A wedding full of fun, New Orleans style! Captured by BF Red Book member, Erika Parker Photography, we’re in for chic, eclectic wedding love.
You’ll notice the wedding is a fusion of Myra and Hao’s personality. With a s’mores bar, hanging lanterns, and a civil ceremony (with a Saptpadi), the happiness and love is oozing out of each photo.
Myra tells us about the wedding.
Tell us about the wedding!
Our wedding was an eclectic mix of our cultures, styles and passions. The biggest compliment we received was “your wedding was so you. so unique to you guys!”
It was important to us that we represented our heritage but injected our own elements as well. Our ceremony epitomized this – our officiant was a mentor of ours in the restaurant industry, Hao’s sister and groomsman played the theme song from Up (one of our favorite movies), Hao’s mom read a Chinese poem, Myra’s mom performed a typical Hindu ritual called Saptapadi, and we recited vows that we wrote ourselves.
Then, we had a New Orleans jazz band play at a poolside cocktail hour, we served Cajun food and s’mores and Creole Creamery ice cream. On the dance floor, our wedding party surprised us with a choreographed flashmob, kicking off a night of hip-hop and bhangra songs.
Could you tell us about any special wedding customs / clothing you had?
As a nod to the magic of an Indian wedding, we suggested an Indian Chic dress code for our Welcome Dinner while our Saturday plantation wedding was Outdoor Fancy. Myra wore a white wedding dress and Hao wore a French marine blue tuxedo. Best of both worlds!
What was the inspiration for your wedding?
The idea of a guest feeling super satiated (maybe a little happily tipsy), sweaty from dancing and with a heart full of love and laughter.
What was the hardest part about wedding planning?
Pinterest. It’s awesome at first, but can be super overwhelming and a lot of pressure! That and keeping a handle on cost, especially when there were so many unique features that we wanted to add along the way.
Did you do any DIY or special projects/things at the wedding?
We had personalized elements on all of our paperie. At each place setting, we had an mad lib that each guest filled out for us – so fun to read the day after! Instead of table names, we used numbers and had little meanings for each one – “#11 for the number of dishes Hao knows how to say in Hindi” – that was a hit with all the aunties!
What was your favorite part of the wedding?
The night of dancing (DJ’d by Aaron Lane, who we can’t recommend highly enough), the peel-and-eat shrimp, and the ice cream stand from Creole Creamery!
What advice do you have for future brides/grooms to be?
No one remembers the smaller details except you. Splurge on the important things (for us: the DJ, the photographer, and the food). Figure out the things that don’t matter to you or your guests, and don’t spend as much time, money or mental energy on that stuff.
Anything else you would like to add?
Hydrate and eat. It’ll help you stay present and enjoy yourself during a busy (and wonderful) day.
{Wedding Vendors}
Photography: Erika Parker Photography, a BF Red Book member // Planning and Styling: Brooke Casey Weddings // Venue: Stella Plantation // Video: Brock Gomez // Florals:Poppy and Mint Floral Company // Rentals: Distressed Rentals and Revivals // Rentals and Lighting: Event Rental // Invitations: Minted //
Programs, Madlibs, Placecards: Rebecca Green Designs // Smore’s Sign, Welcome Sign and Guest Book: Sweet Carolina Collective // DJ: Aaron Lane Entertainment // Ceremony Musicians: New Orleans Spice //
Make Up: Beauty by Victoria // Hair: Erin Richard // Catering: New Orleans Catering // Transportation: Alert Transportation and Hotard Calco // Desserts: Creole Creamery