An Epic New Orleans Wedding with Classic Touches

Haylie and Brad

haylie bradley wedding louisiana bride groom — A Bryan Photo

For a high school boy, there are few things more terrifying than asking a girl to a dance. So in September 2007, Bradley St. Angelo had to build up his courage before inviting his pretty friend Haylie Foley to their senior homecoming. He hovered by the cash register at Smoothie King, where she worked, while she busily blended drinks for customers. Haylie hadn't even thought about homecoming, but when Bradley finally blurted out the question, she said yes. Soon after that, the Mandeville, Louisiana, natives were a couple.

Seven years later, Bradley caught Haylie off guard again when they went to cut down a Christmas tree. Only this time, he was more confident, and ready with a solitaire diamond from Tiffany & Co. in his pocket. After all, they had weathered a long-distance relationship during college and a joint move to South Bend, Indiana, where he was in law school and she taught preschool. Still, Haylie was shocked when Bradley got down on one knee and proposed in front of a six-foot conifer ("I put the saw down first," he jokes).

Just across Lake Pontchartrain from Mandeville, where they returned to live, New Orleans was the natural place to marry. Their first step was to reserve the city's atmospheric St. Louis Cathedral—large enough to seat their 500 attendees. Its sister building, the Old Ursuline Convent, had elegant courtyards where Haylie, who now works in interior design, could realize her vision of a "beautiful, timeless" garden party, inspired by her parents' own nuptials. For his part, Bradley, an attorney, wanted a luxurious, over-the-top reception. "I had to hold him back," laughs Haylie.

The week of the wedding, rain threatened the alfresco plan, forcing them to add more tents, but skies cleared in time for the 3 p.m. ceremony on March 12, 2016. Afterwards, guests walked to the convent, where they drank craft cocktails and feasted on Louisiana classics like crawfish pie. When all eyes turned to the couple for their first dance—"You're My Home," by Billy Joel—Bradley again had the jitters. He stepped on Haylie's dress, and she got tangled in her train. No longer awkward teenagers, they just laughed and kept twirling.

Wacth Haylie and Brad's Wedding Film by Le Cape Weddings.

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Special Delivery

haylie bradley wedding louisiana stationery — A Bryan Photo

Sprigs of lavender topped the engraved and foil-stamped invitation packet, which was mailed in a monogrammed cotton box, all designed by Lehr & Black.

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City Views

haylie brad wedding dress back — A Bryan Photo

Before the ceremony, Haylie looked out at the French Quarter from her bridal suite at Soniat House. "New Orleans is home," she says. "The culture has always been a part of our lives, wherever we were living."

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All in White

Haylie (in Inbal Dror) shared a happy moment with her bridesmaids (including Bradley's sister, second from left), who wore dresses by Joanna August and wax flower and astrantia crowns made by Kim Starr Wise.

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Just the Guys

haylie brad wedding groomsmen — A Bryan Photo

Walking to the ceremony, Bradley posed with a groomsman and ushers, all friends from Georgetown University, in an alley in the French Quarter.

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A Historic Landmark

haylie brad wedding church — A Bryan Photo

The couple wed at one of the country's oldest houses of worship: The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint-Louis King of France, which dates to 1794. Its iconic spires rise above Jackson Square in the heart of the city.

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The Church Ceremony

haylie-bradley-wedding-louisiana ceremony — A Bryan Photo

William Bilinsky, a friend of Bradley's family and their parish priest, officiated the ceremony at the historic cathedral.

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Door Décor

haylie brad wedding reception venue — A Bryan Photo

A garland of hydrangea, roses, and limonium hung over the entrance to the Old Ursuline Convent, where the reception was held. Magnolia foliage wreathes dotted the French Colonial façade. Dating to 1752, it is the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley.

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Specialty Cocktails

haylie brad wedding cocktail menu — A Bryan Photo

A foil-stamped menu, by Lehr & Black, listed the evening's six specialty cocktails. Bartenders from The Grand Bevy mixed inventive libations like a rhubarb-infused negroni and a "cotton crocus," prosecco with ginger honey and white cotton candy, which was Haylie's favorite.

Find Your Perfect Signature Cocktail Here!

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Beers on Tap

haylie brad wedding draft beer — A Bryan Photo

Guests helped themselves to draft beers like La Trappe Dubbel and Left Hand Milk Stout. Luminous Events built the custom tap wall.

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Elegant Reception Tables

haylie bradley wedding louisiana reception tables — A Bryan Photo

Arrangements of roses, lilacs, hydrangeas, and tulips adorned the dining tables, which were crowned by foliage topiaries.

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A Super-Sized Wedding Cake

haylie bradley wedding louisiana white chocolate chiffon cake — A Bryan Photo

Sweetpeas, roses, and other blooms wound around the six-foot-tall white-chocolate chiffon cake by Melissa's Fine Pastries, which was layered with blueberry compote and lavender mascarpone (Haylie's favorite flavors).

See More Beautiful Floral Weddings Cakes Here!

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A Floral Focal Piece

haylie brad wedding reception tent — A Bryan Photo

Valerie Gernhauser of Sapphire Events conceived and designed the inverted garden of tulips, which honored Haylie's Dutch grandmother. The 24,000 cut flowers, shipped from Holland, were hung individually from a metal frame, a process that took nine hours. The checkered dance floor echoed the black-and-white marble floor at St. Louis Cathedral.

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