Kendra: A KYHA Bride

Our Brides

18.04.2023

NAME

Kendra Taylor

WEDDING DATE

5.03.23

NUMBER OF GUESTS

LOCATION

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

YOUR LOVE STORY

Malik and I started dating 7 years ago when I was in my last year of high school. We had known each other throughout highschool through sports, as he played football and I played soccer at schools located nearby one another. We never formally met until the winter of 2016 when came home from his college one weekend to take me on a date. We ended up going on several dates that weekend, and we were inseparable after that! He would drive over 2 hours one way every weekend for the remainder of that school year to see me. We ended up attending the same college after a year of long distance.

After college, Malik signed to play professional football in the NFL and moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin to play for the Packers. I moved to be with him as soon as I graduated in 2020. He proposed to me two years later in our apartment in Green Bay the day before my 24th birthday. I woke up to him on one knee beside the bed at 5 a.m. We drank coffee together on our back porch afterward, before he left for football practice. I had always told him that I wanted a very private proposal with no cameras, just us two, and he took that to the next level! It was perfect.

FINDING YOUR DRESS

Before even getting engaged I had spent a tonne of time on Pinterest looking at wedding dress inspiration. I came across the Halston gown on my feed and knew there was something special about the dress. I wanted something super romantic and timeless, but still modern. It was the very first dress that I tried on and I knew immediately it was the one. The dress was different from any wedding dress I had seen, and the way it fit made me feel like a princess. My favorite part of the dress is the top portion. The bustier type fit is so flattering. The details on the dress are unreal, it felt like wearing a piece of artwork. I feel so lucky to have been able to wear that gown on my wedding day.

THE INSPIRATION AND AESTHETIC OF THE DAY

I am quite a creative person, and I really appreciate the way that small details can work together to create something magical. I am also obsessed with history. I knew that I wanted my wedding to be intimate, unique, and full of charm. We chose a historical venue, a property built in the early 1800's. The three original cottages on the property have been restored and furnished with carefully curated antique pieces. We wanted our venue to capture the culture and history of New Orleans so that our guests could really experience the city that we love. We focused less on a specific decor style, and tried to incorporate elements that would make it feel as though we were hosting a house-party in our courtyard with family and friends. Some of these elements were the traditional New Orleans style menu, the live jazz band, the use of candlelight and fireplaces, and the late night oysters and beignets.

THE NON-NEGOTIABLES

The non-negotiables for our day were amazing food, and for the wedding to feel less like a traditional wedding and more like a party. Malik's only request was that the food would be something to remember, and it definitely was! We focused on traditional American-southern dishes with cajun and creole influences, true to New Orleans, a city famous for its cuisine. Our menu included items like a jambalaya and risotto bar, crawfish mac n cheese, charbroiled oysters, and fresh late-night beignets. We served it "cocktail style" as opposed to a seated dinner, meaning there were food stations set up in one of the buildings and people could help themselves to however many plates they wanted throughout the night. This created a much more casual, laid back feel for the evening. Everything took place in the courtyard of the property, which we had rented overnight, under a completely clear sky and full moon. We had string lights hung between the buildings, outdoor fireplaces, and candles lit everywhere. It truly felt like we were hosting a dinner party on our own property with our closest loved ones.

A HIGHLIGHT

The biggest highlight of the day was standing with Malik during the reception and looking around at all of our loved ones having a wonderful time. Seeing everything come together was so much better than we could have imagined. The evening was truly magical.

HONEYMOON

We are still in the process of planning our honeymoon as we are not taking it until June.

A WORD OF ADVICE

Stay true to yourself and plan the wedding that you and your husband-to-be will enjoy the most. Don't be afraid to veer away from tradition and trends and really make the day your own!