New Orleans has a gorgeous array of mansions you could choose from for your wedding venue, from the BK House to the Elms Mansion, and, of course, I have to add the charming Derbes Mansion to your list of places to consider!
As a New Orleans wedding photographer, I was thrilled when Mary Helen and Anna, both local to New Orleans, asked me to be a part of their day! It’s always enjoyable for me when I get to work with a local couple, and this wedding was no different.
Read on to learn more about Derbes Mansion and discover if it’s the perfect venue for your celebration!
Derbes Mansion Wedding: What to Know About This Historic Wedding Venue
Derbes Mansion, formerly known as Benachi House, is a large, historic property featuring several guest rooms and a beautiful, spacious outdoor area. It’s an 1858 Greek Revival manor that has been beautifully maintained to preserve its history and grandeur, and it still maintains many of its original features.
Here, you will find 33,000 square feet of lush gardens, patios, and plenty of space to roam around and explore. It has the capacity for over 300 guests for a grand celebration, but it’s also a great space to plan a small, intimate wedding, if that’s more what you’re looking for!
Upon entering the mansion, you’ll discover the tall windows that let in bright natural light in the getting-ready spaces and throughout the mansion. The balcony and porch, with their elegant pillars and iron railings, are a favorite spot of mine for portraits as well as ceremonies.
The venue also has gorgeous gilded mirrors, chandeliers, and grand winding staircases that evoke elegance and luxury.
Features of the Derbes Mansion
If you choose to get married here, you can have your ceremony on the manicured grounds, on the porch steps leading up to the mansion, or by the mansion’s gazebo! Did you know that the mansion also now has a pool?
Picture a sunny poolside hang with your loved ones to celebrate the best day of your life together and to cool off from the New Orleans heat. The mansion also features a hot tub, which you and your partner can enjoy.
Also, the mansion has every modern comfort you could possibly conceive of to enjoy your wedding day, weekend, or even your entire wedding week, as they have a kitchen space, spacious accommodations for you and your guests, washers and dryers, ice machines, communal spaces, plenty of seating, and so much more!
A Behind-The-Lens Look Into One of New Orleans’ Best Mansions for Weddings
If all of this has captured your attention, here’s an insider look at Mary Helen and Anna’s vibrant Derbes Mansion wedding:
Mary Helen and Anna knew from the day of their engagement that they wanted to choose a venue local to the city that they loved. After these two got engaged, the big question on their minds was, with so many beautiful wedding venues to choose from throughout the city, which one was perfect for them? They ultimately decided on the Derbes Mansion, and it was a match made in heaven.
Getting ready
One thing I loved about their wedding day was that everything took place at the same location – it made for a stress-free event for everyone. Derbes Mansion is the perfect place for this, especially if you have family traveling in from out of state and they need a place to stay!
To start their day, Mary Helen and Anna both choose to get ready together, which is becoming my new favorite pre-wedding tradition! Before their ceremony, we took their couple portraits, family, and wedding party portraits.
Portraits, ceremony, and reception
I really like Derbes Mansion because it has so many different spots to take pictures, adding variety to your images and making them more eye-catching.
Another really special feature of this wedding is that Anna and Mary Helen chose to walk down the aisle together for their ceremony. They had their ceremony in front of the mansion’s wrought iron gazebo. You can also have your ceremony on the steps of the mansion, which is also a gorgeous spot to say “I do.”
Following this beautiful, heartfelt ceremony, Anna and Mary Helen planned an unforgettable reception that lasted well into the night – everyone put on their dancing shoes and let loose and had a great time together celebrating these two!
Florals and details of Mary Helen and Anna’s wedding at Derbes Mansion
The florals and details of this wedding were some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen (and that’s saying a lot from someone who has attended many weddings). The flowers were 100% a highlight of this day.
I loved the thoughtful placement of their floral arrangements, from adding them to the charming fountain in front of the mansion to the gazebo, and also to their wrought iron gazebo (they have a variety of gazebos on the property).
Their floral arrangements not only added a fun pop of color to their day, but they also tied the entire day and wedding aesthetic together beautifully.
Another detail I adored about the flowers was that they combined so many different floral varieties together. They had tulips, ranunculus, wisteria, and more! It felt like a whimsical, fairytale-like Pinterest image brought to life.
Ready to Plan a Wedding at Derbes Mansion in New Orleans?
I hope you found all of this info on planning a New Orleans wedding at Derbes Mansion helpful. Derbes Mansion is more than just a historic mansion; it’s also elegant, charming, and perfect if you’re looking for a glamorous wedding venue with plenty of outdoor space to host a fabulous party with your nearest and dearest!
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 wedding date here, or go here to learn more about my wedding photography services!
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