Top 5 Event Planners in New Orleans
-
Editor & Publisher -
Client Services Leader
- June 23, 2026
- 18 min read
- Events
Source: Peerspace
New Orleans is a city where every celebration feels like it was born to happen. Jazz spills out of open doorways and centuries-old courtyards set the stage for unforgettable gatherings. The Crescent City offers an event landscape unlike anywhere else in the country, and that energy is exactly what makes planning here both thrilling and complex.
With so many talented event professionals calling NOLA home, you have access to planners who understand the city’s rhythms. The right planner navigates permits, New Orleans event venue rules, vendor networks, weather contingencies, and the unique timing challenges that come with hosting events in one of America’s most celebrated cities.
We’ve carefully vetted the event planners on this list based on client reviews, industry recognition, portfolio quality, and verified service offerings. Whether you’re planning a multicultural wedding, a corporate brand activation during Jazz Fest, or a milestone celebration in a Garden District courtyard, this guide will help you find the right fit.
How we curate our list
Finding the right event planner is a big decision, and we want to make sure our recommendations are worth your trust. Our selection process evaluates planners across several key criteria to ensure every company featured here delivers on professionalism, creativity, and client satisfaction.
Our selection criteria include:
- Client reviews across multiple platforms: We analyze feedback on Google, The Knot, WeddingWire, Yelp, and social media to get a well-rounded picture of each planner’s reputation and consistency.
- Industry recognition and awards: We look for planners with features in respected publications, wedding blogs, and industry media that validate their expertise and creative vision.
- Professional credentials and associations: Active membership in industry groups, ongoing education, specialized training, and verified business operations factor into our evaluation.
- Portfolio quality and range: We review the breadth and creativity of each planner’s past work to ensure they deliver on their promises across different event types and scales.
- Verified service offerings: Every planner on this list has been confirmed to provide event planning services in the New Orleans area.
Best event planners in New Orleans
These five event planning companies represent the best of what New Orleans has to offer—intimate wedding specialists, design-driven décor experts, and high-stakes corporate producers alike. Each brings a unique perspective, deep local knowledge, and a proven track record of creating extraordinary experiences in the Crescent City.
1. Lux Event Solutions
Company name and founder/lead planner: Lux Event Solutions / Akasa Noel
Specialty/niche: Lux Event Solutions specializes in orchestrating intimate weddings and elopements, catering to guest counts from just a couple to cozy gatherings of up to 150. The company takes pride in removing the guesswork for clients and focuses on destination wedding planning in the New Orleans area. Services span full wedding packages, event management and décor, vow renewal planning, proposal planning, and date night planning.
Notable projects or signature style: Lux Event Solutions maintains a commitment to exclusivity by choosing to orchestrate only a select number of events each year. Whether you envision a charming affair in the historic French Quarter or a lavish celebration in the picturesque Garden District, their expert team brings your vision to life. Akasa is known for her problem-solving instincts—one client shared that when the DJ was late and missed the ceremony, Akasa stepped in, connected to the house sound system, and played all the processional music before anyone noticed.
Pricing: Lux Event Solutions creates custom packages for each client, so contact them directly for a personalized quote based on your specific needs. In general, civil ceremonies start at $2,000 and destination wedding planning starts at $7,500.
Why we love them: Akasa’s approach blends tradition and innovation, and her clientele is not just a number but a priority. Clients consistently praise her warmth, organization, and ability to handle last-minute surprises with grace. According to reviews, her boutique-style service is celebrated for removing guesswork and making the planning process smooth and stress-free. Testimonials highlight that the team is “always available and easy to communicate with.” Her deep NOLA roots mean she knows the city’s quirks inside and out—an advantage that’s hard to replicate.
Connect with them: Check out their work at @luxeventplanninganddesign on Instagram and @luxevents1 on TikTok.
2. Alchemy Events Nola
Company name and founder/lead planner: Alchemy Events Nola / Rena Sweeney
Specialty/niche: What truly sets Rena apart is her deep multicultural expertise—her experience includes Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Assyrian, Celtic, Latin, Japanese, Lebanese, LGBTQ+, vegan, and pet-friendly weddings, among others. She services destination events internationally, making her ideal for couples planning from afar. Destinations she often works in include Czech Republic, Austria, Denver, and Dallas.
