Penny and Jared are deeply kind and considerate people, and everything about their winter garden wedding reflected that. From their planning to their interactions with friends and family, Penny and Jared approached everything with intention. Photographing their Paradigm Gardens wedding was a truly heartwarming and comfortable experience. Their celebration featured colorful, vintage-inspired details that put everyone at ease. 

A Winter Garden Wedding at Paradigm Gardens

Paradigm Garden is an amazing New Orleans wedding venue for a winter garden wedding. As a wedding photographer, I truly love this unique space. It’s located right on the edge of New Orleans’ Central Business District, but it feels like a world away. Lush plants fill every corner of the venue, and bright flowers bloom all year round. Unpretentious yellow flowers and native plants create a ceremony backdrop that makes any wedding feel organic and earthy. 

A few features set Paradigm Gardens apart from other outdoor wedding venues in New Orleans. Cameroonian goats wander the space. Their fluffy faces are always welcome surprises to wedding guests. The food is also incredible. The staff prepares meals in an outdoor kitchen that creates such a cozy atmosphere. If you want unforgettable food for your winter garden wedding, definitely check out this venue.

Colorful Vintage Wedding Details

Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding featured colorful 70s-inspired details from start to finish. They got ready at the Catahoula Hotel. Photographing there was such a treat! This hotel is vintage and funky without being gimmick. It matched Jared and Penny’s aesthetic perfectly. The light in Penny’s room was also superb – not always a guarantee in many small downtown hotel rooms. The portraits of her look like a painting. 

The Catahoula’s black and white tiled courtyard was a great spot for the first look and pre-ceremony portraits. The vintage details and rich colors suited Jared and Penny. At Paradigm Gardens, we took more portraits in front of the vibrant mural. I especially love the Polaroid photos we took in this location. Instant film felt like such a natural way to document their wedding.

In addition to being a doctor, Penny is also an artist. She created a lot of the 70s-inspired details herself. They wanted details that were vintage without being over the top. They accomplished that perfectly with the seating signs, table decor, and even their invitations. These details felt right at home among the wildflowers and botanical mural of Paradigm Gardens.

A Heartfelt Celebration

Everything about Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding reflected the warmth each brings to their relationship. I was lucky enough to see it firsthand when I documented their Lake Pontchartrain engagement photos. When I asked them what drew them to each other, their answers said it all. Penny loves Jared’s emotional intelligence and compassion for others. Jared loves Penny’s dedication and perseverance. Their wedding reflected those aspects of their relationship so well. 

Jared and Penny had such a heartfelt wedding ceremony. Their guests shed so many happy tears. It’s clear that these two have a love that everyone around them can feel. Paradigm Gardens provided an intimate atmosphere that put everyone at ease to really be present for the ceremony.

The reception was just as emotional and joyful. Penny and Jared’s friends and family gave moving speeches and pulled them aside for sweet exchanges throughout the night. Penny’s wedding party was especially expressive in their love for their friend. All of the fun took place over an incredible meal that included an unforgettable vegan curry and churro cinnamon crunch bread pudding. I’m still thinking about it!

Overall, Jared and Penny’s wedding was so incredible because they were intentional in their planning but relaxed on the day itself. They created an experience that was authentic to them and considerate of their guests. Best of all, there was space for spontaneous, genuine moments to play out.

Do you want to see more garden weddings like this one? Check out this Paradigm Gardens wedding reception and this New Orleans Botanical Garden wedding!

Thank you to the vendors who made Penny and Jared’s winter garden wedding possible:

Hair and Makeup: Penny and assist from bridal party

Florals: flowers from Flower Moxie, arrangement by Penny and Bridal Party

Music: playlists by Jared  

Venue, Catering, and Dessert: Paradigm Gardens