Melissa and Jorge tied the knot at their fabulous destination wedding in the heart of New Orleans. They had a very untraditional, yet beautiful, wedding ceremony at The Pontchartrain Hotel on St Charles Ave. This was followed by a romantic celebration at one of our favorite venues, Race + Religious. Lane Studio did a wonderful job of capturing Melissa’s artistic vision and all the details of her special day!

How did you meet?

Jorge and I met shortly after he moved to NYC from New Orleans after law school (and we met via Ok Cupid, a success story, people!) I had lived in NYC for nearly a decade already and was preparing myself to go to grad school. In his first message to me, he had taken notice that I speak Spanish, loved to travel Latin America (and that I love Justin Timberlake, ha!). I had just sworn off dating due to a series of not so great guys ... but I (quickly) caved for him because his message was sweet, fun, and to the point. He said he was from Latin America (Ecuador) and he could appreciate my love of JT . Shortly after, we met at an unassuming pub in the West Village in NYC. We connected easily, like friends. He tested my Spanish, I tested his politics and we talked for hours. I told him about my woes of studying for this boring standardized test for grad school and he told me he had just taken the NY and NJ bars back to back (literally, one night and the next day, basically a lawyer's suicide ...so you can see my complaints paled in comparison).

“The simplicity of our first date and the ease of our future hangouts is one of the many things that made me fall head over heels for Jorge!”

The Proposal:

Jorge and I love old world charm: architecture, film, fashion, you name it. As such, Jorge planned an evening at the "Montauk Club," a landmark social space dating back to the 1800's where we could listen ring in 2018 in vintage-style. It was New Year's Eve, 2017. He wore one of his perfectly tailored suits and I wore the black velvet dress he gave me for Christmas. As we walked around and explored the gorgeous, antique interior of the building, I can honestly say I didn't see a proposal on the agenda that night (while we had purchased the ring together a few months before, I had waited long enough to further anticipate any grandiose proposals ... he's the kind of guy who surprises you in non-cliche ways).
We checked out one of the rooms that featured a self photo booth with fun props and then we continued to our seats to eat and listen to the live band. Following dinner, Jorge suggested we check out the photo booth again (a rare suggestion - taking pictures in a posed way seldom interests him!). Then in the booth he suggested, "let's use the props!" I was so distracted by his sudden change in character this evening (also by my large opaque paper glasses I was sporting), that I didn't even realize (or see) he had the ring out in front of me as we took several ridiculous selifes. I eventually looked down and then in total surprise, up at his smiling face ...to my joy , he simply asked "will you be my wife?" (Elated, I said yes! ...followed by, "you totally got me").
P.S. Because this was all captured by selfies, I am able to rewatch how Jorge put the ring out in front of me and I failed to notice our engagement for a solid 2-3 minutes! It is perfect!

“Newly engaged and giddy, we enjoyed a few more very happy selfies and then returned to the main dance floor just before the ball dropped. It was out of a storybook, in a classic Jorge + Melissa way.
”

Wedding Prep:

Melissa and her bridal party prepped for the big day on location at the lovely Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. Melissa gifted her bridesmaids with gorgeous BHLDN earrings.

Tina and Alyssa with Verde Beauty Studio created retro hair styles and makeup for Melissa and her bridal party that coordinated perfectly with her love for “Vintage Glam”!

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The Details:

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

"Vintage glam" details! The venue; our flowers/decor; my beaded dress, juliet cap cathedral veil, 1930's inspired t-strap shoes and rose-cut engagement ring; bridal party's retro hair and make up; velvet vow & guest book; vintage stamps on our invitations

What did you choose to do as your favors?

Hankerchiefs for the 2nd line, which featured our names and wedding date

The Attire:

Melissa wore a beautifully beaded wedding dress from Theia that she purchased from Lovely Bride NYC. Katie accessorized her gown with a classic cathedral Juliet cap veil, BHLDN earrings and a velvet vintage purse from BridesbytheSea.

Jorge wore a tux purchased at Indochino and shoes from To Boot New York.

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TO HAVE AND TO HOLD:

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

As unconventional people, Jorge and I decided to do a very non-traditional wedding. That said, we did still honor traditions of my father taking my veil before I joined hands with Jorge at the altar, and classic wedding speeches (Dad's, maids of honors, and best man).

“...We treated the wedding as a blank canvas upon which we could build our own masterpiece!”

PARTY THE NIGHT AWAY:

What made you choose where you got married?

We wanted nothing more than to get married in New Orleans, a magical city that stole our hearts! Nola perfectly captures all of the things we love together: brass band music, damn good cuisine and old world charm. Plus it naturally entertains guests!

Following their ceremony at The Pontchartrain Hotel, guests were invited to dance the night away at the infamous Race + Religious Reception Venue in New Orleans!

Advice for Future Brides:

What is one thing you wish you would have known pre-wedding?

I wish I would have known that you should budget for a 2nd shooter (or be very organized about your shot list!) Photos go so quickly, and there is a lot to squeeze in. Best to study and know exactly what is a non-negotiable and what can go if need be.

Did you rock a #hashtag?

#ColeYouNeedisAltamirano

Words of Advice for future brides?

Figure out what YOU want first and foremost: your style, your theme, your guest list ... it is your wedding! This principle is what kept me sane through the ups and downs of wedding planning, and helped me bring out my artistic vision. Do ask people for input and allow them to help you, but know that it is easy to get pulled in a lot of directions. I knew that everything we selected was because WE wanted it, and it in the end, it was what mattered (plus our guests loved it and I think it was because we poured ourselves into making it a fabulous day for our community!)