Renee and Robert wanted would absolutely marry in the spring, but this meant a short engagement. To plan their perfect New Orleans wedding—quickly—the couple enlisted the help of Grey Collective member Blue Gardenia Weddings and Events who worked overtime to produce the wedding of Renee’s dreams. The celebration included a ceremony at Rogers Chapel Tulane Campus followed by a luxe reception at the historic Hotel Nopsi. Bee’s Wedding and Event Designs filled the day with lush florals and greens at every turn—arrangements, suspended installations, climbing vines—you name it, they did it and the result is spectacular. Classic stationery and paper design by Scriptura with cakes by Pure Cake and it’s all captured to perfect by Grey Collective member Arte De Vie.
What made the wedding special and unique?
Renee: Belinda, my wedding planner, made it special. She planned absolutely everything and it turned out perfectly. First, the whole wedding was planned in about four months!! We knew we wanted to get married in the spring and did not want to wait another year for all of the celebrations to take place. Belinda and the Blue Gardenia team worked overtime to find the perfect location and creative team to make it all happen – even in this short planning timeframe! Also, the ceremony was in an out-of-the-way, unexpected location – a small 1970s style chapel on Tulane University campus, which just happened to be where the bride’s parents were married! The reception was at the historic NOPSI Hotel – the staff at the NOPSI worked closely with us to create a menu that truly reflected our tastes and featured items that were special to us – including recreating our favorite after dinner drink – Carajillo, a coffee & liquor cocktail – which they passed around to all guests in time for toasts!
What was the most memorable part of the day?
Renee: Truthfully, the entire day was perfection and I would recommend every girl to hire a planner like Belinda to do everything for them so they can just sit back and enjoy the day! Belinda made sure my whole day was perfectly managed from start to finish —without me even feeling like I was being managed! She’s a wedding fairy godmother. Not only that: My wedding was FUN. Something I wasn’t really thinking it could be. (Weddings always seems like they were going to be stressful for the bride!) Seriously, I just had fun the whole day – and somewhere along the way got to marry the love of my life!!
There were so many special details throughout the day from the champagne upon guest arrival at the reception to an incredible four course meal beautifully prepared by the NOPSI Hotel…but, probably the most special was walking down the aisle in the small chapel where my parents were married long ago (it definitely was a design challenge, but Bee’s Wedding and Event Floral Designs absolutely transformed it with a stunning garden wall of trailing vines and florals – it was my complete vision come to life! Also, my brother performed our ceremony and having him be such a large part of the wedding ceremony was beyond special and emotional!!
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
Renee: Rob and I met through mutual friends, actually while we were both in Miami on vacations! After the trip ended, he picked my name off of the weekend’s Miami group-text, and messaged me saying that he was “down in Houston for business and could he take me to dinner?” The rest is history!
Photography: Arte De Vie // Event Design/Coordination: Blue Gardenia Weddings and Events // Florist: Bee’s Wedding and Event Designs // Wedding invitations, Wedding Day Paper Goods: Scriptura // Ceremony Venue: Rogers Chapel Tulane Campus // Reception Venue & Catering: Hotel Nopsi // Hair/Makeup: Tina with Verde Beauty // Videographer: Studio Vieux Carre // Lighting, candle décor, lounge furniture: Firefly Ambiance // Cakes: Monique with Pure Cake // Tables and Chairs: True Value Rental // Linen: La Tavola Fine Linen // Wedding Rings: Zadok // Gown: BHLDN // Brides Jewelry: her something borrowed! // Bridesmaids: BHLDN // DJ/Band: Nola Dukes // 2nd Line Band: Kinfolk Brass Band // Ceremony musicians: New Orleans Finest Musicians // Photo Booth: Muse Photo Booth