Get Married in New Orleans, Wedding Planning Guide

Get Married in

New Orleans

Plan a Unique Wedding In Historic New Orleans

Elope To New Orleans

For as low as $300.00 you can have a inexpensive wedding in a beautiful location in the historic New Orleans French Quarter, or at several of New Orleans Public Parks. You can take a streetcar ride or carriage ride after your wedding to your reception or head out on a cruise ship through the Caribbean or Mexico. Save money on an inexpensive ceremony in a free spot in a New Orleans park. E-mail for details. See the links below for info such as a photographer or other wedding day services. To help plan your New Orleans unique wedding or a simple elopement please click these links:

Chaplain Jerry Kenneth Schwehm, a native of New Orleans, served as as Justice of the Peace in 1990 to 1994 in Slidell, La. and was ordained in 1989 as a Lay Minister after serving as Elder and Deacon in his church for many years. He has a BA and JD from Louisiana State University (1972) and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from a local Bible Church in 1990. He has performed numerous wedding ceremonies over 20 years and is available in the Greater New Orleans area to perform your personalized marriage ceremony. He will go to your location or at his office in St. Tammany Parish or a nice park in New Orleans when available. Chaplain Schwehm is President and Moderator of the American Association of Wedding Officiants, a professional officants group.

It is possible to have a quick one day elopement in New Orleans. Any registered Minister can waive the 72 hour delay and perform a wedding immediately. You need to have a license, make an appointment to be married, and conduct a ceremony before 2 witnesses. All is based on availability of the Officiant who should be contacted in advance of getting the license. The license office is open weekdays only. A quick elopement to New Orleans is possible when you plan ahead before arriving make an appointment and have a license from the New Orleans Marriage License office. Be sure to call and check with the license office as they have changed numbers and locations in Downtown New Orleans. The Orleans Parish Marriage License Office is located at Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 407, in downtown New Orleans. Licenses are issued between 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding state holidays). The licenses are valid in any parish in the State of Louisiana. Phone: 504/539-5116

Some frequently asked Questions:
1. The three day delay can be waived for visitors to New Orleans by a Minister or Judge. The waiver is done at the ceremony and not needed in advance.
2. A deposit is made to confirm a booking is set on the calendar. Date, time, and location are needed to see if there is an opening before booking a ceremony.
3. Chaplain Schwehm does many weddings each year and has done them for over 20 years. Some months are busier then others. He accepts bookings anytime when he has availability either the day before or a year in advance. Depends on availability not lead time.

The best way to contact is via this e-mail jerryschwehm@yahoo.com.

Chaplain JK Schwehm
65115 Highway 41
Pearl River, La. 70452
Tel: (504) 617-6359 Answer Service

Due to Katrina you should e-mail us for revised information. Need to contact the City of New Orleans for park reservations or more info use their new 311 service by calling 1-877-286-6431.

Members of the American Association of Wedding Officiants.

Dr. Schwehm will travel to other cities in Louisiana and Mississippi. He has performed weddings in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, LaPlace, Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, and other Louisiana cities. He has also traveled to do weddings in Biloxi, Gulf Port, Picayune, and Bay St. Louis Mississippi. E-mail him for information on your location.

Questions To Ask Before You Hire An Officiant

Are you registered to perform weddings in my location?
How long have you officiated weddings?
About how many weddings you do per year?
What training have you had?
Will you go to my location to do a ceremony?
What type of ceremonies will you perform?
What are your rules as to photography ?
Is pre-marital counseling required?
Do you have ceremony samples?
What are the fees charged?

If it is possible see if you can see the officiant in action at another wedding. Be sure to contact an officiant in time before booking a rental hall or location so you are sure you have a good officiant for your ceremony. Ask the officiant if they are members of the American Association of Wedding Officiants, a professional group.

Photos by Jennifer Bishop Photography

Chaplain JK Schwehm
65115 Highway 41
Pearl River, La. 70452
Tel: (504) 617-6359 Answer Service
.

Best way to contact is e-mail or leave message at answer service and I will return your call ASAP. My cell number has changed if you call it it may say it is not active.

Link to a page with reference information: References

Looking for an Officiant outside of Louisiana see the American Association of Wedding Ministers

Mississippi Travel, get married on the beaches in Mississippi.

Member US Wedding Officiants, see web page for listing of Fig Street Weddings and other officiants in USA.