Friday, December 31, 2010

Can I Have A Friend Perform The Wedding Ceremony?




Sometimes I am asked if a friend can officiate the wedding. Most states require that a person who officiates a wedding be a minister or judge. That officiant also must be registered to perform weddings in the place the wedding is done. The registration process is sometimes difficult and has legal issues. I have read on some web pages that you can have a friend "ordained" on the web, register, then perform the ceremony. That is a lot of paper work and risky at times so I offer to allow the friend participate in the ceremony avoiding the need to become a minister for a day. I find that when family and friends help out in a ceremony by either being a reader or master of ceremonies that the audience is more attentive. Just me standing there reciting things is not as entertaining as having a dear friend stand up and read a poem or tell a story. Grandparents are wonderful at that sort of thing. I do not think going through the paper work of an ordination for a day is necessary. The friend or family member can participate and assist in the ceremony and no risky web page ordination is necessary. I often tell couples be sure that the person doing the ceremony is registered and capable to avoid future issues like learning the friend gets too nervous to speak  or somehow discover the marriage was not legal. As I am a professional wedding officiant I do not assist in having people ordained on the web to perform a friend's ceremony. That is what I do, weddings, for a living. A friend can assist in the service if the couple desires they have a part to play.

 A recent news article says to be cautious with having a friend be ordained simply to do a friends wedding, it may not be legal see: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/fashion/weddings/making-sure-that-online-officiant-is-legal.html

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Elope and save money and stress



Often couples contact me as I have a web page that says you can get married for under $300 at a historic spot or a beautiful public park. They do not desire to go through the stress and planning of a large wedding with a lot of expense so they call and e-mail me about details of something simple, nice, but cheap. Over the last 15 years I have tried to help those couples out by finding nice spots where up to ten people can gather and we do a small wedding. Most public parks allow picnics and most elopements are actually smaller than a picnic. We find a spot,  gather together and do a short legal wedding ceremony to comply with law and they are married. After that couples like to do something special. Some take a cruise or head to a nice restaurant or a carriage ride in the French Quarter. A simple elopement removes the stress and expense of a large wedding. I also do large weddings at many local places but have discovered a lot of couples would rather just get married in a nice spot but not a Court House.
 Several lovely parks, the lake front, and other spots are available in New Orleans for elopements. I also have used several nice areas in the French Quarter and along the river. If the public can gather for a family function then a simple elopement is also allowed. If you have any questions e-mail for details.

 See this web page for more details: http://www.figstreet.com/guesthouse/weddings.html

Thursday, November 11, 2010

New Orleans Area Weddings Rental Halls

New Orleans
Weddings Rental Halls

Wedding Venues In New Orleans
Places to Get Married
Weddings In New Orleans




Alphabetical List of Some New Orleans
Area Rental Halls, Hotels and Restaurants

That Have Weddings In New Orleans, Louisiana



Chaplain Schwehm has celebrated a wedding ceremony at most of these locations. Ask him about them. Some rent out for weddings some for food service. There are a few that are free to use with purchase of food service. Some local parks have free spots for small elopements. Each has different levels of decor and service.  Some are easy to get to via streetcar. ChaplainSchwehm@figstreet.com



American Legion Post 175

504-833-8775


2431 Metairie Road Metairie

LA 70001







American Legion Post 267

504-833-7984
3001 River Road Jefferson

LA 70121
American Legion Post 350

504-835-3686
1023 Ridgewood Drive Metairie

LA 70001











Andrea's Restaurant 504-834-8583


3100 19th Street Metairie

LA 70002





Antoines Restaurant 504-581-4044


713 Saint Louis Street New

Orleans LA 70130





Arnauds Restaurant

504-522-8767


French Quarter New

Orleans LA 70140





Audubon Tea Room 504-861-5101

6500 Magazine Street New

Orleans LA 70118









Audubon Cottages


(Part of the Maison D'Ville Hotel)


