Our 2023 Castle Couple Winner...
I remember this couple fondly... driving from Houston to pay for their wedding. I was happy when they were selected as a winner as I had not known the backstory to their engagement. What a cute story and an excellent reminder of how tolerance, patience, and love can mold a relationship. They are true newlyweds with a lifetime of adventures awaiting them. We wish the best for their future and applaud them both for their investment in society through their social work and Cierra's doctorate. What a blessing to witness such love as it blossoms from friendship to a lifetime love.
Congratulations to Roy and Cierra Cooper!
Much love,
Dolly
Congratulations to Roy and Cierra Cooper!
Much love,
Dolly
When Love Gets Social
Mr. & Mrs. Roy CooperRoy and I met at the National Association of Social Work Texas Conference in 2018. We were both volunteering for the organization in different capacities. Roy was on the conference committee, and I was a student volunteer. When we met, Roy told me that my career choice in school social work wasn't going to make me any money and that I should work for the VA because I would earn more. Roy worked for the VA as a Social Worker for Homeless Veterans. We became friends and assisted each other career-wise. Roy was a recent graduate, and I had just started my doctoral program in social work at the Tulane School of Social Work. I would send my papers to Roy for editing and review for APA formatting.
After 2 years of friendship, on November 25, 2020, Roy asked me to be his girlfriend. |
On November 21, 2021, Roy invited me and my daughter, Kassia, to a "Friendsgiving" dinner. While driving to the dinner (with no address in hand), I called Roy to get the address. He did not answer. I called his friends and family, and no one answered their phones. I began to drive aimlessly on highway 610 north until someone called me back. His sister, Nicole, called me and asked me to pick up t-shirts on my way in. My first thought was, "There are 12,000 people at that house, how did I get put on t-shirt duty?" We were on the way there, and Kassia asked if we could get something to eat. I told her "no" because there was "Thanksgiving food" at the house that we were going to. We get to the house, and there's no food cooked! I'm irritated because I had to stop and get t-shirts. I drove around with no address to go to, and now there's no food prepared for "Friendsgiving." I asked if I could leave to get food for Kassia, and everyone said, "No!". I walk into the beautifully decorated backyard with an irritated look on my face. There was a hibachi chef in the yard setting up, a saxophonist in the background, a videographer and camera-man as well. I just thought, "Maybe this is how the host does Friendsgiving." I sit down, and I'm eating a salad, dancing in my chair to the music, and his sister, Nicole, asked me to dance, and I said, "No." (I'm an introvert). Then, others began to get up and dance, so I reluctantly got up to dance with Nicole. She switched partners and sent me to Roy. I danced in front of him with my eyes closed and singing the music until he said, "I need you to turn around."
I was laughing so hard at his friends and family that he had to ask me more than once to get my attention (I'm sorry, my love). I almost ruined that day three different times because of my attitude, yall, but thank God I kept it together. Of course, I said, "Yes!" So "Friendsgiving" was actually our engagement dinner. Roy is literally my best friend! We talk about everything and we vibe when it comes to our profession. He literally speaks my language!
As of May 29, 2022, I am officially Dr. Ciera T. Cooper! The proud wife of Roy Lee Cooper, Jr.
I learned about the Louisiana Castle when a friend of mine got married there. It was absolutely beautiful! From that day forward, I always knew that that was where I wanted to host my dream wedding. I told Roy about the castle, and we went for a visit. He fell in love with the venue just as much as I did. We worked really hard to pay everything on our own. We would drive from Houston, Texas to Mrs. Dolly's home to submit payments. Thank you Mrs. Dolly for being so accommodating. Everyone made the wedding and reception effortless! We stayed overnight, which was amazing. After dancing the night away, we were so tired! Our food was already in our room waiting for us when we decided to wind down for the night. We were able to wake up leisurely and pack up when we were ready. I want to experience this all over again! You all were amazing! Thank you for your consideration! We are forever grateful!
And we have another Winner....
