Bride

When Lauren “Nikki” Tomboli and Shane Riedie met as students at LSU in 2014, they could never have imagined how the next few years would change their relationship. After dating for five years, Shane made his college sweetheart his forever love and proposed on December 21, 2019— just four days before Christmas. “I was told that we were going to take a weekend getaway to New Orleans,” says Nikki, who works as a medical speech language pathologist at Sage Rehabilitation Outpatient in Baton Rouge, while Shane is a mechanical engineer for Cooper Consolidated in Darrow. “We both lived in New Orleans while we were dating, and it’s our favorite spot. So we went to eat at our favorite brunch spot, Willa Jean, and then spent the day in the French Quarter. Shane had planned to propose in front of Jackson Square that day, but it was super rainy. He had the ring in his pocket the whole day, and I never knew! He ended up proposing in our hotel suite at the Hyatt, which had a view of the Superdome, right before dinner. After he proposed, we ate at Doris Metropolitan and had drinks at Carousel Bar.” Over the next few days, the newly engaged couple kept their news a secret and then told their families on Christmas.

Just 10 months later on October 3, 2020, Nikki walked down the aisle at the Sadie Jane in Slidell, wearing an ivory fit-to-flare gown with a deep vee and lace detailing on the bodice. As 150 of their closest friends and relatives looked on, the couple exchanged vows under an awning simply adorned with tulle, their day blessed by a gentle breeze and the kiss of the sun. Having been pronounced man and wife, the newly married Riedies joined their guests for a reception in the barn at the Sadie Jane, where the wedding party danced and celebrated—and shared shots of Fireball. As guests mingled and joined in the festivities, wedding painter Jessica Stuntz used her unique talents to capture the moment on canvas. “We’ll never forget this day and how we got here—and how we were married in the middle of a worldwide pandemic!” says Nikki. “So many people had to postpone or cancel their plans, and we feel so blessed.”

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After enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres and refreshing appetizers including fresh fruit and spinach artichoke dip, the Riedies and their guests dined on a buffet of cold selections including finger sandwiches and hummus as well as and hot selections that featured a carving station, mashed potato martini bar, Cajun chicken pasta, shrimp and grits, and fried catfish. In the sprit of New Orleans, everyone indulged in a bananas foster bar for dessert. Having danced and dined, the newlyweds cut into a four-tier almond flavored cake adorned with live flowers from Petals and Stems in Slidell.

After a sweet send-off filled with well wishes for a future of happiness, the Riedies honeymooned in in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. “We stayed in a beautiful cabin and went hiking, sight-seeing, and to Dollywood,” says Nikki. “It really was perfect.” Now back home in Baton Rouge, the couple is looking forward to their life together—one filled with many more unforgettable memories.