A Black LGBTQ+ couple from Virginia won the Fun, Fab & Free Wedding Contest for a free luxury New Orleans wedding from Waning Moon Weddings by LaToya.
The contest was intended to give a couple from a marginalized community the wedding of their dreams. Waning Moon Weddings partnered with other New Orleans event professionals to put together the event, which would normally cost well over $75,000.
“For couples in the LGBTQ+ community, there is a level of unimaginable fear and uncertainty when planning any major life event,” said Waning Moon Weddings owner and founder LaToya Papillion-Herr. “The Fun, Fab, & Free Wedding Contest is my way of creating a safe space and openly celebrating their love, beauty, and diversity. This project has received an outpouring of support from political organizations and event professionals all over the city of New Orleans.”
This year’s winning couple are Lee and Sable, a black queer woman and a black transman. Service partners for the event include:
- NOCCA Institute
- Michelle Norwood Weddings
- Fat Cat Flowers
- Mcarty House
- Bitter Sweet NOLA
- Fleur De Treats & Sweets
- Upscales Custom
- Cafe Orleans Catering
- Lovegood Rentals
- Capture Studio Photography
- Silverloop
- DJ RqAway
- Tap Truck
- Juana Party Bling
- A Dining Experience by B. Sherrie
- Heather McNamara
- (and more)
According to a press release sent by Waning Moon Weddings, the response across the city has been phenomenal, and there are already businesses, sponsors, and event professionals signing up to be future partners.
“This is our first year, and I am already looking forward to next year’s contest,” Papillion-Herr said.
For those looking for a list of inclusive wedding professionals serving same sex, nonbinary, queer, transgender, and other LGBTQ+ identifying couples, you can view “The Inclusive List” on the Waning Moon Weddings website.