727 Rue Toulouse


New Orleans, LA 70130


T: 504.561.5858


http://www.maisondeville.com/







Augie's Glass Garden Restaurant 504-835-3300





Avenue Plaza Hotel & Spa

504-566-1212


2111 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans LA









Bacco Restaurant

504-522-2426


310 Chartres Street New

Orleans LA 70130




The Balcony 504-885-8001


4738 Utica Street Metairie

LA 70006





Begues Restaurant 504-586-0300


300 Bourbon Street New

Orleans LA 70130









Bella Luna Restaurant 504-529-1583
closed
914 N Peters Street New

Orleans LA 70116


www.bellalunarestaurant.com








Benachi House 504-525-7040


2257 Bayou Rd. Street New

Orleans LA


http://www.nolabb.com/









Bourbon Orleans Hotel 504-558-3807


717 Orleans Street New

Orleans LA 70116


Bourbon Vieux Room 504-566-0501


501 Bourbon Street New

Orleans LA 70130





Brennan's Restaurant

504-525-7023


417 Royal Street New

Orleans LA 70130









Broussard's Restaurant 504-581-3866


819 Conti Street New Orleans LA





Cannon's Restaurant 504-891-3200


4141 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans LA 70115




Caribbean Room 504-524-0581


2031 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans LA 70130





Carlone's 504-838-9906


100 N Labarre Road Metairie

LA





Carmelo Ristorante 504-586-1414


541 Decatur Street New

Orleans LA 70130











Chart House Restaurant

504-523-2015


801 Chartes Street New

Orleans LA 70116





Chateau East 504-241-3587


5740 Bundy Rd New Orleans

LA







Chateau Sonesta Hotel 504-586-0800


800 Iberville Street New

Orleans LA 70130






City Park
504-488-2896

1 Palm Dr. New

Orleans LA










The Coulumns Hotel 504-899-9308


3811 St. Charles Ave. New

Orleans LA 70115


Crystal Plantation 504-467-1636


2716 Indiana Av. Kenner LA

70062





Dauphine Orleans Hotel 504-586-1800


415 Dauphine Street New Orleans LA 70112






Degas House 504-821-5009


2306 Esplanade Ave New

Orleans LA





Dimaggio's Rose Garden 504-737-1300


5616 Citrus Blvd. Jefferson LA

70123





Dominique's Restaurant 504-522-8000
New Management New Name


1001 Toulouse Street New

Orleans LA 70112





Doubletree Hotel 504-581-1300


300 Canal Street New

Orleans LA 70130






Elms Mansion 504-895-5493


3029 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans LA

70115





English Turn 504-392-2200


One Clubhouse Dr. New Orleans

LA








Fair Grounds 504-944-5515


1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans

LA 70119







Fairmont Hotel 504-529-7111
New Roosevelt Hotel now


123 Baronne Street New Orleans LA

70122






Farhad Grotto 504-737-0604


2310 Hickory Ave. New Orleans

LA 70123










Fine Arts Center 504-269-3922


1733 Constantinople Street New Orleans

LA 70115








Five Happiness Imperials Room

504-486-0820


3511 South Carrollton Ave. New Orleans

LA 70118









Food Art


504-524-2381


801 Carondolet Street New Orleans

LA 70130


www.foodartinc.com





Gallier Hall 504-565-7457


545 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans LA

70115





Hard Rock Café


504-529-5617


418 Peters Street New Orleans

LA 70130








Historic French Market Inn


504-561-5621


501 Decatur Street New Orleans

LA 70130


http://www.frenchmarketinn.com/












Holiday Inn/Chateau Le Moyne


504-581-1303


301 Dauphine Street


New Orleans


LA


70131












Holiday Inn/French Quarter


504-529-7211


124 Royal Street


New Orleans


LA


70112






Hotel Chateau Dupre


504-569-0600


131 Decatur Street New Orleans

LA 70130





Hotel Monteleone


504-523-3341


214 Royal Street New Orleans

LA 70130





Hyatt Hotels & Resorts


504-561-1234


500 Poydras Plaza New Orleans LA 70113





India Palace


504-889-2436


3322 Turnbull Drive Metairie

LA 70002


www.indiapalacerestaurant.com







Jackson Square


French Quarter New Orleans, LA.


