Bride & Groom Spring 2018

Bride + G R O O M A GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS WEDDINGS + UNIONS | SPRING

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P U B L I C A T I O N

2018

WE Everything Wedding...WE

DO!

417 Royal Street | French Quarter 504-934-3329 • www.brennansneworleans.com

French Quatyer Courtyard Ceremony Receptions from 50-500 Post-Wedding Brunch Balcony Views Bridal Luncheon

900 City Park Avenue | Mid-City 504-488-5100 • www.ralphsonthepark.com

Rehearsal Dinner & MUCH MORE!

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Menus • Photos • Inquiries

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www.neworleans-food.com/WEDDINGS

500 Chartres Street | French Quarter 504-934-4704 • www.napoleonhouse.com

CONTENTS S PRI N G 2 01 8

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Budgeting

How to plan for wedding expenses

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Let’s do something different Ideas for bachelor and bachelorette parties

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Looks for grooms Navy is the new black

Cheers

Ace the wedding toast

Who Pays?

The traditional financial responsibilities

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Bridal fashion

Spring and summer wedding gown trends

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Personalized gifts Ideas from local artisans

Make it legal

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How to get a marriage license and more

Resources

LAGNIAPPE TRAVEL WORLDWIDE SERVICES 1100 POYDRAS ST., SUITE 2050 504.582.2220 LAGNIAPPETRAVEL.COM

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We pylaoun…pack.

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FOR YOUR HISTORIC DAY The National WWII Museum invites you to customize your special event in one of our stunning spaces. We offer multiple unique venues located in the heart of the Warehouse District.

• Wedding Receptions • Rehearsal Dinners • Social & Corporate Events Photos courtesy of Studio Tran Photography (Beebe Tran)

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504-528-1944 x 458 rentals@nationalww2museum.org nationalww2museum.org/rentals

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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

For more information, contact Denece Laborde at (504) 948-1159.

Bustles, bows and budgets B Y K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

How to manage wedding expenses

spend

TO HAVE AND TO

There are a few expenses that couples forget to include when budgeting: sales tax, delivery, setup, break down, pick up and gratuities. Labor often is the biggest cost, and the most overlooked. Jones-Williams also recommends setting aside enough money for 25 extra people, just in case.

There are some areas you should never scrimp on, especially for the bride.

“Don’t sacrifice your look, your dress or the photography,” Jones-Williams says. It may be your only chance to be “the bride,” and the photos are your memories.

Splurge on the entertainment you want. Entertainment is a key factor in the guests’ experience — it’s what they remember most, whether it’s a DJ, a live band or an energetic emcee.

“To go to a New Orleans wedding and not have an (Mardi Gras) Indian, a second-line band, some Zulu (Social Aid & Pleasure Club) Tramps or Baby Dolls? You’ve got to have that,” Jones-Williams says. “And they’re not that expensive. … I’d definitely keep that. It’s part of the New Orleans tradition.”

save

There are remedies for wedding sticker shock. Weddings are getting smaller, Jones-Williams says, with couples prioritizing guests’ experience over the extended guest list.

Shrinking the number of invitees is the easiest way to reduce the price tag.

She points to all kind of metrics available online to help you whittle down the list, but a good test is when considering each guest, ask yourself whether you’ve spoken to that person in six months, and whether you currently have a close relationship.

“Co-workers are often the first ones to go,” she says. “Just because you eat lunch together every day doesn’t mean you’re ‘close.’ Don’t go digging up distant cousins or friends just because they invited you to their weddings.

Keep it intimate. You’re not ‘close’ to 300 people.”

Lowball your guest count when you’ve locked in the venue.

Jones-Williams says it’s easier to incrementally add more to the final count than to prune numbers after you’ve signed a contract. Many venues still will charge according to the original, higher number.

