The 5 Best Wedding Planners in New Orleans
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Written by Annie Muscat
Editor & Publisher
- November 17, 2025
- 13 min read
- Uncategorized
Source: Peerspace
Planning a wedding in New Orleans means leaning into cobblestone courtyards, oak-lined streets, brass bands, and balconies that spill over with flowers. It’s a city built for celebration, and couples are taking full advantage of its rich culture and beauty.
With hundreds of local events and thousands of weddings each year, New Orleans is lively to say the least. But when it comes to weddings, seamless planning often requires an expert touch. A wedding planner helps you navigate permits, parades, unpredictable weather, and vendor schedules so you’re not juggling logistics on your big day.
To make your search easier, we’re featuring 5 exceptional wedding planners serving New Orleans and the surrounding area. From full-service design and destination-style weekends to wedding management and intimate elopements, these pros blend creativity, logistics, and hospitality so you can soak up every minute.
How we curate our list
Our goal is to connect you with planners who truly understand New Orleans, its neighborhoods, venues, second lines, and seasonal quirks. We hand-select industry leaders who consistently deliver seamless events that feel both thoughtful and fun
We look for depth of experience and real-world results including:
- Client reviews across multiple platforms
- Industry awards and recognition from trusted publications and organizations
- Strong, varied portfolios across seasons, neighborhoods, and styles
- Professional certifications and affiliations that signal ongoing growth
- A clear track record of communication, realistic timelines, and smooth day-of execution
Every planner on this list brings local insight and a tailored approach to the planning process. They know how to work with New Orleans venues and vendors, how to schedule around major events, and how to keep your experience (and the romance!) front and center.
Featured planners in New Orleans
You’ll be well taken care of with any of these industry leaders. Whether you’re looking for a team that specializes in multi-day destination weddings and luxury design or wedding management for couples who want to be hands-on, you have several excellent options
1. Michelle Norwood Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Michelle Norwood Events / Michelle Norwood
Specialty/niche: Boutique planning and design studio specializing in destination weddings and stylish celebrations in New Orleans and around the world, with a focus on full-service planning for weekend-long experiences and refined, intimate events alike.
Notable projects or signature style: Known for events that are elegant without feeling fussy, Michelle’s work has been featured by outlets like Vogue and Martha Stewart, with a portfolio that spans New Orleans, domestic destinations, and international locales.
Pricing: Schedule a consultation to receive a custom quote based on your desired package and location.
Why we love them: Michelle Norwood Events is a great fit for couples who want their wedding to feel deeply personal yet globally polished. Reviews consistently highlight the team’s calm, strategic presence and ability to handle complex destination logistics without sacrificing warmth. They’re especially strong at weaving local culture into elevated designs—think second-line energy paired with sophisticated tablescapes—so your event feels timeless.
Learn more about Michelle Norwood Events on their website and Instagram.
2. Uncommon Camellia
Company name and founder/lead planner: Uncommon Camellia / Alexis Nelson
Specialty/niche: A team-based planning firm offering wedding management, partial planning, and full-service planning with a streamlined, process-driven approach for couples across New Orleans and Louisiana.
Notable projects or signature style: Uncommon Camellia describes itself as the largest and most highly reviewed wedding planning firm in Louisiana, with authentic, immersive, and well-orchestrated weddings as their signature. Their portfolio showcases everything from chic city celebrations to romantic outdoor fêtes.
Pricing: Wedding management packages begin around $2,400, with full-planning experiences (including 12-month support) starting around $16,000 and additional options in between; schedule a consultation to tailor a package to your needs.
Why we love them: Uncommon Camellia is ideal for couples who want structure and clarity without losing the fun. Their team model means you benefit from shared expertise and tried-and-true systems, which reviews repeatedly credit for keeping planning on track and stress levels low. Couples also appreciate the firm’s planning tools and checklists, which turn big-picture ideas into actionable steps and make even complex wedding weekends feel manageable.
Learn more about Uncommon Camellia on their website and Instagram.
