This scenic wide-angle photograph was taken during a late afternoon wedding ceremony at Norris Oaks (which was then known as the Barn at Sarah Bella) in Picayune, Mississippi, which this beautiful Slidell couple chose as the perfect spot for their exchange of vows after hearing positive comments about it from someone who had attended an event there recently. This lovely rustic venue features beautiful, wide-open scenery that makes for a wonderful backdrop for a bride and groom desiring an outdoor wedding out in a rural setting.
This couple's wedding took place in the month of October, which most people who live in the area would agree is the most pleasant time of year for an outdoor wedding in south Louisiana and Mississippi. The temperatures tend to be comfortably mild, and this is also historically the driest month of the year, so there's less of a chance of rain affecting your plans (though you should still always plan to have an indoor event space available as a backup just in case!).
Norris Oaks is a wonderful and highly regarded wedding venue located in Picayune, Mississippi. It was previously known as The Barn at Sarah Bella until early 2023 when it came under new ownership and was renamed Norris Oaks. Several improvements have been made to the venue, such as a suite for the bride to get ready in, a covered area just outside the rear of the barn, and a brick-paved ceremony area in front of a large oak tree.
Only about a 20 minute drive from Slidell, and less than an hour from New Orleans, couples getting married in southeast Louisiana wanting a quiet, natural, country setting for their event should definitely consider this location, as should southern Mississippi residents of course. Couples who are seeking a rustic look will adore the interior of the air conditioned barn for their reception.
This couple had about a hundred guests, though Norris Oaks can accommodate several hundred guests all the way down to very intimate weddings with only a dozen or so people in attendance. The front area of the barn features rows of wooden benches which can accommodate up to about 80-100 guests, and additional seating can be brought in if needed, as was the case with this ceremony.
The natural ambience and beautiful scenery is refreshing, and I loved the weathered wood of the barn as the backdrop for the ceremony, but there are also some large oak trees that would also be excellent choices. The bride and groom wanted to wait until the ceremony to see each other, but wanted to have a moment of prayer beforehand, which was accommodated by using an open door inside the venue as a partition.
There are several other barn and similarly rustic venues around the New Orleans area, such as The Berry Barn near Hammond, Louisiana, and The Barn of Pearl River. The Henry Smith House, also in Picayune, Mississippi, is another great choice for a couple seeking a rural venue far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Location: 126 Norris Oaks Lane, Picayune, MS 39466.
