REAL WEDDING:: Shelby Boyd + Brody Taylor {AIN’T LOVE A KICK IN THE HEAD}

::AS SEEN IN THE MAY 2021 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written By: Jessica Burke | Photos: The Crawfords Photography & Film

Brody and Shelby met in high school at the back to school dance. “Brody was trying to get my attention and accidentally kicked me doing the Cotton Eye Joe,” says Shelby. “We have been by each other’s side ever since!”

“My grandfather passed away in the summer of 2009 and I met Brody in August of 2009,” shares Shelby. “I was so close to my grandfather and I believe that he sent Brody to me.” Shelby’s grandmother would compare Brody to her grandfather noting all their similarities. “All of these were signs to me that Brody was meant to be my person,” says Shelby.

When Brody proposed in July of 2019 at City Park in New Orleans, Shelby’s grandmother offered him the ring that Shelby’s grandfather had given her years before. “This ring meant so much to me and I am so honored that I get to keep it in the family for generations to come,” says Shelby.

The wedding rings on the wedding invitations. — Brody proposed with Shelby’s grandmother’s ring.

The couple was engaged for 19 months prior to their February 2021 wedding, but had most of the planning done within a few months of getting engaged. They chose St. Mary’s Church where both Shelby’s grandparents and great-grandparents were married as the perfect location to say their vows. “We walked in and automatically knew that was where we were meant to get married,” says Shelby. “You could definitely feel the sense of family in this church.”

St. Mary's Italian Church

“Hands down, my favorite part of the day was the First Look with Brody,” says Shelby. “I thought I did not want to do a First Look and I am so happy that we did. The First Look gave us a special time together before we said our vows in front of all of our friends and family.”

Shelby and Brody's First Look

Shelby and Brody embrace

Shelby wore sparkly tennis shoes for the wedding and knew she needed some cute socks to go with them. “Magnolias always reminded me of my grandmother and both me and Brody were extremely close with her…when we saw the magnolia socks we knew we had to get them.”

Shelby and Brody wore matching Magnolia socks

The couple danced their first dance to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and had a special song at the end of the night for just the two of them, dancing to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.

Shelby and Brody's first dance to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love."

Shelby and her father danced to “The Man Who Loves You The Most” by the Zac Brown Band. “Both my dad and I were crying the whole time,” says Shelby. “It was very special.”

Keeping with the family traditions, the wedding cake topper was the same one that sat atop Shelby’s grandparents’ wedding cake.

The newly weds toast by their wedding cake.

Both the bride and groom graduated from LSU, so they had to pay honor to their Alma Mater. The groom’s cake featured Mike the Tiger and the Saints’ Fleur De Lis. “The cake had both of our favorite sports teams,” says Shelby. “Brody and I started dating the same year that the Saints won the Super Bowl, so they hold a special place in our hearts.”

Louisiana-shaped groom's cake with Mike the Tiger and Saints Fleur De Lis

The evening closed with a sparkler send off for the newlyweds. “We had been practicing Brody dipping me for our sparkler exit for a few weeks just to make sure we didn’t mess up,” says Shelby. After the 4 hour reception, Brody told Shelby “I might drop you.” to which she replied “We’re fine!”

The Sparkler send off

As they approached the end of the sparklers, they came to the big moment for the dip and kiss. Brody very carefully “dropped” Shelby on the ground. “We were laughing so hard and I popped back up like nothing happened! It was one of the best parts of the night because it fit our relationship perfectly!”

Brody "dropped" Shelby during their sparkler exit.