Be open to having the ceremony and reception in the same space — it saves on transportation, venue rental fees and time. If you must have a separate venue for the ceremony, don’t go overboard decorating it. The bulk of the wedding will be spent in the reception space, so that’s where you should focus your design plans and dollars. Buy decorations that can travel from the ceremony venue to the reception hall. Use a single limo or bus for ferrying bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider having the wedding on a Friday evening or a Sunday

— it’s often much cheaper than a Saturday event, and attendance is often just as high.

“If you invite them, they will come,” Jones-Williams says.

There are plenty of little things you can omit to save money without subtracting from the experience.

Jones-Williams cites the sweetheart table at the reception — it’s a romantic idea, but it can be a waste because newlyweds rarely have time to sit. Do you really need a videographer? Jones-Williams says many couples never actually watch the video, and most really only want short snippets they can post to social media.

Other budget sinkholes are too many bar and food options. Reception bars do not need to be top shelf, she says. If there’s a special liquor that the groom’s father just has to have, most venues will let you bring in a single bottle to leave behind the bar; there’s no need to order it in bulk. Jones-Williams also has observed that with the specialty cocktail trend at wedding receptions, most guests will partake of the promoted drink, bypassing the bar altogether. Buffet-style food service always is cheaper than a sitdown meal (which also necessitates extra labor costs for service).

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BELLS WILL BE RINGING …

CASH REGISTERS WILL BE CHA-CHINGING. That’s not how the song goes, but as beautiful and sentimental as weddings are, paying for all that ceremony is a very real, rarely enjoyable part of the day. Kimberly Jones-Williams, lead event planner at NOLA Event Planners, offers budgeting advice to keep matrimony manageable.

Jones-Williams says most couples pay for their own weddings, with a few expenses covered by the bride or groom’s parents.

Before outlining how much you plan to spend, the first step is to figure out who’s going to pay for what, and how much money is available. Next, start a guest list. Remember that each guest isn’t just a body — there’s also seating, tables, food, drinks and decorations to factor into calculating how much each guest will really cost. Decide how much you can afford to spend per head.

She says the average New Orleans wedding costs $42,000 for 150 guests, including about $1,000 for a videographer, $3,500 for a photographer, $1,200 for the bride’s attire and about $10,000 for decor.

The bulk of the expenses are from the reception venue (food, alcohol, labor, waitstaff, etc.).

She urges clients to set a realistic budget that they can pay as they go, so when the wedding is over, so is the bill.

WAYS TO

BUDGET

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BUDGET

Who pays?

Traditional breakdowns for who pays which wedding expenses

BY K A NDACE P OW ER G R AV E S

Groom’s FA M I LY PAYS FO R :

Bride’s engagement and wedding rings Rehearsal dinner Marriage license

Bachelor party

Wedding officiant’s fee

Travel expenses Wedding gift

Gratuities Don’t forget to include tips in the budget. Who gets tipped?

PAYS FO R :

Banquet captain (oversees food and beverage service), tip $1-$5 per guest PHOTO BY OMURDEN CENGIZ

Bride’s bouquet, corsages for mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for the groom, his attendants, ushers, groom’s father and grandfather Housing for groomsmen (see note regarding bridesmaids’ housing) Gifts for groom’s attendants and ushers Bride’s wedding gift

Groom’s wedding ring Wedding announcements, invitations, reception cards Ceremony site fee (if separate from reception) Reception (including venue fees, food, liquor and decorations)

Flowers for ceremony and reception, including attendants’ bouquets and boutonnieres for the bride’s father and grandfather

Transportation (if the couple leaves the reception in a limousine or if transportation is provided for guests between the ceremony and reception or from a central site such as a hotel) Housing for bridesmaids. The bride’s family should provide a place to stay for bridesmaids who don’t have family in town, either in their own home or the home of a friend or relative. If a bridesmaid opts to stay in a hotel instead, she should pay for her own lodging. If alternate housing options aren’t available, the family traditionally pays lodging costs.

