Emily and Shea
Wedding at The Cabildo and Galvez (Marché)

Emily & Shea had a beautiful wedding ceremony at the historic Cabildo.  The Kinfolk Brass Band then led everyone on a fantastic second line parade through the French Quarter to Galvez (which is now known as Marché) for the reception, where the band Stormy was on hand for the entertainment.  The Bridefilm crew documented the event, and were great to work with as usual.  Check out Shea’s awesome groom’s cake!

This wedding ceremony took place in the second floor gallery of the building, which overlooks Jackson Square. The elegant architectural details, high ceiling, and majestic flags on the wall, along with the massive arched windows that allow glorious daylight to stream in, make this spectacular and unique New Orleans wedding ceremony venue a pleasure to photograph in.

Wedding ceremonies at the Cabildo can be set up with the aisle running down the length of the room as seen this image (with the window behind the couple facing the Cathedral), or alternatively can be arranged so that the bride and groom are instead positioned in front of the center window of those that face Jackson Square (which are along the right side of this photo).

This particular couple’s wedding was especially interesting as it was the only ceremony featuring a full Catholic mass (complete with communion) that I’ve ever photographed that didn’t take place in an actual Catholic church.

A beautiful early evening sky served as the backdrop for portraits of this couple after the ceremony. One of the benefits of being married at the Cabildo is that you usually have the option of being brought up to this top portion of the building for some photographs. It’s a bit tight up there, but the views are unforgettable!

Here’s the wonderful review the bride wrote for me afterward:

One of the best investments we made for our wedding was our photographer, Michael Caswell. Michael was so easy to work with and he produced some of the most beautiful pictures ever. His attention to detail is great. He saw fireworks outside of our reception and quickly grabbed us to take us outside and get some amazing pictures. When we booked Michael I saw his pictures that he had taken for other second lines and that is what sold me on him. He took the best second line pictures and somehow managed to get everything! At first I wondered how he would capture every big moment with just himself shooting, but I quickly realized that was not an issue at all. He was literally everywhere! I love looking at our pictures and I am so pleased with his work!

About The Cabildo

The Cabildo, a very old and historic building located adjacent to Saint Louis Cathedral, along with the nearly identical Presbytère on the other side of the Cathedral, houses the Louisiana State Museum. The current structure dates back to the late 1700s, and served various government purposes until the early 1900s, at which time a group of concerned New Orleans citizens saved it from proposed destruction, and it was subsequently designated to become the home of the museum. The upper floor of the building (and this cupola) suffered severe damage in a fire back in the late 1980s, inadvertently caused by a workman using a torch, prompting brave museum workers and volunteers to frantically try to save as many of the priceless historic artifacts as they could. The damaged portions of the structure were rebuilt, and the museum reopened about 5-6 years later.