Catherine Guidry's Blog

Wedding Prep : Omni Royal Orleans
Wedding Ceremony: St. Patrick’s Church
Reception & Catering: Omni Royal Orleans
Florist: Meade Wenzel 504.289-9883
Cake: Haydel’s
Wedding Dress: Casablanca, Lulu’s Bridal (Dallas)
Transportation: Celebrity 
Music: Topcats
Videographer: Scott Alwert

I truly hope that these photos can communicate just how HAPPY April + Michael are when they’re together. And you know what, even when they’re apart, they’re just so darn excited to see one another. Amelia and I talked the entire night about just how awesome these two are…and how we just love them to pieces (especially for how much they loved each other.)

I haven’t seen an engraved ring in a while. I thought it was a sweet and sentimental touch that I really appreciated.

Her dress: stunning.

…more of their beautiful florals. The colors were just so elegant and beautiful.

I believe this is one of my alltime favorite getting ready shots.

The lovely, April.

The weekend of their wedding was Mother’s Day. What better gift for a daughter to give her mother than the gift of sharing in the most important day of her life.

While I was with the girls, Amelia was with the guys grabbing some getting ready and hang out shots of them!

Oh my goodness, April. You are just SO gorgeous! April’s dress was her favorite wedding purchase. And she looked amazing in it.

How adorable is she?

Before the wedding, while I was shooting group shots of the bridal party, Amelia grabbed this photo of April practicing her dance with her father.

Before the wedding April + Michael exchanged letters with one another.

They did not see each other before the wedding but  I know that they enjoyed sharing this moment before the ceremony began.

Their reactions.

I love New Orleans.

When we arrived to the church Michael was very considerate in waiting for others, especially when he escorted his grandfather into the church.

He’s truly the southern gentleman.

The wedding was held at St. Patrick’s church in New Orleans. This church is so gorgeous! Love it.

Amelia grabbed this shot of April walking into the church and then down the aisle…moments she’ll cherish forever.

Michael’s face the moment they opened the doors…

Isn’t she beautiful?!

The wonderful thing about having a second shooter is Amelia and I’s ability to be in two places at once.

While I was on the floor shooting she was in the choir loft grabbing this incredible view of St. Patrick’s. AH! Such a beautiful church!

So sweet.

Amelia’s perspective of April during the vows….

…and my perspective of Michael during the vows.

There were lots of happy tears shed.

The Newlyweds

Although April + Michael opted not to do a first look, we did spent some time after the wedding shooting at the church and at the Omni Hotel.

These two are just so perfect together. It’s like nothing else in the world matters….

This makes me smile.

Oh my…I just love the way he looks at her.

The Omni was so beautiful and really was the perfect place for photographs! I just love Michael’s expression during their first dance.

April, you are stunning.

Their wedding cake was gorgeous!

About halfway through the reception, we made our way up to the top of the Omni.

With the rain coming off and and on throughout the day, April + Michael weren’t going to let it “rain on their parade” so to speak.

Instead, they snuck away to the rooftop of the Omni Royal to kiss in the rain.

This image below is one of my absolute favorites from the day.

Looks like somebody partied too hard.

Just in case you were wondering, this is what an AWESOME reception looks like.

Their final dance was a second line through the Omni and right out the entrance doors.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sanchez

As they stepped into the elevator, this was the last thing they saw. And seriously, how cool is this view?!

April + Michael,

Thank you so much for having us there to document your day. It’s been SO much fun getting to know the two of you and I have no doubt that your life together will be wonderful. You’ve learned to prioritize your relationship, despite distance…and that shows the true strength of your love. I hope you two are having a wonderful time enjoying the Jamaica sunsets…and I’ll look forward to hearing from you when you return.

Catherine

There are a few moments in life that really make us stop. They sort of take our breath away and leave us with a smile lingering. Coincidentally, the majority of these moments are spontaneous and unexpected. They’re the kind that creep in when you’re not paying attention and sort of punch you right in the gut   pull at your heart.

