When Is the Best Time To Get Married In New Orleans?

TLDR: When its not hot outside and less rainy I.E. Fall.

Lets go through the pros and cons of each season to have a wedding in New Orleans.

As a New Orleans wedding photographer, one of the questions I hear most often is: “When’s the best time of year to have a wedding in New Orleans?” And honestly, it’s a great question—because our city is unlike any other. Between the festivals, the weather, and the culture, timing your wedding here can make all the difference.

Let’s break it down season by season.

Fall (October – November)

Fall is the best time for weddings. It's not hot like the summer and there is way less rain than spring.

Fall is hands down one of the most popular seasons for New Orleans Weddings. The weather cools off, the humidity drops, and the city starts perking up after the summer heat. October in particular is beautiful—perfect for outdoor ceremonies in courtyards, gardens, or places like Audubon Park. November is when the weather really starts to cool off.

Here's the averages based off of google:

Month High / Low(°F)

October 81° / 64°

November 72° / 55°

Pros of a Fall Wedding in New Orleans:

Perfect weather: Cooler temps (usually 60s–70s) and lower humidity make outdoor ceremonies comfortable.

Gorgeous venues shine: Specifically Venues with outdoor spaces. Courtyards, rooftop spaces, and gardens are all in their element this time of year.

Cons of a Fall Wedding in New Orleans:

Hurricane season overlap: While rare, hurricane season officially runs through November, So there’s always a small risk of storms, but it's smart to get event insurance.

Vendor demand: Fall is peak wedding season in New Orleans, so the best venues and vendors book quickly—sometimes 12–18 months out.

Early sunsets: Days are shorter, which means less natural light in the evening. A timeline tweak is often needed for portraits. The average sunset time in New Orleans during October starts around 6:55 PM and gradually shifts to around 6:15 PM by the end of the month For November: Early in the month, sunset is later, closer to 7:00 PM, and by the end of the month, it occurs earlier, around 5:30 PM. These are things to keep in mind if your planning around golden hour, which is the best light for photography.

As a wedding photographer in New Orleans, this is my busy season. I get asked why im so busy this time of year and my simplest answer is its just not as hot, and a little less rainy than spring.

Spring (March – May)

Spring might be the sweet spot for New Orleans wedding photography. The weather is warm but not too hot, the flowers are blooming, and the light is perfect for portraits in the French Quarter or Bywater. March and April are especially stunning, May is when it starts getting a little too hot.

The catch? Festival season and more chance of rain. French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest happen in April, so you’ll want to plan carefully if your wedding date lines up with those weekends. Your out-of-town guests might love it—but they might have trouble finding a hotel. Also keep an eye on Mardi Gras, sometimes it peeks into early march, as its dates change year to year.

Pros of a Spring Wedding in New Orleans:

Perfect Temperature: Warm but not too hot, usually sitting in the 70s, which makes outdoor ceremonies and portraits comfortable.

Average temps:

Month High / Low(°F)

March 73° / 55°

April 79° / 61°

May 86° / 69°

Blooming scenery: Flowers, greenery, and gardens are at their peak, giving wedding photos a natural vibrancy without much effort.

Outdoor-friendly: Courtyards, rooftop venues, and garden ceremonies all shine this time of year.

Cons of a Spring Wedding in New Orleans:

Festival season: French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest in April bring crowds, traffic, and hotel shortages. Great for guests who love music—tough for logistics.

Unpredictable showers: Spring rains pop up quickly in New Orleans, so you’ll want a solid rain plan for outdoor spaces.

High demand: With spring being such a sweet spot, popular venues and vendors often book up fast. Planning ahead is key.

Winter (December – February)

Winter in New Orleans is mild compared to a lot of other places. December weddings can be cozy, especially with all the holiday décor around the city. January is usually quieter, which means it’s easier for your guests to find hotel rooms.

But February—well, that’s Mardi Gras season. If you want your wedding to overlap with the parades and excitement, it can be magical (think parades, costuming, and beads). Just know that traffic, crowds, and hotel rates skyrocket.

