Kathleen Favrot Van Horn and Dr. Carter Thomas Davis met through a mutual friend and Katie’s maid of honor, Dr. Julia Viviana Coutin, when Julia and Carter worked as lifeguards together in the summer of 2004. Though Katie attended the University of Virginia and Carter attended Vanderbilt University, they maintained
a long-distance relationship during college.
In March of 2010, on Katie’s 25th birthday, Carter surprised Katie with a ring that included a diamond that had belonged to his great-great-grandmother. They were on their way to their own joint birthday party, so friends and family were immediately able to celebrate the big news with them.
On June 11, 2011, Katie and Carter married at the Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel. Katie chose Sacred Heart because she attended the school for 15 years, and her parents were married in the chapel as well.
Katie wore a one-shoulder dress of ivory silk shantung featuring multiple rows of pleats at the bottom and neckline.
The dress included a long train encircled with a pleated ruffle on which rested her mother’s antique lace veil.
Katie’s dress was designed and made by Suzanne Perron of New Orleans. She wore shoes that were dyed to match her bridesmaid’s dresses as her “something blue.” Her hair was styled by Albert Brown, who chose a hairstyle to complement her one-shoulder dress; Cecile Covert did Katie’s makeup.
Carter wore a white linen suit with a turquoise tie with white fleurs-de-lis by Perlis. He chose the tie, which was worn by the wedding party and Katie and Carter’s fathers, to complement the bridesmaids’ attire.
Katie’s bridesmaids each wore unique knee-length dresses of aqua silk shantung. Each bridesmaid designed her own dress from fabric and ribbon chosen by Katie and her mother. Dr. Julia Viviana Coutin served as maid of honor and Mrs. Hartley Meric Crunk served as matron of honor. Carter’s groomsmen wore white linen suits from Perlis accompanied by ties matching the groom’s. Mr. Brett Whitlock Davis, Carter’s brother, served as best man.
The reception was held at the New Orleans Country Club. Katie decided on this location because many special family celebrations over the years, including her parents’ reception, have been held at
the club. In addition, Katie and Carter were first introduced at the club’s pool.
Meade Wenzel created floral arrangements with all white flowers of various kinds.
White hydrangea trees also highlighted the club.
The New Orleans Country Club catered the reception with a wide variety of food, including hot lobster bites, crabmeat and tenderloin. Burgers and fries were served at 11 p.m. for the late-night dancers. Katie also arranged for Pinkberry yogurt to be present as a sweet treat. Their wedding date was also Katie’s brother James’ birthday; to celebrate that occasion, mini cupcakes and chocolate strawberries were also served.
Denise St. Pierre made the multi-tiered white cake that featured beautiful handmade flowers all in white. The
flowers were made of spun sugar and included hydrangeas, magnolias and roses.
Carter’s groom’s cake was created by Flour Power bakery in Chalmette. The cake was a replica of the Saints’ gold Super Bowl championship ring, complete with sugar diamonds. Katie chose this cake design as a surprise for Carter because he’s an avid Saints fan.
Entertainment was provided by the band Mo’ Sol from Atlanta. They kept the guests dancing all night long to a wide variety of music. Katie and Carter chose to dance their first dance to “With this Ring.”
Katie danced with her father to “My Girl.” Later in the night, Katie joined the band in serenading her brother James with “Happy Birthday.”
In addition to musical entertainment, there were several other special touches included
at the wedding. An ice luge featuring a large “D” design chilled and served a signature cocktail, and Katie requested a photo booth for guests to enjoy. In addition to the photo strips from the booth, there were
cups, coozies and individual candy boxes as mementos of the evening.
Rudy Bierheisen of Mike Posey Photography took the photos for the wedding and the reception, while Bob Eustler Productions was the videographer.
Katie changed into a short, one-shoulder eyelet dress that her mother made for her going-away dress. The dress featured a bow made of the same fabric as the bridesmaid’s dresses.
After the reception, the celebration continued. It is a tradition in Katie’s family to host an “after party” for close friends, so many of the wedding party were celebrating late into the night. The next day, Katie and Carter left for Cap Jaluca resort on Anguilla for a weeklong honeymoon.
The two recently moved to Durham, N.C. Carter is completing his residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and Katie will be teaching third grade at a new arts-based public magnet school.
