Lela & Jirick's Wedding at NOLA Skyline Event Center in New Orleans
Lela Hill and Jirick Hunter celebrated their wedding on October 17, 2026, at NOLA Skyline Event Center in New Orleans, surrounded by approximately 120 family members and friends. Their wedding brought together a romantic peach, lilac, and sage color palette, meaningful family traditions, and a lively reception filled with R&B, hip-hop, and New Orleans music.
The celebration took place across several spaces inside NOLA Skyline Event Center, with preparations in the Jazz and Blues suites, the first look, portraits, and ceremony in the Lake Room, and the reception in the Skyline Room.
From the relaxed getting-ready atmosphere and playful wedding-party photographs to their private vows, broom-jumping ceremony, and a room-wide celebratory shot, Lela and Jirick's wedding reflected their personalities, their relationship, and the family and friends who helped bring them together.
A Love Story That Began at Another Wedding
Lela and Jirick's love story began in 2023 at the wedding of Jirick's cousin Theron and his wife Ashley.
Theron introduced the couple, beginning a relationship that would eventually bring together two people living in different states.
With Jirick living in Colorado and Lela in Louisiana, their early relationship involved long-distance dating, FaceTime conversations, and finding ways to stay connected despite the distance.
After approximately a year and a half of dating, Jirick moved to Louisiana, allowing the couple to begin the next chapter of their relationship together.
Their wedding brought that story full circle. Theron, who originally introduced them, stood beside Jirick as his best man, while Ashley served as Lela's matron of honor.
It was a meaningful connection that made their wedding celebration even more personal.
Getting Ready at NOLA Skyline Event Center
The wedding day began with preparations in two separate suites at NOLA Skyline Event Center.
Bridal Preparations in the Jazz Suite
Lela and her bridal party spent the morning getting ready in the Jazz Suite, doing their own hair and makeup while preparing for the afternoon portraits and ceremony.
The bridesmaids wore satin robes for group photographs, posing together with their bouquets before changing into their lilac dresses.
The bridesmaids' soft lilac attire, silver accessories, and peach bouquets complemented the wedding's romantic color palette.
One especially helpful detail happened before photography coverage even began. Ashley, the matron of honor, had already gathered Lela's important wedding accessories for flat-lay photography.
Having the rings, jewelry, shoes, and other details collected ahead of time made it quick and easy to arrange and photograph everything without interrupting the bridal preparations.
This small bit of preparation made a noticeable difference in keeping the morning photography organized and efficient.
Groom and Groomsmen in the Blues Suite
Meanwhile, Jirick and his groomsmen prepared in the Blues Suite, beginning the day with a more playful approach to wedding photography.
The groomsmen wore matching plaid pajama pants and black tank tops, while Jirick stood out in a white tank top.
Before changing into their formalwear, the group headed outside NOLA Skyline Event Center for a series of football-inspired game-day arrival photographs, carrying their tuxedos in garment bags.
These photographs gave Jirick and his friends an opportunity to show their personalities before the more formal portraits began.
Theron, the best man, also helped prepare the groom's accessories for flat-lay photography, making the detail portion of the day more efficient.
Later, the groomsmen changed into coordinated beige suits with sage ties, lilac boutonnieres, and cognac accessories.
The contrast between the casual pajama photographs and their finished wedding attire created two very different looks within the same wedding-day story.
A Peach, Lilac & Sage Wedding Design
Lela and Jirick selected peach, lilac, and sage for a romantic, garden-inspired wedding aesthetic.
Their design incorporated florals, greenery, candlelight, draped fabric, and subtle gold accents, creating a cohesive appearance throughout the ceremony and reception spaces.
The Lake Room ceremony design featured a wooden hexagonal wedding arch decorated with floral arrangements, complemented by greenery, draped accents, and candlelight throughout the room.
The aisle decorations included greenery and flameless pillar candles, adding to the soft, romantic atmosphere.