Louisiana Castle has been a venue for weddings since 1999. In those years, we have joyously watched as thousands of couples have united as one under our beautiful setting. We could not help but recognize the following couple for our first year in this contest as they wed only years after we opened our 350 pound castle doors. The similarities of how their lives have changed run parallel to how the castle has changed as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Shook started out as love struck puppies and have weathered storms, drawn closer, and built a beautiful life with each other, now surrounded with their children. What we found most memorable of all Lisa's words were when she said, "knew this was the place for us to begin our marriage."
As a couple who has been married over 50 years, we can attest that commitment is what keeps you together during the difficult times. After their marriage almost 18 years ago, she uses the words "begin our marriage," not the day of the wedding. Although we want our beautiful castle to be as majestic and memorable for everyone as it can be, we also want each of our couples to live a happy and wonderful life enjoying the love that my husband and I have shared over the years. Our castle is only the beginning...
May you have many more challenges and growth over the next 18 years, Mr. and Mrs. Shook!
Much Love,
Dolly
Mr. and Mrs. Shook started out as love struck puppies and have weathered storms, drawn closer, and built a beautiful life with each other, now surrounded with their children. What we found most memorable of all Lisa's words were when she said, "knew this was the place for us to begin our marriage."
As a couple who has been married over 50 years, we can attest that commitment is what keeps you together during the difficult times. After their marriage almost 18 years ago, she uses the words "begin our marriage," not the day of the wedding. Although we want our beautiful castle to be as majestic and memorable for everyone as it can be, we also want each of our couples to live a happy and wonderful life enjoying the love that my husband and I have shared over the years. Our castle is only the beginning...
May you have many more challenges and growth over the next 18 years, Mr. and Mrs. Shook!
Much Love,
Dolly
Puppy Love Can Last a Lifetime
It all started way back in third grade, well, maybe not that long ago. Alex and I began dating during high school in 2001 and have not wavered in our love for each other. We were not your typical high school couple who continually broke up and got back together. We were both committed from the start and worked out any issues we had with one another, instead of calling it quits. We were told by several family members and friends that it was just young love and wouldn’t stand the test of time. Here we are, twenty-two years later and our love has only grown stronger.
We got engaged in November of 2004. The hunt was on for the perfect place for our dream wedding. After looking at several options in the area, we were left disappointed and discouraged. The previous year, we attended a friend’s wedding at the castle and loved the atmosphere. We set up an appointment to meet with Dolly and Mary at the castle. We immediately fell in love with the venue and knew this was the place for us to begin our marriage.
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We married in 2005, at the ages of 18 and 19. We had the ultimate fairytale wedding with a horse drawn carriage at the beautiful Louisiana Castle. Typical southern evening in the summer, it started raining 10 minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. We decided to wait it out for an hour, if it was still raining, we would have the ceremony inside. Luckily, it stopped ten minutes before that one-hour mark, and we were able to hold the ceremony outdoors. We celebrated the night away surrounded by friends and family. We were blissfully on our way to our happily ever after.
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There were many struggles over the years, including moving away from family to finish college. I believe being married in college was a blessing for us. We were our own support system. We understood each other’s struggle and were able to help each other with papers and classwork. We attended many of the same classes or had the same professors at different times. It was difficult attending college, working a job, and being newlyweds, be we always had each other.
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We both completed college and started our careers. This brought lots of change to our daily routines, but again, we adapted and grew stronger in our love through all the adjustments.
In 2011, we welcomed our first child. Ten years later, we had our second. Parenthood was a different ballgame completely. We have learned to love through the chaos. Seeing Alex become a father has deepened my love for him. The way he loves our children shows the purity of his heart. Especially after having children, it is so important to intentionally make time for just the two of us, even if it’s just waking up a little earlier to enjoy a cup of coffee together. We have learned to schedule in those date nights and ask grandparents to keep the children overnight. That is truly the way to keep a marriage strong. Marriage should never be put on the back burner. It took us a long time to figure that one out, but we try to have a weekend for just us at least once a month.
What started in a high school class together, has flourished into a love built to withstand anything that life can throw at it. We have endured many trials and triumphantly overcame many obstacles. I would not change our love story for anything in this world. It has shaped us into the loving couple that we are today, and I am thankful for every step along this road.
Lisa Shook Louisiana Castle Bride July 16, 2005 |