Finally, after many months, I get to share my own wedding with you all! Obviously, this is my favorite wedding of all time and there’s not really much I can say except that it was filled with so much love. The day was impossibly fun and everything I had expected and dreamed. It was wonderful to spend the day with both of our families and friends, laughing, dancing, eating and drinking all night long. Enjoy the photos!
Anna + Vinnie
In August 2013, Michael Vincent LeDonne, son of Ana LeDonne and Mike LeDonne of Atlanta, GA, proposed to Anna Olivia Grundmann, daughter of Gaby and Van Grundmann of Covington, in the most personal and romantic way possible. He set up a gallery of photos and artwork they had collected together as a couple, told his unsuspecting bride they were going to an art exhibit and took her on a trip down memory lane, using a painting by her grandmother (of the proposal that hadn’t yet occurred) at the end of the gallery to pop the question. Over a year later, the two said “I Do” on November 22, 2014, carrying the personal and romantic theme over into their stunning Northshore wedding.
Where did you meet?
Vinnie and I met at LSU while we were both working at Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Baton Rouge.
Describe your wedding style in three words.
Classic. Romantic. Personal.
What made your wedding so personal?
It was truly a family affair. I got ready at my parents’ house where I grew up and Vinnie and his groomsmen got ready at the Southern Hotel in downtown Covington where his entire family was staying from Atlanta and Miami. Our ceremony was at the St. Joseph Abbey in Covington where my family attends church and our reception was held at Palmettos on the Bayou in Slidell, which is a beautiful venue with delicious food, but also my uncle’s restaurant and where Vinnie was the general manager for two years. Every person present contributed to our wedding in some unique way and you could feel all of the love in the room that day.
Did you have a wedding planner?
Vinnie, my mom and I planned the entire wedding ourselves and she admittedly did most of the work! We had an overall idea and she made everything happen.
How many dresses did you try on?
I only tried on about five dresses! The first place I visited was Olivier Couture in Mandeville, and the first dress I tried on was “the one.” I tried on a few more to compare, but after that bridal moment, I knew.
What was your favorite moment of the ceremony?
My favorite moment was when I walked through the doors at the Abbey with my dad—I could see Vinnie tearing up at the front of the church, which made me start crying, and then I could barely see anything for the rest of the way down the aisle! When we finally got to the altar, our celebrant commented that it was the first time he had seen both the bride and the groom come up crying!
What was the most memorable moment of the reception?
My sister surprised us by getting on stage with the band and singing two special songs. She sang At Last and Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud and got the whole reception to their feet. It was even better than our first dance!
What was the most fun detail of the reception?
That would probably be a toss up between the gold sequin backdrops behind the cake and photo booth or the late-night catfish biscuits.
What was your favorite detail?
My grandmother collects wedding cake-toppers, so we had them scattered around the reception in little glass domes with my favorite on top of our cake.
Speaking of cake, how was it?
Delicious! We had white cake with milk chocolate cognac filling and butter cream frosting. Vinnie’s favorite dessert is a chocolate chip cookie, so his groom’s “cake” was an LSU themed cookie jar filled with chocolate chip cookies!
Did you have something old, new borrowed and blue?
Something old: my pearl earrings that were my grandmother’s. Something new: My dress and shoes. Something borrowed: My aunt’s veil. Something blue: A ribbon on my garter.
What was the grand exit?
I changed into a little 20s inspired shift dress and we ran out through a blaze of sparklers!
Vendor Information:
Ceremony Venue: St. Joseph Abbey
Reception Venue: Palmettos on the Bayou
Bride’s Gown: Olivier Couture, Justin Alexander
Bridesmaids Dresses: Olivier Couture, Alfred Sung
Groom and Groomsmen’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank
Photographer: Kristen Soileau Photography
Videographer: Bride Film
Hair and Makeup: Brantley Hair Studio
Invitations: Scriptura
Band: The Issue
Cake: Zoë’s Bakery
Florist: Poppy and Mint
Photo booth: Event Booth NOLA
Transportation: All Southern Livery
Accommodations: The Southern Hotel
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