It is always an honor and a privilege to be asked to photograph any bride’s wedding. When you get a phone call from one of your former photography instructors asking you to capture his only daughter’s wedding, the feeling of honor and privilege gets clicked up a whole nother level! And so it was that we were introduced to Sonya by her dad, Owen Murphy, who taught studio lighting to Steve and me at New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, several years ago when we were first starting out. We were delighted to meet Sonya, who though small in stature, probably has the biggest heart of anyone we’ve ever met! It’s easy to see why Garrett was swept off his feet when the two met while hanging with friends at Barcadia! Garrett, who plays tight end for the New Orleans Saints, is anything but small in stature, but the two couldn’t be more perfectly matched. It should come as no surprise that the wedding took place in early November, on the Saints’ bye week!
After getting ready at the beautiful Melrose Mansion, the bride and groom met for their first look in the Botanical Garden at City Park. The gardens were gorgeous on what turned out to be the first cold snap of the season, but the cold didn’t matter. There was enough love going around to keep everyone warm. The ceremony began and the wedding party came down the aisle to the lush sounds of John Rankin on guitar. The officiant was also another New Orleans photography mainstay, and great friend of the bride’s father, George Long. The ceremony was brief, yet heartfelt. In other words, it was perfect!
After all of the official formalities, first dances and the like, this party kicked into gear when The Salmon of Capistrano, great friends of the bride and groom, began to play. The normally quiet Conservatory of the Two Sisters came to life when everyone began dancing and singing their hearts out!
After a rousing send-off, the couple took off and the party continued at Barcadia … the place where it all began! Huge congratulations to Sonya + Garrett and wishing you both so many years of happiness.
Vendor Love:
Get Ready Location: Melrose Mansion
Wedding Venue: New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park
Florals: Self arranged using Fifty Flowers and Trader Joe’s
Officiant: George Long
Hair/Makeup: Glow Salon
Bride’s Dress Purchased from Wedding Belles
Dress Design: Kate McDonald
Brides Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Ceremony Music: John Rankin
Reception Music: The Salmon of Capistrano
Wedding Cake: Haydel’s
Groom’s Cake: La Louisiane Bakery