Atlanta And BeyondAmanda
Summerlin
Photography
Atlanta & beyondest. 2009

Moriah and Kevin: New Orleans Wedding Photographer

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Moriah and Kevin’s Amazing New Orleans Wedding

“Dear America, I suppose we should introduce ourselves:   We’re South Louisiana…  You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you’d probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard.  We dance even if there’s no radio.  We drink at funerals.  We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of others who don’t.“ — Chris Rose

benachi house wedding in new orleans

Friday was the best day ever.  Because it was the day that Moriah married Kevin on the front lawn of the Benachi House in New Orleans, just down the street from her childhood home.  Standing in the golden glow of the setting sun, they promised to love and respect each other for a lifetime while those of us watching wiped our tears and smiled so hard our cheeks hurt.

New orleans wedding

new orleans wedding at benachi house

Confession time.  This is the hardest blog post I’ve ever had to write.  I can’t even begin to think of the right words to tell you how wonderful this family is.  I have never met anyone as welcoming and loving as the people I spent this last weekend with.  Never in my whole life have I been surrounded by as much love as this weekend.  I would have pinched myself, but I was having way too much fun to do anything so dumb as that.

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New orleans bride portrait

New orleans bride and groom portraits

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wedding at benachi house in new orleans

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In the few months that I’d been working with Moriah, as I learned about her and Kevin through our telephone conversations, I had thought I would come back and tell you about the obvious New Orleans story… about how their family survived The Storm.  But after this weekend I realized there’s so much more to them than that.  So very much more.

Getting ready details

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Because the more time I spent with them, the more I realized that, no matter what it was, they were in it together.  Take the wedding, for example.  This wedding was truly a family effort.  Kevin’s dad officiated.  Numerous family members worked hours and hours creating the details and accessories.  Moriah’s mom made her wedding dress.  Yes, that gorgeous dress was completely hand made.  And the list goes on.  Their wedding cake was made by a relative.  The DJ was a relative.  The catering was provided by a relative.  I apologize for not taking notes and being able to name everyone, because they were all amazing.  Every single person.  Afterwards, I realized I was probably the only person there who wasn’t related.  But they sure made me feel like I was part of the family.

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Wedding details

Wedding musical instruments drums

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But don’t think that everyone was there just to work.  Au contraire, mon frere!  Because once Moriah and Kevin jumped the broom, the party was on!

New orleans wedding first line dance

There was a second line wedding parade with a live brass band leading the way… tubas and trombones and New Orleans jazz, yeah!

African dance

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And then there was an African dance presentation.  Moriah and her mom and sisters are accomplished dancers.  And that’s Moriah’s dad playing the drums.

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New orleans wedding bouquet toss

The good news is that there were no injuries during the bouquet toss.  It was close though.  There was jostling.  Elbows were used.

Wedding dancing new orleans

New orleans wedding benachi house

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New orleans wedding grand exit

And then, with blessings bestowed upon them by family and friends, it was time for Moriah and Kevin to make their grand exit.  With mom… ha ha ha.

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And that, my internet friends, is how you have a wedding New Orleans style.  And if you think I just showed you a lot of photos… there’s two more blog posts coming from the weekend.  Yes, it was that awesome

Before I end this post, I want to take a moment and thank Moriah and Kevin, their families and their friends for being so completely incredible.  From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt like I was with people I’d known forever.  Everyone treated me like I was a member of the family.  I am eternally grateful to all of you for your incredibly generous hospitality and all the kindnesses you showed me during my time with you.  It was an honor to meet all of you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Love,  Janice.

Amanda Summerlin
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