The Pillar
The Story Of A Wedding Day
Six chapters comprised of hundreds of moments, each just as important as the previous.
Like every beautiful story written in the last 2200 years, a wedding story can be organized into chapters. Naming them is not a stylistic conceit, it is how the best New Orleans wedding photographers know what is coming before it happens. It is how an experienced New Orleans wedding photographer is able to pre-visualize each and every image before the shutter button is pressed, ensuring (literally) picture perfect images every time, for every moment in a wedding day. It is also how you and I will collaborate on a timeline that has room for every moment that needs to be captured by a wedding photographer. Click on the main photo for each chapter to see a full gallery.
Chapter I
The Details
The wedding invitation, the wedding rings, the wedding dress or suit on the hanger, the shoes, the grandmother's brooch, the wedding vows still folded in half, the wedding bouquet, the decoration on the wedding cake, the centerpieces, etc are ALL important pieces of this special day. You carefully chose and spent money on all of those things, so it's imperative to have artful, gorgeous photos of them forever...these images make up the first chapter of your wedding day story. They're usually shot in between getting-ready snaps...I can multitask, so that's kind of cool.
These are the only frames of the day that exist without people in them (I know...dogs are people, too, but...), and they are what makes an album feel like a designed object instead of a slideshow. Skip this chapter and the story starts abruptly, mid-sentence, which would look like this: "nd the story starts abruptly, mid-sentence.". No one wants THAT.
Chapter II
Getting Ready
Think photos of cool reflections in mirrors surrounding the bride while makeup artists and hairstylists are finishing up, the mother of the bride zipping the dress, the father of one of the grooms who cannot work the cufflinks, the bridesmaids laughing at something off-camera, the flower girls twirling around in the fanciest dresses they've ever worn, the last thirty seconds of each of the brides alone in front of a mirror, the groom looking nervously at his watch...we shoot chapter two with art and grace.
Almost entirely hands and faces, getting ready pics on a wedding day hold most of the day's unguarded emotion because they happen before couples have fully become the centre of attention.
Chapter III
Portraits
Wedding portraiture is the only chapter of your story that is often directed rather than observed. Having spent the last 30+ years perfecting my skills with studio lighting as well as with natural light portraiture, I LOVE this chapter in a wedding day story. Marc Pagani's New Orleans Wedding Photography portraits are comprised of several looks in as many locations as we can fit into the allotted time (and then a few more photos walking back to the ceremony location or hotel, just because). This wedding portrait session is all about making you look your absolute best and the sessions run efficiently, so you can get onto the next chapter.
We'll shoot a bunch of individual and wedding party portraits as time allows before the ceremony and more of the newly wed couple after the ceremony (or before, if you're having a First Look session). We can shoot group formals portraits at any time and we run those very efficiently so no one is standing around waiting when they should be enjoying the reception. All that said, the best photo of the day is often made during the ten minutes nobody scheduled during the reception.
Chapter IV
The Ceremony
Whether you're walking up the aisle of a church, standing in front of a judge at a courthouse, or surrounded by 6 friends on a beach, the wedding ceremony, where you declare your love to each other, is full of moments in the your wedding day story that you'll want to remember.
These wedding photos are all about the wedding flowers, the wedding guests milling about beforehand, the nervous laughter of the wedding party, the wedding processional, the tears in your parents' eyes, the moments in between, and the celebration as you kiss and start a new life together...we've got it and so much more all covered.
Chapter V
The Second Line
The wedding Second Line Parade is part of New Orleans's structural and cultural advantage, and it's the chapter no other city has. Made up of a brass band, parasols, handkerchiefs, the doors opening onto the street, and strangers on the sidewalk cheering people they have never met, it is a uniquely New Orleans tradition and a very exhilarating set of moments for your New Orleans wedding photographer to shoot. This part of the story is all about fun and celebration...all on wedding day.
A wedding Second Line Parade is chaos in motion, unpredictable light, and we've got just one take. Shooting it well means knowing the route, knowing where the band will stop or slow or speed up, and knowing to turn around and photograph the crowd behind the couple.
More on second linesChapter VI
THE RECEPTION (THE PARTY)
The couple's big entrance, followed by the first wedding dance of a married couple, the parent dances, the wedding toasts, and the wedding cake. Or it's a small, intimate dinner with your closest friends, or a Mariachi band on a beach in Mexico. Doesn't matter where you celebrate this big day, it just matters that you have fun and create memories. The "memories" part is where we come in. An experienced New Orleans Wedding Photographer spends their time anticipating reactions rather than chasing them. We're ready for anything and able to create beautiful, artful, documentary-style wedding photography from just about any moment.
