Laissez les bons temps rouler – Michelle & Brandon

Posted January 28, 2024

If there is one place known for celebrations, that is New Orleans. A city quickly becoming one of my favorite places in the US. I was quite excited when Michelle & Brandon decided they wanted to celebrate their wedding in the place where the good times roll back in October of 2018.

This was a very special couple as Michelle and I are best friends. We met through the wedding industry back in 2014 and bonded over our love of good food and college football. I remember when she first told me about this guy she had met. Of course when I met Brandon, I could tell that they had found something very special in each other. I was absolutely over the moon when they announced their engagement and then deeply humbled when they asked me to be their wedding officiant.

As with any destination wedding, I researched the rules and regulations for an officiant and submitted all of the proper paperwork. In our planning session, both Michelle & Brandon wanted to be sure to incorporate their children into the ceremony. It was important that the kids were able to say yes to their new family unit too.

The big weekend was finally upon us as everyone arrived in New Orleans. Michelle & Brandon chose the amazing restaurant, Coquette, to host the celebration. We all gathered for drinks on the main level and then moved upstairs for the ceremony and dinner. I loved that the ceremony was so intimate with Michelle, Brandon, and their children standing up together, while their closest family and friends surrounded them.

Within the ceremony, we acknowledged Michelle’s mom and Brandon’s parents who had passed away. The three children each light a candle to represent the spirit of the parents with us that night. After Michelle & Brandon exchanged their vows, then the three children also said “I Do” to their new family unit. For these reasons, and the fact that two people kept their hearts open to love again, there was not a dry eye in the room.

Not only was this one of my favorite weddings, in one of my favorite cities, but it has been such a joy to see Michelle & Brandon’s marriage blossom over the past 5 years. From countless trips back to New Orleans together, to multiple Saturdays watching college football, to cozy nights around their dining table, I am so blessed to know my friends and see their love continue to grow.