REAL WEDDING :: SAMANTHA + JONATHAN {Hometown Wedding}

The Best Thing I Never Knew I Needed.

Story by: Starlight Williams

They met in college. She was Phi Mu. He was a Sigma Tau Gamma. They both had hopes and dreams, but never did they expect that one night while hanging out with mutual friends that they would meet their other half.

As their love grew and their time at Southeastern Louisiana University ended, Jonathan knew that Samantha was not only his present, but also his future. So surrounded by family and friends at a crawfish boil Samantha’s parents held to celebrate their graduation, Jonathan dropped down to one knee and asked for Samantha’s hand in marriage. The crawfish boil quickly turned into an engagement party when she said, “Yes!”

With their Louisiana roots, Samantha and Jonathan had a Southern wedding heavily focused on family. From the windowpane memorial featuring their departed grandparents to the handkerchiefs carried by Samantha’s mother, grandmothers, and paternal great-grandmother on their wedding days, the Ricau and Bel Edwards experienced a wedding that was an expression of their love to each other and their family.

“We really wanted our family to play a big role in our wedding. All of our immediate family members participated in some way,” Samantha said. “It was wonderful to have them be a part of our big day.”

Married in the church that Samantha grew up and her parents and grandparents were married in, Samantha and Jonathan began their Southern “happily ever after.”

See Samantha + Jonathan’s feature in our 2016 Fall+Winter Print Edition below and click through the gallery above to see additional photos!

FEATURING:

PHOTOGRAPHER: Lee Wheeler | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: The Phunky Monkeys | CEREMONY: St. Helena Catholic Church, Amite | OFFICIANT: Father Mark Beard | REHEARSAL DINNER: Claire’s on Mulberry, Amite | RECEPTION: The Louisiana Governor’s Mansion | BRIDE’S GOWN + BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: (Bride) Allure Bridals (Bridesmaids) Jasmine Belsoie, Ashley Renee Bridal | MENSWEAR: Jos A. Bank | CEREMONY FLOWERS: Big C’s Garden of Flowers | RECEPTION DECOR + FLOWERS: Judge Blair Edwards (Bride’s aunt), with family and friends | BAKERY: The Cocoa Bean Bakery and Cafe’ | HAIR: Vicki Travis |  MAKEUP: Lauren Michelet | INVITATIONS: The Mulberry Tree | JEWELERS: (Engagement Ring) O’Hallorans Jewelers, Baton Rouge (Wedding Bands) Anne Dale Jewelers, Mandeville