”
Caroline scored the cabriole-legged dining room table and the wooden chandelier on Facebook Marketplace, and decorator Emily Wood of Emily Wood Interiors chose the green upholstered parson’s chairs. The rug is from The Loom and Company.
Atop a rug from Facebook Marketplace, Emily added a sofa from McMillin Interiors and custom chairs in the living room. Many of the decorative elements on the built-in bookshelves came from Caroline’s parents’ home, which Caroline says is decorated in a
Emily says. “But she didn’t want it to look like we ordered everything out of a catalog.”
Emily and Caroline scouted for furnishings and accent pieces from a wide range of sources, including Emily’s booth at The Foyer as well as garage and estate sales and Facebook Marketplace. “We liked the idea of using things that tell a story,” Emily says, “so we mixed a lot of high and low as well as old and new.”
They also filled the rooms with family photos, art and decorative items that tied back to their roots. For the wall above the living room fireplace, friends of Spence’s parents gave the couple a painting of the gates of the boarding school he attended in Asheville, North Carolina. Perched on the brick hearth below is an old brass milk jug engraved with the name of Caroline’s grandfather, Auguste
Arthur Bondy. A nearby end table came from Spence’s family.
Family also played an important role in getting this house ready for the newlyweds. Caroline’s father, Charles Bondy, a former contractor, advised the couple from even before the purchase and then refinished the oak floors, and her mother Nancy shared design inspiration and a host of blue and white porcelain pieces to help fill the built-in bookshelves in the living room.
Emily fulfilled Caroline’s request for “a lot of color” in the design in a big way, beginning in the first space guests see when they walk through the front door. The walls of the entryway are awash in a deep green hue pulled from the pattern of the rug below, and green was carried into the dining room on chairs and the Greek key-banded curtains. “We were very excited about the green foyer,” says Caroline. “I knew
similar style. Above the mantel is a painting of the entry gates of the boarding school that Spence attended in North Carolina.
A series of butterfly prints found at Round Top fills a wall space above a Greek key-design console table in the living room.
“This is really where we spend the most time,” Caroline says of the keeping room, which Emily outfitted with swivel chairs, a multifunctional ottoman/coffee table, and a geometric-design rug from ProSource.
INTERIORS
Caroline’s father made the kitchen table, which is surrounded by Serena & Lily wicker chairs that were another Facebook Marketplace find. The lantern-style pendant light fixture was an open-box find from Visual Comfort.
I didn’t want all white, and color is just so comforting to me.”
The mother-in-law suite above the keeping room now serves as a home away from home for Spence’s family members when they visit. Caroline grew up in the nearby neighborhood of Woodstone, where her family still lives, and the couple also loves to entertain their in-town friends and family members as often as they can.
“My mother and mother-in-law are both amazing hosts, so it is somewhat instilled in all of us,” Caroline says, rattling off a list of regular gatherings ranging from football watch parties and backyard barbecues to baby showers. “In the wintertime, we enjoy having people over for dinner and building a fire in the living room,” she adds. “And I regularly host mahjong parties with some of my friends. We set up two games—one in the dining room and the other at the kitchen table—and eat Calvin’s chicken salad sandwiches and homemade cookies. We
really have the best time!”
Even when it’s just the two of them, Caroline says she enjoys rolling up her sleeves in the kitchen and cooking, even after a busy day working in her family business. “It’s so relaxing to me,” she says, noting that her go-to winter dishes have included chili, pot roast and soups.
“After a long day, I truly look forward to coming home and cooking for Spence and me.”
Meanwhile, Spence can often be found on the back porch grilling and smoking meats with his Big Green Egg. “You just can’t beat burger night,” he says, but he has also already tackled smoked pork butt, beef tenderloin and turkey as well.
With four bedrooms and plenty of space for hosting future gatherings, the Taylors say they plan to stick around for a while. “This house has so much character and charm, and it’s so perfect for us,” Caroline says. “We love that we have room to grow into the house, and we look forward to raising a family here.”
The quatrefoil-motif curtains in the primary bedroom were already hanging here when Caroline and Spence bought the house, and Emily worked them into the design scheme by adding other textiles in complementary colors. Emily topped the Serena & Lily spindle bed with Matouk bedding and throw pillows in Thibaut and Brunschwig & Fils patterns.
