An Elegant, Ballroom Wedding at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana

The history and culture of New Orleans, Louisiana, made the nuptials between Meredith Farris (27 and a lawyer) and Jeffrey Madderra (27 and an Army lieutenant) truly distinctive. Held at the Roosevelt Hotel, where artists like Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra performed, the day combined traditional with modern. “I don't want someone to look at our wedding photos 20 years from now and be able to tell me what year we got married,” Meredith says. The couple met in high school but didn’t start dating until college. Jeff completed his Army basic training and officer candidate school, while Meredith finished law school. He proposed one night in her apartment before dinner with a round-cut solitaire ring he had picked out a few weeks earlier. The bride wore a strapless taffeta gown with a sweetheart neckline. She added a lace long-sleeve jacket for modesty but took it off dancing. Jeffrey wore his dress uniform. White flowers were used for bouquets and to decorate the aisle for the interfaith ceremony. Traditions from their respective religions were used, including being married by a rabbi and a pastor, standing under the chuppah and breaking of the glass. After dancing their first song to “Yours” by Russell Dickerson, the couple exited to a traditional second line directly into the elevator, complete with umbrellas. In terms of advice for two people combining their customs and families, Meredith had this to share: “Be patient and understanding. As much as you would like your wedding to be just about you and your husband, you need to listen to your future in-laws. They have great traditions as well! You'll spend the rest of your life trying to blend two families. The blending starts once the engagement begins.” —Caroline Eubanks