1. Real Weddings

Joni & Marvin: A Southern-Style Wedding in Baton Rouge, LA

Joni and Marvin met while playing on a coed flag football team in Washington, DC, where they both lived. The two chatted it up for a while, learning t

Joni and Marvin met while playing on a coed flag football team in Washington, DC, where they both lived. The two chatted it up for a while, learning that they grew up just 45 miles apart. Then one night, during a game of pool, their friendly chats turned to flirting. The Bride Joni Williamson, 30, clinical psychologist The Groom Marvin Turner, 31, computer scientist The Date August 30 After Marvin's proposal to Joni at the top of Seattle’s Space Needle, the couple began planning their elegant, Southern-style wedding in their home state of Louisiana. History, tradition, and family are very important to the pair, so they decided to get married in Louisiana's Old State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge (which isn’t far from their relatives). They chose an elegant color scheme of chartreuse, coral, and champagne to show off their late summer wedding, which was held exactly one year after Marvin asked Joni to be his wife.

Each tier of the cake was laced with edible pearls and wrapped in coral ribbon. The confection also featured the couple's monogram, the fleur-de-lis, and fresh flowers that mimicked the bride’s colorful orchid, rose, and calla lily bouquet.
The bride and groom made their way to the altar on a customized aisle runner, featuring a Bible verse, their names, wedding date, and an iconic symbol of Louisiana’s French history -- the fleur-de-lis.
Joni and Marvin wanted to incorporate Louisiana’s rich history into their big day. They exchanged vows in one of the state's most beautiful structures.
The couple started practicing their fancy footwork months in advance. Their upbeat salsa routine was a big hit with guests.
Joni and Marvin shared a private moment on the grand staircase in the Old State Capitol.
Joni matched her color palette with a lovely arrangement of cymbidium orchids, roses, calla lilies, bells of Ireland, sedum, and a collar of pittosporum greens.
The couple departed from the ceremony in classic Southern style. They rode in a horse-drawn carriage, complete with a Just Married sign.
Guests received scented pear-shaped candles in organza bags, labeled with the phrase “The Perfect Pair.” The couple personalized the gifts with handmade tags featuring their names and wedding date.
Joni and Marvin shared a private moment on the grand staircase in the Old State Capitol.