I’ve heard the expression “the third time’s a charm”, and by the looks of everything that went down on the third stop of Daniel and Joseph’s whirlwind marriage tour, I’d say that expression is pretty fitting here! Married first in New York, where the couple live, then in Montana, where Joseph grew up, they chose New Orleans for their third and final ceremony to celebrate with Daniel’s family. And boy, was it a family affair!! Pretty much every vendor for this joyous occasion had a family connection to Daniel (Red M included), and those that were not actual family, are adopted as family.
We picked up the grooms at their Airbnb just as they were finishing up with their final get ready. They tied up their ties and shoelaces then sorted through the sentimental bits of their details, deciding what to wear and telling me what each piece meant to them. It all had sentimental meaning from the cufflinks to the locket to the lucky bean that Maw-maw Josie always had in her purse. It all had such precious meaning and was all tied back to one of the many special people that love Daniel and Joseph so dearly. Ya’ll know I cry at weddings, and, well, given that Daniel is my nephew and I clearly remembered the day he was born, I found myself a little verklempt!
Once ready, we headed down St. Charles Avenue to the beautiful House of Broel, a place with great sentimental connection for Daniel. Daniel has, in the past, both worked and lived at the mansion, but more importantly, he and its owner Bonnie Broel are the best of friends. In fact, Ms. Broel is one of the adopted family mentioned above, as she noted in the wedding ceremony that her name appears on the family birthday calendar!
The ceremony began with all the usual fanfare one would expect at a wedding, and suddenly, the grooms burst onto the scene to the strains of Hello Dolly, to the surprise and delight of everyone! The ceremony continued with the same energy of fun and love, and beautiful personal vows.
When the reception began, the grooms were introduced and shared their first dance as a third-time married couple to I Never Knew, played by Daniel’s father’s band, Louisiana Spice, featuring Daniel’s uncle Mark Rigamer on piano, and sung by Daniel’s sister, Linda Lirette. The piece was arranged by Daniel’s father, Chris Rigamer, who also plays bass for Louisiana Spice. (I did mention that this wedding was a family affair, correct?)
The cake was made with absolute love by Daniel’s cousin, Rose Childress. It was as delicious as it was beautiful. And a second cake was there to celebrate the birthday of Joseph’s father, Mike Mace.
The Marcell family (Daniel’s mother’s side) has a very unique tradition of welcoming new members into the family by presenting them with their very own pair of shrimp boots! The boots are decorated to match the personality of the new couple, and they are placed on the new couple while the band plays We are Family! It has become a lively and rather animated way of letting the newcomer know you are one of us now!
Beautiful and sentimental toasts ensued as friends and family expressed their best wishes for the happy couple and immense joy for this union. One toaster nailed it when she described Daniel’s effervescence by stating “you, Daniel, are the human form of champagne!”
The night ended with a second line around the house, a traditional New Orleans sendoff.
Congratulations again to Daniel and Joseph! Wishing you many, many years of continued love and happiness!
Vendor Love:
Wedding Venue: House of Broel
Officiant: Bonnie Broel, House of Broel
Music: Louisiana Spice Band
Lighting and Audio: Audio Nola
Wedding attire: Macy’s
Wedding Cake: Rose Childress
Live Wedding Painter: Denise Hopkins Fine Art
Videographer: Your Day Production
