1. Real Weddings

A “Tree of Life”-Inspired Wedding at Il Mercato in New Orleans, Louisiana

Former New Orleans, Louisiana, residents Chanel Brennan (28 and a preschool teacher) and Navid Brewster (31 and a lawyer) returned to the Big Easy wit

Former New Orleans, Louisiana, residents Chanel Brennan (28 and a preschool teacher) and Navid Brewster (31 and a lawyer) returned to the Big Easy with friends and family in tow for a destination wedding in the picturesque Garden District. “Man, did we live it up those few years,” Chanel says of their time living in New Orleans. “It was extremely important to Navid and me to share with our friends and family how special New Orleans is to us and how it is simply one of a kind. New Orleans is rich with history.” Chanel and Navid exchanged vows in Audubon Park under a massive 300-year-old oak tree that inspired their tree of life theme. The couple decorated their outdoor ceremony with branches, leaves and wine barrels topped with lush arrangements. After the ceremony, friends and family celebrated at Il Mercato on Magazine Street. The recently renovated venue, originally a neighborhood market built in 1931, was the perfect place for their nuptial celebration. During cocktail hour, guests sipped wine and local beer, and snacked on char-grilled osyters. “It was important to us to share our favorite things about New Orleans, and that included the food and beer,” Chanel says. “When you’re in New Orleans there is no shortage of amazing food.” For dinner, guests enjoyed a zucchini and goat cheese Napoleon salad, petite filet mignon, hickory grilled shrimp, a roasted tomato and herb gnocchi and a roasted yellow pepper puree that was finished with Tabasco beurre blanc. During the reception, the newlyweds slow danced to “Lucky” by Jason Mraz, then broke out in a choreographed dance to “You’re the One That I Want” from “Grease.” “We had taken dance lessons for months and we still messed up, but we had so much fun—and it really surprised our guests,” Chanel says. “We just wanted to have fun and laugh.” Toward the end of the celebration, guests snacked on sliders, then departed to Canal Street to join the newlyweds in the celebratory second line. With parasols in hand, Chanel and Navid paraded down Canal Street with the Kinfolk Brass Band. Guests joined the parade, waving hankies embellished with a brass band and the newlyweds’ names and wedding date. “The energy was contagious—my face hurt from all the smiling,” Chanel says. —Marissa Hermanson

Chanel and Navid met in college but also happened to grow up in the same neighborhood as kids. When the couple were ready to take the next step in their relationship, Navid popped the question with a princess-cut diamond engagement ring.
Chanel and Navid incorporated the tree of life into the design of their invitation suite.
“All I wanted was white flowers mixed with green accents—and you can't forget the succulents! Having succulents in my bouquet was a must,” Chanel says. After her wedding, Chanel planted her bouquet succulents as a reminder of the special day.
Navid sported a boutonniere with white blooms and greenery tied with rustic twine. “I loved the simplicity and how natural the flowers looked together,” Chanel says.
Navid sported a slim-fit dark navy suit with a gray tie, while his groomsmen sported gray suits and navy blue ties.
A handmade wooden sign that read "Welcome to the best day ever" with the newlyweds’ names and wedding date welcomed friends and family to the outdoor ceremony at Audubon Park in New Orleans. “Something I highly recommend to all brides because you can cherish it forever,” Chanel says.
Chanel and Navid exchanged vows under the tree of life, a massive 300-year-old oak tree in New Orleans's Audubon Park. “We had spent all day with our wedding planner looking at ceremony options. Then, toward the end of the day, she casually mentioned this giant oak tree,” Chanel says. “Immediately we asked her to take us there, and it just so happened to be located in my favorite spot to go on a run, Audubon Park.” With the breathtaking tree as their backdrop, naturally not much decor was needed. The couple decorated their outdoor ceremony with branches, leaves and wine barrels topped with lush arrangements.
“Of course I had to walk down the aisle to the one song I have been dreaming of walking down the aisle to, 'Canon In D,' ” Chanel says. “That song will always give me goosebumps.” After Navid and Chanel were pronounced husband and wife, a violin version of "One Love" by Bob Marley serenaded guests as the newlyweds walked up the aisle. 

White calligraphy escort cards were displayed in a wooden frame with miniature wooden clothespins.
“My jaw dropped when we walked in, and it dropped even more when we got a peek inside,” Chanel says of their reception space at Il Mercato in New Orleans, Louisiana. Long tables were cloaked in white linens and topped with greenery and candles.
During cocktail hour, guests sipped on wine and local beer and snacked on char-grilled oysters at the raw bar. “It was important to us to share our favorite things about New Orleans, and that included the food and beer,” Chanel says.
The couple’s four-tier white wedding cake was perched on a tree stump and topped with a cursive “Mr. and Mrs.”
“My favorite part of our wedding was the second line,” Chanel says of the New Orleans tradition. “This moment was so special to Navid and me and our guests.” With parasols in hand, the newlyweds paraded down Canal Street with the Kinfolk Brass Band. Guests joined the parade, waving hankies embellished with a brass-band design and the newlyweds’ names and wedding date. “The energy was contagious—my face hurt from all the smiling,” Chanel says.
“The second line is no doubt something everyone will remember,” Chanel says. “We traveled throughout the French Quarter, where people stopped to dance with us, cheer us on, take pictures and even join. I will never forget this moment. Navid and I couldn't believe how over the top it was! The pictures say it all.”