Elope in New Orleans

The southern city, better known as the Big Easy, is truly one of a kind and the perfect blend of buzzing nightlife and intimate charm. Giant moss-covered oak trees, historic city squares, ornate architecture and alleys, and old, elegant urban parks make up the many places within the city to hold a wedding ceremony and capture incredible elopement photos. Let your personal New Orleans elopement photographers use their keen eye for capturing a couple’s love in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. This historic city is an incredible place for an intimate ceremony, and already has the party started to help you celebrate. Our photographers have participated in hundreds (if not thousands) of elopements and know exactly how to pose, style and position you (and your family) to ensure your big day is perfectly captured! All of the images on our website are of past Simply Eloped couples so, yes…that could be you!

The Big Easy is unique in that it has parishes in replacement of city halls. In addition, the city has specific requirements on how to obtain your marriage license. To apply, you must both have a copy of identification – such as a driver’s license, military ID or valid passport, and you must both be in attendance. You’ll also need to provide your social security number, but do not need to bring your Social Security card with you. If you have previously been divorced you must have a copy of your valid divorce decree. There is a 24-hour waiting period, but this can be waived for any out-of-state residents that obtain a judicial waiver. We can easily supply you with a waiver to the mandatory waiting period between when you get your license and hold your ceremony – just ask us! You’ll also need to have two witnesses in attendance at your ceremony to make it legal. If you’ve hired a photographer, good news: they can serve as one of your witnesses!

It’s so important to find a venue that is in line with what you seek when you imagine a New Orleanian wedding, and with so many quintessential spots, it can be hard to decide on where you’d like to plan your elopement for both the ceremony and the wedding reception. With their moss-covered oak trees, charming bridges, and beautiful fountains, both City Park and Audubon Park both pack in some serious charm for your big day. We also love the historic, colorful alleyways of Pirate Alley – a historical niche folded into the French Quarter – as well as the endless spirit of Jackson Square, a top tourist destination with an iconic backdrop that will have onlookers applauding as you say “I do.” This is a city brimming with hidden spots for a celebration, so the sky is truly the limit. Trust us, you will have no trouble finding an affordable wedding venue that you love.

We love New Orleans elopements all times of the year, though each season definitely offers a specific, unique vibe. Consider other events or New Orleans festivals happening throughout the year when planning, like Mardi Gras or jazz celebrations. Winters here are mild, and the temperate weather is perfect for anyone considering an outdoor elopement. Similarly, early spring offers beautiful scenery and comfortable temps for a wedding ceremony. One important thing to note is that storm season in Louisiana lasts from June until November, so if you’re nervous about rain or inclement weather interrupting your elopement, we definitely recommend planning for the months of December until May.

Perfect lighting doesn’t just happen at any old time of the day: mid-afternoon not can get hot and muggy, and the direct lighting can create harsh shadows and sharp lighting, so we recommend holding your ceremony early to mid-morning or early evening that will ensure soft lighting, which is most complementary for portraits. For outdoor wedding venues, if you’re able, we recommend planning your elopement in the morning prior to 11 am or after 3:30 pm for the best lighting.

We get this question all of the time! While our usual planning window is three to nine months in advance of the ceremony date, we’ve planned with as little notice as five days! The most important factor is ensuring that you have a plan in place to get your marriage license and everything else can fall into place. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have when eloping. We’re here to help!