How To Have A Magic AF Wedding In New Orleans

We are all unique, and that is what makes it so fun. Classic weddings work for some but for Brooke and Matt, a white dress and stiff black tux wasn't going to do it. This fabulous couple took their big day and truly turned it into pure magic with the help of Alchemy Events NOLA!

Love a tarot reading? Or maybe you enjoy some dramatic lighting or the fanfare of a Mardi Gras parade. Well then, keep scrolling because this NOLA wedding event had all of that and more! You can see every last bit of this magical wedding in our full gallery thanks to the photography talents of Dark Roux.

magical themed wedding invitations

unique wedding bouquet wedding wreath bouquets

Magical AF getting ready robes crystal ball wedding drink

The Inspiration

Longtime visitors of New Orleans, Brooke and Matt knew it was the perfect location for their destination wedding. Brooke builds custom furniture in Atlanta so her attention to detail was not lost on her own wedding. She was as meticulous about the vendors she selected to help her bring her vision to life as she was about the furniture she built for her and Matt's wedding.

Brooke and Matt used the quote, "Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic" as the inspiration for their New Orleans wedding and magical it was!

The Near Disaster

The day of the wedding saw torrential rain, with the two inches of standing water in their outdoor courtyard causing a delay even with tents. Brooke's bridal party, dubbed the "Morse Krewe", rallied around her lifting her spirits and just as the time for guests to start arriving, the rain began to let up.

The Wedding Welcome

Guests were treated to musicians from Atlanta playing busker style as they began the most unforgettable night of their lives. They were greeted by a shot bar masterfully put together by mixologists that featured a custom liquid shot as well as a blackberry topped jello shot. Guests began to mingle and eat hors d'oeuvres including shrimp "corn dogs", and nods to each of their fathers via mini lobster rolls and tostones con ropa vieja.

wedding welcome sign

unique hippy hipster magic themed decor

wedding monogram

Take A Lover Who Looks At You Like Maybe You Are Magic unique hippy hipster magic themed decor

wedding bar with custom hashtag

magic wedding table decor unique hippy hipster magic themed decor

jello shots

dramatic wedding decor idea wedding food

The Ceremony

Suddenly, the lights went down, purple spotlights lit the balconies overhead and guests heard the infamous words of Prince coming over the speakers, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." and the bridal party started to file out onto each side of the balconies. As the music kicked into gear, purple smoke bombs went off and the groom, the bride, and her son, Cannon, met out on the bridge overhead for their first look. They tossed custom made Mardi Gras beads with their monogram symbol down to their guests and partied until they began to make their way downstairs for the ceremony.

A drumline heralded each bridal party member down the mud cloth aisle runner. The officiant began the ceremony with a telltale line, "if you've ever asked Brooke about how Matt takes care of her, you've seen the sparkle in her eyes when she utters his name. That is the magic of love." As the ceremony ended, guests were led by the drumline to a candle altar in another area of the venue where a blessing was prayed over them to the Virgin Mary.

dramatic wedding couple reveal in NOLA

here comes the groom

drumline playing down the wedding aisle

bridesmaids dancing down the aisle

here comes the bride bridesmaids in black with hoop bouquets

wedding ceremony wedding kiss

The Reception

Guests then partied the night away with a Boomerang green screen photo booth, props for a karaoke hour with the live band and tarot and palm reading! Brooke & Matt served nods to New Orleans such as gumbo alongside favorite foods of theirs, some reminiscent of their travels, including a poutine station and grilled cheese station which featured a collard green and muenster cheese option.

In addition to a full bar, shot bar and specialty cocktail bar, guests also had the option of making a selection in the apothecary bar where small vials of "potions" were available to drink or mix for a color changing effect.

Guests were then treated to dessert which consisted of a table of completely edible magical elements to complement their cake such as rune macaroons, tarot brownies, edible smudge sticks, herbal sage tarts, and mousse.

mystical and magical themed wedding reception magical themed wedding table decor

magical wedding welcome table guestbook on cow skull

magical wedding bar wedding potions

tarot reading tarot readings

wedding bar

smoking pool for your magical wedding day

magical wedding cake table runes macarons tarot brownies and edible smudge sticks

runes painted wedding cake

wedding hangover kits

The Second Wind

As the reception came to a close, guests were given personalized wristbands for the after party and hangover kits, which everyone surely appreciated the next day! A second line band surprised the guests and led them onto waiting streetcars to take them to Frenchmen Street, which is considered by many to be the "Bourbon Street for locals" and just had two Mardi Gras parades pass down it. The second line and drumline led guests off the street cars and through the packed streets for an unforgettable second line complete with Grand Marshall and Mardi Gras Indians.

By the time guests got to the after party being held in an upstairs private balcony overlooking a live band below at one of the most popular spots on Frenchmen Street, they had a following of non-wedding guests who had joined in the second line in typical New Orleans fashion.

street car transportation street cars and brass band