
Getting Married in New Orleans: Your Guide to Big Weddings vs. All-Inclusive Elopements
Getting Married in New Orleans: Big Weddings vs. All-Inclusive Elopements So, you’re thinking about getting married in New Orleans? Excellent
Experience a New Orleans elopement steeped in history and romance as you say “I do” in the heart of the iconic French Quarter.
Imagine standing hand-in-hand in the gates of the historic Jackson Square with the stunning St. Louis Cathedral as your witness and the sounds of a jazz musician playing softly nearby. Picture the beautiful architecture, the iconic street artists and the unforgettable energy of the city’s heart all coming together for your moment. Does that vision feel like the perfect fit for your love story? Yeah, we thought so.
Jackson Square isn’t just a place; it’s the very soul of the city, and your love story will become a part of its rich tapestry. With our Jackson Square elopement packages, we make it easy for you to step into this magic, blending simple planning with exceptional service. It’s all about creating a day that feels as incredible as it looks.
Planning your elopement should be fun, not a headache. The good news is, we handle all the details so you can focus on each other.
Permits & Fees: A permit is required for all ceremonies in Jackson Square. The fee is based on the number of people in your group. We will assist with obtaining the paperwork and ensure everything is squared away for your day.
2-25 people: The permit fee is $250.00 + a damage deposit
26-100 people: The permit fee is $500.00 + damage deposit
Best Time of Day: We always recommend eloping in the early morning or about an hour before sunset. The light is beautiful, and the square is less crowded, allowing for a more intimate experience. We know the ins and outs of this public space and how to find the perfect moment for your vows.
Crowd Management: Jackson Square is a lively public space, and you will have an audience! We will help you navigate the crowds and use the energy of the city to enhance your photos, not detract from them. Don’t be surprised if onlookers congratulate you—New Orleans loves a wedding!
What to Wear: Comfort is key! We encourage attire that makes you feel amazing and authentic. Just a heads-up: New Orleans is a city of historic charm, not perfect pavements! The cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks of the French Quarter can be tricky, so be sure to choose footwear that allows you to walk and 2nd line parade comfortably.
This is just an example of what your day could look like. The real magic is in the moments we don’t plan.
10:00 AM: Let the Adventure Begin! We’ll meet you near Jackson Square to begin your ceremony.
10:15 AM: Your Intimate Ceremony. Your officiant will guide you through your vows with the majestic St. Louis Cathedral as your witness.
10:45 AM: Newlywed Photos! We’ll explore the beautiful area around the square, capturing photos with the iconic historic buildings as your backdrop.
12:00 PM: Time to Celebrate. Enjoy your first moments as a married couple! Head to a world-renowned restaurant for a celebratory meal, grab beignets, or simply soak in the lively atmosphere of the French Quarter.
With over a decade of experience creating unforgettable elopements, we know this: your day should feel like you.
We Know the Square: We’ve photographed dozens of elopements at Jackson Square. We know the best angles, the best times, and how to find those private moments in the heart of the city.
A Personalized, Stress-Free Experience: From handling the expert photography to crafting a timeline that matches your vibe, Elope to NOLA handles it all so you can relax and enjoy every minute.
All-Inclusive Packages: We handle every detail, from your licensed officiant to your professional photos to your custom bouquet and more!
Your perfect Jackson Square elopement is within reach.
Your love story deserves to be captured in a way that reflects the magic of the moment. Our professional photographers know all the best angles, hidden corners, and golden-hour timings to deliver breathtaking images you’ll treasure forever.
EXCELLENT Based on 82 reviews David Lee2025-08-18Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Marcia arrived promptly at our location and immediately made us all feel comfortable on our special day including myself, wife, our family and especially our three little ones under the age of 4. Those with toddlers know it can be a challenge to get the little ones to cooperate taking pictures lol. Marcia is also patient and has a good eye for the little details, would definitely recommend her. 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!!!!!
There’s no place like Jackson Square when it comes to saying “I do” in New Orleans. Here’s why couples love it for their elopement:
Historic Charm
You’re surrounded by the St. Louis Cathedral, Creole townhouses, and that classic French Quarter architecture, basically, history everywhere you look.
Romantic Atmosphere
Street musicians playing, carriages rolling by, the Mississippi River just steps away, it doesn’t get more New Orleans than this.
Amazing Backdrops
From the cathedral to the gardens to the cobblestones, every corner is photo-ready (and your gallery will thank you).
Walkable + Convenient
Hotels, great food, cool local vendors, everything you need is right here, no Uber required.
Yes, a permit is required to hold a wedding ceremony of any size (even if just you two) in Jackson Square. You must apply through the City of New Orleans Parks and Parkways Department. Only the paved areas of the Square can be used, and specific rules apply regarding setup and music. Happy to answer any further questions and provide the link to permit application 🙂
Groups of any size (2 – 200) people. While Jackson Square can accommodate larger gatherings, it’s best suited for intimate ceremonies. If you plan to have chairs, there’s a limit of 100, and they must be set up and removed within a specific timeframe. We’d love to photograph your intimate ceremony under 25 guests – that’s our specialty!
Amplified music is not allowed in Jackson Square. However, a small ensemble of 3-4 musicians may perform up to three selections during the ceremony or even better a solo violinist for a perfect romantic ceremony!
To legally marry in New Orleans, you need to obtain a marriage license from the Orleans Parish Marriage Office. There is a 24-hour waiting period between the issuance of the license and the ceremony, which can be waived by a judge for non-Louisiana residents. Ask us for a list of documents needed to apply.
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