Notable projects or signature style: Alchemy Events’ work has been featured in publications including Maharani Weddings, Offbeat Bride, New Orleans Weddings magazine, Rocky Mountain Bride, and RocknRoll Bride, as noted on their press page. Rena typically plans no more than two events in the same month and never books more than one event per weekend, ensuring each client is her sole focus. Each client receives an event or wedding website with a client portal featuring checklists, floor plans, design boards, budgeting tools, and a guest list manager.
Pricing: Pricing varies based on the scope and complexity of each event. Contact Alchemy Events through their websote to set up a complimentary consultation and receive a custom proposal.
Why we love them: No planner in the Gulf South brings more multicultural depth and understanding than Rena Sweeney. Clients rave about her ability to plan destination weddings from hundreds of miles away with total confidence. Clients consistently praising Rena’s ability to listen to their needs and translate them into a realized vision. Testimonials highlight her exceptional communication and professionalism, with one client noting, “Rena listened, gathered information and delivered! It was the first time in the long, stressful planning process that we had complete confidence.” Her ability to transform a stressful planning process into a seamless experience makes her a standout choice.
Connect with them: Follow @alchemyeventsnola on Instagram.
3. Clandestine Events + Experiences
Company name and founder/lead planner: Clandestine Events + Experiences / Kelley Troia
Specialty/niche: Clandestine plans events for executive teams, brands, and high-performing groups, specializing in executive retreats, private client experiences, milestone celebrations, destination event planning, corporate dinners, product launches, and brand activations. They’ve been producing events for over a decade for clients including the NBA, F1, Aramco, LVMH, and Google—with zero reputational incidents.
Notable projects or signature style: One standout project involved a global manufacturing company unveiling a new brand identity to 200 international guests during a major industry conference in New Orleans. Clandestine designed a multi-phase evening at The Civic Theatre with signature cocktails on arrival, a custom feather wall with neon branding, a live aerialist performance backed by a jazz trio, and a speakeasy lounge with café au lait and beignets—achieving 110% attendance as guests skipped competing events to stay. The team operates with a tight core of three on every engagement, with vetted specialists brought in when scope demands it.
Pricing: Engagements typically range from $75K to $1M+ depending on scope, venue complexity, guest count, and market, with most falling between $150K and $350K. Kelley only takes on 20 events per year. Contact them directly through their website for details.
Why we love them: If you’re planning a corporate offsite, brand activation, or VIP experience in New Orleans, Clandestine is the team that treats your event like an extension of your reputation. According to reviews, the company consistently exceeds client expectations. Clients consistently praise their highly customized experiences, noting that they deliver fully bespoke events rather than templated packages. Testimonials highlight their “outstanding organization, creative and innovative ideas, and unparalleled attention to detail,” with reviewers commending their ability to transform venues into memorable, elegant settings.
Connect with them: Follow @clandestineexperiences on Instagram.
4. Grand Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Grand Events / Kenny LaCour
Specialty/niche: Grand Events covers the full spectrum of event planning in New Orleans—weddings, social celebrations, and corporate gatherings alike. Kenny’s restaurant background, including his catering arm and the expansion to include La Maison (an events space in Abita Springs), means he understands the full picture of hospitality, not just the planning side. His philosophy centers on making hosts feel like guests at their own party.
Notable projects or signature style: Kenny has spearheaded multi-day extravaganzas to celebrate couples, with each element feeling fresh and unique while showcasing the drama and flair of New Orleans. For one fall wedding at Race & Religious, Kenny brought in antique French bars, bistro furniture, and vintage plates—flipping the stage to the opposite side of the venue, turning the entire first floor into a dessert room complete with a traditional Pittsburgh cookie table, and adding bars, food stations, and cigar/bourbon rooms in nooks and crannies typically overlooked. As LaCour puts it: “Our specialty is the opposite of cookie-cutter.”
Pricing: Grand Events creates custom packages for each client, so contact them directly for specific pricing details tailored to your celebration.
Why we love them: Kenny’s culinary-meets-design approach makes Grand Events a standout for anyone who wants their New Orleans event to be as delicious as it is beautiful. His philosophy is simple: “It’s important to be a great host, but you also have to plan a party so that you can be a guest at your party—the key is to do the work up front.” According to reviews, the team is celebrated for their strong customer service orientation, with staff described as friendly, approachable, and easy to work with. Testimonials highlight their exceptional communication and professionalism, with one reviewer noting they were “extremely helpful, communicative, knowledgeable, and friendly.” Clients consistently praise their comprehensive rental offerings and on-site expertise, which ensure a polished and detail-oriented event.
Connect with them: Follow @grandeventsnola on Instagram.
