When you get married in New Orleans, you want a venue that screams “Louisiana”! The Pitot House in Bayou St. John does exactly that. New Orleanians Jeff and Giuliana chose a “country western meets Louisiana swamp boogie” theme for their Pitot House wedding. Every detail came together for an unforgettable night filled with seafood, music, and all the sweetest hugs.

A bride and groom pose in a doorway before their Pitot House wedding.

A Pitot House Wedding

A Pitot House wedding gives you a cool mix of historic charm and laid back Mid-City character. The historic house sits on Bayou St. John. It’s a classic two-storey house built around 1799. A porch and balcony wrap around. Green shutters offer a lively contrast to the quiet white walls.

Sun shines on the Pitot House wedding venue in New Orleans.

Flowers and candles decorate wedding reception tables in the garden of the Pitot House.

Most weddings take place in the gardens. They can accommodate a lot more guests (up to 250) as opposed to the smaller gallery spaces and indoor rooms. The fees for a Pitot House wedding start at $6,000 for a ceremony and reception.

A groom smiles as he walks down a porch towards a bride.

A groom kisses a bride's forehead on the porch of a New Orleans wedding venue.

A New Orleans wedding photographer photographs a bride and groom through a window in the Pitot House.

Even though Pitot House is a historic landmark and museum, it feels more approachable than your typical estate venue. A Pitot House wedding is the right mix of cozy and elevated.

A bride and groom pose for a New Orleans wedding photographer on the porch of the Pitot House.

A bride smiles in the gardens at the Pitot House.

A bride and groom sit on a bench laughing at a Pitot House wedding.

Giuliana and Jeff’s Swamp Boogie Theme

Giuliana and Jeff’s wedding day encompassed what it feels like for locals to be at home in New Orleans. I think that’s especially true for the people lucky enough to live in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. The Pitot House sits right on the bayou near the bright blue expanse of Cabrini Bridge. This stretch is a popular place to walk dogs and picnic with friends. The location gave an extra warmth to Giuliana and Jeff’s celebration.

A man tunes an electric guitar in the hallway of the Pitot House.

A wedding guest holds a pink cocktail in a garden.

This Pitot House wedding celebrated Mid-City’s culinary scene, too. The chefs of the now-closed Marji’s Grill catered. Guests *loved* the shrimp and grilled oysters. Neighborhood institution 12 Mile Limit provided the cocktails. As usual, their pours were as pretty as they were delicious.

A man plays a steel guitar beside a ceremony site.

A wedding ceremony begins beneath a magnolia tree at the Pitot House.

A groom reads his vows into a microphone.

The cherry on top for this Louisiana swamp boogie experience was the music. Someone played steel guitar for the ceremony processional. Lafayette’s Pine Leaf Boys played a fun mix of contemporary Cajun and Zydeco for the reception. They kept people on the dance floor soaking up every moment of the Louisiana evening.

A bride smiles while a groom reads his vows.

At the end of the day, I just loved how much Giuliana and Jeff made this wedding day their own. It felt like them. They incorporated so many things they love. Both wore summery shades of green, too. It gave their photos a unique look, especially with the green shutters of the Pitot House in the background.

A groom tears up as a bride reads her vows.

A bride and groom kiss at the end of a ceremony at a Pitot House wedding.

A bride and groom smile at each other as they walk their recessional.

A One-of-a-Kind Wedding Day

Giuliana and Jeff were together for over ten years before their Pitot House wedding. She’s an architect, and he’s pursuing his PhD in Philosophy. It made sense that they wanted their wedding to celebrate what they love about their chosen home.

A New Orleans wedding photographer photographs a bride and groom through a window of the Pitot House.

A bride in a green wedding dress leads a groom down a path.

A bride and groom embrace beside the bayou in Mid-City New Orleans.

Friends made heartfelt contributions to this wedding. A dear friend officiated the ceremony. One of Jeff’s best friends played guitar for the first dance. It was so romantic under the strings of lights. The same friend gave a sweet speech during toasts, too.

A wedding guest wipes away tears in a candid wedding photo.

A bride and her mother hug on a dance floor.

New Orleans wedding caterers grill oysters.

During the ceremony, Jeff and Giuliana read vows that sounded like poetry. They were so beautifully written and personal. Jeff saved the last part of his vows for just Giuliana by whispering it in her ear.

A bridesmaid reads a speech from her phone.

A groom puts his arm around a bride during a wedding speech.

A bride and groom dance while a guitar player plays at their Pitot House wedding.

Afterward, I quietly stepped into the Pitot House. I photographed Giuliana and Jeff through the window. They stood on the porch embracing in their just married glow. The photo brings that feeling right back.

The candid photos from this wedding are so powerful. From the dance floor, the photos are warm and full of movement, love, and life. Candid photos of Giuliana with her mom and best friend are magical moments that I know they’ll treasure.

Wedding guests toast with small bottles.

A bride chats with friends on the edge of the dance floor.

Wedding guests dance on a dance floor outdoors at a Pitot House wedding.

Would you like me to photograph your wedding? I’m a New Orleans wedding photographer, and I’d love to document your favorite moments with vibrant photos! Inquire with me.

Thank you to the vendors who made this Pitot House wedding so magical:

Wedding Planner: Lisa Carbonari at Hallowed Ground Productions

Photographer: Ashley Biltz Photography

Venue: Pitot House

Caterer: Marjie’s Grill (Broad Street Ballers)

Bar: 12 Mile Limit

Florist: Cicada Calling Farm

Baker: Angelo Brocato

Hair Stylist: Jo Morris from Sweet Olive Salon

Dress: custom made by Toni Jertberg

Band: Pine Leaf Boys

Rentals: Larkin Tents and Big Easy Events