IN Love & Marriage

LoCicero-Trist

Strike up the band! Guests knew Peyton Elizabeth LoCicero and James Boëhringer “Beau” Trist’s celebration would be something special even before some dubbed it Louisiana’s “wedding of the year!” No detail was overlooked in the events planned by Peyton’s mom, who was lured out of retirement as a highly sought after wedding guru to add her legendary flair to the festivities. Heidi’s one request was to fully enjoy her role as mother of the bride, so the ZEvent staff became an integral part of the wedding dream team. Their love of the city and desire to make the weekend a family affair made New Orleans the perfect backdrop. The new Higgins Hotel served as “home base” for the weekend. A reception featuring the couple’s signature drinks and a jazz band welcomed out-of-towners. The bridesmaids luncheon at Commander’s Palace was hosted by family friends in Peyton’s honor. The groom’s late aunt, the restaurant’s original grand dame, Ella Brennan, was known for saying, “I don’t want a restaurant where a jazz band can’t come marching through!” So, that is exactly what the Kinfolk Brass Band did! Restauranteurs Dickie Brennan, Beau’s godfather, and Lauren Brower, his godmother, welcomed the bridal party to the rehearsal dinner at Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse hosted by the groom’s parents. A special video by Peyton’s news team brought hearty laughter! After a private “first look,” the church bells at Old Saint Patrick’s Church rang out. Guests entered through an arch of 2,000 white roses, ranunculus, peonies and hydrangeas designed by Sue Rudiger of Beth’s Flowers. A trumpeter heralded Peyton and her father’s arrival, as organist Andrew Mills played The Formal Wedding March. Her contemporary, off-the-shoulder gown, by Valery Zelenyuk of Vagabond Bridal in South Africa, was made from dove-white sequin lace with a structured bodice, scoop open back and a dramatic scalloped statement train. For her church look, the bride wore a full tulle overskirt with a hand-beaded belt.

Peyton’s cathedral-length veil was adorned with crystals and pearls. Her something borrowed was a strand of pearls from her mother-in-law, which held a gift from her father—a pendant of her new monogram—and something blue was her mother’s sapphire and pearl bracelet. A lucky six pence from England was tucked in her shoe! Peyton’s bouquet was a sentimental assortment of flowers that Beau had given her during their courtship, consisting of peonies, sweet peas, roses and hydrangeas. The 14 bridesmaids carried a Mayfair bouquet and wore one-shoulder gowns with an elegant, long side train. The flower girls carried silver baskets with white roses. Beau’s groomsmen wore white dinner jacket tuxedos, with fleur de lis cufflinks from the bride and groom, and monogrammed suspenders. For Peyton and Beau, the sacrament of marriage was the highlight of their wedding weekend. With the guidance of longtime family friend Father Tom Bouterie, they recognized faith-filled family relationships that had stood the test of time. Beau surprised Peyton with the wedding band her paternal grandmother had worn for 50 years, and Peyton presented Beau with the ring his grandfather and namesake, General James Boëhringer Cobb, wore during his 50 years of marriage. Following the ceremony, the church doors swung open to reveal a strolling bar to keep guests entertained while the photos were taking place inside the church. The Kinfolk Brass Band led a second line to buses for the short trip to the Capital, an old bank lobby transformed into a reception venue with bespoke southern charm and elegance. Guests entered through spectacular floral installations by MOSS New Orleans, as white-gloved servers greeted them with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Food stations filled the ballroom. A 4-foot ice sculpture offered seafood treats. Other delicious options from redfish almandine to filet mignon were served. Soaring wrought iron and glass candelabras held lush floral arrangements that cascaded onto the floor. As Beau led Peyton to the dance floor, The Mixed Nuts >>

band played the couple’s song, You Are The Best Thing. Later, the LoCicero and Trist families linked arms to sing and dance to We Are Family! Band leader Will Credo interrupted the family song, pointing to floor-toceiling curtains that opened, revealing an LSU/Ole Miss tailgating area. Team tents had chefs preparing LSU treats for Beau, an LSU graduate—jambalaya, crawfish pies, filet gumbo and corn dogs, of course. Under the glistening chandelier-lit Ole Miss tent for Rebel Peyton, a chef was serving up Hotty Toddy fare, such as chicken on a stick, chicken and waffles and sliders. Each tent had photos of the bride and groom from childhood on, along with couches with team pillows and tall glass vases filled with personalized pennants. The pièce de résistance was the groom’s cake, a chocolate doberge replica of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, surrounded by the Golden Band, guarded by a 7-foot tiger and flanked by Ole Miss’s iconic Walk of Champions arch, which the bride’s mother made. Once revelers got their fill in the tailgate area, they headed to the photo booth. The bride curated musical instruments so guests could “strike up the band” in the photos. A specialty drink station was also a hub of activity. Peyton co-hosts a TV show, News with a Twist, so her drink, a spicy margarita, was named “News with a TRIST.” The “Money Maker,” a signature margarita, was named for Beau’s profession. When the Soul Sisters band joined The Mixed Nuts on stage, they whipped the crowd into a frenzy with soulful renditions of Motown classics and dance favorites including Twist & Shout and Twisting the Night Away. A giant balloon and marquee light-letter installation spelled out TRIST & SHOUT. When the last call was made, the couple left through a tunnel of LSU- and Ole Miss-colored pom poms. A vintage Rolls Royce took the couple on a romantic ride through the Big Easy before taking them to their honeymoon suite. Following a trip to Rivera Maya, Mexico, Peyton and Beau are back in New Orleans ready to cheer on their Rebels, Tigers and Saints—oh my!

Cousin-Caruso

Natalie Claire Cousin of Mandeville and Nicholas Paul Caruso of Baton Rouge exchanged wedding vows at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church in New Orleans in a ceremony officiated by Father Anthony McGinn. Escorted down the aisle by her father, the bride wore a fit-n-flare ivory Mikado gown featuring a ruched top with a sophisticated side bow designed by EddyK from Olivier Couture. The bridesmaids’ modified-halter, A-line dresses in taupe satin-twill were from The Dessy Group. Nick and his groomsmen wore classic black tailored suits with black ties. Flowers for the ceremony were a variety of white and pale blush roses with different shades of wispy greenery by Meade Wenzel. The Orpheum Theater, a century-old Beaux Arts theater, was the stunning setting for the reception following the ceremony. The interior boasts beautiful, fluted columns, accented with acanthus leaf laurels hand-painted to match the original 1920s’ color palate, a stucco ceiling with garlands and medallions, and marble entry and bar. Luxurious red velvet curtains unveiled the couple as they were announced to their guests. Dancing started immediately to music by The Boogie Men. Family and guests enjoyed Southern cuisine by Bella Luna Catering, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, penne pasta with barbequed shrimp and smoked brisket of beef. The bride’s four-tiered cake by Nonna Randazzo was set off by fresh flowers and greenery and highlighted with spotlights in one of the balcony loge boxes for a dramatic display. The groom’s cake by Sweet Life Bakery depicted his love of fishing with a fondant-covered RTIC ice chest filled with crushed ice and redfish, with beer on the side. In true Italian tradition, loved ones circled the couple dancing to Louis Prima’s Che La Luna. A table was dedicated to Italian cookies handmade with love by the groom’s family from family recipes dating back to the early 1900s. At the end of the night, the couple whisked away to the sounds of cheering through a tunnel of sparklers for their honeymoon in St. Lucia. They reside in Baton Rouge.