Cue's BRIDE: Summer 2016

A G A M B I T P U B L I C AT I O N

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TIPS

FOR

PERFECT

PICS

CROWNING

GLORY

LESS-IS-MORE BRIDAL TRENDS

HOW TO PLAN A

BACHELORETTE

PARTY

THE COOLEST WEDDING

FOOD TRENDS

SHOWSTOPPING

GOWNS

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Receptions Bridal Showers & Luncheons Indoor & Outdoor Ceremonies Rehearsal Dinners

The Perfect Place...

o d I y a s o t

Overnight Accommodations Available for Wedding Parties Up to 18 guests Corporate Meetings & Luncheons Only 15 minutes from Downtown New Orleans

Contact Racheal Apken AT 504.392.2200 racheala@englishturn.com ENGLISHTURN.COM S UM M ER.20 1 6 <<<

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CUE bride book SUMMER 2016

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Crowning glory

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The latest bridal gowns

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Bridal fascinators, veils and more These gowns will turn heads

Bachelorette party guide Bond with pals before the big day

Dramatic exits

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Wedding food trends

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Sendoffs with style

New ways to satisfy foodie friends

Bridesmaid styling tips A fashion pro gives advice

Picking a photographer What to look for from a pro

Resources

Where to get the goods in CUE’s Bride Book

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Marry Me, Mag pie & Antique Vintage Engagement Rings for Every Budget

S/S Louisiana Cake Pulls from $5.99 to $17.99

Mr. & Mrs. Koozies $4.99 each

Mr. & Mrs. Hand Towels $11.50 a set

Hand Painted Bride, Groom, Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom $25.99 to $27.99 each 1513 Metairie Rd. • 835-6099 Metairie Shopping Center www.mjsofmetairie.com MJSMETAIRIE

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We Buy Vintage & Estate Jewelry 4529 Magazine Street • 891–1333

Weddings by

Andrea EST. 1985

Elegant…Yet Affordable

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CROWNING GLORY

When it comes to bridal headpieces, sometimes less is more.

PHOTOS BY JASON KRUPPA

Fingertip veil, $240 at Bustles and Bows; earrings, $39 at

Yvonne LaFleur.

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MI G N O N FAG E T Handcraf ted In America

Canal Place 路 3801 Magazine 路 Lakeside www.mignonfaget.com

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Beaded hair comb, $159 at Yvonne LaFleur.

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CHATEAU GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID PAUL STUDIO

CREATING YOUR PERFECT DAY

A FULL SERVICE COUNTRY CLUB THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE OUTSIDE EVENTS PERFECT FOR MEETINGS, LUNCHEONS, DINNERS, SHOWERS, WEDDINGS AND MORE COMPLETE WITH AN 18 HOLE GOLF COURSE, 9 TENNIS COURTS, POOL AREA, FITNESS CENTER AND MULTIPLE DINING ROOMS 3600 CHATEAU BLVD. • KENNER, LA 70065 • 504 467 1351 • WWW.CHATEAUGCC.COM • ADMIN@CHATEAUGCC.COM

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On the cover:

Birdcage veil, $159, earrings, $39, both

at Yvonne LaFleur.

PHOTOGRAPHY Jason Kruppa MODEL Lindsey Thibodaux for Launch Model and Talents HAIR AND MAKEUP Kelsey Edwards and Adrienne Lopez for Glenn Michael Salon

Fascinator, $50 at Trashy Diva; earrings, $39 at Yvonne LaFleur.

STYLIST Missy Wilkinson

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Lafitte

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Create Lasting Memories Ou r eleg a nt c lu b h o u s e c a n h ost yo u r p er f ec t ev ent fo r

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Live Oak Bar & Grill at Timberlane Country Club

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A BIT OF

LACE From intricate buttons to subtle hues, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bridal trends are all about the details.

BY PA DMINI PA R TH A S A R ATH Y

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IN A SEA OF WHITE, CERTAIN TRENDS STAND OUT: two-piece dresses, blush-colored slips under lace and elaborate backs. But not all brides want something new. Boutique owners are seeing the return of vintage ball gowns and brides choosing revamped versions of their mothers’ dresses. Whether the wedding’s aesthetic is ultra-modern or vintage, brides are using modern tools to realize their visions of the big day — of which the dress is a crucial part.

