TL;DR: A typical New Orleans wedding runs $32,000 – $55,000 for around 100 guests, with French Quarter and Garden District venues pushing the top of that range. Expect to spend roughly 40% on venue and catering, 12–15% on photography and video, and a meaningful line item — often $1,500 – $4,000 — on a second line parade with a brass band.
What a New Orleans Wedding Actually Costs
New Orleans is more expensive than the Louisiana state average and sits roughly on par with Austin or Nashville. Three things drive cost here: historic venue rental fees, in-house catering minimums (most French Quarter venues require it), and the cultural extras — brass bands, second lines, and parade permits — that couples almost always add.
A 100-guest wedding at a mid-tier venue like a Warehouse District loft, a Bywater event space, or a smaller Garden District mansion typically lands between $32,000 and $55,000 all-in. Strip back to a 50-guest courtyard ceremony with a restaurant reception and you can come in under $18,000. Scale up to a 150-guest Saturday night at the Board of Trade, Race & Religious, or the Elms Mansion and $80,000+ is normal.
New Orleans Wedding Cost Breakdown (100 guests)
| Category | Typical Range | % of Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Venue (rental + fees) | $5,000 – $12,000 | 18% |
| Catering & bar | $9,000 – $18,000 | 30% |
| Photography | $3,500 – $6,500 | 11% |
| Videography | $2,500 – $5,000 | 8% |
| Florals & décor | $3,000 – $7,500 | 11% |
| Attire (both partners) | $2,000 – $5,000 | 7% |
| Music (DJ or band + brass) | $2,500 – $6,000 | 9% |
| Stationery & signage | $600 – $1,500 | 2% |
| Hair & makeup | $700 – $1,800 | 2% |
| Officiant, license, insurance | $400 – $900 | 1% |
| Planner / coordinator | $1,800 – $5,500 | — |
| Total (typical) | $32,000 – $55,000 | 100% |
Numbers assume a Saturday evening in peak season (October–May) with full bar and a plated or buffet dinner. Cut 15–25% for a Friday or Sunday, and another 10–20% for off-peak summer dates when humidity keeps most outdoor events off the calendar.
Local Context: What Drives the New Orleans Number
- Venue type matters more than zip code. A French Quarter courtyard like Latrobe's or Maison Dupuy carries a $6,000 – $10,000 site fee plus required in-house catering. A Bywater warehouse or Marigny art space often runs $3,500 – $6,000 with bring-your-own catering allowed.
- The second line is non-negotiable for many couples. A four-piece brass band runs $1,500 – $2,500; a full eight-piece with a grand marshal and parasols is $3,000 – $4,500. You'll also need a City of New Orleans parade permit ($200.61) and an off-duty NOPD escort (~$300 – $500).
- Hurricane season is a real budget line. Weddings between June and October should carry wedding insurance ($175 – $550) and ideally a venue with an indoor backup. Some couples build a $2,000 – $5,000 weather contingency into the budget.
- Out-of-town guests mean welcome events. Roughly 60% of New Orleans weddings have at least 70% out-of-town guests, which usually adds a welcome party (often at a Frenchmen Street bar or a restaurant buyout) costing $2,500 – $8,000.
- Catering minimums are higher than national averages. Expect $95 – $165 per person for plated dinner with bar at established caterers like Joel Catering, Pigéon, or Messina's.
How New Orleans Compares
Slightly higher than Houston or Dallas, comparable to Austin, and notably below New York or coastal California. The premium you pay versus other Southern cities is mostly venue scarcity — there are only so many historic courtyards — and the cultural add-ons that don't exist elsewhere.
Plan Your New Orleans Budget
Start with a guest count and a target total, then back into per-category caps before you tour venues. A planner or AI budget tool will catch the line items couples routinely forget: parade permits, valet, ceremony musicians, day-of transportation between venue and reception, and tip pools for the brass band and bartenders.
FAQ
How much does a small wedding in New Orleans cost?
A 30 – 50 guest wedding in New Orleans typically runs $10,000 – $22,000, especially if you use a restaurant buyout (Commander's Palace, Brennan's, Muriel's) where catering, venue, and staffing are bundled. Skipping the second line and a full band saves another $2,000 – $4,000.
Is it cheaper to get married in New Orleans on a weekday?
Yes, by 15 – 30%. Most venues drop their site fee meaningfully for Sunday through Thursday weddings, and vendors are more flexible on minimums. Friday weddings save less — usually 10 – 15% — because they're still in high demand.
What's the cheapest month to get married in New Orleans?
July and August, by a wide margin. Heat and hurricane risk push demand down, and venues commonly offer 20 – 35% discounts off peak pricing. The trade-off is real: heat indices regularly exceed 105°F, so plan an indoor or fully covered event.
Do I need a permit for a second line parade?
Yes. The City of New Orleans requires a parade permit ($200.61 as of 2024) filed at least 14 days in advance, plus a paid NOPD escort. Your brass band leader can usually walk you through it, and most wedding planners handle the filing for you.
How much should I budget for a brass band and second line?
Plan on $1,500 – $2,500 for a four-piece (trumpet, trombone, sousaphone, snare) playing 30 – 45 minutes, or $3,000 – $4,500 for a larger ensemble with a grand marshal. Add $300 – $500 for the police escort, $200 for the permit, and $150 – $300 for parasols and handkerchiefs.
Are French Quarter venues worth the premium?
For most couples, yes — but only if the Quarter aesthetic is core to your vision. You'll pay $2,000 – $5,000 more in site fees and another $10 – $25 per guest in catering minimums versus a Marigny or Bywater equivalent. If the photos and the walk through Jackson Square aren't the reason you chose New Orleans, look elsewhere.
What's the marriage license cost in Louisiana?
A Louisiana marriage license is $27.50 in Orleans Parish, with a 24-hour waiting period that can be waived by a district judge. Both parties must appear in person at the Orleans Parish Clerk's office with a certified birth certificate and photo ID.
Sources
- The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
- WeddingWire 2024 Newlywed Report
- City of New Orleans Special Events Permitting Office
- Orleans Parish Clerk of Court — Marriage License Division
Related
- Complete Wedding Planning Guide
- Wedding Budget Guide
- Average Wedding Cost in Houston, TX
- Average Wedding Cost in Dallas, TX
- Average Wedding Cost in Austin, TX
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Build a realistic New Orleans budget in under five minutes — guest count in, line-item budget out, including the parade permit and brass band most calculators forget. create_free_account