New Orleans Area Justice of the Peace

 The city of New Orleans has no Justice of the Peace, only the parishes next to the city. Having served as Justice of the Peace in the area north of the city of New Orleans for four years I performed a lot of weddings. As a non-denominational minister when I retired I started doing weddings in the French Quarter. Often I am asked to do a simple civil ceremony as I did as Justice of the Peace. My feee for a simple wedding near my home is a lot less then one in the French Quarter. My fee is based on date, time, and location. Hotels in the French Quarter and parking gets expensive so a parking fee is charged. If the couple just want to get married I can do a simple civil ceremony near my home at a near by park. If you or someone you know just wants a simple ceremony contact me for info on a discount fee if they come to me rather then me going to them. Witnesses and a marriage license are needed.



New Orleans Metro Area Weddings & Elopements


  Chaplain Jerry Schwehm served as Justice of the Peace in 1990 to 1994 in  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 (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. He may be contacted at his e-mail, jerryschwehm@yahoo.com.   Answer service 504/617-6359


More info and help on the web page at: www.figstreet.com/guesthouse/weddings.html



I am listed in several wedding officiant groups like this is one and Martha Stewart Weddings list.

  I am a member and president moderator of the AAWO, a professional wedding officiants group.

The Boot: "Something Old and Something New Wedding traditions through the years, as remembered by Dr. Jerry Schwehm"

 A Louisiana publication that states "our goal is to capture the essence of the people of Louisiana and celebrate our rich, diverse culture. We hope to enlighten our audience through our tales about the many exciting facets of life in Louisiana...." Interviewed me recently and came out with a nice article on Louisiana weddings. Here is an excerpt and link to the full story.

"Dr. Jerry Schwehm, a New Orleans native and oft-requested Justice of the Peace, states this having conducted 17 years worth of personalized wedding ceremonies in the Greater New Orleans area.

"Just like all the stories we grow up with, we all want to live "happily ever after." Every bride wants to begin married life with the best sendoff possible, and none are better than the traditions we grew up with," said Schwehm."

 More available at this link: http://www.thebootmagazine.com/article.php?cat=fashion&id=14

Helpful Info To Plan An Elopement In New Orleans

Here is a list of the people and services who help plan weddings. Fig Street Weddings, New Orleans, La. and the American Association of Wedding Officiants, www.aawo.org.

1. Fig Street Weddings
(504) 617-6359
Category: Elope to New Orleans

Web page with lots of helpful info to plan a wedding in New Orleans. Former Justice of the Peace and retired Minister who does weddings in New Orleans.
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Places to have elopements in New Orleans.


2. Pirates Alley Cafe
622 Pirates Aly
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 524-9332
Categories: Restaurants, Bars



9/7/2009
Walk down, take pictures, drink a glass of wine, buy a book, sit and talk. You can get married here too. The merchants keep the area clean and are friendly stop in and say hello to Tony and Joe.

3. City Park
1 Palm Dr
New Orleans, LA 70124
(504) 482-4888
Categories: Parks, Stadiums & Arenas

9/7/2009
Large, beautiful park with many aspects from large stand of Oak trees, to plants and flowers, art, small train. Much to do, even get married here.

4. Jackson Square
506 C Saint Peter St
New Orleans, LA 70116

Category: Parks

9/7/2009
Sit, stroll, elope, get married, eat lunch, meet friends in the best spot in the Quarter.
No bikes, no dogs, no drugs, well policed park.

5. Audubon Zoological Gardens
6500 Magazine St
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 581-4629
Categories: Cinema, Aquariums, Zoos, Tours


9/7/2009
Zoo, park, golf course, restaurant, jogging trail, river front park, many things to see and do here even get married.

6. Maison Dupuy Hotel
1001 Toulouse St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 586-8000
Category: Hotels

9/7/2009
Beautiful hotel in the Quarter, good food and a nice place for a wedding.


7. Bourbon Orleans Wyndham Hotel
717 Orleans Ave
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 527-0408
Category: Hotels



9/7/2009
Comfortable, Friendly are two words that describe this hotel in the heart of the Quarter. Great for weddings too.



8. Place D'armes Hotel
625 Saint Ann St
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 524-4531
Category: Hotels



9/7/2009
Older centrally located small hotel with great rates. Courtyard is nice especially for an elopement.

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