Lauren and Daniel approached their wedding like the best “choose your own adventure” story you ever read. They made their wedding at Il Mercato New Orleans theirs, and it was perfect! I’m so glad that I got to document this truly unique celebration. These wedding photos show you how this celebration was a masterclass in customizing a wedding experience.

A Wedding at Il Mercato New Orleans 

Il Mercato New Orleans is an elegant historic wedding venue Uptown. Walking in feels like you’re entering a world made just for your celebration. White walls and a funky fireplace line a wide brick courtyard. Inside, arched windows and chandeliers light an airy banquet hall. 

The whole venue has a minimalist Spanish aesthetic. Clay roof tiles bring warmth. Custom floral tiles decorate the walls around wide arches. 

Pricing for a wedding at Il Mercato New Orleans differs between peak season and off-peak season. During peak season (March-May and October-December), rental fees for a ceremony and reception starts at $8,000. During off peak season (January-February and June-September), site fees start around $3,000.

Here are some helpful features to consider if you’re thinking of getting married at Il Mercato New Orleans:

• All-inclusive packages are available to minimize the vendors with whom you need to coordinate.

• The venue has capacity for up to 300 guests.

• Il Mercato is located right on Magazine Street in the Lower Garden District. There are plenty of places to stay close to the venue.

Incredible Custom Wedding Details 

I had such an amazing time photographing Lauren and Daniel’s Il Mercado New Orleans wedding partly because they had so many custom details. They were intentional about every part of their wedding day, from Lauren’s wedding dress to their cake. Here are some of the ways they made their wedding unique to them.

Lauren’s Bespoke Wedding Dress

Lauren and I bonded big time over her dress. It was inspired by the Drew Barrymore movie Ever After. My mom and I watched this movie so many times while I was growing up. I was stoked to see this vision come to life!

This wedding dress was all the more meaningful to Lauren because her friend made it for her. The level of detail on the corset and skirt is absolutely stunning. I can’t imagine how much time, skill, and love went into making it.

To top it off, Lauren’s friend sewed in a token from Lauren’s late father. On her sixteenth birthday, he gave her a coin. “He said it would last longer than any car I could have gotten,” Lauren told me. It meant so much to have a piece of him with her as she walked down the aisle.

Custom Wedding Rings

If you haven’t picked up on it by now, Lauren and Daniel love fantasy books and nerd culture. Lord of the Rings made an appearance more than once. Both of their wedding rings included Elvish inscriptions. 

Lauren’s ring reads: “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay: Small acts of kindness and love."

Daniel’s ring says: “Where there is kindness there is goodness and where there is goodness there is magic."

Unique Ceremony Music

During the ceremony, Lauren and Daniel had Harry Hardin playing string arrangements of video game songs. Lauren said, “We knew that we wanted nerd elements which is why the strings played video game songs that people could enjoy without people feeling nerd stuff forced on them." It was a creative way to stay true to themselves and still make the music feel “wedding.”

One-of-a-Kind Desserts

Lord of the Rings and video games inspired the desserts, too! The cake was modeled after Tolkien’s Minas Tirith. Runes from Elden Ring decorated the macarons. 

Enchanted Florals

Il Mercato New Orleans is one of those wedding venues that goes from beautiful to jaw dropping with great flowers. Cry Baby Florals took the space to a whole different level with these colorful installations. The arrangements included vibrant fruits and edible elements throughout.

For Dan’s family, the oranges held special meaning. In Chinese culture, oranges represent good fortune. They added whimsy and a reminder of their heritage to the tables.

Your New Orleans Wedding Photography 

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a New Orleans wedding photographer specializing in photos as vibrant as your love. Inquire with me!

Thanks to the fantastic vendors who worked on this beautiful wedding!

Photographer: Ashley Biltz Photography

Videographer: ZZ Films

Planner: 3 Little Words

Getting Ready Venue: Hotel St. Vincent

Ceremony and Reception Venue and Caterer: Il Mercato New Orleans 

Officiant: John Atchley

Florist: Cry Baby Floral

Rentals: Distressed

Hair and Makeup Artist: Wicked Hues

DJ: G-Cue

Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Harry Hardin

Brass Band: Knockaz

Cake: Kimbla’s Cakes

Macarons: The Floured Tin