With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

In 2011, New Orleans native Kathryn Vinsant Smith attended a Halloween party at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, dressed as the Tin Man. She introduced herself to William McKendree Korengold, who was dressed as a member of the Blue Man Group, and the two hit it off. During the winter holiday, Kathryn went skiing in Aspen while Will was skiing in Vail. Kathryn took a shuttle to Vail for a day, and they felt an incredible bond. After the break, they had their official first date and became a couple.

They dated for over six years and often talked about taking a trip with Will’s sisters for Jazz Fest. They made it happen in May 2018, and after the fest the couple walked Kathryn’s parents’ dogs through Audubon Park. Suddenly, Will got down on one knee and proposed next to the pond. When they got back to the house, they found a sign that said “Kathryn Said Yes” and Kathryn’s family waiting with champagne! Will’s parents were hiding and surprised everyone, and the families went for dinner at Clancy’s. The next night, Kathryn and Will had a blast at their surprise engagement party. They ended the weekend with jazz brunch at Arnaud’s, where the band played “Going to the Chapel.”

When deciding on their venues, the couple wanted to capture the essence of New Orleans. For the rehearsal dinner, they chose Antoine’s, where Kathryn’s grandmother and aunt had also celebrated their rehearsals. The ceremony took place at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church. They decided on the Old US Mint for the reception, which enabled them to have a custom wedding in an historic landmark in the French Quarter.

On March 16, 2019, guests were welcomed to the Old U.S. Mint by an arbor grand entranceway designed by Gretchen and Karl Becnel to mimic Kathryn’s mother’s garden. Mitch’s Flowers embellished the iron gate surrounding the building with palmettos, grapevine and magnolia, which essentially contained the grounds using Louisiana flowers. An.Gle Events also incorporated greenery into their venue design, which included a clear tent where the dancing took place with lounge areas lining the dance floor, a stage lined with flowers matching the bouquet and a circular bar surrounding a tree. The tent allowed guests to enjoy a view of French Quarter architecture among the night sky.

Guests also enjoyed an array of sophisticated New Orleans food, tablescapes and signage from Patti Constantin Designs in Catering Inc. Knowing the couple’s desire for abundant food, French Quarter architecture and art, Patti pulled in architect Stephen Chauvin, who used authentic architectural materials to build the serving stations. Patsy Grace’s handmade puppets created whimsical vignettes for the food signage.

Though not officially on the menu, Hansen’s Snow-Blitz was there as a surprise from Kathryn’s parents! They also surprised the couple with two large banners hanging from the museum that told the couple’s story up until their wedding day. The final surprise from Kathryn’s parents were people dressed as the Tin Man and a Blue Man to join the dancing.

Tin Man and Blue Man appeared after the couple’s first dance to the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love.” At the end of the reception, Mardi Gras Indians joined guests on the dance floor and then led a second-line down Frenchman Street to the after party.

After a magical wedding, Kathryn and Will spent two weeks in Fiji and New Zealand. They live in Washington, DC, where Kathryn is account manager on the federal financial team at Amazon Web Services and Will is on the executive board of Ourisman Automobile of Virginia.


With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

With This Ring: Smith – Korengold

Coordinator: An.Gle Events

Celebrant: Donald Frampton

Wedding Gown: Pronovias, Kleinfelds, New York City

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale, Bella Bridesmads

Groom’s Attire: Custom Tuxedo, Martin Greenfield, Brooklyn, New York

Engagement Ring & Bride’s Wedding Band: Charles Schwartz & Son, Washington, DC

Florist: Mitch’s Flowers

Favor: Hanson’s Snow-Bliz and Café du Monde

Invitation: Betty Hunley Designs

Caterer: Patti Constantin, Designs in Catering

Wedding & Groom’s Cake: Flour Power Confectionery

Photographer: Paul Morse Photography

Videographer: Shannon Talamo Films

Hair & Makeup: Just Face It, LLC

Makeup: Just Face It, LLC

Music: Shaun Ward (cocktail hour); Az IZZ (reception); Kinfolk Music Group (second-line)


 

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