When this wedding showed up in my inbox last week I couldn’t wait to show it. While I still have a soft spot for the rustic barn weddings with burlap and that homespun vibe, it was refreshing to see a wedding that looked and felt so different than everything out there these days. There was so much attention to detail that I felt transported, looking through all the photographs. I could imagine the sounds, the smells, the tastes and it was magical. Meet Leslie Rivas & Collin Kelly.
Leslie and Collin met 12 years ago when she moved from California to Houston and they haven’t spent a day apart since. Though based in Houston, the two consider New Orleans one of their favorite places so it was only fitting to have their wedding in a city that meant so much to them. Their friends and family traveled from all over the country as well as Mexico to help them celebrate.
Named after the cross streets, their venue, a private home for rent, Race & Religious served as the perfect backdrop for their ceremony and reception. Leslie, a fashion stylist, and Collin, a photographer, combined their love for vintage circus, vaudeville, & masquerade elements to create a theme that was uniquely them.
About her bouquet, Leslie says she made it using a mix of “dress patterns made into tissue flowers, antique brooches, dried flowers and feathers, then an antique locket with a picture of my grandfather and my husbands father in memory and also a black lucite airplane pin”
The reception included everything from vintage George Mellies films that were a favorite of the couple to stilt walkers, a fire dancer, a dog and clown act and mimes, all with an old world vibe. The band Tuba Skinny as well as local street performer Salvatore Geloso provided the musical ambience for the reception.
Honestly there were just so many amazing photographs to show that I had a difficult time choosing. Thankfully Leslie and Collin created a website where you can view all of these and many more. I highly encourage you to check it out. And if you get a chance, visit their personal websites. They are uber talented and there are some amazing editorial photo shoots they worked on together.
Venue: Race & Religious, New Orleans, Concept & Styling: Leslie & Collin, Wedding Coordinator: Amanda Irby, Cake: carrot cake balls, red velvet and white butter cream made by Aunt Rebecca, Photography: The couple’s dear friends Jhane Hoang & Arthur Garcia, Bands: Tuba Skinny & Salvatore Geloso, Wooden signs, cake stands etc: Father of the Bride, Invitations: Royal Steamline, Bride’s Dress: custom made by Jiozei H Reyes, Bridesmaids’ attire: each selected own black lace dresses from designer Jerri Moore and store Zara, Bridesmaids’ bouqets: made from dried natural caspia, ribbon made from leftover wedding dress fabric and a Holy Spirit charm by the bride and Groom’s mother, Make-up/Hair: stylist Bianca Linette Rivas (Bride’s sister), Groom’s attire: vintage suit, shoes & bowler hat, Boutonniere: made by Groom from feathers, dried twigs, wrapped with leather and camera gears