Groom’s wedding gift

Bartenders, $50-$100 each Restroom, coat check or parking attendants (pay ahead of time, $1-$2 per guest and ask attendants not to accept tips from guests) Delivery/set-up staff, $5-$20 each Makeup/hair, 15-20 percent of total bill

Bridesmaids PAY FO R :

Bridesmaid dresses and accessories

PHOTO BY RUSLAN LEFREMOV

The following generally are paid a flat fee or have gratuities included in their contracts, but you can add tips for exceptional service: Caterers and reception site managers Wedding planner ($50 to $500) Bridal shower and shower gift Bachelorette party Travel expenses to wedding and pre-wedding events Wedding gift

Limousine drivers Entertainers ($50-$200) Officiant ($50-$200) Florists (15 percent) Bakers (15 percent)

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Guest gifts (gift bags, mementos, etc.) at the reception or at hotels where they are staying; these are optional

Music at ceremony and reception

Wait staff, 15-20 percent of food bill, or $10-$20 per server (check the catering contract to determine whether this fee was paid in advance)

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Engagement party (generally hosted by mother of the bride)

PAY FO R :

Tuxedos or suits for wedding

Bride’s F AM I LY

Photography and videography

A ND U S H E R S

Honeymoon

A WEDDING CONSISTS OF A MILLION DETAILS, MOST WITH A PRICE TAG. Who pays those expenses? The answer likely is a combination of the couples’ parents and the couple, but here are traditional guidelines for divvying up the costs.

Wedding gown, shoes and accessories

Groom’s Attendants

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Celebrate your special day at Antoine’s Restaurant

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Book your next party, rehearsal dinner or wedding today!

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www.antoines.com | 504-581-4422 713 Rue Saint Louis | New Orleans, L A 70130

Party PLANS

PA RTI E S

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N & K A NDACE P OW ER G R AV E S

BACHELOR HUNTING PARTY

AT STELLA PLANTATION

Alternative ideas for the pre-wedding send-off AS THE LANDSCAPE OF WEDDINGS EVOLVES into smaller, more intimate affairs, bachelor and bachelorette parties are changing shape as well. While some still are more likely to resemble a scene from The Hangover rather than Downton Abbey, these gatherings no longer are bound by their crazy, raucous predecessors. Here, a few ideas for bridesmaid and groomsmen get-togethers that you’ll be able to tell your mom about.

For guys who prefer the wild outdoors to the wildness of a night on Bourbon Street or in Las Vegas, Stella Plantation in Braithwaite offers packages for hunters. There’s a pheasant shoot option in which the birds are released from a European-style tower with 10 shooting stations in a large open field. It starts with a safety course and clay shooting to warm up. There’s also a three-day option that includes lodging, hunting for hog, pheasant, quail or chucker, an inshore or offshore chartered fishing trip to Venice or Delacroix and a wild game dinner (at which a chef will prepare your catches, if desired).

A BEAUTY DAY FOR EVERYONE AT SOUTHERN SWINGS NAIL BAR & SPA

WELLNESS EVENTS

BY FOOTPRINTS TO FITNESS

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Whether your idea of a fun day with the girls is coloring and cocktails or Pilates followed by a lowfat, high-protein snack from restaurants such as City Greens or SWEGS Kitchen, April Dupre and her team at Footprints to Fitness have you covered. The group specializes in hosting wellness events outside the usual gym, fitness center or dance studio to provide a balance between going out and promoting emotional and physical health. Custom experiences include yoga or dance classes (the most popular being a blend of the two with a little barre thrown in) with a personalized touch, such as matching T-shirts, flower crowns and catered food and drinks. Footprints to Fitness hosts the wellness events at the location of your choice, whether in New Orleans City Park or another of its partner venues, or in a hotel room rented expressly for the bridal party. Events can be kid- and family-friendly, and men are welcome to participate.

