Rehearsal Dinner

Balcony Ballroom

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Matt and Gabby met during their sophomore year at Loyola University New Orleans through mutual friends and on-campus Sunday Service. After a few weeks of talking and getting to know one another, they quickly realized they shared many core common values. Matt pushed Gabby to open up and become more social, while helping her to explore the rich world of New Orleans culture and music. Gabby kept Matt grounded and encouraged through a rough transitional period. The couple have faced and overcome many challenges together, including the challenges of the pandemic, a big move to Shreveport for Gabby's medical training, and deaths in the family. They have grown and changed a lot both as individuals and as a couple over the past 7 years, but their love for each other has only become stronger and will continue to blossom into an amazing life together

Our story

How did you two meet?Matt caught Gabby on her way to the school cafeteria one random Saturday in October 2018, and he started asking her every question he could think about tennis (a good move on his part) and asked for her number to "talk to her more about tennis" Where was your first date?Matt and Gabby went to Satsuma Cafe, but not the one five minutes from Loyola's campus on Maple Street. Matt accidentally put in his GPS the Satsuma Cafe twenty minutes away on Dauphine Street. He had told her it would only be a five minute drive, so when she questioned him about it and they realized they were going to the wrong one, it became a laughing moment that eased their nerves. They shared a very nice meal together getting to know each other and then had a three hour walk at Audobon Park afterwards where they had great conversation How did Matt propose?Matt took Gabby on a beach trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. He told her that he wanted to have a nice trip with her before she started med school, but she had her suspicions. Matt had signed into his email on her IPad and had forgotten to sign out, so she saw a suspicious confirmation email from Ramsey's Diamond Jewelers a few weeks before their beach trip. That Saturday morning he had meticulously planned out the entire day. The end of the day included dinner at a local hibachi place and then a night walk on the beach. After walking and talking for a few minutes, Matt worked up his courage to start reading to Gabby a heartfelt letter of his love for her, appreciation for their relationship, and reasons for why it was time to propose. It was a very intimate setting with almost no one else around, and since it was dark, Matt had gotten a ring box with an LED light in it. The memory of those very special moments is burned into our hearts! What are your favorite things to do together?We like to watch television shows that pique our interest, hang out with our cats, be creative together, or take walks together. Right now we are enjoying the show Parks and Recreation and our cats Ryuko and Sprig are our pride and joy. We also enjoy playing two-player puzzle solving games or Visual Novel games together. As Matt is an experienced gamer and Gabby is a novice, the patience of both is frequently tested, but they always have a good time. As we make our way in life, we are looking forward to traveling more and being more adventurous as a married couple!

Tidbits

Our Story

Photos

Ethan Braselman is the endlessly creative older brother of the groom and there could be no other candidate for the position of Matthew's best man. They have been best friends for life and have given each other an endless amount of support and inspiration through all!
Ethan has a degree in social work and is a licensed massage therapist alongside his loving husband Derek

Ethan Braselman

Courtney and Gabby first met at New Orleans Youth Tennis clinic when they were 9 years old. They were both shy loners standing in the back. "I knew right then we would be great friends. Years down the line and here we are, still best friends! I am so honored to be a part of Gabby’s life and to continue to watch her and Matt grow together."

Courtney Masters

Raymond is the hard working older brother of the groom and is excited to be a part of Matthew's big day! He has been an amazing confidant in life for Matthew with his wealth of experience and accomplishments.

He has recently been promoted to Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and lives in Houston with his late father's dog Ziggy. Ask him about his many travels!

Raymond Braselman

Margaret goes to medical school with Gabby at LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine! They trained for a half marathon together during their MS2 year, and study together all the time for classes and clinical rotations. "I’m honored to stand by her side on her big day! :)"

Margaret Turner

Brennan is one of Matthew's long time and most generous best friends. Over a love of their Nintendo DS's in middle school, Brennan and Matt hit it off with a great long lasting friendship and brotherhood, not to mention they wiped the floor of the middle school halloween party with their Mario and Luigi costumes.

Brennan is currently a well-accomplished programmer and developer

Brennan Forrest

Gillian and Gabby were best friends in Pre-K. With great fortune they found each other at St. Mary's Dominican High School, and have stayed in touch since through coffee outings when possible and by supporting each other on their medical journeys "I love baking, and I am a huge geek in terms of video games, sci-fi, and fantasy."

Gillian Sudderth

Alan is one of many good friends Matthew met through high school band. Becoming acquainted through similar friend groups and then becoming good friends after being temporary step brothers, Alan has become a true brother in Matt's eyes, being one of his most well-read and supportive confidants.
Alan is currently practicing law as a Lawyer at Tonry Brinson & Glorioso LLC

Alan Comardelle II

Claire knows Gabby and Matt through undergrad at Loyola. She took classes in the college of music with Matt, and lived on the same floor as Gabby during freshman year. They also became roommates later on! She is good friends with the two and even helped to introduce them. A fun fact about Claire is that her birthday is the 4th of July.

