Wedding Party - Ceremony Rehearsal

Bridal Brunch

Terrell House

Early Arrival Cocktails

Rehearsal Dinner

The Parlor at The Pontchartrain

Welcome Party

Elms Mansion

Wedding Day

The Tchoup Yard

Farewell Crawfish Boil

Hey Y'all!We are overjoyed to celebrate with everyone next March! Because our wedding is the Saturday after Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday, March 1), we encourage everyone to book flights and hotels as early as possible! We will have hotel blocks for the wedding weekend, but if you want to come earlier to celebrate Mardi Gras, please plan accordingly! See y'all soon!

Our Wedding

Molly and Edd often say they are, “never rushing, never waiting, and always right on time,” on their journey through life. A mantra they adopt in the small moments like when a pair of seats at a crowded restaurant become available just as they arrive, to the big moments like finding their first home while in the neighborhood viewing a totally different house. So it is in the spirit of serendipity that we best capture Molly &amp; Edd’s Story. Molly and Edd first met on August 19, 2009 on move-in day at the University of Southern California. Despite their respective dormitories being nowhere near each other, through a series of random events Edd found himself on the 11th floor of Fluor Tower meeting Molly where a spirited debate regarding their respective hometowns of New Orleans and Detroit proved to be both their introduction and first debate. Molly won. It would make sense that after their chance first encounter Molly and Edd’s romance would flourish from there, but despite being peers in a small program at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, joining Greek chapters across the street from each other, and being literal next-door neighbors, Molly and Edd managed to wholly avoid ever really getting to know each other during their four years in undergrad. Upon reflection, they both agree this is for the best. A little over a year after graduating from SC, Molly and Edd were early in their respective careers in the entertainment industry. At a time when they were both enjoying 80+ hour work weeks, comically low incomes, and the ennui of weighing if showbiz is really worth it, the two of them figured it was a great time to try dating each other. The dates were phenomenal, but the timing less so and they once again needed to spend a few more years finding themselves. It was at the right time early in 2019 that serendipity brought Molly and Edd together for the last time. A chance New Orleans connection led to Molly and Edd having lunch, followed by Molly’s 8,000-mile solo road trip, and then their last first date on May 17 where they saw The Tedeschi Trucks Band at The Orpheum Theatre in downtown LA. The Perfect Date. From that moment on, Molly and Edd’s love for each other blossomed and grew on shared road trips, culinary adventures, and all the many quiet moments in between. Edd had opportunities to introduce Molly to midwest culture - see: cold - and Molly had opportunities to introduce Edd to New Orleans culture - see: delicious - including their first Mardi Gras weekend together in 2020. Little did they know, just like the rest of the world, that this illustrious and magical experience would be one of their last times celebrating with friends in the streets for more than a year to come. Molly and Edd spent the next six months living in quarantine together, where they thrived under the COVID pressure cooker, which only served to reenforce their vision of the future together. And so on October 3, 2020 under the guise of an otherwise ordinary road trip to Santa Barbara, Edd awkwardly pulled over on the side of the Pacific Coast Highway and asked Molly to marry him. She said, “Duh.” Soon thereafter, Molly and Edd bought their first home together in their newly beloved Eagle Rock neighborhood in Los Angeles, moving in together to start their next chapter in January, 2021. Their wedding day on March 5, 2022 will mark over twelve years since their chance first meeting at USC, and while they may not have been together since that day they are forever grateful for the road that brought them back to New Orleans. A road where they were never rushing, never waiting, and always right on time.

Our Story

Photos

Officiant

Paul Stanko

Maid of Honor

Ashley Funes

Beth Kessler

Best Man

Xander Herman

Bridesmaids

Ainsley Daigle Anne-Marie CroweCaroline Gillespie Emily ShapiroHelen Gilbertson Sarah Didlake

Groomsmen

Aaron RovnerAlex BellAylan KasriCollin RussellEvan CohenMichael PierceStephen Helstad

Wedding Party

Q + A

Below are hotels where we have room blocks for Thursday, March 3 - Sunday, March 6, 2022. (You can choose your arrival date, but generally, a 2-night minimum stay may be required to get the special group rate.) If you would like to stay in New Orleans longer, we recommend booking soon!

($)---Important: This rate expires on February 3, 2022. || To book your reservation click the Hilton Garden Inn website link below: https://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/groups/personalized/M/MSYGIGI-GBW-20220303/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Or, if you prefer to book by phone, call (504) 525-0044 and identify yourself as a "guest of the Goodman - Benda Wedding Room Block for March 2022." 1.9 Miles from Elm's Mansion1.5 Miles to French Quarter

Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center

($$)---Important: This rate expires on February 3, 2022. || To book your reservation click the Indigo website link below or if you prefer to book by phone, call (504) 522-3650 and identify yourself as a "guest of the Goodman - Benda Wedding Room Block for March 2022."

Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District, an IHG Hotel

This hotel is offering a 20% discount for all wedding guests. Rates may vary depending on when you book. The link to book reservations is -&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1933543/29626" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1933543/29626</a> Rates:&nbsp;20% off our Regular, Rack Rate. This means that the rate will fluctuate based upon availability.&nbsp;&nbsp;Deposit: First night's room and tax deposit are due at booking.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cancellation:&nbsp;There will be a 7-day cancellation policy.&nbsp;If the reservation is canceled within 7 days of arrival, the deposit of the first night's room plus tax will be forfeited.&nbsp;Available inventory: Rooms Become Available 365 days prior to arrival. Reservations can only be made 1 year prior to date of arrival.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*Please know that this will be a limited amount of rooms and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis&nbsp;*Rates are subject&nbsp;to change as the Discount is based on rack rates&nbsp;&nbsp;Amenities:&nbsp;&nbsp;The Hotel offers the following amenities to all of our guests to enjoy during their stay:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Complimentary, Grab &amp; Go breakfast snacks** served in the Lobby 6am–9am Monday – Friday and 7am–10am Saturday &amp; Sunday. We will bring the Hot Continental Breakfast buffet in the future&nbsp;Complimentary Wi-Fi&nbsp;&nbsp;Complimentary Business Center&nbsp;&nbsp;All rooms include microwaves and mini refrigerators&nbsp;The hotel offers Self-Parking available for $15 + tax/night&nbsp;Outdoor, non-heated pool (small lap pool)&nbsp;

