This Rosy’s Jazz Hall wedding in New Orleans was such a dream! From the getting ready at their Airbnb in the Garden District to photos at Audubon Park to the ceremony and reception at Rosy’s Jazz Hall, the whole day  was a beautiful tribute to their relationship and the start of their marriage.

Tober and Candace have known each other for a long time, having grown up in the same area of the midwest with mutual family friends. Candace heard through some of her swing dance friends that Tober would be interested in dancing. Since she and her friends were always looking for guys who were willing to dance, she reached out to him. They hit it off and both have a love of watching classic films. The next time they met up was to watch an old Christmas movie at the theater. Candace says they ended up talking for about 8 hours that. Candace says she found Tober much more interesting that the guy she had planned on going on a date with that night. He officially asked her to be his girlfriend a few weeks later during another long day together watching Vertigo at the Music Box Theater. Two years later, Tober proposed at the Music Box with “Candace, will you marry me?” on the theater sign. She said some people thought that was the name of an actual movie. 🙂

The wedding day was a hot one. July in New Orleans means means a heat index of over 100, so I knew we were going to have to work really fast to get their portraits in. I loaded up a big cooler of bottled water and ice so that I didn’t have anyone passing out on me! We also were watching the weather, which called for some rains showers in the afternoon. But, none of that really seemed to phase them.

I met up with Candace at their cute Airbnb where her family and bridesmaids were hanging out and getting ready. I was thrilled to walk in and find such a bright living space with amazing light. The girls were all getting hair and makeup done, but everyone was pretty calm and just having a good time. I love Candace’s style so much since it was a change of pace from what I typically see. Her dress was amazing and I knew that style was going to look great on her and fit well with the ceremony and reception venue. I also love her photographing her morganite ring! When a bride strays away from the typical, I always appreciate it and take time to photograph it. I love how the historic shotgun house made such a pretty place to photograph her details. All of Candace’s bridesmaids, including her adorable twin sisters, were so sweet and attentive. I loved hanging out with them and watching them light up as Candace got into her dress.

Once the bride was ready, we headed to Audubon Park for the first look. Driving there, it started to rain lightly. Candace didn’t seem bothered by it, so I left her in the cool car and went to get Tober set up to see his bride for the first time on their wedding day. It was so hot and bright out, and he had on a suit, so I tucked him in the shade of the Newman Bandstand to wait for Candace. I love how excited he was to see her walking toward him once she called out his name and he turned around.

We followed the first look with some quick portrait time under one of the amazing Southern live oak trees! These trees are massive and so dreamy to photograph. At this point, Tober was getting pretty miserable so we brought out the cooler of water and the bridal party to finish portraits and get them all back inside the air conditioning. I don’t know if their bridal party is just full of awesome, cooperative people (I suspect this to be true) or if they were just so accommodating so they could get back inside quicker, but they were great. The guys were holding umbrellas for the girls as needed, passing out waters and generally trying to keep everyone comfortable while we moved through portrait time.

Once we finished up at Audubon Park, it was off to the amazing, historic Rosy’s Jazz Hall. What a unique, fun venue! The girls had the cutest suite upstairs to relax and touch up hair/makeup before the ceremony. The guys were able to hang out around the bar as guests arrived, so everyone was cooling off and happy. The ceremony space had these amazing floor to ceiling windows, a live tree in the middle and a really neat balcony overlooking the space where some of the guests stood to watch. Candace’s face as she was coming down the aisle was priceless. She was just radiant! Their ceremony was sentimental and sweet, with a friend of the couple officiating and family friend giving a very special blessing.

Once the ceremony was over, everyone migrated into the reception space and was entertained by the talented live band, Burger and Fries. They kept the dance floor full the entire night. Candace and Tober added some very special New Orleans touches to their reception, which was fun for those of us out of staters. From the petit fours and King Cake from Haydel’s Bakery, to the New Orleans inspired dinner menu, to the mini second line parade around the venue at the end of the night, everyone enjoyed something a little different from the norm here in Illinois.

Candace and Tober, I wish you all the best on your new adventures in New Orleans and as husband and wife. Your day was perfect and I’m so blessed to have been a part of it.

Amazing Vendor Team

Venue: Rosy’s Jazz Hall

Cake/Pastries: Haydel’s Bakery

Bride’s Gown: BHLDN Chicago

Bridesmaids Dresses: For Her and For Him

HMUA: Mary Ellen Leroy

Florist: Beth’s Flowers

Band: Burger and Fries

Photographer: Karen Shoufler Photography

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