Elope To New Orleans French Quarter

 It is simple to get married in a historical setting. Chaplain Jerry Schwehm of Fig Street Weddings with Victoria Broughton of VCB Photography at the spectacular Lamonthe House in the historic French Quarter Courtyard for an elopement for Traci and Kevin. Contact any one of us to schedule your elopement in this beautiful spot.

 Like us on Facebook too. (https://www.facebook.com/ChaplainJKSchwehm)

Irish Cultural Museum: The Boatman's Ghost

The Boatman's Ghost

I did my first wedding ceremony recently in the new Irish Cultural Museum at 933 Conti St, French Quarter, New Orleans. It has a beautiful patio with all the modern conveniences. A sound and light system,  and a cover that can go over the patio if weather is wet. While speaking with the manager I learned it was once the spot where New Orleans Philanthropist John McDonogh lived. And interestingly a ghost seems to visit the gate early each morning. Seems Mr. McDonogh had a boatman that would pick him up and row him across the river to his plantation there. He liked to travel when he wanted and not wait for the then ferry. The ghost boatman is said to stop by to ask for his pay as it is well known Mr McDonogh kept a lot more money in his pocket then he spent. But thanks to his will New Orleans and Baltimore schools got a windfall with his passing. I am never sure about all the ghosts in the Quarter but I can say this when I am there I see and hear a lot of strange things so I would not doubt if you stop by the gate to 933 Conti right before sun up you would see and hear things there like nowhere else.

Here is their web page with more pictures and details. www.icmnola.com

Wedding and Second Line in French Quarter

Jason and Katherine wedding at the Pharmacy Museum in the French Quarter by Dyle films, at Vimeo. They had fun doing a Second Line after the ceremony by Chaplain JK Schwehm.


Katherine and Jason's Wedding Trailer from Dyle Films on Vimeo.

Cafe in Pirates Alley. Place to meet before and after a wedding in New Orleans

Pirates Alley. Nice place to meet before and after a wedding in Jackson Square, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA. Chaplain JK Schwehm, Fig Street Weddings will assist.

 Couples meet at the Pirates Alley Cafe then find a nice spot to get married near Jackson Square for a small romantic elopement. Several spots in the French Quarter are available for an intimate ceremony. Larger weddings need to rent a place but for a few people a nice stand up ceremony can be done in certain public areas,

 A short walk from Pirates Alley are the gates to Jackson Square that also can be used for a short small elopement. More info here- http://frenchquarterweddings.blogspot.com/2010/08/get-married-in-pirates-alley-new.html


 Very short video of area by St Peter St gates to Jackson Square from Youtube.

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View of St Louis Cathedral from spot in Jackson Square, New Orleans. Nice spot for a wedding. Some spots rent out some are free for small elopement.

Gates St Peter St to Jackson Square

Chaplain Jerry Schwehm at gates to Jackson Square simple elopement.

                                    Elopement at gate to Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA..

Photo by Kathleen Parker.

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.


Google Map to Pirates Alley Cafe area   :  MAP Jackson Square Area



View Larger Map

The Ghost In Pirates Alley: Elope To New Orleans

The First Wedding In Pirates Alley New Orleans

The tradition of being married in Pirates Alley in the French Quarter is clouded in secrecy and varies as who tells the tale. One is never sure who was actually the first to get married there but this tale as told to me often during my life is a sure as any tale of pirates, ghosts, and love. Back in the days of the Pirates of Barataria many young men from many places joined in to make a fortune. Called “smugglers” by some, hated by Spain, used by France but admired by Americans as an independent lot who at times would help the poor and ill treated.

I am told one Reginald Hicks, who began as a mere cabin boy on an English ship was taken by some pirates and raised by them. Only a lad in his early teens when captured ultimately raised himself to a first mate of a pirate ship by the time of the War of 1812. He was trusted by all his pirate brethren and their leader Jean Lafitte. He was known to go along with several other men to met with General Jackson to aid the Americans in the Battle of New Orleans, mostly as “cannoneers” as they were very good shots.
Of course Master Hicks was a good looking young man having many a lass looking at him but in his heart was none other but a beautiful Creole French girl, Marie Angel Beauchamp. She too had only thoughts of him and whenever he came into the City they would steal off into the night, keeping their love a secret as it was not permissible for a young Creole Catholic girl to be seeing a Pirate of English extraction.

As things would happen on Master Hicks’ visit to meet with General Jackson he learned that his Marie was expecting their child. He being raised as an English gentleman his first decade of life did not want to leave the city without getting married. His child would have a father and his love would not be scorned for having a child without a husband. All evening they searched in vain for a priest to marry them but most required that they both be Catholic, others would not think of doing a ceremony on such short notice. Eventually they had two options, simply jumping a broom down in Barataria or seeking out a German born baker in the jail who was also an ordained Protestant minister. Master Hicks did not want to take Marie to Barataria which meant she would have to stay and may never see her family and friends in the city again. So they very early in the morning made their way to the Cabildo and asked the jail’s warden if they could speak with the German Minister. He would only allow them to see him through the iron gate facing Orleans Alley. But right there and then they were married. Soon gathered many early arriving workers and some visitors who witnessed the first wedding in Pirates Alley. Documents drawn and signed by a Notary on his way to file others for record at the Cabildo and all present signed making the marriage both Civil and Religious.
Here again the story varies as exactly what happened. What happened to Master Reginald Hicks remains a mystery, some say he was killed in the Battle of New Orleans and seeks out his lovely Marie nightly in Pirates Alley today as a spirit. Others say he and Marie left for Galveston with Pirate Lafitte after Louisiana was sold to America. But if you go to Pirates Alley early in the morning on the right day of the right month you can hear laughter and celebration and wedding bells and a cold breeze passes you by. Could it be the ghost of Master Hicks seeking his bride?

Believe as you may.

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JK Schwehm at Fig Street.

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

Revised: March 25,2009 by the author

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New Orleans Marriage License Information:

   It is possible in New Orleans to get a marriage license and be married in the same day. Brides and Grooms are responsible for obtaining the marriage license from the State of Louisiana  before the wedding ceremony. Either person may obtain the license from the State Office of Vital Records or other Parish Clerks of Court offices. Any valid Louisiana license can allow a ceremony in any Louisiana location. A Louisiana License obtained in Lafayette, Lake Charles, or Baton Rouge, La. is good in New Orleans. The New Orleans Wedding License Office is now open on weekdays from 10:00 to 2:00 but closed Holidays.  Identification is required along with authentic copies of birth certificates and any divorce judgments. In some cities there is a three-day waiting period from the time the license is issued, it can be waived by a judge. In New Orleans the wait can be waived by the minister. Dr. Schwehm can issue waivers when needed for visitors to New Orleans. 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.  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 State Marriage License Office address and phone below. Make New Orleans your wedding destination and get married then enjoy your New Orleans Honeymoon.


MAP OF PIRATES ALLEY

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ORLEANS PARISH MARRIAGE LICENSE OFFICE

1010 Common St
New Orleans, LA
(504) 568-3620
Hours: 8 am - 4 pm Mon.- Call to confirm office hours.

New Orleans French Quarter Weddings

Chaplain Jerry Kenneth Schwehm   served as as Justice of the Peace in 1990 to 1994 in  Slidell, Louisiana 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 (1974) 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 through his web page. 
www.figstreet.com/guesthouse/weddings.html