Ariel is a full time Mardi Gras Artist who fills her free time with teaching flower classes, art markets, hanging with friends, family, Ian, getting involved at church, developing her faith and hitting the gym. In November Ian asked, “How long do I have to wait to marry you?” She knew then for the first time in her life she had fallen in love with a man who didn’t take her for granted. In so many ways being with him is like looking in the mirror. They live, love and laugh hard all the time, supporting one another through all highs and lows. He is so much more than she hoped for in a partner, he is her best friend and she is so blessed to be marrying him!

Ian: Ian is a mental health therapist who works in the New Orleans community. When he isn’t practicing therapy skills at work, or on his friends, Ian loves taking long runs and spending time with those friends, and none more so than Ariel. After their long awaited first kiss Ariel told Ian “I’m not sure if you’ve ever been loved the right way.” Since then, Ariel has taught Ian that love isn’t just a feeling but also an action. Ariel loves with both her words and choices and has inspired Ian to do the same. Despite having an on the go life style, Ian has always been able to find peace in Ariel. After a long month of adventures she is his home. Before Ian loved her as a girlfriend, fiancé, and soon to be his wife, Ian loved Ariel as his friend. Ian is so grateful to be marrying his best friend and pursue a life of adventure while feeling right at home next to her the entire time.

Aurora is Ariel’s twin and loves her so much! They have a bond that can’t be broken. Aurora is a stay-at-home Mama and housewife, married to Steven and mother of RoseMary (the flower girl). She seeks God in her daily life at home with her family and is grateful for her vocation and beautiful blessings.

Amanda is Ariel’s younger sister and looks up to Ariel tremendously. Amanda is an Interior Designer who works in commercial furniture and is also renovating her own home in her spare time. She’s blessed beyond measure with a great group of friends and family to spend a lot of her time with, and she is always busy with a creative project.

Kristen first met Ariel and Ian at a Catholic Young Adults Christmas trivia night, and they quickly became good friends. She is a group therapist at Beacon Behavioral, where she is passionate about helping others navigate mental health and find hope and healing. Her faith is an important part of her life, and she is continuing to grow in her relationship with God. Kristen is so excited and honored to stand alongside Ariel and Ian as they celebrate this beautiful next chapter together!

Mary is one of Ariel’s life long, childhood friends. They have shared many memories from their life growing up and are still celebrating each other’s milestones. Mary is a chef, high school nutrition teacher, and fitness instructor/coach. She is beyond grateful and honored to be sharing yet another exciting life moment with Ariel and now Ian.

Morgan is Ariel’s cousin and has been sharing giggles, making up dances, playing dress up, dominating board game nights, and overall one sleepover at a time since before they could walk.

Caitlin is Ariel’s niece, but she looks up to Ariel as more of a big sister. Caitlin is a student at Northern Arizona University pursuing a degree in Forestry and a certificate in wildlife management and ecology. In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, and playing the guitar.

RoseMary is the Goddaughter of the Bride. She is a very happy, energetic, fun loving thrill seeker who loves rides, games, puzzles, books, movies, and dressing up. Cuddling with everyone and napping with her best friend Lovey makes her feel at peace to continue to spread joy to everyone she meets.

Nick is a school counselor, adjunct professor, and working artist, and a friend of Ians since their grad school days. They met while both training to become counselors, and Ian later introduced him to Magic: The Gathering and other trading card games. For the past couple of years, the two have also been running buddies, motivating each other to take on marathons. Nick works primarily as a school counselor and teaches as an adjunct professor of clinical mental health counseling at The College of New Jersey. As an artist, he has professional experience in book illustration, graphic design, and photography.

The first time I met Ian was at flipjitsu academy when I was 16 years old. Ian was doing backflips trying to impress my girl. I told him no way a boy like this is ever gonna snatch my girl. So yeah. We pretty much had a backflip tournament. At flipjitsu camp. Yeah, It was awesomesauce. It was hard fought. Both of us are on our knees. Scores 💯 were tied, we had one backflip left EACH. It was my time. Sensei taught me a flip that only ancient flipjitsu masters could master. It was my time. But then Ian did the same flip! The girl was flippin out! Me and Ian were close friends ever since. But he is still my greatest rival 😈

Fisher is Ian’s life long friend, basically brother, and his favorite antagonist. They grew up together with a shared love of food, long walks through mid city, trading cards, and making jokes. Fortunately, many of these hobbies have carried into today as their friendship persists. Fisher has a passion for both local art and cooking having grown up in New Orleans. You can most frequently find him fishing unironically or playing cards with his friends.

Adam: Adam is Ian’s ride or die and partner in comedy writing. In his personal life, Adam could be described as a jack of all trades. From music, writing, animation and visual arts, Adam has a vast array of skills and hobbies that he shares with all his friends. Adam is headstrong and not afraid to be himself in any and all situations. While these traits have gotten him in trouble more times than is appropriate to mention in a wedding bio, they are also what helped Ian grow into the outspoken person he is now. In high school, Adam used to support Ian as he put on a dress to see what they could get for free from the mall, based off the merit of being a man in a dress. Now he’s excited to support Ian as he puts on a suit to marry his other best friend only one month before Ian does the same for him.

Whether it’s a night at the bar or a new business venture, Dom is there with Ian. Dom is a passionate quarter crawler who’s made name for himself in cooking and baking. When Dom isn’t destroying Ian at video games and board puzzles, he’s probably enjoying some low quality adult animation or just dying his hair. Dom has seen Ian through MANY phases. He is excited to celebrate this next chapter with both him and Ariel, the only person who knows more about Star Wars than him.

Ross: Ross is the head chef of Tableau in New Orleans. Ross initially met Ian playing Magic but this relationship quickly grew into a fondness of all things New Orleans. Ross’ ability to solve problems pragmatically and dry sense of humor makes him the perfect friend to have in a pinch or on a night out. As a core member of the New Orleans community Ross has made to many memories to list in one bio. If he had to pick one it would likely be the night that the skeletons came to life. They came from under the ground and from all over. They’d never seen as much food as this, underground there’s half as much food as this, and the bones are their money. The worms are their dollars. They’ll pull your hair up, but not out, so they can turn into a man and have another chance at life, but if they pull it out they turn to bones.