REAL WEDDING:: Melissa Dailey + Kelly Connolly {LOVE TAKES CENTER STAGE}

Melissa Dailey + Kelly Connolly ::AS SEEN IN THE SUMMER 2023 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Photography by Sidney Donaldson Photography

Melissa Dailey and Kelly Connolly’s wedding was a beautiful celebration of love and creativity. The couple, who met and fell in love at first sight, shared their special day with family, friends, and vendors who helped make their day unforgettable.

the wedding

The Frenchmen Street Hotel was the perfect venue for Melissa and Kelly’s wedding. It was local, charming, and down the block from their local art market, Frenchmen Bazaar, where they first worked together when they moved to New Orleans. The couple owns Smelly’s on Fire, a handmade candle company, and gifted candles as favors to their guests.

Melissa and Kelly’s wedding had several unique and fun elements. They had 11 flower boys who tossed rainbow petals from fanny packs, and Melissa’s niece and nephew carried the rings. During the ceremony, they wanted to symbolize their unity in a different way, so they incorporated a rock-breaking ceremony instead of a traditional unity candle or sand ceremony.

Kelly explained, “The rock was actually a geode with a beautiful crystal inside. It symbolized our beautiful love for each other and our resilience as a couple.”

Melissa’s favorite part of the wedding day was singing her vows.

The couple also had several wardrobe changes throughout the day, which reflected their love for fashion and performance. They wore elegant RISH Bridal gowns from Unbridled for their first look and ceremony. Kelly changed into a pantsuit for her signature dance lift. For their third looks, they went outside the box and Melissa rocked out with their band Capital City Soul.

Their dessert spread was also unique and delicious. Kelly wanted her favorite crepe layer cake from Wishing Town Bakery, which was rainbow-colored to symbolize their Pride. Melissa opted for something small and bite-sized from Cakes by Melissa, a company from New York that was a favorite of Melissa and her childhood friends from New Jersey.

The wedding was filled with vendors who helped make the day even more special. Frenchmen Street Productions who Kelly performs with and provides choreography for, provided the Second Line band and Champagne Skirt Model and Kelly Boyett, one of the couple’s good friends and artists at their gallery Uptown MKT, was the wedding painter.

Melissa and Kelly’s wedding was a beautiful and creative celebration of their love. As Melissa said, “From the second we shook hands and looked into each other’s eyes, sparks flew, and our fire burns brighter every day! Love at first sight and soulmates truly do exist.”