New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways


504/286-2100







June El's Reception and Conference Center


504-246-4142


10901 Chef Menteur Hwy New Orleans

LA







Jefferson Orleans South


504-454-6105


2536 Edenborn Av. Metairie LA

70002





Kelsey's Restaurant


504-897-6722


3923 Magazine Street New Orleans

LA 70115








Kenner Pavilion, Kenner City

Park


38oo Loyola Dr.


Kenner, La.


City of Kenner









Lakewood Country Club


504-393-2610


4801 General De Gualle Dr. New Orleans

LA 70131





Landmark Hotel


504-888-9500


2601 Severn Av. New Orleans LA

70002







Landry's Seafood House
Also on the Lake Front


504-558-0038


400 North Peters Street New Orleans

LA 70130









LePavillion Hotel


504-581-3111


833 Poydras Street New Orleans

LA 70112








Louis XVI Restaurant


504-581-7000


730 Bienville Street New Orleans

LA






Maison Dupuy Hotel


504-586-8000


1001 Toulouse Street


New Orleans LA 70112









Hotel Maison de Ville


727 Rue Toulouse


New Orleans, LA 70130


T: 504.561.5858


http://www.maisondeville.com/





Mardi Gras World


504-361-7821


233 Newton Street


New Orleans


LA


70114





Margaritaville Café


504-592-2565


1104 Decatur Street New Orleans

LA 70116












Michaul's Cajun Restaurant


504-522-5517


840 St. Charles Avenue


New Orleans


LA







Mid-City Lanes Rock 'N Bowl


504-482-3133


S Carrolton Avenue New Orleans

LA 70119





Mike Andersons Seafood Restaurant


504-524-3884


215 Bourbon Street New Orleans

LA 70131









Muses Bed and Breakfast 504/522-7976


1455 Magazine St. New Orleans, LA.





Monteleone Hotel 504-523-3341


214 Royal Street New Orleans

LA 70131





Musee Conti Wax Museum


504-525-2605


917 Conti Street


New Orleans


LA





New Orleans Yacht Club


504-283-2581


403 North Raodway Street


New Orleans LA 70124








New Orleans Board of Trade Events Center


316

Board of Trade Place


New Orleans, Louisiana 70130,


(504) 915-0221


http://neworleansbot.com/







Omni Royal Crescent Hotel


504-527-0006


535 Gravier Street


New Orleans


LA


70130






Omni Royal Orleans Hotel


504-529-5333


621 Saint Louis Street New Orleans

LA 70131








Ormond Country Club


504-466-8881


10 Villere Drive


Destrehan


LA


70047





Ormond Plantation


504-764-8544


8407 River Road


Destrehan


LA


70047





Partysist


504-488-4234


8020 Olive Street New Orleans LA








Pat O'Brien Private Parties


504-561-1200


624 Bourbon Street New Orleans

LA 70130







Pirates Alley Cafe


622 Pirates Alley, New Orleans , La.















Place D'Armes Hotel


625 St. Anne St. New Orleans, La.


1-800-366-2743


http://www.placedarmes.com/





Poche Plantation


225-562-7728


6554 La Hwy 44 Convent

LA





Pontchatrain Center


504-465-9985


4545 Williams Blvd. Kenner

LA 70065





Presidential Palace


504-467-3500


1800 Vintage Drive Kenner

LA 70065





Radisson Hotel New Orleans


504-522-4500


1500 Canal Street New Orleans

LA 70112




Ramada Hotel


504-566-1200


2203 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans

LA





Red Fish Grill Banquet Sales


504-598-3474


240 Chartres Street New Orleans

LA 70130





Rhythms


504-523-3800


227 Bourbon Street New Orleans

LA 70131





Ridgeway Banquet Facility


504-833-2800


2431 Metairie Road New Orleans

LA 70001











The Ritz Carlton New Orleans


504-524-1331


921 Canal Street New Orleans

LA






Riverview Room


504-525-3000


Jackson Brewery New Orleans

LA





Rose Garden of Jefferson


504-737-1300


5616 Citrus Blvd. New Orleans

LA 70123






Rosy's Jazz Hall


504-896-7679


500 Valence Street New Orleans

LA






Royal Sonesta Hotel


504-586-0300


300 Bourbon Street New Orleans

LA 70130





Sclafani's Restaurant


504-241-4472


9900 Hayne Blvd. New Orleans LA

