Elise McCanless and Connor Fields said ‘I do’ with a stylish New Orleans wedding weekend
When Connor Fields asked Elise McCanless to join him for a Mardi Gras ball, their moms were delighted.
As Elise’s mom, Anne McCanless, longtime Baton Rouge interior design professional and co-founder of Texture, helped Connor’s mom, Kelly Fields, style her new home, the two often mentioned Elise and Connor to one another. Both were law students at the time—Connor at the University of Georgia and Elise at Tulane. The two knew of one another but never connected. “There’s even a picture of us on spring break with mutual friends in high school,” Elise says with a laugh. “But I didn’t really know him at the time.”
Although she had to decline his invitation to the ball due to prior plans to visit a friend, Elise agreed to meet for dinner while they were both in town. A week after their first date came the coronavirus pandemic lockdown restrictions. Their classes went virtual, landing the two in Baton Rouge for the next six months. During study sessions and long walks, the two fell in love. And in May of 2023, Connor proposed in City Park in New Orleans before surprising Elise with a celebration at The Bower with their families and friends. There, Connor had yet another surprise waiting. He shared that, with the help of Anne and Elise’s sister, Adair Weekley, they had already planned many key details for their wedding.
“I have always said that I would trust them blindly,” Elise says. “Without me even knowing anything, I could show up, and they would have done exactly what I wanted.”
Connor and Adair secretly contacted photographer Catherine Guidry, who Elise fell in love with when she photographed Adair’s wedding, to narrow down wedding dates. From there, Connor and Elise knew that they wanted to celebrate their vows at Hotel Saint Vincent. With its Saltillo tile-lined pool and stylish design, the hotel is a cherished meeting place and beloved retreat that holds a special place in their hearts. With the photographer, date and venue selected, they enlisted the help of August Events to bring their high-design vision to life.
“Elise fell in love with the hand-painted wallpaper in the hotel’s Paradise Lounge, and that’s what we used as inspiration,” explains Tiffany Pilgrim, co-founder of August Events. “We started with that in the invitation and carried it out through everything in the wedding.”
August Events orchestrated a full-scale build-out of the hotel, including its restaurants and private club. As guests slumbered cozily in their beds following a Friday filled with festivities, including a bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner and post-toast, around 3 a.m., a crew began installing the pool cover and structure tent in the main courtyard to create the dance floor and stage along with a distinct food service and seating area.
The day before the celebration, one last finishing touch was added by Anne and Adair. They coordinated a surprise streamer drop that shocked Elise as much as it did the guests.
“I’m most surprised by how quickly it all went by,” says Elise. “I wish that we could relive it over and over again.”
Hear from Him & Her
What is your favorite thing about one another?
Elise: His endless positivity and ability to approach anything with a good attitude. He is the most resilient person I know.
Connor: She doesn’t miss anything. Her attention to detail—especially in the way she cares about and tends to the things that truly matter in our lives—makes me feel supported and loved.
How did you know he/she was the one?
E: From the beginning, it was clear we wanted the same things out of life. I especially loved how much his family means to him because of how important my family is to me. It always just felt right!
C: We first met at the height of the pandemic. With not much else to do, we would go for walks—a lot! That’s when I knew. I still remember how I felt in that period of life.
If you had one piece of advice for engaged couples, what would it be?
E: Always remember the meaning of your wedding day: to celebrate your love for one another. Don’t get too stressed about the little things. And hire a great wedding planner and vendors to surround yourself with.
C: Set aside time for yourselves even in the midst of planning for the wedding and everything else going on in your life. We got away for a long weekend, and it was a great reminder of the significance of this season of life and the joy that comes with it.
How would you describe your wedding in 5 words or less?
E: Stress-free and fun
C: Best day of my life
