While people understandably put a lot of thought into their ceremony and reception venues, many don’t realize the impact that a getting ready location can have on your wedding in New Orleans. The place you prepare for your wedding can set the tone for how you’ll feel going into the rest of your day. It can also establish an aesthetic for your photography and make your day more enjoyable so that you can connect with your people.
4 Things to Look for in Your Getting Ready Location
1. General location in the city
You don’t have to get ready in the fanciest, most expensive place to have a good experience and beautiful photos. It’s more important to consider where you want to be in the city. Do you want to be close to your ceremony location? Or do you want wedding portraits that capture the colorful houses and charming architecture for which New Orleans is famous? Choose a getting ready location that allows you to place the priority on what matters to you on your wedding day, whether it be simplicity or an ideal backdrop for portraits.
2. Space to move
While standard hotel rooms seem like a no-brainer, they can be cramped and difficult to navigate, especially when rooms fill with wedding party members, makeup artists, and family members. Pick a place, such as a short term rental or a relative’s home, where you’ll have space to move. Your photos will be all the better for it. Honestly, it will be much calmer for you as well.
3. Good light
Hands down, this is the most important part of picking a place to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans! Nothing will have a bigger impact on your photos than good light. A good rule of thumb is the more windows, the better. Just having adequate light can transform a space into a stunning setting for photos and your morning activities.
4. Fun and relevant details
Your getting ready location can be a cohesive part of your wedding’s aesthetic as much as your venue can. Because this space is just for you and your closest people, though, you can take some fun risks! Choose a location with design elements you love. They’ll add interest to your photos without overwhelming your wedding details. Your photographer will be able to get artistic with your photos, too. This will enhance the storytelling in your wedding photos.
If your getting ready location has the same vibe as the rest of your wedding day, your final gallery will feel cohesive. A sleek, modern wedding deserves a getting ready location to match! In this instance, minimalist modern details would make for a more congruent experience than a beach-themed hotel.
5 Places to Get Ready for Your Wedding in New Orleans
These getting ready locations all have unique personalities for beautiful getting ready photos and even first looks.
1. Hotel Peter and Paul
With each room having its own version of gingham style, Hotel Peter and Paul may be my favorite hotel in New Orleans. This hotel is a complex of buildings that include a former school, church, and rectory. They’ve been renovated into a hotel with vintage furniture and a modern sense of color. The Elysian bar downstairs serves up delicious cocktails, and an ice cream shop makes sweet sundaes. It’s nostalgic and aesthetic.
2. Margaret Place
Margaret Place is one of those gems that is a great getting ready location and wedding venue rolled into one. You can rent the whole place out so that you and your guests can all get ready on site! Between the tropical courtyard and bright interiors, there are so many stunning places and plenty of room for photos.
You can see more from this Margaret Place wedding here.
3. The Ace Hotel
If you like more of a “moody” look, the Ace Hotel is the perfect spot to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans. While it’s still full of New Orleans quirkiness, it has a bit of a sophisticated moodiness to it. The dark furniture and Art Deco-inspired details lend a more artistic atmosphere to getting ready photos.
You can see more of this Ace Hotel wedding here.
4. Your Wedding Venue
There’s so much to be said for the convenience of getting ready at your wedding venue. Race and Religious offers stunning wedding suites to get ready in, and portraits at locations like this are next level. What better way to have a cohesive aesthetic throughout your wedding day?
You can see more Race and Religious bridal portraits here.
5. An AirBnB
If you love vibrant houses and a neighborhood feel, an AirBnB might be an ideal place to do your wedding prep. Try a home with a porch for a first look and some pre-ceremony down time. I love the way this couple found an AirBnB that matched their wedding’s aesthetic flawlessly.
Are you looking for a place to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans? I love working with my clients to make sure they find the perfect place for them. Reach out, and let’s start the conversation!
