Stephanie and Eryk’s modern micro wedding at the Ace Hotel in New Orleans was truly a dream. We worked together for over a year to plan a day tailored exactly to what they wanted – quality time together. From their private vow exchange at the Tree of Life to their intimate candlelit ceremony at the Ace Hotel, every part of the day honored their energy, and their wedding photos reflect the day’s beauty and tenderness.
The Ace Hotel in New Orleans
The Ace Hotel is located in a beautiful stone building in New Orleans’ Central Business District. It’s just a few blocks from the French Quarter and New Orleans’ famous streetcar lines. The interiors are decorated in a French Art Deco style. The rooms are full of black and natural wood furniture with rich red and blue rugs.
Wide windows look out at the neighborhood’s tall brick and stone buildings. Stephanie and Eryk’s wedding day started with getting ready at the Ace. The moody, modern details were the perfect backdrop for this couple’s getting ready photos.
Once Stephanie had her final details in place, we headed downstairs for a first look in front of Josephine Estelle, the Italian restaurant in the Ace Hotel in New Orleans. The light could not have been more perfect!
Private Vows at the Tree of Life
After the first look, we jumped in a hired car and started the more adventurous portion of the day. Curating the perfect wedding day for Stephanie and Eryk was about more than aesthetics. They wanted to get married in a city that holds a special place in their hearts. To make sure their wedding day reflected their love of New Orleans, we decided a private vow exchange in Audubon Park would be perfect.
Even though Stephanie and Eryk opted for a micro wedding, they wanted the feeling of an elopement that private vows gave them. Their vows were incredibly thoughtful and emotional, and the sun glowed through the branches of the Tree of Life. Since the conditions at this location can be temperamental, we really were so lucky that the lighting was just right.
Stephanie, an artist herself, values the look and feeling of film, so we incorporated Polaroids into their wedding photography. At St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, I photographed the couple in black and white. These aren’t your typical New Orleans wedding photos, but they reflect how much Stephanie and Eryk value exploring off the beaten path together.
Because we crafted a generous timeline, we were able to head back to the Ace Hotel and breathe before the ceremony. We took a few more portraits in the Central Business District then headed to Bar Marilou where I left Stephanie and Eryk to have an hour alone before their ceremony.
A Candlelit Wedding Ceremony
Stephanie and Eryk chose to have a candlelit wedding ceremony at the Ace Hotel in New Orleans. I knew that I didn’t want to set up an obtrusive flash that would disrupt the quiet, intimate energy of the ceremony. Luckily, they did everything necessary to make sure their photos turned out beautifully despite the low light. Firstly, they had so many candles around the altar and among their guests. We also kept a curtain open to let in light from the reception space.
During the ceremony, the officiant led guests in a unity candle ritual that brightened the space with even more ethereal warmth. Without flash, the images are slightly darker with more grain, but looking at them, you know exactly what it felt like to witness that deeply personal moment. It was as golden as the tapers lighting everyone’s smiles.
Candles provided the primary lighting for the seated dinner reception too. Dark, elaborate florals and candles covered every surface for a very romantic effect. Stephanie and Eryk’s smiles show how present and joyful they were surrounded by their closest people.
Instead of an exit, the couple had a grand “re-entrance.” They gathered their guests to head to the bars, and Stephanie changed into a sparkling dress. Guests held LED balloons over their heads to light the way for the newlyweds for a touch of cinematic magic.
Do you want to see more weddings like this one? Check out this New Years Eve wedding with fireworks and this emotional Riverview Room wedding on film!
Thank you to the vendors who made Stephanie and Eryk’s wedding possible:
Coordination: Akasa w/ Luxe Event Planning and Design
Second Shooter: Cassie Porche of Thistle and Rose Co.
Florals: Kim Starr Wise
Hair and Makeup: Verde Beauty
Dress Designer: Studio Levana
Dress Shop: Brides by Young
Dress Alterations: Darling Sew Shop
Custom Suit: Ace Custom Tailors
Bridal Shoes: Greek Goddess Sandals
Venue: The Ace Hotel in New Orleans
