How to Plan a Beautiful Vow Renewal in New Orleans (With Real Photos + a Surprise Story You’ll Love)
How to Plan a Beautiful Vow Renewal in New Orleans When Natalia emailed me about a last-minute vow renewal just
Say your vows on the bow of a private sailboat with our all-inclusive New Orleans sailboat wedding package – stress-free, wildly romantic and made for couples dreaming of a Lake Pontchartrain elopement with zero fuss.
So, you want to elope on a sailboat in New Orleans? You’re speaking my language.
This is for the couple who cringes at banquet halls and seating charts – the ones who’d rather feel the wind on their face than a hundred eyes on them. With our all-inclusive New Orleans sailboat wedding package, you can say “I do” on the deck of a private sailboat during golden hour, with Lake Pontchartrain glowing behind you. No stress. No fuss. Just pure, open-air romance.
Whether you picture an intimate ceremony with just the two of you or a sunset sail wedding in New Orleans with a few close witnesses, we’ve got you covered. We handle everything – officiant, planning, timeline, florals, photos…so all you have to do is show up, step aboard, and marry your person.
This is your sign to ditch the rulebook and say your vows on the bow.
This is your sailboat elopement in New Orleans.
⚜️ A private sailboat ceremony for the two of you (plus up to 4 guests)
⚜️ An experienced officiant (your Captain too!) who handles the legal stuff
⚜️ Wedding florals + Themed petite cake
⚜️ Photography coverage to capture every moment
⚜️ Local restaurant and timeline guidance so everything flows seamlessly
⚜️ A few thoughtful extras😉
Boat elopement packages start at $2,900.
Let’s make it official—with sunsets, sweets, and zero stress.
Couples choose Elope to NOLA because we turn the dream of a stress-free, all-inclusive boat wedding into a seamless reality. Whether you’re planning a romantic elopement on Lake Pontchartrain or an intimate ceremony aboard a private sailboat, our experienced team takes care of every detail. So, you can simply show up and celebrate your love.
From helping you obtain your New Orleans marriage license to coordinating with trusted local wedding vendors for flowers, photography, and beauty services, we provide a concierge-level experience that feels personal and effortless.
Our all-inclusive elopement packages include a licensed officiant, professional photography, custom florals, a petite cake, and more, bundled to deliver everything you need for a perfect celebration.
With deep roots in the New Orleans elopement community, we’re passionate about crafting moments that are magical, memorable, and authentically yours. That’s why couples from around the world trust us to plan their destination wedding or luxury elopement by boat.
Let’s get to know each other! We’ll check your date availability, answer all your burning questions, and make sure we’re a perfect fit. This is your chance to feel confident and excited about the adventure ahead.
Ready to lock it in? Secure your elopement date with a signed contract and retainer — easy and straightforward. Once your date is reserved, we officially start planning your next-level day together.
Now the fun begins! We’ll nail down the timeline, boarding location, vendors and all the little details — so you can relax and enjoy your day without a worry. Next up: Elopement Day! It’s time to say “I do” effortlessly, with every moment captured just the way you dreamed.
EXCELLENT Based on 81 reviews Adam Foutty2025-07-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I absolutely loved working with Marcia at Ibay photography. Her followup is impeccable, her counter parts Sandy the officiant, was phenomenal! The cake and flowers were exactly as we requested. It was a genuine pleasure throughout the entire process. Definitely recommend this company! claire sullivan2025-07-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marcia was so attentive. She helped us from the start to the end and beyond. Organizing things we didn’t think about at the last minute. Responds so quickly to all my questions. From tge other side of the world she made suggestions which just took out all the stress. Her team was wonderful. The photos are amazing and at the end of the day I have made a friend that has made my wedding day one I will never forget. I can not recommend her highly enough. My family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. Love from OZ Cody2025-05-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We chose Marcia to shoot our wedding in New Orleans and are in love with the moments that were captured! We were nervous about an out of state wedding for the obvious reasons and photography angles and areas were definitely high on that list. We aligned with Marcia over a few phone calls and were all set for the day of. She had a plan to walk to get some amazing shots of us and really enjoyed the time and poses with my new bride. Marcia helped add some fun to our photography shoot while capturing some artistic and beautiful shots. Eric2025-05-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot say enough good things about Marcia! We planned our elopement in about 6 weeks, and during our initial call we told Marcia that we just wanted to show up and enjoy our day. She took care of literally everything, helped with vendor recommendations, and was extremely flexible when we had to change the time of our wedding due to the weather. Every vendor that she recommended was equally as amazing, and the whole process was stress-free and fun to plan. On our wedding day, she took the reins and made sure we got all the photos we wanted, that every detail we wanted to capture was done, and most importantly she made sure that we felt comfortable so that we didn't look awkward in our pictures, which was something we were concerned with since we're not people who spend a lot of time in front of a camera. We just got our final photos back, and they are absolutely beautiful. They're exactly what we wanted, and there are many beautiful ones to choose, we're having a hard time deciding which ones are the favorites to display. Also, her daughter Krislyn was our second shooter for the day and her photos were just as amazing! If you have the opportunity to work work Ibay Photography, DO IT! They will be your favorite wedding vendor! Sheila Morgan2025-05-12Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We use Marcia for our boat weddings at Captan Morgan Sailing Charters. She is so talented and wonderful to work with. She knows what she is doing and makes sure that the wedding is seamless. Gissel diaz2025-05-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our entire day was completely magical. Marcia did her absolute to capture all the right moments. I