Katherine and Matthew....Lafayette, LA Wedding

Last week I mentioned the resilience of our brides this year. Katherine and Matthew and how many changes for them throughout the planning of their wedding is no exception.

I think I’ve lost count of how many changes Katherine and Matthew had to make. They pushed back the wedding and for a time it seemed they still wouldn’t get to have it. Even the actual reception had some extra changes they didn’t foresee. But, as with each of our brides this year, Katherine and all those involved handled it like champs.

Congratulations to Katherine and Matt! May you have many years of joy together no matter the changes that come:)

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Katherine Fruge Bridals...Lafayette, Louisiana

Fridays call for some beauty and celebration…especially in the midst of a pandemic.

Katherine has had to reschedule and reorient her wedding plans multiple times since Covid-19 came our way. This is every bride this year, and yet I’m still continually amazed at the resilience of our brides and their adaptability in the unforeseen.

More on Katherine and her wedding to come! For now, enjoy these photos that make it look like it wasn’t a Louisiana summer night and have a happy Friday! :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Melanie and Jeffery....St. Francisville Wedding

Melanie and Jeffrey are one of many couples over the last several months who had to go with what we’ll call Plan B…a theme of 2020. We actually got to meet them because of Covid-19. They were supposed to have a springtime wedding in Savannah, Georgia but as so many things have been pushed back or canceled they like so many ended up celebrating on a warmer Louisiana day instead. It was still a beautiful day with their closest family. I’m struck by the perseverance and joy these couples still have in the midst of so much change, alterations, and getting used to their wedding not being the original plan. It just goes to show that when it’s all said and done the vows, the people, the celebration of marriage are what matters most.

To Melanie and Jeffrey, I pray you have a wonderful life together and though we weren’t originally supposed to meet, I’m so glad we did:)

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

"Weddings by Corona"....Mollie & Toby's Wedding

In the age of Covid-19, I just want to thank Mollie and Toby for getting married because it was so nice to finally celebrate something.

This will forever be an incredible memory marking the first group we were in post-pandemic. What a way to celebrate too.

Mollie and Toby of course couldn’t have their big celebration with all friends and family, but that didn’t stop this sweet, genuine, deep celebration of what God has done in Mollie and Toby’s lives with closest family present. Their families were so welcoming to us and we really felt a part of this.

Corona simply can’t stop us from celebrating what matters, even if it’s via zoom with friends and family when you should’ve been able to be there.

To Mollie and Toby, you guys have started off on the best foot against literally all odds. May God bless every other obstacle in the future and may it lead you to all the more celebration and deep joy.

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Mollie & Toby's Engagements....Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In times like these, it’s important…dare I say, vital…to fight for the smiles.

I find it very appropriate that Toby and Mollie’s photos are the ones we’ve got scheduled to post on this very week. These two are masters at making each other crack up and that made our time with them such a joy.

As we grieve with friends and family that events and weddings are having to be postponed or canceled and as some of you reading may be faced with those very decisions right now, we look forward to a day when we all will get to gather again. Whether it’s sooner or later, whether you’re postponing your wedding, engagement, or many other things we are looking forward, expectantly, to a day when we’ll see all of our couples smiling together and celebrating with your people.

We know that day will come.

Until then stay safe, well, and check out these smiles from friends of ours whose wedding this year will be a celebration of hope in the midst of waiting!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire

Allison and David...New Orleans, Wedding

David and Allison wanted small. They wanted personal. They wanted Daisy their beloved dog who played a big role in their proposal to be given a special and important job. David and Allison’s wedding was perfect for a New Orleans vibe. And in true New Orleans fashion the rain threatened to interfere but with this adventurous trio it really just meant we got to have a wonderful NOLA adventure on the walk from the hotel to The Cellar Door where their ceremony and reception were held. I’ve known Allison for over a decade so this was a real special honor for Murray and I to get to be a part of. Their wedding was perfectly them to a T.

Congratulations David and Allison on marriage and life together! May you be granted many more adventures rain or shine:).

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire

Meg and Derek....St. Francisville Wedding

Who loves a wedding in St. Francisville!?

What a magically beautiful place. Meg’s family generations back are from St. Francisville and these two had their wedding at a location we’ve never photographed before which is always super fun to discover new beautiful churches in lovely Louisiana.

This may be my favorite tented reception at a family home I’ve ever attended. Every detail had been thought through, the weather was amazing, the band was a hoot, and be sure to scroll to see the getaway car!!

Congratulations Meg and Derek! We are so excited for y’all.

