Intimate weddings are composed of a small gathering. With close friends and family in attendance. Yet they hold all the glamour and beauty typically afforded to large and opulent affairs. There is something very special about these smaller weddings. Its the intimacy. And the time. There is more time for the wedding couple to mingle and actually enjoy their party. With less guests the party becomes even more special. Rather than brief, momentary glimpses of your guests and family that you will forget there is a much more relaxed, well, intimate feeling to your day. 

First of all the planning is far less complicated. Finding rooms and a venue opens up your options to places you never imagined when you have a guest list of 25. Rent out a fabulous B&B in the Garden District of New Orleans such as The Terrell House. Oh my, it is gorgeous and let me tell you they treat you like gold my friends. The Columns is another very cool place for more intimate weddings. Both have the flexibility to go traditional or non-traditional as my couples prefer. You can rent a space in a Live Music Club on Frenchmen Street. Yes! You can! You can travel via pedicabs or carriage ride. Heck, barhop! Or even with a smaller group try a tasting at one of the more exclusive restaurants in New Orleans. After dinner go for cocktails at Arnauds 75. So very cool! Okay, enough teasing. Don't get me started on the food!

Why do I prefer smaller, intimate and non-traditional weddings? Because they bring out the real in everyone. No two dimensional, cardboard cutouts dressed to the nines, briefly chatting with the new couple among 200 guests. Yes it is a big, opulent party. And probably costing at a minimum of $30,000. That's a down payment on a house or a year of world travel and experiences. I mean lets be honest here my friends. We are in a new era. Materialism is out. Minimalism and small footprint are in. So why not just stop for a second. When it is time to plan why not do something different? Why not plan a destination wedding with your closest friends and family? THEN plan a relaxed big reception for when you return. It isn't about the gifts anymore, right? Do you really need two blenders? No. What you need is life experiences. Those come with taking chances. Going a less traveled path.

Why do I prefer intimate weddings? Because with smaller groups I can slow down and capture so many more unguarded moments between people you love. Because to me my job is more than just capturing great, real moments and beautiful, natural portraits. My job is giving you the raw love you felt right then to relive forever really. Because I am not a participant, I am an outsider, I become invisible. That is when those private, simple little moments appear. The gift of pure joy is priceless. 

Enjoy this selection of photographs from some of the places above. Give me a call if you want something different. Something to really remember. 504-920-8703