Where do I even begin with Kayla and Eddie’s wedding? What a great way to kick off our Spring 2023 wedding season! You may remember last summer when I photographed Kayla and Eddie’s engagement session I was excited about their wedding for multiple reasons and every single one of those wound up being true. Their wedding was a dream – the location, the decor, the couple, their families – everything just came together for the perfect day! Even if it was way colder and windier than anyone had hoped!
Stella Events and Adventures is located in Braithewaite. Not sure where that is? Just picture the Mississippi River and how it famously snakes and curves around New Orleans before taking a sharp turn and heading south. Braithewaite is located in that sharp turn, almost on a peninsula. When planning our schedule for the day, Amanda and I had to make a decision. The plantation was an hour’s drive from our parents’ house in Gretna OR a 10-minute ferry ride. The ferry that you drive your car on and basically have no chance of surviving if anything were to happen LOL But that’s the choice we went with because, besides the length of the drive, it would also take us through some of the areas of New Orleans that you would typically avoid, especially by ourselves at night. We posted some behind-the-scenes of our ferry ride over on Instagram!
When I asked Kayla and Eddie why they chose Stella Events (they live in Baton Rouge, so it was quite a drive for them as well), Kayla said she loved the trees and how bright everything was. I would guess that it was also an added bonus that Stella offers a bridal suite and a groom’s cabin on the property, so everyone can get ready in one place! The trees were definitely memorable and some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. I love how they seemed to stretch up and over, reaching out to each other.
The day of their wedding was really windy and cold, which isn’t ideal for an outdoor ceremony, but everyone was in good spirits and had a great time anyway. The ceremony was performed by a longtime friend of Kayla and Eddie, Chase. He spoke about their friendship and about when Kayle and Eddie met. It was a beautiful ceremony, especially with the old oak trees arching over the location.
The other part of the wedding that Kayla mentioned was that she wanted “Bridgerton vibes.” I have to say, I think she and her mom nailed it! Her mom made all of the decor for the reception and it was gorgeous! The reception space really did remind me of Bridgerton with all of the colorful florals and elegant gold touches. The bouquets made by Britney Ray Florist matched the rest of the decor almost perfectly!
As I mentioned in their engagement session post, Eddie and his family are Somoan and a few of their traditions were incorporated into the wedding which was a lot of fun to witness and document. Kayla and Eddie were given beautiful leis after the ceremony from fresh flowers and vines straight from Hawaii. During the reception, Eddie’s cousins performed a Taualuga or traditional Samoan dance. It was beautiful to watch and I loved seeing all of them dressed in their traditional clothing. After the cousins danced, it was time for the bride to also dance while Eddie danced nearby and the guests literally showered them with money. It was so much fun and definitely a first for us at a wedding!
The guests all had so much fun, everyone danced and sang throughout the whole reception and the night ended with an amazing sparkler exit. It was one wedding we won’t ever forget! Congratulations Kayla and Eddie!
DETAILS:
Prep / Ceremony / Reception: Stella Events and Adventures
Hair and Make-Up: Glam2geaux, Mariah Wright
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie
Florist: Britney Ray Florist
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Cake: Mad Batter Bakery
Catering: 12 Seasons
Decorator: Luminous Events, Bride’s Mom
Second Photographer: Amanda Broussard
