Brenton and Andrea wanted an intimate destination wedding with Southern charm and a vintage vibe. It just so happened the Southern Oaks Plantation in New Orleans was the perfect place.  

“Brenton and I initially wanted to elope, but thought our family members would want to be present during our nuptials, so we then decided to have a small intimate destination wedding,” says the bride. “The goal was to keep the focus on Brenton and I, therefore we kept the ceremony small and romantic.”

The families welcomed the idea of a destination wedding and were thrilled to explore a location they had never experienced before. “They weren’t too thrilled about the size of the wedding, immediate family only,” says Andrea. “Both families wanted a larger wedding, but we made sure our wedding was exactly what we wanted.” 

The venue the couple chose not only fit their plan and vision, but their personalities too. “Brenton and I love New Orleans!” exclaims the bride. “We live in Houston so whenever we want to get away for the weekend we would get in the car and go. I also decided that I wanted to do a plantation-style wedding. Once we found Southern Oaks, we knew we couldn’t go wrong having our ceremony and reception there.” 

The planning for this wedding went smoothly and the couple enjoyed every minute of it. “With a little research, suggestions from friends in the city and the staff at Southern Oaks, we felt pretty confident that everything would work out,” says Andrea.

“My favorite do-it-yourself project was to include old family wedding photos and put them into new frames,” says the bride. “This helped have all of our family members who were no longer with us be there in spirit.”

This couple’s intimate, romantic wedding surpassed their vision and kept the day just as they wanted it: focused solely on their endearing love for one another. “We were able to enjoy every moment, dance, and party all night…[just] how we wanted,” says Andrea.  

Here are a few of the bride’s suggestions: “Pick a theme and colors early and then find a location that you can incorporate your ideas into. You will need to decide if and how much you want to ask of your guests (whether it be financially or of their time). If your guests are taking time off for a destination already, think about having the event during non-peak season. This could alleviate some issues you may run into with bookings and accommodations.” 

Vendors: Wedding Coordinator: Southern Oaks Plantation, Ceremony/Reception Site: Southern Oaks Plantation, Florist: Nola Flora, Stationery: Zazzle, Cake: Flour Power Confectionery, Hair & Makeup: Gabrielle Armanini & Rachele Cooper from Salon Diversions, Gown Designer: Pronovias from Brickhouse Bridal, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Burberry, Bridesmaid Dresses: Adrianna Papell, Transportation: Limousine Livery.