Crickett Lapeyre and Jennifer Atkins own Peony Nola and women’s clothing line Libellule. Libellule wedding gowns are custom made of materials including silk charmeuse. “Some [brides] want special, intimate, less stock-manufactured, maybe something more original — although our original is not avant-garde original. It’s more heirloom, one-of-a-kind original,” says Lapeyre, who works with about five brides a year. “And that is where we come in.”

Lapeyre says a bride may opt to wear her mother’s dress and buy a custom reception dress. This way, she can be fashion-forward while feeling connected to her past.

At Pearl’s Place, co-owner Courtney Schulman has outfitted generations of families during her 20 years in bridal attire. She says two-piece wedding dresses are trending. More brides are

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LEFT: Italian embroidered tulle gown with a metallic accent features a V-neck and fit-to-flare silhouette, $5,244 at Wedding Belles.

CENTER: Two-piece gown with beaded belt custom made by Libellule, $2,700 and up at Peony.

PHOTO BY JASON KRUPPA

RIGHT: Italian duchess silk satin ball gown with an embroidered floral lace motif, featuring an off-the-shoulder neckline and fully pleated skirt, $5,244 at Wedding Belles.

THIS PAGE: Pearl-beaded gown with cap sleeves and illusion low back, $1,980 at Linda Lee Bridal.

PAGE 17: Champagne-colored satin, lace tulle and organza gown, $1,540 at Linda Lee Bridal.

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Say I“ Do” to Longue Vue! New Orleans’ most beautiful home...

With eight acres of magnificent architecture and gardens on a Country Place Era estate, Longue Vue House and Gardens offers brides a stunning setting for your pre-wedding needs.

Available for: Bridal and wedding gifts Bridal brunches, luncheons and teas Engagement, bridal and wedding photography

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RIGHT: Gown with jeweled detail custom made by Libellule, $1,200 and up at Peony.

PHOTO BY JASON KRUPPA

FAR RIGHT: Finepoint lace gown with beaded straps and chapel train, $1,700 at Pearl’s Place.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Strapless blushcolored ball gown with beaded bodice and a sweetheart neckline, $2,690 at Pearl’s Place.

choosing muted colors like blush and antique gold. Some opt for bold hues like red, black and royal blue.

“I can’t remember the last time I sold a white dress,” Schulman says.

Brides also are focusing on minutiae, such as the way the lace lays on the dress or the buttons fastening the back.

“Back details are unbelievably popular right now,” says Dina Ippolito, owner of Linda Lee Bridal. “I’ve never seen so many girls wanting to know what the back looks like before the front.”

Ippolito attributes this attention to detail and nontraditional styles partly to the fact that many brides are paying for their own gowns.

“It’s all about their choice,” Ippolito says. “The mother has given her approval but the girl is paying, so she has the final say.”

She adds that technology has made brides more detail-oriented.

“You didn’t have that before,” Ippolito says. “They might tear a page out of a book, but they didn’t have Pinterest to check out a hairstyle, fingernails, shoes.”

Though the internet can be a great tool to help brides get a better sense of their taste and preferences, boutique owners urge brides not to skip the wedding gown shopping experience. “[The dress] is something that needs to be tried on and really felt,” Schulman says. “[A staff member] here is going to have the experience of seeing all these gowns on many people and will be very educated in fit, proportions and styling.”

Ultimately, a bride’s decision comes down to her personality and desire to have a wedding that is unique to her and her partner.

“A bridal gown is what each individual bride responds to,” Schulman says.

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PARTY PEOPLE

BY ANDREA BLUMENSTEIN

Bachelorette parties have evolved into entire weekends for women to rekindle friendships.

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BACHELORETTE PARTIES ARE AS POPULAR AS EVER, but the events include more than just booze, boas and phallic objects. Brides-to-be are looking to enjoy time with their close friends and celebrate in an intimate setting.

