A little over a year ago, Jessica reached out to me to shoot her and Alena’s wedding. Thankfully I was available. Jessica & Alena have the sort of love that when I met the two of them, I knew they were meant to be together. it radiates off of them. You can see it when they look at each other.
I asked Jessica & Alena to tell me their favorite memories from their wedding, and asked if they had any advice for couples currently planning their own. Here’s what they had to say:
Jessica: “There are many favorites but the one that stands out to me is the second line! It was fun parading through the venue and getting to see everyone and them having fun! As for advice, just be open to your vision changing. My idea stayed the same but I had to make some adjustments along the way. It all came together beautifully in the end. Also if something doesn’t go as planned, don’t stress! Nobody knows how it was supposed to be. Just enjoy the day!”
Alena: “One of my favorite memories was the first time I saw Jess that day. She looks so amazing and beautiful. Second was seeing her and Troy walk down the aisle. Well trying to see them because I balling crying like a baby, lol. Coming out in the second line was also something I remember bc I actually got to see everyone and watch them join in on the dance. Then there was all the rest of the dancing and partying!!! My advice is to always be there for you fiancé during all the planning. Do not let her feel like she’s the only one in this. Never let anything ruin your special day no matter what.”
How they met:
“We met in 2015 on Veterans Day having lunch with mutual friends however, that is not where our story began. It wasn’t until almost a year and a half later that our friends had ulterior motives for Mardi Gras.
Tuesday, February 28th of 2017 Angelle and Brandy, knew Alena was recently single and I was down on my luck, had decided to invite me to Kaplan Mardi Gras. I had never been to Mardi Gras on the actual day so I said sure why not, let’s go check out what Kaplan Mardi Gras is all about. Alena never misses a Mardi Gras and was already planning on attending with Angelle, Brandy and a few of our other mutual friends.
That day, I innocently followed Angelle to Kaplan and pulled up behind her at Alena’s parents’ house, where Mr. Felix tried to scare me! I got out of car and Angelle introduced Alena and I. Alena said “Nice to meet you” and my response was “We’ve already met”. She knew I was sassy from day one! We proceeded to Main Street where Alena already set up.
We all were hanging out and I mentioned I wanted a daiquiri but wasn’t sure if a shop was near. Angelle said there was one and Alena offered to walk with me. Everyone followed us on the beginning of our journey. Brandy says she knew from the moment Alena guided me from the side of street where traffic flows to the other side safe from traffic, that it was a done deal. The rest of day we were pretty much inseparable. From that day, we started talking and shortly after started dating.
The Proposal:
Our proposal happened on Good Friday, March 30th of 2018. Alena said it had to be on a day that I wouldn’t suspect anything. We got ready to go to Alena’s parents’ house. Everyone gathers there for Good Friday for some fried fish and crawfish! Just like any other time we were sitting around, talking, enjoying the company and the weather. Again, didn’t think anything was up when she told me Angelle and Brandy were coming to join us. Alena had it all planned out.
The kids came running up to us saying Nanny we want to do an Easter Egg Hunt! We want to hide the eggs for you and Ms. Jess to find! So of course we said yes. When Alena brought out blind folds so “we couldn’t see” where they were hiding the eggs, I immediately said I didn’t want to be blind folded and would just turn my back and not peek. I lost that battle and the blind fold was put on both of us. When the kids were done we hunted for the eggs. Thinking it was over, the kids excitedly wanted to do it one more time. Again, I protested the blind fold and lost the battle. This time was different though, Brandy guided me to the yard and turned me around and removed my blindfold.
As the blindfold came off, our song “You Make it Easy” by Jason Aldean came on and once my eyes focused I saw Alena on one knee holding a ring in one hand and balancing Treyson in the other. Treyson’s shirt read “Will you marry my Nanny?”. In the background were the all kids holding a sign saying the same and Troy holding another sign that said “Mommy, will you marry Ms. Alena”. I broke out in tears and shook my head yes!”
Venue: A La Decor Event Center
Cake: DB Cakes
King Cake & Donuts: Donut Mix
Hair& Makeup: Chelsie Pearson
Officiant: Sarah Gauthier Roy
Dress: Le Jour Couture
Suits: Suit Up
DJ: Chad Domingue
First Dance preformed by Jaryd Lane
Click here to view their engagement session!
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