La’Keidra O’lise Hardeman of Covington wed Lee Harris Mitchell III of New Orleans May 23 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Covington. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth (Eula) Hardeman of Covington and the granddaughter of Ms. Eloise Stenson and the late Mr. Willie B. Smith of Fort Valley and the late Malcolm and Iola Hardeman of Covington. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee (Selarstean) Mitchell Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas, and the grandson of Daniel Magee Sr. and the late Louella Magee and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lee "Sonny" Mitchell Sr., all of New Orleans. The ceremony was officiated by Pastor H.K. Benton Jr. of Bethlehem Baptist Church and Elder Cedric Wilson of Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, New Orleans. During the service a memorial candle was lit for the bride and groom’s deceased grandparents. The bride wore an ivory silk Platinum by Priscilla of Boston gown with a crumb catcher bodice adorned with Swarovski crystals around the torso and train. The bride carried a bouquet of white Cattleya orchids.
The maid of honor was Nikki McCollum and the matron of honor was Alison Jackson, both of Covington. The bridesmaids were Taneesha Watson of Springboro, Ohio; Gaibrelle Stafford of Nashville, Tenn.; April Bruno of New Orleans; Breione St. Claire of Los Angeles; Crystal Randall of Lamarque, Texas; and Shanaé Perkins of Birmingham, Ala. The bridesmaids wore floor-length strapless gowns with gathered bodices by Alfred Angelo in various shades of soft orange and yellow. The bridal party bouquets alternated between orange and yellow calla and stargazer lilies. Flower girls were Sydney Hardeman of Tampa, Fla., and Cayla and Jaelyn Mitchell of New Orleans. They wore dresses in the same colors as the bridesmaids with ivory skirts. The ringbearer, Julian Jones of Covington, wore a black suit. The bridal and bridal party jewelry was custom designed by Krystal Nelloms of APOM jewelry. The groom wore a three-bottom Kenneth Cole tuxedo with an ivory self-tie bow tie and vest and a white calla lily boutonniere. Serving as the best men were David Frank of Baton Rouge, La., and Daniel Mitchell of Grand Prairie. Groomsmen were Kenneth O. Hardeman III of Tampa, Cedric Wilson of Austin, Texas, and Shelton Bruno, Wesley Matthews, Keith Collins and Bruce Johnson, all of New Orleans. The honorary best man was Hillary Mitchell, also of New Orleans. They groomsmen wore black Kenneth Cole tuxedos with black self-tie bow ties and vests and wore orange calla lily boutonnieres.
The wedding reception immediately followed the ceremony and was held at the Newton Center at DeKalb Technical College. Tables were covered with ivory tablecloths topped with floating candles and flower petals in the wedding colors. Each tables held popular street signs from New Orleans and Covington. The couple danced to "Nothing Even Matters" while the family dances included "unforgettable" and "What a Wonderful World." The reception was catered by Woods Family Catering of Covington and Ernel Porches of New Orleans. The reception ended with a traditional New Orleans second line parade out of the building.
The couple honeymooned in Las Vegas, and they reside in New Orleans.