The back porch played host to numerous football game gatherings during Spence and Caroline’s first fall as a married couple. Spence now plans to screen in this area to keep south Louisiana mosquitos from interrupting the fun next season.
Join us for inRegister’s HOMES INDUSTRY happy hour!
January 30th | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar in Renaissance Hotel
Enjoy great drinks, food, and music while networking with professionals in the home and design industry.
AIMEE’S PRETTY PALATE
AIMEE BROUSSARD is a Southern food blogger and award-winning cookbook author. Seen on QVC, Rachael Ray and more, she is a self-proclaimed accidental entrepreneur with a penchant for porches and sweet hospitality. Find her online at aimeebroussard.com
Issue Date: Jan25 Ad2 proof #2
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Sip, Sip, Hooray
With the January issue kicking off the new year with a second helping of wedding content, it has me reminiscing about the wedding gifts that have proven to be either the most meaningful or, unexpectedly, the most useful.
Let’s start with the most meaningful. I’ve mentioned it a few times, but the recipe box containing handwritten family favorites tops the list of most meaningful. It was gifted to me by my sister-inlaw, Ricci, and while I don’t reach for it as much as I once did, it remains on standby when I get into a rut or need something tried and true.
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The most useful is a toss-up between a toaster oven and a handheld milk frother. Neither is very glamorous in the grand scheme of things, but let me tell you, having the ability to bake a mere six cookies and not heat up your kitchen
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with your regular oven is life-altering.
This brings us to an inexpensive gadget that is the holy grail difference-maker between an ordinary cup of coffee and an extraordinary cappuccino, latte or macchiato: the milk frother. I am on my second (or third) milk frother in my 14 years of marriage, but it’s the one device that has become the gift that kept on giving.
My weekends are made infinitely more enjoyable with the whirl of the frother. Sure, you can make these recipes without a frother, but do yourself a favor and upgrade your coffee routine with some handheld magic.
Speaking of magical, get that frother frothing with a Caramel Macchiato recipe you can make at home without shedding your pajamas for a trip to the coffee shop. And I hear you; technically, you “could” order through the drive-thru while still in your pajamas, but let’s make 2025 the year we elevate our homemade coffeemaking experience instead, OK?
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Copycat Caramel Macchiato
Slightly adapted from “Cooktoria.”
4 oz. very strong coffee (or 2 oz. espresso)
2 Tbsp. vanilla syrup
12 oz. whole milk
Caramel sauce, for drizzling
Prepare coffee on strongest setting and place in a measuring cup for easy pouring. Add vanilla syrup and give it a swirl.
In a glass measuring cup, warm up milk. Use milk frother to froth. A regular whisk can also be used but you will need to whisk vigorously until foamy.
Add drizzle of caramel sauce to bottom of a large mug. Add frothed milk. Pour coffee mixed with vanilla on top.
Drizzle a bit of additional caramel. According to a former Starbucks employee, they make two circles around the edges of the cup and then create a grating pattern across the top. Makes 1 serving.
Issue Date: Jan2025 Ad proof #1
For more frothy recipes, visit inRegister.com/cuisine/sip-sip-hooray
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WEEKLY MEALS
HEALTHY PLANNER GROCERY LIST PRODUCTS
BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
2024-2025 GREATER BATON ROUGE BUSINESS REPORT AND INREGISTER
The Baton Rouge chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals marks its 35th National Philanthropy Day Celebration by recognizing the 2024 AFP Award recipients on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at noon at the Crowne Plaza. These individuals, families, and businesses have improved the quality of life for many in our community.
GIVING GUIDE
240 chapters in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs.
DAY HONOREES
Outstanding Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy.............................................Baton Rouge Clinic
FACES of PHILANTHROPY
Outstanding Philanthropist........................................................................................J.H. “Jay” Campbell, Jr.
Outstanding Philanthropic Service Organization......................Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge
STAY ON TOP OF PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH BUSINESS REPORT AND INREGISTER MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL GIVING GUIDE MAGAZINE TO GIVE BACK, GET INVOLVED, AND FIND YOUR CAUSE TODAY!
SOME PEOPLE HAVE A UNIQUE STORY, BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE THAT LEADS THEM TO A LIFE OF HELPING OTHERS.
