There was definitely a spark when Julia Longoria met Justin Vollmer in college at Baylor University, but it was six years after they'd been dating that the fireworks really went off.

Literally.

Under a Fourth of July sky at on a Lake Travis golf course, Vollmer proposed to Longoria. She said yes just as fireworks illuminated the night. He’d arranged for her family to share in their unforgettable evening and Longoria was taken completely by surprise.

Once the couple set a date of June 11, 2016, they began mulling over wedding plans and their mutual love of New Orleans. A destination wedding would be perfect, but making sure it was easy for family to attend was more important, so instead, they incorporated the best of the Big Easy into their big day in Houston.

“We are both traditional and love Southern elegance, so we created a New Orleans-inspired wedding,” Julia said. “It wasn’t kitschy. It was fun and romantic.”

The menu included Creole favorites such as boudin-stuffed mushrooms and gumbo, plus signature cocktails like a Hurricane and Mint Julep. The Junior League’s garden became a little piece of New Orleans, where the Hustlers Brass Band played and guests paraded in creating a Second Line.

There were also special, sentimental touches woven throughout the day. Blue hearts made from shirts worn by Julia’s brother Aaron and grandfather Noe, were sewn into her wedding gown, fulfilling the Something Old and Something Blue wedding tradition. Her aunt, a baker, gifted them the wedding and groom’s cake as another way to commemorate their day.

“Justin and I had the combination of all the things we wanted,” she said.

And now, Mr. and Mrs. Vollmer have the very best gift of each other.

• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Nino's
• Rehearsal Dinner Dress: Saks Fifth Avenue - Halston
• Reception Venue:The Junior League of Houston
• Ceremony Venue:Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
• Photographer:Akil Bennett
• Florist:Plants 'n Petals
• Dress: La Reve Bridal Couture
• Shoes:Kate Spade
• Groom's Tux: Men's Warehouse
• Wedding Planner: Pomp & Circumstance
• DJ: LG Entertainers
• Ceremony Music:Divisi Strings
• Cocktail Hour Music: Hustlers Brass Band