Laissez les bon temps rouler! The official greeting of Mardi Gras translates to “Let the good times roll!” Mardi Gras is a celebration rich in traditions and cultural significance and of course a reason to party! Now, what exactly does this have to do with weddings? When you hear Mardi Gras, you may think of beads, parades, dancing, purple, green, and gold. These are things we automatically associate with Mardi Gras, and the same is often true of weddings. As we discussed in our Getting Started with Wedding Planning post, your wedding day is not simply an event but a curated experience unique to every couple, let your style shine! Today, we celebrate a wedding that shows how you can beautifully express your personalities as a couple throughout your wedding experience.

Our New Orleans and Mardi Gras loving couple Sarahtyah & Willie made sure to deliver an experience that amplified the saying laissez les bon temps rouler!

Wedding Style

Sarahtyah & Willie’s multi-day wedding experience was rich in culture, love, and thoughtfulness. These are the three pillars on which the foundation of this event was built. As a couple that loves to experience and appreciate cultures, and has a good time whilst doing so, it was vital that this be shown in their celebration of love. This wedding was just as multifaceted as the amazing couple!

Sarahtyah & Willie were dedicated to providing a true experience for their guests. As their wedding was on thanksgiving weekend, their families were able to come together and spend the holiday together on Thursday as traditional American custom, a great way to set the tone for these foodies. The Starling Hotel which would be their home for the weekend also has an amazing bar where Sarahtyah & Willie made sure to welcome and greet guests who would be staying at the hotel.

Throughout the weekend both the bride and groom wanted to look and feel their best! Willie was assisted by The Modern Gent to make sure he was perfectly tailored and styled for all the week’s festivities. Sarahtayah had a full team of hairstylists (Beauty II Behold), a makeup artist (Vivid Facez), and a bridal stylist (Cocoa Bride), to keep her looking her best and assist with everything from bustling her beautiful custom-made gown from a local atelier to bronzing her makeup.

Ketubah Signing

On Saturday, Sarahtyah & Willie completed their Ketubah signing. This symbolic marriage contract is signed by the bride and groom in front of witnesses and later read at the ceremony. Their upscale hotel venue, The Starling, was the perfect destination as it has uniquely designed spaces to accommodate the intimate Ketubah signing, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. To wrap up the Sunday celebration, close family and friends were invited to brunch at Politan Row, a prominent food hall in Atlanta offering a diverse selection of culinary delights.

Ceremony

What is typically utilized as a foyer area for the Sequoia Ballroom was transformed into an intimate ceremony and reception space through beautiful draping and a plethora of stunning floral arrangements. This space was ideal as it allowed for the bride to have a grand entrance with a staircase and was able to be transformed into a very intimate space as the bride and groom desired.

The wedding party was welcomed by a live pianist, singer, and guitarist. Sarahtyah and Willie both have a strong appreciation for live entertainment and included multiple live elements throughout the event! With the talented musicians in harmony to create an amazing ambiance the ceremony radiated a soft, warm, and romantic air as candles lit the path to the altar.

The ceremony itself incorporated traditions such as lifting the veil, reading their vows, breaking glass, jumping the broom, and exchanging rings. Each of these traditions represents a part of the couple and it is beautiful to see the wide variety of ways they proclaimed and celebrated their love for each other.

As now officially Mr. and Mrs. Monds, the couple was escorted out of their ceremony by young women apart of the Coretta Scott King Leadership Academy’s JROTC. As a now retired military officer of 25+ years, our bride Sarahtyah was ecstatic to have these young women of service from a local school be a part of her and Willie’s big day.

Cocktail Hour

As the ceremony was completed, guests were invited to enjoy cocktail hour on an outdoor terrace. This space was brought to life by a live band, photos of loved ones, delicious appetizers, an open bar, and the invigorating fresh air of a November evening in Atlanta. Guests also received monogrammed handkerchiefs as wedding mementos and for a special escort of the bride and groom to the reception!

To pay homage to a culture our bride holds so dearly, the newlyweds and their guests proceeded through the hotel from cocktail hour to the reception in true New Orleans fashion with a second-line band, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and lots of cheers!

Reception

The reception featured intimate and communal-style estate seating for guests to gather together for dances, toasts, and dinner. As the seating framed the couple’s sweetheart table and the dance floor it was perfect for entertaining. And that is just what they did!

Guests were wined, dined, and entertained by a live Flamenco (Berdolé Flamenco) performance. This dance told a beautiful love story. This entertainment option was chosen by the couple to honor their relationship as two people who found true love later in life.

By incorporating personal elements throughout their wedding, Sarahtyah and Willie created an experience they and their guests will cherish forever. A weekend brought to life with food, loved ones, and amazing entertainment. Inspired by the things they love they represented their love in a truly unique way!

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Are you ready to start planning your wedding? As a seasoned team of Atlanta wedding planners, we’re here to help you take away the stress of planning such a big day. Contact us for your complimentary consultation.

Photo credits:

1 – Love in Motion