Race and Religious
Race and Religious is one of the most in-demand New Orleans wedding venues for good reason! The historic property lends a timeless romance and sense of intimacy to a wedding of any size. From start to finish, Haylee and Brett’s intimate Race and Religious wedding was a celebration of the timeless yet unique venue.
A Race and Religious Wedding
Tucked away in the Lower Garden District, Race and Religious exudes a sense of history and an appreciation for beauty. Originally built in the 1830s, the property is surrounded by a wall with a majestic iron gate. When you enter the gate, you get a sense of entering a relic of the past that somehow escaped the industrialization that swept that section of the Mississippi riverfront.
The architecture of Race and Religious is sure to delight guests’ curiosity. Arches, a bridge, exposed brick, worn wood, and lace curtains invite exploration of the halls, courtyards, and rooms.
So much is possible for a Race and Religious wedding! You could lean into the vintage vibes with soft details or freshen up the space with more modern touches. Either way the venue feels quintessentially New Orleans.
Artifacts of New Orleans’ cosmopolitan past fill the rooms. Religious statues of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph keep revelers company like benevolent guests. With the addition of some pillar candles, St. Joseph’s room is especially atmospheric for a tucked away lounge area or Tarot reading for truly New Orleans reception entertainment.
The textures of the buildings and furniture fill the senses with soft romance. The weathered wood doors and brick cast a gentle pink glow. The oranges and pinks of the carpets and furniture continue this warmth indoors in the getting ready suites and throughout the buildings. Creamy lace curtains frame the windows that overlook the brick courtyard.
With so many interior and exterior spaces, a Race and Religious wedding has plenty of opportunities for different styles of photography. Inside the windows create dramatic lighting for edgier portraits. Outside the soft, even light creates a more classic romantic vibe.
Race and Religious is a perfect venue for anyone who wants to do every event in one location. The getting ready spaces provide gorgeous backdrops for photos. The warm undertones and lace of Haylee’s dress fit perfectly with the white linens and pink hues of the suite. The gold tones of her accessories and pink and orange florals enhanced the beauty.
In rain or shine, Race and Religious has options for ceremony spaces. The most popular spot for tying the knot is the brick courtyard beneath the bridge connecting the buildings. The reflecting pool and palms add a touch of Louisiana nature to the venue.
With elegant architecture and furnishings, Race and Religious doesn’t require much decoration, but some well-placed florals and candles do enhance the intimacy of the space. A couple arrangements demarcated Haylee and Brett’s ceremony space, adding to the beauty of the courtyard.
Haylee and Brett’s Intimate Wedding Ceremony
“Stay at home” orders were put into place not long after Haylee and Brett started dating. As they were both essential workers and wanted to see as much of each other as possible, they decided to move in together. Brett always provided a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear when days at the hospital stressed out Haylee.
“Every day [he] was the partner I wanted and needed and continues to be,” Haylee said.
Brett just knew that he wanted “to get to know Haylee more every day for a lifetime.”
From the beginning, their relationship had an ease to that neither of them had experienced before. They both knew they wanted to spend forever with the other person, and after a couple of conversations about it, they decided they were ready for the next step.
Haylee and Brett didn’t want to see each other before walking down the aisle but they did want to spend an intimate moment together. They chose to do a first touch around a door where they held hands without seeing each other. As guests waited, Haylee and Brett quietly stood on either side of the door, holding hands without seeing each other. The moment was beautiful and full of anticipation that they were about to get married.
An intimate Race and Religious wedding was the perfect fit for this couple. Haylee and Brett’s ceremony took place under the bridge in the courtyard. As Haylee walked down the aisle between their small crowd of guests, the reflecting pool sparkled and palms waved behind her. Let’s Elope New Orleans officiated a thoughtful ceremony that had more than one guest misty-eyed.
After the ceremony, Haylee and Brett invited their guests to join them in a festive champagne toast. Then we snuck away for a few more portraits of the newlyweds. A sweet moment captured through a courtyard arch radiates promise for much-deserved happiness ahead.
Want to read about similar New Orleans wedding venues? Check out this Degas House wedding and this colorful Pharmacy Museum wedding.
