This Edgy Pink Wedding Decor Brings Serious Summer Vibes to an Outdoor Celebration
A FUNKY WEDDING IN NEW ORLEANS COMPLETE WITH PARADE, GLITTER & FEATHER FANS! + Planning Tips!
Ever been to a wedding where the couple parade themselves and their guests down the streets of New Orleans with an epic band?! Me either but now I really want to after seeing Trevor and Nicole’s wedding! It was their goal to throw the ultimate funky party for their family and friends and you can see they certainly succeeded!
“Trevor and Nicole have lived in over 12 cities across the United States and now, currently reside in Portland, OR. Trevor and Nicole knew that for our friends and family from across the country, this wedding was going to be a destination wedding no matter what. New Orleans came into focus because it’s central, but also because the couple spends a lot of our time enjoying good music — especially of the New Orleans funk variety. It’s their favorite. So, when thinking about where to throw the big party, Nicole and Trevor could think of no better place than New Orleans. When Trevor and Nicole found the venue, the Royal Frenchman Hotel, which is located at the end of the famous music-filled Frenchman Street, it couldn’t have been a better fit. The Royal Frenchman is a boutique hotel with a funky vibe that is filled with colorful surrealist art and a regular host to some of their favorite New Orlean’s artists. The outdoor courtyard was exactly what they had in mind for both the wedding and the reception. The venue hosted both the rehearsal dinner with food from the local joint NOLA Po’ Boy, and was transformed the next day by Michelle Norwood to host 150 of Trevor and Nicole’s family and friends.”
“New Orleans has it’s own party vibe, and It was Trevor and Nicole’s goal to throw the ultimate funky party for their family and friends. The vibe really came together with Trevor’s purple suit, a custom design by Portland’s Duchess Clothier, and it really set the stage for everything else. Nicole’s dress was from Novella Bridal, complete with a peacock feather lace pattern. Anna Lee Jackson, the Bride’s hairstylist, is a friend of the family, but also a well-known stylist in Chicago. Nicole wanted someone she knew she could trust to pull off this complex ladyhawk hairstyle.”
“Michelle Norwood was the planner. She and her team provided most of the referrals for the wedding, including Theresa Elizabeth Photography, My House Social Catering, Leaf & Petal NOLA, and more. Michelle is impeccable about her relationships with vendors and has high expectations for follow-through that made everything flow smoothly. Pinterest definitely helped with brainstorming, but it came down to Michelle’s planning that really helped everything come together. She hooked us up with the Aisle Planner App, which had a timeline, color scheme, floor plan, and more. It made long-distance planning a cinch!”
“As fans of New Orleans funk music including Galactic, Hot 8 Brass Band, and Rebirth Brass Band, the couple wasn’t looking for a regular wedding band. They wanted a funk show. They were connected through a friend to the one and only, John “Papa” Gros. John is a bedrock New Orleans artist, a keyboardist, singer, and songwriter and when he said he would pull together a supergroup of talented, local artists to play for their wedding, Trevor and Nicole could hardly believe it. The band brought down the house and even had a crowd gathered in the road outside the venue, drawing in locals and tourists alike for the show!”
“Bridemaid Noel Rohayem, an art director and stylist, created a custom ostrich feather fan to complement Nicole’s look for the couple’s iconic Second Line parade. The wedding program, featuring a New Orleans language guide, list of all guests, and parade route map, was created by designer and Bridesmaid, Natalie Devine. The Bride’s mom made the card box to complement the handmade Polaroid-filled guest book, which became a testament to the absolute blast people were having. Wedding party gifts were flasks from ToonedUp, featuring customized caricatures of each friend showcasing each person’s unique flair (see the awesome photo of Bridesman, Emmett).”
“Having wedding coordination support is an absolute must. And don’t worry about all the expectations and best practices, and just do what feels right. That just made the day the most fun day we’ve ever had.”
Dress Designer: Pronovias//Ring Designer:Northwood Rings//Band: John Papa Gros//Band: Knockaz Brass Band//Reception Venue: The Royal Frenchmen//Caterer: My House Social//Jewelry: Trabert Goldsmiths//Makeup Artist:Chris Carter//Dress Store: Novella Bridal//Floral Designer: Leaf Petal New Orleans//Event Designer: Michelle Norwood Weddings, LLC//Photographer: Theresa Elizabeth Photography// Submitted via Two Bright Lights //
Tips and Ideas when Planning a Wedding in New Orleans
There’s something about a wedding in New Orleans that feels like stepping into a dream wrapped in jazz, dripping in Spanish moss, and seasoned with just the right amount of Creole spice. It’s a city where history hums beneath your feet, where second lines are practically mandatory, and where the food is so good you’ll forget you’re wearing a corset-style gown. Having covered multiple weddings in the Crescent City, I can confidently say that it’s one of the most exhilarating places to say, “I do.” But it’s not without its quirks, and if you’re planning a wedding in New Orleans, you’ll want to embrace the city’s rhythm—or risk being steamrolled by it.
