1. Real Weddings

A Casual Rustic Wedding at the Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana

High School Sweethearts Alanna Jeffcoat (23 and a visual merchandiser) and Joshua Frick (22 and a mechanical engineer) met at a church youth group an

High School Sweethearts Alanna Jeffcoat (23 and a visual merchandiser) and Joshua Frick (22 and a mechanical engineer) met at a church youth group and became engaged after college. Joshua popped the question along New Orleans’ Riverwalk as their dog, Stella, walked by with a custom ring around her collar. The couple spent the next year planning their wedding. Before they started looking for a venue, Alanna and Joshua chose the movie “Moonrise Kingdom” as their theme. “It's about a young boy scout and girl who fall in love and runaway to get married,” says Alanna. As both the characters and the couple enjoy camping, Alanna ?they wanted an outdoor ceremony and rustic reception. The couple said “I do” at the Destrehan Plantation in Destrehan, Louisiana. Their ceremony was held in front of a grand oak tree with arrangements of purple aster, yellow craspedia and pink orchids lining the aisle. In lieu of a cocktail hour, the couple and their 180 guests moved directly into the venue’s barn for their reception. Pastel colors and personal touches were added throughout the space as Alanna and Joshua handpicked or helped to make each piece of decor. Purple aster and greenery inside of a glass jars as well as wooden bases were used as accents. Acknowledging their New Orleans engagement, the couple served local dishes including crawfish Monica pasta and shrimp and grits before cutting their three-tiered monogrammed cake. Alanna, Joshua and their guests spent the day dancing to music from local guitarist Grant Saucier and a few songs from “Moonrise Kingdom.” “The biggest compliment we kept receiving about our wedding day was how 'us' and unique it was,” says Alanna.

The couple chose a custom invitation suite and stationery designed by Ashtin Byrd of Hush Art Co. Ashtin also created a custom caricature of the couple that was used to top their wedding cake.
Rather than a traditional guest book, the couple asked their 180 guests to write down ideas for future date nights on popsicle sticks.
Aster, Orchid and Yellow Craspedia Aisle Decor
Alanna walked up the aisle in a strapless ivory ball gown by Vera Wang with a full tulle skirt. She accented the dress with an heirloom strand of pearls from the her and Joshua’s families as well as a white gold monogram necklace with her new initials.
Alanna and Joshua’s Ceremony
Alanna and Joshua’s First Kiss
Alanna carried a bright bouquet of yellow craspedia, purple aster, white aster, blue orchids and her favorite flower in pink, peonies.
The groomsmen wore gray pants, forest green shirts and superhero-themed boutonnieres made by Joshua's grandmother. Each bridesmaid wore a different styled lavender or green dress.
The couple decorated their barn reception with wildflower arrangements of purple aster and greenery in glass mason jars.
For a personal touch, Alanna and Joshua used a wooden stump with a carved a heart and their initials as an accent in their reception.
The couple chose a buttercream frosted three-tiered confection for their wedding. Each layer of butter cake was separated by either strawberry, strawberry cream cheese, or buttercream filling.
Complementing the superhero-themed boutonnieres, the couple had a comic book-themed red velvet groom's cake.
Alanna and Joshua’s Lace Streamer Exit