In the Skyline Room, peach table runners, floral centerpieces, floating candles, subtle gold accents, and a decorated reception backdrop featuring the illuminated Hunter sign continued the garden-inspired aesthetic.
The reception tables also featured personalized details, including thank-you cards and shot glasses that would later become part of one of the evening's most memorable moments.
The overall design balanced romantic wedding details with a welcoming atmosphere for family and friends.
First Look and Wedding Portraits in the Lake Room
One of the most important decisions Lela and Jirick made was scheduling their first look and formal wedding portraits before the ceremony.
Their first look took place inside the Lake Room at NOLA Skyline Event Center, providing a dedicated moment together before the arrival of their guests.
Immediately afterward, we photographed the couple, their wedding party, and their families.
The portrait sessions included:
Bride and groom portraits
Lela with her bridesmaids
Jirick with his groomsmen
Full wedding-party portraits
Parents and grandparents
Immediate family photographs
Flower girl and ring bearer
Relaxed and freestyle wedding-party photographs
Because the portraits were completed before the ceremony, the entire session felt organized and unrushed.
We actually finished with more than 15 minutes to spare before guests began arriving and approximately 45 minutes remaining before the ceremony.
That extra time allowed the wedding party to relax and prepare for the ceremony without feeling rushed.
From a wedding photography perspective, this was one of the biggest advantages of their timeline. By completing the formal portraits early, Lela and Jirick avoided having to spend their cocktail hour gathering family members for photographs.
After the ceremony, they could transition directly into their private dinner and reception celebrations.
Wedding Ceremony in the Lake Room
Lela and Jirick's ceremony took place in the Lake Room at NOLA Skyline Event Center, surrounded by family and friends.
Their ceremony was officiated by Alicia, who shared reflections on marriage, partnership, and the couple's relationship.
The ceremony also acknowledged loved ones who were no longer physically present, honoring their continued importance in the lives of the couple and their families.
One particularly meaningful part of Lela and Jirick's wedding was their decision to exchange their personal vows privately before the ceremony.
Rather than sharing those personal words in front of everyone, they chose to keep that exchange between themselves.
During the ceremony, they exchanged their marriage commitments and rings before sharing their first kiss as husband and wife.
Jumping the Broom: Honoring a Meaningful Wedding Tradition
Following their marriage ceremony, Lela and Jirick participated in the African American wedding tradition of jumping the broom.
The tradition represents crossing into a new chapter of life together and is a meaningful cultural expression incorporated into many African American wedding celebrations.
For Lela and Jirick, the broom-jumping moment provided a memorable conclusion to their ceremony before the celebration continued.
From a photography standpoint, it was important to document the complete sequence, including the couple approaching the broom, making the jump, and celebrating afterward.
These moments are part of what makes every wedding story unique.
From the Lake Room to the Skyline Room
Following the ceremony, guests made their way into the Skyline Room for cocktail hour, dinner, and refreshments.
Meanwhile, Lela and Jirick enjoyed a private dinner together in the Blues Suite, while their wedding party gathered for dinner in the Jazz Suite.
This gave everyone an opportunity to eat, relax, and prepare for the evening's introductions and formal dances.
For couples planning a wedding, this is another useful scheduling idea. Setting aside time for a private meal ensures the couple and wedding party have an opportunity to enjoy their food before the reception activities begin.
Because Lela and Jirick had already completed their family and wedding-party portraits, there was no need to interrupt this time for additional formal photographs.
Guests were able to enjoy food, drinks, and the photo booth while waiting for the wedding party's entrance.
A New Orleans Wedding Reception Full of Music and Celebration
Lela and Jirick's reception reflected their personalities and their connection to New Orleans.
Their music selections incorporated 90s and 2000s R&B, hip-hop, current favorites, Louisiana music, and New Orleans bounce, creating a celebration designed to keep family and friends involved throughout the evening.
The reception began with introductions of the wedding party, followed by Lela and Jirick's entrance as newlyweds.
