April 2021

How To Get Married In Exchange Alley New Orleans

How To Get Married In Exchange Alley New Orleans? How would you like to celebrate your wedding day? If simplicity is your cup of tea, why not try an intimate but more meaningful elopement in the best place in New Orleans? And when you think about the best place in the city, the first thing that probably comes to your mind is the French Quarter in New Orleans. One cannot deny the fact that the streets of the French Quarter serves as an impeccable wedding venue. A lot of couples have decided to elope in this place and have held the most intimate wedding they could ever wish for. What if I tell you that you can get married at the best spot in French Quarter, hassle free and within your budget? Sounds like a great plan right? How To Get Married In Exchange Alley New Orleans Get married at Exchange Alley Like any other streets in the French Quarter, Exchange Alley has its own beauty and history. This spot is known as one of the most famous walkways in the French Quarter. Previously called Place de Exchange, it was supposed to be the second back entrance to the Merchant’s Exchange on Royal Street where it played an important part in the city’s street commerce. The U.S. district court was previously located in this area before it was destroyed by a fire in the 1960s. Built in 1831 this Alley has been the heart of street weddings in New Orleans. The beautifully situated buildings and shops complements the romantic ambiance for a wedding and serves as a stunning backdrop for wedding photos. Nowadays where low-key is the new party, you would probably want to spend your wedding in a cozier and more organized venue. Yet if you still want to have that lively vibe with a pinch of intimacy, Exchange Alley is perfect for you. Amongst the spots in the French Quarter, Exchange Alley is one of those distinct streets that feels calm and relaxed ambiance but still full of life. Your elopement here will be a one of a kind experience. Getting married at Exchange Alley? Getting married at Exchange Alley means you can have that meaningful ceremony with a fun feeling at the same time. Feel that southern comfort right at the center of French Quarter where it is intimate and breezy at the same time. Every corner of Exchange Alley is picturesque representing the finest New Orleans architecture. Imagine being surrounded by an array of colorful structures, romantically positioned lampposts, and beautifully cobbled pavement. Just passing by the alley would make you want to hold hands and get married there at any time of the day. An elopement at exchange alley can indeed be a special celebration and unique experience that you will always remember. What are the steps to Marrying in Exchange Alley? Contact a local elopement specialist who knows the ins and outs of weddings in the French Quarter, New Orleans. The alley is open to the public and there is no permit required. We like to keep elopement weddings under 10 people due to the size of the alley. It’s a perfect, intimate space! When you hire an all-inclusive elopement company, you will also have your officiant and florals included. We suggest marrying either really early morning around 8:30am or two hours prior to sunset for the most optimal lighting! Don’t take our word for it, see our recent experience from a sweet couple who married in Exchange Alley: “Our day was everything and more! From start to finish Marcia was just amazing. The planning was made so simple and seamless, cause of her. I still keep tearing up tears of joy when I look at our photos, she did such a beautiful job of capturing our day. The way Colleen or should I say Mamma C officiated our wedding, was also just amazing, she made our vows so special. We couldn’t have asked for a better team, we consider them family now. “ Grab our 5 secrets to a successful (and stress-free) elopement and receive a FREE checklist!

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What do Couples Actually do on Their Elopement Day?

Elope, French Quarter, gulf coast, new orleans, Park Wedding, Photos, Venue, Wedding / Marcia Grover

