Melanie Parent + Duke Williams

WRITTEN BY: Jessica Burke | PHOTOGRAPHER: Calvin Gavion, Jr.

“We met at NOPSI for the first time,” shares Melanie, “and on the way up to the rooftop bar this guy made the comment that we made a good looking couple.” Although Duke was quick to note they weren’t together, the two struck up a conversation and as Melanie puts it, “We really clicked.”

Duke had a dramatic proposal planned with him jumping off a float during the NOMTOC Mardi Gras parade, but the engagement ring didn’t make it in time due to traffic. Instead of the original public proposal, afterwards, Duke took Melanie to a gazebo in her parents’ backyard and popped the question. “As I turned,” Melanie shares, “he was on one knee with the ring! He asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him, if I would marry him. I just remember hugging him, and he was like, ‘so, is that a yes?’ I said, ‘Yes!’”

“At the original reception we wanted something that would represent our guests pouring into our marriage,” Melanie shares. “We understood the importance of our family and friends pouring into our lives and helping us along the way. The idea was the guests would pour some sand in the vase to represent how they’ve helped us along the way. It also represented the blending of our families together, and Duke and I becoming One!”

For their “mini reception”, the couple returned to the place they met, NOPSI Hotel. The couple posed for photos and cut their cake in the hotel lobby. Their first dance, however, took place outside the hotel: “We really enjoyed dancing in the street, how often do you get an empty street in New Orleans to have your first dance?” says Melanie. After the wedding, artist Christina Pappion painted their first dance, a beautiful work of art for the couple to remember the moment forever!

ADDITIONAL CREDITS: PHOTOGRAPHER: Calvin Gavion, Jr. | VIDEO: Lonely Eskimo Films | GETTING READY + RECEPTION LOCATION: NOPSI Hotel CEREMONY LOCATION: Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church | OFFICIANT: Father Peter Weiss | BRIDE’S GOWN: Stephen Yearick (Brickhouse Bridal, Houston) | GROOM’S ATTIRE: Luca Falcone | FLORIST: Nola Flora | BAKERY: Zoe’s Bakery | CEREMONY MUSIC: Immaculate Conception’s Cantor RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Mannie Fresh live stream | TRANSPORTATION: Riculfy Limousine | HAIR: Tawana Laurent, Tre Elle Salon MAKEUP: Navis Hill, Navis Hill Makeup Pro | EVENT PLANNER: Tenisha Keller, Chocolate Bunnie The Event Planner | JEWELERS: Le Jewelers (Bride’s ring), Cut Fine Jewelry (Groom’s ring) | INVITATIONS: Scriptura | WEDDING PAINTING: Pappion Artistry (Visit the NOW Blog to see Melanie and Duke's painting!)

See more N.O.W. Real Wedding Inspiration at: NOWWeddingMagazine.com