70127





Shalimar Indian Cuisine


504-523-0099


535 Wilkinson Street New Orleans

LA






Sheraton New Orleans Hotel 504-595-5578


500 Canal Street New Orleans

LA

70130





Smilies Plantation Room


504-733-3000


5725 Jefferson Highway New Orleans

LA 70123









Southern Oaks Plantation


504-245-8221


7816 Hayne Blvd.


New Orleans LA 70126










Spanish Plaza Fountain


Canal St. at the River









St. Charles Restaurant & Catering


504-522-6600


333 St. Charles Avenue New

Orleans LA 70130





Stonebridge Country Club


504-394-8896


1500 Stonebridge Drive Gretna

LA 70056










Venusian Gardens (504) 943-7446


2601

Chartres Street


New Orleans LA 70117





The Walnut Room 504-241-2561


New Orleans Lakefront Airport New Orleans

LA







University Park Lions Home

504-466-9031


523 W Esplanade Avenue Kenner

LA













W Hotel New Orleans 504-525-9444


333 Poydras Street New Orleans LA





Windsor Court Hotel 504-523-6000


300 Gravier Street New

Orleans LA 70130











Woodland Plantation


1-800-231-1514


21997 HWY 23 Myrtle

Grove LA 70083






New Orleans Fig Street Weddings

Jerry Kenneth Schwehm 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 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 in Fig Street Studio, or a park in Slidell, LA.. He may be contacted at www.figstreet.com/weddings

Copyright © 2003 [Fig Street, LLC]. All rights reserved.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Poems At A Wedding


Nothing set the mood at a wedding ceremony better than a poem. Couples should choose a poem that represents them, what they feel about marriage, or a sentiment they share. There are many poems on the web at several links and a few favorites listed below.


A Marriage
By Michael Blumenthal


You are holding up a ceiling
with both arms. It is very heavy,
but you must hold it up, or else
it will fall down on you. Your arms
are tired, terribly tired,
and, as the day goes on, it feels
as if either your arms or the ceiling
will soon collapse.

But then,
unexpectedly,
something wonderful happens:
Someone,
a man or a woman,
walks into the room
and holds their arms up
to the ceiling beside you.

So you finally get
to take down your arms.
You feel the relief of respite,
the blood flowing back
to your fingers and arms.
And when your partner's arms tire,
you hold up your own
to relieve him again.

And it can go on like this
for many years
without the house falling.



The fountains mingle with the river, and the rivers with the ocean; The winds of heaven mix forever, with the sweet emotion; Nothing in the world is single; all things by a law divine in one another's being mingle. Why not I with thing?


All love is sweet. Given or returned. Common as light is love. And its familiar voice wearies not ever. They who inspire it most are fortunate, As I am now but those who feel it most are happier still


A- Percy Bysshe Shelly



But to see her was to love her, love but her, and love her forever

Robert Burns


Come when my heart is full of grief, Or when my heart is merry; Come with the falling of the leaf, or with the reddening cherry

Paul Laurence Dunbar


Look not in my eyes, for fear
They mirror true the sight I see, And there you find your face too clear, And love it and be lost like me

A. E. Housman


Thou wert my joy in every spot, My theme in every song, And when I saw a stranger face Where beauty held the claim, I gave it like a secret grace The being of thy name. And all the charms of a face or voice Which I in others see Are but the recollected choice Of what I felt for thee

John Clare


What love is, if though wouldst be taught, Thy heart must teach along-, two souls with but a single thought, Two hearts that beat as one

Friedrich Halm


Just because I love you- That's reason why. My heart's a fluttering aspen leaf, When you pass by.

