As seen in Black Bride, Cathy and Jordan celebrated their wedding like classic New Orleans royalty in style during their weekend long festivities surrounded by their friends and family. And we were there to photograph every moment of it! Our favorite wedding weekends are when we are invited to photograph every aspect of the wedding festivities from the welcome party to the afterparty. Read below for tips from a local New Orleans wedding photography team for why this wedding was so beautiful and went off without a hitch!

Are you planning your dream wedding and searching for a wedding photographer that is there to capture every moment? Tell us all about your dream wedding here!

The week began with the bride and groom by going on a private sunset sail and photoshoot on Lake Pontchartrain. New Orleans Yacht Experience truly set the tone with pops of champagne for Cathy & Jordan.

Sunset Sail to Start off the Wedding Weekend

Muriel’s, a Perfect French Quarter Rehearsal Dinner

One of the best parts of New Orleans’ French Quarter is that everything is walking distance from one another. Muriel’s second floor has a balcony is the perfect venue because it overlooks Saint Louis Cathedral. The classic New Orleans architecture provides a beautiful backdrop for the first full day of wedding photography.

One of the best aspects of the rehearsal dinner is that we are able to photograph the wedding guests in a more relaxed environment leading up to the wedding day. We can get to know everyone so that when the wedding day comes we all know each other! This results in more natural and candid moments captured on the wedding day.

Longue Vue House and Gardens Prep and First Look

Cathy and Jordan’s wedding day was one for the ages. The day began with prep at Omni Royal. First look and formal portraits were then photographed at the beautiful Longue Vue House and Gardens.

Saint Louis Cathedral Wedding

The ceremony took place at the beautiful Saint Louis Cathedral in the heart of the French Quarter.

A pro tip from a fine art New Orleans wedding photographer: Notice how bright the photographs are in the interior of the cathedral. That is because our couple booked an earlier in the day wedding ceremony. The more light shining through the stained glass windows, the better the photos will turn out. It also allows for there to be beautiful natural light!

Second Line

In classic New Orleans wedding fashion, the end of the ceremony led straight into a second line! Cathy & Jordan, along with their friends and family, were welcomed by the entire New Orleans community with cheers and dancing. My favorite second line band, Kinfolk, set the tone with their beautiful brass and drums leading the guests.

Omni Royal Wedding Reception

Becky of Spanish Oaks Events is the true MVP of the wedding day with this incredible vision she created. Firefly Ambiance adorned the Omni Royal with over six hundred candles and countless white roses. My favorite detail however was Bywater Bakery‘s hand painted beautiful cypress landscape.

Pro tip: Bywater Bakery consistently is one of the most delicious wedding cakes Cheryl Cole Photography has eaten.

Sunset overlooking the New Orleans French Quarter

I always try to fit in ten minutes of sunset portraits on the wedding day. It allows the clients to have a quiet moment to breathe and soak in the day after the ceremony. The rooftop of the Omni Royal is my secret spot for photographs. It is truly the best skyline the New Orleans French Quarter has to offer. And you can see the Cathedral, their ceremony space, from the view! Portraits like these do not need to take much time away from your family. These photos specifically only took fifteen minutes, and I believe they make such an impact to their wedding gallery. My partner, Will, even had a moment to capture a drone photograph for the wedding couple!

An Omni Royal Reception

Unlike a typical New Orleans wedding, Cathy and Jordan decided to have a formal sit down dinner. Long tables flanked the dance floor with additional rounds along the ends making the large space feel full yet intimate. Beautiful photographic moments were captured as the bride and groom greeted each table.

Pro tip: Having spaces where large groups of guests can congregate allows for rich and vibrant photos in your wedding gallery. Designated eating, drinking, mingling and dancing areas also ensures things like your dance floor never look empty. The long tables paralleling the dance floor ensured close family were in the background of important speeches and dances.

Elan Artists kept the night going strong with their infectious blend of dj mixing, live vocals and brass. Everyone was absolutely hyped by our bride’s fabulous outfit change. Cheryl Cole Photography loves outfit changes because it brings a fresh energy to the reception. The outfit change allowed the bride the freedom to drop it low and dance the rest of the night away.

A Very Favela Chic Afterparty

As local New Orleans wedding photographers, we understand the importance of being there to photograph the afterparty! Favela Chic was the perfect place to go because our couple’s favorite local band Andre Lovett Band was playing!

Pro tip: I wouldn’t consider Frenchmen walking distance from the Omni Royal Orleans, but it is definitely worth the 5 minute drive. Frenchmen is more of a locals, live music, delicious food night spot for a typical Saturday in Nola! Frenchmen is more crowded with locals rather than the tourists that flock to the French Quarter.

Are you currently planning your perfect New Orleans wedding? Or somewhere abroad but love the idea of having wedding photographers who prioritize the entire wedding week? Send us a message in the link here!

Special thanks to our brilliant vendor team for this wedding! Your wedding team is only as strong as it’s weakest link, and this team was definitely an all star one!

Wedding Prep and Reception Venue: Omni Royal Orleans

Planning and design: Spanish Oaks Events

Ceremony: Saint Louis Cathedral

Videography: Heartbeat Films

Bridal Salon: Town & Country Bridal

Bridal Gown Designer: Martina Liana Bridal Designs

Entertainment: Elan Artists

Floral and Decor: Firefly Ambiance

Hair and Makeup: Petal Salon

Cake: Bywater Bakery

Second Line: Kinfolk Brass Band

Transportation: Alert Transportation

Post Ceremony Drinks: Bourbon Bubbly Brew