Outstanding Professional Fundraiser.......................................................................... Danny Fields, CFRE
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser........................................................................................Donna Saurage
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy.......................................................................Benjamin Flynt Papizan
Here are some local philanthropists who find happiness by giving of their time and talent to make a real difference in the world.
Legacy Award..................................................................................................................................Everett Powers
Spirit of Giving Award......................................................................................................................G. Lee Griffin* *Awarded posthumously
Scan to gain access to organizations in our community that are making a lasting impact
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
—DREW WALKER Communications and Marketing Manager McMains Children’s Developmental Center
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Baton Rouge was named a 2023 Ten Star GOLD Chapter, offering members the opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in creative thinking, network with new friends and achieve great results in their work.
The Baton Rouge chapter meets the second Tuesday of each month at Juban's Restaurant in Baton Rouge. Networking takes place from 11:30-11:45 a.m. The luncheon program begins at 11:45 a.m. For more information, visit the website at afpglobal.org, follow the group on Facebook, or contact Tammy Abshire, CFRE, at 337.501.5696 or at afpbatonrouge@gmail.com.
Gratitude Art of
ETIQUETTE ADVICE FOR THOUGHTFUL THANK-YOU NOTES
BY BRE PIZZOLATO
PHOTOS BY MALORIE WHITE
Issue Date: Jan2025 Ad proof #1
Custom stationery, like these options by Paper N Things, helps to tie in thank-you cards with the overall wedding invitation suite.
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You and your groom have said ‘I do,’ and the party is over. But the work is far from done. It’s time to write your thank-you notes. And experts agree that they must be handwritten. “The purpose of writing a thank-you note is to show your gratitude towards an individual because of their generosity or kindness towards you,” explains certified etiquette consultant Karryl Durr with The Swann School of Protocol Baton Rouge. Read on for expert advice for saying thanks.
All Together
Keep Up
Don’t wait until the honeymoon is over to tackle a mountain of thankyous. Instead, write them soon after your bridal shower or as gifts arrive. This approach makes writing dozens of notes manageable, offering the breaks needed to maintain creativity and avoid burnout. Rodriguez and Durr agree that thank-you notes should be sent within six months at the latest.
Say What
“It’s all about being creative and kind,” Rodriguez says. “A proper thankyou note does not have to be lengthy.” Express appreciation and include a line or two on how you and your spouse intend to use the gift or say what you like about it, Durr advises.
Sincerely Yours
Issue Date: Jan 2025 Ad proof #1
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Stacey Rodriguez, owner of Paper N Things, has guided couples in selecting stationery and wedding suites for 30 years. Her golden rule for thank-you notes remains the same: order them alongside your wedding suite. “That way, you have them in hand, and you’re already ahead in the process,” she says.
Etiquette dictates that the writer should sign notes individually, not as a couple, according to Rodriguez. For close family members, signing with your first name is appropriate, Durr says. For all others, include your first and last name to maintain formality and polish.
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The Knock Knock Children’s Museum went under the sea for its annual Storybook Soirée on November 7.
Knock Knock Children’s Museum
The Knock Knock Children’s Museum hosted its Storybook Soirée on November 7.
Forum 225 held its Forum Fête event on November 1 at Gallery 14.
Chase Ardoin & Tyler Aguilard
Taylor Stirling & Sarazen Knight Ashlee Bergeron, Tracy Barker & Abbey Kish
Madison Milton & Maddie Rushing
Anne Elise Manning & Cydney Reyna
Haylee Clark & Katie Hoffpauir
Kaylee Engemann & Brittney Olinde
Jenny Pham & Cameron Morin
Kelsey Higdon, Victoria Labarre & Kathryn Thomas
Kristian Beatty & Christina Melton
John & Amy Cambre
Blue Ribbon Soirée
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The Blue Ribbon Soirée was hosted on November 3 at the Renaissance Hotel.
Kathy Lato, Adam Lato, and Jessica & Daniel Williams
John Farlow & Katherine Crotwell
Rachel & Nathanael Russin
Jennifer Simpson & Tiffany Gomez
Emily & Thomas Guidroz
Devin & Thom Bonner
Hands Producing Hope
Hands Producing Hope hosted its annual Hope Gala on November 2 at the River Center Library.
