Ethereal layers of embroidered tulles and silks, artisanal invitations, antique pearls, Old Garden roses and heirloom custom linens illustrate the Old-World charm of New Orleans’ nuptial traditions. Starting downtown at the foot of Canal Street and stretching all the way Uptown along St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, the city hosts a superior selection of local businesses that provide unique and stylish solutions for your wedding party necessities.
Begin your journey by crossing the threshold at Adler’s (722 Canal St.; 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie; Waldhorn & Adler’s, 343 Royal St.; (800) 925-7912; AdlersJewelry.com) venerable flagship store on Canal Street. A generations-old tradition for New Orleans brides, Adler’s gift registry offers a vast selection of tabletop and home décor in traditional and contemporary patterns, as well as engravable silver accessories for the wedding party. Adler’s hand-written gift cards encourage flexibility in purchasing and receiving gifts, and for every seven place settings received, the eighth is free. Adler’s collection of fine jewelry, gifts for the table and stationery ranks among the finest available in the world, making Adler’s the newly engaged couple’s one-stop-shop.
A wedding or rehearsal dinner at Latrobe’s on Royal (403 Royal St., 299-0601, LatrobesOnRoyal.com) can be romantic or sultry, lush or exotic, traditional or trendy. A venue that radiates the genuine Old World charm of the Vieux Carré, this building is a historic architectural gem, with wrought-iron balconies featuring the Louisiana State Bank cartouche, ancient stuccoed brick walls, cypress woodwork and hand-wrought iron hardware, which provide a rich backdrop for glamorous events and celebrations.
Since 1924, family owned and operated retail behemoth Rubensteins (102 St. Charles Ave., 581-6666, RubensteinsNewOrleans.com) has provided grooms the finest in clothing and accessories by distinguished brands such as Brioni, Canali, Ermenegildo
Zegna and Black Label by Ralph Lauren from their downtown headquarters at the corner of Canal Street and St. Charles Avenue. Tuxedos are sold ready-to-wear with a two- to six-weed turnaround on custom-made. Repeatedly voted “Best of Class” by Esquire magazine, Andre, David and Kenny Rubenstein continue to provide their own legendary brand of customer service.
The Roosevelt New Orleans (123 Baronne St., 648-1200, TheRooseveltNewOrleans.com), a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, not only provides brilliantly restored historic venues, luxurious accommodations and impeccable service, it’s also home to the nationally celebrated Sazerac Bar, the world-renowned Blue Room and the exclusive and serene Guerlain Spa, providing a couple’s therapy suite and relaxation lounge when you need it most. The hotel’s delectable cuisine can be customized for your event to include Kosher and cultural fare, with spectacular cakes created in-house. The magnificent Church of the Immaculate Conception (130 Baronne St., 529-1477, JesuitChurch.net) is conveniently located directly across the street for traditional Catholic ceremonies.
Master Chocolatier Cheryl Scripter, proprietor of the newly relocated to the Warehouse District boutique bakery Bittersweet Confections (725 Magazine St., 484-0780, BittersweetConfections.com) not only creates elegant tiered wedding cakes, sophisticated groom’s cakes and bridal-themed cookies, but also she has fashioned an interactive “Chocolate Truffle Bar” for receptions with 18 varieties of truffles from which to choose. Guests select their favorite eight and watch as they’re rolled to order. Scrumptious flavors from the “Second Line Collection” include praline, crème brulée and bananas Foster.
Niki Walker (NikiWalkerSalon.com) is returning her eponymous salon to New Orleans Central Business District and will open on Baronne Street February 25. Selecting the Niki Walker team to create the look for your bridal party guarantees a great experience across the board, starting with the complimentary consultation that ensures the result is the look you desire. The salon’s hip, energetic culture and dedication to staying atop the current trends in hairstyles and convenient new location make Walker an easy choice.
Aidan Gill for Men (2026 Magazine St., 587-9090; 550 Fulton St., 566-4903; AidanGillForMen.com), an old-time barbershop for a close shave and a shot of whiskey, is focused on the timeless – the handmade razor, the badger shave brush, the well-made necktie. Offering an expertly edited array of gifts for the groomsmen, gift the groom the ultimate experience – the “Shave at the End of the Galaxy:” a hot towel shave so luxurious that Irish poets fall to tears describing it.
Owners Lisa and Collum Swords, along with their fabulous and friendly consultants, are always on-hand to personally guide you through their stunning collection of designer wedding attire at Garden District grande dame Town & Country Bridal Salon (1514 St. Charles Ave., 523-7027, TownAndCountryBridal.com). A destination for brides since 1932, frequent trunk shows, spacious fitting rooms and professional in-house alterations experts enhance the shopping experience.
From his Lower Garden District shop shared with partner Roy Dunn, floral stylist Stephen Sonnier of Dunn & Sonnier Flowers and Antiques (2138 Magazine St., 524-3235, DunnAndSonnierFlowers.com) has earned a special place in the hearts of New Orleans brides for blossoms artfully crafted with the Old-World elegance of the city in mind. He consults his brides on venue selection as well as comprehensive floral design, and, inspired by the gown itself, he creates the bridal bouquet using first-cut blooms imported from growers all over the world.