In fact, most of my ABSOLUTE favorite moments in life were 1. unexpected 2. spontaneous 3. filled with laughter (Oh! and IRONICALLY in 4. extreme weather conditions)…lol

This past Saturday was April + Michael’s wedding. They had been praying for a beautiful day..and after planning for months their day had arrived. The clouds moved in, and the rain started. Off and on for the ENTIRE day, it rained. And naturally, the moments in which it was raining where the times when we were moving from the hotel to the church and vice versa.

However, April and Michael, despite the circumstances never ONCE allowed it to remove the smile from their faces. They ran from the church to the limo in laughter. Then from the limo the reception smiling in the rain again…and to top it all off, just when I was sure they’d had enough of the rain, they willingly entered into it again.

About halfway through the receception, without a blink, we were off again. We snuck away. They made their way into the elevator up to the top deck, around the pool, up the stairs and stood there looking over the city of New Orleans. Michael held the umbrella strong over their heads when turned to April, grabbed her around the waist and kissed her in the rain. AHHHH…..SOO romantic. I just wanted to hold onto that moment forever for them; so I did.

Below is the shot and truly one of my favorite from the day. I think it’s not only a representation of them but of ALL beautiful moments in life…the type of moments when you take a risk, let loose, and hold onto the goodness that we’re blessed with.

When BC ordered the ring for Cassie, things couldn’t have fall more into place for them. In fact, the day of Lauren + Marc’s wedding he asked Cassie’s parents. Her mom was already emotional for the fact that Cassie’s best friend, Lauren was getting married, but even more so NOW that her daughter was as well. And to TOP things off, Cassie caught the bouquet.

That’s right, Ladies….and now she’s getting married.

A week after the wedding, BC told her his boss gave him a raise and wanted nothing more than to celebrate the occasion with her. They were greeted at the door to Tsunami and seated. BC and Cassie sat down and before she could take a sip of her drink, BC was chugging down his beer. Cassie sensed that something was going on but she couldn’t QUITE put a finger on it.

It was raining outside so naturally, Cassie felt comfortable inside sheltered from the rain. Welllll, BC had a different plan for the night. He convinced her to join him on the balcony despite his fear of heights (the things men will do for the women they love. )

At this point, Cassie was just rolling with it…totally confused as BC walked even closer to the balcony’s edge. It was in that moment that he reached into his coat pocket. But before he could even take his hand out, she had already taken the ring off of her left hand, shoved it in her pocket, and stuck her now empty left ring finger toward his chest.

Neither of them remember what was said beyond that point. They do remember BC prolonging the moment where he would put the ring on her finger…until she had YES! Cassie didn’t hestitate and the proposal ended with a kiss.

From the moment BC arrived, I felt like we had already met. Cassie and I talked so much at our initial meeting that it was really fun to finally meet him! And seriously, these two have got to be one of the best dressed couples I’ve ever photographed. I love their unique style and their attention to detail.

We started the shoot in Grand Coteau near St. Charles church, and finished the shoot in Lafayette at Oakbourne’s Golf Course…the place BC spent much time as he grew and pursued his passion for golf. I loved that we were able to get the natural, outdoor feel of Grand Coteau and the sentimental spot for BC.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot!:

Thank you guys for being you…for being so trusting and for just having fun! I enjoyed spending the afternoon shooting with the two of you and I’m very much looking forward to YOUR wedding day!

The saying goes, ” You can’t choose your family.” But the truth is, if I was given the opportunity, I’d pick the family that I already have. This past weekend I was blessed to see the youngest of my two brothers, his wife, my parents, and my Mama Nita. And it inspired this post:

I feel so fortunate to be a part of a loving family. My parents have been married this year for 36 years! I have two older brothers that I look up to and a sister-in-law that might as well be of the same blood line.  And my mama nita…well, we may be 67 years apart but we couldn’t be more on the same page.