One of the best parts of an elopement is the sense of truly being able to own your ceremony and make it yours. This can leave couples asking however, what in the world do you actually do on your elopement day? Bucking the traditional wedding format means you can pretty much do whatever you want, but this is where confusion can set in. When do you have the ceremony? Can we squeeze in a romantic photo shoot in the park beforehand? Do we have to have a reception at a hall on the same day? What about entertaining our guests? The freedom that elopement offers can seem daunting when it actually comes time to plan everything, but that’s why I put together this handy guide. An elopement doesn’t have to follow the typical structure of a classic wedding. In fact, part of the appeal is in mixing it up and adding activities and events that you wouldn’t normally be able to cram into a traditional wedding day, such as viewing a parade, a night on the town, or a whimsical garden photo shoot. The possibilities are truly limitless and that’s why it’s important to plan your elopement day well beforehand to get the most out of it. Sure, the idea of spontaneity is probably one of the things that attracted you to the idea of getting eloped in the first place, but too much of it will just lead to a mass of confusion and headaches you don’t want. Maximize the excitement, fun, and carefree feel of your elopement by structuring your day with some of these popular ideas. Private Photo Session Pre-Ceremony Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the actual ceremony? Not when you’re eloping! In fact, a rising trend that couples love involves having your own private scheduled photo shoot before the ceremony even begins. Not unlike an engagement shoot or something similar, couples work with their elopement planner or photographer to pick a romantic location such as a garden, public park, or hotel balcony just to have some personal time together before everything gets rolling. Couples claim that pre-ceremony photoshoots (also known as “first looks”) ease tension and can be extremely romantic. Even during an elopement, things can get busy, leaving little to no private time for the couple. Sometimes a little quiet intimacy goes a long way. You can even incorporate the photo shoot location into the ceremony itself if you want. Just make sure to work it out with your elopement planner. Museums and Tours Why not see the sights while you’re getting married? It’s popular to get eloped in cities that are rich in history and culture. Sure, you could wait a couple days to take advantage of these attractions, but nothing’s stopping you from incorporating them right into your special day. If your ceremony is scheduled for the morning, why not spend the afternoon touring a famous museum or spending it exploring the historic streets of places like the French Quarter? These are the kinds of perks couples love about eloping that you simply can’t get with a traditional wedding. If you really want to go all out, you could schedule a tour or witness a parade before your actual ceremony. Embrace everything your location of choice has to offer! Add in Some Adventure Nothing says you can’t add some real spice to the day of your elopement ceremony. Just remember to dress for the occasion and plan accordingly. Want to say your vows on a carriage ride or hop on a steam boat? Or maybe you want to visit an historic cemetery or have a picnic in the park? The choice is yours! An elopement doesn’t have to mimic a traditional wedding at all, if that’s not your thing. How about a Spa Treatment? You’re saving time by not having to deal with a drawn out wedding ceremony, and you’re also saving a ton of money by getting eloped in the first place. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself! Take a slice out of the day to splurge on your hair and nails at the finest place in town. Coordinate with your elopement planner and dedicate a solid block of time for a good pampering. Not only will you look and feel great before the ceremony, this can also act as a stress-reliever. Because you’re not going to be bogged down trying to corral 100 people at a wedding reception, eloping leaves more time open for you to unwind and enjoy life! Romantic Dinner for Two! Yes, you can cap off the night with a classic candlelit dinner. In New Orleans, great food comes with the territory. There are no shortages of five star restaurants and romantic locations to choose from. Because you’re not flying out to your honeymoon destination right after you get married (since you’re already there!), the night of your ceremony is open for you to do what you want with. This means less headaches and more romance. After the ceremony is over, feel free to trot back to your hotel (or ride there in style with a rented limo or horse drawn carriage), get changed into something more comfy, and live it up with a night on the town. What about the Actual Ceremony? This is all up to you as well! Exchange your vows and rings, play some music of your choosing, share a kiss, or mix it up. The beauty of an elopement is that there is no one right way to do anything. Include religious content or don’t. Include traditions like throwing the bouquet or don’t. Or go all out with a unique theme and invent traditions of your own. What’s important is that your elopement speaks to you and that you fill the day with purposeful and meaningful activities. Don’t include anything just because it’s tradition or you think you’re expected to. Own your elopement! Grab our 5 secrets to a successful (and stress-free) elopement and receive a FREE checklist!

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How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans – Ibay Photography

