MEET REAL BRIDE CARISSA

Tell us about your wedding gown choice, how did you know this was the one? 

I was looking for something with the perfect combination of timeless elegance but also had a more edgy side that would show off my shape. My dress was the perfect mix of everything I wanted. It was a classic silhouette with gorgeous lace details and a little extra drama with my plungeing neckline. My grandmother was a seamstress and loved lace as well. She passed away in 2009, so I wanted to honor her memory (along with my other grandparents) throughout the wedding weekend. The lace details in my dress are a direct reflection of my grandmother's influence on my entire life and my style. When I tried the dress on, I knew it was the one. There were no "if's" or "maybe's" to think of. Just absolute certainty. I thought about how I would feel in the dress on my big day, I thought about my husband's smiling face once he would be able to see me in the dress and I knew it had to be the one.

Tell us about the details of your wedding day, what was your favorite moment? 

Our wedding was held in New Orleans, LA on November 3, 2023. We chose New Orleans because we visited the city on our first vacation as a couple back in 2017. It was a wonderful trip and we thought it would be a perfect city to tie the knot in. Our wedding day was full of happiness. Everyone was so excited for the day's events, the weather was perfect and everyone was SOMEHOW on time or early! My husband's vows were incredible, there wasn't a dry eye in the courtyard. I still read them every few weeks. They make me smile with tears in my eyes every time. There are so many moments that were my favorite! It’s so hard to choose! however, one moment that stands out to me the most is our second line. In New Orleans, second lines are a major part of the culture. You will find people parading down the street for different occasions, but weddings are one of the most popular reasons for a second line. We held our second line immediately after our wedding ceremony. That means that directly after my husband and I said "I do" the entire wedding party and our guests filled into the street to dance and parade in celebration of our wedding! It felt like the pivotal moment after 2 years of wedding planning where we could finally let our hair down and celebrate the biggest day of our lives yet! My heart felt like it was going to explode with joy. Our guests were drinking beer and champagne and dancing to the music played by the Kinfolk Brass Band. My husband and I were dancing and leading the parade with so much joy and happiness. You could see the joy on everyone's faces as we danced and shuffled down the streets of New Orleans. What a perfect milestone moment.