“The age demographic is still pretty young,” says Amy Neill, director of sales and guest experience at the newly opened Catahoula Hotel. “Girls are usually a few years out of college and starting their careers, so the bachelorette party tends to morph into a really fun girls’ weekend for everyone to catch up.”

Brides are more involved in planning the bachelorette party, but the tradition of the maid of honor handling a lot of the legwork lives on, Neill says. Before working at Catahoula Hotel, she launched REVELRYnola, a party planning company focused on creating customized bachelorette parties. She

says about half of her local clients want to go out of town and half want to celebrate in New Orleans — booking hotel reservations, spa treatments and dining out.

Many women who hold bachelorette parties in New Orleans schedule a casual dinner the night everyone arrives for the weekend, a formal activity on Saturday night and brunch on Sunday.

Women often take in a burlesque show or participate in a class at the New Orleans School of Burlesque.

An hourlong lesson runs $200 minimum for six people, and costumes are encouraged. Lingerie showers also are a trend. “[Lingerie showers can be] a nice civilized event before things get crazy,” Neill says.

Neill encourages hostesses to plan showers ahead of time so attendees have enough time to shop. Local boutiques Trashy Diva Lingerie and Bonjour Lingerie also host lingerie showers with bur-

lesque instruction, Champagne, shopping discounts and finger foods.

Attendees like to have matching swag — tank tops or gocups if they are in New Orleans. Local designer Liz Cooke of Lionheart Prints says her “yeaux leaux” cups, tumblers and tanks are popular for bachelorette parties. Gift baskets are another option and can include things like “first aid kits” for hangovers, including ibuprofen and soluable vitamin powder.

Attendees should not anticipate a rowdy night before the wedding. Most brides opt for a bachelorette party a few months prior to the wedding. “They pick a season depending on the wedding,” Neill says. “If you are getting married in the fall, you probably will do a summer getaway.” The event’s proximity to the wedding is less important than the season (brides should be aware of the weather at their destination).

Popular out-of-town spots include Miami and Gulf Coast beaches like Destin, Florida and Charleston, South Carolina. “For people looking to spend a little bit more (money), there is still a huge market for Napa wine weekends and Las Vegas,” Neill says.

New Orleans also offers a great mix of food, culture and fun. “It kind of has everything,” Neill says.

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Sparklers create a dramatic sendoff.

PHOTO BY MAILE LANI PHOTOGRAPHY

STUNNING SENDOFFS

parasols, handkerchiefs and full brass bands.

Processions typically take over the streets, getting locals and tourists involved in the fun.

Many couples opt to personalize their second lines with details and objects that are special to them.

“Some brides like the traditional white bridal second-line umbrella adorned with lace and pearls,” says Kim Burr of NOLA Gifts & Decor. “Some brides prefer the more elegant style by adding white boa feathers, fringe and menu for wedding sendoffs. Sparklers also sequined fleur-de-lis appliques.” are a popular choice that add an element of Couples often design the second line to redrama to a night wedding. flect their university or favorite sports teams.

Couples who like pyrotechnics can kick up “The first choice is incorporating a New Orleans the sparkler concept a notch. White says her Saints theme, adding some gold fringe to jazz team’s most memorable wedding sendoff it up a bit, or their college alma mater,” Burr was a fireworks show. Some venues, such as says. “For most New Orleanians, Louisiana State Southern Oaks Plantation, offer fireworks University colors (purple and gold) make a packages starting at $2,000. great show.”

Second-line parades continue to be a NOLA Gifts & Decor handcrafts the matestrong trend even with out-of-town couples. rials needed to personalize a second line. If These parades originated in New Orleans after sports teams aren’t the couple’s cup of tea, the Civil War, when slaves, who performed the shop can put together a different theme the parade-like procession at funerals and specifically designed for them. weddings, merged their tradition with Euro“What makes this … unique is how each pean military brass band processions. Today, couple incorporates this tradition into their the Crescent City continues the tradition with wedding theme,” Burr says.

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Unique and memorable ways to bid newlyweds adieu.

BY JON ATH A N URBIN A NEW ORLEANIANS LOVE A REASON TO CELEBRATE. In many cases, when it comes to weddings, the more spectacle, the better.

