Picture this: New Orleans. Vintage-style wedding. Tons of crazy cameras. Sounds fun, right?
That was the scene at Nate & Jess’ October wedding held at New Orleans City Park, with the reception at the next-door Garden Study Center and Lath House. Jess tells us their wedding decor was inspired by earthy organic elements, crafty handmade decor, and vintage music and clothes. The couple set the tone for their guests from the start with retro New Orleans postcards as save-the-dates, followed by wood-blocked printed invitations. Finally, there was the wedding itself: a garden party in green, brown and champagne with a live jazz band and a traditional New Orleans celebratory second line parade going through the French Quarter.
Adding to that was the photography by Maile Lani, who used six cameras to capture the day — only one a digital. (For the photography enthusiasts: She used a digital Canon 5dM2, a Holga, a Diana, a Leica RE Film SLR, a Polaroid SX-70, a Polaroid Land Camera 250 and a Polaroid Spectra.) Maile doesn’t have a second shooter, she tells us, only an “awesome assistant who can practically read my mind and knows which cameras I’m going to ask for next. There were many times, especially during the ceremony, when I would have four cameras around my neck!”
During slower times, like family portraits, Maile was more likely to bust out her Land Camera, Holga or Diana, which take more time to process photos. But for the lively second line, she used only her digital camera and Polaroid Spectra because they were the fastest.
In the end what Maile captured was, for Jess, “an enchanting love-filled blur spent with the most important people of our lives in the most festive city in the country, surrounded by birds, butterflies, lilies and music.”
Vendors
Wedding and Reception: New Orleans City Park and Garden Study Center and Lath House
Photography: Maile Lani
Flowers: Harkins the Florist
Hair: Alphonse of Salon Alphonse
Second Line Umbrellas: Catherine Broussard of TheWedding Broom Company
Wedding Coordinator: Cathy Persica of New Orleans City Park
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3 comments
Very nice! Kudos to the photographer for matching up subjects with complementary camera formats. Thanks for sharing these pics–lots of compelling images and good ideas.
Hi!
First, let me say your photos are BEAUTIFUL. I have not gotten to the photographer portion of my wedding hunt but I just put you first on my list:)
I was actually scouring the web for venue research and when I came upon your photos I noticed this couple got married in City Park but then did a second line in the quarter. Could you please, please help me and tell me how they managed it? Did all the guests go to the quarter? How was it all executed? I really want to get married in City Park but I’m dying for that festive, crazy second line through the quarter with all my family and friends. Any info you would have would be so very much appreciated!
Thank you so much!
Warmest Regards,
Lily
Thanks, Lily! And just to clarify — I didn’t take the photos, but I’m honored that the photographer allowed me to featured them on my blog. You can reach her her: http://www.mailelaniphotography.com/blog/contact/.
And I’ll point the bride to your comment — hopefully she’ll be able to give you some guidance!