Nighttime wedding photos are a unique and romantic way to capture the intimacy of a wedding. For Alonna and Bruce’s New Orleans wedding, night portraits with the streetcar were the perfect way to commemorate a day full of love, tenderness, and glamor. This couple describes their relationship as home, and even amid the well-deserved celebration I could see that they were grounded in their connection with each other.
Bruce and Alonna’s New Orleans Wedding
Bruce and Alonna are avid travelers. When I asked them to describe their favorite date, Alonna asked, “Does travel count as a date?” As many places and cultures as they explore together, they always return to New Orleans as one of their favorite places. They planned a wedding full of iconic New Orleans landmarks and traditions from beginning to end.
Once Alonna and Bruce were ready, they had a first look on Canal Street along the streetcar line. The sun was low in the sky, and the sun cast a pink glow on the buildings. Strings of lights lit the palm trees lining the tracks. In the middle of one of the city’s busiest streets, Alonna and Bruce only had eyes for each other. These emotional images portray the love that characterized the whole day.
For wedding party portraits, we took a combination of posed and more candid portraits. Bruce and Alonna’s wedding party was so at ease. Their laughter was infectious too. It was clear that Bruce and Alonna are well loved. The bridesmaids’ green dresses stood out nicely against the cityscape and flowed around them to give an organic touch to the wedding party portraits.
When it came time to head to the ceremony, Alonna traveled by vintage car to St. Louis Cathedral. I took a direct flash photo of her exiting the car, and she looks like an absolute movie star. The cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in the French Quarter. Opened in 1791, It has three grayish blue spires outside and traditional colonial French decor within. Alonna had another classic bridal moment walking down the checkered tile aisle. It was a beautiful setting for exchanging vows.
Nighttime Wedding Photos with the Streetcar
After Bruce and Alonna’s wedding ceremony, we took a little time to take nighttime wedding photos along the Canal streetcar line. New Orleans comes alive at night, true to its reputation. As Alonna and Bruce stood together on the streetcar track, color bloomed all around them. I knew these nighttime wedding photos would do justice to Alonna’s love of color. The light and movement embodied their joy and reflected the subtlest hues in Bruce’s jacket.
A Memorable Reception Full of Touching Traditions
Alonna and Bruce didn’t skip any fun traditions at their reception. They kicked the party off with a first dance with dramatic flair! These reception images allowed me to incorporate some of the same lighting techniques that I used in the nighttime wedding photos to capture the energy and vibrancy of the occasion. The night was full of lights, rich colors, and spontaneous, unforgettable moments.
As members of historic Greek organizations, Alonna and Bruce were sure to incorporate relevant traditions in their reception. I love these images of Alonna surrounded by her sorority sisters. She’s glowing with happiness. Witnessing these community moments are one of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer.
New Orleans wedding traditions featured prominently in Alonna and Bruce’s reception as well. They had a Mardi Gras Indian tribe perform for guests. Everyone was thrilled when the group arrived in their plumed, hand-beaded suits. Some folks even got up to join the dancing!
The night ended with a second line, another New Orleans favorite. Bruce and Alonna led guests in dancing to a brass band as they carried parasols, decorative wedding umbrellas, around the dance floor. Guests waved commemorative handkerchiefs over their heads as they moved to the horns. It was a joyous way to end an incredible evening.
Are you looking for a photographer who can take nighttime wedding photos? Reach out to me, and let’s start the conversation!