Claire Gerling

Joey is one of many good friends Matthew met through high school band. He goes a bit further back then that though with band, as Joey and Matt were rival saxophonists in the Abita Middle School Band. However, after a newfound friendship beginning in high school and becoming roommates at Loyola pursuing Music Education together, they have been great friends as close as brothers.
Joey is currently substitute teaching and freelancing as a professional French horn player, married to his wife Sarah.

Joey Troia III

Anabelle and Gabby met in 2012 during 8th grade at St. Mary's Dominican High School. They bonded over group projects and WWE, cementing their friendship forever during Monday Night Raw. Though life has taken them in totally different directions, with Anabelle now living in Mexico, the two still meet up every chance they get, proving love and friendship can conquer any distance.

Anabelle Johnson

Dustin is one of many good friends Matthew met through high school band. They would hang out in many of the same friend groups throughout high school, but got to know each other a lot better through hangouts with Alan during the covid quarantine through many great gaming and movie sessions at his place and lending a brotherly listening ear through the hard times of covid.
Dustin currently works as a Software Specialist at PGS

Dustin Hunt

Julia and Gabby were in Jazz band together briefly! They know each other from High School and they've kept chatting ever since. "Some of my favorite memories with her is going down to watch Gabby play a tennis match for Loyola, playing piano together during Christmas, and getting ice cream at Creole Creamery and chatting for hours. She’s always been such a light in my life and I’m so excited to see her enter this new chapter!"

Julia Giacona

Colton is one of many good friends Matthew met through high school band. They truly bonded as brothers in high school through a love of jazz and playing jazz saxophone, winning the talent show during Colton's senior year with a sax duet as the Jazz Police (touring dates coming soon)
Colton currently works as the Finance & Operations Lead at Property Insurance Experts

Colton Scariano

Maryann Yacoub, has had the joy of knowing Gabby since their freshman year of college. From the moment they struck up a conversation on a walk to General Chemistry I, they knew they’d be lifelong friends. "She’s been my sounding board, adventure buddy, and go-to person for both big celebrations and everyday chaos. I’m so honored to stand beside her as she marries the love of her life, and I can’t wait to dance, laugh, and (probably) shed a few happy tears on her special day."

Maryann Yacoub

Christian is one of many good friends Matthew met in high school. Aside from music, Christian and Matt's common interests and hobbies in fighting games, animation, health & fitness, and life philosophies have lead to too many great gaming experiences and conversations to count and him being a knowledgeable and brotherly mentor and friend to Matt.
Christian is currently a Safety System Engineer at Total System Integrators

Christian Thibodeaux

Kirsten and Gabby have been friends since 8th grade at Dominican all the way through undergraduate studies at Loyola. "I have such fond memories with Gabby; from our high school shenanigans, late night ice cream adventures, in person and virtual study sessions, and numerous movie/tv show watch parties. I’m so glad we’ve remained friends for all these years! Gabby is one of the sweetest and caring people I know and I’m happy I get to be a part of Gabby and Matt’s special day!"

Kirsten Turner

Clinton and Matthew started out just as fellow students in the Loyola New Orleans College of Music. When Matt needed a place to move back to on campus his sophomore year, Clinton obliged as his dorm room had a spot to fill. Through this, they found a wonderful respect for one another's character and work ethic, as they were exactly what they were looking for in roommates at the time, leading to an amazing brotherhood and friendship between the two.
Clinton is finishing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Literature at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Clinton Walker

Celeste and Gabrielle met eons ago at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School, and continued on to St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Several years of honors classes, sleepovers, clubs, and school lunches together bound them as friends, and, though they had new lives and experiences in different colleges and now in different states, she'll always be there to support Gabby as she takes the next steps in her life. "We’ve seen each other as weird kids, awkward teenagers, and burgeoning adults, and I can’t wait to see the beautiful life Gabby and Matt will continue build together."

Celeste Maffei

Hunter is one of many good friends Matthew met in high school band. They share an extremely similar sense of humor and a love of music and video games, which is what led to them hitting it off during Matt's freshman year and Hunter's senior year. After doing a theater program together that summer, and reconnecting after college, they've continued their brotherhood through many amazing hangouts and will continue to do so through a shared dream to partner together creatively in the future.
Hunter is a Sysadmin, IT Systems Administrator and will be wed to his wife Kelsey this November, with Matt standing in his wedding as the best man!

Hunter Cheramie

Madeline and Gabby go all the way back to 8th grade! They were locker buddies. "Since I was the slowest packer in our entire school, Gabby was kind enough to stick around longer than most and talk with me. One of the best things about high school was becoming friends with Gabby. She got me through some of our hardest classes and always made me happy just being around her!"

Madeline Puente

The loving parents of the bride have given Gabby and Matt their unwavering support to help them get to where they are today, and where they will be in their future together. Joanne loved helping Gabby say yes to the dress, and both enjoyed helping Gabby and Matt find and fund the venue. They are looking forward to being a part of Matt and Gabby's special day!

Gabrielle & Matthew

Gabrielle & Matthew

G&M

Wedding Day

12:00 PM–12:30 PM

Ceremony

12:30 PM–3:30 PM

Reception