BRIDE + GROOM

The full-service spa offers a comprehensive menu for women (makeup application, blowouts, eyebrows and full waxing by Brows by Bryan, spray tans by Nola Tan) and men (haircuts and facial hair trimming), and manicures for everyone from the smallest member of the bridal party to the father of the groom. But what distinguishes Southern Swings from other spas is the pedicure technique — clients’ feet get the full treatment while rocking back and forth on swings. There are indoor swings and outdoor swings on the broad porch in front. A board installed across the tops of the plumbed foot bowls keeps feet steady while the body is free to move in the swing. Swing pedicures are available for anyone age 4 and older; younger patrons can have their toes painted while sitting on sofas in the lobby. Bottle service is available for adults: wine, sparkling wine and mimosas are offered, and large parties are welcome to bring their own. There’s also a whiskey room, pouring Maker’s Mark. Parties of six or more can rent the entire space for up to two hours at no extra charge, and owner Brandi Holstead provides a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and a cheese or fruit tray.

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Make Your

BR I DA L E V ENT

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O REMEMBER ONE T AT E M E R IL’ S D ELMO N I CO

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LOCATED ON HISTORIC ST. CHARLES AVENUE.

To book your private party please contact:

NAME

TITLE

Sandy Odom

Regional Sales Manager

PHONE

EMAIL

(504) 524-4241

Sandy.Odom@emerillagasse.com

WEBSITE

www.emerilsrestaurants.com

W E D D I N G G OW N S

LOOK OF

TAKING THE

plunge

Plunging necklines, floral romance and fine details are among trends in bridal gowns for 2018, says Melissa Estess, owner of The Bridal Boutique by MaeMe. “This gown by Essense of Australia has it all. A plunging V-neckline is the focal point of this sheath silhouette and is accented with plunging side cutouts for a little bit of sexy on either side. The graphic floral lace detail on the bodice extends through the hip, helping to shape the bride’s body.”

LOVE The experts track 2018 wedding gown trends BY K ANDACE P OW ER G R AV E S

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“We love the modern twist on this traditional silhouette and the effortless flow of the skirt. The buttons down the back of the gown give the train a classic finish.”

—Bridal stylist Kelsey Coste chose a gown from Bliss Bridal’s own collection.

BRIDE + GROOM

THE NEW classic

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W E D D I N G G OW N S

DELICATE details PAGE 11

PHOTO COURTESY JENNY YOO COLLECTION

Jessica Schulman at Pearl’s Place says this gown by Mori Lee is the epitome of a beautiful wedding dress. “It’s a modern classic — off the shoulder, lace and lovely, a perfect fit.”

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LOVELY IN lace

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“I chose this gown because it illustrates a trend that we love for the classic bride who wants a soft and romantic look but doesn’t necessarily want to wear lace.

We are seeing many gowns in embroidered or embossed silk organza and tulle fabrics, in addition to non-traditional laces, that offer the opportunity for a modern bride to remain traditional with a slight twist.” — Amy Casbarian, owner of Wedding Belles on the “Jackie” gown by Jenny Yoo.

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Wedding Cakes & Groom’s Cakes

Timeless Elegance and MODERN LUXURY

Ceremonies & Receptions • Bridal Showers • Rehearsal Dinners

Let Us Cater Your Next Wedding Event at

New Orleans Opera Guild Home Historic Garden District Mansion Accommodates Up to 200 People!

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6268 Vicksburg Street

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| (504) 371-5153 | www.nolasweetlife.com

Inquiries 504.539.5515

WWW.RALPHBRENNANCATERING.COM

Exclusive Caterer for Opera Guild Home

Well GROOMED

G RO O M TRE N DS

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

Look sharp with an eye to spring and summer trends “Blues like navy and cobalt are trending for grooms, and with tuxes, trimmer fits are being requested across the board,” says Kevin Rome of Rome’s Tuxedos. “Navy and blue tuxes are popular for a little more flash.” The Blake navy tuxedo

by Ike Behar features Super 120s wool, a black satin lapel and a single button closure.

“The big trend surprise has been the Brackish bow ties made of real feathers,” says Kenny Rubenstein of Rubensteins. “There’s been much more of a ‘millennial’ look in the sense that grooms now want to recognize their uniqueness, and they’re doing it with accessories.” Styles like the Rice tie by Brackish are a modern take on the classic formal bow tie.