With that in mind, many couples are crafting perfect, Instagram-worthy exits. If it photographs well, it is probably a strong contender.

“Brides and grooms want to incorporate their unique flair and get the special social media picture,” says Mimi White, an events producer for White Oak Productions.

Tossed uncooked rice is the old-school way to bid newlyweds adieu, and although it’s a myth that rice is harmful to birds, the tradition doesn’t have much traction today. White says most modern couples do not partake in rice throwing. Instead, bubbles, glitter, streamers and confetti bombs all are on the

Dessert bars can include small cakes and cookies, among other sweets.

PHOTO BY GLASS JAR PHOTOGRAPHY

BEYOND THE

BUFFET

From food trucks to family-style dining, the latest trends in nuptial fare are all about having fun.

BY SUZ ANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

WHEN IT COMES TO WEDDING DAY FARE, couples aren’t limited to traditional buffet items and a white four-tier cake with fondant icing.

Family-style dinners, where platters are passed around the table, are becoming more common, as are food trucks acting as caterers. Wedding cakes are being replaced by an assortment of sweets, or even something savory.

This new realm of food offerings lets newlyweds showcase their creativity and share what’s meaningful to them.

As a result, pastry chefs and caterers often receive unique menu requests.

“A lot of times, it’s anything goes,” says Jennifer Greenwood, pastry chef of Joel Catering and Special Events.

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“You ask for it and we’ll try to make it happen.”

She notes that many clients prefer a traditional cake but want additional treats, like buttermilk drops, as well.

Her team has created mini-cupcake displays; filled glass apothecary jars with gourmet cookies; and passed around an array of handheld desserts — from s’more bites and beignets to miniature toaster pastries.

One bride requested several cakes and pies made from her grandmother’s recipes, along with smaller confections. The dessert credenza consisted of butterscotch puddings, chocolate-covered strawberries, pecan pies, carrot cake and a decadent six-layer chocolate cake.

Desserts are not limited to dulcet confections. Greenwood recalls a “cheese cake” made of savory cheese wheels, stacked on top of one another, accompanied by a smorgasbord of spreads and crackers.

“You have to be careful with the structure,” Greenwood says. “You don’t want to put a soft brie cheese at the bottom of a four-tier cheese tower.”

The Sweet Life Bakery in Lakeview offers dessert displays that include miniature parfaits with traditional wedding cake flavors, eclairs, cream puffs and other small bites. Owner and head pastry chef Jenny Pacaccio says cupcake towers and petite cakes in a variety of flavors are common.

Some brides request an extravagant cake along with tiny desserts guests can take home as a party favors.

“The dessert bars have taken off, because people can customize it with what they like,” Pacaccio says.

“Guests can walk around and enjoy what’s going on without having to sit down and eat a full piece of cake.”

For the dinner portion of the wedding reception, many couples choose family-style dinners where the guests dine in small groups. Instead of lining up at an open buffet, everyone sits at the same time and passes platters of food.

Sarah Hall, president of Joel Catering and Special Events, says the farm

to table movement has made this approach more popular locally. Already common in other parts of the country, family-style wedding dinners recently have gained attention in New Orleans.

“Some people are trying to find a happy medium between a seated, served dinner, but they want a more casual and fun vibe,” she says. “Family-style dinners are a fun way to achieve it.”

Local food trucks and other culinary vendors roll up to wedding receptions and provide multiple dishes. My House NOLA, a creative culinary production company, coordinates it all.

“If you’re getting married and you want a food truck, an oyster bar and a snowball stand, we can work with all of those different components and put it together for you,” says Barrie Schwartz, CEO and founder of My House NOLA. “The food people can focus on what they do best, which is cooking awesome food.”

This mealtime option may be the way to go if the wedding is

A cheese “cake” or tower is a savory alternative to a sweet wedding cake.

PHOTO BY LEILAH BUNDESEN-MAGIER

set in a historic building without a functioning kitchen. Schwartz says a few food truck chefs come from fine dining backgrounds and can make their usual menu items more formal.

“It’s really cool to work with them, because they can do a little bit of casual and high end,” she says. The actual truck can remain off-site, but clients should check with the venue about catering policies and the prospect of hiring an outside vendor.

