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Brandon ONeal Photography » Wedding images with style. Based in Louisiana, Available Anywhere.

Kelly & Ben – A New Orleans Wedding Part One

If you are a member of the New Orleans wedding industry, then you likely already know Kelly – she’s been documenting wedding celebrations in the Big Easy for almost 9 years. Her wedding cinematography skills are known throughout the South and through my admiration for the incredible work she produces, she’s also become a really great friend.

I’ve come to know and appreciate Kelly’s attention to detail through the years. Her incredible style is apparent in everything she touches. It wasn’t long before I was convinced that she dreamed in shades of gold. So, you can imagine my joy when she called and asked that I photograph her wedding day. I knew, early on, that it would absolutely be one for the books… and I wasn’t disappointed.

The wedding day was dotted meticulously with personal touches and details that were both emotional and so incredibly beautiful. From the location, which was next door to the steakhouse where they had their first date, and one block from the hotel where Ben asked Kelly to marry him – to the ceremony celebrant – Kelly’s Uncle Chip.

The Details.

The invitations were an odyssey all their own. The hand gold leafed, letter-pressed, custom calligraphed beauties were lost in the mail for a few weeks. After giving all involved a near death experience, they did eventually find their way to Kelly & Ben’s family and friends’ mailboxes.

There’s an Australian company called “Shoes of Prey” that will essentially build any shoe to your liking. In her true form, Kelly opted for an exquisite combination of genuine ivory fish skin with gold gilded edges. The shoes had gold leather detailing and navy leather interiors for her “something blue”.

Kelly has documented lots of wedding gowns, and it was important to her that she choose something slightly different. She found exactly the dress she had in her head when Anthropologie’s wedding brand BHLDN released their print collection. It had beautiful lace sleeves, an eye-catching button back, and soft flowing tulle. She found the perfect belt for her dress from an Etsy shop. Made of delicate gold wire with pearls, it certainly didn’t distract from the dress, but rather complimented it in a way that only Kelly could dream up.

The gold plated vintage Karl Lagerfeld earrings were the obvious choice as they featured the signature “KL” stamp, which happened to be Kelly’s new initials!

A groom can often blend in with the groomsmen that will flank him on wedding day. Ben chose a black and white paisley silk bow tie that would be his own unique touch to the day and set him apart from his comrades who would be by his side during his vows.

Music is a big part of our Ben & Kelly’s lives. So, it was no surprise that music would take center stage at their wedding. They had an incredible choir and string trio at the ceremony that the church music director, Vance Wolfe, as well as violinist Harry Hardin organized for them. Then Kinfolk paraded them through the streets of New Orleans to their final destination. The icing on the cake was that Kelly was able to secure both of her favorite local bands. The Bucktown Allstars started the party right and Groovy 7 finished it out!

The incredible vendor lineup :
Planning &  Coordination : Kelly Sherlock Weddings & Events
Preparations : The Ritz Carlton New Orleans
Ceremony : Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church
Reception : New Orleans Board of Trade
Hair/Makeup : Flawless Bride
Catering : Pigeon Catering
Cakes : La Louisiane
Chalkboard Art : SmallChalk
Invitations Suite : The Little Blue Chair
Brass Band : Kinfolk Brass Band
Strings : Harry Hardin
Band One : Bucktown All-Stars
Band Two : Groovy 7
Cinematography : Dyle Films
Lighting : Yur Event Rentals
Florals : Bella Blooms
Transportation : Bonomolo Limousines
Transportation : Unique Transportation
Rehearsal Dinner : Galatoire’s Restaurant

Wedding Gown : BHLDN
Shoes : Shoes of Prey
Earrings : Karl Lagrefeld
Veil : Bustle