Timing is Everything (And Weather is a Wild Card)
New Orleans doesn’t just have weather; it has moods. Planning an outdoor wedding in New Orleans? You’re rolling the dice. I once covered a wedding where the sky opened up just as the bride stepped onto the French Quarter balcony for her vows. The result? A completely drenched but euphoric couple dancing in the rain while a brass band played “Do Whatcha Wanna.” Romantic? Yes. Predictable? Absolutely not.
Spring and fall are your best bets. Summer weddings are a sauna experience, and hurricane season (June to November) is a gamble. If you’re set on an open-air affair, always have a contingency plan—preferably one involving an air-conditioned indoor space and a bartender who understands the urgency of a well-made Sazerac.
Venue Vibes: From Historic to Haunted
New Orleans does not do boring venues. Whether it’s an 18th-century courtyard, a moss-draped plantation, or a former church-turned-speakeasy, every space has a story. The challenge? Choosing one that doesn’t steal the spotlight from you.
I once attended a wedding at the infamous Hotel Monteleone. Stunning? Yes. Slightly unnerving when guests started whispering about ghost sightings? Also yes. If you love a bit of eerie elegance, New Orleans delivers in spades. The Pharmacy Museum is another moody masterpiece for history buffs who don’t mind toasting their love among 19th-century medical oddities. For something classic, Race & Religious offers a candlelit, cobblestone paradise that feels like you’ve wandered into another century.
The Food Will Upstage You (And That’s Okay)
Accept this now: your guests will talk about the food more than your vows. And honestly? That’s part of the charm. A wedding in New Orleans isn’t complete without a menu that reads like a greatest-hits album of Southern cuisine. Crawfish étouffée, shrimp and grits, beignets dusted in enough powdered sugar to warrant a dry-cleaning budget—it’s all fair game.
One wedding I attended had a late-night “beignet and chicory coffee” station, and let me tell you, no one left early. The same goes for a raw oyster bar (though perhaps avoid this if your guest list includes any squeamish eaters). My advice? Lean into the local flavors, but make sure your caterer understands that people will expect refills. Nothing kills a NOLA wedding vibe faster than an empty gumbo pot.
Second Line or Bust
If you take nothing else from this, let it be this: have a second line. A wedding in New Orleans without a second line is like Mardi Gras without beads—unthinkable. The tradition involves a brass band leading the newlyweds and guests through the streets, waving handkerchiefs and parasols like it’s the last day on Earth.
One of the most unforgettable weddings I covered had the couple marching through the French Quarter, a full brass band in tow, stopping traffic while tourists cheered and danced alongside them. It’s electric, it’s over-the-top, and it’s one of the purest expressions of joy you’ll ever witness. Just make sure you secure the proper permits, or you might have an impromptu (and very unromantic) run-in with the NOPD.
The Music is Non-Negotiable
A DJ can be great, but in New Orleans? A live band is law. Whether it’s a sultry jazz trio, a funk ensemble that gets Grandma on the dance floor, or a gospel choir that brings down the house, the city’s musical roots run too deep to settle for a Spotify playlist.
At one wedding, I watched as a bride and groom slow-danced to a saxophonist playing an impromptu rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” By the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
If you must have a DJ, make sure they understand the city’s unique soundscape—classic jazz, brass band anthems, bounce music (for the brave), and a healthy dose of soul. And please, for the love of Louis Armstrong, no Cotton Eye Joe.
The Legal Side (a.k.a. Don’t Skip This Part)
Marriage laws in Louisiana are fairly relaxed, but there are quirks. You need a 24-hour waiting period after getting your license, so plan accordingly. If you’re not a Louisiana resident, you can get a waiver, but don’t leave it until the last minute unless you enjoy last-minute courthouse sprints in formalwear.
Another unexpected quirk? Blood tests were required up until the 1980s. While that’s no longer the case, it’s a reminder that New Orleans has always done things its own way.
Lessons Learned: Expect the Unexpected
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from covering weddings in this city, it’s that New Orleans doesn’t do predictable. Your perfectly planned timeline? It will get sidetracked by a street parade. Your pristine white dress? It may get a splash of hot sauce before the night is over. And your guests? They’ll probably end up dancing with strangers on Bourbon Street before the reception even ends.
And honestly? That’s exactly how it should be.
A wedding in New Orleans isn’t just an event—it’s an experience, a wild, joyful, slightly chaotic love letter to a city that knows how to celebrate. So embrace the brass bands, let the good times roll, and whatever you do—order extra beignets.
