REAL WEDDING:: Kristian Caruso + Ashton Futrell {Con Amore}

 

The newlyweds exit the church hand in hand as the wedding party cheers and raises white floral bouquets outside the historic entrance.

::AS SEEN IN THE WINTER 2026 DIGITAL ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Photography by: Julia Smelley Photography

 

kristian + ashton’s story

Kristian and Ashton’s love story is inseparable from family. Long before wedding plans were made, that sense of togetherness was already woven into who they were and how they loved. So it felt only fitting that their engagement unfolded not quietly or privately, but surrounded by generations, laughter, and a shared history that stretched across continents.

Kristian’s family planned a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, traveling with 27 relatives to explore their roots. On the fourth day, between vineyard visits in Tuscany, the group stopped in the hill town of Pienza. What Kristian didn’t know was that her dad had quietly handed Ashton the ring he’d been safeguarding, setting the moment in motion.

As they wandered through town, Kristian’s mom guided everyone down Pienza’s symbolic streets, beginning with Via dell’Amore, the Street of Love, followed by paths named for kisses, fortune, and purity. At the end of the street, the view opened to rolling Tuscan hills, a cinematic overlook made famous in the film Romeo and Juliet. While cousins snapped photos, others filmed, and family back home joined via FaceTime for a 4 a.m. watch party, Ashton got down on one knee. Completely surprised, Kristian answered without hesitation, “Of course, I’ll marry you.”

The bride walks down the aisle with her father inside a grand cathedral, holding a white bouquet as guests look on from wooden pews.

An overhead view of the bride and her father processing down the center aisle of a cathedral church, surrounded by seated guests and floral aisle arrangements.

The bride and groom face one another at the altar during their ceremony, holding hands as the officiant stands beside them.

The bride smiles at the groom during the ceremony as they stand together at the altar inside a red and gold cathedral interior.

That same spirit of intention and heritage carried into their wedding day. Family traditions were honored at every turn, beginning weeks before the celebration when generations gathered to bake more than a thousand Italian cookies, fig, cherry, chocolate, and snowballs, a ritual passed down through every family wedding. Guests were welcomed with favors chosen for meaning rather than trend: handmade soaps from both mothers, rosemary-infused olive oil, candles labeled La luce di Pienza, and Jordan almonds symbolizing wishes for health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and a long life together.

Throughout the celebration, love was felt in motion. The Italian circle dance to Che La Luna, the joyful lift of the bride and groom into the air, and a second line complete with handkerchiefs and beads thrown into the crowd echoed both New Orleans spirit and Italian joy. One of the most emotional moments came during the father-daughter dance to Butterfly Kisses, a song Kristian had dreamed of sharing with her dad since childhood. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

A wide view of the wedding ceremony at the altar, with the bride and groom framed by stained glass windows and ornate church architecture.

A formal wedding party portrait at the altar, with the bride and groom surrounded by bridesmaids in black gowns and groomsmen in tuxedos.

The bride and groom share a dramatic dip and kiss in the center aisle of a cathedral, framed by stained glass windows and wooden pews.

At the heart of the day was what mattered most. “Getting to marry the love of my life,” Kristian says. Near the end of the night, a quiet family embrace, imperfectly framed but deeply felt, captured everything the day represented: love, legacy, and a future built together. Planned with care by family, supported by trusted vendors, and celebrated with intention, Kristian and Ashton’s wedding was, simply, love made visible.

An elegant reception table set with gold chiavari chairs, soft candlelight, and tall white floral centerpieces beneath crystal chandeliers.

A playful groom’s cake featuring a sculpted dog topper with a YETI bowl, tennis ball, and bone on a green frosted base.

The bride and groom pose with their wedding party around a tiered white cake, raising champagne glasses in celebration.

The bride twirls onto the dance floor holding hands with the groom as guests cheer during the wedding reception.

The newlyweds toss beads from the stage during the reception as a live band plays and guests reach up cheering.

The bride and groom admire a live wedding painting at the reception, smiling as the artist captures their celebration.

The bride and groom lead a nighttime second-line parade, holding lace umbrellas and wearing beads as guests follow behind.

::CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2026 WINTER DIGITAL ISSUE

FEATURING KRISTIAN AND ASHTON’S WEDDING::

 

NOW FEATURED VENDOR: 

VENUE + WEDDING CAKE + CATERER: Royal Sonesta New Orleans

 

ADDITIONAL VENDORS:

CEREMONY LOCATION: Holy Name of Jesus Church | OFFICIANT: Father Colm Cahill | REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION: The Riverboat City of New Orleans | BRIDAL GOWN: Amsale, I Do Bridal Couture | BRIDESMAIDS’ GOWNS: Dessy Group, I Do Bridal Couture | GROOM/GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Squire’s | PHOTOGRAPHER: Julia Smelley Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER: Nine and a Half Films | FLORIST + CANDLE DECOR/LIGHTING: Billy Heroman’s | WATERWALLS: Options4U | GROOM’S CAKE: Sugar Coated by Michelle | CEREMONY MUSIC: Holy Name of Jesus – Cantor: Irini Kyriakidou, Trumpet: Scott Kiser, Violin: Benjamin Hart, Viola: Catherine Matushek, Cello: David Rosen, Harp: Judy Seghers, Organ: Randy Higginbotham | RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: The Parade Route | TRANSPORTATION: Big Easy Limos | HAIR + MAKEUP: Glam on Location | HONEYMOON: Grenada | WEDDING PLANNING: Monique Du Plooy, Beignets & Bouquets + Bride’s Mother, Lorin Caruso | JEWELER: Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry | HAND ROLLED CIGARS: The Cigar Factory | PHOTO BOOTH: Southern Blink | INVITATIONS: Bride’s Mother, Lorin Caruso | LIVE PAINTER: A Curtis Creations

The bride walks down the aisle with her father inside a grand cathedral, holding a white bouquet as guests look on from wooden pews.
The bride and groom face one another at the altar during their ceremony, holding hands as the officiant stands beside them.
An overhead view of the bride and her father processing down the center aisle of a cathedral church, surrounded by seated guests and floral aisle arrangements.
The bride smiles at the groom during the ceremony as they stand together at the altar inside a red and gold cathedral interior.
A wide view of the wedding ceremony at the altar, with the bride and groom framed by stained glass windows and ornate church architecture.
A formal wedding party portrait at the altar, with the bride and groom surrounded by bridesmaids in black gowns and groomsmen in tuxedos.
The bride and groom share a dramatic dip and kiss in the center aisle of a cathedral, framed by stained glass windows and wooden pews.
The newlyweds exit the church hand in hand as the wedding party cheers and raises white floral bouquets outside the historic entrance.
An elegant reception table set with gold chiavari chairs, soft candlelight, and tall white floral centerpieces beneath crystal chandeliers.
A playful groom’s cake featuring a sculpted dog topper with a YETI bowl, tennis ball, and bone on a green frosted base.
The bride twirls onto the dance floor holding hands with the groom as guests cheer during the wedding reception.
The bride and groom pose with their wedding party around a tiered white cake, raising champagne glasses in celebration.
The newlyweds toss beads from the stage during the reception as a live band plays and guests reach up cheering.
The bride and groom admire a live wedding painting at the reception, smiling as the artist captures their celebration.
The bride and groom lead a nighttime second-line parade, holding lace umbrellas and wearing beads as guests follow behind.

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