Wedding Bells in the Big Easy

This summer, I was commissioned to paint a custom save-the-date for a friend's wedding in New Orleans.

The ceremony would take place at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, and the reception would be at the Orleans Club.  These sites are just a few blocks apart on St. Charles Avenue.  

So gorgeous!  We wanted both stunning locations featured on the save-the-date.

In New Orleans, wedding parties will sometimes have a "Second Line Parade" after the ceremony, where a big brass jazz band, along with the bride and groom, lead a parade of guests down the street.  The first time I saw this, I was baffled by all the umbrellas and handkerchiefs and the whole shebang... so it left a lasting impression.

source: Borrowed and Blue

My client sought the perfect unique New Orleans motif that didn't include the famous streetcars of St. Charles Avenue.  The second line parade seemed like a natural fit!  What a celebration!

We tested out some type options and decided to mimic the famous tile lettering that decorates the streets of New Orleans

From pencil drawings to watercolor:

When the actual piece arrived in the mail, guests knew they were in for a big, beautiful party!

Congrats, Ali and Dean!  Laissez les bon temps rouler!