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As much as they loved each other, when a loophole came to light, their answer—and their future—became clear. “Fiancés, or ‘lifelong partners,’ we learned, were to be considered married couples by the Austrian government, and therefore William was allowed to enter Austria to visit,” Bernadette explains. “With the stroke of a pen, William was my fiancé, and soon was on a plane to Vienna. By September 2021, I was able to move to New York City, where we could finally close the gap.”

Engaged on paper as they were, there was still the small matter of an actual proposal. “On a Friday night, before Thanksgiving of 2021, I came home from work and suggested that we go up to the rooftop to see the view,” says William. “We bundled up in heavy peacoats and took a good cocktail up to the roof. The midtown skyline dominated the view, even from a half mile away, and Bernadette stood at the rail to take it all in. Wondering why I wasn’t right beside her, she turned around, only to see me down on one knee, holding a ring. In the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world, we had that moment together and enjoyed our news for a while before telling anyone else.”

Just short of a year later, on October 1, 2022, Bernadette wore a high-necked ballgown with a lace bodice and silk skirt to meet William at the altar in a beautiful oak grove in Money Hill, Abita Springs. On property that has been in William’s family for over a hundred years, the couple exchanged vows with 250 of their friends and family there to witness. “Money Hill is such a special place for William’s family,” says Bernadette. “With three boys, the Dossetts never thought they’d get to host a wedding there! My family, who are passionate about golf and love long walks, were enchanted by Money Hill, so it was the perfect place for everyone.”

After being pronounced married, the couple joined their guests for a reception under a tent on the grounds, where they all dined on a very special selection of foods. “The food represented our roots— William grew up partly in Mississippi and Louisiana, and I grew up in Germany,” Bernadette notes. “We wanted all of our favorite things to be served at the reception.”

From soft German pretzels to crawfish maque choux, the reception was indeed an international affair, sweetly finished off with a beautifully created five-tier cake covered in white fondant with decorative oak leaves and a white magnolia draped around it, boasting the flavors of Black Forest cherry and butter cream. After celebrating their newly joined lives, the happy couple were sent off to start their future together, beginning with a honeymoon in Seaside, Florida. Now back home in New York City, the newlyweds are looking forward to spending the rest of their days on the same side of the ocean.

VENUE: MoneyHill

CAKE: Zoe's Bakery from Covington

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Lauren Koehler from LoveHouseStudio

BAND: Mojeaux

WEDDING PLANNING & CATERING:

Amanda Cottingham from “The Pantry”

Krewe Of Dionysus Mardi Gras Parade