A Timeless Black Indian Wedding in New Orleans

Isn’t funny that when you are not expecting company, love comes knocking softly on your door.  For Isadora and Christian, it was a chance encounter that led to true love. Isadora was working in a shoe store when Christian, a jazz musician, walked in. He was entranced by her beauty, and wasn’t shy about letting her know how gorgeous she was. They talked about jazz, and Christian cleverly suggested that Isadora be a model for the cover for his newest album. They shot the cover three days later, and spent a year being friends before they started dating.

Since music is such an integral part of their lives, it was perfect when Christian proposed to Isadora at a Jazz Festival in New Orleans.  Isadora recalls, “It was after he played a beautiful rendition of the song he wrote and titled for me ‘Isadora’ that he said on the mic, ‘That song was named after and written for my girlfriend Isadora who’s changed my world. When I look at her it’s like my heart stops and I’m just so in love with her. She’s here today actually and I want her to come up so I can ask her a question.’” When Isadora made it up the steps, Christian was on one knee and everyone shared in their heartwarming moment.

Their New Orleans wedding was also full of sentimental moments and personalized touches. Isadora shares, “Christian and I chose to put time into creating specific elements for our wedding. I made the long and short veil, my beaded headpiece and bridal sash, and head pieces for my bridesmaids. Christian was born into a historic Black Indian tribe. Because of this, it was important for both of us to include a ‘Black Indian Ceremony,’ in which we sang and danced to a call and response chant after the brass band played. We both came out in full regalia that he and I worked on for months with the help of his mother and aunt.”  The couple celebrated their nuptials at  at Le Musée de f.p.c. a house museum honoring the legacy of New Orleans’ free people of color. Everything about their wedding felt fresh yet timeless.  From Isadora’s vintage inspired lace gown, to their Black Indian head dresses, to their lace covered vases, the Scott’s wedding was an inspiring celebration of history, culture and love in its most sincere and organic form. This beautiful wedding photographed by Erika Layne Photography is also featured in our Spring/Summer issue which is on newsstands now. 

Quick Facts

• Wedding Date: May 11th, 2013
• Wedding Location: Le Musée de f.p.c. New Orleans, LA
• Wedding Flowers: Anunculus & mokara orchids
• First Dance Song: “Hold Yuh” by Gyptian
• Wedding Cake Flavors: Yellow cake & white cake, with pineapple filling & raspberry filling.
• Favorite Wedding Menu Item: Seafood gumbo. That & the snowballs we had for the cocktail hour.
• Bridesmaids Gift: the jewelry they wore for the wedding & I made them a version of the same head band I wore for the reception for them to wear.
• Groomsment Gift: none

Wedding Planning

Wedding planning sure IS tough! Christian and I had an extra stressful time planning due to our circumstances at the time. We had just made a big move across the country from NY to LA about three months before the wedding. In addition to our move to LA, we were planning a destination wedding in New Orleans so we weren’t able to physically be there to meet with vendors and make final decisions until about a week prior. We are so glad and feel so fortunate that everything turned out as great as it did. We were also blessed to have had the help of my mother in law Cara who lives in New Orleans and was able to really come through when we needed her. Christian and I chose to put time into creating specific elements for our wedding. I made the long and short veil, my beaded headpiece and bridal sash, and head pieces for my bridesmaids. Christian was born into a historic black indian tribe. Because of this, it was important for both of us to include a “Black Indian Ceremony” in which we sang and danced to a call and response chant after the brass band played. We both came out in full regalia that he and I worked on for months with the help of his mother and aunt.

Wedding Style

There wasn’t a specific theme for our wedding really. When thinking about the color scheme I envisioned a soft palette for the bridal party look with a pop of bright color for the bouquets & boutonnieres. We went with the very great Ken Marino as our florist Fabulous Flowers. He was actually one of my favorite vendors. I let him know I definitely wanted ranunculus & mokara orchids & the color scheme I was going for. I also told him I wanted the mokara orchids to be the highlight of the boutonnieres and he nailed it all perfectly. We didn’t get to dance to our preferred first dance song which was “Hold Yuh” by Gyptian because Christian had to unexpectedly deal with the catering. When he came upstairs though, we ended up dancing for the first time as a married to “International Players Anthem” by UGK featuring Andre 3000. Our wedding cake flavors were yellow cake and white cake, with pineapple filling & raspberry filling. My favorite thing on the wedding menu was the seafood gumbo. That and the snowballs we had for the cocktail hour, I gave the bridesmaids the jewelry they wore for the wedding and I made them a version of the same head band I wore for the reception for.

Vendors

• Wedding dress designer: Justin Alexander
• Bridal Boutique: R K bridal
• Hair & Makeup: Done by the bride!
• Photography: Erika Layne Photography | View her portfolio here.  {Member of The Coterie}
• Florist: Fabulous Flowers
• Band: To Be Continued Brass Band (TBC Brass Band)
• Venue: Ceremonies & Reception were both held at Le Musée de f.p.c. a house museum honoring the legacy of New Orleans’ free people of color.
• Custom party favors: Anahata Cacao custom pink champagne truffles and lavender honey caramels.
• Lighting: The Solomon Group