How to Legally Elope in New Orleans – A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
How to Legally Elope in New Orleans Planning to elope in New Orleans? Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet ceremony
Discover the charm of a Pirates Alley elopement in New Orleans with Elope to Nola. Enjoy a stress-free, intimate ceremony at one of the city’s most historic and romantic locations.
Elope to Nola offers curated Pirates Alley elopement packages. Whether you want a simple ceremony or a fully planned event, our team ensures every detail is handled, allowing you to enjoy a romantic and unforgettable elopement in one of the city’s most iconic locations.
⚜️ A personalized timeline so everything flows (and you’re not checking the clock)
⚜️ Full permit support—because red tape shouldn’t ruin your vows
⚜️ Professional elopement photography to catch the moments you’ll never want to forget
⚜️ A licensed officiant who makes it all legal (and actually enjoyable)
⚜️ Start-to-finish guidance so you’re never wondering what’s next
⚜️ A few thoughtful extras, depending on your package 😉
Discover How Magical Your Elopement Can Be at Pirates Alley Through Our Lens.
With Elope to Nola, we help make your Pirates Alley elopement simple and stress-free. We handle ceremony coordination, photography, florals, officiant services, permit help, and vendor referrals, so you don’t have to.
We know the ins and outs of this iconic French Quarter spot and how to keep things running smoothly. When you book with us, you get a team that knows what they’re doing and actually cares.
Let’s keep it easy, personal, and all about the good stuff.
EXCELLENT Based on 79 reviews 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!! Aden Ardoin2025-04-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We love Marcia!!!!!!!! My fiance and I worked together with Marcia and Bob Morgan to get engagement photos taken on a sailboat. They turned out so good!!!! We appreciate Marcia and Bob for making our dream come true!! Thank yall so much 💓 11/10 would recommend:) Lovess Henry2025-03-20Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Marcia was an absolute dream. My (now) husband and I were having so much trouble devising a plan to get married in New Orleans and when we found Marcia (or did she find us?) all the pieces fell into place in her articulate hands. She handled all of our arrangements so gracefully. We never had to worry that something wasn’t handled and there were so many times that she went above and beyond to give us the experience we wanted. Marcia hand-delivered to us a team of experts in Sandy Arce (Rockstar Officiant and all around kind and dynamic person), Kimberly Quinlivan who crafted the bouquet and floral pocket arrangement of my absolute dreams, and Terry of Chez RuRene Bakery who delivered the tastiest Almond Raspberry cake, decorated to perfection! If you go with Marcia Ibay of Ibay photography as your photographer, wedding planner, or both, you’ll never regret it. You might even walk away with a new friend. <3
Right in the heart of New Orleans, Pirates Alley is a quiet spot full of history and character, perfect for an intimate elopement.
Its cobblestones, vintage architecture, and tucked-away feel make it one of the most laid-back and photogenic places to say “I do.” Just steps away is the famous Pirate’s Alley Café, known for its absinthe cocktails and moody, old-world bar vibes – great for a post-ceremony toast (or just a cool photo op).
If you’re looking for something simple, beautiful, and full of that old New Orleans charm, this is it.
No permit is required to elope in Pirate’s Alley. It’s a public pedestrian walkway in the French Quarter, so you can hold your ceremony there without formal approval. However, since it’s open to the public, you cannot block off the space or prevent foot traffic during your ceremony.
Pirate’s Alley is best suited for intimate elopements. It’s recommended to keep the guest count to 15 or fewer. The space is narrow and standing-room only; chairs are not allowed.
Weekday mornings or late afternoons are ideal for eloping in Pirate’s Alley. These times help you avoid large crowds and harsh lighting. Avoid peak tourist times like Mardi Gras, Friday nights, and Saturdays, as the area can become quite crowded. Sun-Thur is best!
To legally marry in New Orleans, you’ll need:
A valid Orleans Parish marriage license (applied for at any clerk of court in Louisiana).
A 24-hour waiting period between license issuance and the ceremony. This waiting period can be waived by a judge for non-Louisiana residents.
A licensed officiant to perform the ceremony.
Ensure you have all necessary documents, such as identification and, if applicable, divorce decrees or death certificates.
Let us help you create the intimate, stress-free wedding of your dreams at one of New Orleans’ most romantic locations. Reach out today to get your personalized Pirates Alley elopement quote and start planning your perfect day with Elope to NOLA.
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