Johnson-Berger

Daphne Hackley Johnson and Brandon Brooks Berger met at Vanderbilt University while Daphne was still a student and Brandon had recently graduated. Both were in relationships at the time but bumped into each other occasionally at Vanderbilt and during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. After college, Daphne moved to Boston to pursue her career and coincidently Brandon moved to Boston shortly thereafter to attend graduate school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Upon arriving in Boston, Brandon called Daphne out of the blue to suggest that she help show him around his new city. He would later admit that he had always had a crush on her, and the call was simply an excuse to get together.

A year-and-a-half after that first date, Brandon brought Daphne to the Boston Public Garden to ask for her hand in marriage. Brandon later revealed that it was from this spot that he called Daphne to go on that first date. Brandon said to Daphne, “When I hung up the phone after that first call, I had a feeling that I would be doing this one day,” before dropping down on one knee.

The couple married on June 6, 2009 at the Wild Air Farm in Zionsville, Ind. – the bride’s father’s farm. Daphne decided to get married there because she’s moved many times throughout her life – born in Alaska; raised in Alaska, Massachusetts and Indiana; boarding school in Rhode Island; and college in Tennessee – but she always had wonderful memories at her family’s farm. The couple decided to hold the ceremony at the bride’s favorite spot on the whole farm: under the trees beside one of the farm’s lakes.

Daphne walked down a rose petal isle in an Oscar de la Renta Ivory silk organza, strapless, pleated wedding gown purchased at Mark Ingram in New York. Daphne was greeted by her smiling husband-to-be dressed in an Ermenegildo Zegna tuxedo purchased at Rubenstein’s in New Orleans. The two stood underneath a beautiful floral arch with Reverend Donald Frampton of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, who traveled to Indiana to officiate the wedding. Reverend Frampton has been Brandon’s minister for many years and it meant a lot to the blessed couple to have him attend.

The bridesmaids were dressed in strapless, blue silk, tea-length dresses purchased at Pearl’s Place. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos.

 Kevin Swan of Swan Photography in Indianapolis took photos of the couple in a 1939 Ford Phaeton from Mr. Johnson’s antique car collection immediately after the ceremony, as well as formal bridal portraits.

The tented reception followed immediately after on Wild Air Farm, just steps away from the ceremony location.

Floral arrangements were created by Enflora of Indianapolis of seasonal garden flowers featuring multiple varieties of old garden roses, peonies, hydrangeas and hanging amaranthus.

At the reception, there was an abundance of delicious delights at many different stations including hors d’oeuvres, a pasta-tini station, a carving station, a seafood display, a decadent petite desserts station and late night nibbles. The couple had Classic Cakes from Indianapolis cater their vanilla butter cream wedding cake; Daphne chose to include a vintage cake topper as decoration.

Pat Patrick Band of Nashville, Tenn., played for almost five hours without taking a break. Daphne and Brandon’s first dance was to “You Belong to Me,” by the Duprees, and that phrase is engraved on the inside of their wedding bands.

The favorite moment of the night was when both the bride’s and groom’s families overtook the stage for four straight musical numbers. Brandon’s brothers, Darryl Jr. and Ryan, father Darryl Sr. and Daphne’s brothers Zac Johnson and Alexander Henry sang “Great Balls of Fire.” Soon after, the boys brought up Daphne’s father, Johnny Johnson and the crew sang “Johnny Be Good.” After the boys had their fun on stage, the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride sang the classic “Honky Tonk Woman.” Finally Johnny jumped back on stage for a final encore of “Beyond the Sea.”

The couple departed from the reception “New Orleans-style” via a second-line and used the 1939 Ford Phaeton to drive away from the reception. The Bergers honeymooned for two weeks in Southern France and Northern Italy.

The happy couple currently resides in the French Quarter on Jackson Square. They have recently purchased a home Uptown and are currently in the renovation process. Brandon works for The Berger Company, a family real estate development and investment firm, and Daphne works for Em’s in Old Metairie.
 

Digital Sponsors

Become a MyNewOrleans.com sponsor ...

Sign up for our FREE

New Orleans Magazine email newsletter

Get the the best in New Orleans dining, shopping, events and more delivered to your inbox.