1. Real Weddings

A Rustic New Orleans Inspired Wedding at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana

“Laissez les bon temps rouler” is more than just a catchphrase in Louisiana. "Let the good times roll" is a way of life. The city of New Orleans serve

“Laissez les bon temps rouler” is more than just a catchphrase in Louisiana. "Let the good times roll" is a way of life. The city of New Orleans served as both the setting and the inspiration for the nuptials of Tess Monaghan (31 and the head of operations for Good Eggs) and Bernard Fruge (32 and a lawyer and writer). It’s the city where they met, so they wanted to showcase different aspects of the city, including a Friday night Cajun fete, swamp-inspired florals and a menu of Vietnamese and New Orleans fusion. Even the venue was iconic, as a small group of loved ones gathered at Preservation Hall, a historic jazz club in the French Quarter. The peeling layers of paint, weathered wood and garden were the backdrop for the ceremony, officiated by Tess’s sister. Tess wore a tea-length Wtoo Watters gown with flower detailing, while Bernard wore a gray suit. Instead of a wedding party, the wedding featured just the couple. Unique florals covered the reception site, Etoile Polaire #1, a former masonic lodge, including deer antlers and wooden slabs. Instead of a seated reception, there were three areas to explore: indoors, outdoors and the Inner Sanctum upstairs, where meetings were once held. Vintage furnishings and chandeliers in the outdoor space gave it a garden party vibe. The couple recruited their favorite local chef, Michael Gulotta, to craft a menu of steamed pork buns and Gulf seafood raw bar. Guests enjoyed a photo booth draped with real Spanish moss, while a poet created custom poems for guests. A local bounce hip-hop artist performed in another nod to the city. “We were proud that our wedding reflected our eclectic tastes and unconventional take on the world,” Tess and Bernard say of their special day. —Caroline Eubanks

While the couple were living together, Bernard found a puppy he loved when he was in the country celebrating his grandmother's 80th birthday. "When he came back the next morning, I was so excited to meet the puppy that it took me a few moments to notice the engagement ring tied around his neck. Getting engaged was not even on my mind, but of course I was thrilled," Tess says.
Bernard's wedding day attire was accentuated by his deep purple boutonniere. Instead of having a wedding party, it was just Tess, Bernard and the bride's sister, who officiated the ceremony.
"I tried on dresses at maybe six stores between New York and New Orleans, with my mom and a number of friends, before finally finding my dress at a little local bridal shop less than a mile from my office, by myself while on my lunch break. I knew it was the one as soon as I saw it. The flower pattern breaks up the formality and keeps it fun," Tess says.
Tess and Bernard wanted an intimate wedding. "Our ceremony was much smaller than our wedding—only our immediate families and the friends who would have been in the wedding party if we'd had one," Tess says.
"My sister officiated, and our moms read a poem that we picked out," Tess says of the ceremony. It was just the couple's closest friends and family, and they decided against having a wedding party because of the limited space.
"We went for a romantic-eclectic-overgrown-rustic-Louisiana-swamp vibe," Tess says of her inspiration. The couple's florist put together the antler arrangements and vines draped throughout the indoor spaces.
"We're particular about food, and an in-house caterer was not going to do the trick, so we reached out to one of our favorite New Orleans chefs, Michael Gulotta," Tess says. "His background spans elegant to casual—exactly what we were looking for. The food stations included steamed pork buns, a raw bar stocked with Gulf seafood and fish with braised greens," Tess says.
Added reception details included a photo booth with real Spanish moss, a poet writing custom poetry for guests and a bounce hip-hop artist who performed to an excited crowd. He threw out custom hats made for the occasion.
"Our guests loved being in such an unconventional space," Tess says. "The reception wasn't seated, and there were three areas to explore: indoors, outdoors and the Inner Sanctum upstairs. Quirky furniture and chandeliers rented from Pret a Fete gave the outdoor space an enchanted garden-party vibe."
Tess and Bernard had a final thought to share: "We were proud that our wedding reflected our eclectic tastes and unconventional take on the world."