Ashley Lynn Tufton’s oldest sister and Oliver Stanislaus Delery III’s cousin, who were good friends, spent years trying to set them up, but the timing never worked out. That changed when Ashley was interviewing with Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Pensacola, Florida, for their pharmacy residency program. Ashley’s sister knew that Oliver was working as a flight instructor for the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, so she suggested Ashley meet up with Oliver to see what living there was like for a native New Orleanian. They met at World of Beer and talked about all things Pensacola.
After Ashley matched at the residency program, she texted Oliver and asked about places to live. When she arrived, Oliver took Ashley to a “welcome to Pensacola” dinner at a restaurant called Jacos and then the piano bar Rosie O’Gradys. The two became friends, and Oliver introduced Ashley to new people in the area. After a few months of friendship, they had their first “official” date at a Saints preseason game.
Nine months later, Ashley and her three sisters were staying at the Higgins Hotel, where Oliver’s sister works, for a “staycation” in their hometown. After they explored The National WWII Museum, Ashley received a text from Oliver asking her to meet him at the hotel. He proposed in one of the hotel room suites with a ring containing his grandmother’s diamond. After she joyfully said “Yes!” Oliver took Ashley to the rooftop, where her whole family was waiting to celebrate!
Their rehearsal dinner took place less than a mile from that rooftop, at Restaurant August. The next day, September 18, 2021, they were married at the Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel in a ceremony filled with traditions. Oliver, a lieutenant in the Navy at the time of the wedding, and his mother processed into the chapel to the “Navy Hymn.” When Ashley walked down the aisle, she wore her grandmother’s earrings and carried her great aunt’s rosary. After they were pronounced husband and wife, they exited the chapel under a traditional Arch of Swords.
The sword also made an appearance at the reception, when Ashley cut the cake using Oliver’s Navy sword! The cake, topped with coral flowers, was the perfect end to a delicious meal. Guests loved the chargrilled oysters prepared by NOLA Boils on the patio of the Orleans Club, where the reception was held, and the club’s late-night lamb lollipops and grilled cheese sandwiches were a huge hit! The meal was fuel for a fun-filled night kicked off by the newlyweds’ first dance to “Dancing in the Moonlight” by Kings Harvest.
Ashley and Oliver ended their celebration with a honeymoon to the Sonoma Valley, where they visited several wineries and bought special bottles to open on certain anniversaries. They then returned home to New Orleans, where Ashley is a clinical pharmacist for Ochsner, and Oliver works for Boh Brothers and is in the Naval Reserves.
Coordinator: Barbara Fortier
Celebrant: Reverend Anthony McGuinn
Wedding Gown: Antonio Gual, I Do Bridal Couture, Covington
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale, Wedding Bells
Groomsmen’s Attire: Black Tuxes, Perlis
Engagement Ring: Groom’s grandmother’s center diamond in an antique art deco setting, Friend & Company
Bride’s Wedding Band: Friend & Company
Groom’s Wedding Band: His father’s
Florist: Thibodeaux’s Floral Studio
Favor: chocolate covered Oreos
Invitation: Bernard Printing
Wedding Cake: Swiss Bakery
Groom’s Cake: Sweet Life Bakery
Photographer: Matthew Foster Photography
Hair: Cody Miller Hair
Makeup: Sarah Walsh Beauty
Music: Brian Morgan OCDS on organ, Darby Marie Clinard as vocalist, Ryan Robertson on trumpet
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