Blaire and Brandon: New Orleans Wedding Photography
New Orleans Wedding Photography in City Park
Blaire and Brandon
My first meeting with Blaire and Brandon felt like sitting down with friends. We got lost chatting for far longer than we had planned- especially when the conversation worked its way around to pets. They wanted their dog to be a part of their engagement session. Which I was game for since we had a nice long session planned. (Nowadays I have a Family Pet Portrait company where I do lifestyle family pet photos in the home where animals are the most comfortable) Working with pets takes time and if we’re in a park full of distractions, they can take away from the couple’s time too.
We did their engagement session in City Park where they spent a lot of time together. Their wedding was actually at Popp Fountain in the back of City Park. I was excited to photograph at that venue- I had always wanted to capture a ceremony in front of that big beautiful fountain surrounded by grecian-style columns and climbing vines. Sadly, their ceremony would be after dark so I wouldn’t be able to really see the fountain. Their first look and portraits however, were going to take place as the sun went down behind the fountain. The wedding planners, Down Annie Lane, worked with me to setup lighting for the ceremony since the venue didn’t provide any.
We did Bride prep uptown at a suite Blaire had rented for her large bridal party. She opted for a first look with her dad which I always love. It almost got spoiled when someone accidentally let him into the bridal suite! But the bridesmaids took action and leaped in front of Blaire to hide her from view! We quickly ushered dad out of the room and staged it outside near the pool.
It was a very cold January day so we tried to keep Blaire inside and warm as much as possible. But when it came time for the first look, I wasn’t in any rush to hurry her back inside. The light at Popp Fountain during sunset was absolutely breathtaking and the surrounding trees were still sporting the colors of autumn. All of the images were stunning! I am really glad they opted for a first look because it was pitch black by the time their ceremony commenced. I try to avoid using flash during ceremonies but sometimes it is unavoidable. This was one of those times. My second shooter, April, and I were wearing lots of layers including fingerless gloves as we stood outside and waited for the processional to begin. That was definitely the coldest wedding I’ve ever photographed!
I really liked an aspect of the wedding that they included. I had never seen it done before. They wrote letters to each other and sealed them in a box along with a bottle of wine to open on their first anniversary and read to each other. It was sweet to include this as part of the ceremony, another promise they made to each other.
Brandon is a 610 Stomper so I knew the reception was going to be “lit” as the kids say these days. The dance floor was a hit from the jump and the photo booth stayed packed. There was a bit of a dehydration situation where a guest passed out and hit the floor! It was the first time I’d seen paramedics on the scene of a wedding! Fortunately, he was okay but things did get pretty scary/exciting there for a minute!
Blaire and Brandon’s wedding was anything but boring! The ladies from Down Annie Lane did a terrific job of putting everything together and the couple danced their hearts out. I was a little disappointed there was no surprise performance from the 610 Stompers but I guess they don’t need to steal every show. :)