Mild weather: Temps usually hover in the 50s–60s, making it chilly but certainly not horrible. Every once in awhile it dips into the 30s

Average temps:

Month High / Low(°F)

December 65° / 48°

January 63° / 45°

February 67° / 49°

Holiday charm: December weddings benefit from the festive décor already sprinkled throughout the city—twinkling lights, garlands, and cozy vibes.

Guest-friendly: January is calmer, which means easier travel, better hotel availability, and often lower rates.

Unique Mardi Gras energy: If you marry in February, parades, second lines, and beads can add once-in-a-lifetime magic to your wedding weekend. There's no place like New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a holiday so entrenched with New Orleans culture and history, IMO its peak New Orleans. I've been documenting Mardi Gras in New Orleans through my lens for over a decade now, but I'll save that for another blog post. Mardi Gras is my favorite time of the year.

Cons of a Winter Wedding in New Orleans:

Shorter days: The sun sets early, so you’ll need to plan portraits strategically, with a first look, if sunset lighting is a priority.

Mardi Gras chaos: In February, hotel rates skyrocket, traffic gets wild, and navigating the city can be tricky. You’ll need to book venues and vendors extra early. Mardi Gras day is a rotating holiday and can fall between Feb 3rd to march 9th, so definitely look up the dates for the year. Keep in mind that Mardi Gras in New Orleans is not a one day celebration. Parades start up to 3 weeks before Mardi Gras day and the chaos specifically ramps up the week before Mardi Gras day. So if your trying to avoid that look into parade maps and schedules.

Honestly if I were to get married in New Orleans I would probably pick winter. Either late January or early February. The city is a bit more chill, besides Mardi Gras. Vendors are a little more available and easier to book, because its a slower time of year. The weather is not horrible. I'd pick a venue where I could swing it inside or outside in case it got too cold, or just prepare for cold with outdoor heaters. Sometimes we get hot days in the winter. Last year it snowed an (extremely rare); the following week it was mid 80s and I jumped into a pool. --- I feel like that last sentence might sum up how wildly unpredictable the weather can be here.

Summer (June – September)

Summer in New Orleans is hot. Like, really hot. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, expect high humidity and possible afternoon showers. That said, summer weddings can also be a ton of fun—venues often have lower rental rates, and your guests get a true taste of New Orleans in all its steamy, lively glory.

As a New Orleans wedding photographer, I always tell couples: if you choose summer, embrace it. Pick a venue with strong A/C, or where you can do your entire wedding inside, serve frozen cocktails, and don’t be afraid of a little rain. Some of my favorite portraits happen when couples are laid back enough to laugh through the weather.

Pros of a Summer Wedding in New Orleans:

Easier bookings: Summer is the off-season for New Orleans weddings, so venues and vendors are often more available. Also- way less tourists in town, almost like you have the city to yourself- not completely, but there is a noticeable difference in the French Quarter in peek season vs slow season.

Late sunsets: Longer days give you more natural light for portraits and outdoor celebrations.

Cons of a Summer Wedding in New Orleans:

Heat + humidity: Temps regularly climb into the 90s, and humidity is no joke. Outdoor ceremonies can be uncomfortable without shade or fans.

Hurricane season begins: The risk of storms starts in June, so it’s smart to have a backup plan or event insurance.

Guest comfort: The heat may not be ideal for out-of-town guests.

As a wedding photographer in New Orleans, I’ve seen summer weddings work beautifully when couples lean into it—think light fabrics, refreshing cocktails, and lots of indoor air-conditioned spaces.

If you want ideal weather, spring and fall are your best bets. If you want your wedding to overlap with the city’s biggest celebrations, winter during Mardi Gras or spring during Jazz Fest will give your guests an unforgettable experience. And if you’re laid back and love the energy of the city in the heat, summer can work too.

The truth is—there’s no wrong answer. New Orleans weddings are about energy, community, and celebration. No matter when you get married, this city knows how to throw a party.

Thinking about your own wedding? As a wedding photographer in New Orleans, I’d love to help capture your day, no matter the season. Reach out and let’s talk about your plans.

Contact me