Carriaged Away

Photos by Tilley Photography

In lieu of a first look, Taylor Pigott decided to surprise her future husband Dylan Cadby with a unique entrance. With the wedding ceremony taking place on the grounds of the historic Beaulieu home on Cherry Street, she arrived in period fashion — a horse-drawn carriage.

Taylor most likely got the reaction she was hoping for because her groom, she said, “couldn’t stop smiling.”

“And Dylan is not a crier, but his eyes filled with tears,” Taylor said of the moment when their eyes met. “And when I saw Dylan, I was so excited I also couldn’t stop smiling.”

It was a moment, she said, “that I truly felt like this was the start of the two of us together, and everything else faded away because I was so focused on him.”

After Taylor exited the carriage, her father, Brian Pugh, escorted her up to the front porch of the home where she and Dylan became man and wife on Aug. 24, 2024.

Dylan and Taylor met at church and their love grew during a two-year courtship. Dylan proposed on a Monday, Taylor said.

“It had been a normal Monday of running errands with my mom, picking up hair products since I am a hairdresser,” Taylor said.

But the day’s ending was anything but normal. What was to be just a date to the Movie Tavern turned into a proposal. Dylan, Taylor said, had rented out the theater and playing on the big screen was a video he had made with all their “favorite people” sharing their love for them. It concluded with him asking the question, “Will you marry me?”

“He made my night unforgettable,” Taylor said — and even more so when the date to the movie was followed by a party with friends and family.

LUCKY NUMBER 3

Accompanied by several family members that included her mother and future mother-in-law, Taylor, who is from Springfield, La., traveled to New Orleans to shop for her wedding gown.

“The dress I fell in love with was the third dress I tried on and when I walked out everyone gasped,” Taylor said. “But I wasn’t completely sold because even though I felt like this was the one, I knew this would be the only time to try on wedding dresses and I wanted to see all my options. I tried on 13 dresses, but there was still something drawing me back to number three. So that’s when I said, ‘yes to the dress.’”

Taylor’s Allure gown had a sleek crepe sheath form that featured sequined lace and beaded appliques and a notched neckline.

“The dress sparkled in all the right places and had the prettiest flower details on the bodice and straps. It was a fit and flare and sparkled on the hips and all the way down to the train. The front was solid with satin from the waist down. It was 100 percent the dress of my dreams,” Taylor said.

WEDDING DAY

Nuptials were exchanged on the porch of the Beaulieu Home, which had pink sheer draping flowing from the columns that encased the couple.

A chandelier hung from an expansive magnolia tree, and underneath was a velvet-covered settee. During the ceremony guests were seated in white chairs with gold lanterns marking each row. Tables were also scattered around the lawn, decorated with pink sheer fabric, gold lanterns and centerpieces of greenery.

Taylor’s favorite color is pink. Therefore, her bridesmaids wore dresses in varying styles and shades of the color.

In addition to her flurry of bridesmaids in the wedding party, there were Dylan’s groomsmen, a flower girl, a miniature bride and two ring bearers.

“We chose people who have been there for us through it all,” Taylor said.

Also making her wedding meaningful was the blue brooch Taylor carried in her bouquet that had belonged to her grandmother.

“My maw maw Jessie had passed away two years ago, and we had such a close relationship, and she loved Dylan. So I placed it on my bouquet so that I could have a piece of her there with me.”

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY

The Columns-Beaulieu Greek-Revival style home was built in 1899 by Samuel and Helen Ragan. The home was later owned by Ray and Elie Lum when the late Gen. Dwight Eisenhower stayed at the residence in 1947. And in giving a speech from the balcony, Eisenhower spoke of the possibility of running for president, which he did and won and served as commander-in-chief from 1953 until 1961.

Legend has it the main room of the house is known for Eisenhower dancing the night away under the beautiful chandelier, which is exactly what Dylan and Taylor did during their reception.

Currently, Beaulieu is owned by the groom’s parents.

Along with a night of dancing, the couple enjoyed their three-tiered wedding cake and chocolate groom’s cake, all made by HannMade Cakes of Vicksburg.

The wedding cake was topped with a pearl and gold letter “C” representing their last name. And the groom’s cake was adorned with a doe and buck representing Dylan and Taylor’s hobby of deer hunting.

Following the reception, the couple left for a honeymoon to St. Lucia.

The couple are at home in Holden, La.