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Big Love Big Easy in the
College sweethearts Amelie Gelpi and Chuck Lyles celebrated their wedding in true New Orleans fashion, with cathedral vows, a second line, and a House of Blues reception full of music, memories, and meaning.
DECEMBER 14, 2024 | NEW ORLEANS, LA PHOTOGRAPHY BY: CREEL & CO.
A melie, a born and raised New Orleans girl, recalls meeting Chuck, whom she affectionately describes as a “southern gem” from Thibodaux, LA—during their college years. The two spent their 20s growing together, sharing a deep bond over their mutual love of music and life. “The proposal was amazing,” says Amelie…”everything I wanted!” In June of 2023, under the guise of grabbing a drink before “meeting our friends to watch the LSU baseball game,” Chuck brought Amelie to the New Orleans hot spot, Hot Tin, known for its magnificent view of the city. “We got a table outside and hung out for a minute until he popped the question!” shares Amelie. “Little did I know he’d hired a photographer to capture the moment. We took some pictures and then went back to my mom’s house where all of our friends met us for a fun little party at home.” The wedding weekend events began with a rehearsal dinner at Broussard’s Restaurant in the French Quarter. Amelie wore a very special gown the night of the rehearsal -
her mother-in-law’s 1989 Princess Diana-inspired wedding dress, which she had altered into a mini dress for the occasion. “I’ve always loved when I saw girls do this with their moms’ dresses,” says Amelie. “It makes the love story transcend time and adds such a unique and vintage feel to the whole weekend.” With her own mother’s dress unable to be altered, she turned to her mother-in-law. “My mother in law…is a mom of 3 boys who had no intention of ever opening her dress box again. She had a beautiful marriage to Chuck’s dad who passed away in 2018. When she showed me her dress she apologized for its extravagance and told me not to judge it. ‘Princess Diana was really big at the time,’ she confessed without realizing that was the exact style I had dreamed of wearing. Ms. Jane was elated to share her dress with me and I loved getting to feel like I had the chance to honor their marriage on the night she planned for us.” The wedding day began with the bridal party getting ready at Hotel Monteleone. Amelie and Chuck choose to have a First Look before
24 | NOWWeddingsMagazine.com
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