I love being a wedding photographer because I get to witness intimate, moving moments in people’s relationships. Once in a while, a wedding comes around that will remain in my memory as especially powerful. Kelly and Zane’s New Orleans wedding at Rosy’s Jazz Hall was one of those memorable nights. Rosy’s Jazz Hall turned out to be an ideal venue for their intimate vintage-inspired celebration.
Rosy’s Jazz Hall
Rosy’s Jazz Hall is designed for couples who love New Orleans’ mix of historic architecture, intimacy, and party culture. The former warehouse has a brick exterior with vibrant blue trim and shutters. The brick sidewalk adds to the Old World charm. Even the atrium, where Kelly and Zane had their ceremony, felt like stepping back in time. Pothos plants trail down the brick walls, and the earthen tiles shine. Unlike some New Orleans venues that go for saturated hues, Rosy’s Jazz Hall embraces earth tones with tasteful splashes of color. It went perfectly with Kelly and Zane’s details.
Inside Rosy’s Jazz Hall, brick walls and wood floors welcome guests. This wedding venue is great for couples who love live music. There’s a small stage where a band can set up. Because the band is so close to the dance floor, it gives the reception an intimate feeling. Guests can interact with the music on a whole new level.
Rosy’s Jazz Hall is so great for a music-centered reception because it was renovated to be a jazz club in the 1970s. The building has the kind of quirky history that feels very New Orleans. In the late 1970s, oil heiress Rosy Wilson renovated the massive warehouse to be a club where she could launch her career as a jazz singer. The eccentric Wilson never succeeded in reaching fame for her voice, but her club was known as a luxurious destination for jazz lovers. In the late 1990s, the current owners restored the venue to Wilson’s vision.
Located in Uptown New Orleans, Rosy’s Jazz Hall is close to the Garden District. The shops and restaurants of Magazine Street are just a few blocks away. Sprawling Audubon is less than two miles away. Guests staying in the neighborhood won’t run out of entertainment.
Kelly and Zane’s Vintage Inspiration
Kelly and Zane’s Rosy’s Jazz Hall wedding had a natural and seamless color palette from start to finish. Their clothes had a retro 70s vibe – which through out this post, you’ll see both film + Polaroid images woven into their day as well! Both Kelly and Zene wore unique outfits that brought a touch of sparkle and jewel-tone greens to brighten up the sandy and earthy colors. Zane’s bolo tie had a subtle pop of color. The couple actually gave out bolo ties as favors, so everyone got to add some retro flair to their outfits.
Working with Kelly and Zane was an incredible experience for me as a photographer because they trusted me so much in guiding the timeline. They had total faith in me picking times for ideal lighting and spacing out each portion of the day to avoid feeling rushed. As busy chiropractors, they really valued having a timeline with breathing room. They got to focus on their connection instead of rushing from one thing to another.
One of my favorite scenes of the day happened to be one that they followed my suggestion on – the first look! Because their ceremony was close to sunset, there wasn’t going to be time for a full portrait session afterward. They trusted me on my recommendation of a first look, and the results are beautiful. I love the natural light and earth tones outside the home they rented for getting ready.
Because Kelly and Zane went with a more spaced out timeline, we were able to get some incredible film and Polaroid photos too. The warm tones and softness of the film complement the vintage-inspired wedding details. It also emphasized the emotion of the day in a way that digital doesn’t capture in the same way.
A Funky Rosy’s Jazz Hall Wedding
Although Kelly and Zane live in Texas, they absolutely love New Orleans. More than anything, they wanted their wedding to be a fun, festive experience for their guests. The couple’s ceremony set a loving, emotional tone for the day. Friends and family demonstrated love for Kelly and Zane in a way that was palpable. Everyone genuinely felt excited and honored to be part of the couple’s wedding day.
The love and excitement from the ceremony continued into the reception. In perfect fashion for Rosy’s Jazz Hall, a live band brought the crowd to life and kept the party going all evening. It was clear that Kelly and Zane’s guests were ready to party just as the couple had hoped!
Kelly and Zane’s first dance was the most unique I have ever seen as a wedding photographer. The love and energy was so powerful that anyone watching could feel it in their core. Instead of a traditional first dance, the couple opted for a more interactive communal experience. Kelly and Zane led in a drumline and invited guests to move with them to the beat. The music and the moment moved people on such a visceral level. I feel privileged to have been there not only as a witness but really to engage with them at that moment.
Do you want to see more intimate weddings like this Rosy’s Jazz Hall wedding? Check out this Compass Point Events wedding!
Thank you to the vendors who made this wedding possible:
Coordinator: Megan Sapp
Video: Leduc Entertainment, Armando Leduc
Band: Dat Band, Chad Clements
Florist: Bride DIY with Bloom Culture
Décor: AlphaLit New Orleans, Brooke
Cake: Half Pint Bakery, Emily Stevens
Venue/Food/Alcohol: Steve at Rosy’s Jazz Hall