Langston Hughes


O my luve's like a red, red rose. That's newly sprung in June; O my luve's like a melodie That's sweetly play'd in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will love thee still, my Dear, Till a' the seas gang dry. Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear, and the rocks melt wi' th the sun: I will luve thee still, my Dear, While the sands o' life shall run. And fare thee weel my only Luve! And fare thee weel a while! And I will come gain, my Luve, Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

Robert Burns


Fame, wealth, and honor! What are you to Love?

Alexander Pope


Were I as base as is the lowly plain,
And you, my Love, as high as heaven above,
Yet should the thoughts of me, your humble swain,
Ascend to heaven in honor of my love.
Were I as high as heaven above plain,
And you, my Love, as humble and as low
As are the deepest bottoms of the main,
Wheresoe'er you were, with you my love shouuld go.
Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies,
My love should shine on you like to the sun,
And look upon you with ten thousand eyes
Till heaven waxed blind, and till the world were dun.
Wheresoe'er I am, below, or else above you,
Wheresoe'er you are, my heart shall truly love you.

Joshua Sylvester


We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides;
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides.

Matthew Arnold


Our state cannot be severed, we are one, one flesh; to lose thee were to lose myself

John Milton


So shall a friendship fill each heart, with perfume sweet as roses are, That even though we be apart, We'll scent the fragrance from afar.

Georgia McCoy


If a thing loves, it is infinite

William Blake


Kisses are better fate than wisdom

E. E. Cummings




That old miracle-Love at first sight- Needs no explanations. The heart reads aright Its destiny sometimes.

Owen Meredith


They sin who tell us love can die; With life all other passions fly, All others are but vanity.

Robert southey


I do not know what it is about you that closes and opens; Only something n me understands the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses.

E. E. Cummings


There is not a breathing of the common wind that will forget thee

William Wordsworth


The more of my poor heart you take, The larger grows my heart! And, since some target I must show for cupids cruel dart, Oh, if mine own you deign to keep, Then give me your sweet heat!

Edmond Rostand


O, thou art fairer than the evening air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars

Christopher Marlowe


Love! the surviving gift of Heaven, The choicest sweet of Paradise, In life's else bitter cup distilled

Thomas Campbell


Long after moments of closeness have passed, a part of you remains with me. And warms the places your hands have touched and hastens my heart for your return

Robert Sexton


Listen, I will be honest with you
I do not offer the old smooth prizes
But offer rough new prizes
These are the days that must happen to you:
You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve.
However sweet the laid up stores,
However convenient the dwelling, you shall not remain there.
However sheltered the port, however calm the waters, you shall not anchor there.
However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you,
You are permitted to receive it but a little while Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road
Healthy, free, the world before you the long brown path before you, leading wherever you choose.
Say only to one another:
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money; I give you myself before preaching and law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?

Walt Whitman


Living the Good Life

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy not respectable, and wealthy not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to the stars and the birds, to babes and sages with open heart; to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.

Reverend William Henry Channing




wonder, by my troth, what thou and I did till we lov'd


Love, all alike, no season knows, nor clime, Nor hours, days, months, which are the rage of time


Twice or thrice had I loved thee, Before I knew thy face or name; So in a shapeless flame angels affect us oft, and worshipped be; Still when to where thou wert, I came. Some lovely glorious nothing I did see, But since my soul, whose child love is, Takes limbs of flesh, and else could nothing do, More subtle than the parent is Love must not be, but take a body too; And therefore what thou wert, and who, I bid Love ask, and now. That it assume thy body, I allow, and fix itself in the lip, eye , and brow


Love's mysteries in soul's do grow. But yet the body is his book


My face in thine eyes, thine in mine appears, And true plain hearts do in the faces rest; Where can we find two better hemispheres, Without sharp north, without declining west? Whatever dies, was not mixed equally; If our two loves be one, or thou and I. Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die.




SAVE THE DATE- personalized party and wedding invitations


Save The Date customized notes and custom wedding invitations are easy to order off the web. Using resources found on the web, (yes you can Google most anything now days), a great looking Save The Date wedding or other party notice or invtation to wedding and rehearsal dinner can be created. Several artists are available to help via e-mail and several web based printers allow you to add or edit text right over the web. For example Fig Street Art Studio at its Zazzle Shop has several already made designs ready to add date, time and particulars. If you like the Fleur De Lis there are many to choose from but a lot of other artists at Zazzle have customized wedding invites and save the date cards available. Just follow the links to see all of them.
Why stop with note cards? Personalized wedding Save the Date, wedding Invitations, party gifts are available. The artists also have customizable refrigerator magnets you can send, cards, shirts, and ceramic tiles. Take a look at these links for other products. Fig Street Studio Cafe Press and Fig Street Studio Zazzle.








Friday, August 13, 2010

Questions to ask about your wedding Officiant.


Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Officiant Before You Book The Wedding

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 the officiant performing another wedding. Ask if they are members of any religious or professional organization, like the American Association of Wedding Officiants.. Some officiants have no formal training but just got ordained on the web to perform weddings. Be selective and get references if possible. Be sure to know if who you contact is an officiant in your state and not a referral agency who sends your request to an officiant for a fee.

Get Married in Pirates Alley New Orleans

Weddings In New Orleans







You can elope to New Orleans and get married in a famous spot in the French Quarter as easy as showing up with a proper marriage license. Pirate's Alley, as many call it, was originally named Orleans Alley but locals always called it Pirate Alley as Pirates were always ending up there. The St. Louis Cathedral is to the right. On the left, is the Cabildo (the Old Spanish Governor's Mansion), and directly behind the Cabildo was the Spanish Jail. The alley is one block long, and extends from Chartres St. at Jackson Square to Royal St. Halfway down the alley, a lamppost marks its intersection by Cabildo Alley, which extends (the width of the Cabildo) to St. Peter St. near the Gumbo Shop. This is likely one of the most famous lampposts of the French Quarter, as it has been photographed and painted many times. Read about the first wedding and Ghost in Pirates Alley here: Pirates Alley Wedding History

You will meet Dr. Schwehm at Pirates Alley Cafe where we can secure 2 witnesses if necessary and proceed to the famous Pirates Alley Lamp Post and then conduct a simple wedding ceremony.

Pirates Alley Elopement Package with Dr. Schwehm Officiating is $295.00

Additional locations are available for simple elopements just ask.

MAP to Pirates Alley, French Quarter, New Orleans---



View Larger Map


New Orleans Marriage License Information

It is possible to get married in New Orleans in one day as long as all of the State Offices are open. Either the bride or groom before may obtain the license from the State Office of Vital Records or other Parish Clerks of Court offices before the ceremony is conducted. The New Orleans Office is no longer open on Saturday. Identification is required along with authentic copies of birth certificates and any divorce judgments. An application for marriage license form is found on the web. In some cities there is a three-day waiting period. In New Orleans a Minister or Judge can waive the waiting period in writing for non-residents when good reasons exist. No medical tests are necessary. The license is good for 30 days. You must present the license to the person doing the ceremony in advance as it requires the officiant to complete some portions in black ink only. A ceremony must be conducted before 2 adult witnesses who also sign the certificates. The cost of the license is just under $30.00 paid to the State. For further information contact the office located near the New Orleans City Hall:

1450 Poydras St.
Benson Towers
New Orleans, LA

Hours: Mon.- Fri 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

NOTICE: Vital Records Central Office will offer walk-in services at Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA. Vital Records Customer Serivce Call Center can be reached at 504-593-5100 . You can also get a marriage license at Second City Court, Algiers or the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Courts Office or any Clerk of Court in Louisiana.

