Bridal Bash 2018 is in the books! We were so excited to have Mardi Gras World’s River City Ballroom as the setting for Bridal Bash on September 19, 2018. We had a blast and we hope y’all did too! Scroll on down to see highlights from Bridal Bash through the lens of Brian Jarreau Photography. If you missed this one, we’re going to be at The Jung Hotel & Residences on March 19, 2019 for our Spring Bridal Bash.

The Bridal Bash at Mardi Gras World started for guests with a short ride on the Audubon Limousines event shuttle to the registration tent outside of the River City Ballroom. Our registration area included fanciful king and queen and larger than life swan statues courtesy of Mardi Gras World along butterfly-covered hedge walls from Firefly Ambiance. At check-in, guests received their Event Guide that listed event exhibitors and their websites, “Bride” or “Guest” badges and a shimmery ticket for a sample of Blanc de Bleu Cuvée Mousseux to be redeemed in the Heavenly Bubble Lounge inside. Guests also had the chance to tour a luxury limo bus by Audubon Limousines before heading in under the Second Line umbrella entrance into the ballroom.

Upon entering the ballroom, each bride received a shiny copper NOLA Girl tote bag from New Orleans Weddings, perfect for holding all the Bridal Bash goodies they’d collect.

The first experience for brides was the Bridal Bash Gift Bar featuring copies of our newly released “Dream In Color” edition of New Orleans Weddings Magazine, gift certificates from Artsy Couture, samples of luxury dental floss from Cocofloss, goody bags from John V Salon + Spa and adorable polka dot mini totes from Bridal Registry Kitchen Tradition with mini spatulas and exclusive gift certificates for Symbolize It inside!

After snagging the gift bar goodies, guests were free to explore the experiences around the Bash including tours of Mardi Gras World‘s Grand Oaks Mansion, an indoor replica of an antebellum mansion complete with life size oak trees, a starry night sky and lots of enchanting details. Guests that stopped by the River City Venues booth got to meet the folks behind Mardi Gras World and learn about their event venues on the Mississippi River. As a bonus, they were also doing Mardi Gras mask-making demonstrations at the booth and brides could enter to win a “Mimosas & Masks” treat for their bridal party. Sounds like our kind of fun!

Every bride was able to participate in our Cake Pull for Prizes sponsored by Gambino’s Bakery and The Bead Shop. After pulling a purple satin ribbon from beneath the ornate, five-tier purple and gold showcase cake, lucky brides who pulled a ring charm won prizes from participating exhibitors including Cookies by Design, Be Selfish Bride, Trixie Minx Productions, Steamboat Natchez, Tuxedos to Geaux, Haydel’s Bakery, Olivier Couture, Fabulous Flowers and the Louisiana State Museum.

Many brides joined in our Charming Scavenger Hunt sponsored by The Bead Shop. Using the magazine and event guide to figure out clues, brides found charms at exhibitor displays around the Bash. Once they’d collected all 6 charms, each bride was entered to win an Engagement Photo Session with Brian Jarreau Photography.

The Blanc de Bleu Heavenly Bubble Lounge was on almost everyone’s list of stops. The lounge featured a bubbly balloon installation at the entrance, an illuminated crescent moon suspended from the ceiling and “neon” angel wings as part of the décor. True Value Rental provided the cocktail furniture and BBJ Linen added dreamy sequin linen on the tables. Of course, the Blanc de Bleu bubbly flowed the whole night!

Throughout the show, participating wedding pros showcased the latest in wedding trends in fashion, food, entertainment and all the necessities for an amazing New Orleans wedding.

On stage, The Phunky Monkeys played that funky music all night and created the soundtrack for Bridal Bash. They showed off their extensive song list (seriously y’all, they can play just about ANYTHING) and put on a video and light show that your guests will be talking about for a long time! They even did an impromptu second line thru to showcase their brass band skills.

Of course, when you have amazing live music, you have to have an epic dance floor. Power Productions delivered on this one. They showcased their sound activated LED dance floor at the Bash and it was a huge hit. Why have an ordinary dance floor when you can have a dance floor that glows to the beat of the music and in your wedding colors no less?! We’re pretty sure your guests won’t be parking on this dance floor!

At the end of the evening, we drew names for prizes from The Sadie Jane, Chez Pierre Bakery, The Bourbon Orleans Hotel, John’s Tuxedos, Sassy NOLA, Rodan & Fields, The Bead Shop, Gambino’s Bakery and Jazzi Events and closed out the event with our Grand Prize Honeymoon drawing – a honeymoon in Cabo from Paradise Vacation Escapes!

If you missed the Bridal Bash at Mardi Gras World, or need the list of participating exhibitors one more time, scroll on down to see the list as well as lots more photos from the Bash!