REAL WEDDING: Alyssa St. Amant & Avery Beavers

from NOW Weddings Magazine June 2021 PRIDE Issue

by NOW Weddings Magazine

REAL WEDDING: Monique Dazet & Loren Bartholomew

LOVE IS LOVE

NOVEMBER 2, 2019 | PICAYUNE, MS

THEIR STORY IN THEIR WORDS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH ALLEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Avery and Allie met online, but then fun doesn’t end there! Alyssa proposed to Avery on a romantic, but traditional gondola ride. She popped the question as soon as the gondola floated under the Langles Bridge in [New Orleans] City Park. Avery was completely speechless, taking (at least in Alyssa’s mind) 5 minutes to answer. After Avery was able to catch her breath, Alyssa heard the one word that she had been waiting for-- YES! As the gondola went under the bridge, all of their family and closest friends were there to celebrate their special moment with them. Avery was in tears as she looked down at her rose gold, halo diamond ring and heard the cheering of her family. She soaked everything in at that moment, realizing they have the most incredible family to love and support their love with one another. Alyssa never expected a ring, but it did come at quite a “fast pace”.

Avery had secretly planned a weekend on the lakefront with a wonderful stay at The Camilla House Bed & Breakfast in downtown Covington. I say it came at a fast pace because Avery was late for the dinner party, thus getting a speeding ticket on the way to the surprise engagement dinner with family and friends. Even though they did not get away without a ticket, they did get away with having another perfect night and engagement celebration. Alyssa was overwhelmed with the dinner at Rips on the Lake in Mandeville. Avery popped the big question in front of their loved ones and Alyssa immediately said a big YES, while accepting a beautiful, diamond ring in marquise cut.

**THE WEDDING COLORS Alyssa and Avery chose a rainbow of “Fall, Pride” colors (Wine, Juniper, Quartz, Sienna and Canary) for their bridesmaids’ gowns.**

THE FIRST LOOK

Even though the brides say the whole day was perfect, they first look has a special place in their hearts. “We spent the day apart and we finally got to see each other in the cool, crisp fields in the Barn at Sarah Bella. [Our photographer] Sarah then ushered us to turn around and we were blown away by how beautiful we looked. We did not want that moment to end because it was the moment we have waited for. To have the love that we share be celebrated with our loved ones. It was especially significant for us because as soon as we saw each other for the first time, a rainbow appeared in the sky.”

The brides walked down an aisle lined with signs sharing statements about love from I Corinthians 13 and a reminder that “love is love”. They shared vows and exchanged rings under an arch dripping with flowers.

The reception included fun treats like a popcorn bar and s’mores station. “We wanted to include a unique experience for our friends because they are from Hoosier City (Indiana) and were in for a sweet treat when they got to pull a charm from our cake! Each cake pull consisted of a famous setting in New Orleans and it was perfect for our wedding party because they had a charm to remember our special moment together.