Wedding Wednesday | Keri J. | Houmas House

It may be almost winter, BUT we are reminiscing about this beautiful May wedding of Keri and Garrett’s at The Houmas House. Eye Wander Photography did an incredible job capturing the beauty of their wedding!

THE PROPOSAL:

How did you meet?

“Garrett and I met in the summer of 2014 in Kona, Hawaii which is located on the Big Island. Garrett was there working at a local golf course to finish up his final internship for college and I had just graduated and moved out there to volunteer with an organization.”

The Proposal

“A little over a year later, on Halloween night in 2015, Garrett proposed at the Navy Pier in Chicago on a weekend trip. He had planned for us to get our caricatures drawn, and when the artist turned the picture around, it showed Garrett down on one knee asking me to marry him. And, that's just what he did!”

WEDDING DAY PREP:

Keri and Garrett both prepared for their big day at The Houmas House with the wedding party.

Tina with Verde Beauty Studio and Teresa Hamrick did their magic with the ladies and just look how gorgeous they are! They all rocked a variety of updos that showed off their necklines of their beautiful dresses.

Keri gifts her bridesmaids with robes to get ready in, personalized hangers with their names on them for their dresses, bath bombs, and earrings all from different Etsy vendors.

THE DETAILS:

What made you choose where you got married?

“Our families are from different parts of the country so we looked at wedding venues all over and fell in love with the plantation setting. Our in-laws stumbled upon Houmas House while checking out Nottoway.”

What were your special details or parts of the wedding that were specific to you?

“We had a lei ceremony during the wedding instead of a candle lighting ceremony since we met in Hawaii!”

What did you choose to do as your favors?

“We did not do favors for all of our guests (just wedding party and family) since it was considered a destination wedding and because we had fireworks at the end!”

Did you incorporate any wedding traditions from you or your partners families?

“I forgot to mention this above, but instead of using a Priest/Pastor, we had Garrett's uncle officiate the wedding because he has always been like a second father to Garrett, so our ceremony was very special. We also had one of the ring bearers carry the bible that was used in my mom's wedding down the aisle.”

THE ATTIRE:

Keri’s gown is a Justin Alexander mermaid style with a sweetheart neckline from Maggi Bridal in Raleigh, North Carolina. She accented her gown with cathedral veil, teardrop earrings, gold and rhinestone hair vine, and blush heels by Badgley Mischka, and a garter, which was her “something blue” for the ceremony. For the reception she opted for sparkly tennis shoes by Kate Spade and her garter, which was her something blue.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE BRIDES:

“Don't let the planning process stress you out or allow you to lose focus on the bigger picture. Get your partner involved! They may not care about the table runners or flowers, but tell them anyways. It can be a fun activity to do together and keeps you focused on what's most important - EACH OTHER!”