While planning the culinary component of the reception, brides may want to peruse Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. After all, the couple’s wedding day provides a moment when they can have their cake — or cheese tower — and eat it, too.

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BECOMING BRIDESMAIDS A fashion merchandiser shares tips for styling a picture-perfect entourage.

BY MISSY WILKINSON PHOTOS BY BROCATO PHOTOGRAPHY

TRADITIONAL OR MODERN SILHOUETTE? CLASSIC IVORY OR BLUSH HUES?

Lace or tulle … or both? Any woman who’s in the market for a wedding gown knows the array of options can be overwhelming — and that’s before she takes bridesmaid dresses into consideration. Their colors need to complement the bridal gown. Their aesthetic should vibe with the venue. They should flatter a range of figure types and, ideally, make every bridesmaid happy.

It’s a tall order, which is why we asked Kaitlyn Tufts, a newlywed and co-owner of Lucy Rose Boutique, to weigh in. Here are her expert tips for finding dresses that brides — and bridesmaids — will love.

YOU HAD AN ADVANTAGE WHEN IT CAME TO STYLING YOUR BRIDESMAIDS, THANKS TO YOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN FASHION. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I’ve worked in retail since I was 13 and went to (Louisiana State University) LSU for fashion merchandising.

I manage the fashion side of Lucy Rose and my sister, Lindsay Alvarez Laws, does the home side. I keep up with the trends — Los Angeles versus New York — and although New Orleans is sometimes a step behind, you learn to wait two years and then the trend will pop up.

TOP: Kaitlyn Tufts (center) chose off-the-shoulder dresses to complement her gown’s modern style.

ABOVE: Tufts wanted bridesmaids to wear floral headpieces for an easy, romantic feel.

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Congratulations on planning your special day.

LET THE HISTORIC FAIR GROUNDS RACE COURSE BE THE BACKDROP OF YOUR WEDDING. • Wedding ceremonies and receptions, rehearsal parties, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties • Indoor or outdoor space to accommodate 75-600 people • Full service catering available on site • Free secure parking • www.fgno.com/groupsales or groupsales@fgno.com

For additional information, contact Mary Cay Kern at (504) 948-1285.

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WHAT TRENDS DID YOU INCORPORATE IN YOUR WEDDING?

When you go to market, you get a feel for the colors. Bright orange coral is really in. I love that pastels are a huge trend. I definitely brought a mauve look. Most bridesmaids get pale pink, and it washes everyone out. This fig color made everyone look like a million bucks. I had 11 bridesmaids, and every one was like, “I’m obsessed with this color.”

The off-the-shoulder look was on trend, so I picked that because a lot of people don’t look good in strapless. I knew I wanted flower crowns.

DID YOU GET YOUR DRESS FIRST OR THE BRIDESMAID DRESSES FIRST?

I found my bridesmaid dresses before I found my own. The process was based on the venue. I fell in love with Il Mercato (an events venue on Magazine Street). It’s ideal for someone who likes a rustic feel, but it is elegant as well. I had a vision of a very Spanish wedding — I’m half Cuban — with a fun, vibrant feel. I recommend picking the venue first and making sure your dress complements it, because otherwise, the photos will be all off. It won’t flow together.

HOW DID YOU MAKE SURE YOUR GOWN LOOKED GOOD WITH THE BRIDESMAID DRESSES?

I got swatches of (fabric from) the bridesmaid dresses, and I brought those swatches everywhere I went. That way, I had the color palette with me. It helped so much, because the color palette was beyond perfect and flowed so nicely.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE MARKET FOR BRIDAL GOWNS AND BRIDESMAID DRESSES?

Pick the venue first, because then when you put on dresses, you can picture what they’d look like in that venue. Look at magazines, talk to people and get ideas of your style.

Bring someone along [when you try on dresses] who likes fashion and wants to be there for you and give you advice. Ultimately, it is your decision, but it is helpful to get another person’s opinion. You can’t plan all this by yourself.

RIGHT: Elegant but rustic wrist corsages complete the look.