5. Luminous Events
Company name and founder/lead planner: Luminous Events / Lisa LaFrance
Specialty/niche: Luminous Events offers event rentals featuring New Orleans’ best wedding and party décor, operating as a full-service event company. Their decorative elements include centerpieces, chandeliers, lounge seating, candelabras, farm tables, bars, walls, backdrops, and marquee signs. On the day of your event, they handle all delivery, setup, lighting, and post-event breakdown, and they take only a select number of events per weekend to enhance an individualized experience for each client.
Notable projects or signature style: Lisa is known for her focus, drive, and passion for décor and design—creating visual magic for her clients. Clients consistently highlight the transformative power of Luminous Events’ work. One couple who got married at The Chicory in New Orleans said Luminous made the entire venue look “absolutely dreamy,” with centerpieces, geometric lanterns, and floating tea candles above the reception area. You can see their press features on their press and publications page.
Pricing: Luminous Events creates custom proposals for each client, and clients note that they are very reasonable in their pricing. Contact them through their website to request a personalized quote.
Why we love them: Lisa’s design-first approach means your event won’t just be planned—it’ll be visually stunning. Customer reviews consistently highlight the exceptional communication and support provided by the team, particularly the expertise of Caroline and Lisa. They’re especially great for destination couples planning from out of state. Clients praise their ability to translate visions into reality with flexibility and creative options. Testimonials highlight their accommodating nature, with one client sharing, “They are super professional, personable, and detail-oriented.” Another noted they were “super easy to work with and very accommodating of all of our requests,” consistently delivering breathtaking designs and personalized event experiences.
Connect with them: Follow @luminousevents on Instagram.
Choosing a New Orleans event planner
With so many talented professionals in the Crescent City, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to evaluate your top picks and make a confident decision.
1. Test their knowledge of neighborhood logistics
Don’t just ask if they know New Orleans—test their knowledge. Ask specific questions: “What’s the parking situation in the French Quarter on a Saturday evening?” or “Which neighborhoods have noise ordinances that could affect our reception timeline?” A planner with real local experience will answer immediately and offer alternatives. Vague responses like “we’ll figure it out” are red flags. Ask them to walk you through how they’d handle guest transportation between the Garden District and the Warehouse District—their answer reveals whether they’ve actually managed events across New Orleans or are just listing it on their website.
2. Check how they navigate peak season conflicts
Ask prospective planners: “How do you handle vendor availability during Mardi Gras?” or “What’s your strategy for booking during Jazz Fest weekend?” The right answer includes specific strategies: backup vendor lists, early booking timelines, and price negotiation tactics during high-demand periods. They should mention New Orleans’ specific events by name—Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, the Sugar Bowl, French Quarter Fest—without you prompting them. Follow up with: “Can you show me an example of an event you planned the same weekend as a major festival?” Their past problem-solving reveals their real expertise.
3. Assess their crisis management for city-specific challenges
Ask about backup plans: “What happens if a hurricane warning hits the week of our event?” or “How do you handle a sudden summer downpour during an outdoor reception?” Experienced New Orleans planners have protocols ready: relationships with indoor backup venues, vendor cancellation policies they’ve negotiated, and guest communication templates. Ask: “Can you walk me through how you handled severe weather for a past client?” Listen for specifics—did they have tent sidewalls ready for wind? Climate-controlled spaces secured as backup? Their answer should include vendor names, timeline decisions, and cost implications they managed.
4. Evaluate their vendor network depth
Ask: “Which caterers, florists, and rental companies do you work with regularly, and why?” Strong planners will name three to five vendors per category and explain the relationship. Then ask: “What happens if they’re booked?” The depth of their backup list matters. Ask for introduction calls with two or three key vendors. During those calls, gauge the vendor’s enthusiasm—do they light up mentioning this planner? That chemistry translates to better service, priority scheduling, and problem-solving on your event day.
5. Review their portfolio for New Orleans specifically
Don’t just ask for their portfolio—ask for events specifically in the neighborhoods relevant to your event. Request three to five examples similar to yours in event type and size, budget range, and venue style. During portfolio review, ask: “What was the biggest challenge in executing this event?” Strong planners will cite New Orleans-specific obstacles—parking logistics, noise complaints, vendor scheduling during peak season, weather backup plans—and explain solutions. Follow up by asking: “May I contact this client?” Real references reveal whether the planner’s local expertise made a tangible difference.
