Real Wedding: Michael Basu & Lori Manzelli

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

THE STORY

A native Louisianian, Michael Basu has been going to Mardi Gras his entire life. So it wasn’t long into his courtship with Lori Manzelli before he started inviting her to fly to New Orleans with him to partake in the festivities. A couple of years later, he proposed there with a plastic light-up ring he caught off a float. “I wore that thing for a full month,” says Lori, who eventually picked out a more conventional sparkler from Boston’s Brilliant Earth.

Not surprisingly, the Somerville couple immediately zeroed in on Mardi Gras as a theme for their June 2018 wedding. “It was a big part of our story, and we both just love that fun vibe,” Michael says. With help from planner Whim Events, they transformed Lori’s former place of work, the José Mateo Ballet Theatre, in Cambridge, into a setting worthy of a Big Easy–inspired bash. Lori’s number one rule? No blush, cream, or white. Instead, they chose a colorful palette of magenta, turquoise, and royal purple for their flowers, table settings, and other accoutrements.

The theme extended to the food and entertainment, too. The couple served a celebratory king cake instead of a traditional wedding confection, and hired a jazz-and-swing band to get the party started. Between the ceremony and the cocktail hour, the festivities even spilled outside as the band led a procession in Harvard Square. “Before the wedding, I was a little embarrassed thinking about it,” Michael says. “But it was so much fun to see how happy random people were for us as we paraded around.”

THE DETAILS

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

To honor his father’s Hindu faith, Michael exchanged flower garlands with Lori during the ceremony. The couple wore them outside as the Late Risers led them in joyous procession to the cocktail hour. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Home to the José Mateo Ballet Theatre, the Old Cambridge Baptist Church set the scene for the reception with its stunning 50-foot ceiling. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Lori visited a flower market with one of her event planners, Moira Thompson, to help pick out the vibrant blooms used at the wedding. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

The best part of the day? “Getting married was obviously our favorite part, but the second-line parade with the Late Risers band was right up there,” Lori says.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

 A pro behind the camera himself, Michael was in charge of choosing the couple’s photographer, Erin Chapman. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

A restored Tiffany window provided a beautiful backdrop for the couple’s vow exchange.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Michael and Lori invited guests to bring their own baked goods to add to an overflowing cookie-table display.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Michael proposed to Lori at a Mardi Gras parade, which inspired the wedding’s theme.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Caterer Kate’s Table incorporated elements of New England, Cajun, and Indian cuisines into the meal. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

After a long search, Michael and Lori finally found a Massachusetts baker willing to whip up a king cake at Sally Ann Food Shop.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

 With their venue right in Harvard Square, the couple took advantage of the historical buildings on Harvard’s campus for photo backdrops. 

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

Instead of numbering each table, Michael and Lori named them after Mardi Gras parade “krewes,” the term for the clubs that organize the festival’s parades.

Photo by Erin Chapman Imagery

In contrast to the event’s whimsical elements, Lori opted to wear a traditional gown and veil as her brother, Paul, walked her down the aisle. 

THE FILE
Band The Late Risers
Bride’s Dress Kenneth Winston, Gianna’s Bridal & Boutique
Catering Kate’s Table
Cake Sally Ann Food Shop
DJ DJour Entertainment
Flowers/Planner Whim Events
Groom’s Suit Indochino
Hair and Makeup Hair by Christine & Co.
Lighting Wooden Kiwi Productions
Rentals Kadeema Rentals; Peak Event Services

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