New Orleans City Parks and Weddings


Weddings In New Orleans
Easy To Elope

Many little park like spots to have an elopement in New Orleans.


New Orleans has many City Parks with many beautiful acres to offer wedding couples a taste of the city’s historical past in its natural settings with old oak trees, bayous, bridges, walk ways, gardens, and art. City Park once the site of Allard Plantation facing Bayou St. John, located at the intersection of Carrollton and City Park Avenues in the Mid-City area of New Orleans is the largest park.. Hurricane Katrina has damaged some areas of the Park and some places have not re-opened. It is best to see the location you want to use in person to determine if it meets your needs. Many intimate spots in City Park are available to do weddings. There are also beautiful places in the Park to rent for a large wedding like Pops Fountain and the Botanical Gardens. The City Park Commission should be contacted for rental fees. For a small weekend elopement or before a cruise departing from New Orleans there are other little out of the way places where a small wedding can take place, lovely walkways, large oak trees, fountains, small bridges, and statues. Most open public places can be used for a small simple elopement. If you desire a larger wedding and a reserved spot you can contact City Park at their web page or call them. New Orleans has many little parks and places that are free to use for a small wedding. Parks along the lake front, spots in the French Quarter, along the river, and small parks throughout the city. Just e-mail me for a list of nice places for a small elopement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


New Orleans Marriage License Information











It is possible to be married on the same day you get your license. Either the bride or groom before may obtain the license from the State Office of Vital Records at 1450 Poydras St, New Orleans, or other Parish Clerks of Court offices before the ceremony is conducted.  Identification is required along with authentic copies of birth certificates and any divorce judgments. In some cities there is a three-day waiting period. In New Orleans a Minister or Judge can waive the waiting period in writing for non-residents when good reasons exist. No medical tests are necessary. The license is good for 30 days. You must present the license to the person doing the ceremony in advance as it requires the officiant to complete some portions in black ink only. A ceremony must be conducted before 2 adult witnesses who also sign the certificates. The cost of the license is just under $30.00 paid to the State. For further information contact the office located near the City Hall:



ORLEANS PARISH MARRIAGE LICENSE OFFICE

The Orleans Parish Marriage License Office is 1450 Poydras St at Super Dome. -- just a short drive from the French Quarter, Uptown, Garden District and the CBD. The phone number is


504-539-5116


Another close to the French Quarter the Second City Court at 225 Morgan Street on the west bank in New Orleans. It is a nice ferry ride across the Mississippi River (pedestrians ride for free, automobiles only $1.00) from the Canal Street Ferry Landing,by River Wall MAll. It is a half city block to the court building with a clock tower. This office closes at 3:00PM, so arrive no later than 2:15PM. Phone number is (504) 368-4099 to verify times.

World Largest Stand Of Oak Trees

City Park has over 14,000 trees that are greater than 4 inches in diameter.  The oldest between 600 -800 years old.

 Along with the largest stand of Live Oak tress in the USA City Park has the Dueling Oaks where men fought duels. For details see http://www.duellingoaks.com/



"    " The Duelling Oaks in City Park have seen some of the most colorful scenes in New Orleans' history. For years sword clanged against sword and bullets streaked between the ancient trees.
     An article in the Times-Democrat, March 13, 1892, said, "Blood has been shed under the old cathedral aisles of nature. Between 1834 and 1844 scarcely a day passed without duels being fought at the Oaks. Why, it would not be strange if the very violets blossomed red of this soaked grass! The lover for his mistress, the gentleman for his honor, the courtier for his King; what loyalty has not cried out in pistol shot and scratch of steel! Sometimes two or three hundred people hurried from the city to witness these human baitings. On the occasion of one duel the spectators could stand no more, drew their swords, and there was a general melee."