We spend our time on the dance floor, around the tables, at the wedding cake, near the buffet...in other words, we're everywhere during a New Orleans wedding reception. We don't create special moments. We don't stop you from enjoying your party in order to pose for us (unless you or your guests ask us to), we shoot what's actually happening and we do it really well.
Reviews
What Couples Say
“He was an amazing photographer and captured the moment of my engagement seamlessly, I will def reccomend him to others.”
“We were so incredibly happy with Marc's work as our wedding photographer. He has an amazing artistic eye and was able to capture so many incredible candid moments throughout the wedding. He's also a clear and efficient communicator for portrait shots. He added a wonderful energy that fit in perfectly in our wedding and was always friendly and professional”
“Mark was great to work with and was able to get unique, creative and iconic shots of my son’s wedding. An incredible experience! We actually had one of our favorite but now retiredphotographers review several photographers we looked at, and he recommended Marc hands down. We wanted black and white, candid photo journalistic shots, and he delivered big time. Very pleased. A true professional with the eyes an artist.”
“Marc did a wonderful job capturing the vibe of our destination wedding in NOLA. He was on time and went above and beyond. I highly recommend!”
“I can't say enough great things about the professionalism and quality of work. I chose Marc for my NOLA wedding with second line from his online portfolio and he delivered. On the day, if I'd been in my right mind I would have pointed out the specific parents and asked for a single group shot at Pat'O Brian's. That said, I had a near perfect day that was stress free and so much fun. In part to Marc's vigilance and assistance (plus none of pics I didn't think to ask for would be wall hanging so it's no real loss). Also my niece who is a photog like myself commented on the quality of the day and night work Marc produced. I told her that's why I chose him and he delivered. Also the portrait of my husband is the best he's gotten done. Thanks for making him look like him. I can't say enough great things about Marc's work and the photos. I highly recommend.”
“Used Marc on several occasions. My favorite, by far, was when he took my bridal photos. Very professional, great artistic eye, excellent communication, and overall just a nice guy! Will do business with again!”
Before You Ask
WEDDING DAY TIMELINE QUESTIONS
- How does dividing our wedding day into chapters help our timeline?
- Naming the chapters gives your timeline structure and predictability. Instead of rushing from one event to the next, we assign realistic buffer times to each phase—from morning details and quiet getting-ready moments through ceremony, second line, and reception. It ensures nothing feels rushed and gives us the space to pre-visualize and capture candid moments as they unfold naturally.
- How much buffer time should we build in before the ceremony?
- Hair and makeup is the most frequent source of day-of delays. We recommend scheduling hair and makeup to conclude 30 to 45 minutes before you slip into your dress or suit. This leaves room for relaxed getting-ready portraits, a glass of champagne, and any planned First Look without cutting into ceremony arrival times.
- How long do family formals realistically take, and how do we prevent delays?
- With a written shot list of named groupings prepared in advance, each grouping takes about two to three minutes. A typical list of eight to ten groupings takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes. We run them efficiently with an organized system honed over 30 years so your family gets heirloom portraits without anyone standing around waiting when they should be enjoying cocktail hour.
- Should we do a "First Look" or wait for portraits after the ceremony?
- Both options work beautifully depending on your priorities and the season. A First Look lets you complete couple and wedding party portraits in relaxed daylight before guests arrive, moving straight into the party after the ceremony. If you prefer the traditional aisle reveal, we structure post-ceremony portraits efficiently or carve out 10–15 minutes during sunset for golden-hour couple portraits.
- How much time does a New Orleans second line parade take on the schedule?
- While the street march itself typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes, the full event requires 30 to 40 minutes on your master timeline. That accounts for gathering guests at the exit, distributing parasols and handkerchiefs, lining up the brass band and police escort, marching the permitted route, and ushering everyone inside the reception venue.
- What is the backup plan if it rains during an outdoor ceremony or second line?
- New Orleans weather can bring brief, intense downpours. Every wedding has a built-in rain contingency established in advance, such as covered courtyard arcades or historic interior spaces. Umbrellas look fantastic on camera, wet French Quarter cobblestones reflect light gorgeously, and rain rarely lasts long enough to derail a day.
- How do you handle ceremonies with strict church or historic venue restrictions?
- Many historic New Orleans churches have firm rules regarding flash, movement, and ceremony end-times. Knowing the specific rules of venues across the city allows us to position quiet, high-aperture long lenses before the processional and capture altar formals immediately after the recessional without running past the venue’s cutoff.
- When do we receive our wedding photos?
- A curated preview set is delivered within a few days of your wedding so you have immediate, high-resolution images to share while the celebration is fresh. Your complete edited wedding gallery arrives within 3 to 4 weeks.