Paulina & Michael’s Arbor Room New Orleans Wedding Filled with Film, Family, and a Whole Lot of Heart

This Arbor Room New Orleans wedding had everything. Personal vows that brought tears during the first look, a Catholic ceremony rich with tradition at St. Stephen’s Basilica, and a reception at the Arbor Room that ended with a second line around the room. Paulina and Michael planned every detail with such intention. Photographing this day reminded me exactly why I love shooting New Orleans weddings so much. The thing I’m the most proud of is that I shot more rolls of film for this wedding than I ever had before! Those film images really filled out the gallery with dreamy images that can only be made on film. And if you haven’t seen their rehearsal dinner yet, check that out first.

But before I dive into all the moments that made this wedding so special, let me share what Paulina had to say:

“We absolutely loved working with Hannah for our rehearsal dinner and the wedding day. She came very well prepared and had a vision for how to perfectly capture our wedding using film, digital, and a disposable camera. I really appreciated the calls ahead of the wedding to go over timeline, details, and any specific shots we wanted. The day of the wedding, she helped us have a lot of fun during our wedding portraits and they came out beautiful with a mixture of candid and posed photos. We also really appreciated how she helped us get back on track after our ceremony ran long. She kept very calm and composed and directed us to efficiently get the remaining shots we needed with our family without making us feel stressed and even got us pictures with our getaway car despite it not being functional at the time of departure. She also turned all of our pictures around quickly and we really appreciated that. My husband and I recognized our wedding photography as one of our most important investments for their wedding, and Hannah knocked it out of the park. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for beautiful and memorable photography for their wedding.”

Starting the day at Canal St Inn

Paulina got ready at Canal St Inn, and the light in that space was absolutely perfect for styling her details and getting her dressed. Sometimes it seems like flat lays are going out of style, but I’ll always love them, and this was one of my most favorite sets yet. The invitations were extra special because her uncle made them through his company in Mexico called Stampa. Paulina’s engagement ring came from Ramsey’s, and Michael’s wedding band was Cartier. Those Christian Louboutin heels completed the set beautifully. Madison Carrington did Paulina’s hair and Brittany Spreen handled makeup, and both held up beautifully through an emotional first look, a full Catholic Mass, and hours of dancing. Her gown from Town & Country Bridal suited her perfectly. Michael looked sharp in his custom tux from I Sarti Italiani paired with Ferragamo shoes.

The First Look That Had Everyone in Tears

For their first look, Paulina and Michael chose to read personal vows to each other privately before the ceremony; it was one of the most emotional first looks I’ve ever witnessed. There were tears. Real, happy, overwhelmed-with-love tears from both of them. 

After the first look, we grabbed portraits around the Canal St Inn property and got lucky with a streetcar moment! We were setting up a shot with the streetcar in the background on the neutral ground, and the driver must have seen what we were doing because they actually slowed down a bit to give us the perfect frame. I love when the city cooperates like that. And then as we were walking back, we were able to catch a second one passing the other way!

A Traditional Catholic Ceremony at St. Stephen’s Basilica

The ceremony at St. Stephen’s Basilica was beautiful and filled with meaningful traditions. Fr. Stephen Okoro officiated, and one of my favorite moments was when they incorporated the wedding lasso during the Mass. For those unfamiliar, the lasso is a unity symbol in Catholic ceremonies, particularly significant in Hispanic culture, where a rope or rosary is draped around the couple. A lot of times, families will all use the same lasso so they can become incredibly special heirlooms. You might have noticed it encircling their details. 

We did hit a snag. The getaway car broke down right in front of the church. But you know what? Sue with Beth’s flowers had it all sorted out by the time mass was finished, and we captured some gorgeous photos with the car anyway! Sometimes unexpected moments happen, but that’s why a good planner is worth their weight in gold!

Celebrating at the Arbor Room at Popp Fountain

The Arbor Room at Popp Fountain in City Park is one of those New Orleans venues that blends modern architecture and juxtaposes it near ancient oaks. With that iconic fountain just steps from the front door, we had a beautiful backdrop for a handful of portraits before the couple walked in. Beth’s Flowers created cohesive arrangements throughout the reception, varying between bud vases and candles to keep everything feeling intentional but not overdone. The details at this wedding told Paulina and Michael’s story so well. They had a custom wedding sign made in the style of Simon of New Orleans, which added such a local artistic touch.  Getting to hear NOLA Dukes Band is always a treat, and they kept the dance floor packed all night!

Let me tell you about the dessert situation because it deserves its own moment. Haydel’s made the wedding cake, but the groom’s cake from Debbie Does Doberge stole my heart. Paulina and Michael have a cat named Kiwi, and they had a custom tiny statue made of their kitty as the cake topper. There were also petit fours with a cat print on top. Such a sweet way to include their fur baby who couldn’t be there in person.

And speaking of sweet treats, they had Plum Street Snowballs at the reception. Snowballs at a wedding reception is such a New Orleans move, and their out-of-town guests absolutely loved it.

My favorite moment from the reception? The father-daughter dance. It started as a traditional dance between Paulina and her dad, but at the end, they invited her mom and sister to join in. What started as one special moment became a whole family moment, and I’m so glad I was there to capture it.

The night ended exactly how a New Orleans celebration should. With a second line around the room that paraded the guests outside so Paulina & Michael could have one last private dance. I loved the way these two stayed connected throughout the entire reception. Even taking a moment to sit and eat a sno-ball together. 

Planning Your Own Arbor Room New Orleans Wedding

The Arbor Room at Popp Fountain is such a special venue for couples who want that quintessential New Orleans feel without leaving the city. Located in City Park, it offers indoor and outdoor space surrounded by those iconic live oaks. City Park Catering handled all the food for Paulina and Michael’s reception, and everything was delicious. The Arbor Room can host 250 reception guests or 80 for a seated dinner. The rental fee can range between $6000 and $14000 depending on whether your date lands during peak season or not. 

If you’re considering an Arbor Room New Orleans wedding, I’d love to chat about capturing your day. I limit my calendar intentionally so I can give each couple the attention and creativity they deserve. Whether you want lots of film like Paulina and Michael or a different blend of my style, I’m here to create something beautiful that tells your specific story.

Contact me here.