WHOA. We are so so so so excited to share this wedding with you today! Emily and Alon’s wedding location at a private home on the bayou of Louisiana is the perfect deep south wedding. We thought we’d let their designer, Shannon Leahy tell you all about the incredible details. Then of course you’ll get to feast your eyes on all the images shot by our faves, Magnolia Pair Photography!

This past Spring we had the pleasure of planning a wedding for a fabulous couple on the North Shore of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Emily Ostuw and Alon Shaya met at a mixer in New Orleans and their shared love of food, good music and a Southern good time made them a match in heaven. The Groom is an award-winning Chef at Domenica Restaurant and the wedding was held at the house of his Chef/Partner John Besh.  For the wedding, Josh Besh and his wife, Jennifer, opened their home to welcome 300 of Emily and Alon’s nearest and dearest.  

The wedding started in the front yard where we turned an aging, romantic tree into a Chuppah.  The legendary Jeremy Davenport played the trumpet and sang as the Bride walked down the aisle which started at the front door of the house, down the stairs and out to the ceremony site. After the ceremony guests moved around behind the house for cocktails around the pool where Jeremy and his band played some fun music and passed hors d’oevures were served.  Delicacies like “Boudin of Local Rabbits with Pepper Jelly”, “Corn Fried P&J Oyster with Louisiana caviar ranch dressing” and “Crabmeat and Truffle Deviled Yard Eggs” from John Besh’s flagship Restaurant August intrigued and delighted the guests while they mingled and explored the property.

As the sun set the guests were invited into the tent where stations were setup for dinner. Just a few of the six varied and delicious offerings at the stations: Pan seared scallops with jumbo lump crab, chive and silver queen corn risotto, whole roasted duck foie gras with brioche and savory marmalades, jumbo Louisiana shrimp with Jacobs andoullie and organic anson mills grits, black lacquered duckling “soup and salad” duck and andoullie gumbo with plums and sugar cane vinaigrette.

French antiques from a local store in New Orleans were brought over the river and included gorgeous chandeliers hanging in the tent and cafe tables from a brewery in Belgium dotted under the weeping willows where guests could sit and eat.  The band Rockin’ Dopsie brought the house down. The couple departed in a boat from the dock on the bayou!

Vendors: Photographer: Magnolia Pair // Event Planning & Design: Shannon Leahy Events // Catering: Restaurant August // Hair & Make-up: Boyd Parris // Lighting: Crescent Lighting // Video: David Aman, Docno Productions // Rentals: Dop Antiques // Ceremony & Cocktail Musician: Jeremy Davenport // Reception Music: Rockin Dopsie Jr and the Zydeco Twisters // Linens: La Tavola // Flowers: Urban Earth Studios // Rentals: Your Event Delivered