PHOTO COURTESY JOSHUA BEHAR OF IKE BEHAR

Brightly colored ties like the Chisolm design by Brackish are being worn by grooms who choose to wear a suit rather than a tuxedo.

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The Whitehall tie by Brackish gives grooms a classic style with modern sensibilities.

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“Fun socks are very popular, especially in a crazy color,” says Chad Olivier of Iron Horse Clothier. “They’re a great groomsmen gift. The colors range all over — pink, novelty socks with flamingos, fleur de lis and on. Crazy socks are mostly worn with suits — most grooms still wear classic black socks with a tux.” Knee-high patterned socks

by New Orleans-based CheckerBox are made with a cotton or cashmere blend and a custom elastic that helps socks stay up all through the big day.

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WEDDING

CAKES

info@shopsucre.com

504.708.4366

brunch, rehearsal & reception event space in the french quarter

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reservation@shopsucre.com restaurantsalon.com

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WEDDING gifts FOR LOCALS, BY LOCALS

GIFTS

Ideas with an artisan’s touch

BY SUZANNE P F E F F E R L E TA F U R REGISTRIES TAKE SOME OF THE GUESS WORK OUT OF CHOOSING A WEDDING GIFT FOR A HAPPY COUPLE, but if you’d rather give something personal and unique, consider a fun, New Orleans-centric find, made by local artisans.

We offer a few suggestions

Hand-painted bride and groom wine glasses, $45 each at Pappion Artistry.

that you can present as a standalone gift, or pair with that set of multicolored Pyrex containers the newlyweds requested. No matter

Hand-painted wine glasses

to make the sweethearts feel extra special about their big day.

Surprise the couple that loves Carnival season with this porcelain platter from Suzanne Ormond Pottery.

It depicts a married couple parading through Uptown and can be displayed year-round.

Alice Stout, a Louisiana native, designed the featured image, which was applied to the platter by hand and then fired in a kiln. The platter can be customized with Pebeo Porcelaine 150 paint markers, and baked in the oven to make the colors permanent. This platter is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.

To order, contact Lisa Caire, owner of Suzanne Ormond Pottery, or visit the store’s website for additional personalized wedding keepsakes.

Personalized cutting board

Carnival board, $195 (before personalization) at NOLA Boards.

Although cutting boards are common wedding gifts, there’s nothing ordinary about this personalized, high-quality board in Carnival colors from NOLA Boards, a French Quarter shop that also sells customizable utensils and other items for the home cook.

Each board is made to order and contains purple heart, sinker Cypress and yellow heart woods. Monogramming starts at $25 and is available in a variety of fonts. Finished products take about a week.

Umbrellas

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When it’s time to second line, the bride and groom can lead the way with festive, black or white umbrellas made by Nola Fabiola. Customizations can include delicate feathers, lace, beads, fairy lights or other embellishments.

Begin the process by contacting Nola Fabiola to describe the design you envision, or email a picture of a sample. Local artist Sean Nethery will take it from there.

Bride and groom Umbrellas without customizations range between $40 umbrellas, from and $50. The price for an umbrella with add-ons depends $40 at Nola on labor and materials, but won’t exceed $100. They can be Fabiola by made in as little as a day.

Fabiola Fabric.

BRIDE + GROOM

Practical and pretty, hand-painted wine glasses featuring portraits of the couple are perfect for the wedding reception. They’re also a gift that the lovebirds will treasure for years to come. Christina Pappion’s designs for Pappion Artistry are abstract yet detailed, with carefully placed brushstrokes of enamel paint. They can be customized further with the wedding date and the couple’s names.

To order, email Pappion a picture of the bride and the groom. She’ll paint their images onto the glasses, which then are baked to ensure the paint bonds to them. The images also can be painted onto a tumbler, cocktail glass or mug.

Pappion also can set up her easel at the wedding reception to capture the celebration in action with a painting of the event.

what you choose to do, you’re sure

Mardi Gras platter

Bride and groom platter, $35 at Suzanne Ormond Pottery.

