Our Favorite Locations to Shoot in NOLA & Why

One of the best things about being New Orleans wedding photographers, hands down, is all the cool places we get to shoot. From beautiful historic homes to modern art museums to probably-haunted spooky locales, there are a million well-known venues, open air parks and tucked away spots to tie the knot in New Orleans.

While options are almost limitless, in terms of logistics and convenience, you can’t go wrong with all-in-one wedding venues. While moving locations for different parts of the day sounds like a good idea, New Orleans might have other plans. We love our festivals in New Orleans, and during wedding season, festivals take place almost every weekend, causing unpredictable road closures and traffic and making bounding from location to location pretty tricky, especially for out-of-town guests. Instead of hopping from one location to the next, why not book an all-inclusive wedding location, especially since New Orleans has some pretty special venues that fit the bill.

Situated in the Lower Garden district, Il Mercato offers five distinct vignettes in one place, including an open-air courtyard teeming with plants, a covered arcade with painted wood ceilings, a ballroom with Italianate chandeliers, an annex with French wall panels and a library with upholstered banquettes and a custom bar. So many different shots can be accomplished at this one venue!

Another local favorite, Race + Religious is also situated in the LGD. Originally built in the 1830s, this two-story Creole cottage was combined with a three-story Greek Revival Rowhouse in 2003, making for a uniquely New Orleans wedding venue. Featuring a lush brick courtyard, a swimming pool lit by the flickering gas lamps, two commercially-equipped kitchens, working fireplace, and balconies overlooking the courtyard and downtown New Orleans, it’s no surprise Race + Religious stays booked year round. 

New kid on the block Hotel Peter and Paul boasts a unique history. Located in the Bywater of New Orleans, this recently renovated hotel/restaurant/bar/ice cream shop was once a historic church, school house, rectory and convent. Every building on the property is a photographer’s dream, with eclectic interiors that stun. We love this quirky all-in-one venue.

Nodding to the city’s Catholic roots, the Old Ursuline Convent in the French Quarter is exactly as its name foretells. Built in 1752, the convent is the oldest example of French Colonial architecture in the United States. The grounds include a formal parterre, most of the interior first floor, a rear garden and private courtyards that feel like another world. Utterly enchanting, this swoon-worthy venue will dazzle history lovers. 

Tucked away in the Marigny neighborhood stands the Marigny Opera House, a former church with old world charm. Originally called Holy Trinity Church and built in 1848, the venue was deconsecrated in 1997 and became known as the Marigny Opera House in 2011. Since its facelift, the venue has played host to fashion shows, television shows and music video shoots, including Solange’s Cranes in the Sky. If it’s good enough for Solange, it’s good enough for us!

Honestly, anywhere in New Orleans is fun to shoot, and with the right equipment and a good eye, we can make any venue dazzle with our photo skills. 

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