Where to Get Ready for Your Wedding in New Orleans

Planning Tips

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While people understandably put a lot of thought into their ceremony and reception venues, many don’t realize the impact that a getting ready location can have on your wedding in New Orleans. The place you prepare for your wedding can set the tone for how you’ll feel going into the rest of your day. It can also establish an aesthetic for your photography and make your day more enjoyable so that you can connect with your people. 

Race and Religious wedding in New Orleans
bride stands in front of white building

4 Things to Look for in Your Getting Ready Location

1. General location in the city

You don’t have to get ready in the fanciest, most expensive place to have a good experience and beautiful photos. It’s more important to consider where you want to be in the city. Do you want to be close to your ceremony location? Or do you want wedding portraits that capture the colorful houses and charming architecture for which New Orleans is famous? Choose a getting ready location that allows you to place the priority on what matters to you on your wedding day, whether it be simplicity or an ideal backdrop for portraits.

wedding in New Orleans
New Orleans mural

2. Space to move

While standard hotel rooms seem like a no-brainer, they can be cramped and difficult to navigate, especially when rooms fill with wedding party members, makeup artists, and family members. Pick a place, such as a short term rental or a relative’s home, where you’ll have space to move. Your photos will be all the better for it. Honestly, it will be much calmer for you as well.

wedding in new orleans
Hotel Peter and Paul wedding

3. Good light

Hands down, this is the most important part of picking a place to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans! Nothing will have a bigger impact on your photos than good light. A good rule of thumb is the more windows, the better. Just having adequate light can transform a space into a stunning setting for photos and your morning activities. 

Race and Religious wedding in New Orleans

4. Fun and relevant details

Your getting ready location can be a cohesive part of your wedding’s aesthetic as much as your venue can. Because this space is just for you and your closest people, though, you can take some fun risks! Choose a location with design elements you love. They’ll add interest to your photos without overwhelming your wedding details. Your photographer will be able to get artistic with your photos, too. This will enhance the storytelling in your wedding photos.

the drifter new orleans
bridal details for wedding in New Orleans

If your getting ready location has the same vibe as the rest of your wedding day, your final gallery will feel cohesive. A sleek, modern wedding deserves a getting ready location to match! In this instance, minimalist modern details would make for a more congruent experience than a beach-themed hotel. 

shoes and wedding veil
The Drifter New Orleans wedding
wedding at the drifter hotel

5 Places to Get Ready for Your Wedding in New Orleans

These getting ready locations all have unique personalities for beautiful getting ready photos and even first looks.

makeup artist for wedding in New Orleans
bride walks down Hotel Peter and Paul stairs

1. Hotel Peter and Paul

With each room having its own version of gingham style, Hotel Peter and Paul may be my favorite hotel in New Orleans. This hotel is a complex of buildings that include a former school, church, and rectory. They’ve been renovated into a hotel with vintage furniture and a modern sense of color. The Elysian bar downstairs serves up delicious cocktails, and an ice cream shop makes sweet sundaes. It’s nostalgic and aesthetic.

Hotel Peter and Paul wedding
dark shoes on red gingham
wedding details with fan
bridal prep for wedding in New Orleans
Hotel Peter and Paul wedding

2. Margaret Place

Margaret Place is one of those gems that is a great getting ready location and wedding venue rolled into one. You can rent the whole place out so that you and your guests can all get ready on site! Between the tropical courtyard and bright interiors, there are so many stunning places and plenty of room for photos.

groom for Margaret Place wedding
wedding in New Orleans prep
wedding details with wallpaper
Margaret Place courtyard

You can see more from this Margaret Place wedding here.

3. The Ace Hotel

If you like more of a “moody” look, the Ace Hotel is the perfect spot to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans. While it’s still full of New Orleans quirkiness, it has a bit of a sophisticated moodiness to it. The dark furniture and Art Deco-inspired details lend a more artistic atmosphere to getting ready photos. 

wedding invitation and details
wedding dress at Ace Hotel

You can see more of this Ace Hotel wedding here.

Ace Hotel New Orleans wedding
person next to green refridgerator

4. Your Wedding Venue

There’s so much to be said for the convenience of getting ready at your wedding venue. Race and Religious offers stunning wedding suites to get ready in, and portraits at locations like this are next level. What better way to have a cohesive aesthetic throughout your wedding day?

You can see more Race and Religious bridal portraits here.

5. An AirBnB

If you love vibrant houses and a neighborhood feel, an AirBnB might be an ideal place to do your wedding prep. Try a home with a porch for a first look and some pre-ceremony down time. I love the way this couple found an AirBnB that matched their wedding’s aesthetic flawlessly.   

wedding in New Orleans
first look on a blue porch
getting ready location for wedding


Are you looking for a place to get ready for your wedding in New Orleans? I love working with my clients to make sure they find the perfect place for them. Reach out, and let’s start the conversation!

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