On a vibrantly sunny day, amidst the towering oaks of beautiful Caspiana Plantation in Shreveport, La., Blake Carby and Dalton Cooksey, high school sweethearts from Captain Shreve High School, held their wedding ceremony surrounded by 250 or so family and friends. With a long engagement and assistance from wedding planner Hannah Lamb of Hannah Lamb Events, the couple was able to create the day they had long envisioned.

The bride wore a stunning off-the-shoulder gown with a fitted bodice that gave way to sheer lace around the sides and back. The mermaid-style skirt cascaded down to a full-length lace-edged train. The groom wore a white tuxedo shirt, blazer, navy pants, vest and bow tie. The groomsmen wore navy jackets and slacks with bow ties matching the bridesmaids’ dresses, individually styled in the most delicate shades of blush pink and dusty sage. The bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ flowers, crafted by Sibling Stems, were a lovely combination of cream, dusty sage, white and blush pink in the form of hydrangeas, roses, anemones and luscious peonies surrounded by light touches of greenery.

The reception, held indoors and out at Caspiana, was lively and fun. “As a bride, I think having a variety of food options and entertainment for our guests was special,” Blake Carby says, recalling the day. There was a cotton candy booth by Sugah Cotton Candy and Champagne Charlie’s Bubble Bar, a 360-photo booth from Skillzplus Entertainment Inc., and disposable cameras on tables outside to keep the guests entertained. As for food, the Uneeda Taco truck supplied guests with loaded nachos and tacos, barbacoa, carnitas with rice, street corn and beans. There was also a Johnny’s Pizza Truck offering cheese, sausage, and pepperoni; inside were crab claws, meat pies and shrimp from Cush’s. The groom’s and wedding cakes were from Royalty Sweet Shoppe, LLC.

Throughout the event, photographer Jillian Batson and videographer Mason Dies of Jade Film Production documented every detail, and they were all wonderful, according to Blake. “For both Dalton and me, seeing each other as I walked down the aisle was a really special moment.” The couple plans a honeymoon as soon as Blake finishes occupational therapy school.