Ceremony: Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Jeanmard Hall
Officiant: Father Gary Schexnayder
Catering: Toby Orillion Speciality Catering (337.233.2209)
Bridal Gown: J. Crew
Music: DJ Adrion Guidry
What started out as the typical transition into college for Kelly, meeting new friends, socializing with new groups of friends, and becoming more involved in the church, turned into a lifetime path of love for she and Jason.
It began as group dates with their closest friends from Wisdom Catholic Church. Kelly didn’t know that Jason was interested at the time, and as they spent more time together, their friendship grew and so did their love for one another.
Jason “oozes” love for Kelly (is how Meagan put it) and she for him. And it was so apparent to me as well. I’ve seen couples cry, and I’ve seen the variance in emotion with different people. For Kelly and Jason, there were only smiles, HUGE grins the entire day from the moment they laid eyes on each other.
The wedding: AHHH!!! Kelly’s nostalgic vision and quirky personality left the venue filled with a natural palette of colors like Vintage Amber, Honey, & Wheat; sentimental family heirlooms; and timeless photographs strung together to tell the story. There were hints of the couple in each detail, and sprinkles of Kelly’s distinct artistic vision in every corner of the venue.
Kelly is an artist. She’s creative….and she has a very distinct style and vision. From the moment I pulled up, I was SO excited. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a bride who is able to express who she is through her details. The old red truck above was their Getaway Vehicle. 🙂 🙂
And this bouquet shot is probably my favorite ever, because it tells her story! She and her siblings grew up with these silk screens in their garage. I think they were all destined to be creative.
Kelly’s ring was her favorite wedding detail, custom designed by Jason. And he really did a great job of finding a “Kelly ring.”
Every detail from her dress, to her shoes, and down to her hangar suited her personal style.
This day was a learning experience for me. Having grown up with brothers, I had NO idea what to expect with a house full of 5 sisters!!!!
And as much as I loved growing up with brothers, I definitely envy the close relationship that her sisters have with one another. It was a lot of fun seeing them rally for the bathroom, hearing shouts of the time, and a ton of inside jokes and laughter. Below Meagan helped Kelly put on her makeup.
And I guess when their relationship became most apparent to me was at this moment. We were running behind schedule and all of the girls dropped everything that they were doing to help Kelly. There were so many buttons…but in the blink of an eye, with 4 helpful sisters and one special friend, she was a bride.
This is Jason; his kind heart and laid back personality really showed through last Saturday. He is always so calm and always collected.
I would like to send a special thanks to Valerie for 2nd shooting for me last Saturday and for grabbing this image below. She called me as soon as she left the preparation location to let me know how amazed she was at the outstanding character of these men. They’ve been friends for a lloooonnnggg time and below, they each said something special about Jason and prayed over his marriage with Kelly.
Just like the silk screens, the wood shop has been another influence over Kelly’s creativity. She and her dad have spent a lot of time in here bonding, and building furniture together.
The chairs that Kelly and Jason sat in on the alter were actually built by Kelly!!! Her dad has spent plenty of time learning to build and has done a wonderful job of passing his knowledge down to her.
And moments before the ceremony began, as guests began filing into the church, Kelly spent a few minutes dolling up the little girls, and Jason relaxed with his closest friends.
Kelly’s entrance song began and as I glanced over at Jason, I saw him deep in prayer + thought….and still smiling.
And as she walked through the doors, neither of them could contain the happiness.
The ceremony was beautiful; as their parents looked on, it was apparent that Kelly and Jason are surely loved.
Do you see?! I even smile seeing this…at their reaction to each other and to their new journey together as husband and wife.
Each of Kelly’s sisters sat in the front row; their bond with one another is incredible.
God has led Kelly and Jason together and they prayed for him to be the center of their love through good times and bad.
Father Gary Schexnayder always does such a wonderful job and he truly truly loves wedding days….maybe even as much as me!!! 😉
Our Lady of Wisdom is such a beautiful church. I absolutely love the altar lighting.
During the ceremony, the church was filled with friends’ and familes’ prayer for them.
I try to be as observant as possible on wedding days. And as I looked at Kelly and Jason praying together on the altor, Jason caught my eye. As he kneeled there next to Kelly, he couldn’t stop smiling and looking at his ring. He would flip his hand over and then over again.
Jason loves to hold Kelly this way…
The reception was held right next door at Jeanmard Hall. There’s such a nice convenience of having the reception in the same location as the ceremony. Kelly said from the beginning she wanted the day to be relaxed, and it surely was.
As Kelly + Jason’s friends and family flowed into the reception they each took time to look at their frame of family photos, strung inside of a custom made frame by Kelly.
Also on the table was Kelly’s grandmother’s type writer for guests to type a message to Jason + Kelly (Check out their wedding logo.)
And right next to the table was their wedding tree, drawn by kelly, and ready for their closest friends and family to fill with thumb leaves and signatures. 🙂 🙂 🙂
…And their wedding tree did fill; I thought this idea was so nice and very well-executed.
On every table were old books: they were Kelly’s grandmother’s and dated all the way back to her early years of school. They were scattered on the tables with snuff cans filled with flowers to match the wedding decor; and antique objects were strategically placed throughout.
On the gift table were old pictures and old suitcases supported the custom frame of photos on the entrance table.
The image below left is one of my favorites. It’s so sweet the way she nestled into his shoulder for their first dance as husband and wife.
Kelly and her dad, and Jason and his mom have such a great relationship. I really really enjoyed seeing so much happiness and love!
And atop Kelly’s wedding cake, which ranks among my top ALL time favorite cakes, were two antique birds. The simplicity of the cake is just perfect. The table that the cake sat on was also made by Kelly’s dad.
Nice job Aaron…BEST bottle pop reaction award goes to this bridal party!
And after the cake cutting, Kelly + Jason’s cheer squad instigated some good cake smashing. 🙂
Jason and Kelly aren’t too much into sweets (I wish I could say the same). So, instead of a grooms cake, they filled his table with homemade pies, French Macarons, Praline sheets, and Candy Apples.
Kelly made sure to point out to me a table of some of her closest friends. So, I snagged this group shot for her to keep forever.
There was definitely not a shortage of dancing for her wedding. I attribute this to two things:
1. Good Music – DJ Adrion Guidry 2. A Great Group of People!!
I always do my best to catch the in between moments when no one is looking, like this one below when Kelly was showing off her new ring.
This is one of my favorite images:
The money dance is always a lot of fun because it gives the guests a chance to spend some one-on-one time with the bride and groom.
🙂
I want everyone to take a look at the two images to the left below. For one, please notice that Kelly and Aaron are STRETCHING before the garter removal. lol….priceless. Then, take a look at Aaron’s face when Jason removes Kelly’s garter. hahah….
Another thing their wedding didn’t lack: ADORABLE children.
Their wedding logo was silk-screened onto canvas bags filled with lavender for their exit. Everything from the bridesmaids’ shoes to the bags coordinated. 🙂 I am definitely buying a pair….
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Thompson…
As they pulled out of the church, the truck stalled…so dad hopped in.
I think it made him feel good to know that we all need our daddies…even after marriage. 🙂
Kelly and Jason enjoyed a honeymoon in New Orleans and intend to travel more this summer in Europe when they finish school.
Kelly + Jason,
I could not be happier for you!! And thank you, thank you, thank you! I had SUCH a wonderful time at your wedding. I enjoy photographing every detail, every moment, and every memory. Your wedding was simple and elegant. And your love for one another is something to be admired. Your friends and families adore you…and it’s obvious why. Congratulations on your path of what I know will be a God-centered and lifelong love.
Catherine
