Brad & Amanda : Wedding | McGowan Images Blog

WELCOME TO THE BLOG

Brad & Amanda : Wedding

Brad and Amanda booked us in 2012 for their wedding. That’s right… 2012. Why? Because, at that time, they knew precisely three things about their wedding.

1) They wanted to marry each other. More than anything in the world.

2) They wanted to get married in New Orleans.

3) They wanted us to shoot it.

In the months (and months and months) since that first coffee date, we’ve grown to love this couple SO very much. They kept their eyes firmly on the prize, which is so hard to do with a long engagement. Even when things got stressful… when the pressure of planning an event hours and hours away from where you live threatened to overwhelm their lives… they remembered what was important. They were getting MARRIED.

And in the end, that laser focus on the end-goal made their wedding one of the most heartfelt and intimate we’ve ever had the honor of photographing. From the thoughtful venue choice of Race & Religious, to details around every corner paying homage to grandparents in heaven, this wedding FELT LIKE SOMETHING. It felt like Amanda & Brad. And now, Amanda & Brad are married. So, really, the entire thing was just a massive win.

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog01McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog02McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog03McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog04McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog05McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog06McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog07McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog08McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog09McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog10

Such a precious First Sight! Amanda did ALL the design and decor for their wedding herself (with assembly help from the wedding party, of course). She was SO busy on the wedding day, and it was wonderful to see her cares melt away as soon as she was in the arms of her sweetheart!

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog11McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog12McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog13McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog14McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog15McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog16McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog17McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog18McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog19McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog20McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog21McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog22McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog23McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog24McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog25McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog26McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog27McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog28McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog29McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog30McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog31McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog32McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog33McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog34

The sun came out just minutes before the ceremony, for the first time in DAYS. It’s like even the sky was happy about this hitchin’. πŸ˜‰

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog35McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog36McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog37McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog38McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog39

Brad and Amanda were married on the bride’s late grandparents’ wedding anniversary, and as her cousin performed the ceremony, he talked about the legacy of love that couple left their family. I can’t imagine ANYONE’S eyes were dry.

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog40McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog41McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog42McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog43McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog44McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog45McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog46McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog47McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog48McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog49

Mr. & Mrs. Johnson!!

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog50McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog51

This is one of my favorite images from the whole day… it really shows how “off in their own world” this couple was in the few minutes after being pronounced Husband & Wife!

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog52

That decor I mentioned earlier? Seriously impressive. There are so many nooks & crannies around Race & Religious, and Amanda had ideas to personalize each and every one of them with details & signage that personally mattered to the couple. Seriously stunning design!

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog53McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog54McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog55McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog56McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog57McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog58McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog59McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog60McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog61McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog62McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog63McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog64McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog65McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog66McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog67McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog68McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog69McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog70McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog71McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog72McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog73McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog74McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog75McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog76

I’m never NOT impressed by cigar rollers at weddings… honestly, it makes me wish I could stand to smoke one for more than a minute or two. They just smell SO GOOD!

McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog77McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog78McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog79McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog80McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog81McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog82McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog83McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog84McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog85McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog86McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog87McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog88McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog89McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog90McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog91McGowanImages_Brad&Amanda_NewOrleansWedding_Blog92

Wow. I mean, we were there, and still… WOW.

And just think, we’ve still got a stunning “morning after” session in the French Quarter to share tomorrow. You do NOT want to miss that… see you on Friday! πŸ™‚

  1. Amanda Johnson says:

    I am speechless!! These photos are fantastic!!! Actually beyond fantastic, but I can’t come up with the words to describe my gratitude… Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!! πŸ˜€

  2. Jackie says:

    AHHHH!!! These make me teary eyed all over again. Amazing. Every. Single. One.

  3. Dan MacDonald says:

    Great pics you two! Congrats!

  4. Natalie says:

    Absolutely amazing photography! What a beautiful wedding it was and you caught every breath taking moment! Love it!!!

  5. Erica says:

    What BEAUTIFUL picutres and a beautiful couple!
    This wedding looked like it was SO. MUCH. FUN!

  6. The Nan says:

    THAT DRESS!!
    THAT PLACE!!
    WOW!!!!!!!!!

  7. KaylaS says:

    SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! New favorite! Perfect backdrop, beautiful dΓ©cor and a stunning couple!

  8. Katie Aldridge says:

    WOW! ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! My gorgeous best friend was just glowing with the love she was feeling as she married her soul mate in the most beautiful, most fun wedding EVER!!! Ya’ll managed to capture that FEELING “on film”! I’m obsessed with ALL of the photos! AMAZING doesn’t even begin to describe them! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

  9. Lexi C. says:

    Wow Chelsea and Mack! I mean your work is never less than phenomenal but this one takes the cake. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! Congrats to the happy couple! Amanda did such a good job with decor. NOLA weddings are the best.

  10. Nicole says:

    Absolutely beautiful!!!

  11. Stephanie says:

    Wonderful images of a super cool wedding!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *