When the team at The Patterson New Orleans invited me to come photograph their newly opened estate, I said “Yes!” before I’d finished reading the message. It’s a restored 1931 property on the Mississippi River in Algiers, about ten minutes from the French Quarter. After an afternoon there with my camera, I’m convinced it’s one of the most special wedding venues in New Orleans right now, and it’s only just opened.

Below you’ll find the venue’s history, a walk through each space, the practical details couples ask about (rain plan, vendors, lodging, parking), and my favorite photo spots on the property. I also sat down with the owners, so you’ll hear from them in their own words.

 

The history of The Patterson: from quarantine station to private estate

The Patterson was built in 1931 by the U.S. Public Health Service as a quarantine station for ships coming up the Mississippi. A doctor would board each incoming ship and examine the crew for illnesses like yellow fever, and anyone who was sick was taken to the station’s hospital for care. The original campus covered 10 acres of Colonial Revival buildings designed by Louis A. Simon, the supervising architect of the U.S. Treasury.

As air travel and modern medicine made quarantine stations unnecessary, the property was divided up and most of its buildings were torn down. The section that is now The Patterson stayed in government hands until 2018. Then it sat empty.

Owners Lindsey and Joel Snodgrass live nearby in Algiers Point and had watched it for years:

“We had watched this property slowly deteriorate over the years, it had sat vacant since 2018. We dreamt of the possibilities it held with so many historic buildings spread over 4 acres on the river.”

They found the listing by chance while looking for an office building for Joel’s company, made an offer the next day, and closed in 2023. Then came the restoration, and as Lindsey put it, “when you buy a property that was previously owned by the government, there are no disclosures!” The result is four acres with six restored historic buildings, layered gardens and a boutique hotel. You can still see where the buildings came from in the original plaster walls and old rafters, but the comfort is fully modern.

The spaces: ceremony, reception and a built-in rain plan

The Patterson isn’t a single ballroom. The whole day moves around the property, and that variety is exactly what you want as a photographer. Here are the main spaces:

• The Arbor: a sprawling live oak that serves as the ceremony site. It needs almost no décor.
• Seaport Hall: the event hall, with original plaster walls, aged wood rafters and big chandeliers. This is where most receptions happen.
• The Patrol House: the social house, with cocktails, conversation, the Fowl Play Bar and a game room.
• The Courtyard: an open-air space connecting the buildings. It works for cocktail hour, dinner or dancing.
• The Landing: the great lawn, open for tents, lounges and lawn games.
• Commander’s Garden: a formal garden around a fountain, and the quietest corner of the estate.
• The Shop: the bridal lounge, where your getting-ready photos happen.

About New Orleans weather: The Patterson has two indoor buildings that work as rain backups. Seaport Hall and The Patrol House each hold up to 270 guests. In our climate, a pop-up storm is close to guaranteed at some point, so knowing your backup space is beautiful too takes a lot of pressure off. For very large weddings, the venue helps you decide whether you also need a tent.

A blank canvas with an open vendor policy

This is one of my favorite things about The Patterson. They have an open vendor policy, so you can bring the caterer, florist, band and photo and video team you love. Lindsey explained:

“We wanted the ability to bring in your favorite vendors, and tailor your wedding to exactly what you want without compromise.”

The venue doesn’t provide tables, chairs or rentals. In their words, “We are the canvas for our guests to start from.” After you book, they share a vendor list they trust and can help coordinate. A couple of things to know: every wedding needs at least a month-of coordinator, and all vendors must be licensed and insured.

Stay on site: Quarter House Hotel and the Estate weekend

Quarter House Hotel is what really sets The Patterson apart from other venues in New Orleans. It’s a private boutique hotel with six suites that sleep up to 20 guests, plus a private lounge and a full kitchen. Depending on how long you book the Estate weekend, check-in is at 3 p.m. on Thursday or Friday. That means you can do the rehearsal dinner, the wedding and a slow morning-after brunch without anyone leaving the property.