I am SO proud of myself lately becuase I’ve been creating the balance I’ve always wanted to have. I’m staying on top of my work, but also making the time necessary for my friends, myself, and my family. With Mother’s Day being yesterday, I spent the first part of the day with David and his wife Minette taking headshots for his soon-to-be orthodontics office : Guidry Orthodontics in Morgan City! We visited, talked about their recent vacation and I made my way to Lafayette to spend some time with my parents. It wasn’t quite the visit that I had anticipated because…well, I laid down on the concrete outside and fell asleep. lol..but when I woke up we did get to catch up. My parents are well, awesome. They are the rock that my brothers and I are so lucky to have built our lives on. They’ve taught us about God, and loved us no matter the cirucmstances.

As a side note, part of why I enjoy my personal posts, is because it allows me to remember these milestone moments. I cannot even IMAGINE what my life would be without them. I woke up this morning and went to unload my dishwasher; but it had already been done. My dog had been bathed, and my place even tidied up a bit. I had cooked food in my refrigerator, a new carton of milk and eggs…and to top that ALL off a new pair of earrings. My mom had bought ME a gift on Mother’s Day. Now, seriously…that’s just too good to be true, right?!

Last night, as Mama Nita and I sat outside on the steps looking through photos I just took that moment to soak it all in. I thought of the day and even just my ability to be with her. I soaked in her laugh and the way she tells her stories, always remembering every detail. I admired her wit and her fiesty attitude. Who knows what God has planned for she and for I tomorrow but I know that the few times that I do get to spend with her I will cherish forever.

I don’t think it was until about two years ago that I realized how much I love and truly cherish my family. They are my support and the only people on this earth that I know will be there through thick and thin. It’s been hard to find my own when it’s been so easy to rely on them as I grew, but thankfully I’ve found that balance as well.

As Mama Nita and I sat on the steps last night, I came across this picture. It’s a picture of my dad with his siblings when he was little. And I can’t but help that everytime I look at it, I see my oldest brother. And it makes me smile. We really are younger versions of our parents. And THAT makes me so proud. I hope that I can be half the people that they are when I am their age…and if God does ever bless me with a family of my own, I hope that I can take care of them with my spouse the way that they’ve taken care of us.

I hope everyone takes a little time out of their busy schedules this week to appreciate their blessings in life…loved ones, friendships, and even personal time. Have a wonderful evening,

Catherine

Mrs. Gayle, April’s mother and huge part of her life invited April to dinner. For April, a family get together is a common occurrence so she didn’t think anything of the fact that her sister came into town. What her sister was really doing however, was helping to implement Josh’s proposal.

April was dolled up for the night…looking snazzy in her heels. She walked up to the front door of her parents home, anticipating a meal with her family when she opened the door and could not believe what she saw.

First, daisies: Lots of them…daisies are her favorite flower. Before her mind could even comprehend, she turned her attention to Josh. There he kneeled, lit by candlelight, in the center of a heart of petals. (Sounds just magical, doesn’t it?)

April was speechless; so shocked in fact that she needed a moment. When she came back, with her hand extended, she accepted Josh’s proposal.

We spent their engagement session shooting in the beautiful landscape of Jungle Gardens. It’s become one of my ABSOLUTE favorite places to shoot because I just love the neutral colors, incredible locations, and gorgeous light. We really couldn’t have asked for a better day!

Josh and April have such a fun love. April keeps everyone laughing…especially Josh. She’s light-hearted, hilarious, and Josh loves every bit of her. It was so wonderful having the opportunity to get to know them even better and to document their chemistry. Here are a few of my favorites from their session:

About halfway through their engagement session, this alligator crossed our path! This was a TRUE Louisiana engagement session.

Not only is this my favorite images from their session, it is quite possibly one of my favorite engagement session images….EVER.

Have a wonderful weekend!