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THE toast WITH THE MOST

TH E B I G DAY

Tips on delivering a winning wedding speech

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BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

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THE NIGHTMARE WEDDING TOAST HAS BEEN IMMORTALIZED IN BOOKS, FILM AND FOR SOME, IN REAL LIFE. It often doesn’t start out that way — you intended to be to be funny or poignant, but the words went awry; funny became peculiar and poignant became weepy.

Janie Glade, owner of event planning company Old. New. Blue., has encountered it all.

“I’ve (heard) some things that were funny, but completely out of place,” Glade says. “I’ve seen brides get absolutely furious about what they were hearing. I’ve seen other members of the wedding party get embarrassed, because there’s an old girlfriend there, and a groomsman gets up and says, ‘Well, we all thought this was going to be Cindy, but Pam is so much hotter!’ … That’s why you’re really just supposed to raise a glass.”

Glade says the history behind wedding toasts is to wish health, happiness and well-being to the bride and groom, but the raising and clinking of glasses has evolved into delivering longer, prepared remarks.

Tradition says the duty of giving a speech goes to the person hosting the event — the parents of the groom perform a toast at the rehearsal dinner; the mother or father of the bride offers warm wishes at the close of the wedding festivities. It’s equally common to see the best man or the maid of honor toasting the new couple during the wedding reception, or the bride and groom closing out the day with a few words of thanks to their guests and attendants.

Malice is rarely the intent when good speeches go bad, but it’s important to remember why you’re giving a toast: to celebrate the couple. Glade offers a few guidelines to keep in mind.

The hallmark of a great wedding toast is that it’s filled with the speaker’s sincere, honest intentions for the welfare of the newlyweds. Don’t try

to embarrass anyone — especially not the bride and groom. Limit anecdotes to complimentary ones about the couple — sweet stories about how they met or about how you as an observer knew they were in love.

Wedding toasts are not the time for revelations (even your own). If the content of the speech is a concern, let the bride or groom read it first.

Brides and grooms also can be proactive and have “the talk” with speakers ahead of time to set parameters of what is and isn’t acceptable to say. The wedding planner also can step in, Glade says.

“At no time should any ‘cat’ be ‘let out of the bag,’” she says. “It’s OK if you want to say more than just ‘cheers,’ but it’s not OK to go into every gory detail of your best friend’s sex life before he met his fiance.”

Wedding planners like Glade and etiquette books are good resources for clearing writer’s block. If you need more personal feedback, Glade has advice for that, too.

“Ask your mom,” she says. “They’re going to tell you, you might want to rethink this, or reword that. Not to knock dad … (but) the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom are probably the sagest people involved. Their interest is 100 percent invested in making sure their children have a memorable day.”

However, all the mom-smarts, Emily Post and good intentions in the world may not turn you into a public speaker. Giving a wedding toast is not for everyone — shyness, emotion and fear of embarrassment all are very real obstacles to delivering a heartfelt speech.

“There’s nothing wrong with deferring the honor,” Glade says. “It’s all about making it a good memory for the bride and the groom, and if you feel you’re not going to be able to do that, there’s no shame in passing on that responsibility. In fact, it’s really the honorable thing to do.”

AND SONNIER AT D U N N

ARTY ’S

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LEG A L

Make it legal Don’t forget the license …

COUPLES GETTING MARRIED IN NEW ORLEANS must obtain a marriage license from the Louisiana Department of Health, which is an easy task but requires some planning. The hours are restrictive, a couple has to appear together to apply, you must obtain the license at least 72 hours before the wedding, and you can’t pay with a credit or debit card. You can fill out the application early and the license is good in any location in Louisiana — but only for 30 days.

Here’s the 411.

Where: Orleans Parish Marriage

License Office (Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St., Suite 407).

Or Second City Court of New Orleans (Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan St.; www.new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/644).

When: Benson Tower: 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Second City Court: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monday-Friday.

How to apply: Both parties must apply together. The exceptions: the absent person’s signature on the application has been notarized separately or a copy of a U.S. military ID has been submitted in lieu of a signature.

