High school sweethearts Chris and Ericka Windon began dating during their senior year in high school. The couple dated throughout college, graduate school, Hurricane Katrina and while living in different cities and states until Chris proposed to Ericka on September 16, 2007. Ericka and Chris are both Saints and Louisiana State University fans and wanted to make sure New Orleans was a big part of their wedding.
Ericka, her parents and her bridesmaids prepared for the wedding at The Renaissance Arts Hotel located conveniently near where the ceremony was held: St. Joseph Catholic Church. Ericka wanted to be close to the French Quarter when getting ready and experience New Orleans life at its fullest.
Ericka wanted to be dressed to impress, so she chose a gown by Alfred Sung. The all white gown had a sweetheart neckline, rouching and dropped waist with a modified full skirt. Ericka also wore Jimmy Choo shoes and a Cathedral length veil, perfect for the grand walk down St. Joseph’s aisle. The bridesmaids wore Jim Hjelm dresses with a tri-color strapless sweetheart neckline trumpet silhouette gowns made of iridescent satin- faced taffeta.
At St. Joseph’s, the aisle was lined with candles in glass lanterns and the entire Church was adorned with flowers. As she walked down the aisle, Ericka carried a large bouquet of black magic roses and the bridesmaids carried bouquets of roses, orchids and mini calla lilies in varying shades of purple. She also carried a Swarovski Crystal Rosary and and handkerchief made by her mother from her own wedding gown - Ericka’s “Something Old.” Ericka walked down the aisle to Desiree’s “Kissing You.”
The Reception was held at the beautiful Southern Oaks Plantation in New Orleans. Upon arriving at the plantation, Ericka, Chris and their guests were treated to a firework’s display. The florist, Diem with Bella Blooms decorated Southern Oaks with an incredible eye and had beautiful arrangements of purple orchids, purple rose petals and purple candles on each table. The reception and decorations were orchestrated by Kandice Webster of Posh Productions, LLC. Kandice infused Ericka and Chris' personalities to create sophistication and perfection into every aspect of the wedding. She used elegance and grandeur to highlight a large element of the reception, the wedding cake.
The cake for the reception was provided by Haydel’s Bakery. Ericka wanted the bridal cake to be a four-tier triple layer white cake with light purple fondant ribbons encircling the base of each layer. The couple also wanted to include their crystal monogram (EWC) on the cake as well. The groom’s cake was designed by Haydel’s Bakery and was in the shape of the Louisiana Superdome, to represent the couple’s love for New Orleans and the New Orleans Saints.
Ericka and Chris wanted to preserve the memories of the night by hiring Nonney and Ole Odlokken of Atelier PGD. Nonney and Ole not only captured memories for the couple to cherish for the years to come, but the photos were also works of art.
The couple’s videographer, Kirk Leonard with One Louder Productions, created a video of the couple’s wedding that they continuously watch again and again with family and friends.
Ericka and Chris danced all night on a dance floor packed with their friends and family. The couple also hired a second line band and Mardi Gras Indians to add extra New Orleans fun to the party. Ericka comments that they “danced literally all night.”
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