Wedding Officiants in New Orleans
Officiant FAQs — New Orleans
How much does a Officiant cost in New Orleans?
Pricing for a Officiant in New Orleans varies by experience, package, and date; use Provow to compare proposals from local vendors in your budget range.
How far in advance should I book a Officiant in New Orleans?
Most couples in New Orleans book a Officiant six to twelve months before the event date, with peak season dates booking earliest.
How do I request proposals from Officiants in New Orleans?
Post your event on Provow with your date, location, and requirements; local Officiants in New Orleans will respond with proposals.
Do Officiants on Provow serve areas outside New Orleans?
Many Officiants on Provow also serve neighboring cities and regions; each vendor's profile lists their full service area.
Is it free to request proposals from Officiants in New Orleans?
Yes, requesting proposals on Provow is free for hosts; there are no fees to post an event or message vendors.
New Orleans Officiants — Common Questions
How long after the license can we marry in New Orleans?
Seventy-two hours. Louisiana bars the officiant from performing the ceremony until that time has passed since the license was issued, and the waiver is granted by a judge or justice of the peace for serious and meritorious reasons rather than by the office that issued the license.
Who grants the waiver?
A judge or justice of the peace, which is the part that distinguishes this from a waiting period a clerk can shorten. Asking nicely at the counter does not move it. If your dates are genuinely tight, ask the marriage license office what the waiver process involves before you rely on it.
Does this catch destination couples?
Constantly. A wedding party that arrives on Thursday for a Saturday ceremony has not left seventy-two hours, and discovering that on Friday is a bad afternoon. Apply well before you travel, or arrive earlier than the weekend.
Which office issues the license?
The marriage license office operating under the Louisiana Department of Health's vital records registry for Orleans Parish. Ask them what to bring, when your seventy-two hours would start, and what the officiant returns afterwards.
Can the officiant proceed anyway if we ask them to?
No, and a good one will refuse. The delay binds the person performing the ceremony, not just the couple, so you are asking them to do something they cannot do. An officiant who says no to that is protecting your marriage record, not being difficult.