I love these people. Mike and Lauren, Ed and Anne, and cousin Maureen.
We were pleased to discover that not only had Dat Dog reserved a part of the balcony for us, but an entire upstairs room with a dedicated bartender and a server who would come up and take orders!
I was especially pleased to see Anne, my best friend since just after high school, because we are always there for each other when a family member dies. We help with the funeral and offer support. Also, my favorite cousin Maureen. My other cousins, Patti and Paul were there, but I had asked that their guests not come to the vow renewal part of the celebration since I didn’t know if I would just cry the whole time or what would happen. I needed my closest friends, and they were there, my bridesmaid Lyssa, and Mike and Lauren Guerena, who make everything fun. It was a fun environment in general. Of course, Russell and Monette were with me all day.
Of course, I wasn’t in a state to be photographing food. There were so many trippy hotdogs. Cod, vegan bangers, alligator, Guinness, etc. Ed and I split a really good chili dog. Bob and I split this one, but it was spicy:
Crawfish Special
Photos from my cousin Patti:
Of course, everyone said that Greg would never want to get in the way of a party, and it was even suggested that he chose that morning so he could attend in spirit. I only had to hide around the corner and cry once.
My Canadian cousins, Paul and Lyssa and her husband
Instead of a traditional veil, I had my friend Monique, who makes tiki headdresses, make me a special white headdress. One of the feathers got lost in transit, but it gave it a bit more of a flair to not be perfectly even. As is her wont, Lyssa was right there in the bathroom with me pinning and clipping on the headdress. I told her I was going to rent her out as a maid of honor and she was like noooooooo, I’ve done my last wedding! (Photo by Mike)
Maybe it was the shock, but I was able to let go and have a beautiful and fun ceremony. Maybe it’s because I love Bob so much, and he had really thought about his vows.
As happy as we all are, I’m holding onto Anne for support.
I had made second line umbrellas, although we had the ceremony too early for the brass bands. But they were nice for decor.
We ordered cupcakes from Bywater Bakery, which were amaaazing! I bought 3 dozen, thinking it would be enough to give the restaurant staff, but we really went to town. The Berry Chantilly were the best!
Berry Chantilly
White almond cake, filled with mascarpone chantilly icing, layered with seasonal berries
Lemon Chantilly
Yellow butter cake soaked in lemon simple syrup, filled with whipped lemon chantilly cream and topped with fresh fruit
Coconut Cream
White almond cake soaked in coconut milk, covered in coconut cream.
Chocolate Doberge
Yellow butter cake filled with a chocolate custard, thinly iced in buttercream and finished with poured chocolate ganache.
After the ceremony, (which only cost $250!!! Plus we tipped $50. Would 10/10 recommend a hot dog wedding), we wandered Frenchman Street, shopping outdoor markets, looking at art and listening to bands on the street and in the bars. Don’t forget to tip the musicians! We met up with my cousins’ friends, and I even drank an ice-cold Abita Amber. Great fun!
Slick Skillet Serenaders
Glen David Andrews band