Today’s epic elopement is not only perfect for Halloween, bride Nadia wears the most incredible black wedding dress and red bridal shoes!, it is also a reminder that when it comes to your wedding, there are no rules! Whatever society or traditions say, it is your day, to be celebrated however you want.

Nadia & Sern met while working on a yacht – he’s from South Africa, and she’s from Australia. As they are both regularly working away at sea, they planned their elopement in just 3 short months! New Orleans was their chosen destination and the historic Pharmacy Museum their unusual venue. Rather than inviting everyone they know, and a few people they don’t, just 7 of their closes friends attended their wedding. They chose a non-religious ceremony that was full of meaning to them, and forwent the traditional wedding cake in favour of a tower of cheese. But I think you will agree, traditional or not, their wedding is still one of the most beautiful I have ever seen…..

“I had always had trouble envisioning myself being married in white, because my entire life I have been happiest in black (with the occasional streak of red). When my fiancé proposed to me with a black diamond because of my “weirdness,” we evidently had a running theme. I fell in love with that ethereal dress by Sweet Caroline Styles on Etsy.” And to complete her ensemble, Nadia’s maid of honour, Alicia of Tattered Gossamer, created her most incredible headpiece.

Luckily Sern also looks rather dashing in black! And knowing that Nadia’s shoes were going to be red he found a fabulous red bowtie with guinea fowl feathers from Brackish Bowties.

Pick-a-Petal helped the couple craft a bouquet that was perfectly them…  “Sern is South African, so I included red Proteas in my bouquet, some red Kangaroo Paws for my Australia, and a deer antler for the USA where we tied the knot.”

“Standing in front of my man and our celebrant, flooded with the relief of finality and dying of laughter at his barely contained tears after I myself had just spent three hours trying not to have a heart attack, was one of my favourite memories from the day.

The ceremony by the gorgeous LaToya of Waning Moon was brief, funny, joyful and non-religious (just like us!), and our reading was a bittersweet poem I wrote a couple of years ago when we were about to be separated by sea for work.”

After the ceremony, the couple celebrated with champagne, oysters and an alternative to the traditional wedding cake…..

“As Sern’s not one for sweets, I was much more excited by the idea of a cheese tower, so we scrapped the cake thing and added oysters to be available along with my favorite champagne (discovered working aboard a yacht) throughout the ceremony.”

Afterwards, the newlyweds and their wedding party headed to a bar where they drank Negronis and then signed their names on the ceiling. Their first dance was done as they passed a trumpet player while walking down Royal Street.

Their photographer, Hannah, shared these words of wisdom…. “My advice for brides planning now is sometimes trying to have too much control over every aspect of the day can set high expectations. It’s ok to let go. It’s ok to just let things happen and to remember that you don’t have to play by anyone’s rules but your own. If you want to wear black, wear black. If you want only a handful of people there, do it.”

VIEW THE GALLERY

Many, many congratulations to Nadia & Sern, and a huge thankyou to them and their photographer Hannah Pickle for capturing it so flawlessly and allowing me to share their day with you here on Chic Vintage Brides. To see more of Hannah’s work head across to her website www.hannahpickle.com, and you can also find and follow her on Instagram.

If you toolove the idea of an All Hallow’s Eve wedding, I have lots of inspiration perfect for the season here on the pages of CVB. Like this moody romantic elopement, this stunningly dark editorial or for more gothic glamour this American Gothic inspired shoot and this Halloween inspiration board are both breathtaking!

Amy

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Contributors & Credits

Photography – Hannah Pickle || Venue – Pharmacy Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA || Florals – Pick-a-Petal || Wedding Dress – Sweet Caroline Styles || Headpiece – Tattered Gossamer || Bride’s shoes – John Fluevog || Bride’s Ring – Jewelry by Johan || Hair & Makeup – Angele || Groom’s Wedding Ring – Jewelry by Johan || Catering – Black Pearl Catering || Officiant – LaToya