Destination Wedding: New Orleans

Have you ever taken a trip to the Crescent City?  If you have, then you know that New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world, and the perfect place for a fun destination wedding, especially if you're looking to save on travel expenses. 

Stay: Hotel Monteleone

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Located in heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, this hotel is as chic as it gets and celebrities are often spotted in the halls.  It is a luxurious hotel with television, internet and mini-bar, as well as a spa and pool and dining downstairs.  They are also extremely accommodating of wedding parties and have their own wedding planner on site.  The head chef will be happy to create the perfect menu for your event as well. 

Rehearsal Dinner: Brennan's

http://www.brennansneworleans.com/photo_gallery.html

The Brennan family is a restaurant dynasty in New Orleans and they never fail to put out 5 star food at each of their restaurants.  Brennan's is the original, the most famous, and the venue where you should host the rehearsal dinner.  The restaurant is divided into small and large rooms, so pick one for your party and work with the chef to create a menu that will be sure to please all of your guests, especially those seafood lovers.  

Ceremony: Maison Dupuy Hotel

http://www.neworleansparties.com

This charming hotel is also located in the heart of the French Quarter on Toulouse.  Brick walls and cozy spaces make this an intimate setting that can hold up to 200 guests.  

Reception: River View Room

http://www.marriott.com

This venue, located on Decatur St., provides exceptional views of the Mississippi River, the river front and the French Quarter and will  be a great end to an amazing wedding.  With 5 terraces, you will literally be able to see all of New Orleans.  The River View Room also provides a bridal package that will please everyone in the wedding party.  

Temple St. Clair Jewelry

Check out more of her designs at TempleStClair.com

Last week, I was introduced to Temple St. Clair, a jewelry designer who designs for high-end stores like Barney's, Saks, and Neiman Marcus.   Recently, she sat down and did an interview with Virginia Living contributor, Suzanne Gannon.  They discussed her Virginia upbringing and how that influenced her jewelry, giving it a classic aesthetic that combines beautifully with Temple's modern style.  In her own words: "I think I tend to be rather classic with a twist of my own style that makes my work timeless and modern and contemporary."  If you want to hear more from the designer herself, take a look at the interview, now on Virginia Living's WebXtra blog.

Wedding on Baldhead Island, NC

Good morning all! This week, I want to share a beautiful wedding and couple, Brooke and Ryan, that were featured on Green Wedding Shoes last Friday.  The wedding took place on Baldhead Island in North Carolina and was inspired by the couples' very cool, laid-back personalities.  

I don't know if you can tell, but Brooke's dress is short in the front and long in the back... the ultimate party in the front, business in the back dress. 

The color palette set the perfect tone for a North Carolina wedding.  I'm especially fond of the vintage-looking glassware.

Every detail of this wedding seems so fun.  Brooke and Ryan incorporated two of their passions into the wedding - Tom Robbins novels and music.  The result was fantastic.  See the glowsticks the wedding party is wearing up top?  Brooke says that one of her favorite moments was watching her grandmother leave with a glowstick on her head.  Besides that, the groom's brother Seth led the ceremony and other relatives showed off their sweet, and not so sweet, moves on the dance floor.  As Brooke puts it, the day "was just such a magical lovefest."  If you want to see more and hear more about the vendors Brooke and Ryan used, head over to Green Wedding Shoes and check out their story! 

A Fashion Fairy Tale

Happy All Saints' Day!  I know that greeting isn't as exciting as Happy Halloween, but the costumes are all put away and all of the candy has been handed out, so I think we can officially say that the Day of Hallows has past.  My Al Capone costume was too much fun and I'm sad to see it go.  What did you dress up as?

In the spirit of Halloween and dressing up, I wanted to feature this shoot by Tim Walker that appeared in the October 2010 issue of W Magazine.  He "envisioned model Karlie Kloss as 'Mary, Mary Quite Contrary; Snow White; and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz all rolled into one.'" Kross wears haute couture from designers like Carolina Herrera, Armani and Chanel that is wonderfully romantic and great inspiration for a fabulous, playful fall wedding. 


Dress by Dior Haute Couture and shoes by Louis Vuitton

Silk bustier dress by Armani Prive



Dress by Chanel Haute Couture and socks by John Rocha



Dress by Carolina Herrera, Shoes by Louis Vuitton, Gloves by LaCrasia