Wedding Flowers at Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Designing for the Bourbon Orleans Hotel requires a deep respect for the layers of New Orleans history, from its origins as a grand theater to its time as a convent. The floral opportunity here lies in balancing the heavy, ornate architectural details of the French Quarter with fresh, intentional botanical movement.

We know this venue well from our work here, and we understand that the transition from the humid, sun-drenched courtyard to the cool grandeur of the Orleans Ballroom is the defining experience of the space.

The Spaces

Orleans Ballroom

This is the crown jewel of the hotel, featuring soaring ceilings and some of the most intricate plasterwork in the city. The history of the space—once the site of the famous Quadroon Balls—gives it an inherent drama that flowers should enhance, not hide.

• What works: Elevated centerpieces are a necessity here. Use thin, gold, or glass stands to lift the arrangements into the “dead space” between the tables and the chandeliers.
• Skip: Short, squat arrangements that sit below eye level; they will be swallowed by the scale of the room.
• Watch out: The patterned carpet is visually loud. Stick to a cohesive color story (like all-white with heavy greenery or deep, moody jewel tones) to keep the room looking curated rather than cluttered.

Budget hero move: Focus your spend on a massive floral installation for the grand staircase. It serves as the primary backdrop for your entrance and creates a high-impact “moment” that carries the weight of the entire room’s decor.

St. Ann Cottage & Courtyard

For more intimate gatherings, this space offers a “secret garden” feel right in the heart of the Quarter. The midnight black walls and brick accents provide a sophisticated, slightly edgy backdrop for floral work.

• What works: Ground-level “meadow” installations that frame the fountain or the cottage entrance. These feel organic and honor the courtyard’s garden atmosphere.
• Skip: Traditional arches that compete with the beautiful arched windows and doors of the cottage.
• Watch out: The courtyard is a wind tunnel on occasion. Ensure all installations are weighted properly, especially if you are using pedestals.

Ballroom Balcony

Overlooking Orleans Street with a view of the St. Louis Cathedral, this is the most photographed spot in the hotel.

• What works: Lush rail-mounted greenery and floral sprays. This frames the couple against the cathedral spires for iconic New Orleans photography.
• Skip: Floor-standing arrangements that eat up the limited standing room on the balcony.
• Watch out: The heat on the balcony can be intense. Choose hardy varieties like orchids, roses, or tropicals that won’t wilt during a mid-day ceremony.

What Works at Bourbon Orleans Hotel

1. Monochromatic Sophistication: Given the ornate ceilings and patterned floors, a monochromatic palette (think all white, all blush, or all deep red) creates a modern, high-end look that anchors the space.
2. Tropical Textures: Incorporating monstera leaves, palms, or ginger flowers honors the Caribbean influence on New Orleans architecture and stands up well to the humidity of the courtyard.
3. Reflective Design: Use the pool. Floating floral “islands” or clusters of candles and petals at the water’s edge double your floral impact through reflection.
4. Staircase Storytelling: The staircase is not just for walking; it is a stage. A “growing” installation that starts dense at the bottom and thins out as it climbs the banister creates a sense of movement.
5. Candlelight Density: The ballroom thrives in low light. Supplement your floral budget with a high density of glass-encased pillar candles to catch the light from the crystal chandeliers.

Budget Guide

The Bourbon Orleans is a venue of heavy wood, gold leaf, and stone; your flower budget should be allocated to pieces that provide a soft, organic contrast to these permanent elements.

Tips

Plan for the Quarter. Load-in at the Bourbon Orleans is subject to the whims of French Quarter traffic and pedestrian crowds; ensure your florist has a solid logistics plan for Orleans Street.

Repurpose with intention. The florals from a courtyard ceremony can often be moved to frame the cake table or the bandstand in the ballroom, but they must be designed to withstand the move through the hotel’s narrow hallways.

Respect the plaster. The ornate ceilings in the ballroom are historic and delicate; hanging installations require early coordination with venue management to identify approved rigging points.

Embrace the humidity. If you are hosting a courtyard ceremony in August, avoid delicate blooms like hydrangeas or sweet peas which will fail within thirty minutes of exposure.

Color check the carpet. Before finalizing your palette, look at photos of the current ballroom carpeting. Avoid colors that sit directly opposite the carpet’s primary tones on the color wheel to prevent a visual “vibration” that looks messy in photos.