Wedding Flowers at Felicity

Designing for 1220 Felicity St is an exercise in scale and texture. This isn’t a “blank slate” venue; it is an architecturally dominant environment where the flowers must act as a sophisticated counterpoint to the weight of the exposed brick and dark wood. Success here depends on leaning into the moody, historic atmosphere rather than trying to brighten it into something it isn’t.

The venue’s history—reborn after Hurricane Katrina—gives it a soul that most modern spaces lack. From a floral perspective, this means we focus on “growth” patterns that feel like they’ve always been there. We look for ways to make the flowers feel as though they are emerging from the architecture itself, particularly around the stage and the grand staircase.

The Spaces

Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is the heart of the building, characterized by its long, narrow layout and soaring height. The raised platform at the front is framed by a decorative wooden screen and flanked by original pews. Because the room is narrow, the aisle feels intimate, but the verticality of the space can make small arrangements look like an afterthought.

• What works: Large-scale flanking installations on the stage. These need to be tall enough to break the horizontal line of the wooden screen. We recommend “ground-to-sky” designs that start on the floor and climb upward to frame the couple.
• Skip: Tiny pew markers. They get lost in the visual noise of the dark wood and brick. If you want aisle decor, go for “meadow” style floor arrangements that create a continuous path of color.
• Watch out: The stained glass. During afternoon ceremonies, the light can shift the color of your flowers. Avoid muddy tones; stick to clear, vibrant colors or pure whites.
• Budget hero move: Focus 75% of your ceremony budget on two massive, asymmetrical installations at the altar. This creates a focal point for every photo and defines the ceremony space without needing to decorate every pew.

Main Ballroom

The Ballroom offers a more traditional reception feel compared to the raw texture of the Sanctuary. It features higher ceilings and chandeliers, which changes the design math. Here, the goal is to fill the “air” of the room so the tables don’t feel disconnected from the ceiling.

• What works: Elevated centerpieces on at least half of the tables. The height of the room swallows low arrangements. Using slender stands allows for conversation at the table while bringing the floral impact up to eye level.
• Skip: Short, tight pavé arrangements. They are too formal for this venue’s “deconstructed church” vibe and lack the necessary scale.
• Watch out: Table shapes. This room often uses a mix of rounds and long farm tables. Your floral plan needs to account for both—lush runners for the farm tables and airy, tall designs for the rounds.
• Budget hero move: Greenery tucked into the chandeliers. It’s a cost-effective way to draw the eye up and make the entire room feel lush without the price tag of a full-scale hanging floral installation.

Staircase & Entryway

The ornate staircase is one of the most photographed features of the venue. It’s a transitional space, but it’s often where the “editorial” shots of the couple happen.

• What works: Organic, asymmetrical floor-to-railing “crawls.” The flowers should look like they are growing up the balustrade. Focus the density at the base and let it thin out as it climbs.
• Skip: Symmetrical bows or simple greenery swags. They feel dated and don’t do justice to the craftsmanship of the woodwork.
• Watch out: Traffic flow. This is a high-traffic area for guests entering the venue. Any floor-based installations must be weighted and tucked into the curve of the stairs to avoid tripping hazards.

What Works at 1220 Felicity St

• High-Contrast Palettes. The red and brown tones of the exposed brick are beautiful but “hungry”—they eat color. To make flowers pop, we use high-contrast whites, creams, and pale blushes, or we go the opposite direction with deep, moody jewel tones like burgundy and plum. Avoid mid-range oranges or muddy terracottas that blend into the wall.
• Architectural Integration. Use the building’s bones. The exposed beams in the sanctuary are perfect for trailing greenery. The deep window sills of the Gothic arched windows are ideal spots for “broken” floral installations that look like they’re spilling into the room.
• Asymmetry. This venue has a storied, slightly imperfect history. Symmetrical, “perfect” floral arrangements feel out of place. We prefer organic shapes, varying heights, and “wilder” textures that mirror the soulful nature of the restoration.
• Scale over Quantity. One massive installation on the sanctuary stage will always look better than twenty small jars of flowers scattered around the room. In a space this large, visual impact is a function of volume and height.
• Second Line Durability. If you are doing a New Orleans Second Line starting from the church, your personal flowers need to be “parade-ready.” We design these bouquets to be lightweight and use hardy blooms that can withstand the humidity and movement of a street parade.

Budget Guide

The character of 1220 Felicity St is defined by its history; your floral budget should honor that by focusing on quality and scale rather than trying to hide the venue’s unique textures.

Tips

• Repurpose the ceremony stage flowers. The arrangements used at the altar can and should be moved to the reception space (often flanking the sweetheart table or the band) to maximize your investment.
• Check the lighting plan. The sanctuary can be dark; ensure your florist knows if you are using candlelight or spotlights so the arrangements are lit correctly for evening photos.
• Account for the “Felicity” sidewalk tile. It’s a popular photo spot; consider a small, ground-level “welcome” arrangement at the street entrance to frame this detail.
• Prioritize the staircase. If you have to choose one “extra” installation beyond the altar and tables, make it the staircase—it provides the highest ROI for your professional photography.
• Coordinate with the stained glass. If your heart is set on a specific color palette, check it against the sanctuary windows during your site visit to ensure they don’t clash.