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

Elopement Wedding in French Quarter at gate to Jackson Square

For as low as $295.00 you can have a small 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 elopement ceremony in a free spot in a New Orleans park. E-mail for details. You need a marriage license and must have required certified documents to secure one. See the links below for info such as a photographer or other wedding day services. To help with your New Orleans unique wedding or a simple elopement please click and read these links then e-mail jerryschwehm@gmail.com for details. Email only I cannot book a wedding by TextMessage.

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 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 for out of state visitors 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. Be sure to call and check with the license office for office hours and the need to have certified documents to present to them. 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 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding state holidays). The licenses are valid in any parish in the State of Louisiana. Phone: 504/539-5116 Second City Court in Algiers is also a license office. You must have certified copies of certain documents, be sure to read the state license page and bring with you the proper certified copies.

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.email only I cannot book a wedding by Text message.
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. Meet Ups arranged before booking when available. Phone calls, and E-mail contacts encouraged before formal bookings. Cannot create bookings via text messages. Require a form emailed.
4. Certified copies come from the state several weeks after the ceremony. Ministers do not issue license or certified copies. Ask the license office about certified copies.

The best way to contact is via this e-mail jerryschwehm@gmail.com. Type in e-mail if link does not work.

Chaplain JK Schwehm
65115 Highway 41 #C
pearl river La. 70452
Tel: (504) 302-8711 Answer Service
TEXT: 504/302-8711 Google Voice Number or call it to leave a voice mail I cannot book a wedding bt Text, email me.

Home Office Address: 65115 Hwy 41,Pearl River, LA 70452

Need to contact the City of New Orleans for park reservations for larger weddings 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

Photo by 1216 Studio, New Orleans

Chaplain JK Schwehm
65115 Hwy 41
Pearl River, La. 70452
Tel: (504) 302-8711 Text to this Answer Service
The New Orleans office space flooded several times so I moved office. .

You can use Pay Pal to pay the needed deposit.

AWARDS

Best way to contact is e-mail jerryschwehm@yahoo.com, or leave message at answer service and I will return your call ASAP. My cell number and text to 302-8711.

Link to a page with reference information: References

Photo of Chaplain Schwehm by Kathleen Parker, Photography

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.