Blend

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

Our Wedding

Will likes to say he came to town for a football game and left with a girlfriend! Will and Anna met through their mutual best friends, Dylan and Gia Drake. Will and Dylan served in the Navy together and from that experience became life long friends. Gia, Dylan, and Anna went to college together at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana (pronounced Nack-a-tish). So, the 3 of them are going on 15 years of friendship! Since Will and Dylan always make a point to see one another each year through their love of sporting events, Dylan invited Will to come to Baton Rouge, LA for the LSU vs. Alabama football game in November of 2022. (Note: Will is neither an LSU nor Bama fan. Geaux Cocks!) Will came down to the Deep South with the expectation of attending a football game and hopping around to multiple tailgate scenes on campus that day with Gia, Dylan, and their son, Andrew. Well, Will never left “The Hill” which Anna’s family and friends lovingly call their LSU tailgate spot. Clearly, Anna and Will were smitten. 1 year and 3 months later, in February 2024, Will proposed to Anna at that very tailgate spot. It was just the two of them under the tree canopy and between the electrical box and no parking sign. The perfect spot for them!

Brought Together by SEC Football - “It Just Means More”

Our Story

Booking Information: Gasperecz-Talley Wedding Block A dedicated website is available for attendees to book their hotel rooms online. Reservations can be made by clicking the “website” box below. Cut Off Date: 4/23/2025 Note: We have added the maximum number of rooms we can add at the Hilton to our group wedding block. Once the Hilton group wedding block is full, you will need reserve your hotel room at one of the other two hotels with a wedding block. You are also free to reserve at one of the other suggested hotel properties. All properties are walking distance to one another as well as walking distance to the wedding and reception venue.

Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center

Block Information: Gasperecz/Talley Wedding Booking link can be reached by clicking the “website” box below. You can also call in. Call In Number: 866-215-6975. Mention the Code GTW or the group name, Gasperecz/Talley Wedding, and your dates of stay. Cut Off Date: 4/23/2025 Note: If you try to book before the cut-off date (4/23/2025) and it shows no availability, please contact Anna or Will because it means the set block has been fully booked. If we are made aware, we will do our best to try to add additional rooms to the block. However, if the hotel is unable to add additional rooms to our block, you will need to reserve your room at another host hotel or another suggested hotel.

Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge Downtown, an IHG Hotel

Block Information: Anna Gasperecz - Will Talley Wedding Group Booking link can be reached by clicking the “website” box below. You can also call in. Call In Number: 225-831-4646. Mention the group name, Anna Gasperecz - Will Talley Wedding Group, and your dates of stay. Cut Off Date: 4/24/2025 Note: If you try to book before the cut-off date (4/24/2025) and it shows no availability, please contact Anna or Will because it means the set block has been fully booked. If we are made aware, we will do our best to try to add additional rooms to the block. However, if the hotel is unable to add additional rooms to our block, you will need to reserve your room at another host hotel or another suggested hotel.

Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Downtown

Do I have to book a minimum number of nights inside the block?

No. The date range is there to accommodate various travel needs of guests. However, please feel free to book only the number of nights that you need. If this is only the one night, Saturday night, then that is okay!

How far are the hotels from one another?

The Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center and the Hotel Indigo are right across the street from one another. The Courtyard by Marriott is one block away from both of these. All are walking distance from each other and the venue, Blend.

How far are the hotels from the wedding and reception venue (Blend)?

The Courtyard by Marriott is one block from the venue. The Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center and the Hotel Indigo are both two blocks from the venue.&nbsp; The downtown blocks in Baton Rouge are small. So, 2-5 minutes if you are walking from your hotel. 1-3 minutes if you are driving. Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center (0.2 miles walking, 0.5 miles driving from venue)The Hotel Indigo (0.2 miles walking, 0.5 miles driving from venue)The Courtyard by Marriott (0.1 miles walking, 0.2 miles driving from venue)

Additional Hotel Options in Downtown Baton Rouge

Hampton Inn and Suites Baton Rouge Downtown (0.1 miles walking, 0.4 miles driving from venue)Origin Hotel Baton Rouge, a Wyndham Hotel (0.3 miles walking, 0.3 miles driving from venue)WATERMARK Baton Rouge, Autograph Collection (0.2 miles walking, 0.3 miles driving from venue)

Hotel Option on LSU Campus

The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at LSU. This hotel is a 10 minute drive from downtown Baton Rouge. It is 3.6 miles from the wedding ceremony and reception venue, Blend.