3. The Graceful Host
Company name and founder/lead planner: The Graceful Host / Ashley Culicchia Cash
Specialty/niche: Luxury, full-service wedding planning and design studio offering comprehensive planning, creative direction, and event production for couples in New Orleans and across the Southeast.
Notable projects or signature style: With more than 65 weddings planned and designed, The Graceful Host is known for editorial, design-forward celebrations that still feel inviting and personal. Ashley limits her calendar to a small number of weddings each year, allowing deep focus on each event’s visual story and guest experience.
Pricing: Schedule a consultation to receive a custom quote for full-service planning and design.
Why we love them: The Graceful Host is a strong match for couples who care as much about atmosphere and storytelling as they do about logistics. Reviews often note Ashley’s ability to translate abstract ideas into layered designs while quietly managing vendor teams and timelines in the background. Her events feel curated and her limited-wedding approach means you get the kind of attention that makes the planning process feel collaborative instead of rushed.
Learn more about The Graceful Host on their website and Instagram.
4. Spanish Oak Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Spanish Oak Events / Becky Lampp
Specialty/niche: Full-service, partial, and month-of planning, plus event design and destination-style coordination for weddings in New Orleans and beyond; the team also offers venue management services for select locations.
Notable projects or signature style: Spanish Oak Events has been recognized as a top wedding planner in New Orleans, including a 2024 “Best Wedding Planner in New Orleans” honor from Quality Business Awards. Their work leans into lush, romantic styling and polished event flow, often set against historic mansions, courtyards, and classic New Orleans architecture.
Pricing: Schedule a consultation to receive a custom quote based on your wedding’s scope and location.
Why we love them: Spanish Oak Events shines for couples planning destination-style weekends or logistically layered celebrations. Their portfolio and reviews underline a knack for handling complex timelines—think multiple venues, transportation, and weather contingencies—while keeping the energy warm and celebratory. They’re especially adept at marrying New Orleans’s historic charm with modern sensibilities, so your day feels both rooted in the city and uniquely yours.
Learn more about Spanish Oak Events on their website and Instagram.
5. Unique Weddings & Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Unique Weddings & Events / Michele Caswell-Adams
Specialty/niche: New Orleans–based planning company offering coordination, partial planning, and full-service planning, with extensive experience in French Quarter, downtown, and destination weddings.
Notable projects or signature style: With years of experience and a strong vendor network, Unique Weddings & Events focuses on tailored celebrations that highlight the city’s character—courtyard ceremonies, historic venues, and reception experiences designed with out-of-town guests in mind.
Pricing: Schedule a consultation to receive a custom quote based on your chosen venue, guest count, and planning needs.
Why we love them: Unique Weddings & Events is particularly well suited to couples who want guidance from a team that knows New Orleans inside and out. Reviews frequently point to their responsiveness, problem-solving skills, and ability to keep everyone—from far-flung guests to local vendors—on the same page. They’re especially thoughtful about helping destination couples navigate local traditions and logistics so the day feels smooth, welcoming, and truly reflective of the city.
Learn more about Unique Weddings & Events on their website and Instagram.
Finding the right New Orleans planner
Look for real French Quarter and second line experience
New Orleans weddings often spill into the streets, whether that’s a second line through the French Quarter or a stroll between venues. Ask potential planners how often they’ve coordinated second lines, parade permits, or police escorts and how they work with the city’s Special Events office to keep everything compliant and on time.
Ask about their approach to city permits and venue rules
From courtyard ceremonies in the Quarter to riverfront celebrations and public spaces, the city has specific rules around occupancy, amplified sound, and street use. A knowledgeable planner should be able to walk you through when special event permits are needed, what your venue handles internally, and how they build that into your timeline so there are no last-minute surprises.
Match their portfolio to your New Orleans vision
A planner whose portfolio is full of French Quarter soirées might not be the right fit for a bayou-side celebration, and vice versa. As you review galleries, note whether they’ve worked in New Orleans wedding venues like yours—historic mansions, hotels, museums, courtyards, or more rustic locations—and whether their styling feels like something you’d be excited to host.