Elope / Marcia Grover

How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans? New Orleans is known for its historic landmarks and rich artistic culture. Due to its large amount of parks, hotels, aesthetic streets and historic landmarks, it is also a wonderful place to get married. There are many places that cater specifically to elopements in this exciting city, from beautiful plantations to magical parks overflowing with historic oaks. How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans One of the most popular places to get married is in Pirates Alley, where people come from all over the country just to visit. This simple “alley” is a part of the historic French Quarter and is known for its beautiful architecture and access to bars and other quaint shops, as well as bordering the gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral. It’s up for contention whether or not there were ever really “pirates” there, but the alley was known for its colorful and intriguing variety of patrons, where it’s said everyone from General Andrew Jackson to William Faulkner paid a visit. While the exciting origins of Pirate’s Alley are certainly a topic history buffs love to discuss, what there can be no question about is the overall appeal of the location for elopements. The atmosphere alone draws hundreds of couples every year to visit this very location just to tie the knot. It is a photographer’s dream to capture a wedding at this historic location because the natural lighting combined with the antique architecture will create wedding photos that couples can appreciate years after their big day, which is one of the reasons why I love when couples pick this spot. Elopement Weddings in New Orleans, LA with Ibay Photography If you are looking for a photographer for your Pirate’s Alley elopement ceremony, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to help you capture every magical moment of your big day. If you are interested in getting married at Pirate’s Alley but aren’t quite sure how to go about planning such an event, here is a brief guide: How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans – New Orleans Because Pirate’s Alley is an actual alley, or walkable street, there is no need for a permit and you don’t technically need to notify anyone, but there’s still some logistics you want to factor in so everything goes smoothly. How Much Does it Cost to Marry in Pirates Alley The cost of your Pirate’s Alley elopement ceremony will depend on the amount of guests you have and what kinds of extras you want to include. Since there is no specific cost for the venue itself, that is a money saver, and keep in mind that there is limited room at Pirate’s Alley, so it’s best for more intimate elopement experiences rather than a large ceremony. Generally, 15 or fewer guests are recommended for Pirate’s Alley. Keep in mind also that the location is standing room only, you can’t bring chairs. When creating your wedding budget, don’t forget to include a photographer! It’s absolutely crucial that you hire a professional photographer to capture your special day so you can avoid the blurry or thumb-in-the-way photos that your family members might take. You deserve to have a wedding album full of high quality pictures that beautifully capture every aspect of your wedding. I have shot many weddings in New Orleans and have several wedding photography packages available What does a Ceremony Look Like in Pirates Alley? If you’d like to get an image of what your ceremony at the historic Pirate’s Alley might look like, here are the answers to some of the commonly asked questions I get from curious couples: Who will marry us? As Pirate’s Alley is a public venue, you will be required to provide your own wedding officiant. Ibay Photography packages include a licensed officiant who specializes in 24 hour waiver as well. See our packages which include all you need! How many guests can we invite? Pirate’s Alley is a perfect wedding venue for smaller, more intimate elopements. Generally it’s suitable for 15 guests or fewer. Is there parking? As Pirate’s Alley is literally an alley, or pedestrian walk, it doesn’t have parking. However, there is easy access to public parking across from the St. Louis Cathedral on nearby Decatur Street. What day/time is best to get married at Pirate’s Alley? Pirate’s Alley is open to the public and has no official closing or opening times, nor any specific times where elopements can be hosted. However, it is recommended to avoid tourist times, such as during Mardi Gras, as well as Friday Nights and all day Saturday year round. This is a public pedestrian street, so there WILL be tourists consistently walking thru the street. Most New Orleanians and tourist will respect the event and try and walk as close to the sides to avoid disrupting the event however we cannot “block off” space for the elopement. If tourists want to walk thru, we must let them. This is why choosing a weekday over a Friday and Saturday will help with avoiding large crowds. It is New Orleans and most couples welcome the fun, eclectic and vibrant people that will be surrounding their wedding ceremony. To Sum Up I hope that you enjoyed this short, informative guide to getting married at Pirate’s Alley in New Orleans. No matter which city you decide to get married in, it’s important that you hire locals to help with the planning. This is crucial. Locals know the best restaurants, flower vendors, decorators and more to make your big day the best it can possibly be. Hiring local is the only way to ensure that your wedding day goes as planned. In addition to hiring local vendors and wedding planners, hiring a local photographer is also incredibly important. Local photographers know the wedding venues in their city inside and out, including the best spots for wedding photos. If you would like to hire an experienced local photographer for your wedding, reach out

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How Much Does the Average Elopement Cost?

