REAL WEDDING:: Meredith Little + Patrick Henning {I CAN’T HELP MYSELF}

::AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2022 ISSUE OF NOW WEDDINGS MAGAZINE::

Written by: Jessica Burke | Photos: Brocato Photography Collective

meredith + patrick’s story

“Patrick and I met at the University of Oklahoma where I was a Drama Major and Patrick was studying construction,” shares Meredith. “The two of us first came into contact when Patrick came to see a friend perform in a show that I was playing the main character in. It wouldn’t be till a full year later that we formally met and became friends. Over the years, we kept in contact while navigating school, then graduation and post grad careers.”

One fateful evening in December 2017, the two happened to run into each other while out in Dallas. Both happened to be single at the time and made a date for dinner and drinks and haven’t been apart since.

Patrick asked Meredith to marry him on April 8th of 2020.

”He had originally planned a romantic stroll through the Dallas Arboretum but when the world shut down, he had to become flexible,” says Meredith. “Instead, Patrick took me to White Rock Lake in Dallas for a picnic, with pizza, of course. He was so nervous that the sun had already set by the time he had worked up the courage to pop the question. I, of course, gave a teary eyed yes, in disbelief he had just proposed to me in the dark and while I was wearing none other than athleisure. We still laugh about it till this day. It was the most private and intimate moment of our lives.”

the wedding rings in a blue velvet box

why a new orleans wedding

“From the start, we knew we wanted to get married in New Orleans,” says Meredith. “Patrick was born in Nola and I grew up in Shreveport. Having our wedding back at “home” was important. Knowing we had a copious amount of people attending our wedding who had not experienced the New Orleans we have come to love, we wanted to make sure everyone felt the heartbeat of the city. Getting married at St. Louis Cathedral was our way of paying tribute to the New Orleans history and Patrick’s family background.”

St. Louis Cathedral wedding ceremony

“Once we left the church, we Second Lined through the Quarter. Our guests looked forward to this event the most. Once we arrived at the reception venue, one of my good friends surprised us with a billboard in front of The Civic.”

French Quarter Second Line

Wedding billboard — Meredith and Patrick’s friends surprised them with a billboard congratulating them on their wedding.

the wedding reception

“Our mission with our wedding was to make everyone feel like it was their big day too,” shares Meredith. “ We wanted everyone to feel special and leave the evening begging to keep the party going.” At the reception, the happy couple had a grand entrance on the Civic’s catwalk, complete with curtain rise and spotlight!

The couple's reception entrance — Meredith and Patrick’s grand entrance on the catwalk at The Civic Theatre

The first dance

After their first dance, they popped a bottle of champagne and then hit the dance floor with their guests until it was time for their second entrance of the evening.

Champagne tower pour — After the first dances, Meredith and Patrick set the tone for the party with a champagne glass tower pour and toast.

the second entrance

“Patrick changed into a gorgeous white tux jacket while I changed into a red sequin jumpsuit,” says Meredith. “We entered in through the stage trap door (smoke and all) to the Phunky Monkeys singing “I can’t Help Myself” by The Four Tops.”

the bride sings on stage with the band

Meredith then joined the band on stage to perform “Let’s Hear it for the Boy” by Denice Williams, a surprise for both Patrick and the wedding guests.

the party

The newlyweds and their guests danced the night away. The reception ended with a balloon drop over the dance floor and a colorful confetti exit to the 1970’s Mustang Grabber convertible waiting to whisk the newlyweds away.

the dance floor at the civic theatre