Evaluate communication style and planning tools
Some teams lean on all-in-one planning platforms; others prefer detailed email threads, shared docs, or regular calls. Ask how they manage timelines, guest lists, and vendor updates—and how often you can expect to hear from them. Choose someone whose approach fits your schedule and comfort level, especially if you’re planning from out of town.
Clarify how they handle New Orleans’s big event calendar
Between Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, major sporting events, and citywide festivals, dates can fill up quickly and affect everything from hotel rates to transportation. A strong local planner will be upfront about which weekends might come with extra complexity and how they navigate road closures, crowds, and peak pricing.
How to wedding plan in New Orleans
Choose your season with weather and festivals in mind
New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate with hot, sticky summers, mild winters, and a hurricane season that peaks from August through October. Many couples favor spring and fall—often March–May and October–November—for more comfortable temperatures and a balance between events and availability. Work with your planner to weigh weather, budget, and festival schedules as you zero in on dates.
Build city permits and second lines into your timeline
If you’re incorporating a second line, using public streets, or hosting elements in parks and plazas, permits and police details can be part of the puzzle. New Orleans has a dedicated Special Events office and specific guidelines for parades and public processions, so plan well in advance and let your planner take the lead on paperwork and coordination.
Plan around major events, especially Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest
Big city events can dramatically impact room rates, minimums, and traffic patterns. Before signing contracts, cross-check your potential date against New Orleans’s event calendar—especially around Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and major sporting weekends—and talk with your planner about whether the energy is a perk or a complication for your crowd.
Think through guest transportation and walkability
Depending on your venue, guests may be relying on streetcars, rideshares, walking routes, or shuttles through narrow streets. Build realistic transfer times into your timeline, consider shuttle service for late-night returns, and give guests clear instructions on parking, dress code for cobblestones, and how to move between locations comfortably.
Understand marriage license logistics in Orleans Parish
Louisiana has state-wide rules, but you’ll apply for your license through a parish office such as the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court. There’s typically a 24-hour waiting period between issuance and ceremony (which can sometimes be waived), and licenses are valid for a set window, often 30 days.
FAQs: New Orleans wedding prep
When is peak wedding season in New Orleans?
New Orleans sees many weddings in spring and fall, when temperatures are more comfortable and humidity is less intense. Fewer events take place in the height of summer due to heat and storm risk.
Do we need a permit for a second line or street parade?
Yes. Second lines and wedding parades through public streets require permits and coordination with the city, including police escorts and set routes.
Do we need a permit to marry in a park or public space?
In many cases, yes. Ceremonies in city parks, squares, or other public spaces may require permits, reservations, and possibly additional insurance, especially for setups that include seating, sound, or tents.
How does the marriage license process work for New Orleans weddings?
Couples typically apply for a marriage license through a parish office like Orleans Parish, submit identification and any required documents, then observe the waiting period before the ceremony. After the wedding, your officiant returns the completed license to the parish, and certified copies can be requested through parish records or the Louisiana vital records system.
How far in advance should we book a New Orleans planner and venue?
For prime dates in spring and fall—especially around festival season—popular venues and planners can book 12–18 months out. If you’re flexible on day of the week, season, or neighborhood, you may find more availability in a 9–12 month window or during the quieter parts of summer and winter.
NOLA planners, get featured!
Are you a wedding planning company serving couples in New Orleans and looking to reach more of your ideal clients? Peerspace showcases local industry leader talent, and we’re always excited to discover teams creating standout celebrations in the city. If you’d like to be considered, fill out our nomination form so we can learn more about your work.
Find a space that fits your New Orleans story
From historic mansions and leafy courtyards to lofts, galleries, and riverfront views, New Orleans is packed with venues that pair beautifully with the right planning team. When your planner and your space work in sync, every detail—from the second line route to the last dance—feels intentional.
Still searching for the perfect setting? Explore unique, bookable-by-the-hour wedding venues in New Orleans on Peerspace to find a backdrop that matches your vision and makes planning feel easier from the very first walkthrough.
