A Symphony of Love
FEATURED IN THE 2026 SPRING PRINT EDITION OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
Photography by Amy Anaiz Photography
Noni Ellison and Randy McKee’s New Orleans Museum of Art wedding was an elegant celebration of love, culture, music and legacy. Their day began with a meaningful ceremony at St. Katherine Drexel Chapel at Xavier University of Louisiana and continued with a sophisticated reception at NOMA filled with live performances, Southern traditions and deeply personal details.
Noni & Randy’s Story
Noni and Randy’s love story began not with spectacle, but with intention. Introduced by a mutual friend and colleague, Attorney James Carter of New Orleans, the two spent four years building a relationship grounded in shared values, professional respect, and a deep appreciation for culture and community. When Randy proposed, the answer was simple and certain. “Yes,” Noni said, without hesitation.
Their wedding day reflected everything that defines them as a couple: elegance, artistry, heritage, and joy. From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this was not simply a wedding, but a thoughtfully curated experience where every detail carried meaning.
The ceremony took place at the Katherine Drexel Chapel at Xavier University of Louisiana, where guests were welcomed by the soulful sounds of the late New Orleans jazz violinist Michael Ward. His music set the tone for a ceremony that felt reverent and celebratory all at once. As Noni and Randy exchanged vows, the moment was elevated further by performances from Grammy Award–winning artist Kenny Lattimore and his longtime pianist, Javance Butler, whose music accompanied the bridal party’s entrance and underscored the ceremony with warmth and romance.
At the conclusion of the vows, the couple honored tradition by jumping the broom, a powerful symbol of unity and new beginnings. As they did, Grammy Award–winning artist Howard Hewett performed his iconic “Say Amen,” creating a moment that was as moving as it was unforgettable.
The celebration continued at the New Orleans Museum of Art, where guests were greeted on the front steps by Michael Ward’s music once more before entering for a seated four-course dinner. The reception unfolded like a love letter to New Orleans and to music itself. Delfeayo Marsalis and his jazz band, alongside vocalist Rechell Cook, welcomed guests into the space and accompanied the bridal party’s entrance, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary sophistication.
Throughout the evening, Howard Hewett returned to the stage for a 45-minute performance of his greatest hits, serenading guests during dinner. Later, legendary New York DJ Chris Washington took over, transforming the museum into a vibrant dance floor that carried the celebration late into the night.
One of the most personal and emotional moments of the wedding came as a surprise for Randy. Noni unveiled a commissioned work of art capturing their parallel lives, from Louisiana roots to college years to their shared legal careers. It was a tribute not only to where they’ve been, but to the journey they continue together.
As the night reached its crescendo, guests poured outside for a jubilant second line led by Kinfolk Brass Band, joined by Zulu Tramps and Mardi Gras Indians. Wedding party members carried custom-designed second line umbrellas, created by Noni’s Delta Sigma Theta sorority sister, Sheridan Cooper. Guests were gifted monogrammed linen napkins as keepsakes, a final thoughtful gesture marking a night filled with intention.
For Noni, the most cherished parts of the day were many: the ceremony, the first dance, the Second Line, and the overwhelming sense of love that surrounded them. But above all, it was the feeling of celebration, of legacy honored and joy shared, that made their wedding extraordinary.
Noni and Randy’s wedding was not just a union of two people, but a masterful blending of love, culture, music, and meaning. A celebration that lingered long after the final song, echoing like a perfect melody.
AS SEEN IN THE 2026 SPRING PRINT EDITION OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE
NOW FEATURED VENDORS:
GETTING READY LOCATION: Ritz Carlton New Orleans
DECOR RENTALS: True Value Rental
ADDITIONAL VENDORS:
CEREMONY LOCATION: St. Katherine Drexel Chapel at Xavier University, New Orleans | OFFICIANT: Reverend Dr. Jonathan Augustine | RECEPTION LOCATION: New Orleans Museum of Art | REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION: Dooky Chase Restaurant | BRIDAL GOWN: Custom Galia Lahav, NYC Flagship Store, SOHO | RECEPTION DRESS: Custom Albina Dyla, NYC | BRIDESMAIDS’ GOWNS: Amsale, NYC Flagship Store, SOHO | GROOM/GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Custom Lavoisier Suits, New Orleans | PHOTOGRAPHER: Amy Anaiz Photography, NYC | VIDEOGRAPHER: Bricks Group Media, Miami | BAKERY: Chasing Wang, New Orleans | CEREMONY MUSIC: Performing Artist Kenny Lattimore with pianist Javance Butler, Los Angeles | Jazz Violinist Michael Ward, New Orleans | COCKTAIL RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Jazz Violinist Michael Ward | PRE-DINNER RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra | Rechell Cook | DINNER RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: Performing Artist Howard Hewett, Los Angeles | POST DINNER RECEPTION ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Chris Washington, NYC | SECOND LINE BAND: Kinfolk Brass Band + Zulu Tramps and Mardi Gras Indians, New Orleans | TRANSPORTATION: Limousine Livery | BRIDAL STYLIST: Selina Howard, Vainglorious Brides, NYC | HAIR + MAKEUP: Bflyyexperience + Besimplystunning | HONEYMOON: Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa | WEDDING PLANNER: Elegance by Ace | WEDDING DESIGNER + FLORIST + DECOR + LIGHTING: Tantawan Bloom, NYC | CATERER: Brennan’s Catering | JEWELER: Tiffany & Co. | FAVORS: Custom umbrellas and embroidered linen napkins designed by the bride’s Delta Sigma Theta sorority sister, Sheridan Cooper of New Orleans | INVITATIONS: Scriptura
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