What is your favorite wedding day memory?

If I have to choose one special memory, I’d say it was walking out of the church after the wedding was over. The sun was setting, church bells were ringing, people had stopped to cheer and clap for us, and our family and friends were standing around with us looking fabulous. It was the best moment of relief knowing that we’re married and it was time to party!

What did you DIY for your wedding?

I’m not very crafty, but I did want to make sure we kept with our theme of fun for our New Orleans wedding! I designed some sunglasses for our guests to wear with their Mardi Gras beads as we partied down Bourbon Street during our second line! Also, we made small place cards that sat in fleur de lis holders with our wedding hashtag so our guests could post to social media. It was fun getting to see all of the posts the next day! Since we both work for an airline, traveling is a big part of our life together. We pinned a world map with all of the places that we’ve either been together or apart and we now keep that in our study at home!

My groom’s family friend made us champagne glasses and cake cutting knives with beautiful beading and fabric. It was very unique and special!

Something old, new, borrowed and blue?

My something old was very special to me. My sleeves and veil were constructed from my mom’s wedding gown. They didn’t match the lace of my dress perfectly, but it was such a special treat to get to incorporate her dress into my day! My something blue was my Grandmother’s Air Force pin that I placed inside my dress, my something borrowed was my Groom’s mothers rosary and his grandmother’s clutch for the reception. My something new was my hair piece.

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

Something that helped me when things got crazy was the constant reminder to myself that the people we invited love us both dearly. They weren’t coming to our wedding to critique or judge any decisions that we made, my dress, the venue or anything else. They came to shower us with love and have a great time! Remembering that kept me grounded in the grueling last couple of months of planning, shopping and organizing. Also, my best friend gave me the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book after I got engaged. It was a complete life saver when trying to navigate the trickiness of something like addressing envelopes! Finally, take the help offered when people ask! At first I wanted to do everything myself because I’ll only get to do this once, right!? By the end, my motto was “yes!” Accept the help and your nerves will thank you later.

No matter what you do: the day will go by too fast and something will go wrong, but if you make the effort to relax for the last couple of days, you’ll feel beautiful, feel the love, get to spend quality time with your closest family and friends and you’ll get to marry your favorite guy in the whole world and join a loving new family like I did. Isn’t that what it’s all about after all? -Kat, the bride

Event Credits

Photography: Art De Vie // Ceremony Venue: Saint Louis Cathedral // Reception Venue: Bourbon New Orleans Hotel // Florist: Beth's Flowers // Cake: Swiss Confectionery // Invitations + Programs: Pink Orchid Invitations // Music: Papa C // Videographer: Cory Ruiz Videography // Brides Dress: Birnbaum & Bullock // Brides Shoes: Kate Spade // Brides Jewelry: Nordstrom // Hair + Make-Up Kiss and Makeup // Grooms Attire: John's Tuxedos // Bridesmaids Attire: Watters // Bridesmaid Jewelry: Kendra Scott // Groomsmen Attire: John's Tuxedos