1 Comment / Elope, new orleans, Photos, Venue, Wedding / Marcia Grover

Elopements can come in all shapes, sizes, and of course budgets. There is certainly no one right way to have an elopement, especially considering all the options there are for venues, entertainment, photo shoot opportunities, and sight-seeing that you can incorporate right into the celebration. If you’re interested in getting eloped, you might be wondering just how much the average elopement costs, however. Is it similar to that of a traditional wedding, or are there ways to cut costs? This is actually one of the best parts of eloping, and one of the reasons why couples everywhere are starting to consider it over other options. Generally speaking, the cost of elopement is typically quite low in comparison to the average cost of a more traditional wedding ceremony. Most traditional weddings in the United States hover around the $30,000 mark, which is a hefty price tag. We’re so used to weddings costing a ton of money that we don’t really think much of it, but the costs can certainly put a damper on things. Stress related to wedding costs is a rather well-known phenomenon. In some cases, couples even take out personal loans just to pay for wedding expenses. When you think about it, this is a little crazy. Putting yourself in debt just for your wedding seems like a surefire recipe for marital disputes and aggravation down the road. Even cheaper weddings can run well over $15,000. It simply costs a lot of money to pay for catering for dozens of people, decorations, photography, and all the other services and parts that go into a typical wedding. Elopements Focus on What’s Important! Because you’re not inviting 100-300 friends and family, buying thousands of dollars’ worth of flowers and doilies, and buying the most expensive wedding dress on the market, you’re going to save money. Typically, elopements run cheaper than traditional weddings because a lot of the extraneous costs are cut out. You don’t realize how much all the pieces of a wedding add up until you see that final price tag. Most elopements boil down to air fare, a hotel room or two, the cost of a marriage license and officiant, photography, and whatever events and sightseeing you have planned. There is some variation, but for the most part, this is the bulk of what you’re going to be thinking about when creating a budget for your elopement. Compared to what most traditional weddings entail, this is downright simple. We’ll discuss some of these costs more in depth, so you have a better understanding of what goes into a typical elopement and how much it really costs. Travel and Lodging This is where the money will be spent. The major cost involved with most elopement packages is in the air fare and in whatever lodging, such as a hotel, you will be staying at. Elopements almost always involve some kind of travel. It’s like combining the best parts of a wedding and honeymoon together, so traveling to a romantic destination is almost a given. You don’t always have to go fancy either. Maybe there’s a place that’s special to you and your significant other someplace simple out of state that you love or always wanted to go to. Lodging for elopements can run as little as a couple thousand dollars, sometimes even cheaper if you can get package deals. This of course is much cheaper than catering and decorations for a wedding hall. Hotels are typically what most couples use for lodging during an elopement, and whether you are going as a couple or with some friends and family, you can usually find a great place at whatever resort or location you are staying at, and the costs won’t really be all that much. In fact, if you take the time to look around and search for deals, you’re liable to really cut costs and have an amazing experience. Consider Photography Elopement Packages Like any wedding, elopements don’t skimp on photography. This kind of thing can make or break a ceremony, and many elopement planners go to great lengths to ensure that quality photography is their highest priority. Capturing the best moments of the ceremony and bringing out the love that the couples have for each other in every photo is something that photographers spend years learning how to do, so good photographers are usually one of the bigger costs of any elopement. Depending on the size and length of the elopement, they can run anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Far cheaper of course than typical wedding photography because of all the complexities of most modern weddings. Entertainment and Adventure What’s an elopement without some fun? Much of the rest of the costs of any elopement tend to come in the form of sightseeing, restaurants and bars, tours or cruises, and entertainment. You would think that this adds up, but depending on the vacation or elopement package, you can stuff a ton of romance and excitement into one week for only a couple thousand dollars or less. You just have to know where to look and be savvy about where you spend your money. Many cities, including New Orleans, have very gracious couples packages for sightseeing and activities. If you’re looking for a packed week full of things you’ll never forget, you won’t be disappointed. For the cost of what it usually takes to decorate a wedding hall, you could visit world class museums, have a picnic lunch in a beautiful park, go snorkeling, take a ride on a ferry, eat at the best restaurants in town every night, and still have plenty of money left over for late night room service! The True Cost of Eloping! Only about $2000-$5000 depending on location/destination! You might wonder how that’s even possible, but many couples who elope are concerned more about the romance than the flash and flair. The bulk of an elopement package, which will typically run anywhere between $2000 and $5000, is in the hotel accommodations and

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How To Get Married In Exchange Alley New Orleans

What do Couples Actually do on Their Elopement Day?

How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans – Ibay Photography

How Much Does the Average Elopement Cost?

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It's SIMPLE! You're in love & you want to marry ❤️‍🔥We streamline elopements with curated packages. BOOK Your Elopement!

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April 2021

How To Get Married In Exchange Alley New Orleans

What do Couples Actually do on Their Elopement Day?

How to Elope in Pirate’s Alley New Orleans – Ibay Photography

How Much Does the Average Elopement Cost?

elopetonola

It's SIMPLE! You're in love & you want to marry ❤️‍🔥
We streamline elopements with curated packages.
BOOK Your Elopement!