A Degas House Wedding in New Orleans: A Vintage Garden Party celebration
There are some weddings that stay with you because they're beautiful, then there are weddings you remember because of how they made you feel.
Maddi and Pearce's wedding at the Degas House in New Orleans was both.
Before they made the drive south, they watched The Princess and the Frog together to get excited for the weekend. I remember them telling me that and thinking, "Yeah, that tracks." It set the tone for everything that followed. The whole day was joyful, intentional, and just a little whimsical.
Getting Married at the Degas House
If you're looking for a New Orleans wedding venue with history and character, the Degas House has both.
The entire day unfolded there. Maddi got ready upstairs in the main house while Pearce got ready next door. Their ceremony took place in the courtyard between the two buildings, surrounded by old trees and historic architecture. After the ceremony while everyone celebrated with a second line through the streets, the space was transformed for the reception. By the time everyone returned, dinner and dancing were waiting.
The Degas House is a venue where everything feels seamless. The day never felt rushed, because it was all there.
One of my favorite places to photograph was upstairs in the Degas House. The windows overlooking the balcony let in the prettiest light, and the rooms still feel lived in. They're elegant without feeling untouched.
A Vintage Garden Party in New Orleans
Maddi and Pearce leaned into the setting of New Orleans. I love a NOLA wedding that respects the culture and vibrancy of the community.
Their palette of pink, peach, and lilac softened the weathered architecture and ironwork without losing the feeling of New Orleans. It felt romantic, a little nostalgic, and perfectly at home in the courtyard.
Maddi wore one of my favorite wedding dresses I've photographed.
It was tea-length with delicate hanging beads that moved every time she walked. It had so much personality. It felt classic without looking like it belonged to another era.
The whole day carried that same vibe. Nothing looked like it had been copied from a trend. Every choice felt intentional.
The Streets of New Orleans Make the Best Portrait Backdrop
Some of my favorite portraits from the day happened after we stepped away from the venue and into the streets for just a few minutes.
The streets around the Degas House are lined with enormous oak trees, and the Spanish moss hangs low enough to soften everything underneath it. The neighborhood feels quiet, especially compared to the French Quarter, and it gave Maddi and Pearce room to slow down together.
Those photographs have become some of my favorites from the entire wedding.
There's something about New Orleans that doesn't need more than is already there. The city already knows how to tell a story.
A Moment I'll Always Remember
I photographed this wedding while I was pregnant with my daughter.
At the time, every interaction between parents and their children hit me a little differently.
Watching Maddi and her mom together throughout the day caught me off guard more than once. There was so much tenderness between them. Soft glances from mom watching Maddi glow. Sweet hugs honoring how special this day was. The kind of comfort that's built over years instead of moments.
Those are the photographs I find myself returning to.
Wedding days are full of beautiful details, but the relationships are what give them weight.
Why I Love Photographing New Orleans Weddings
New Orleans has always pulled me in.
The worn architecture. The wrought iron balconies. The courtyards hidden behind old gates. The moss-covered trees. It feels layered, imperfect, and deeply romantic.
As I continue leaning into Southern Gothic wedding photography, it's a city that feels more and more like home creatively. Not because it's dark, but because it honors history. Nothing feels polished to the point of losing its character.
I want to photograph New Orleans weddings often.
Planning a Degas House Wedding?
If you're planning a Degas House wedding or looking for a New Orleans wedding photographer, I'd love to hear what you're dreaming up.
I'm especially drawn to weddings with a strong sense of place. Days that feel rooted in history, full of personality, and centered on the people who matter most.
Whether you're planning a garden party in New Orleans or an intimate celebration somewhere else in the South, my goal is always the same: to create photographs that feel artful, honest, and unmistakably yours.
New Orleans Wedding Vendors
Photographer: The Rose Reflective
Planner: Lonney Jane Productions
Venue: Degas House
Planning & Design: Lonney Jane Productions
Videography: AMIL Visuals
Florals: Thibodeaux's Floral Studio
Catering: Lil Dizzy's Cafe
Dress: Alexandra Pijut
Suit: No Man Walks Alone
Cake: Bittersweet Confections
Band: Big Easy Band