REAL WEDDING:: Brooke Owens + Drew Boudreaux {LOVE KNOTS}

::AS SEEN IN THE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written by: Jessica Burke | Photos: Kathleen Fox Photography

brooke + drew’s story

“Our love story began in Oxford, back in 2016. Drew and I met through our college roommates at Ole Miss. There was a group of us that would hang out together almost every week. We would all go bowling, eat Mexican for Taco Tuesday, or go to Ole Miss games. Eventually, Drew and I grew closer and closer and then he finally asked me out! Almost 5 years worth of memories later and we’ve traveled all over and added our sassy puppy Winnie to our family. Last March, right before COVID shut everything down, Drew and I took a trip to New Orleans for St. Patty’s Day. Drew proposed on top of the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans and arranged for all of our family to be there together to celebrate in one of our favorite cities.” – Brooke

wedding invitations and details

bride in Ritz-Carlton New Orleans hotel suite

Brooke and Drew began preparations for the wedding day at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans Hotel on Canal Street. “Everyone at the Ritz went above and beyond,” says Brooke.

their favorite wedding day moment

The wedding included a hand-fasting ceremony where the couple’s hands were bound together with a ribbon. Brooke comes from an Irish-Catholic family and says “when we were planning our wedding I saw some pictures and videos of the hand fasting ceremonies and I just loved it. I felt like it was a great way to tie in my heritage and make our ceremony a little unique. Our officiant read the following as he performed the hand fasting ‘The first knot represents Brooke’s love for Drew. The second knot represents Drew’s love for Brooke. And the third knot represents the love they share for everyone who has come to witness their wedding today.’”

Federal Ballroom New Orleans wedding ceremony

“We got engaged Friday, March 13, the weekend New Orleans shut down due to COVID, so most of our planning was virtual,” says Brooke. “We fell in love with the pictures of the inside of the Federal Ballroom. We love the huge windows and columns.”

Wedding ceremony and reception at the Federal Ballroom in New Orleans Louisiana

sweet wedding details

Brooke and Drew’s Golden Doodle, Winnie, made appearances at the cake table and on the wedding koozies!

For the wedding cake by Gambino’s Bakery, Brooke and Drew chose alternating layers of chocolate cake (Brooke’s favorite) and almond cake (Drew’s favorite). “In between the layers we had alternating buttercream and strawberry filling.”

wedding cake with sugar golden doodle detail