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A Colorful & Vintage Columns Hotel Wedding

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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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A Colorful & Vintage Columns Hotel Wedding

June 21, 2024

Weddings

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When marriers reach out wanting a laid back yet high-end wedding, I know that we’re going to be a great fit. I felt exactly that way when I met G and E. They wanted a Jewish wedding with a generous timeline that was colorful and vintage. Their Columns Hotel wedding was exactly that. The photos from their wedding day are nostalgic, especially the bridal portraits of E.

A Columns Hotel Wedding

Close-up of a white textured fabric with intricate lace details.
Green wallpaper featuring detailed pastoral scenes in a toile de Jouy pattern.
Bride walking down a garden path with a woman and an elderly man, surrounded by lush greenery and a large tree.
A small bouquet of mixed flowers in a glass vase, placed on a wooden table near a sofa.

I absolutely adore the funkiness of the Columns Hotel wedding venue. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph at this 19th-century hotel multiple times, including recently for engagement photos with Morgan and Garvey.

While there are many hotel venues in New Orleans to choose from, Columns Hotel is unique in that it’s served many purposes over the years, including as a private residence to a WWI boarding house. The history alone makes it a stand-out wedding venue.

A bride in a white wedding dress is getting ready with the help of another woman, reflected in a mirror.
The front of the Columns wedding venue with a large tree in front
The bride standing inside by a doorway next to a white curtain looking at the camera.
The bride and groom smiling and holding hands outside, with white flowers in the background, the bride's dress flowing in the wind.

This local-run venue in the Garden District can host up to 300 wedding guests. Though, it’s great for more intimate and cozy wedding celebrations, too. Choose between spots like their outdoor Side Terrace to enjoy the sun or an indoor space like the Ballroom.

A variety of amenities make the venue an easy choice, with a dance floor, champagne toast, and available overnight accommodations, to name just a few. Plus, catering is provided by the venue, which will save time in the wedding planning process.

Focus on a High-End, Laidback Day

Close-up of the lower half of a bride's dress, showcasing the lace and sheer fabric details.
Black and white image of a woman adjusting her earring while looking in a mirror.
Bride in a white dress with a large bow on the back, standing in front of a mirror in a vintage room.
Close-up of the back of a wedding dress, featuring a large, elegant bow.
Bride standing in a vintage room, looking down, wearing a white dress with lace details and sheer fabric.
Black and white photo of the bride and groom walking together, smiling, with the groom holding a bouquet of flowers.

One part of G and E’s day that I’ll always remember is how generous the timeline was. It allowed for their day to feel laidback and not rushed, allowing them to really be present in every moment. 

Vicki Evans Events, one of New Orleans’ most prominent planners, was behind the planning and coordination effort. Because of the generous timeline, I was able to create gorgeous and intentional portraits. Some of my favorites are the bridal portraits I photographed of E in the Columns Hotel signature suite.

Black and white image of a bride in a detailed wedding dress, standing in front of a mirror.
Close-up portrait of the bride indoors, with a neutral expression and green patterned wallpaper.
Back view of a couple walking on a sidewalk, with the bride's dress featuring a long white ribbon flowing behind her.
Close-up portrait of the bride indoors, against a background of green wallpaper with pink patterns.
The bride standing inside next to a white curtain, looking into the distance.
The bride in profile, standing in a room with a sofa and curtains, backlit by window light.

Everybody at this wedding was so incredibly kind. Each and every detail was intentionally thought through, and it showed. Garrett and Emily’s day was very low-stress, which was easily matched by the unique Columns Hotel venue, which is laidback yet elevated.

Two men, one in a beige suit and the other in a dark suit, stand under a floral-decorated wedding chuppah.
Bride and groom exchange rings under a chuppah adorned with vibrant floral arrangements.
Wedding ceremony taking place on the porch of a building named "Columns," with the couple standing under a floral-decorated chuppah.
Groom holds the bride's hand while she reads from a book during their wedding ceremony.
Close-up of a couple holding hands, dressed formally, with the woman's hand resting on the man's knee.
Bride reading vows with a microphone, standing under a chuppah with lush floral decor, the groom listening attentively.

Marriers like G and E remind me of how lucky I am to do what I do. They fully trusted me to take memorable images that captured their day exactly as it was, while also allowing me to get creative and follow my vision with their intentional portraits.

A Detailed, Intentional Wedding Experience

The attention to detail was even shown through E’s dress. Emily is an incredibly talented designer and made her own wedding dress. She spent the weeks prior to the day constructing and designing a completely unique and intentional piece. To this day, I am still impressed, even when looking through the wedding photos again.

An aerial view of rows of chairs and tables set up for the wedding ceremony, with green and red chairs.
A small floral arrangement with candles on a marble table, set against a background of large green leaves.
Wedding ceremony under the chuppah on the porch of a venue named "Columns," with guests watching.
The bride in her dress, lounging on a sofa, with a moody and intimate lighting.
Groom stomping on a glass during a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, with the bride smiling beside him.
The bride and groom posing together outside, with white flowers and greenery behind them.
A slightly blurred photo of the bride and groom kissing outside, with greenery and flowers behind them. ​​
The bride and groom laugh together outside, surrounded by greenery and a black iron fence.

Such thoughtful touches to a wedding day deserve to be matched by intentional and honest photography. Through a mix of digital and film I was able to preserve their day for them through imagery.

A wider view of the Columns venue, showing the building's grand facade and the wedding setup below.
Rows of patterned chairs arranged for the wedding ceremony, with a floral arrangement at the end of the aisle.
A sign at the bar featuring congratulations for Garrett and Emily, with their featured cocktails listed and drinks in the foreground.
The Columns venue set up for the wedding ceremony, with a decorated chuppah and seating arranged outside.
A view of the wedding ceremony seating arrangement, with a floral arrangement on the ground.
Close-up of the elaborate floral decoration on the wedding arch.
Evening view of the Columns venue with guests standing on the porch, the venue sign illuminated above.

This Columns Hotel Wedding is one that I’ll remember forever. This wedding is also a great example of how much working with a talented planner can truly elevate your day so that you don’t feel rushed. Vicki made the entire day feel easy for the entire team involved plus E and G. If you’re considering working with a planning and coordination team, take this as your sign to do it!

The bride hugs a guest during the evening reception, surrounded by other guests.
Close-up of the wedding cake with two glasses of white wine in front, reflected in a mirror behind.
The groom feeds the bride a piece of wedding cake, both laughing.
The groom feeds a piece of cake to a male guest, captured in a candid moment.
The groom is lifted in a chair during the traditional Jewish hora dance, smiling broadly.
The bride and groom is lifted into the air on a chair during the Hora dance, smiling and holding the bride's hand.
A DJ with a full beard and black hat mixes music on a turntable, set against a backdrop of classic columns.

As a New Orleans wedding photographer, I create sentimental images for couples who value experience more than anything. Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you deserve to be present throughout the day to really soak it all in. I’m here to preserve your memories so you can always look back on your photos when you’re feeling nostalgic. Click here to get in touch. I’d love to learn about your love story.

A three-tiered wedding cake with intricate white frosting decorations on a green background, sitting on a table with pink rose petals.
The bride and groom cut the wedding cake together, both smiling.
Close-up of the wedding cake with a slice removed, revealing the cake layers inside.
The DJ mixes music at the reception, with colorful light streaks
The bride and groom hold hands and smile as they are lifted into the air on chairs during the Hora dance.
A black-and-white photo of the groom kissing the bride's cheek as they embrace during the reception.
The bride and groom dancing together surrounded by their guests

Thank you to the wedding vendors who made this day possible:

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