Latraviette and Steven realized they’d found true soul mates in one other back in 2012 when they took a 10-day European vacation together traveling to Greece and Paris. Their romantic getaway flew by because they were having the time of their lives together, and on the last day of the trip, they both realized they were meant to be together forever.
“Mark Zunino designed my wedding gown exclusively for Kleinfeld,” says Latraviette. “The dress I chose was oh-so-amazing and so unlike anything I ever thought I would choose. The experience was quite special, and one of the most memorable parts of my wedding planning thus far.”
The romantic brid repeated her vows in style with this sweet idea!
“I don’t really love flowers, so I had a brooch bouquet made that more reflected my style and personality,” Latraviette shares.
“I had the designers incorporate a photo brooch of my dad into the bouquet handle, that way, even though he wasn’t there with me physically, he still walked with me down the aisle,” she adds. Latraviette’s father passed away just weeks before Steven proposed.
“My hair was done by my stylist, Matthew Yates of Mario Diab Salon in New York City,” the bride shares. “He is my normal stylist and he flew to New Orleans just to do my hair for both our brunch on Saturday and our wedding on Sunday. He is amazing and I simply didn’t trust anyone else with my hair, especially on my most special day!”
“I had no idea what to expect as a bride, but it was the most amazing feeling in the world, says Latraviette. “Because I had never wanted to be married, I didn’t have preconceived notions of what I was ‘supposed’ to feel or do and so I simply just allowed myself to fully be in the moment, soaking in every second of the day.”
Latraviette’s gown was fierce from head-to-toe and we just can’t get enough of how beautifully it photographed.
“Having my daughter in the wedding and there to experience this special time with us just completed the whole experience for me,” says Steven. His daughter Stevie was their only wedding party member so she really had her moment to shine.
“I fell in love with her spirit,” says Steven. “It just felt right. She had all the qualities I was looking for. Tra is very nurturing and seeing how she interacted with my daughter, Stevie, and how much my daughter loves her just sealed the deal. I knew that if this day ever came, my partner wouldn’t just be marrying me because Stevie and I are a package deal. From day one, Tra showed an understanding and depth that made her very different from other women I’d dated.”
A father-daughter portrait worthy of a frame. What a sweet, tender moment.
“I won’t say I thought I’d never find true love, but I certainly was not looking for it,” Steven admits. “I was pretty resigned and cool with being a bachelor for the rest of my life. Needless to say, Tra changed my feelings about that.”
“I was beyond overjoyed that this was the official start of a most amazing life with the best guy a girl could ever ask for,” Latraviette shares.
Latraviette’s tall and handsome groom is a real keeper. “He demonstrated on more than a few occasions that he truly has my back, supports me through everything, is my biggest cheerleader (and the first to check me when necessary!) and shows in so many ways that I never even imagined how much he loves and adores me,” says Latraviette. “And I am completely his world. All of this while also giving me the space and independence I need to not feel like I’m losing me as we become us.”
The bride arrived in style!
“We always knew that we wanted a destination wedding,” says the bride. “One day in the grocery store I picked up a magazine that happened to have an article on New Orleans and ss soon as I saw the words I excitedly repeated them aloud to Steve and he knew exactly what I was referring to without hesitation. We both love the city and have spent a lot of time there over the years and we couldn’t have been more excited.”
An elegant horse and carriage ride to the evening ceremony for the beautiful bride. How lovely!
Steven’s daughter was so happy for her father and it showed. Too precious!
“My brother rode with me in the horse and carriage that carried us from the back of the mansion to the front aisle,” says the bride. “The carriage ride was to John Legend’s ‘All of Me.’ This was when Steve and our guests first saw me!”
Just look at how adoringly Steven watches his bride. The love is showing you guys, and we love that!
The groom’s church pastor officiated the couple’s ceremony. “Pastor Taylor has always been very supportive of us and we knew that he would do everything he could to make our ceremony special, and he did,” says Latraviette. “It was absolutely perfect.”
“It was an indescribable feeling of joy, excitement and peace at once as I felt like I was marrying my best friend and someone that I knew I could trust and that would be there for me throughout life’s journey no matter what,” says Steven.
“I felt so incredibly humbled and blessed that God had brought this amazing man into my life as my husband, my partner, my friend and my buddy,” says Latraviette. “I felt like the luckiest girl in the world and I knew more than ever that he was heaven sent.”
Latraviette and Steven had their families ‘tie the knot’ and their pastor explained the meaning behind it. They also jumped the broom and included a “recognition of children” ceremony to include Steven’s 6-year-old daughter.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Wilson! Let’s hear it for the lovely couple and their romantic evening ceremony.
“It felt great and surprisingly liberating to be a groom,” says Steven. “I wasn’t nervous at all because it just felt right within every cell of my being. I never thought this day would come. I never wanted to be married until I met Tra, so my only focus was her and simply wanting to make her happy for the rest of our lives.”
Latraviette and Steven chose Johnny Gill’s “You For Me” for their first dance song.
“Our wedding colors were coconut (ivory) and gold,” says the bride. “I consistently used the fleur de lis in all of my designs – stationary, second-line handkerchiefs and umbrella and gift bag items. And, as we were in the Crescent City, our overall theme was “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” or “Let the good times roll!””
Dessert anyone? The couple’s grand wedding cake was a true show-stopper.
We just love these two together. Click that “like” button if you can feel the love!
“While it is very easy to get caught up in a day, our focus remained on the life that we would have after,” says Latraviette. “Of course we wanted to have an amazing day and experience for ourselves and our guests, but we didn’t allow that to impact our good judgement.”
“We had a live jazz band that began playing immediately after the ceremony and played a short set at the top of the reception,” says Latraviette. “Then we had a deejay for the remainder of the reception. We also had a photo booth and the ceremony ended and the reception kicked off with a beautiful fireworks display at the front of the mansion.”
Steven loves Latraviette’s spirit the most. “It shines so bright,” he says. “And also the way she takes care of those she loves – me, her family, her friends. It’s as if her well of warmth and giving is never empty.”
“I love his love for me,” Latraviette admits. “He loves me so completely and from the core of his being.”
“I had a great first half of my life, but I also know that the second half of my life will be even better because Tra is in it,” says Steven. “She is truly a God-send and I am thankful every day for the blessing that she is in my life.”
“I knew she was the one when we we were dating and we went to Greece,” says Steven. “We spent ten days together – more than I’d ever spent away with anyone. The time surprisingly just flew by, and at the end of the trip, I found myself regretting that we hadn’t planned an even longer one. I knew at that point that I didn’t want to be without her – ever!”
For a story as romantic as Latraviette and Steven’s fireworks were a must. What a send off!
Did you love Latraviette and Steven’s romantic plantation wedding as much as we did? Leave the newlyweds a little comment love below! Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now!
