Michelle Norwood

Bespoke weddings and events in New Orleans and Destinations Worldwide

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When you think of New Orleans venues, you probably don't think of rooftops! Well, that's about to change because my team and I found the best one! And in my NOLA native opinion, it's the nicest residence suite in all of New Orleans. This candlelight-only rehearsal dinner could rival any wedding. Guests were invited onto the 15th floor of the Ritz-Carlton to an ultra exclusive Residence Suite. They were greeted with champagne upon arrival and given napkins with custom text bearing the couple's last name and dinner location; tying in all the details of a magical weekend. If you want to know more about how we kept Faye and Mark’s guests entertained on a 10 hour wedding day, stay tuned for upcoming Michelle Norwood Events blog posts! For now, here's a sneak peek of their candlelight-only rooftop dinner at the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans. Planned & Designed @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @modavisphotography #neworleans #michellenorwood #candles #gildedwedding #neworleanswedding #nola #neworleansweddingplanner #nolaweddingplanner #weddingplanner #rooftopwedding #cityscapes #ritzcarltonneworleans #ritzcarltonresidences #rooftopsuite #nolarooftops (at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm6tWVNOQsl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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It’s easy to get excited about the future. As a wedding planner, the future is a place I live. And while it’s thrilling to look ahead and map out where we’re going — it’s necessary to review where we’ve been! As we get ready to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023, I invite you to celebrate yourself. Recapitulate the growth, lessons and most important of all — the love & memories. Remember to appreciate all that’s happened before getting swept up in what will soon be. At Michelle Norwood Events, we couldn’t be more delighted with our 2023 calendar. However, right now, we’re chewing on our favorite moments from 2022 just a while longer; savoring the tenderness and sweetness of life. From our hearts to yours, we wish you a beautiful reflection, transition and expansive year with lots of ease. May your hearts be full and grandiose! Happy New Year from our family to yours. Planning and Design @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @mannyphotos_ (at New Orleans, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm2Y2jwOZga/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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If you've been following my work, you know unconventional weddings with outside-the-box thinking are my jam. And Covid opened opportunities to get more creative. With date, venue and vendors changing daily, finding new ways to enhance outdoor celebrations became the norm. One wedding that still stands out to me is... Dinner and a movie The groom, Glenn, is a film producer who loves creating movies. So, it was only natural that he produce and direct a feature film starring himself and his bride, Sandra, to share their love story with all their guests over dinner.  Admittedly, I watched it countless times before and after the showing and cried each time. The thoughtful celebration took place outside of NOMA. My team and I have worked at NOMA countless times, so we knew exactly what to do. From a design perspective, the @neworleansmuseumofart was a suitable choice for its venue versatility. The most common location to host a seated dinner is in the Sculpture Garden under the huge oak trees, which we have created before. However, we pitched the idea of dinner on the steps of NOMA and coined it “Dinner and A Movie '' and they were all in.  It was a risky plan and logistically a bit of a challenge as electricity is non-existent and a quiet generator is never really quiet. Not to mention, rain is always a possibility in New Orleans. And we were quite exposed in the middle of a public park, but... We were blessed. It turned out to be a perfect fall day in NOLA. The public kept a respectful distance and the quiet generator turned out to be quiet.  Blog post coming soon but for now, here is a sneak peak of Sandra and Glenn’s Dinner and a Movie al fresco dinner on the step of NOMA! Planned and Designed @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @christiannchild #michellenorwood #dinnerandamovie #alfrescowedding #seateddinner #nomawedding #neworleansmuseumofart #luxurywedding #luxuryweddingplanner #destinationwedding #michellenorwoodevents (at NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzTUQdO8hn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This wedding still gives me butterflies! Planning and Design @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @modavisphotography #alfresco #alfrescodining #alfrescowedding #alfrecodesign #tentgreenery #greenery #seateddinner #nomawedding #destinationwedding #luxurywedding #michellenorwood #neworleansweddings #destinationweddingplanner #vogueweddingplanner (at NOMA's Besthoff Sculpture Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmzAW41u-b4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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One might think the best part of being a destination wedding planner is traveling to someplace new, but home is where the heart is. With close to six of eight weddings a year requiring airports to charming towns or exotic destinations, it was a treat to plan Alexandra Daddario & Andrew Form's wedding in my home city—New Orleans. Head on over to my blog to see exactly how things went down in the big easy. Link in bio. Planning + Design @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @stormsantos #neworleans #nola #thebigeasy #neworleanswedding #linkinbio #destinationwedding #luxuryweddings #destinationweddingplanner #celebrityweddings #nolawedding #neworleansweddingplanner (at Preservation Hall, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmuUScaOUV_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Cocktail hour details Planning and Design @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @modavisphotography (at NOMA's Besthoff Sculpture Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpANUEuPr7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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As a luxury destination wedding planner, gifting is a must. Your guests are going the distance to show you just how much they care. In turn, showing them love in return with a little something special goes a long way. While welcome bags with local goodies are popular for all in attendance, sometimes it can be difficult figuring out what to get your wedding VIPs. To take the stress off, I've curated a thoughtful list of 10 Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party. Link in bio. #gifts #bridalparty #gifts #weddingpartygifts #destinationplanner #weddingplanner #destinationwedding #michellenorwoodevents (at Pass Christian, Mississippi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmcWQwLOmRN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Las Catalinas, a new car-free beach town with an old world feel. Equally laid-back as it is luxurious, this quaint sustainable utopia is taking pura vida to a whole new level. Find out why you should plan your Costa Rica destination wedding here! Link in bio. #lascatalinas #costarica #costaricawedding #destinationwedding #destinationweddingplanner #luxuryweddings #weddingplanner #casachameleon #casachameleonlascatalinas #beachwedding #weddinginfluencer #weddinginfluencers #michellenorwoodevents (at Las Catalinas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmZoPPduV2d/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Each year, the bar for celebration rises. And this year had the most astounding weddings to date. I am endlessly inspired by the creatives behind the scenes who make each event look effortless, yet unforgettable. It is with great honor to be named among such talent as one of “The Brides Best Wedding Planners of 2022.” Thank you @brides @shelbywax — I look forward to planning and designing even more astonishing work in 2023. Photographer @modavisphotography Headshot @hannahpickle (at NOMA's Besthoff Sculpture Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl9JLMYOPnq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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When I initially met Mark and Faye, we discussed options for their rehearsal dinner. They knew they wanted something intimate and the remaining details were left in our care. As a planner, there isn’t an option but to provide the very best for our clients. I knew that this event had to be magical, while still having a feeling of intimacy! Faye and Mark had no idea what I had up my sleeve; a simple yet intimate rooftop rehearsal dinner or so they thought. I reached out to The Ritz Carlton because I knew the residence rooftop would soon be available. I’m so fortunate that I was able to host the first event in this spectacular space. There wasn’t anything about this night that disappointed. When Mark walked into the space, he looked at me and said with his British accent, “Michelle this ain’t shit.” Translation…. This is phenomenal. Photographer @modavisphotography Planner/Designer @michellenorwoodevents Venue/Catering/Bar @ritzcarltonneworleans Candles @antiguafloral Rental @truevaluerental Linens @nuagedesignsinc Paper @eglantine_rose_letterpress #michellenorwood #rehearsaldinner #rooftoprehearsaldinner #alfrescodinner #vogueweddingplanner #nolaweddingplanner #ritzcarltonresidencesuite #ritzcarltonnola #ritzcarltonrooftop #candles #whiteandgolddinner #estatetable #whitelinens #golddetails #simpleyetelegant #thenightbefore (at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChSQLjLrLuf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The night before ✨✨ Sarah and George’s Rehearsal Dinner Photographer @modavisphotography (at Brennan's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFT0v-O_fN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The night before ✨✨ Sarah and George’s Rehearsal Dinner. Photographer @modavisphotography (at Brennan's Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChFTK22uFiB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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I love when clients trust me to fully execute their wedding without a vision. Sarah and George flew into to Nola. We met for the first time at NOMA and had a quick walk through. We took a brief walk to Pine Grove and without hesitation or seeing any other spaces they said, “this is it”. Over the next weeks, I put together the design brief and renderings with a few details that were a must for the couple: 1. Seated dinner in a garden 2. Ceremony in front of an oak tree 3. The rest is up to you 🥰 Fast forward to January, we met for a second time and finalized the details. This time they actually saw the Sculpture Garden. Sarah and George loved everything. Every space was perfection. For many years, I had this vision in my head of a black frame structure. It would be set in a garden, draped in greenery and open to the night sky. It would be grand, yet intimate. I had been waiting for the perfect couple to present this design. I knew it would take a very special couple to agree to this. Finally, I had the chance to execute it and I knew it was going to be epic! As the wedding grew closer, Sarah became unsure of the black frame structure. It is too big? Will our wedding feel intimate? We worked through all her hesitations and we were all set. The renderings were a snapshot of what the wedding day would look like and I was excited to see the vision I had dancing in my head come to life. I was really nervous and also very excited. On the day of the wedding, I wanted to get their reaction. To ensure every detail was perfect for the reveal, I skipped the cocktail hour and made a beeline to the seated dinner. When they walked into the space, their reaction was exactly what I wanted. THEY LOVED IT! Swipe right to see the couple’s reaction. George immediately took his phone out to snap a few pictures. Sarah’s mom said to me, “this is exquiste”. I’m glad we trusted your vision.” I am forever grateful for clients who trust the process and allow me creative freedom to deliver. Planner + Designer @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @modavisphotography #alfrescowedding #michellenorwood #gardeninspiration (at New Orleans Museum of Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cc2pVcTOSgR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Are you ready for the New Orleans Supper Club?? We are!! Catch up with industry friends—old and new—while learning fresh ideas to help grow your business at the next @WeddingPro Supper Club in New Orleans on Tuesday, May 3rd. I’m excited to announce that I’ll be the on the panel and that I planned and designed this event! To register for this free event, RSVP with the link in my bio. https://nolasupperclub.splashthat.com/ #michellenorwood #nolasupperclub #weddingpro (at New Orleans, Louisiana) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcqkwvquNV2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Elated to have made the @overthemoon #topplanner list. Thank you Alexandra, Amanda and @overthemoon. I am truly honored to be on the list. Three images, simply couldn’t decide my favorite. Which is your? Vote below 👇🏾. Planner + Designer @michellenorwoodevents Photographer @modavisphotography #topplanner #overthemoon #destinationwedding (at Worldwide) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcVUmyxuUOY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The bride wore trousers and feathers for her Santa Barbara wedding at sunset, says @vogue Ale & Louis wedding is #featured in @vogue @vogueweddings! Planning and Design #michellenorwood Photographer @modavisphotography #tap for vendor love (at Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaqTh1XsIcN/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Oh for the love of trees! Reminiscing over the time we installed 10, yes ten 15 foot trees in the @marignyoperahouse Our first design meeting with Jasmine and Glenwood, I was looking at their home in the background of our Zoom meeting and I noticed a lot of plants 🪴. Jasmine stated she preferred plants and greenery over florals. Fast forward two years later (yes, it was a Covid postponement wedding) the trees went in and oh what a beauty they were to finally see? After years of seeing it all on rendering its was 1000x better in real life! It was an enchanting evening and one we will forever indulge in and share! Featured in @brides and @brides Wedding of the Week 🔥 Planner + Designer #michellenorwood Photographer @modavisphotography Trees and florals @antiguafloral #15foottrees #greenery #weddingdesigndetails (at Marigny Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUmtLnuwvP/?utm_medium=tumblr