What if the group wedding block at my first choice hotel is fully booked? 

If your first choice hotel option is booked, you will need to book at one of the other host hotel locations. There are 3 hotels downtown that have group blocks for our wedding (Hilton, Courtyard, Indigo). You also have the option to book at one of the other suggested hotel properties (Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown, Origin Hotel, Watermark, The Cook Hotel).

Hotel Information

Downtown Baton Rouge Parking Information

All 3 host hotels (Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center, Hotel Indigo, and Courtyard by Marriott) have valet parking. All 3 are also close to pay to park parking lots. There are multiple pay to park parking lots in Downtown Baton Rouge. There is also street parking. These on-street parking spaces are free on weekends. Note: Please be mindful of one-way streets in downtown Baton Rouge. <a href="https://downtownbatonrouge.org/get-around/parking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> for additional downtown parking information.

Parking Information

Wedding Hotel and Venue Map

The arrows mark street direction. There are numerous one way streets in downtown Baton Rouge. The "P" symbol marks some suggested parking lot locations. For additional parking options, <a href="https://downtownbatonrouge.org/get-around/parking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a> or see the Parking Information page. The venue, Blend, on Laurel Street is the wedding ceremony and reception location. The three hotels marked are the three hotels in downtown Baton Rouge that we have created wedding blocks for you (Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center, The Hotel Indigo, and Courtyard by Marriott Downtown).

Hotel and Venue Map

Interactive City Maps

<a href="https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/plan-your-visit/transportation/maps/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> for interactive maps of various Baton Rouge areas and neighborhoods.

Anna's younger sister. She and Henry are twins. 

Elise Gasperecz

Jordan Gasperecz-McMills

Sorority sisters and best friends since college. Mom of ring bearer (Reid) and flower girl (Pierson).

Brittany McNeely

Sorority sisters and best friends since college. Married to Dylan who is in Will's groomsmen party. Mom of ring bearer (Andrew) and flower girl (Vivienne).

Giovanna 'Gia' Drake

Sarah Talley

Has become Anna's best Columbia, SC friend. Married to Alex who is in Will's groomsmen party.

Abbie Thielke

Avery Floyd

Devyn Floyd

Will and Tyler grew up in Sumter, SC together. They have known one another since the 3rd grade.

Tyler Bahnmuller 

Anna's younger brother. He and Elise are twins.

Henry Gasperecz

Fraternity brothers. Met at the University of South Carolina. 

Zach Bennett

Josh Montgomery

Kevin Lee

Ross Marley 

Alex Sherard

Bryce Sidwell

Met in the Navy. Married to Gia who is in Anna's bridal party. Dad of ring bearer (Andrew) and flower girl (Vivienne).

Dylan Drake

Andrew Drake

Vivienne 'Vivi' Drake

Pierson 'PK' McNeely

Reid 'Reidman' McNeely

Wedding Party

A Guide to Cocktail Attire for Men and Women by BRIDES Magazine

<a href="https://www.brides.com/cocktail-attire-wedding-4844364" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> to read what you need to know when attending a wedding with this popular dress code choice.

A Guide to Cocktail Attire

As the capital city of Louisiana, Baton Rouge is the heart and soul of the state’s eclectic culture. With over 300 years of history, Baton Rouge has a colorful story to tell, which can be tasted through its culinary offerings, seen through the picturesque views of the Mississippi River and historical landmarks and experienced through the vibrant arts and culture scene. In the “Red Stick,” every day is worth celebrating.

