The Details

(For calendar planning purposes
please be aware that New Orleans is on Central Daylight Time,
which is one hour behind Eastern Daylight Time.)

Wedding Welcome Reception:

Friday, April 18, 2025  | 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm CDT

Hosted by Tom and Maria Calkins, parents of the Groom

Ralph’s on the Park,
located in Mid-City, adjacent to City Park
900 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119

Cocktail casual; Join us following the rehearsal activities for after-dinner bites, libations and jazz;  upstairs event-bar area will open at 8:30 pm.
Ralph’s highly-rated dining room and bar sit below the terraced Welcome Party reception space.  You may want to make dinner reservations or have drinks here before the official Welcome event begins.  The restaurant’s dining room overlooks City Park, home to some of the world’s oldest grove of registered live oaks — estimated to be over 600 years old.   Ralph’s is operated by Ralph Brennan of NOLA’s legendary Brennan family of restaurants.  Reservations recommended.   ralphsonthepark.com

Ride-share or parking on the street and in the adjacent reserved parking area for Ralph’s.

Formal invitation to follow

Wedding Ceremony and Reception:

Saturday, April 19, 2025 |  5:30 PM CDT

Hosted by John and Tracy Vardeman, parents of the Bride

Il Mercato, Lower Garden District
1911 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana  70130

Pre-Ceremony Courtyard String and Piano Concert begins at 5:30 pm
Wedding Ceremony at 6:00 pm*

Formal attire/black-tie optional

*Guests are requested to arrive early (by 5:30 pm) to enjoy the pre-ceremony string recital performance;  secure parking in the designed lot for Il Mercato or allow adequate time to ride-share.   ilmercatoevents.com

Formal invitation to follow

Sunday Brunch:  

Sunday, April 20, 2025  |  Drop-in 10:30 am- 1:00 pm CDT

Hosted by Friends and Family:
Renae and Bo Ackerman, Robert and Sarah Bell, Molly and Eric Johnson, Laura and Steve Sanchez, Kate and Jared Stokes

Fern Street House, Uptown-Carrollton neighborhood; family-home of Maria Calkins and Laura Sanchez
1125 Fern Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Casual attire;  Before you head out of town, join friends and family for a taste of NOLA in the historical Uptown-Carrollton neighborhood;   bring your appetite and enjoy an authentic New Orleans brunch.   Parking is limited to the street.  Ride-sharing highly recommended.

Formal invitation to follow