A Beautiful Wedding at Nico Bella in Morgan City: Victoria & Matthew’s Special Day
From their freezing cold engagement session at Avery Island to Victoria’s hot and humid bridal session at Oaklawn Manor, Victoria and Matthew faced numerous challenges while planning their wedding. But despite the ups and downs, their big day was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by loved ones, they celebrated with a beautiful ceremony and a lively reception. However, what I want to focus on today are the unique moments—the “Takeaways and Favorite Things” (TAFT)—that made their wedding day truly special.
Introducing “Takeaways and Favorite Things” (TAFT)
As a wedding photographer with over 16 years of experience and hundreds of weddings captured, I’ve seen it all. While many weddings share similar elements, there are always standout moments that make each day unique. That’s why I’m starting something new on my blog: “Takeaways and Favorite Things.” In these sections, I’ll highlight the fun, unique, and memorable details of the weddings I photograph.
The Gold Wedding Rings and Ice Cream Sundae Bar
For Victoria and Matthew, there were a few key highlights that I loved. First, their wedding rings—simple, elegant gold bands—photographed beautifully. It’s a small detail, but one that added a timeless elegance to their wedding photos.
Another favorite was their Blue Bell ice cream sundae bar. While ice cream bars aren’t a new idea, it’s always a treat to see the joy on guests’ faces as they create their sundaes. It added a fun and personal touch to the reception.
A Heartfelt Gift for Victoria’s Mom
One of the most touching moments of the day was when Victoria gifted her mom a beautiful album of her bridal portraits. Victoria’s mom couldn’t attend the bridal session, so she hadn’t seen any of the photos until the wedding day. This thoughtful gift is a beautiful keepsake and a special moment between mother and daughter.
A Few Fun Minutes with their Special People
After the ceremony and family formals, we took Victoria and Matthew outside of the church for their “Just Married” couple portraits. Everyone else had already gone on to the reception, but their Maid of Honor and Best Man, Nick and Liz, stayed behind to help them out and keep them company. This was so fun and helped break the ice during any moments when Victoria and Matthew may have felt awkward in their photos. If you don’t think it will make you feel more awkward, I highly suggest having some of your favorite people stick around for portraits to help with flowers, dress, etc. and spend some special moments with them!
A Scooter Ride and a Party Ponytail
A standout moment at the reception was when Matthew hopped on a relative’s motor scooter with Victoria, riding around the dancefloor and eventually starting a train of dancing guests. It was a spontaneous and fun moment that perfectly captured the joy of the day.
Victoria’s hair transformation was another fun highlight. Her hairdresser friend styled her hair into a “party pony,” giving her a cute and sassy look for the reception. While I don’t think this was planned ahead of time, this little touch added an extra layer of fun to the evening, and something I think every bride should consider!
The Private Last Dance
Finally, one of my favorite wedding traditions is the private last dance. For Victoria and Matthew, this moment was particularly special. The beautiful venue, the glow sticks scattered across the floor, and the quiet intimacy of the moment created the perfect end to their wedding day. These images were the perfect way to close their wedding album, alongside their sparkler exit photos.
Congratulations, Victoria & Matthew!
Victoria and Matthew, I think your wedding day was as “awesome, amazing, fantastic, elegant, loving, and fun” as you hoped it would be. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day, and I hope these memories bring you joy for years to come.
THE DETAILS:
Prep: Shrimp Shanty, Patterson AirBNB
Ceremony: Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Morgan City
Reception: Nico Bella, Morgan City
Wedding Dress: Deshotel’s
Hair and Make-Up: Lesley and Mackenzie, Southern Roots
Bridesmaids Dresses: Kennedy Blue
Florist: Travis Glyn
Groom’s Attire: Squires
Cake: Sweet and Simple
DJ: Beau Gautreaux
Catering: Cafe JoJo’s
Wedding Planner / Decorator: Elegant Events of the South
Second Photographer: Amanda Broussard
