Chelsea and Todd’s sensational New Orleans wedding

Chelsea Kappeler and Todd Rogerson moved heaven and Earth to be together.

The Melbourne couple, both 35, first met on an ordinary Monday. ”Todd had just gotten off a 24-hour flight from Toronto (he’s a Canuck) so his eyesight and judgement we’re rather impaired,” says Chelsea. “But he still thought I was one of the most wonderful and curious creatures he’d ever laid eyes,” she laughs.

She adds, “I’m characteristically chatty (ask anyone) but was uncharacteristically silent upon seeing Todd for the first time and thought to myself, what Canadian voodoo magic is this?! We fell disgustingly and inconveniently in love, and spent the next few years moving heaven and Earth – and the hearts of Immigration Officers – to be together.”

Their New Orleans wedding on February 20, 2016 was a celebration of their shared and “insatiable” love of the region’s vibrant culture. Eighty guests attended the outdoor ceremony at Fitzroy Gardens’ Old Bandstand, followed by an authentic New Orleans reception at Po’ Boy Quarter.

“We marched to the reception venue in true New Orleans style in a traditional second line parade with a six-piece brass band leading the way,” tells Chelsea. “We bobbed and weaved our whimsical way down Smith Street, spreading joy and Mardi Gras beads as we went! Shop keepers emerged with smiles, heads popped out of apartment windows, children ran to join in, and the hipsters applauded as we sang and strutted to When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Once at Po’ Boy, guests were treated to delicious New Orleans fare such as gumbo and maple bacon ice-cream, as well as dancing and some “socially questionable speeches.”

”And then at 11pm after a round of mac ‘n’ cheese croquettes and a dirty martini or two, the groomsmen took to the stage in the most epic Lip Sync Battle in recorded history. It was, quite simply, the most joyous occasion ever!”

Photos courtesy of Jo Howell Photography.

The groom wore a handcrafted prussian blue Italian suit teamed with a yellow billy button boutonniere.

 

“I only tried on one dress and as soon as it slipped over my skin, I knew I’d found the one,” says Chelsea of the Wishbone & Ivy lace design.

 

Celebrant Jon Von Goes wed the couple at Fitzroy Gardens. “With his dulcet tones, comedic wit and flared velour pants, we knew we had a celebrant who’d make the world laugh and cry,” smiles Chelsea.

“Our flowers were lovingly provided by incredible local organisation, The Best Bunch, who provide meaningful employment for people with special needs,” says Chelsea.

The couple crafted their own cheese wheel cake. “We stacked those suckers sky high and loaded them with handfuls of cascading grapes, caramelised figs and a quince heart to finish it off,” describes Chelsea.