Bittersweet Confections 725 Magazine St., 523-2626 639 N. Hennessey St., 407-3332 BittersweetConfections.com
BELOW: Bittersweet Confections RIGHT: Dark Garden, photo by Austyn-Marie Hollowell
Boudreaux’s Jewelers 701 Metairie Road 831-2602, BoudreauxsJewelers.com Dark Garden 3528 Magazine St. 417-9751, DarkGarden.com Elizabeth’s 204 Metairie Road 833-3717 Gem Printing 1904 Veterans Memorial Blvd. 834-9580, GemPrinting.com Higgins Hotel at National World War II Museum 1000 Magazine St., 528-1941 HigginsHotelNola.com 945 Andrew Higgins Drive 528-1944 NationalWW2Museum.org/ private-event-rentals
studying couture techniques, fashion design and fashion history. “My original focus was on historical costume, but I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed the relative freedom of creating wedding ensembles,” says Adamme. Dark Garden is also known for its corset designs. “The most frequent reasons brides get them are for the beautiful and comfortable support they provide, whether it’s hidden beneath a gown or acts as the bodice in their look.” There are three levels for corsets for purchase: ready-to-wear, made-to-order and full bespoke – some of which are available at the store on Magazine Street. “We work closely with our clients to ensure their complete happiness, not only with the finished garment, but with the garment itself,” says Adamme. “The most important thing is that the bride looks and feels beautiful!” “Today’s mother-of-the-bride doesn’t want to look like the ‘mother-of-the-bride,’” says Sal Trentacoste, Owner of Elizabeth’s. “She wants to look modern.” Elizabeth’s carries a number of unique designers and brands not found at department stores – so there’s less of the dreaded dress duplication at the wedding or other events surrounding it.
The store’s personalized service is a bonus, with their experienced eyes for fashion – Elizabeth’s has been in business for 36 years – guiding the choice. “We can help a client choose an outfit that’s flattering,” says Trentacoste.
Gifts with Louisiana Flair The Historic New Orleans Collection’s gift shop is a celebration of New Orleans and Louisiana. “The majority of the items have some relation to the museum’s mission,” says Teresa Devlin, THNOC Marketing Manager. “A lot of the items are made using art from our holdings,” continues Devlin. “We have put images on pint glasses, serving trays and engraved cups. Reprints of maps and artwork from the collection, framed or unframed, are available. The shop also sells crafts by Louisiana artists: ceramics by Rachael DePauw; woodworking from Greg Arceneaux and Nick Conner; large-scale ceramics, such as garden planters, by Peggy Bishop; jewelry by Brandi Couvillion and Alison Ford Metals; textiles by Kathy Schorr, Jill Shampine and Passion Lilie by Katie Schmidt.
The Shop at The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal St. 523-4662, HNOC.org Hotel InterContinental 444 St. Charles Ave. (800) 445-6563 ICNewOrleans.com Perlis 6070 Magazine St. 895-8661, Perlis.com Sapphire Events 900 Camp St. 383-4376, SapphireEvents.com Southern Hospitality Catering 897-0477, SouthernHospitalityCatering.com Suzanne Perron St. Paul 899-6895, SuzannePerron.com Kim Starr Wise Floral Events 437 Philip St. 315-5607, KimStarrWise.com Z Event Company & The Event Glossary 508 Metairie Road 510-5838, ZEventCo.com EventGlossary.com