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PICTURE PERFECT

1

for planning your wedding photos TIPS like a pro.

2

6

BY NEWSUSA

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WITH EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO YOUR WEDDING DAY, those once-in-a-lifetime moments will go by in a blur, which is why hiring a professional wedding photographer is a must. After all, the last thing you should be worrying about is whether your photographer will be able to capture your big day.

The key? Prepare yourself so that you can accurately evaluate the right photographer for you.

“The best photographer will take time to build a rapport with you and use his or her experience and creativity to capture the mood, personality, ambience and even the geography of your wedding,” says Professional Photographers of America (PPA) photographer Berit Bizjak. “The finest wedding photography is more than a series of still pictures. It’s physical poetry — it tells the story of the day and portrays the essence of both people and place.”

To this end, PPA offers six tips to help you plan your wedding photos like a pro:

Book far in advance.

The best photographers get booked quickly — sometimes as much as a year in advance — so don’t wait until the last minute to finalize arrangements with your photographer.

Show them the money.

Now is not the time to skimp on the budget. Call around and get a price range for services, and remember: Long after the cake is gone and the dress is stored away, your wedding photos will be the main things left to share and enjoy for years to come, so don’t cut corners on your photography budget.

3

Make sure your photographer is a real pro.

Hire someone who has liability insurance, experience taking the style of photos you want, backup equipment and a plan in case things go south.

4

Request to see a full gallery of real weddings.

Look at full wedding coverage (not just a small selection of each wedding’s best moments) to see a photographer’s true style and get a sense of how he or

she might tell your story. Do you prefer more artistic or traditional poses? Would you rather have a photojournalist approach or a mix of all styles?

5

Work with your photographer to create a detailed shot list.

Talk about your must-haves and walk through the entire program with your photographer ahead of time. Share your expectations in advance to ensure that he or she captures the key shots, while remaining attentive and available to catch the best candid moments.

6

Plan your post-wedding photo strategy ahead of time.

Almost as soon as the festivities are over, you’ll be eager to look at the photos so you can relive your big day over and over. Ask your photographer for teasers or a “sneak peek” and a timeline for when the rest of the pictures will be available. Will they give you an online gallery for family and friends to choose the images they want? Knowing these things ahead of time will make things easy on the back end, sparing you any stress.

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resou rces A LISTING OF THE RETAILERS AND PROFESSIONALS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE OF CUE’S BRIDE BOOK.

9

veils PAGE 9

Bustles and Bows 3230 Severn Ave., Metairie, 504-780-7090; www.bustlesandbowsbridal.com Trashy Diva citywide; www.trashydiva.com

Peony 2240 Magazine Street, Suite 102, 504-300-7908; www.peonynola.com

Yvonne LaFleur 8131 Hampson St., 504-866-9666; www.yvonnelafleur.com

Wedding Belles 3632 Magazine St., 504-891-1005; www.weddingbellesnola.com

bridal gowns

bachelorette parties

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Linda Lee Bridal 3848 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-889-1889; www.lindaleebridal.net

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Pearl’s Place 3114 Severn Ave., Metairie; 504-885-9213; www.pearlsplace.com

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Bonjour Lingerie 4214 Magazine St., 504-309-8014; www.bonjourlingerie.com

resou rces A LISTING OF THE RETAILERS AND PROFESSIONALS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE OF CUEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BRIDE BOOK.

Catahoula Hotel 914 Union St., 504-603-2442; www.catahoula.com

White Oak Productions 8248 Oak St., 504-314-6680; www.whiteoakproductions.com

Lionheart Prints www.lionheartprints.co

food trends

Trashy Diva Lingerie Boutique 2044 Magazine St., 504-522-5686; www.trashydiva.com

dramatic exits PAGE 25

NOLA Gifts & Decor 5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 17, Metairie, 504-407-3532; www.nolagiftsanddecor.com

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Joel Catering and Special Events 1201 Convention Center Blvd., 504-299-8400; www.joels.com My House NOLA 504-266-0379; www.myhousenola.com The Sweet Life Bakery 6268 Vicksburg St., 504-371-5153; www.nolasweetlife.com

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CUE BRIDE BOOK 35