Ceremony: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church ~ Reception: Family Home ~ Coordinator: Beverly Walker ~ Florist: Amy Louviere ~ the Cake: Nanette Mayhall ~ Band: The Wiseguys ~ Hair & Makeup: Kacy Reynolds ~ The Dress: Linen Jolie Bridal Designed by Allison Webb ("Ava Gown") ~ Catering: Heirloom Cuisine

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire and Murray

Harry & Susan Phillips...Oxford, Mississippi Wedding

What a joy and privilege to photograph a wedding for someone I’ve known for years! Susan and her family are very dear to me and have welcomed me as their own for more than a decade so photographing such a big day for her, her family, and all their guests felt like such an honor and joy. On top of that, it was an incredible Oxford, Mississippi wedding full of fun in the square, a beautiful church, and quite the crowd to celebrate Harry and Susan. We had a blast shooting this wedding that had the best of Ole Miss, Oxford, and sparkler getaways!! 

Congrats you two! Here’s to many more years of fun with the people you love! 

JP & Lindsey....Degas House New Orleans Wedding

JP and Lindsey were married at the Edgar Degas House in Mid City New Orleans. 

 The Degas House couldn't be a more perfect place to have a spring wedding in our favorite city...we loved working with this venue and the stunning florist design of Margee Green. 

Add in an incredibly sweet and beautiful couple and that's a good mix for an excellent Saturday night in the Crescent City.  

JP and Lindsey, congratulations to you two! 

Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your wedding. It was an honor! 

Getting Ready, Ceremony & Reception:  Degas House

Florist: Margee Green

Wedding Coordinator:  Degas House

The Dress: BHLDN (Ariane Gown)

Hair & Makeup Artists: Bridal Glam on Location

Save the Dates: Little Histories

Dessert: District Donuts

DJ: Chris Logan 

Harry and Susan

What a treat when I get to take photos of such cute couples. These two were so giggly throughout our shoot and really what could be better than making each other laugh for an hour? 

Harry and Susan will have a wedding next year, so we did these photos in New Orleans City Park (one of my fave locations) in January. Harry was deployed a week after these were taken. 

What a joy to be a part of this moment for them.

Wishing you two all the best in this year apart as you look forward to forever together! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

*Claire

John & Jennifer...New Orleans Christmas Wedding

John and Jennifer's wedding took place at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans and Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church on December 8, 2017. 

The Roosevelt this time of year is unlike any other. Jennifer wanted to be sure to have some time taking photos under the "twinkling lights" and we did just that. It was a joy to be a part of such a festive occasion! From getting ready in amazing Roosevelt suites, to a ceremony in one of the most beautiful locations in New Orleans, to twinkle lights, to Bucktown Allstars, to friends on the dance floor to a second line down the escalator and back to twinkle lights...this was one for the books! 

Congratulations to John and Jennifer! May you get to experience twinkling lights in so many of your tomorrow's together! :) 

Coordinator: Laura Clotworthy

Getting Ready: The Roosevelt Hotel, New Orleans

Hair Artist: Beth Washington

Makeup Artist: Katie Malone Makeup

The Dress: Hitched Boutique, Lela Rose

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bliss Bridal

Tuxes: Perlis

Ceremony: Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church

Florist: Meade Wenzel

Reception: The Roosevelt Hotel, New Orleans

Cake Artist: The Roosevelt

Groom's Cake: La Louisiana

Band: Bucktown Allstars

Videographer: High Rise Productions

Custom Printing: Betty Hunley

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire

JP & Lindsey, New Orleans Engagements.

Lindsey and JP met me at City Park the week we thought a hurricane might be coming for New Orleans. The day before a potential hurricane turned out to be some solid photoshoot weather and even provided a little wind effect I didn't hate. 

JP and Lindsey will be getting married in March and will have folks coming from all over to see New Orleans for the first time! I had a blast finally meeting these two. What a pair!

Congrats you guys. 

Reid & Camille....New Orleans French Quarter Wedding

You might remember Reid and Camille from earlier this year! We had a fun day of photos in the French Quarter and Cafe du Monde when we did their engagements. 

Round two was a blast. Reid & Camille's wedding was at Latrobe's on Royal in the French Quarter in early December. It was a rainy day but the rain didn't threat an incredible second line all through the French Quarter to end a spectacular celebration!

Congrats you two! Wishing you all the best in marriage and your careers in sunny California!

Ceremony & Reception: Latrobe's on Royal

Coordinator: Christie Chopin

Videographer: Chad Dyle - Dyle Films

Florist:  Kim Starr Wise

Cake Artist: Bittersweet Confectionary

Band: Luther Kent

Hair Arist: Buff Beauty

The Dress: Monique Lhuillier

 Ceremony Musician: Harry Hardin

Featured! Southern Bride Magazine

I'm honored to say we've been featured in Southern Bride Magazine! 

You might remember we did a styled shoot a little while back in honor of the women at Umucyo Sewing Cooperative in Kigali, Rwanda. After seeing my blog post about our work with the ladies in Kigali, Stephanie Ringler of Roses and Lace, a wedding coordinator in Baton Rouge was inspired to do a styled shoot that reflected some of the style of the shoot we did for Umucyo. 

I'm honored to have been a part of it and thankful Southern Weddings featured us in their June print magazine! You can find it at any Barnes and Noble or Target and turn to page 100!:)

Also check out this blog post of all the images that inspired this styled shoot!