Royal Sonesta Wedding: Kim and Sean
A French Quarter Wedding from Start to Finish
Kim and Sean’s wedding felt like it belonged entirely to New Orleans. From their first look on the balcony of the Royal Sonesta to the second line that spilled straight from their courtyard ceremony onto Bourbon Street, everything unfolded in the heart of the French Quarter. They got ready there, said their vows there, danced there. In between, they slipped out to Jackson Square as the city hummed around them.
GETTING READY
Kim got ready at the Royal Sonesta surrounded by the people closest to her. The morning had that particular quality that the best getting-ready hours have — unhurried, full of laughter, punctuated by quiet moments. The best of those came when her friend, who did her makeup, carefully placed her veil. There was something in that moment that said everything about the kind of person Kim is and the people she surrounds herself with.
JACKSON SQUARE PORTRAITS
Just after their first look, we took Kim and Sean across the Quarter to Jackson Square for portraits with the two of them. The live oaks, the ironwork gates, the cathedral in the background, it’s one of those settings that doesn’t need anything added to it. We stayed until the light dropped behind the rooftops and the street lamps came on.
THE CEREMONY
The Royal Sonesta’s courtyard at night is lovely. Citrus trees wrapped in string lights, candles everywhere, the warm glow of the hotel rising above it all on three sides. Kim and Sean exchanged their vows in the middle of it, their guests gathered close, the city carrying on just beyond the walls. It felt like a secret the French Quarter was keeping just for them.
Then Bourbon Street Happened
Here’s the thing about having your ceremony in the Royal Sonesta courtyard, you’re about thirty seconds from Bourbon Street. And when the Kinfolk Brass Band struck up and the doors opened, that’s exactly where this wedding headed.
There was this fun moment when the courtyard ceremony seamlessly spilled onto Bourbon Street for the second line. It was like a “let’s party” switch was immediately flipped. And from the cheers of the crowd already out there, it seemed like the city was in on it too. That’s a New Orleans wedding doing exactly what a New Orleans wedding should do.
If you love this second line energy from the Kinfolk Brass Band, be sure to check out Cassidy & Carter’s Muriel’s wedding, too!
THE RECEPTION
They came back inside to celebrate the way the night deserved. Lots of dancing, music, and the kind of joy that comes from a day that went exactly right.
More Highlights
it was such an honor to work with this
DREAM TEAM
THE ROYAL SONESTA
The Royal Sonesta with its gorgeous wrap-around wrought iron balconies and lush courtyard perfect for ceremonies, offers everything we love in a French Quarter venue.
ARE YOU PLANNING YOUR OWN
ROYAL SONESTA WEDDING?
As New Orleans wedding photographers, we know this venue well and would love to hear about your day.
