Madeline Grace Devine matched with Michael John Mooney on Hinge. Though they chatted briefly, the conversation fizzled—until a week later, when Michael still hadn’t found anyone to take his extra ticket to the Pelicans Playoff Play-In game. On a whim, he messaged Maddy again. She didn’t see it until an hour before tipoff but decided to go. There was one problem: her name had disappeared from her profile, and Michael didn’t know it. When they met at the Smoothie King Center, he asked her name—she thought he was joking! He wasn’t, but they laughed so much that night anyway that Maddy’s cheeks hurt, and Michael walked her home.
A year and a half later, a friend offered Maddy free tickets to another Pelicans game for the NBA Cup. She happily accepted, and her excitement grew when Michael’s friend—a Pelicans beat reporter—said he could get them onto the court. What she didn’t know was that Michael had planned it all. Right where they’d had their first date, he got down on one knee and proposed. Completely surprised, Maddy said yes. Still in shock, they walked home—only to find friends waiting at Courtyard Brewing to celebrate along the route.
The couple got engaged just before Thanksgiving 2024 and quickly began looking for spring wedding venues. Hotel Peter and Paul, their top choice, had one opening—the first Saturday of Jazz Fest. It was fate. For Maddy, the venue held special meaning: she had fond memories of dining there with her late father. On April 26, 2025, she walked down the aisle with her bouquet wrapped in the belt from her mother’s wedding dress and secured with a pin featuring her father’s picture. Because no one could replace him, she hired a three-piece horn band to lead her down the aisle playing “At Last” by Etta James.
After the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktails, where they admired a custom Lego seating chart built by the newlyweds themselves—a playful reflection of their shared creativity. Each guest had built a personalized Lego minifigure at the welcome party, which they later found displayed on a detailed diorama of the venue.
One of their easiest decisions was their first dance to “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” by Talking Heads. Maddy had always imagined it as her wedding song, and by coincidence, Michael suggested it without knowing. To keep the dance floor buzzing, they skipped the traditional cake cutting. Instead, servers passed slices—baked by the bride herself—on the dance floor to “Cut the Cake” by the Average White Band. Guests danced all night until the Knockaz Brass Band arrived to lead a second line to Maison on Frenchmen Street, where an impromptu karaoke afterparty carried on into the early morning.
After the festivities, Maddy and Michael escaped for a peaceful honeymoon hiking in Zion National Park. They live in the Lower Garden District, where Michael works as a Trauma ICU nurse at University Medical Center and Maddy is the SVP of Strategic Finance for a healthtech company.
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Mosquito Supper Club (rehearsal dinner); Paradigm Gardens (welcome party)
Reception Décor: True Value rentals, tree rental by Johnsons Tropicals
Coordinator: Ashley Brien from Uncommon Camelia
Celebrant: Patrick Kadow
Wedding Gown: Ti Adora from Wedding Belles
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Abbey Glass
Groom’s Attire: Indochino, vintage Hermes tie, Brackish.
Groomsmen attire: Indochino, vintage Hermes tie, Bonfolk socks.
Engagement Ring: Niett Metals
Wedding Band: Niett Metals
Florist: Subtle Field Flowers
Invitation: Scriptura
Caterer: Bacchanal
Wedding Cake 1: Louisiana Satsuma Almond Vanilla cake with Buttercream Frosting
Wedding Cake 2: Louisiana Ponchatoula Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (both made by bride with measuring assistance and emotional support by groom)
Photographer: September Company
Videographer: Wedding Lens
Hair & Makeup: Angele Pringle
Music: Pre-ceremony: Pianist Richard Lowenburg; Ceremony band: Mark Brooks trio; Reception DJ: All Requests by DJ Dave; Second Line: Knockaz Brass Band
