Real Weddings |
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Bringing the Big Easy to Houston
Written by Heather McLean Wiederhoeft
Photography by Alexander's Fine Portrait Design
Noelle Kristen Smith & Davis Lee Jahncke
October 8, 2005
“When you’re working with the best to plan your wedding, it’s
truly a lot of fun,” explains Noelle Smith Jahncke. When she and
her fiance, Davis Jahncke III, imagined creating a bit of the Big
Easy in the midst of the Bayou City, they turned to the talented
team of event planner Lisa Newburn, floral designer David
Kurio, Jackson and Company’s Kelly Biggs and decorator Harry
Rice to put together this one-of-a-kind wedding and reception
on the evening of October 8, 2005.
Noelle and Davis began their journey nearly three years
before they said, “I do” when they were introduced on Noelle’s
birthday. Their relationship turned to a lifetime commitment as
they walked to dinner one night in New Orleans and Davis went
down on one knee in the city’s Jackson Square to ask Noelle to
become his wife.
 The planning of their nuptials was fun but it wasn’t always
easy. In late June, Noelle’s custom-designed wedding gown
arrived, but was not at all what she had envisioned. With the
help of Humaira Keller, manager of Saks Bridal Salon, a meeting
was arranged with designer Reem Acra in New York where
Noelle found a one-of-a-kind couture gown made of silk gazar
embellished with pearls, Swarovski crystals and beads as well
as a silver tiara to compliment the dress. She paired it with custom
Luchese white leather cowboy boots that her mother,
Judy Smith had personally decorated with Swarovski crystals
for the reception.
Another challenge came in late August with the arrival of
Hurricane Katrina. Almost half of the invited guests were from
New Orleans and as the handmade silk dupioni box-styled invitations were sent out just before Katrina hit, numerous invitations were lost in the mail
and some were not even delivered until after the ceremony. Noelle and Davis turned to
Tanglewood Pharmacy’s stationery department to quickly create new invitations to ensure
all their family and friends received a personal invite.
On October 8th, the sanctuary at the Second Baptist Church was filled with sunset hued
flowers while candles adorned the altar as well as all of the stained glass windows.
Abraham of Plants ‘n Petals created the warm beautiful setting in the church as well as the
bride’s bouquet which along with calla lilies, orchids, sweet peas and roses, shimmered
with 240 Swarovski crystals. Guests were greeted by the amazing sounds of the 75-
member “Voices of Corinth” gospel choir of Mt. Corinth Missionary Baptist Church. “It was
a very spiritual and personal ceremony,” recalls Noelle.
The hundreds of guests joined the new Mr. and Mrs. Jahncke for a breathtaking reception
at The Corinthian. Harry Rice designed and handmade 23 crystal chandeliers which
hung from the ceiling. The talented wedding team was able to recreate the feeling of the
Foundation Room at the House of Blues in New Orleans on The Corinthian’s second floor.
Individual vignettes were created with organza curtains where guests could relax and
order from a bistro menu or they could retreat to “Noelle’s,” a sound-proofed lounge complete with fireplaces and performances by cabaret duo Sharon Montgomery and
Jerry Attwood and Smooth Jazz recording artist Joseph Vincelli.
 The first floor of The Corinthian was a cornucopia of dining delights including an “ice
room” which featured two 12-foot tall ice fountains overflowing with jumbo shrimp and
scallop shells filled with lump crab and two 6-foot ice tables featuring oysters on the half
shell and lobster tails; four buffet stations with different foods; a seven-tier tall wedding
cake with six two-tier satellite cakes; and a 5-foot by 4-foot replica of Jackson Square in
New Orleans for the groom’s cake. Suspended above the cakes was a grid paved in lilac,
hydrangea, and amethyst jewels. 300 amethyst votives hung from the grid creating the
look of hundreds of fireflies. Both cakes were designed and created by Susie Edwards
and Francisco Salas of Susie’s Cakes.
 For the gentlemen, there was a “Men’s Retreat” complete with cigar roller; single malt
scotch’s and ports. On the big stage was The Maxx, from Atlanta and Rebirth Brass Band
from New Orleans while Alexander’s Fine Portrait Design captured the details of the day
on film.
The blissful couple left the wedding reception in a 1953 Eldorado convertible showered
with confetti while fireworks lit up the night and took off for a romantic honeymoon in Maui.
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