Historic Uptown New Orleans Wedding: Julie + Michael | New Orleans Wedding Photographer
Do you know the origins of the wedding party? According to tradition, only an unmarried woman could be a maid of honor, and only the brother, best friend, or father of the groom could be the best man. The original purpose of the bridesmaid and the best man was to aid in the capture of the bride, get her to church on time, and keep any hostile family members away!
The “best” in best man refers to his skill with a sword, should the need arise. His purpose was as a backup to the groom in case he had to resort to kidnapping his intended bride away from disapproving family members.
Once the flower girl’s role was not simply to spread petals down the aisle, but to protect the bride from the Devil with her shield of virginity. Today, the ring bearer can be a girl, boy, or even a dog!
Now that you're educated on a few fun facts of the origins of the wedding party, I hope you enjoy a few photos from Julie and Michael's stunning classic, Southern Spring wedding at The Elms Mansion in Uptown New Orleans.
Featured In: Emmaline Bride
I'm so excited to announce that Laure & Ryan's wedding is featured on Emmaline Bride today! Hop on over to their blog HERE to check it out.
A Southern Louisiana Wedding - Ashley + Jason
Having photographed weddings for a few years now, I can say that much like people, wedding days are each unique to the tone and vibe that they carry. Some are full of excitement from start to finish, some are intimate and low key each and every minute, some are glitz and glam in every last detail--and these particular characteristics make each wedding day an event and sweet memory burned into the minds' of its participants. This is at least how I observe them. For Ashley and Jason's day, with the utmost sincerity I can say I'm not sure that I've ever witnessed a family so genuinely warm and caring to everyone, big and small, whom which they were surrounded. From Ashley's father's obvious love for his baby girl to Jason's chivalry and warmth towards his mother and sisters, everyone was just full of the best kind of warm, ooey gooey make you wanna give a stranger a kitten kind of love. But what can you say? Warm, genuine people; big, loving families--that's how they make em' in the South and I'm not complaining about it.
Ashley's taste was classic for her day, which gave way to lose all of the fluff. It was for me, truly, an observation of the genuine love and support shared for her and Jason.
She and Jason, just as genuine as the relationships that obviously exemplified and defined love for them...
And this part of the day had me choking back some crocodile tears and reminded me of my own dad's emotion on my day. Ashley very clearly shares a close relationship with her father and his outpouring of love and perfect desire for her happiness was a moment I'm grateful to have documented. Forever.
My ceremony photographs are not nearly even close to all in black and white, but for some reason, the emotion in the black and whites really stood out to me from Ashley and Jason's ceremony--and most ceremonies when I go to blog. So sorry (not sorry) for the B&W chosen sequence ahead. 
They had their reception at Chesterton Square in Ponchatoula, Louisiana and it was precisely the lively to-do we tend to throw for wedding celebrations here in the South. Love, family, lots o' dancing, you know...
Ashley and her father's first dance was sweet too, before they decided to break it dooooown on the dance floor.
Ashley and Jason, thank you so much for allowing me in to document your genuine hearts, warm loving family, and the beautiful beginnings of your life together as a married couple. I am ever-moved and grateful.
