Dr. Seema Banno and Dr. Sanjin Tunovic’s wedding day was a breathtaking celebration of their love, and the Fat Cat Team was thrilled to make flowers and installations that matched this couple’s supremely elegant style.

I got the details of this wedding through Becky Lampp of Spanish Oak Events. All it took was Becky saying, “let’s talk about doing something with a sleek, cool glow,” and I knew this wedding was going to be something extra special— and that was before we even talked about the spectacular dried palmettos for the ceremony space!

Seema and Sanjin are unbelievably photo-worthy! I love the way that the color palette we chose accentuates the skin tones of our bride and groom so well.

This was Fat Cat’s first time working with Kevin Benoit of Kevin Benoit Photography, and we couldn’t be more blown away. Kevin is truly professional— an absolute rock star, and a treat to work with. Every image from this wedding makes me wish I could go back and be in that beautiful, loving space again, at least for a little while.

Seema and Sanjin met at Tulane University Medical School, and their engagement was so special it was featured in The New York Times! Sanjin proposed at Hansen’s Sno-Bliz on Tchoupitoulas, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of this heartwarming New Orleans wedding story.

When I sat down with Seema and Sanjin, I made sure we took the time to delve deep into her personal style. There were plenty of things that Seema knew she wanted, like the integration of traditional elements from her Pakastani heritage, including elements like the stunning beaded gown you can see in the picture above, blended somehow with the modern, sleek style that Seema and Sanjin bring into their lives on a daily basis.

My first thought was that the best way to bring these worlds together was through color. I was lucky enough to be able to see the dress very early on in my consultations with Seema, and it gave me a huge burst of inspiration. I could already see that the gold that was already in her dress was going to play so nicely with her warm skin tones, so I immediately locked some warm, orange-red golds into her palette.

Can we talk about this bouquet!? The only place you’ll find live flowers at this wedding are right here, in the photo above. We went with these snow-white statement peonies called Duchess de Nemours, with the intention of turning the contrast up to 11. Always, always, always, a bouquet needs to POP, and we were so thrilled by how well this bouquet simultaneously draws your eye to it, and compliments the cooler tones of Sanjin’s skin. Take a look at the effect in the photo below:

Pure Joy! Thanks again to Kevin Benoit for managing to get all of the best moments from this wedding saved forever in his photographs. Ceremony flowers consisted of dried palmettos complimented by vintage rugs from Lovegood Rentals and floating candles down the aisle that Fat Cat provided. We’re so happy to say that the ceremony flowers looked just like we had envisioned, and there were big smiles all around.

But next, the flip!

After the ceremony, the couple and their guests celebrated immediately with a Classic New Orleans Second Line with the Knockaz Brass Band. Spanish Oak Events synchronized Element and Lovegood Rentals to work with us on a dramatic twenty minute flip while the party-goers were out of the Civic Theatre, and the ceremony space quickly transformed into a seated dining area complete with beautiful rugs, farm tables, and darling pink linens from Lovegood Rental. The Fat Cat team did their part adding all the extra magic needed— candle light for every table, and gorgeous, tufted table-scapes featuring pampas grass, protea, bunny tails, mushrooms and other funky dried flowers. We LOVE doing work at the Civic Theater. The space is perfect for so many events, and their staff is second to none.

It was so fun to set Seema and Sanjin loose in my warehouse. She reached for some fantastic pieces with great personality, like antique terra cotta vessels, that we brought together with layers upon layers of candles and clear glass to create a mod, chic look that’s all their own. I always love it when a bride lights up at the thought of special little details— it always makes the final look that much more unique.

Floating candles are one of our favorite ways to bring the old and the new together. The light cast by them here does a great job brightening up some of the deepest earth tones of our color palette.

Here’s that funky terra cotta! And it’s pairing so well with their elegant typeface. I just love the aesthetic language here that pulls together the old and the new. For me, the result of that is a space that feels effortlessly elegant, but warm and comfortable at the same time. Each table got special treatment— an eclectic grouping of dried flowers, individually unique vessels, and tall votive candles.

Seema and Sanjin were a delight. Their confidence and security in their own sense of style made it so easy for us to let our creativity flow, and I think their wedding was absolutely breathtaking because of it. Wouldn’t you agree!

I’d love to take the time here to thank everyone else who worked on this event. Black Pearl Catering delivered a posh, stylish menu offering, and made the whole thing look effortless. The cake cake from Beth Biundo Sweets was glam and gorgeous and fit the bill 100%. No party is complete without a great DJ - and Ethan from Everything Forever had everyone on their feet all night long!

If you have a wedding or event near New Orleans, give us a call (504)486-8580! We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about your special day, and we’d love to be the florist that makes your dreams come true.

If you liked the style of this wedding, take a look at what we did for Liz and Charlie! You might like theirs even more.

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Thanks for reading!

Diane Mouton, Owner of Fat Cat Flowers LLC.