After watching a Saints game, a mutual friend introduced Madeleine Voelker Mattesky to William (Wil) Henry Langenstein IV. The two expected nothing more than a casual introduction, as Wil was living in Boston for business school. However, Wil came back to New Orleans for the NFC championship, and the two ended up in the same place again. This time, Wil asked Madeleine to drinks. Soon, they were seeing each other whenever Wil was in town, and Madeleine was visiting Boston.
Three years later, the couple was in Pass Christian with Wil’s family, and everyone planned to go to brunch. His family said they were running late, so Wil and Madeleine got coffee and walked down Scenic Drive. On that walk, Wil proposed. After Madeleine said “yes,” he revealed that brunch plans were just a ruse! They went back to the Langensteins’ house, where the Mattesky family—unbeknownst to Madeleine—was also waiting to celebrate the occasion.
Though their families are both local, Madeleine and Wil knew they would be hosting many out-of-towners, so they chose two iconic New Orleans venues: Arnaud’s and City Park. During the rehearsal dinner and welcome party at Arnaud’s, the restaurant served some of its classic dishes, including souffle potatoes, shrimp remoulade, and baked Alaska. A brass band heightened the festive mood as guests threw beads from the balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.
The next day, May 27, 2023, guests were greeted with champagne when they arrived at City Park’s Camellia Garden. The entire vibe of the wedding was inspired by the beauty of the gardens in bloom, from the light, airy floral arrangements to the bridesmaids’ summery dresses. After saying “I do,” Madeleine and Wil walked down the aisle and straight into the reception at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters.
They wanted everyone on the dance floor right away, and their first dance to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder was the perfect song to get the party started! Shortly after, Wil’s uncle performed “Short People” by Randy Newman for the mother-son dance; the song has long been a part of family gatherings and was a favorite of Wil’s late grandmother.
City Park Catering provided fuel for the high-energy reception, with the shrimp and grits being a crowd favorite. Guests also loved margaritas and late-night chips and queso from Felipe’s. In a nod to another of their favorite places, the groom’s cake was a replica of a Reginelli’s pizza box with a figurine of their dog, Nelli (named for the restaurant) on top. The celebration continued into the next day, when the newlyweds hosted a Sunday afternoon crawfish boil.
Wil and Madeleine decided to delay their honeymoon for a few months in order to witness a once-in-a-lifetime sight: the great migration in Kenya. Following the safari in Kenya and Tanzania, they went gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and ended the trip at the beach in Zanzibar. They returned to their home in Washington, D.C., where Wil does private equity investing and Madeleine works in marketing analytics.
Coordinator: Amanda Price Events
Celebrant: Father Michael Kuhn
Ceremony Music: Harry Hardin
Photographer: Lauren Carroll Photography
Wedding Gown: Designer: Lela Rose Store, Maddison Row South
Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Adler’s
Florist: The Plant Gallery
Invitation: Real Good Paper Goods
Wedding Cake: Swiss Confectionery
Groom’s Cake: Heidi Eppling
Hair: Elissa Warriner at Culture and Co Salon
Makeup: Sarah Walsh
Music: The Compozitionz