REAL WEDDING:: Peter Robards + Del Benson {Blooming Romance}

By: Jessica Burke

Photos: Ashley Biltz Photography

THE PROPOSAL IN DEL’S WORDS:

“For the proposal, it seemed like he was hinting that he was doing it on a trip to Denver. I’m a plant lover so I thought he would do it the day we went to the Denver Botanic Garden with a friend who lived in Denver. Every time he reached into his pocket for his phone my heart stopped. I had told her everything so she kept herding us to picturesque locations to help set the scene for him.

It turned out that the ring hadn’t even come in yet and he was wondering why we were acting so weird. The proposal came a couple of months later. The day before Halloween (my favorite holiday) he put the ring in an Amazon box. He made a fake Amazon shipping label that listed the address of the bar where we first met as the shipper. He came upstairs while I was putting on my Halloween costume and said a package had arrived for me. I opened it to find a ring box inside. When I looked up, he was on one knee!”

Wedding details including the wedding program, bridal bouquet, engagement ring, earrings and wedding shoes. Photo: Ashley Biltz — Wedding details including the wedding program, bridal bouquet, engagement ring, earrings and wedding shoes.

WHY NEW ORLEANS:

The newlyweds hail from Louisville, Kentucky, but chose New Orleans for their March 2020 nuptials.

“We absolutely adore the city and are fairly familiar with it, having visited it quite a number of times over the past seven years,” the couple shared on their wedding website, noting: “it seems like the ideal place to throw a big ole’ party for some of our favorite people in the whole world.” (Editor’s note: We won’t argue there!)

Del and Peter's first look. Photo: Ashley Biltz — Del, a plant enthusiast, included an abundance of beautiful floral details in her wedding look, including a jaw-dropping floral embroidered wedding gown from Tonena Fashion House (with a cape no less!) to a floral crown and flowery tennis shoes!

Del's floral wedding tennis shoes. Photo: Ashley Biltz

Del walks down the aisle in the Pharmacy Museum Courtyard. Photo: Ashley Biltz

Del and Peter exchange vows under a floral arch in the Pharmacy Museum Courtyard. Photo: Ashley Biltz

Del and Peter greet guests at their reception at Ralph's on the Park. Photo: Ashley Biltz — After the French Quarter nuptials, Del, Peter and their 33 guests headed to Ralph's on the Park in MidCity for the reception.

DEL AND PETER’S FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING?

“The time between the pictures and the reception where we just got to sit with each other and chat while we watched friends and family filter in.”

Del and Peter's wildlife-themed seating chart, notably including Bigfoot. Photo: Ashley Biltz — DETAILS WE ADORE: Del and Peter's seating chart for their reception had a wildlife-theme featuring woodland creatures such as a fox, bear, moose, owl and, of course, the ever-elusive Bigfoot.

The "Bigfoot" table at Del and Peter's reception. Photo: Ashley Biltz

Del and Peter's wedding cake from Bywater Bakery. Photo: Ashley Biltz

Del and Peter toast their guests during the cake cutting at their reception. Photo: Ashley Biltz

The wedding guests enjoy cocktails on the balcony at Ralph's on the Park overlooking New Orleans' historic City Park. Photo: Ashley Biltz — The wedding guests enjoy cocktails on the balcony at Ralph's on the Park overlooking New Orleans' historic City Park.

It’s not a true New Orleans party unless there’s an After Party (#facts) and Del and Peter made sure to celebrate with their guests in true NOLA style.

“After dinner we took the party to the streets and ended up at the AllWays Lounge and Cabaret with all our closest friends,” Del shares. “It felt like a very ‘us’ place to end up and the show was fantastic.”

NOW FEATURED VENDOR:

HAIR + MAKEUP: Bobbi for Verde Beauty Studio

ADDITIONAL CREDITS: