Bay Bride - January 2017

Katie Wyly + Andrew West

October 22, 2016
photography by Ann Madden Photography

​The Bay goes to New Orleans for a sparkling evening wedding at City Park's Botanical Gardens.

The Basics

Wedding theme: Simple, elegant,  joyful
 
Ceremony Took Place:  Botanical Gardens, City Park, New Orleans LA

Reception: The Pavillion of the Two Sisters, Botanical Gardens , City Park New Orleans

Wedding Planner:   Elizabeth Kelleher New Orleans
 
Photographer: Ann Madden Photography
 
Places Couple Registered: Bay Life, Zola wedding registry
 
Invitations: Scriptura

Bridal Luncheon:  Windsor Court New Orleans, LA

Rehearsal Dinner: Jacques-Imo’s New Orleans, LA

Hair and Makeup:  David Brown of A&D Salon, New Orleans, LA

Florals by:  Martha Whitney Butler, The French Potager

Bay Bride
is sponsored by

Local Bridal Registry!

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Bay Bride stories. 

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The Ceremony

Pre-wedding Ceremony Cocktail Party Location: The Conservatory at Botanical Gardens , City Park, New Orleans, LA

Pre-wedding and Ceremony Music: Phillip  Paulin Brass Band, New Orleans, LA

Wedding ceremony singers: Kat Fitzpatrick and Molly Fitzpatrick Martin
 
Wedding Officiated by: Kat Fitzpatrick, Bay St Louis

Matron of Honor: Kate Hulbert, Jessica Howton

Bridesmaids: Caroline Bordelon, Molly Fitzpatrick Martin, Linsday Nunnery

Groomsmen:  Chris Makris, Steve Van Horn, Johathan Marks, Michael Myhre, Peter Wenstrup, Connor Wyly, Grady Wyly

Bride wore: Gown from Beholden

Groom wore: Vera Wang Tuxedo
 
Mother of the Bride wore: David Harris Gown

Time of day: Pre-wedding Cocktail Party 6 pm, Ceremony at 7 pm under the oak tree

Weather: Perfect, 60 degrees, no humidity
 
Most Romantic Moment: Seeing Andrew’s smile when Katie was walked down the aisle to the song of What a Wonderful World.

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The Reception

Wedding reception music: Escalade, New Orleans

Catering: City Park
 
The Most Talked About Food Items: Shrimp and Grits, Prime Rib, Oysters Brochette and Rockfeller, Macaroons

Signature Cocktail: French 75 and Sazerac

Cakes by: Swiss Bakery (New Orleans), Gambinos - Grooms Doberge Cake

Best Dancers at the Reception: Bride and Groom!

The most unique detail of the wedding/reception: The pre-ceremony cocktail party around the lily pond at the Conservatory was unexpected and set the tone of the joyful celebration. The ceremony took place under the oak tree at night, lit by paper lanterns. 

Before the wedding, officiant Kat Fitzpatrick had asked the couple to write letters to each other, telling of the moment they first knew they were soul-mates. Kat also asked them not to share the letters with each other before giving them to her.  When Kat read them at the ceremony, it was the first time they heard each other's words. The wedding vows were also written by the couple.  

"The food was great, the flowers were over the top, the bouquets the prettiest many had ever seen!!! Lots of compliments over the table flowers , eucalyptus garlands and candle lit aisles and tables.  The flower bouquets for the bridesmaids and Katie were simply breathtaking very free forming and loose which matched the couple’s attitude about their wedding.  Not to mention the flower crown the French Potager placed on the head of the female  statue in the fountain at the reception facility."

Guest Favors: Family hot sauce, Panola Pepper Sauce bottles, kuzies, sunglasses and glow necklaces.

Lighting: Event Rental, included string lights over the Conservatory pond and entire walkway to the reception.  White paper lanterns in the oak tree for the ceremony and oak tree next to Reception and fountain. 

Rentals:  City Park and Event Rental

Honeymoon location: Tulum, Mexico 

Bride's favorite part of the entire event:  All of it. For the pre-ceremony cocktail hour, Katie wore the outfit that she met Andrew in - which was at the red dress run - hence the pictures with her red dress and tennis shoes.  She did not want Andrew or guests to see her in her wedding gown until she was walked down the aisle by her father.  The pre-ceremony cocktail party was unique and helped set the celebratory and joyful atmosphere for the entire evening.

Groom's favorite part of the entire event:  The cocktail party and the ceremony, where Kat read the vows written by the couple. as well as letters they wrote to Kat about when they “knew” the other was their soul mate - which Kat read and shared with the guests during the ceremony.