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Audubon Tea Room
Winsome Venues
Outdoor spaces that provide a picture perfect backdrop for summer and autumn nuptials BY MISTY MILIOTO
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art of the beauty in having a New Orleans wedding is the plentiful (not to mention gorgeous) locales available for weddings and receptions. With COVID-19 vaccines rolled out, this is sure to be one of the busiest wedding seasons in decades. Venues also are now open for more capacity, so weddings are back on in full force. Now that the weather is mild, it’s the perfect time to choose an outdoor space — before they are all booked up. Here are some of our favorites. BENACHI HOUSE & GARDENS
The Benachi House & Gardens is quintessential New Orleans, thanks to the historic interiors, gardens and patios that provide an idyllic setting for weddings and receptions of up to 200 guests. While outdoor ceremonies can take place on the front gallery or in the pavilion, outdoor receptions can be held on the illuminated rear patio. The venue is scheduled to be sold to two couples (Chris Jones and Jessica Walker, and Chris Short and Jessica Serrano) in December. Both couples are event venue professionals (Jones and Walker manager Felicity Church, and Serrano joined the team at the Elms Mansion three years ago), so
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the Benachi House & Gardens will be in good hands. benachihouse.com AUDUBON TEA ROOM
The Jerome S. Glazer Audubon Tea Room is the most prestigious of the venues located within Audubon Park. It features gleaming wood floors, soaring ceilings and double doors that lead to the lush Tea Room Garden. Perfectly suited for a New Orleans wedding and reception, the 4,000-squarefoot outdoor garden can accommodate up to 300 guests.Get gorgeous photos and florals all in one. audubonnatureinstitute.org PAVILION OF THE TWO SISTERS
Located at City Park, and modeled after a classic European orangerie, the Pavilion of the Two Sisters offers a scenic backdrop for weddings and receptions. The pavilion features two outdoor terraces with flagstone tile floors, while the Zemurray Azalea/Camellia Garden (located on the eastern grounds of the pavilion) features multiple sculptures and can seat up to 300 guests for ceremonies. neworleanscitypark.com
ASHFORD HALLEY PHOTO