Spruce Eco-Studio (2043 Magazine St., 265-0946, SpruceNola.com) owners Nomita Joshi-Gupta and Cheryl Nix Murphy initiated its gift registry service last year. On-site or online, couples can create a wish list from the bed and bath lines by designers John Robshaw, Les Indiennes and Coyuchi to custom dinnerware by artist Kate Tremel and their complete selection of eco-stylish gifts and
home furnishings.
Let Salvation Studio (2917 Magazine St., 896-2200, SalvationStudio.com) be the very best part of preparing for your big day. The Garden District gym offers couples great classes with the wonderful instructors, including the Les Mills TRX Suspension Training, CXWORX Core-Focused Training.
Professional makeup artist Brandie Hopstein (912-1126, BrandieHopstein.com) makes her bride feel as beautiful and relaxed as she looks. Hopstein brings practiced editorial technique and the finest skincare and beauty products available to achieve flawless, glowing skin that looks perfect walking down the aisle and for posterity in the wedding photographs.
Amy Casbarian, owner of Wedding Belles (891-1005), offers stylish brides in New Orleans a chic alternative to traditional styles. Customer service and a carefully edited collection of both bridesmaid’s dresses and bridal gowns make Wedding Belles the destination for sophisticated, modern brides. In 2002, Jane Bensel took creative control of the Uptown classic, The Stationer (895-4868), a fantastic resource for brides looking for advice on etiquette and latest trends. In 2010, the stores combined their Magazine Street storefronts, offering brides a more comprehensive experience and wowing passers-by with gorgeous windows crafted by visual display artist Kaki Foley. Together, Wedding Belles and The Stationer (3632 Magazine St., WeddingBellesStationer.com)
give brides the best of both worlds – exquisite gowns and gorgeous stationery.
Independent illustrator Kathryn Stoll Mills (Kissmekate6306@yahoo.com) not only addresses invitations in her outrageously expert calligraphy, but also will work with you to design one-of-a-kind keepsake guest books, cards and table numbers. At her own reception, the newlyweds’ guest book featured an elegant tree of life illustrated by the bride, which family and friends inked with individual thumbprints.
The bridal gift registry at Leontine Linens (3806 Magazine St., 899-7833, LeontineLinens.com) allows you to create your own unique trousseau of custom monogrammed linens for bed, bath and table. Showroom consultants offer expert guidance on stocking your linen closet with necessities for setting up housekeeping as newlyweds as well selecting the perfect gifts for your bridal party and shower hosts. Each piece is made to order in the fabric and style of your choosing, creating textile heirlooms as precious as your grandmother’s sterling flatware.
Discover your wedding stationery trousseau at Scriptura (5423 Magazine St., 897-7555; 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 219-1113; scriptura.com). Sisters Sallie and Margaret Jones’ turn-of-the century letterpress, studio and couture designs, signature New Orleans themes, personal attention and expertise are unparalleled. Letterpress printing beautifully prints an invitation that not only has definition, but depth and texture as well. The cotton paper stocks used feel thick and luxurious and can be printed with any design to set the tone of your event.
Mimi (5500 Magazine St., 269-6464, MimiNola.com), the South’s largest Vera Wang Bridal retailer, continues to emphasize superb after-the-sale service, and Vera Wang consultant Gail Hester is truly an expert at the fashion of romance. Expert alterations by seamstress Dami Behlar are free, and Mimi’s updated website offers the most recent information regarding the collection, links and alerts to the designer’s semi-annual trunk show.
At Old.New.Blue (6117 Magazine St., 655-0863, OldNewBlueShop.com) owners Janie Glade and Marylyn Rigby provide wedding consultation services, nuptial necessities and bridal accessories ranging from cake pulls to lingerie. The Uptown boutique boasts a carefully edited collection of shoes, handbags, statement jewelry and headbands fit for a princess.
Founded in 1976, family-owned Friend & Company (7713 Maple St., 866-5433, FriendAndCompany.com) designs and crafts custom diamond engagement rings and is home to an extensive collection of spectacular antique and estate jewelry as well as South Sea pearl collections. Husbands searching for the perfect heirloom gift to commemorate the day won’t leave empty-handed. With headquarters in Uptown New Orleans and offices in New York, Russia, Israel and Hong Kong, Friend & Company has become a global company while keeping the feel of a local boutique. Their full-service bridal registry offers personal assistance in selecting china, crystal, sterling flatware and gifts, and a secure parking lot makes stopping by their Maple Street store a breeze.
The Riverbend marks our final stop on this whirlwind guided tour of nuptial wandering. So many possibilities to explore and so little space! Beauty, fashion, jewels, flowers, cakes, venues, invitations, gifts, spa services, bridal boot camps – an endless list of decisions to make before the date and abundant talent here in New Orleans to create your wedding day your way, all the way.
Makeup by Brandie Hopstein
Hair by Niki Walker for Niki Walker Salon
Fine Jewelry from Friend & Company
Bouquet by Stephen Sonnier for Dunn & Sonnier Flowers
Model Amanda Abadie
Photographed at the family home of Dr. Rian and Teri Tanenbaum
