Jay and Ryan weren’t single when they met back in 2013. But a few years later, on a night out with their respective friend groups, they were no longer in relationships and it was time to make a move. Ryan had the bartender send Jay a drink, and soon after he confessed that he’d always had a crush on Jay. The men got to talking, and became immediately inseparable. A week later, the couple grabbed margaritas in the design district for their official first date.
After being together for a few years, Jay and Ryan treated themselves to a vacation at Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Ryan had just celebrated his birthday and was under the impression that Jay had something planned to celebrate. Jay instead had plans to propose—right before a private boat ride through the lagoons and a photoshoot on the beach before dinner. The happiest of blurs, the pair was thankful to have it documented.
They soon got to planning a wedding for the following fall that would honor their roots (both grooms are Southern) and stay true to their personal style (classic, chic, and masculine). Designed in a palette that not only complimented the venue’s interiors, but also reflected the colors in the couple’s home (olive green, rich navy blue, mauve, and white), the black tie affair was also highly personalized.
Bartenders greeted guests post-ceremony with trays of margaritas, as Jay and Ryan love a weekly margarita date (and have been on many since their first date). The signature drinks at cocktail hour were named after their dogs, bringing them into the fold too.
The 70 guests found their seats courtesy of a display of gilded oyster shells (Jay’s from Mississippi, after all) holding each person’s name on a small scroll of paper by a pearl. The banner on the table read “It’s About Shucking Time!” to poke fun of the fact that the grooms had been together for six years before tying the knot.
Self-proclaimed foodies, the refined menu with Southern flare included smokey shrimp and grits, blue crab po’ boys, and bacon-wrapped tequila quail as passed appetizers. Once seated, the group enjoyed pan-seared red snapper and crawfish étouffée, and pecan- crusted chicken with white cheddar polenta.
After slipping into white dinner jackets, Swifties Ryan and Jay being the shared a first dance to “Daylight.” The band later let Jay join them onstage to sing “Shake It Off”, while also playing other great hits that had everyone moving all night. The newlyweds and their loved ones enjoyed curbside coffee and beignets—the latter which, guests could take to go in monogrammed bags. It was the perfect way to keep the energy up and honor Ryan’s Southern Louisiana upbringing.
After a night full of revelry, Jay and Ryan exited amidst a sea of foam glow sticks and one more Louisiana touch: the band’s horn section accompanied the happy couple second-line style as they hopped in to a 1950 Jaguar and drove off to start their married life together.
Photographer: Rachel Elaine Photography
Venue: The Mason
Planner & Designer: Shannon Rose Events
Flowers: Olive Grove Design
Rentals: Top Tier Rentals
Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs BBJ Linen
Band: Manhattan Band
Hair & Makeup: Ashley McNabb Artistry
Cake: Creme De La Creme
Catering: Blue Fire Catering
Paper: Hazelwood Paper Co
