As any married couple will attest, the venue can make or break a wedding. In addition to finding a gorgeous space, it’s important to find a venue that provides top-notch service and all of the elements you want for your Big Day, from delicious cuisine to lighting, music and more.
This collection of iconic, modern, traditional and contemporary wedding and reception venues are tops in the city, and they feature a wide variety of offerings to make your wedding day truly unforgettable.
The Eliza Jane
This new, one-of-a-kind boutique hotel is built within nine historic warehouses with a 1,785-square-foot event space (with exposed brick walls and decorative moldings) and a 2,000-square-foot open-air interior courtyard, both of which are ideal for elegant weddings and receptions. Full catering is offered through the hotel’s signature restaurant, Couvant, which focuses on classic French brasserie fare. 315 Magazine St., 504.882.1234, hyatt.com
Laurenia Ballroom at Pythian Market
New to the New Orleans scene is the Laurenia Ballroom at Pythian Market, located within the historic Pythian Temple in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District. The 3,500-square-foot indoor space can accommodate up to 253 people (or 150 people for a seated meal) and features hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and restored ironwork from the original building, plus an additional events area called 2three4, a commercially equipped kitchen and a bridal suite. 234 Loyola Ave., 504.459.4005, pythianmarket.com
The Parlor at the Pontchartrain
The Parlor at the Pontchartrain is a newly designed space that is a great option for smaller weddings and receptions (up to 50 people). The historic venue features 2,790 square feet of space, brick walls, stenciled concrete floors, French toile wallpaper and crystal chandeliers; event catering is provided by QED Hospitality. 2031 St. Charles Ave., 504.941.9000, thepontchartrainhotel.com
Race + Religious
This relic of old Louisiana, built using bricks molded from Mississippi River mud, and baked along Tchoupitoulas Street, contains 6,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and accommodates up to 275 guests for a cocktail-style reception (or 150 guests for a seated dinner). Featuring a combination of three historic buildings—a Greek Revival row house, slave quarters and a Creole cottage, all connected by a lush courtyard with pool and gas lamp lighting—there’s no shortage of unique spaces for you and your guests to celebrate the day or night away. 510 Race St., 504.523.0890, raceandreligious.com
Marigny Opera House
Weddings at the Marigny Opera House directly benefit this performing arts venue, so you can also feel great about supporting a local arts program. The repurposed church, located in Faubourg Marigny and designed by French architect Theodore Giraud, was constructed in 1853 and features theatrical lighting. Solange Knowles and Alan Ferguson even tied the knot at this Baroque-style former church. 725 St. Ferdinand St., 504.948.9998, marignyoperahouse.org
Southern Oaks Plantation
This award-winning Southern Oaks Plantation is the quintessential venue for an Antebellum-style wedding. The mansion, beautifully-manicured grounds and the unparalleled service are hard to beat. The Ceremony Collection includes a garden-style, 30-minute ceremony on the front lawn of the plantation, while the New Orleans Reception Collection features a three-hour rental of the entire property, hors d’oeuvres and entrées, an open bar, candle-lit centerpieces, sound system and DJ, and much more. 7816 Hayne Blvd., 504-242-0555, southernoaksplantation.com
Messina’s At The Terminal
Located inside the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Messina’s at the Terminal provides numerous spaces that come alive with the timeless elegance of the 1930s. The Art Deco venue, which was restored to its original glory in 2013, features murals by renowned Spanish-American artist Xavier Gonzalez. Choose from The Atrium and the adjoining Terrace, a gorgeous space with terrazzo floors and carefully restored vintage decor, or dance the night away in The Walnut Room, which shines with walnut wood walls, expansive windows and beautiful pendant chandeliers. 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., 504.241.5300, messinascatering.com
Il Mercato
Embodying elegance and sophistication, with a hint of Spanish flair, Il Mercato in the Lower Garden District is a happening spot for romantic weddings and receptions with 8,500 square feet of event space. The distinct venue features a 3,500-square-foot private courtyard surrounding an outdoor fireplace and 5,000 square feet of indoor space, including a ballroom with herringbone wood floors and Italianate chandeliers, an intimate library and a women’s lounge. Il Mercato can accommodate up to 450 guests for a cocktail-style reception, up to 225 guests for a seated dinner or 250 guests for a wedding ceremony. 1911 Magazine St., 504.827.2400, ilmercatoevents.com
The Chicory
A perfect combination of old-world charm and modern amenities, The Chicory features a 25,000-square-foot event space—including a wedding suite and new balcony—and can easily accommodate 600 guests. The former coffee warehouse, with its exposed beams, brick walls, wrought iron details and gas lanterns, provides a gorgeous backdrop for an open and airy wedding and reception. The rooftop space is a spectacular place for photos, with panoramic views of the Warehouse District. 610 S. Peters St., 504.521.8055, chicoryvenue.com
The Cannery
Another ideal location for large weddings and receptions is The Cannery, a 12,000-square-foot venue in Mid-City offering modern spaces for today’s couples. The space, which formerly served as a warehouse for the American Can Company, was renovated in June 2012 and now acts as a high-tech, luxurious venue with an open floor plan that allows for customized decor. The Cannery can accommodate up to 200 guests for a seated dinner or up to 700 guests (with the addition of an outdoor tent) for a cocktail reception. 3803 Toulouse St., 504.486.8351, cannerynola.com
