Do you ever stop to imagine a memorable wedding that gives your guests the opportunity to travel? Or maybe you’re a New Orleans local in love with the city and excited to celebrate close to home!
New Orleans has the charm and vintage elegance that many couples are seeking when it comes to their dream wedding. From traditional customs to fun modern twists, you can get it all in the French Quarter on your big day!
If you want to know how to get married in New Orleans, this guide will walk you through all of the things you need to consider while planning.
Planning the Wedding
Understanding the nuance of a wedding in the French Quarter is essential to recreating the magic during your celebration. The traditions you intend to keep can help you plan a dream wedding that enthralls your guests and creates memories that last for a lifetime!
These are a few aspects of your wedding to consider when getting married in New Orleans.
Venue
Everywhere you look, there’s another PERFECT picture spot! There’s no shortage of potential venues in the Big Easy. New Orleans is known for its jaw-dropping architecture influenced by the Spanish, French, and Haitians. Selecting the right wedding venue in New Orleans means considering what backdrop you want for your wedding pictures and videography. This creates the atmosphere where you will ultimately tie the knot.
One option is to get married in the Garden District at Il Mercato with its private courtyard and beautiful Spanish colonial style. The venue at Race + Religious surrounds you with beautiful greenery and brick courtyards. Of course, there are also traditional hotel venues like the Ritz-Carlton (ideal for destination weddings) and even restaurants like Brennan’s (for smaller receptions and micro weddings).
The most sought-after venues in New Orleans have a nod to the rich cultural history of the city. Many have even been restored to offer modern amenities and comfort while maintaining the quaint charm that the area is known for.
Don’t forget about the season and weather when planning a wedding, either. New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Rainfall is common year-round, so plan your contingencies accordingly!
Generally speaking, spring and fall are the most popular times for weddings, since the weather is milder and sunnier than it is during winter.
Dress
One of the decisions you will have to make early on in the wedding planning process is what you want your gown to look like. While you may want to stick with a traditional white dress, you have plenty of options to make it vintage-inspired. Beaded dresses can give a nod to Mardi Gras, but you can also play with more traditional styles like brocade.
Hoop skirts were popular in the heyday of New Orleans, which could be a fun twist on a wedding gown. You can also play with embroidery and boned corset tops on your dress.
Just keep in mind that New Orleans is warm and humid year-round. You may want to choose a dress that you can be comfortable in during an outdoor wedding in the courtyard of your venue.
Décor
No matter which venue you decide on, every couple will be tasked with decorating it in a way that enhances the charm of the Big Easy. One popular option is leaning into the traditional wedding décor that represents the artisans of the French Quarter.
For example, you might use local textiles for your napkins or table decorations. There are TONS of options for handmade fabrics that mirror the theme of your New Orleans wedding. You can also incorporate local art, such as paintings and prints, into the décor.
Florals can be included with planter box flowers or even water features, such as floating candles in the center of your tables. You could decorate with Mardi Gras colors and beads if you want a more celebratory space. Alternatively, you can decorate with the vintage, rustic elegance of the French Quarter with wrought iron and brick!
Catering
Food is the heart and soul of New Orleans culture – so this isn’t a place to skimp! Traditional New Orleans recipes are so rich and flavorful that your guests will be craving seconds for weeks.
One option to create the magic of New Orleans is to hire street vendors and food carts to serve the food at your wedding. They can dish up sweet treats like pralines and beignets during your reception while you get your photos done!
For the formal dinner at your reception, consider seafood that comes straight from the Gulf for an unforgettable fresh meal. This could include oysters, shrimp and grits, and even gumbo. Don’t be afraid to reach for that Creole seasoning!
Events and Entertainment
The energy and excitement of your wedding entertainment is a huge part of what your guests will remember once the big day is over! In addition to your own unique wedding ideas, New Orleans has so many fun traditional events that you may want to include in the wedding day, such as:
- Second-Line Parade: Take a stroll down the street with your guests in a wedding parade. The happy couple and the brass band will stroll in one line while guests make up the second. Dance and enjoy the day—but don’t forget the ornamental umbrellas and handkerchiefs for the event!
- To-Go Cups: Create your own to-go cups for guests to take their drinks with them as they explore the French Quarter after your reception ends. They can carry them out with them as they go and can keep the cups as a reminder of your special day.
- Dance Troupes: Flash mobs are a delightful and unexpected way to get people moving on your wedding day. If you want to recreate the feel of a flash mob, consider bringing in a traditional dance troupe to get the party started without any shyness from the rest of your guests.
- Carriage Rides: Leave for your honeymoon in style with a mule-drawn carriage ride through the city. Fancy carriages are a must-have element for your wedding. They give you a perfect backdrop for more pictures and a chance to spend time one-on-one with your new spouse.
Getting a Marriage License
To get married in New Orleans, you will need to apply for a marriage license in the city. Both members of the couple will need to come in person for an Orleans marriage license.
Make sure you have all your documents in order before you arrive, including:
- Driver’s licenses, state IDs, or passports
- Certified copies of birth certificates
- Social security numbers
- Certified copy of the divorce decree if previously married
- Certified copy of the death certificate if previously widowed
- $27.50 for the marriage license
You can find these forms on Louisiana’s website here!
Ordinarily, there is a 24-hour waiting period for residents between the time the marriage license is issued and the time the ceremony takes place. However, it can be waived for non-residents if the couple includes the waiver with their application, provided that they get married in an Orleans parish by an Orleans officiant.
Timeless Wedding Cinematography with Reverent
No matter how you decide to go about celebrating your special day, there’s no doubt you’ll want to etch all those precious moments in your memory forever!
A wedding cinematographer does more than just capture the events of your wedding. At Reverent Wedding Films, we specialize in cinematic storytelling – the emotions, the love, and the laughter! Our timeless wedding films are an emotional, heartfelt keepsake that you will cherish forever. We’ve helped thousands of brides make their weddings last forever, and we’re excited to help you, too!
Reach out to us today or explore our wedding packages in Louisiana to learn more!