Visit Baton Rouge

(In no particular order.) - Louisiana’s Old State Capitol (Our very own castle on the river) - Louisiana’s State Capitol (Make sure to go up to the observation deck while there!) - The Tunnel (Inside Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center Hotel) - Mississippi River - Louisiana State University Campus + LSU Lakes - LSU Tiger Stadium Tour - Visit Mike the Tiger (Yes, LSU has a real Bengal Tiger on campus. His home is 15,000 square feet and cost $3.7 million to build!). - LSU Hilltop Arboretum - Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry - Calvin’s Chicken Salad located inside Calvin’s Bocage Market. - Mid City Beer Garden - Capitol Park Museum, a Louisiana State Museum - Superior Grill (Mid City Location) - Ronnie’s Boudin and Cracklin’ - Cecelia Creole Bistro - The Gregory inside The Watermark Hotel - The Brakes Bar - Hundred Oaks/Zee Zee Gardens (Neighborhood) - Eliza Beaumont (“Secret” Neighborhood) - Mid City Area (Government Street) - Perkins Road Overpass Area - Spanish Town Neighborhood (oldest neighborhood in Baton Rouge) - Spanish Town Market and Cofe - The Garden District (Neighborhood) - Historic Highland Road (Very scenic drive) - Swamp Tour (Different styles, 30 minutes outside of Baton Rouge. They have them toward Lafayette, LA and New Orleans, LA). - LSU Rural Life Museum - LSU Burden Museum and Botanic Gardens - BREC’s Magnolia Mound Museum and Historic Site - BREC’s Bluebonnet Swamp - Louisiana Art and Science Museum - Elsie’s Pie and Plate - New York Bagel (Jefferson Location) - Eliza Restaurant - Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant - BLDG 5 Market | Kitchen | Patio - Magpie Coffee - Poor Boy Lloyd’s - JED’s Local Restaurant - Mike Anderson’s Seafood Restaurant - Tsunami Sushi Downtown (Great rooftop views) - Coffee Call (Beignet fingers!) - Sweet Baton Rouge (The Flagship store is located in Perkins Rowe. However, they do have merchandise inside The Origin Hotel downtown.) - Red Stick Farmers Market - Pink Elephant (Antique/Vintage Shopping) - Circa 1857 (Antique/Vintage Shopping) - Hebert’s Specialty Meats

Bride's List

How to Spend a Long Weekend in Baton Rouge

24 Hours In Baton Rouge

Iconic Eats of BR

25+ Things to Add to Your Baton Rouge Bucket List

Day Trip Itinerary: What to Do in Baton Rouge

Top 10 Attractions to See in BR

Family Fun in Baton Rouge 

Guide to Downtown Dining in BR 

Where to Find the Best Snoballs in BR

Outdoor Adventures in Baton Rouge

Celebrate Happy Hour in Baton Rouge

Live Music In Baton Rouge

Seafood Spots You Can't Miss in BR

Best Places to Get Crawfish in BR

A Weekend Guide to BR

A Guide to Mid City Nightlife

Where to Find Beignets in BR

Perkins Road Overpass Restaurants

Where to Day Trip from Baton Rouge this Summer

Four Kid Friendly Day Trips from Baton Rouge

Things to Do

Our Engagement Photos

Our engagement photos were taken at the Louisiana State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge.   The State Capitol is one of the foremost examples of the art deco design which was popular in the 1930s.  The building stands 450 feet tall (34 floors,) making it the tallest capitol in the United States.   The new Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge was the brainchild of Gov. and U.S. Sen. Huey P. Long.    The Capitol Grounds have been described as among the most beautiful in the nation. The 27 acres contain an abundance of native Louisiana plants and trees. The expertly manicured area abounds with oak trees, magnolias, and azaleas.   Also located on the grounds of the new State Capitol is the Old Arsenal (formerly the Powder Magazine) which was built in 1838. It is now part of the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park.   Lastly, the Capitol Lakes are on the grounds of the Louisiana State Capitol as well. The Capitol Lakes were originally part of a natural drainage system called Grassie Bayou. Grassie Bayou was contiguous with the Mississippi River until the early 20th century, when it was dammed creating the lake system. Because there is no natural outlet, water which flows into the lake must be pumped out by a pumping station on the Mississippi River.    The Louisiana State Capitol is an unforgettable destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone looking to delve into the heart of vibrant culture.   We encourage you to check it out while you are in town for our wedding in May!

Engagement Photos

Note: Maylee rode along to the post office to place our wedding invitations in the mail. She shares her love with all.

Anna & Will

Anna & Will

The Invitation Suite