Courting in the courtroom RSVP
DATE: Nov. 12 HER STORY: Emily Anne Voshell, 32, was born in Baltimore and raised in Catonsville. She works as a public defender in Washington. Her parents, James and Joan Voshell, live in Pasadena.
HIS STORY: William Claude Collins III, 32, was born in Memphis, Tenn., and grew up in Columbia. He works as a public defender in Washington. His mother, Charlotte Collins, and stepfather, Gerald West, live in Sapphire Valley, N.C.
THEIR STORY: The two met in November 2010 while they were both working as indigent defense attorneys in New Orleans.
“I thought he was smart and cute, and I liked that he was also from Baltimore and that he was also a Ravens fan,” Emily said.
The two kept running into each other, as they had mutual friends. They had their first kiss during Mardi Gras in 2011; they began dating soon after.
In 2014 they moved to D.C., where they live now. But their hearts were still in New Orleans, so they decided to get married in the city where they met and fell in love.
THE PROPOSAL: Will proposed to Emily on Oct. 8, 2015 — her birthday — at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
“We went for a birthday walk and he insisted on going into the National Gallery,” Emily recalled.
After walking through the entire museum, they stopped at a painting by one of their favorite artists, Jackson Pollock. That was when Will got down on one knee and popped the question.
“I was surprised and excited and happy,” Emily said. “I had a feeling he was going to propose, but I didn’t know it would be there.”
VENUE: About 165 guests attended the wedding and ceremony at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans, a performing art space that was a converted from a church built in the 1800s.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: Flowers were provided by Pistil and Stamen. Emily’s mother designed the decor.
HER DRESS: Emily wore a dress from BHLDN, made of a Watters Bridal short dress with long skirt by Catherine Deane over top.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Will wore a cobalt suit by Giovanni Bresciani from Italy Direct in New Orleans.
MUSIC: Kinfolk Brass Band provided the music. The couple’s first dance was during the second line, in which a traditional New Orleans brass band parade is led by the newlyweds through the streets of New Orleans. The songs were a medley: “Second Line, Part 1,” “Li’l Liza Jane” and “Hey! Baby (I Want to Know If You’ll Be My Girl).”
FOOD AND DESSERT: Cafe Reconcile, a nonprofit that provides restaurant job training for people ages 16-22, provided the food. Appetizers were made by Will and Emily’s New Orleans friends, and oysters were shucked by local shuckers. Will and Emily’s friends also brewed the beer and created the cocktail recipes served at the reception (autumn daiquiri with New Orleans Cajun rum and a Marylandthemed cocktail called the Preakness). Dinner included seafood gumbo, jambalaya, blackened catfish, cornbread, and macaroni and cheese.
FAVORS: The couple handed out mini Tabasco bottles as favors.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple honeymooned in Thailand, Cambodia and Japan.