Surprise! This engagement party is actually our wedding

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I think Carlene has both my first and my second favorite wedding dresses. She and Todd got surprise-married at their engagement party in New Orleans last September, and they both looked STUNNING. Carlene began the evening in a fabulous glittery gold cocktail dress, and Todd wore an embellished black shirt and mariachi pants. They shared a pre-wedding, private dinner (which I think is a super fun, awesome, and practical addition to an evening wedding schedule) before heading over to their "engagement" party.

After an hour or so of mingling, Carlene and Todd did a surprise costume change - which included Todd shaving off his fu manchu! With Carlene in an embroidered gown and Todd in his Marine uniform, the couple said their vows in front of 200+ very surprised guests. So ogle the outfits, definitely, but you'll want to watch for tons of tiny paper cranes and one impressively gold wedding cake.