Planning an event in New Orleans
Event planning in New Orleans is all about timing. The city’s calendar is packed with festivals, conventions, and cultural events that can affect everything from hotel rates to vendor availability. Here’s what you need to know.
Weather patterns: New Orleans has a subtropical climate, meaning hot, humid summers and mild winters. The most comfortable months for outdoor events are October through April. Hurricane season runs June through November, with peak activity in August and September. Always have an indoor backup plan during these months. Check the National Weather Service New Orleans forecast for extended forecasts as your event date approaches.
Tourism peaks and when to avoid: The city sees its biggest crowds during Mardi Gras (February/March), Jazz Fest (late April/early May), and Essence Festival (July). Hotel rates spike, vendors book up months in advance, and traffic can be unpredictable. If your event doesn’t need to coincide with these, plan around them. The official New Orleans tourism website maintains a comprehensive year-at-a-glance New Orleans event calendar listing featured events happening each year, with many more events happening each week beyond what’s listed.
Major events that create capacity issues:
- Mardi Gras (February/March)
- French Quarter Festival (April)
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April/May)
- Essence Festival (July)
- Satchmo SummerFest (August)
- Southern Decadence (September)
- Voodoo Music + Arts Experience (October)
- Bayou Classic (November)
- Sugar Bowl (January)
Transportation and parking: The French Quarter and CBD are walkable, but parking is limited and expensive. The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) website offers the Le Pass app for route information, live updates, and ticket purchases. Streetcars, rideshare services, and bike taxis are popular alternatives. For larger events, consider arranging shuttle service for guests. Louis Armstrong International Airport is located about 11 miles west of the city, so plan accordingly for guests flying in.
Event permits: New Orleans requires permits for events involving street closures, amplified music, alcohol service, and large gatherings in public spaces. The city’s official New Orleans Special Event Permit Guide helps organizers of fairs, festivals, community events, parades, markets, and commercial special events discover what permits are needed. Processing times vary, so work with your planner to file applications well in advance.
Marriage licenses: If you’re planning a wedding, you’ll need to obtain an Orleans Parish marriage license through the Louisiana Department of Health marriage license portal, which requires a current driver’s license, state ID, or passport, along with certified birth certificates for both parties. The marriage license is valid for 30 days, both people must appear in person to fill out the application, and a 24-hour waiting period is required by law between issuance and the ceremony—though if both parties reside outside of Louisiana and the services will occur in Orleans Parish and be performed by a registered Orleans officiant, that officiant can waive this waiting period.
If you’re not local, these logistical details are easy to miss. That’s one of the biggest reasons to hire a planner who lives and breathes New Orleans—they’ll know which streets flood during a rainstorm, which venues have generator backup, and which weekends to avoid entirely. For general trip planning and visitor resources, the official New Orleans tourism website is an excellent starting point.
FAQs: event planning in New Orleans
When should I hire a New Orleans event planner?
Aim to hire at least six to 12 months in advance, especially if your event falls during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or the fall wedding season. Popular planners book up quickly, so the earlier you start, the better your options.
How much does an event planner cost in New Orleans?
Costs vary widely depending on the scope of your event, but event planners typically charge 15–20% of your overall event budget. Some offer flat-rate packages, while others work on a tiered system based on services. Many New Orleans planners offer complimentary consultations, so don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss your budget upfront.
Do I need a planner if my venue has a coordinator?
A venue coordinator focuses on the property itself—making sure the space is set up correctly, managing the venue’s staff, and handling logistics specific to that location. An independent event planner manages your entire event vision, coordinates all vendors, and advocates for you throughout the process. They’re two different roles, and having both gives you the best coverage.
Why hire a local New Orleans planner versus bringing someone from out of town?
Local planners have established vendor relationships, understand neighborhood-specific regulations and logistics, know which permits you’ll need and how long they take, and can troubleshoot city-specific challenges like weather and traffic in real time. That institutional knowledge is hard to replicate.
Great events start with standout spaces—and the people who bring them to life
New Orleans is a city that rewards bold, creative event planning. The planners on this list bring decades of combined experience, deep local knowledge, and a genuine passion for making your vision a reality—whether that’s a multicultural wedding at the New Orleans Museum of Art, a corporate activation that competes with every other event in town, a rustic reception at a rustic barn venue in New Orleans, or an intimate celebration in a Garden District courtyard. Pair that expertise with the right New Orleans event venue, and you’ve got the foundation for something truly unforgettable.
If you have feedback on our list, our team would love to hear from you. Reach us at [email protected] with suggestions, corrections, or additions.