Hampton Inn New Orleans-St. Charles Ave./Garden District

($)---Important: This rate expires on February 1, 2022. || To book your reservation click the Hampton Inn website link below, or if you prefer to book by phone, call (504) 566-9990 and mention this booking code: "GBW" || NOTE: We have 2 blocks at the Hampton Inn and this property is located in the Warehouse-Arts District on Convention Center Blvd next to a beautiful green space.

Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Convention Center

($)---Important: This rate expires on February 2, 2022. || To book your reservation click the Loews Hotel website link below: <a href="https://www.loewshotels.com/new-orleans/goodman-and-benda-wedding" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.loewshotels.com/new-orleans/goodman-and-benda-wedding</a>--or if you prefer to book by phone, call 1-866-211-6411 and identify yourself as a "guest of the Goodman - Benda Wedding Room Block for March 2022" to receive the group rate.

Loews New Orleans Hotel

($$)---Important: This rate expires on Monday, January 24, 2022. || To book your reservation click the Hotel Monteleone website link below: <a href="https://www.phgsecure.com/IBE/bookingRedirect.ashx?propertyCode=MSYHM&amp;style=5&amp;group=GBW05C&amp;arrivalDate=03/04/2022&amp;departureDate=03/06/2022" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.phgsecure.com/IBE/bookingRedirect.ashx?propertyCode=MSYHM&amp;style=5&amp;group=GBW05C&amp;arrivalDate=03/04/2022&amp;departureDate=03/06/2022</a> Or, if you prefer to book by phone, call 1-800-535-9595 and identify yourself as a "guest of the Goodman - Benda Wedding Room Block for March 2022" to receive the group rate.

Hotel Monteleone

Travel

Seated in historic uptown New Orleans Audubon Park is a favorite spot for recreation, picnics or enjoying a beautiful day. For more than a century, people have enjoyed this urban oasis with allées of ancient live oaks, a tranquil 1.8-mile jogging path, a lagoon, picnic shelters, and playgrounds. Audubon Park is open to the public and also features tennis courts, riding stables, soccer fields, the Whitney Young Pool, Audubon Clubhouse Café and Audubon Golf Club.

Audubon Park

Like its name suggests, this historic residential neighborhood is laden with trees, ivy, and yes, gardens. The Elm's Mansion (wedding venue), and Molly's House are located in this neighborhood! It's a beautiful area to walk around and explore. Local shopping on Magazine Street and great po-boys near by in the Irish Channel at Parasol's.This area also has the famous Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, which is both spooky and inviting. Directly across from the cemetery is where you'll find&nbsp;Commander's Palace Restaurant – one of the city's most well-regarded and refined restaurants (and also one of the busiest).Stretching from St. Charles Avenue to Magazine Street and from Jackson Avenue to Louisiana Avenue, the Garden District is easily accessible via the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, Magazine Street bus or via carriage.&nbsp;

Garden District

Whether you're people watching in Jackson Square, wandering around the Faubourg Marigny, getting beignets are Cafe Du Monde, or browsing the French Market, the quarter is a great place to explore New Orleans history and culture -- not to mention food and drink!

French Quarter 

Set in an old steel fabricator’s yard in the Bywater, this one-of-a-kind interactive musical house is one part art installation, one part musical performance, all parts spectacle.

The Music Box Village

NOLA resident Andrew Higgins invented the Higgins Boat, which turned the tide of the war in favor of the Allied Powers. It's a fantastic museum that goes deep into the happenings on the European Front as well as the Pacific Theater. Take a few hours, engage with the docents, and feel free to skip the IMAX experience. Stop by The American Sector for a post-museum repast.

The National WWII Museum

Mardi Gras Day is March 1 2022. Fat Tuesday is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.Although our wedding is post-carnival, we will be in town the week before celebrating. If you are considering coming in town for Mardi Gras, please book travel and accommodations early, as we will only have hotel blocks for the wedding weekend.

Mardi Gras

Things to Do

When we became engaged, we of course never pictured our wedding being impacted by a pandemic. But these are the times, and, despite its impact, we can’t wait to celebrate our love with you. In order to ensure fun, however, we feel we must first ensure safety — for all guests, especially those at higher risk. That’s why after careful consideration we’ve decided that in order to attend our wedding you and your guest(s) must be fully vaccinated or present a negative PCR test within 48 hours. Below are websites that provide information about testing in New Orleans:

<a href="https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/testing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ready.nola.gov/incident/coronavirus/testing/</a> <a href="https://ldh.la.gov/page/3934" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ldh.la.gov/page/3934</a> <a href="https://lcmchealthurgentcare.com/patients/covid-19-testing-information/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lcmchealthurgentcare.com/patients/covid-19-testing-information/</a> <a href="https://www.nolacovidtesting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nolacovidtesting.com/</a> <a href="https://www.gretnamedical.com/same-day-covid-testing-new-orleans" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gretnamedical.com/same-day-covid-testing-new-orleans</a>

Molly & Edd

Molly & Edd

M&E

Early Arrival Cocktails

Welcome Party

Wedding Day

Farewell Crawfish Boil