Check out the unique location of today’s Real Wedding. It’s a historic building in New Orleans designed to look like a steamboat! The coolest part is that it was built by the bride’s great, great grandfather…making it the perfect romantic and sentimental spot for Jamie and Chris to say “I do.” Jamie looked gorgeous in her strapless Alvina Valenta gown, echoing the wedding’s “nautical” theme with the subtle shape of a wave. Simply beautiful!
Jamie + Chris | November, 11 2011 | New Orleans, Louisiana
The ceremony
Our ceremony was held at the historic Steamboat House in New Orleans. It was built by my great, great grandfather, and was also the site of my parent’s wedding reception. The ceremony was performed by a close friend of the groom, who was ordained specifically for our wedding. Chris and I came up with the entire ceremony on our own, including writing our own vows. It was so unique and intimate.
The reception
The reception was at the same location as the ceremony. We had tents set up in the yard and hung strings of lights around the house. The ceremony ended just before sunset so the reception was at a beautiful time.
How Jamie found her dream wedding dress
I had no idea what kind of dress I wanted but I went into the whole experience not wanting a strapless dress because it seemed that’s what everyone had. I ended up with a strapless dress! I tried on tons of dresses at 3 different shops and to my amazement, I had so many favorites. Apparently the curvy body that I’ve hated for years looks great in wedding dresses. I eventually narrowed it down to the Alvina Valenta dress because it was simple yet special. My wedding had somewhat of a nautical theme (My husband and I have both worked at sea, the house where the wedding took place resembles an old steamboat, and the invitations and favors featured rope designs) and I loved that the top of the dress looks like a wave or a shell. It just fit.
The way Jamie felt in her wedding dress
Beautiful. Classy. Elegant.
Why Jamie decided to sell her wedding dress
My husband and I currently live in Norway and will be moving again in half a year’s time to South Korea. He’s in the oil and gas industry and we have no way of knowing where in the world life will lead us. Moving so often makes you less inclined to hang on to impractical items that you might other wise keep in the attic or under the bed. So, I decided to sell the dress because we just move around too much. That and it’s too beautiful to sit in a closet or under a bed for the rest of my life. I want another woman to feel just as perfect as I did on my wedding day.
