How to Perform a Marriage in New Orleans

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Has someone asked you to officiate wedding ceremony in New Orleans? Presiding over the union of two people is obviously a great responsibility, and it won't be an experience you'll soon forget. As you prepare for the big day, please review this guide to make sure you're up to speed on the officiating process. We’ll explore key questions like what is actually required to officiate, what office you'll need to contact (and how to get in touch with them), and how to ensure the ceremony you perform in New Orleans is recorded successfully.

1. How to Become a Minister in New Orleans

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Get Ordained Now

Important Info for Ministers in New Orleans

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: Yes
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn New Orleans Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in New Orleans. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in New Orleans.

Office Address:: 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 407
New Orleans, LA 70112
Office Phone Number:: (504) 592-9100
Office Website:: New Orleans Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in New Orleans?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in New Orleans:: $26,200

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in New Orleans

After contacting the New Orleans office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in New Orleans, the Classic Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How New Orleans Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A New Orleans marriage license is valid for 30 days, and after the document has been issued, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in New Orleans must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 24 Hours
Marriage License Valid For:: 30 Days
Return Within:: By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in New Orleans

From the French Quarter to Bayou Sauvage, there's a little bit of everything in New Orleans. The "Big Easy" has a bustling nightlife and a melding pot of cultures that influence its cuisine, giving couples lots of choices for vendors and venues for their wedding day. You can party on Bourbon Street, celebrate Mardi Gras, and walk through the 1300 acres of New Orleans City Park to name just a few of the many activities available in this diverse city. There is also plenty of historical places within the city to visit and host a wedding celebration, so anyone is sure to find the perfect atmosphere for their wedding day.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in New Orleans

Surrounded by water, flooding is a regular concern in New Orleans and it rains steadily from December to March while summers are hot and humid so planning a wedding in late spring and late fall is the best idea for an outdoor ceremony.

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on New Orleans weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.