First Dance and Family Traditions
The formal dances included the couple's first dance, a special dance between Lela and her grandfather, and Jirick's dance with his mother.
The celebration also included a money dance, bringing another familiar wedding tradition into the reception.
These dances created opportunities to document meaningful family relationships before the evening transitioned into a more energetic celebration.
A Room-Wide Celebratory Shot
One of the reception's standout moments came after the formal dances when the entire room participated in a celebratory shot.
Shot glasses had been incorporated into the reception table settings, allowing guests to join Lela and Jirick in a shared toast.
It was a fun way to bring everyone together and officially transition from the formal portions of the reception into the party.
Cake Cutting, Dancing and New Orleans Music
The celebration continued with the wedding cake cutting, music, dancing, and candid moments among family and friends.
DJ PhiveK of B5K Studios provided the reception entertainment, with music selections reflecting the couple's love of R&B, hip-hop, and Louisiana favorites.
Throughout the evening, the combination of formal traditions and relaxed celebrations provided a wide variety of moments to photograph.
From the couple's first dance to the shared toast and reception candids, the evening was about celebrating their marriage with the people closest to them.
Photographing a Wedding at NOLA Skyline Event Center
One of the advantages of photographing Lela and Jirick's wedding at NOLA Skyline Event Center in New Orleans was the ability to complete nearly every major part of the day at one location.
The Jazz and Blues suites provided separate spaces for getting ready, while the Lake Room accommodated the first look, portraits, and ceremony.
The Skyline Room provided a separate setting for the reception, allowing guests to transition between events without traveling to another venue.
For this wedding, the venue layout worked particularly well with the couple's photography timeline.
Completing the first look and formal portraits before the ceremony meant we could work through the planned photographs efficiently, with time remaining before guests arrived.
Having the wedding details gathered in advance by the best man and matron of honor also helped streamline the morning coverage.
Together, these decisions allowed more time to focus on meaningful moments rather than rushing between photographs.
For couples considering NOLA Skyline Event Center, I recommend planning the first look, wedding-party portraits, and family photographs before the ceremony whenever possible.
It can make a significant difference in how smoothly the day flows, especially when the ceremony and reception are scheduled close together.
Hunter Wedding Vendor Team
Lela and Jirick's wedding was made possible through the work of their family, wedding party, and a dedicated team of New Orleans wedding professionals.
Venue: NOLA Skyline Event Center
Wedding Coordinator: Ashley Tuohy
Photography: Chad Populis Photography
Catering: 1st Class Presentation Catering
Bartending: Classy Bartender
Décor & Florals: Elaine in Bloom
Wedding Cake: Marguerite Cakes
Photo Booth: Flash Frame
Special appreciation also goes to Ashley Cooper, Theron Cooper, and the wedding party for helping organize the details and keep the photography preparations running smoothly.
Explore More Real New Orleans Weddings
Every wedding has its own personality, traditions, and story. Explore more real weddings photographed by Chad Populis Photography, featuring intimate celebrations, historic New Orleans locations, creative portraits, and unforgettable receptions.
Planning Your New Orleans Wedding?
Lela and Jirick's wedding at NOLA Skyline Event Center is a great example of how thoughtful planning, meaningful traditions, and an organized photography timeline can create a relaxed and memorable wedding experience.
At Chad Populis Photography, I combine natural, candid storytelling with guided portraits, creative lighting, and attention to the details that make every wedding unique. From getting ready and first looks to family traditions and energetic New Orleans receptions, my goal is to capture the complete story of your day.
Explore my New Orleans Wedding Photography services or review my Wedding Photography Packages & Pricing to learn more about coverage options.
Available for Editorial Publication
Lela and Jirick's wedding photographs are available for consideration by wedding blogs, bridal publications, and editorial features highlighting real New Orleans weddings, African American wedding traditions, and local wedding venues.
For editorial inquiries, image licensing, or publication requests, please contact Chad Populis Photography. Publication and image usage are subject to approval and applicable permissions.
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