Fall means weddings in the French Quarter. As a New Orleans wedding photographer, I’m lucky to meet so many marriers every fall. In 2023, Natalie and Chris were a highlight of my fall season. They’re incredibly kind and intentional. They planned a joyful celebration at Baroness New Orleans that reflected that. Their photos are as intimate and sentimental as their wedding day. The Polaroid photos are especially nostalgic. 

Baroness New Orleans: An Intimate Wedding Venue

Baroness New Orleans is one of my new favorite French Quarter wedding venues. I truly can’t wait to work here again. It’s an intimate space that can be designed very beautifully. The rooftop ceremony space is enclosed by an ivy-covered brick wall. A water feature sits behind you during the ceremony. Natalie and Chris kept their decor simple with white votive candles. I can imagine how beautiful the space would also look with that water feature covered in florals. 

If you’re looking for a small wedding venue, Baroness is a solid choice. It can accommodate up to 100 guests. It’s not massive, though, and a smaller gathering of even twenty guests would be comfortable here. Baroness offers in-house bar and catering services. It’s also part of 512 Conti, a collection of short-term rentals. You can get ready on sight, which is always great! 

Baroness New Orleans has an interior reception space adjacent to the rooftop, too. You won’t be caught in bad weather. Regardless of rain or shine on your wedding day, you’ll love the convenience of Baroness in the heart of the most beautiful part of the French Quarter. I absolutely loved photographing portraits with Natalie and Chris around the colorful houses. 

Polaroids for a Sentimental Wedding

Even though I’d already gotten to know how sweet Natalie and Chris were, I wasn’t prepared for how sentimental their wedding day would be. It started with a small point of connection. When I arrived at Natalie’s getting ready suite at Hotel Royal, they were wearing a hoodie from a fitness community to which I also belong. Natalie met Chris in a fitness group. That’s exactly how I met my husband, so we started the day with a sense of connection.

Once Natalie was ready, Chris met them for the first look. It was truly one of the sweetest first looks I photographed this fall. Chris’s reaction to Natalie was just so sweet. 

After the first look, we had a good amount of time to photograph portraits in the French Quarter. I love when marriers leave plenty of time for photos because it makes room for calm moments and spontaneity. The French Quarter came alive that afternoon with bubbles pouring from the wrought iron balconies. Bright afternoon sun gave me chances to play with different lighting too.

With portraits wrapped up, we headed over to Baroness New Orleans for the ceremony. Chris and Natalie’s ceremony was so moving. These two have such a way with words. I even found myself getting a little choked up when they read their vows to each other.

The emotions underlying Natalie and Chris’s wedding felt so tangible throughout the day. Polaroid photos were perfect for portraying the warmth everyone showed. Those images are so soft, authentic, and inviting, just like this celebration was.

A Joyful French Quarter Celebration

As soon as the ceremony ended, Natalie and Chris led their guests around the French Quarter in a second line. Back at Baroness New Orleans, the joyful energy continued with a lighthearted dance party. Natalie changed out of their white wedding gown into a stunning black dress. You could tell they absolutely came alive in the sparkles. 

Would you like to see more intimate French Quarter weddings? Check out these blog posts!

• Chic Wedding at Latrobe’s New Orleans
• Heartfelt New Orleans Elopement on Film
• Gothic Wedding at the Pharmacy Museum
• Nighttime Elopement at the French Quarter Wedding Chapel

Can you tell that I love photographing heartfelt weddings and elopements? I’m a New Orleans wedding photographer specializing in documenting intimate celebrations on film. Inquire with me about your date!

Thank you to the wedding vendors who made this joyful day possible:
Venue: Baroness New Orleans 
Photography: Olivia Yuen Photography
Catering: Bonfire Events & Catering
Cake: Bittersweet Confections 
Flowers: Nick J Hebert 
Hair & Makeup: Cecelia Rojas at Fiat Lux Studio
Dress: Luxe Redux Bridal 
Brass Band: Tidal Wave Brass Band