REAL WEDDING:: Taylor Zeigler + Charles Sagan {NATURALLY NOLA NUPTIALS}

February 4, 2021
Jessica Burke
Featured Couples

::AS SEEN IN THE FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written By: Jessica Burke | Photos: Catherine Guidry

Charlie and Taylor met at Millsaps college where they dated most of their college years. The couple lives in New Orleans, but make a trip every summer to Charlie’s family cabin on a lake in Blind River, Ontario. In 2019, this trip would be extra special. “While sitting on the dock, Charlie asked me to go on a walk with him and our dog Chewy,” shares Taylor. “We walked up to this beautiful cliff overlooking the lake. As I was admiring the view, I turned around and he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better! It was so beautiful!”

Taylor and Charles' wedding rings

The couple married at St. George’s Episcopal Church, where they regularly attend services. “It is not only a beautiful church but located on St. Charles which made our New Orleans themed wedding even better as guests were able to watch the street car pass by while we took pictures outside,” says Taylor. “Muriel’s, where our reception was located, is in the heart of the French Quarter. The food and view is what attracted us the most. Our guests were able to look out onto Jackson Square while enjoying cocktail hour.”

St. George's Episcopal Church

Pandemic restrictions forced the couple to downsize their guest list from 320 to 40 and the newlyweds were determined to show their guests everything New Orleans had to offer. “We were also lucky enough to Second Line in Jackson Square!” says Taylor.

During the reception, artist Denise Hopkins painted their wedding. “The painting is something we will cherish forever,” shares Taylor. “We received so many compliments about her work throughout the reception. Denise paints live receptions and most of the time people are dancing. Due to our unique reception, she went to the church early and took a picture of the outside, then during the reception she painted people into the painting!.The end result was all our family and friends outside of the beautiful church! She is extraordinarily talented and truly made the wedding so special!”

Artist Denise Hopkins paints the wedding.

Taylor and Charlie had a unique guest book for their wedding. “The signed champagne bottles were my favorite! I knew from the beginning I wanted something that everyone could sign,” says Taylor. “I needed to get creative because with a smaller crowd the details truly stand out. Both bottles are engraved “The Sagans 1st Anniversary” and “The Sagan’s 5th Anniversary” in gold. It is something we will have forever and will be able to display on our bar cart.”

Champagne Bottle Guest Books

When it comes to wedding planning, Taylor advises, “My best advice is to do what makes you happy and bigger is not always better! In the beginning, we tried to do things based on what we thought people would want and like, but in the end, we realized we wouldn’t be able to please all 320 people. Then Covid threw us for a loop and forced us to downsize. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t devastated, I truly wanted a large wedding with all our family, friends, co-workers etc. Reminiscing on the day, I’m thankful for the small wedding. We were able to talk, mingle, and laugh with every single person in the room!”