Mallory Giglio & Rebecca Nguyen
Shauna Tircuit & Jeremy Turner
Sophia Abbott & Kacey Huang
Rachel Clement & Peyton Millet
Maram Khalaf & Aliaa Khalaf
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JANUARY
Dance into the new year with a full calendar of local events.
Ukrainian ballerinas will make their way to Baton Rouge for a performance of The Sleeping Beauty at the River Center Theatre on January 8.
The Sleeping Beauty
JANUARY 8
River Center Theatre
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine will take the River Center Theatre stage to tell the story of Princess Aurora and the evil fairy Carabosse through movement, stage design and intricate costuming. theatre.raisingcanesrivercenter.com
Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival
JANUARY 15-19
Manship Theatre
The uniqueness of the Jewish experience will be on display for the four-day-long Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival, which will feature four movies, each shown at the Manship Theatre. brjff.com
MPAC
JANUARY 17
Cary Saurage Community Arts Center
This year’s MPAC event will embrace the glamour of Hollywood to spotlight local artists in an unforgettable celebration raising funds to continue enriching the culutral landscape of the Capital City through the arts. artsbr.org/mpac
Wigs, Martinis & Bowties Soirée
JANUARY 17
Shaw Center for the Arts
The La Capitale chapter of The Links, Incorporated is hosting its annual gala benefiting local causes including the Big Buddy Program, Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Southern University, East and West Baton Rouge Parish Schools and more. lacapitalelinksinc.org/wmb2024
Arbor Day
JANUARY 18
LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens
Baton Rouge Green and the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens invite the community to an Arbor Day party complete with tree climbing, a scavenger hunt, ax throwing, local vendors and more. Guests are also invited to plant a tree in the Burden Woods that can be tracked as it grows. lsu.edu/botanic-gardens
Louisiana Marathon
JANUARY 18-19
Downtown Baton Rouge Run for it! This annual race features something for everyone, with a full, half and quarter marathon, as well as a 5K, kids marathon, diaper dash and plenty of local vendors for after the run is done. thelouisianamarathon.com
American Rhapsody
JANUARY 23
River Center Theatre
With Paul Merkelo on trumpet and Elia Cecino on piano, the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra will perform American Rhapsody, featuring Duke Ellington’s “Portrait of Louis Armstrong,” George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and more. brso.org
Surreal Salon Soirée
JANUARY 25
Baton Rouge Gallery
Celebrate this year’s international popsurrealist exhibition at Baton Rouge Gallery with this annual soirée, which encourages guests to get creative and show up in one-ofa-kind costumes. batonrougegallery.org/surreal-salon
Petite Antiques Forum
JANUARY 30
Louisiana State Archives, Baton Rouge Country Club
The Friends of Magnolia Mound will host the 25th installment of the Petite Antiques Forum. Starting with a morning of lectures, the day will also include a luncheon and tour of a privately owned historic home in Point Coupee. All proceeds will benefit the continued maintenance of Magnolia Mound. friendsofmagnoliamound.org
Rain Check
Awet knot is remarkably difficult to untie.
This adage is why a wedding day shower is seen as good luck and a sign that the marriage will last. Or perhaps a wedding planner long ago came up with this quip to offer a new perspective for a panicky bride. Either way, it is cemented in matrimonial lore as a sign of good fortune.
The January 2005 issue of inRegister featured the nuptials and celebration of Robin O’Rourke and Eric Gilley. Their wedding was a dazzling affair featuring the gown of Robin’s dreams from Bridal Boutique, which Eric’s parents founded, where Robin now serves as manager. The reception was a magical night under the stars complete with a 14-foot seafood-filled pirogue. Oh, and two untimely guests from the Gulf. Not one but two hurricanes made landfall the week of their wedding.
“A family friend spent the day digging trenches and pipes to drain water from St. Emma Plantation’s backyard and set up walkways and tents to shelter wedding guests,” the original article reads. “One look at the wedding album, and one can tell that the rain dampened no one’s spirits.”
As vendors know all too well, the weather is an uncontrollable and unpredictable part of every celebration. Yet, any challenge can be gracefully overcome with meticulous planning and a positive mindset. For soon-to-be-brides, the Gilleys’ story serves as a reminder that while trends and traditions evolve, a gracious attitude and a focus on being present for every fleeting moment will ensure a beautiful celebration, rain or shine.
