Lamb-Brooks Wedding

Nothing brings two people together like the Louisiana State University Fighting Tigers! That’s exactly how Whitney Ann Lamb and Roy Elmer Brooks III met, on the LSU campus during college through mutual friends. The two dated on and off for several years, but started getting serious just a year before getting engaged.

Roy planned a simple yet special proposal, very much like the couple. One evening, he asked Whitney to come over so he could cook her dinner. After a simple home-cooked meal, he just got down on one knee and asked Whitney to marry him. He opened a small box to reveal a European-cut diamond ring surrounded by filigree and small pavé diamonds, which he designed himself. He knew Whitney wanted a beautiful, antique-inspired ring.

The ceremony was held on January 24, 2009, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Trinity is a very special place for Whitney and her family because she graduated from Trinity School, was baptized there and her sister also was married there. Whitney, a graduate of Country Day, is the director of the Edisen House Children’s Center at Metairie Park Country Day School; she and Roy are around children all the time and wanted to incorporate them into their wedding. In all, Whitney had seven children walk together down the aisle for the ceremony. It was a special touch the couple says they will always cherish.

Whitney’s grandfather, Robert Rose, walked her down the aisle in an elegant Watters gown with Alençon lace over silk organza and a champagne sash from Pearl’s Place. As per tradition, the bride also wore a sixpence in her shoe, which other brides in her family have worn on their wedding days, as well as a pearl bracelet that her father had given her mother. Her bridesmaids wore French-blue satin strapless gowns with pockets and a bow in the back by Melissa Sweet from Wedding Belles. They carried smaller versions of the bride’s all-white bouquet created by Meade Wenzel.

“I wanted my wedding [reception] to be very personal and meaningful for us,” the bride says, so it’s no wonder they chose the dining room at Metairie Park Country Day School for the reception. Whitney selected Country Day because of her love for the school and the comfortable and warm feeling of the dining room with its tall cypress windows and hardwood floors.

Meade Wenzel created a unique ambiance with tall trees and greenery everywhere inside. On each table were antique blue Ball jars used as vases, reminiscent of Whitney’s father who passed away when she was 10. His hometown, Muncie, Ind., is the birthplace of the Ball jar.

To honor their love of Elvis, the couple danced their first dance to “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck” sung by Clockwork Elvis, an Elvis cover band. All ages danced the night away to great Elvis music.

The reception was catered by Michael’s Catering, with a menu of everything from pasta to gumbo. Another special moment came from a Country Day tradition. Each Friday at the school, the cafeteria serves what are called “cheese buns.” So later in the evening, waiters came onto the dance floor and passed around trays of traditional Country Day “cheese buns” for all the guests, many of whom were Country Day alums or teachers; they were a big hit.

The wedding cake, created by Zoë’s Bakery was a beautiful four-tier creation with alternating layers of hazelnut and fresh strawberries. Because the wedding took place at the beginning of Carnival season, it was only fitting that the groom’s cake be a traditional King Cake from Haydel’s. Honoring one of Roy’s loves, the Chicago Cubs, cookies with the Cubs logo were also passed around to guests.

The newlyweds took a short honeymoon to the Hard Rock Resort & Casino in Biloxi because the wedding was in the middle of Whitney’s school year. They plan on heading to Chicago this summer for their real honeymoon. Roy is employed by Republic National Beverage Co. in their wine division. The couple resides in New Orleans.

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