BY K ANDACE POWER G R AV E S

Documents required: First mar-

riages — current driver’s license, current Louisiana ID or passport; certified birth certificate or birth card (no photocopies accepted); U.S. Social Security number or valid passport from country of birth or visa (with I-94 form).

Divorced or widowed — also must provide certified copy of final divorce decree or certified copy of former spouse’s death certificate.

Cost: $27.50 in cash, check or money order only. Certified copies of the marriage certificate are $5.50 each.

Waiting period: 72 hours must pass between when the license is issued and the marriage. There are two exceptions: the requirement can be waived by a First or Second City Court judge — but only during their normal working hours Monday-Friday; or it can be waived by an officiant registered in Orleans Parish who is performing the ceremony — if the couple lives outside Louisiana and is getting married in New Orleans.

Expires: An unused marriage license expires 30 days after it’s issued. Couples must return the expired license to apply for a new one.

Residents 16-18 years old: must have signed consent of both parents or an order from a Judge of Juvenile Court.

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Here’s how to change your name after marriage.

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Social Security: You’ll need a new card with the corrected name.

Documents required: Marriage license (no photocopies); you may also be asked to provide an identity document with prior name (driver’s license, state-issued ID, U.S. passport).

How to apply: Download an application at www.ssa.gov/forms/ ss-5.pdf; in most cases it can be done through the mail.

Cost: Free Driver’s license: Changing information on a driver’s license must be done in person at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).

Documents required: in most cases, a current driver’s license and marriage license; if also changing address, bring two documents bearing new home address, and proof of insurance if you

own a car. Note that documentation for a REAL ID driver’s license (required for domestic air travel after Oct. 2020) is different than that for a non-REAL ID; documents will be returned to you but images will be retained by the OMV (see details at www.expresslane.org).

Cost: $13-$23

Vehicle certificate of title/car registration: application must be

made in person at an OMV. Documents required: current vehicle certificate, Louisiana driver’s license, certificate of marriage, proof of insurance Cost: $76.50

Other to-do’s: Also update names and addresses on credit cards, bank accounts, utilities, your employer and with the post office.

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RESOURCES

A listing of the retailers and professionals featured in this issue of Bride + Groom.

Bustles, bows and budgets PAG E 5 NOLA Event Planners (504) 475-8383; www.nolaeventplanners.com

Party plans PAG E 9 Footprints to Fitness www.footprintstofitness.com

Southern Swings 4422 Magazine St., (504) 372-3485; www.southernswingsnailbar.com

Stella Plantation 4881 Highway 39, Braithwaite, (504) 919-7474; www.stellaplantation.com

Well groomed PAG E 15 CheckerBox www.checkerboxsocks.com

Iron Horse Clothier 523 Metairie Road, Metairie, (504) 644-4800; www.ironhorsenola.com

Rome’s Tuxedos 3213 17th St., Metairie, (504) 3247227; www.romestuxedos.com

Rubensteins 102 St. Charles Ave., (504) 5816666; www.rubensteinsneworleans.com

Wedding gifts for locals, by locals PA G E 17 NOLA Boards

Look of love PAG E 11 Bliss Bridal

519 Wilkinson St., Suite 105, (504) 435-1485; www.nolaboards.com

Nola Fabiola by Fabiola Fabric www.shop.nolafabiola.com

Pappion Artistry 528 Girod St., Mandeville, (504) 7102434; www.pappionartistry.com

The Bridal Boutique by MaeMe 3331 Severn Ave., Suite 102, Metairie, (504) 266-2771; www.mae-me.com

Pearl’s Place 3114 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 885-9213;

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

Toast with the most PAG E 18 Old. New. Blue.

(504) 875-1718; www.oldnewbluenola.com

• S P R I N G 2 01 8

www.pearlsplace.com

Suzanne Ormond Pottery 1202 Soniat St., (504) 899-0504; www.suzanneormondpotteryllc.com

BRIDE + GROOM

2126 Magazine St., (504) 5927507; www.beablissbride.com

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