Lindsey described the thinking behind it:

“We offer the most invaluable thing: time. One of our founding principles was to build a place where not only the main event can unfold, but also the moments in between.”

As a photographer, I care about those in-between moments as much as the big ones: coffee on the porch the next morning, your grandmother laughing in the lounge, the last few friends still talking after the band has packed up. Here there’s room for all of it, and Gage and I can be there to capture it.

Who The Patterson is for (including micro weddings and elopements)

The owners describe their dream couple as “someone who loves timeless aesthetic, and wants their wedding to unfold across a historic venue with multiple spaces both indoors and out. It is so much more than a single room event.”

The venue fits weddings of nearly any size, up to around 500 guests. If you’re planning a micro wedding or an elopement in New Orleans, I have good news: The Patterson welcomes weekday weddings and offers tailored pricing for smaller gatherings. Picture a ceremony under the live oak with your closest 20 people, dinner in the courtyard, and everyone staying overnight at Quarter House. It feels like a destination wedding, but it’s ten minutes from the French Quarter.

My favorite photo spots at The Patterson

Here’s where I’d take you for portraits:

1. The Shop (bridal lounge) for getting ready. Soft window light and a calm, pretty room make for timeless getting-ready and detail photos.
2. Under The Arbor. The live oak’s branches frame the two of you naturally. It’s beautiful for the ceremony and again for portraits late in the day.
3. Commander’s Garden. The fountain and formal plantings give you a quiet, romantic spot for a few minutes alone together.
4. Seaport Hall’s details. The plaster walls, rafters and chandeliers carry the moody, editorial images.
5. The Courtyard after dark. String lights plus a sparkler exit or last dance makes a great ending to the gallery.
6. The levee across the street. The Mississippi River is right across Patterson Drive. Ask your photographer about a short sunset walk.

I absolutely love the variety that this stunning property gives every client. Your vision can come to life here.

Fun extras: alpacas, bunnies and pets welcome

The Patterson has some charming extras. Alpacas and bunnies are coming to the property in 2027, and the paddock is already waiting for them. Your own dog is welcome at the ceremony too, which I love (our pups Jack and Sapphire approve). Couples who like games will find a game room in The Patrol House and lawn games on the grounds.

The Patterson New Orleans: frequently asked questions

Where is The Patterson?
3819 Patterson Drive, New Orleans, LA 70114. It’s in Algiers on the Mississippi River, about 5 miles (around ten minutes) from the French Quarter.

How many guests can The Patterson hold?
Weddings of all sizes, up to about 500 guests. Smaller gatherings get tailored pricing.

What’s the rain plan?
There are two indoor backup buildings, Seaport Hall and The Patrol House, and each holds up to 270 guests.

Do I have to use the venue’s vendors?
No. The Patterson has an open vendor policy, and they share a list of vendors they recommend after you book. Tables, chairs and rentals aren’t included. A month-of coordinator is required at minimum.

Can I have a weekday wedding, micro wedding or elopement?
Yes. Weekday weddings are welcome, and pricing is tailored for smaller gatherings.

Are pets allowed?
Yes, pets are welcome at the ceremony.

Is there parking?
There’s on-site parking for about 30 cars and plenty of street parking behind the property. For larger guest counts, the venue works out a parking plan with you.

Are there photography or drone restrictions?
The venue told me all photography is welcome. Your photographer handles any drone flying under normal FAA rules.

Can guests stay overnight?
Yes. Quarter House Hotel has six suites that sleep up to 20 guests. Check-in is at 3 p.m. on Thursday or Friday, depending on the length of your Estate weekend.

Is The Patterson booking now?
Yes. It just opened in 2026 and is taking bookings.

Planning your wedding at The Patterson?

The Patterson is a wonderful fit for couples who want their wedding day to unfold rather than rush by in a single room. It has history, plenty of space to wander, and time to actually savor it all. My husband Gage and I photograph and film weddings and elopements across New Orleans, and we’d love to help tell your story. If you’re getting married soon, we’d be honored to document your day with the care and attention it deserves.

Let’s talk about your date!

Venue: The Patterson · @thepattersonnola