REAL WEDDING:: Alexa Quigley + Adam Jacques {YOU & I}

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

Written By: Jessica Burke | Photos: Lauren Carroll Photography

Alexa and Adam grew up in Metairie but didn’t meet until one fateful Halloween in college at LSU. “There was something about him that was drawing me in and I just needed to get to know him,” says Alexa.

And so she did and nine years later, in July of 2019, Adam surprised Alexa by proposing on the sky deck of the Omni Royal Orleans with both their families looking on. “I’m not one to easily be surprised or to pull one over on, but boy did he succeed,” says Alexa. “I was completely shocked.”

Alexa's engagement and wedding ring

The couple was engaged for 18 months. “Planning a wedding during a Global Pandemic was a challenge to say the least,” says Alexa. “The biggest challenge for us was just the unknown; not knowing how many guests we’d be able to have or if we could have a band or what phase we would be in at that time. But at one point my Mom, fiancé and I just looked at each other and agreed that it was not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when” for us. We knew we wanted to keep our date no matter if it was just he and I and our priest who were able to physically be there due to the Covid-19 guidelines, because all that truly matters on that day is the union of two lives becoming one.”

The bride and bridesmaids celebrate before the wedding

Fortunately, Alexa and Adam were able to say their vows surrounded by family and friends at the historic St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. Their reception followed at Chateau Country Club.

“I have always loved more contemporary and modern styles when it comes to fashion and design and I just thought a black and white wedding looked so clean,” shares Alexa. “I also loved the idea of going against traditional wedding etiquette by having my bridesmaids wear all white.”

Alexa chose white gowns for her bridesmaids

Alexa wore a stunning Pronovias gown that she found on her first shopping trip with her mother, future mother-in-law and her aunt. “The dress I picked was the second dress I tried on and when the lady opened the curtain every single one of them burst into tears. When I turned around and looked in the mirror I absolutely loved it but it wasn’t until the lady put a veil on my head that I, myself, started to get emotional,” she shares. “I had saved pictures on my phone of certain dresses that stood out to me and when I went back and compared them to my dress, ironically, I picked a dress that had specific pieces, parts, and similarities to all of the dresses I had saved.”

Detail of Alexa's dress and bouquet

Alexa carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies and a handkerchief made of her mother and grandmother’s wedding gowns as she walked down the candle-lined aisle.

St. Louis Cathedral

The reception was as fun-filled as it was beautiful. Guests signed a unique “guest book” as they entered the ballroom. “My Mom came up with the idea to have people sign a wooden bench that we could seal and place in our house and have forever. We will have everyone’s sweet sentiments and notes to look at for years to come!” says Alexa.

Alexa and Adam's wedding guest "book" bench

Adam and Alexa made sure their wedding included one of their favorite guilty pleasures – Taco Bell. “We’re really not big fast food people but we both shared a love for Taco Bell,” shares Alexa. “Our family and friends would sometimes even joke and say ‘What, are you going to have Taco Bell at your wedding?’ because everyone knew we loved it THAT much.” The couple decided to take this idea and run with it. They treated their guests to a Taco Bell taco buffet as well as a Taco Bell-themed groom’s cake!

The Taco Bell groom's cake