St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Avoyelles Plaza Ballroom Wedding: Jade + Colby

Ceremony: St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Avoyelles Plaza Ballroom
Officiant: Reverend Father Edwin Rodregues
Catering: Best Catered Events
Florist: Jo Jo’s Flowers
Cake: Cake Creations by Lisa
Wedding dress: Oleg Cassini
Hair and Makeup: House of Style
Music: Ceremony: Sean Jude Brouillette; Reception: Fatboy South

Chocolate, Ivory, and Champagne. These were the colors Jade chose to represent their elegant and romantic, victorian-styled wedding. Candles…lots of candles, beautiful music, and a ton of emotion made the day memorable for them.

Jade and Colby are a gorgeous couple. And their daughter, Ella, is beautiful too. It was a BIG day for them….I saw a tears from Tracy (Colby’s mom) and from their closest friends and families. And I was honored to be there to hold still those fleeting moments. Jade was a bit nervous at the beginning of the day, but for a woman like her, with her eyes and hands in all the details, everything came together wonderfully.

Jade has impeccable taste. Really….like I want to take her home with me so she can become my personal stylist…oh and fitness trainer.

Jade’s Oleg Cassini gown was her favorite wedding purchase. It fit SO nicely into her victorian themed wedding and really complimented her barbie-like figure. 🙂 It was vintage with a modern twist.

Ella (centered) below has really warmed up to me since the engagements. I found it really sweet that she would stand by me at different points throughout the day, like during the preparation and at the reception. It made me feel SO good. 🙂

This is Jade…her makeup looked great with the golds and browns pulled from her colors.

This was one of those moments where she just relaxed and was calm.

One thing I always found SO cute about Ella was the way that she has to hold on to Tracy or Colby or Jade’s thumb when she drinks.

Jade really was the center of attention at the house. And all eyes were on her….

I love love love when her dress went on. It’s such an exciting time and everyone gets to be a part of it.

As the dress gets laced, the time gets closer to the ceremony.

I caught this image as Jade was admiring her reflection.

Doing things the “Jade Way”…

We couldn’t have asked for a prettier day or a pretty location for the bridal party images.

Thanks to all the ladies for being so beautiful and being so easy to work with.

I couldn’t have asked them to redo this if I tried. I love this moment.

And this is Colby and his groomsmen only moments before the wedding began. I know Colby was anxious to see his beautiful bride.

SO handsome..

And as Jade made her way down the aisle, Ella peeked out from behind the pew, and Colby looked at her with teary eyes.

This was my first time photographing a candlelight ceremony. It was beautiful. The candles really created a nice feel for the wedding and a romantic environment for Colby and Jade.

For Jade, this is one of the most memorable things about the day: The candles and intimacy she felt during the ceremony.

I definitely enjoyed photographing at this church. It was very small and intimate and the architecture was so interesting.

There were lots of funny and happy moments during the ceremony….including when Father Rodgregues warned Colby NOT to bring Jade into the kitchen during a fight. “She might hit you with a pot!” He says. Of course he was only kidding, but his message was to remind them that in marriage there are good times, and bad.

And there were tears as well.

….And sacred moments, too.

Ella was so attentive during the ceremony as her parents sealed their marriage with a kiss.

After the ceremony was over, Jade and Colby spent some time with me to get some nice images of them as Mr. and Mrs. Daire. 🙂

These are some of my favorite couple images!!!

And Jade requested we go back into the church to take a picture by the candles that she loved so much.

After we were through…they blew out ALL the candles. 🙂

The catering….INCREDIBLE! WOW….look at this food how beautiful! They did a wonderful job in the preparation and display.

The candlelight theme continued into the reception where there was a dessert bar with martini-sized desserts.

I think Jade has David Tutera to thank for her inspiration! 😉

Her chandelier and her cake were breathtaking. And yes, it tasted good too! I can testify to that!!

The night started off just right with a first dance from Jade and Colby.

….Followed by a dance with her dad…..

And when Colby danced with his mom, I even found myself getting teary eyed. Tracy is obviously very close to both Jade and Colby. And she and Jade are SO similar in so many ways. It was really sweet to see her so emotional as she danced with him for their song.

As Jade began the dance with her stepdad, I was prepared for an emotional moment. They are very close and Jade mentioned this to me before the day began. This image below is such a beautiful moment.

AND THEN!!!….. The DJ let out a SCREECH and flipped the music to a remix. Then they tore the floor up. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

And the party began!

The band did a wonderful job of keeping the music alive throughout the entire night! Even Jade and I did a little zydeco! 🙂

Jade and Colby spent their honeymoon in New Orleans, attended a Saints game (of course) and are now in the process of house hunting!! They plan to continue growing together, growing their family, and loving each other.

I would also like to give a special thanks to Valerie for the image below and for second shooting with me. 🙂

Jade and Colby,

Thank you SO much for allowing me to be there for your wedding, for your engagements, and Jade, for your bridals. It’s been such a fun process getting to work with you all. I feel like I’ve gotten to know your families, your parents, and Ella. Jade, you are one sassy chick, unafraid of the wilderness. And I love to see you so happy around Colby, your friends, and your relatives. I wish you both the best in the journey through life together.