Elizabeth and Michael: Red Dress to White Gown

The Red Dress Run in New Orleans (for those who aren’t aware) is a local charity event where locals and visitors alike meet in the French Quarter to run/walk and drink beer for local charities. It is the perfect event for a city like New Orleans because, well, it is a party! But who knew that it is also the perfect opportunity to meet your “sole” mate?!

This is exactly what happened with Elizabeth and Michael at the Red Dress Run in 2015. A mutual friend introduced the two and they have been inseparable ever since. We are assuming this is because Michael looked pretty irresistible in a red dress! Which, we think, worked out perfectly because Elizabeth looked stunning in her white gown!

But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. The journey for Elizabeth and Michael wasn’t easy at first. Michael was living in New Orleans, but Elizabeth lived in Lafayette at the time, so for the first two years of dating, it was a long distance relationship. But, in 2017, Elizabeth made the move to New Orleans and Michael started plotting.

After asking for her dad’s permission to marry his daughter, Michael got to work training. No, not for the next Red Dress Run. He started training their yellow labrador retriever, Gauge, to fetch a stuffed dog toy that looked kind of like an engagement ring. Then, one day in October, Michael and Elizabeth got dressed up for a fundraiser at City Park… or so she thought.

Michael led Elizabeth (and Gauge) to their favorite spot in City Park where he had secretly hidden that stuffed ring. While Gauge hunted for his toy, a photographer Michael had hired, Brooke Boyd, was patiently waiting behind some bushes to capture what was about to unfold.

When Gauge found the ring, he bounced back over to where the couple was standing, beneath a gorgeous oak tree, and dropped it between them. It was only then Elizabeth realized that the dog toy was a ring, because at that same moment Michael got down on one knee and proposed. After saying “yes!” they went to Ralph’s on the Park, where Michael had arranged for their family and close friends to gather to help them celebrate.

7 months later, Michael got his “first look” of Elizabeth in her white gown in a beautiful private garden in Audubon Park with her parents looking on from a distance. It “was such a cherished moment between Michael and I on our wedding day,” she said.

After composing themselves, Elizabeth walked down the aisle of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, where her maternal grandparents had also been married, and the two said their vows in front of their 300 guests. Then everyone headed to the New Orleans Board of Trade where they all partied the night away.

“We love a good party– so our band, Windstorm, brought the house down with a concert like atmosphere.. and we never left the dance floor!”

Vendor Credits:

GETTING READY LOCATIONS:  Le Pavillon Hotel, Roosevelt Hotel | CEREMONY LOCATION(S):  Holy Name Of Jesus Catholic Church | OFFICIANT:  Father Paul Clark | RECEPTION LOCATION:  New Orleans Board of Trade | REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION:  Tableau | BRIDAL GOWN:  Martina Liana, Town and Country Bridal | GROOM/GROOMSMEN ATTIRE:  Perlis Fitted Black Tuxedo | PHOTOGRAPHER:  Caitlin B Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER:  Harmonic Films |  FLORIST:  Erin Steen, Compass Point Events  | BAKERY:  Zoes, Frosted Fantasies by Nikki | CEREMONY MUSIC:  Holy Name of Jesus’ trumpeter, violinist, organist | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT:  Windstorm Band | HAIR & MAKEUP:  Flawless Bride |  HONEYMOON:  Antigua | WEDDING PLANNER/DESIGNER:  Michele Adams of Unique Weddings New Orleans | CANDLE DECOR/LIGHTING:  New Orleans Candlelight Events | CATERER:  Pigeon Caterers | JEWELER:  Keith Miller | FAVORS:  Cherish By Noel | INVITATIONS:  Pieces of 8