Ella + Brandon had the sort of wedding you hope to be invited to: held in a historic New Orleans venue, featuring creative handmade details by the bride + groom themselves, BEIGNETS, and, of course, a couple that just gets you excited about love. She’s a textile designer and he’s an architect. (Ella made her own dress, you guys!) They both live in Brooklyn, but planned their wedding in New Orleans, where Brandon’s family lives. Here’s the scoop from Ella:
We literally planned every aspect of the wedding from the layout design, to who was speaking at the ceremony, to Brandon’s tux jacket and my wedding dress (I have a fashion design background and a startup textile company, Stitchroom). Invites, menus, programs, bouquets, choreographing the first dance: every decision (except for the dress) was made by the two of us together.
And a couple who plans together, designs a killer wedding day together! Alisha Tova captured all the DIY details against the brilliant backdrop of New Orleans. Let’s have a look!
Ella put her creative touch on the classic yet modern invitations.
One of the few non-handmade items from the day? These lovelies by Vince Camuto!
The Handmade Wedding Dress
When you have a background in fashion, you know what you want! This sheath design fits her absolutely perfectly, does it not??
Ella paired the gown with a lovely cape by Diana Deane and a hairpiece that she made herself.
Groom Style
LOVE this look! The blue velvet jacket is a custom piece by Fellow Menswear.
The Marigny Opera House provided the most brilliant setting for the ceremony and reception. And, by the way—remember Solange’s epic wedding photos? Yep, she got married here!
The Ceremony
Processional: Kanye West's Flashing Lights and Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful Performed by a String Quartet
Recessional: Sunny by Marvin Gaye
First Dance: Black Sands by Bonobo (Viennese Waltz)
Those smiles!
The Newlyweds
Okaaaaay, you two!
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If you’re worried about not getting enough photos of just you two in the busyness of the day, do what E + B did! They planned a morning-after shoot at the Ace Hotel!
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The moment before we entered to the reception and we were about to preform out first dance, Brandon and I were alone. It was such a precious moment because we worked so hard and went through so much to get to that exact place. It was so rewarding and exciting. Everyone was inside waiting for us to enter and we looked at each other with the biggest smiles and just said, "Let's do this" and walked in and did our dance. It was awesome!
The Reception
Such drama!
Wedding cake, get in line. E + B opted for beignets from the world famous Cafe Du Monde instead!
Make sure that you're making decisions based on what YOU TWO want for that day, and your wedding will be authentic to you and your partner. If you enjoy the experience you designed, everyone else will too.
Wishing all the best to the happy couple from all of us at GWS!
photography: Alisha Tova // venue name: The Marigny Opera House, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA // event design: Ella Hall // planning: Ella Hall // florals: Sams Club // wedding dress: Dress by the bride herself and Ella Hall // hairpiece: Ella Hall // bride's shoes: Vince Camuto // bride's ring: Mociun // hair stylist: Diem Luu // makeup artist: Berenice Duarte // groom attire: Fellow Menswear // groom's shoes: The Black Tux // groom's ring: Mociun // paper goods: Ella Hall // handmade details: Ella Hall // catering: Elizabeth Anderson Catering // cake: Cafe Du Monde // tabletop rentals: Event Rental LLC // music: Nola Dukes Band // officiant: Ella's Grandmother // cape + lace sleeves: Diana Deane
Beautiful wedding..
Gorgeous couple