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Marriage licenses will not be issued on Saturdays, but you can obtain your marriage license in any Louisiana Parish as you drive into New Orleans.

Visitors can go to the Algiers Court House to get a license using the Canal St. Ferry.

504-368-4099
Hours: 9 am - 3 pm Mon.- Fri


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The 'Peristyle' at City Park.



New Orleans Wedding Minister Information

Jerry Kenneth Schwehm 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 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 in Fig House. He may be contacted at the below e-mail.

Fig Street Weddings
 New Orleans, La. 70125

504/617-6359

weddings@figstreet.com

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Mailing address: 65115 Highway 41, Pearl River, La. 70452
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More info at www.figstreet.com/weddings


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Helpful Links


New Orleans Marriage License

Elope To Pirates Alley

More Information On City Park

Fig Street Art Studio Prints

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

How To Get A Marriage License In New Orleans, LA.


The New Orleans Marriage License Office is now conveniently located in Downtown New Orleans. The Louisiana Office of Vital Records, New Orleans Marriage License Office opened at 1450 Poydras St., Suite 400, New Orleans, La 70112.  Parking is also nearby on street with meters or in a paid parking lot for those with local transportation.. Office hours are posted as 8 AM to 3 PM weekdays only, but licenses are not issued after 3 PM due to the time it takes to complete the paper work. The office is closed weekends and holidays. Couples must bring with them proper identification, a drivers license, Passport, or suitable picture id with certified copies of a birth certificate and divorce. One person can apply if they bring the others documents and information. The Marriage License Office has on its web page details of their policy and forms. Sample information and forms can also be found on this web page- New Orleans Marriage License Information

Couples from out of state can get the license and also get married on the same day in New Orleans if they also obtain a waiver of delay from a judge or Minister registered in New Orleans. This makes New Orleans an easy place to elope to with plenty of pretty places to have a wedding. Some couples book the honeymoon at a French Quarter Hotel or cruise out of New Orleans and get married the day they arrive in the city.
Well over 5,000 marriage licenses were issued in 2003 in New Orleans, and many couples visit New Orleans in the spring to get married from other states.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Biloxi, Gulf Port MS Weddings


Elope to Biloxi Beach Gulf Coast MS see http://ow.ly/1tB1Y

Since Katrina the Mississippi Gulf Coast is all cleaned up and ready for fun and weddings. Recently I had the pleasure of returning to perform several weddings. The beach is great and so to are several restaurants and hotels. Just e-mail me for details on a beach wedding. I am usually so busy in the French Quarter every Saturday that my days are mostly limited to Sunday for a wedding in Biloxi, Gulfport, or Bay St. Louis, but e-mail as I will help as much as I can.

info@figstreet.com

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Elope In Jackson Square

 Fig Street Weddings, elope in Jackson Square. Photo copyrigh... on Twitpic
Elope to Jackson Square in New Orleans, it is easy. All you need for a small ceremony is to contact Fig Street weddings for details on how to rent the Square or use a free spot by one of the gates. Get a marriage license at the Marriage License office at 1010 Common St. New Orleans. Set up a time and date and even select a photographer like Kathleen K. Parker,www.kathleenkparkerphotography.com, who took the above photograph of a couple who eloped to New Orleans. (Photo By Katheleen Parker®)
See for more details- http://www.figstreet.com/guesthouse/jacksonsquarewedding.html

Write Your Own Wedding Vows


Writing your own wedding vows together as a couple can make your marriage more meaningful and fun. Sample guidelines and how to books are on the web yet it is easy with this guideline http://www.figstreet.com/guesthouse/simpleweddingceremony.html. There are traditional elements to a wedding ceremony but a lot of good things to add in making you day special. You can add a poem, song, or personal words to bride, groom, or a special person like a child. Add in parts for children allows them to be a part of the new family and can make them feel special that day.
Here is a page with some helpful hints, Sample Wedding Vows, but there are a lot more available on the web.