The small student body of Washington and Lee University inevitably brought Over The Moon Merchandising and Affiliate Marketing Associate Natania BingXing Greenspan Koch and Tulane School of Medicine student John Albin Koch together as undergrads. After six years together, he proposed on Langles Bridge in New Orleans on the way to celebrate their anniversary. “He had two of our friends waiting with Champagne and cameras, ready to get a few pictures,” Tani reveals. “One of my friends was literally standing in the water under the bridge to take pictures.”
Once engaged, Tani began actualizing her dream of a spring wedding. She wanted to capture a Franco-Italianate garden, and the New Orleans Botanical Garden was the perfect venue—and could accommodate a large guest list. With her background in wedding planning, the bride knew she could handle organizing her own nuptials. Tani even designed all the stationery, produced by Buckhead Printery, and her co-maid of honor, Rachael Gould calligraphed everything. Oli Sansom of Briars Atlas was behind the lens all weekend, capturing design details and candid moments.
For the rehearsal dinner at Arnaud’s in the French Quarter, Tani headed to One/Of for a custom look. Designer Patricia Voto created a two-piece set featuring romantic cap sleeves and bows. “When I was in New York for Bridal Fashion Week, I stopped by her gorgeous space, where she took measurements, and I was able to look at her fabulous selection of dead-stock fabric,” Tani shares. “She also made a drawstring bag for me that I carried on our wedding day.”
Not only did Tani plan her wedding, she also took on the task of designing her wedding dress with her seamstress. The bride found a candlelight peau de soie fabric from a local shop that sources from all over Europe for the hi-low look. “I don’t love the shiny-silky bright white look, so being able to find this fabric was incredible—I also used the underside of it for a more matte look,” she explains.
On the day-of, Tani got ready with makeup artist Jessica Carnley and hair stylist Beth Washington. Bridesmaids joined Tani in Petite Plume sets. The bride paired her dress with green silk Manolo Blahniks, her sister-in-law’s pearl choker—which she also wore on her own wedding day—and a veil from her godmother-like figure whose home she got ready in.
Bridesmaids complemented Tani in dresses of their own choosing with earrings that the bride had made herself and bouquets from florist Kim Starr Wise. The groom looked handsome in a white cotton suit by StudioSuits with green Del Toro loafers—the emerald shade was heavily used for accents throughout the wedding’s design.
On April 8, 2023, Jack’s sister’s husband, Lloyd, officiated the tented service. “Not only has he officiated four previous weddings, so we knew he’d do a good job, but choosing someone who knows us so well as family and as a couple was the best decision we made,” Tani shares. “Jack and I come from different faiths, and Lloyd seamlessly wove traditions from both sides together for a ceremony that I’ll never forget.”
“It felt surreal,” the bride says of the ceremony. “I was too busy crying and freaking out that I was actually getting married that I was blanking on the words I had to repeat, so I laugh-cried my way through my vows—that’s kind of cringe to rewatch.” Lastly, traditional Jewish blessings were performed, honoring family and friends, and then Jack broke the glass to a roaring, “Mazel Tov!” from the guests.
For the roaming reception, New Orleans staple dishes like shrimp and grits, fried and fresh oysters, and charcuterie from Tani’s favorite place, St. James Cheese Company, were served. “If I could, I’d live solely on cured meat—hot coppa specifically—and creameaux des citeaux, this insanely buttery triple cream that I go through in about a day,” Tani admits.
The newlyweds had their first dance to “Light My Love” by Greta Van Fleet. “Liv—one of the singers in the band from Blue Earth Entertainment—absolutely killed it,” Tani praises. “The band truly was the highlight. We essentially selected every song they played—absolutely NO Bruno Mars, my pet peeve at weddings—and were blown away. I’m friendly with the band and have seen them play at other weddings several times, so having them play at my own was a dream come true. Find you a band who can go from ‘Gimme Shelter’ into Eminem and finishing with The White Lotus theme song.”
After cutting her tiered cake by Zoë’s Bakery, Tani changed into a Bernadette minidress and came out on the dance floor with a carton of Goldfish crackers and a Diet Coke—a champion’s snack. Once the reception came to a formal close, remaining revelers headed to local bar Fat Harry’s. “Jack and I love to host people, so it was only natural for us to wake up at 7:00 a.m. the next day to start setting up for the brunch!” Tani exclaims. “Since it was Easter Sunday, all of the vendors and staff we thought we could have canceled, and we set everything up—with some MAJOR help to our friends and their parents—before people began arriving. It all felt very on brand for us.”
A month after saying, “I do,” Tani and Jack headed out on a five-week-long honeymoon throughout Europe. “Amazingly, we were in London during the coronation and were able to be about 10 feet away from the procession,” the bride recalls. “It was surreal!”
