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Based in vivid New Orleans, I am a wedding and couples photographer capturing the honest, intimate, and unforgettable moments. I hope you enjoy some of my most recent adventures and stories worth sharing!

I’m Olivia.

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Colorful Winter Garden Wedding

December 30, 2022

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Penny and Jared are deeply kind and considerate people, and everything about their winter garden wedding reflected that. From their planning to their interactions with friends and family, Penny and Jared approached everything with intention. Photographing their Paradigm Gardens wedding was a truly heartwarming and comfortable experience. Their celebration featured colorful, vintage-inspired details that put everyone at ease. 

Penny and Jared share the first kiss at the end of their winter garden wedding.

A Winter Garden Wedding at Paradigm Gardens

Paradigm Garden is an amazing New Orleans wedding venue for a winter garden wedding. As a wedding photographer, I truly love this unique space. It’s located right on the edge of New Orleans’ Central Business District, but it feels like a world away. Lush plants fill every corner of the venue, and bright flowers bloom all year round. Unpretentious yellow flowers and native plants create a ceremony backdrop that makes any wedding feel organic and earthy. 

A sign for Paradigm Gardens sits in front of the entrance to the wedding venue.
Custom wedding confetti decorates a reception table alongside candles.
A "reserved" sign in vintage font hangs on a chair before a wedding ceremony.
A chef cooks a meal in an outdoor kitchen at Paradigm Gardens.

A few features set Paradigm Gardens apart from other outdoor wedding venues in New Orleans. Cameroonian goats wander the space. Their fluffy faces are always welcome surprises to wedding guests. The food is also incredible. The staff prepares meals in an outdoor kitchen that creates such a cozy atmosphere. If you want unforgettable food for your winter garden wedding, definitely check out this venue.

Penny's bridesmaids pose with her in front of a mural at Paradigm Gardens.
Penny's mother buttons her wedding dress in the Catahoula Hotel.
Penny sits on a vintage couch holding her wedding bouquet.

Colorful Vintage Wedding Details

Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding featured colorful 70s-inspired details from start to finish. They got ready at the Catahoula Hotel. Photographing there was such a treat! This hotel is vintage and funky without being gimmick. It matched Jared and Penny’s aesthetic perfectly. The light in Penny’s room was also superb – not always a guarantee in many small downtown hotel rooms. The portraits of her look like a painting. 

Jared waits in the tiled courtyard of the Catahoula Hotel for Penny to arrive for their first look.
Penny and Jared embrace during their first look.
Penny and Jared pose for black and white wedding photos in front of a brick wall.
A bride and groom stand in a New Orleans courtyard for portraits.

The Catahoula’s black and white tiled courtyard was a great spot for the first look and pre-ceremony portraits. The vintage details and rich colors suited Jared and Penny. At Paradigm Gardens, we took more portraits in front of the vibrant mural. I especially love the Polaroid photos we took in this location. Instant film felt like such a natural way to document their wedding.

Penny and Jared lean against a mural before their winter garden wedding.
Jared and Penny lean against each other in front of a colorful mural at their winter garden wedding.
Penny holds her wedding bouquet for a portrait.

In addition to being a doctor, Penny is also an artist. She created a lot of the 70s-inspired details herself. They wanted details that were vintage without being over the top. They accomplished that perfectly with the seating signs, table decor, and even their invitations. These details felt right at home among the wildflowers and botanical mural of Paradigm Gardens.

Jared smiles at Penny as she walks up the aisle at Paradigm Gardens.
The officiant reads from a book to start the wedding ceremony.
Jared and Penny hold hands during their winter garden wedding ceremony.
Guests tear up watching the winter wedding ceremony.

A Heartfelt Celebration

Everything about Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding reflected the warmth each brings to their relationship. I was lucky enough to see it firsthand when I documented their Lake Pontchartrain engagement photos. When I asked them what drew them to each other, their answers said it all. Penny loves Jared’s emotional intelligence and compassion for others. Jared loves Penny’s dedication and perseverance. Their wedding reflected those aspects of their relationship so well. 

Penny passes Jared a tissue behind the wedding officiant at Paradigm Gardens.
Tassels decorate a wedding arch over the winter garden wedding ceremony.
A groom reads his vows at a New Orleans wedding.
Jared and Penny hold their hands in the air at the front of the aisle.

Jared and Penny had such a heartfelt wedding ceremony. Their guests shed so many happy tears. It’s clear that these two have a love that everyone around them can feel. Paradigm Gardens provided an intimate atmosphere that put everyone at ease to really be present for the ceremony.

The bride and groom stand with their wedding party arranged around them.
Penny and Jared laugh as they fill out their New Orleans marriage license.
Jared poses for a Polaroid wedding photo.

The reception was just as emotional and joyful. Penny and Jared’s friends and family gave moving speeches and pulled them aside for sweet exchanges throughout the night. Penny’s wedding party was especially expressive in their love for their friend. All of the fun took place over an incredible meal that included an unforgettable vegan curry and churro cinnamon crunch bread pudding. I’m still thinking about it!

Candles light a reception table with the custom cocktail listed.
A chef puts food into a wood-fired stove.
A bride and groom share the first dance at their outdoor wedding in New Orleans.
A bride stands with her bridesmaids and listens to speeches.

Overall, Jared and Penny’s wedding was so incredible because they were intentional in their planning but relaxed on the day itself. They created an experience that was authentic to them and considerate of their guests. Best of all, there was space for spontaneous, genuine moments to play out.

Penny and Jared smile at one another during dinner.
Penny dances with an older family member.
Jared and Penny dance alone in Paradigm Gardens lit by strings of lights.

Do you want to see more garden weddings like this one? Check out this Paradigm Gardens wedding reception and this New Orleans Botanical Garden wedding!

Thank you to the vendors who made Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding possible:

Hair and Makeup: Penny and assist from bridal party

Florals: flowers from Flower Moxie, arrangement by Penny and Bridal Party

Music: playlists by Jared  

Venue, Catering, and Dessert: Paradigm Gardens

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