absolutely love all of our wedding photos and so do both of our families. The overall team did amazing. Wouldn’t have chosen anyone else for our big day!! Jessica Chui2025-04-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marcia did an amazing job photographing our day!! She was so knowledgeable of the venue and knew the perfect spots as well as listening to our ideas. She took the time before the day to touch base and it helped to ensure a smooth wedding day. She gave us such great pointer to ensure our photos could be the best they could be. We received the photos so quickly and they were all so flawless. We will appreciate the photos forever. Thank you for everything! Samantha Watson2025-04-10Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marcia is the best professional photographer ever! She made us feel so comfortable on our wedding day. She has a keen eye. She is talented and super sweet! My makeup came out too orange and she edited our pictures to where you couldn't even tell! Highly recommend!! Heather Tucker2025-04-09Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marcia & her daughter did an amazing job on our photos! She made it go so smooth & stress free. We absolutely love our photos. They both were so kind & helpful. I would recommend them to anyone wanting to elope in New Orleans. She knew all of the right places to go. 10/10 experience!!!!! Liz James2025-04-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our elopement was absolute perfection thanks to Marcia and her team. She didn't just help plan our perfect day; she captured every moment beautifully. I met with a handful of planners, but the very first time we spoke I knew Marcia was who I wanted to use. She was engaging, excited, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful. All of her suggestions perfectly aligned with our vision for an intimate ceremony with our boys. She made everything so easy that I had zero stress on the day of our ceremony. As our photographer, she captured such incredible moments that I am forever indebted to her. Her ability to make us at ease in front of the camera resulted in stunning photographs encapsulating memories we can now cherish for a lifetime. If you're looking for a planner/photographer who can perform miracles and create perfection, Marcia is your girl! She is a friend for life now!!
What’s your story? What’s your vision for your big day? How can we help you plan the perfect day? This is a great opportunity for you to get to know us, too! Ask us anything you’d like, we may even share some insider tips about our wonderful city.
When you’re comfortable, we will sign the agreement with a first payment collected to secure your date.
After we’ve determined your vision, we will help with all the fun parts of planning. This includes creating a timeline fit for you, hiring your florist, baker and even assisting in choosing the perfect after ceremony meal.
We are also happy to help with other fine details including finding the perfect hair and makeup artists for the bride, a charming hotel or airbnb, and even transportation (which by the way, the sailboat is only a 15min Uber drive from the French Quarter!)
Our team will be fully available to you throughout the planning process, all the way up to your special day.
We are all yours on your elopement day. Your officiant (also the Captain of the boat!) will meet us at the agreed location to board the sailboat. Florals and Cake will be delivered to the sailboat
After your ceremony, your captain will sail you straight to a lakefront dock – no car needed. Choose from three dockside restaurants, each with its own ambiance, menu, and lakefront view.
Landry’s Seafood House
Classic and polished. Great for a calm, comfortable dinner with shrimp, crab cakes, and crawfish étouffée—plus steak and chicken options. Patio views are especially dreamy at sunset.
The Blue Crab
Local, laid-back, and full of energy. Expect oysters, fried seafood baskets, cold beer, and maybe even live music. It’s breezy, open-air, and always a good time.
Felix’s Oyster Bar (Lakefront)
Old-school and full of flavor. Known for raw or grilled oysters and bold Louisiana seasoning. Casual, lively, and all about that real New Orleans feel—no dress code required.
After your elopement, we know you’ll want to relive your day over and over again. We will send you a sneak peak of your photos so you know what to look forward to! Sneak Peaks will be uploaded to social media shortly after your elopement, and full galleries will be sent to you in 4-5 weeks.
Let’s skip the ordinary and make it official on the water.
Want the scoop on our all-inclusive sailboat elopement? Check your date, fill out the form, and we’ll set up a time to chat. Can’t wait to hear all about your day!
Our all-inclusive sailboat elopement packages typically cover everything you need for a memorable ceremony: a licensed officiant (often the sailboat captain), professional photography, custom florals, a petite cake, and expert planning. You’ll enjoy approximately two hours on the water, with the stunning backdrop of Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans skyline enhancing your experience.
Prices for sailboat elopement packages generally start at $2,900. The final cost can vary based on additional services or customizations you choose. This investment offers a unique and intimate experience, combining the charm of New Orleans with the serenity of a private sailboat ceremony.
Yes – if you legally want to wed in Louisiana, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license from the Orleans Parish Marriage Office. Non-residents can typically have the 24-hour waiting period waived by an Orleans-registered officiant if “serious and meritorious reasons” are cited on the application. It’s advisable to check the latest requirements and plan accordingly.
Weather can be unpredictable, but we have contingency plans in place. In case of inclement weather, options may include rescheduling the sail, moving the ceremony to a covered area at the nearby yacht club, or selecting an alternative indoor venue. Our goal is to ensure your day remains special, regardless of the weather.
Absolutely! While all sailboats have capacity limits (per coast guard regulations) for safety and comfort, we can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you wish to include more close friends or family, let us know, and we’ll provide options that suit your group size.
The most favorable times are during the spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) when the weather is typically mild and pleasant. These seasons offer comfortable temperatures and beautiful sunsets, enhancing the romantic ambiance of your sailboat elopement.
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