NOW REAL WEDDING: Christopher Guthrie & James Furst

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER JONES PHOTOGRAPHY + JESSICA BURKE

“We met online on Tinder of all things!” says Christopher. “I had just turned 30 and been to Vegas to see Britney Spears. My profile photo was me posing like her in front of a huge elevator poster of her.” That photo is what caught James’ attention. “Our proposal happened at Commander’s Palace,” shares Christopher. “My PawPaw worked for the Brennan’s years ago as the CEO so it was a very special place to my family.” The dessert chef at Commander’s assisted Christopher with the proposal by writing “Will you marry me?” on a plate of pecan pie. James said “Yes!”

THE WEDDING Christopher and James said their vows at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. After the wedding, the grooms celebrated with their family and friends at The Cannery.

The grooms wore custom black tuxedos by Luca Falcone Custom Clothier. Christopher and James also wore watches they had given to each other as wedding presents.

Christopher, who owns his own event planning company, Christopher Jeffery Guthrie Events and Design, included many special touches in the event. In addition to using vintage pieces belonging to dear family and friends, he also incorporated pieces of old stained glass windows from his hometown church in Wiggins, Mississippi. “I love special things like this!” he says.

The reception decor included lush white arrangements in The Cannery's courtyard, parlor and ballroom. The parlor's centerpiece was an elaborate cake table with a 7-tier wedding cake made by Guthrie family friends Ginny Mcleod Parker and Teresa Parker Johnson. In the bar, the arrangements were in brilliant color inspired by artist Becky Fos' King Pelican paintings which were displayed behind the bar. At the end of the evening, the newlyweds departed the venue in a pedicab while guests waived handkerchiefs.

VENUE THE CANNERY cannerynola.com

CATERER TOULOUSE GOURMET CATERING toulousegourmet.com

ADDITIONAL VENDOR CREDITS: GETTING READY LOCATIONS: Hilton St. Charles + Luca Falcone | CEREMONY LOCATION: Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church | OFFICIANT: Dr Jay Churchill Hogewoid | REHEARSAL DINNER: Grooms’ home | MENSWEAR: Luca Falcone (grooms) + Mens Wearhouse (groomsmen) | PHOTOGRAPHY: Jennifer Jones Photography | FLORALS + DECOR: Justin Myrick, Jut’s Weddings and Special Events; Justin Hall + Kevin Cheatwood of Old Noble Interiors; Chris Hare; Perfect Presentations | WEDDING CAKE: Ginny Parker + Teresa Parker Johnson | CEREMONY MUSIC: Dr. Marcus St. Julien (organist), Joseph Andrew Tate + Kortney Breland Woodard (vocalists) | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: New Orleans KARMA (band) + Sam Craft (violinist) | HAIR + MAKEUP: Loan Tran, Kristen Kiefer + Kandice Hanks | WEDDING PLANNER/DESIGNER: Christopher Jeffery Guthrie Events and Design, LLC | JEWELER: Susan Brewer, Reed’s Jewelers | INVITATIONS +FAVORS: GEM Printing, Darci Prescott Stockman (artist) | COOKIES: Kimberly Norlin, Occasionally Sweet | FLOWER GIRL DRESSES: Strausburg Children | TRANSPORTATION: NOLA Pedicabs | PHOTO BOOTH: Snapparazzi Photo of Biloxi