In many ways, a wedding is like a play or movie. Makeup, hair, lighting, wardrobe, music and setting the stage are just a few of the essentials that must be in place for the show — or wedding — to go off without a hitch. We can’t think of a more appropriate location for a Big Day box office hit than the Marigny Opera House, which took its turn on the national stage when the sister of the Queen B, Beyonce, singer Solange Knowles, said I-do there in 2014. It is the set of our most spectacular fashion spread to date in “Opening Night,” page 58. Cue the lights for show-stopping wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, luxe tuxes for your leading man, on-trend hats, headpieces and other accessories, floral arrangements you’ll want to take back to your dressing room and red-carpet worthy jewels.
In this issue, beauty editor Mirella Cameran rounds up skincare products (“Beauty Breakthroughs,” page 24) and makeup (“Makeup Magic,” page 34) that will have you looking flawless on and off camera, as well as tips and advice on getting fit for your nuptials and having hair fit for a starlet.
Speaking of hair, makeup, nails, jewelry and all other things to prep and primp, feature correspondent Amy Gabriel hopped all over New Orleans to get the scoop on the city’s best beauty bars for blowouts, braids, buffs and brows in “Bridal Bar Crawl,” on page 54. We love the idea of centering your bachelorette activities on beauty treatments. For example, baubles and bubbles at the Color Bar at the Kendra Scott jewelry boutique on Magazine Street sounds like a beautiful way to bond with your bridesmaids. Can we get a show of perfectly manicured hands?
Seafood lovers will want to turn to “Best Catch,” on page 100 for our interview with New Orleans superstar chef John Besh, who tells Anne Rodrique-Jones how to incorporate Gulf Coast fare into wedding day eats.
As we enter into the first whirlwind months of 2016, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge a few members of the New Orleans Bride Magazine team for accolades racked up in 2015. Sylist Lisa Tudor was recognized for her work nationally and locally, including in this publication, during the New Orleans Fashion Week Fashion Awards Gala. Photographer Theresa Cassagne and art director Tiffani Reding Amedeo were honored by the Press Club of New Orleans during its Excellence in Journalism Awards for the Spring 2014 fashion feature, “Vintage Vows,” officially making New Orleans Bride Magazine an award-winning publication. Congratulations for your hard work and much-deserved awards ladies, we are fortunate to have the work of such talented artists in our pages. Take a bow.
Now, on with the show!
— Melanie Warner Spencer, Editor
P.S. Be sure to visit Let Them Eat Cake (www.myneworleans.com/Blogs/Let-Them-Eat-Cake/), the official blog of New Orleans Bride Magazine. From tips and trends to trunk shows and other events, plus advice, ideas, inspiration and interviews, it’s all of the bridal buzz you can use five days a week.
Cousins Anna Marilyn and Kate Alice lovingly craft letterpress stationery and prints at their charming Warehouse District shop Grove Street Press. The adorable Cloche Cake cards are a sweet way to say thanks to your attendants for keeping you from going bridezilla lo those many months of planning and preparation for your Big Day. grovestreetpress.com
On Jan. 14, join us at the Hyatt Regency for the New Orleans Bride Magazine Bridal Show. Meet more than 150 of the city’s top wedding professionals in a festive setting, sip champagne and sample fabulous food. Visit www.myneworleans.com/events for tickets, pricing and more information.
Body powder is a bride’s best friend. I love the linen and body powder at Abode for silky soft skin or to sprinkle on bed linens. It’ll be your favorite secret weapon during and after the wedding. shopatabode.com
