Race and Religious is a stunning wedding venue in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District. Walking in, you feel like you’re in a world of your very own. Mallory and Jeremy held their wedding in the courtyard. I left their Race and Religious wedding thinking that this is how a wedding day should be: relaxed, fun, and joyful. Their wedding photos are full of candid smiles and genuine connections.

A bride and groom pose for a New Orleans wedding photographer outside the gates of Race and Religious.

A Race and Religious Wedding

There’s something downright magical about a Race and Religious wedding. When you walk through the iron gates, you enter a bright brick courtyard with a long reflecting pool. (Yes, you can jump in if you’re looking for that kind of party!) Most ceremonies take place in the courtyard.

Even though Race and Religious has some indoor rooms where you can get ready or set up lounge areas, it’s very much an outdoor venue. Your reception will take place under the lights strung between patina buildings.

A groom buttons his tux inside a suite at Race and Religious.

A bride sits on a vintage sofa surrounded by bridesmaids inside Race and Religious.

You can bring your own aesthetic to Race and Religious. It’s definitely a venue where lavish flowers, lace, and candles look right at home.

A bride and groom smile and touch forheads during the first look at their New Orleans wedding.

Capacity for a Race and Religious wedding really varies depending if you want a seated or cocktail-style reception. For a seated dinner, it can accommodate up to 90 guests. With a cocktail-style reception, you can include up to 200 guests. Rental fees range between $8,000 and $11,000.

A bride and groom read private vows in the courtyard of Race and Religious New Orleans.

A bride laughs while she listens to a groom's private vows.

A Race and Religious wedding is a truly New Orleans experience. The 1836 building’s bricks were made with actual mud from the Mississippi River. The venue started hosting weddings in 2010. Since then, it has become a favorite Garden District venue.

A bride and groom lean against each other for a portrait at their Race and Religious wedding.

A bride poses in a doorway lined by lace curtains inside Race and Religious.

Fun Photos around the Wedding Venue

Mallory and Jeremy held their Race and Religious wedding on their tenth anniversary. As a wedding photographer, that really stood out to me. They showed up to their wedding with so much joy and enthusiasm that you would think they had just started dating. It was amazing knowing that they had ten years under their belts together and still respected and loved each other so much.

Wedding guests gather in the courtyard of Race and Religious before a wedding ceremony.

You can feel that strong connection between Mallory and Jeremy in these wedding photos. They smiled and cuddled nonstop! It definitely made my life easy as their photographer.

A bride's father walks her up the aisle at her Race and Religious wedding ceremony.

A groom hugs his father-in-law at the start of a New Orleans wedding ceremony.

Race and Religious is a dream for taking beautiful wedding photos. Vintage furniture decorates the interiors of the buildings. The ornate sofas, worn woodwork, and lace curtains make you feel like you’re stepping back in time in the best way.

A groom kisses a bride's cheek at the end of their Race and Religious wedding ceremony.

Sun shines behind a bride and groom as they turn to walk their recessional at the end of their courtyard wedding ceremony.

I loved photographing Mallory and Jeremy on the bridge connecting the buildings. The soft peachy pink of the buildings make a warm backdrop for these portraits.

A bride and groom pose on the sidewalk in front of the iron gates of the Race and Religious wedding venue.

Polaroid photos and messages from wedding guests fill a wedding guest book.

Once evening fell, the strings of lights over the courtyard cast everything in cozy tones. The floral installation on the bridge looked like an absolute dream. Throughout the reception, the lighting on the dance floor was perfection, too.

A floral installation hangs from a bridge over a wedding reception in the courtyard of Race and Religious.

Wedding guests eat dinner at round tables in a courtyard with stained glass windows around it.

Mallory and Jeremy’s Relaxed Wedding Day

Like I said, Mallory and Jeremy’s Race and Religious wedding was as laid back as you could hope. All of their guests and family members were so excited for them! After a decade of being together, their families already felt so comfortable with each other, too.

Wedding guests watch a bride and groom dance in the courtyard at their Race and Religious wedding.

Wedding guests smile on the side of the dance floor during an outdoor wedding reception.

A bride and groom kiss beside a tower of wedding macarons.

This wedding day included personal touches that made it unique to Mallory and Jeremy. First, they couldn’t bring their dogs to their weddings, so they included lots of photos of their pups around the reception space. We love a proud pet parent!

A bride and groom do a champagne toast with their wedding party.

Wedding guests lift a bride up for a wedding reception photo.

After their first look, Mallory also surprised Jeremy with a painting by one of his favorite artists. He was totally surprised and amazed! I love that they expressed their feelings in such creative ways.

Light streaks across a photo of a bride and groom dancing.

A bride and groom kiss at their New Orleans wedding reception.

Wedding guests sing with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Before the ceremony, they read private vows in the courtyard of Race and Religious. I dare you to look at those photos without smiling! Mallory and Jeremy’s love is tangible.

Guests raise sparklers above a bride and groom for a wedding exit at Race and Religious.

A groom dips a bride for a kiss while wedding guests wave sparklers outside a Race and Religious weddiing.

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a New Orleans wedding photographer, and I specialize in colorful, creative wedding photos. Inquire with me here!

Thank you to all the vendors who made Mallory and Jeremy’s wedding such a blast!

Photography: Ashley Biltz Photography

Wedding Planning: Three Little Words

Getting Ready Venue: Sully Mansion

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Race and Religious

Florist: Blooms Botanica

Catering: Premier Catering and Events

Hair and Makeup: Flawless Bride and Beauty

Officiant: David Franklin (friend)

Ceremony Music: Hannah Yim

Reception Music and Ceremony PA: DJ G Cue