Your wedding in New Orleans is more than just a celebration of your love – it’s an experience infused with culture, history, and deep-rooted traditions. Whether you’re local or planning a destination wedding, incorporating classic New Orleans customs is a unique and meaningful way to add a touch of the city’s charm to your special day. From second lines to cake pulls, here’s how to embrace the city’s most beloved wedding traditions.
Sweet Keepsakes
Cake pulls are a charming tradition dating back to Victorian-era New Orleans. Small silver charms are placed inside the wedding cake (usually in the base layer), each tied to a ribbon or attached to a dainty bracelet. Just before the wedding cake is cut, the bride’s closest friends or bridesmaids take turns pulling a ribbon to reveal their charm, each of which has a special meaning — such as a heart for love, a four-leaf clover for luck, a fleur-de-lis for prosperity, or the coveted ring signifying the next person to get married! Some couples choose to create their own charms and have local jewelers craft custom cake pulls. These jewelers often provide keepsake cards so each recipient knows the meaning of their charm as well.
This tradition is especially popular at Southern and Creole weddings, adding an interactive and fun moment to the cake-cutting ceremony and providing the bride’s closest friends and bridesmaids with a cherished piece they can wear to remember the joy of your wedding.
The Money Dance
The money dance is a long-standing tradition in many cultures and particularly in Cajun and Creole weddings. For one song length or a few, guests “pay” to dance with the bride or groom by pinning money onto their outfits or placing bills in a decorated pouch. This symbolizes offering good fortune and financial blessings to the newlyweds as they begin their new life together.
In true New Orleans fashion, many couples spice up the tradition with a jazz band performance or by having their bridal party mingle among the guests to encourage them to join in.
Dance Through the Streets
Perhaps one of the most iconic New Orleans wedding traditions is the second line parade! Originating from the city’s jazz funeral processions, the second line is a joyous, high-energy celebration where the newlyweds lead their guests in a fun and festive march through the streets, often with a local brass-band leading the way.
The newlyweds often provide customized handkerchiefs for their guests to wave as the parade dances down the street. These are great keepsakes that remind your guests not only of your wedding but of a memorable New Orleans experience. And for the newlyweds themselves, customized umbrellas – white for the bride and black for the groom – are a festive touch!
Whether you start the parade after your ceremony or use it as a grand exit from your reception, a second line adds an authentic and unforgettable touch to your wedding day.
A Storybook Send-Off
A time-honored wedding send-off in New Orleans is making your grand exit in a mule-drawn carriage, traversing the historic streets of the French Quarter at the end of your wedding day. Unlike traditional horse-drawn carriages, New Orleans uses mules, as they are better suited for the city’s warm climate and long workdays. This romantic tradition is reminiscent of New Orleans’ old-world charm, making it the perfect way to end the evening in true Southern elegance!
To make the tradition truly unique to your wedding day, have your carriage decorated with flowers to match your bridal bouquet, add a champagne toast on your ride, or time your carriage experience for the evening when the gas lamps come on and create a timeless backdrop against historic facades.
Wedding Photos You’ll Remember For a Lifetime
No New Orleans wedding is complete without stunning photos taken in the French Quarter. With its cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, and historic landmarks, the Quarter provides endless backdrops for breathtaking wedding portraits. Popular locations include the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, Royal Street, Bourbon Street (early in the morning hours), and the Garden District.
Pro-Tip: Make your grand exit in a mule-drawn carriage, and have your driver take you to your photography location for a romantic wind-down to your evening that results in beautiful, candid photos of the day you’ll remember for a lifetime. You can even bring your second line umbrellas for a special touch, too!
A New Orleans wedding is unlike any other—blending romance, history, and lively traditions into a one-of-a-kind celebration. Whether you’re dancing through the streets in a second line, slicing into a cake with hidden charms, or taking in the beauty of the French Quarter from a carriage, embracing these timeless customs will make your wedding day even more special.
No matter how you incorporate these traditions, one thing is certain: in New Orleans, love is always worth celebrating in grand style. At the Lanaux Mansion, we’re proud to help our guests embrace the city’s historic charm and elegance as they celebrate that love.
With beautifully preserved architecture, lush courtyards, and luxurious accommodations, it’s the perfect place to host your wedding party or out-of-town guests and ensure that every part of your celebration feels effortlessly immersed in the spirit of New Orleans.
Secure your stay at The Lanaux Mansion and let the city’s timeless beauty set the stage for a radiant wedding weekend. Book your rooms today and make your New Orleans wedding truly unforgettable!
Photo from Mignon Faget
