There are few things as uniquely southern as Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Starting after Epiphany and culminating with huge celebrations the day before Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras is a way of life. It’s even a legal holiday here! Other states may try to copy, but we have our own unique spins that no one can replicate. Courir de Mardi Gras is also its own unique celebration with dancers, costumes, and traditions. No Mardi Gras Wedding would be complete without a King Cake and Mardi Gras Dancers!

The Venue

If you’ve never been to any of the specialty stores around Lafayette, Louisiana, you are missing out! Don’s Specialty Meats is an experience in and of itself. From homemade boudin and cracklins, to hamburgers and po-boys, to stuffed bread and sausage, you’re sure to find something you love (unless you are a vegetarian, this probably wouldn’t be a place you’d stop at). Serving up authentic Cajun food is their specialty – and the perfect backdrop for a truly Louisiana Mardi Gras Wedding. The girls dressed in the private clubhouse. Smells of smoked boudin filled the air as it was cooking nearby. Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold decorated the banquet hall.

Mardi Gras Wedding

Noami and Shawn chose to do a first look before their ceremony. It’s a chance to get all of those formal photographs done before the wedding so that you can go straight to partying after the ceremony! We took a moment with just the two of them for a few couples portraits before adding in the wedding party and families. They also live in California, so there were many family and friends at their wedding that they do not get to see often. Having a first look made it so that they could mingle more with their guests and also have the lighting they needed for photographs earlier in the day. The first look and the few moments we pulled them away were some of the only times they were “alone” to soak in the day together until they left the wedding!

During the reception, we laughed, cried, danced the night away, ate King Cake, and did the Mardi Gras Mambo. Even the Mardi Gras Dancers made an appearance! I think it’s safe to say that everyone had a great time celebrating Noami and Shawn.

Highlight Video

Mardi Gras Wedding Photos