Engagements to Elopements — Weddings of All Sizes
Non-denominational, Interfaith, Civil and Spiritual Wedding Ceremonies officiated by Reverend Samantha McGovern — providing wedding services in New Orleans, Louisiana & surrounding parishes since 2002. LGBTQ+ affirming — All Loving Couples Certainly Welcome.
"Tying great knots since 2002."
Reverend Samantha McGovern
Everything you need, from one trusted officiant.
A self-service resource for couples planning from anywhere — with Samantha a phone call away whenever you need her.
License Clarity
Ask me about getting your marriage license
Know exactly what Louisiana requires — and what to do if you're traveling in. I'll walk you through it.
Venue Confidence
French Quarter ceremonies a walk away
I live in the French Quarter and walk to many ceremonies. Courtyards, parks, balconies, riverfront — I know where they look best.
Personal Ceremonies
Civil, spiritual, interfaith & more
Vow renewals, commitment ceremonies, non-denominational and interfaith weddings — written to sound like the two of you.
Ask for Advice
A network you can lean on
Samantha has a network of wedding professionals and can refer you to venues, photographers, florists, restaurants and more.
Ceremony & photography packages for all budgets.
For formal events, contact Samantha to discuss your options — custom packages for your specific needs are her specialty.
Officiating Only
Ceremony at your New Orleans location
- Non-resident waiver for the 24-hour waiting period
- Keepsake copy of ceremony and vows
- Souvenir marriage certificate suitable for framing
- Witnesses provided if needed
Rehearsals subject to an additional fee. Payment due upon booking (non-refundable).
Ask About This PackageEloper's Special
Best seller — ceremony + photography
- Ceremony officiating with non-resident waiver
- Keepsake copy of ceremony and vows
- Souvenir certificate, witnesses if needed
- Up to 1 hour of photography (groups of 12 or less)
- Unedited images via iCloud link (SD card +$35)
- Simple unedited tri-pod ceremony video
Additional photography $250/hr. Payment due upon booking (non-refundable).
Ask About This PackageCustom & Formal
Built around your venue & guest count
- Larger, formal ceremonies
- Vow renewals & commitment ceremonies
- Multi-hour photography coverage
- Venue & vendor referrals
Samantha designs custom packages for formal events — call to discuss your day.
Ask About This PackageFrom courtyards to City Park oaks.
Samantha lives in the French Quarter and walks to many ceremonies. She also works with hotels, B&Bs, plantations and parks across Orleans Parish and the surrounding region.
French Quarter
- Jackson Square — St. Louis Cathedral
- Washington Artillery Park
- Moon Walk on the Mississippi
- Private Quarter courtyards
Parks & gardens
- City Park — Peristyle, lagoons, oaks
- Audubon Park on St. Charles
- Botanical Garden
Hotels & beyond
- Boutique hotels & B&Bs
- Antebellum mansions & plantations
- Riverboats & cruise terminals
- Festival & Halloween weddings
Know exactly what Louisiana requires.
Samantha helps locals and tourists get the paperwork right. Tap a state for the essentials.
What you need to apply
- Valid government photo ID for both parties
- Certified birth certificates
- Social security numbers (if issued)
- Divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
- Application fee (paid at the Clerk's office)
The 24-hour waiver
Louisiana law typically requires a 24-hour wait between picking up your license and the ceremony. Non-residents can have this waived for ceremonies in Orleans Parish — Samantha files the waiver on your behalf as part of every package. Louisiana licenses are valid 30 days.
Accepting Marriage Licenses From
Need a license office? Orleans Parish Clerk — 1340 Poydras St., Suite 400. Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and surrounding parishes each issue through their own Clerk of Court. Call 504-214-0610 and Samantha will point you to the closest office.
Real couples. Real New Orleans.
A selection of ceremonies Samantha has officiated and photographed.
Established and tying great knots since 2002.
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date resource for getting married in New Orleans. I always strive to provide my couples with the tools to create your dream wedding by offering packages for every budget, from small romantic ceremonies to grand events.
While specializing in small outdoor weddings, I also work with many of the hotels and B&Bs to provide a large variety of venue recommendations. I also specialize in festival weddings and unusual venues — including some interesting Halloween weddings.
The majority of my couples are budget-minded and from all walks of life. All loving couples are certainly welcome — LGBTQ+ friendly and dog friendly. Please feel free to call, text or email — I will answer and reply, because I want every Bride to feel like a Princess and every Groom to feel like a Prince.
— Reverend Samantha McGovern
Couples who said "I do" with us.
"We cannot thank you enough for truly the most memorable day of our lives. The wedding was perfectly suited for us… We couldn't have found a more ideal person to perform our ceremony."
"Samantha's pictures were precisely what we wanted — not the normal staged photographs, but definitely a true representation of the event."
"Thank you for helping to make our day special. We enjoyed our ceremony a great deal. It was very romantic. And Samantha did a wonderful job with the photography."
"After 45 years, my husband has proven to me what love, dedication, commitment and marriage is about… Thank you so much for a meaningful, appropriate and lovely Vow Renewal Ceremony!"
A self-service planning library.
Sample ceremonies & vows — civil, spiritual, interfaith, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies. Samantha shares examples and helps you blend traditions.
Writing your own vows — keep them short, specific, read-aloud-able. Speak to your partner, not the audience.
Including children — blended-family ceremonies, family medallions, vows to the children.
Cruise-ship weddings from the Port of New Orleans — Samantha coordinates around your sailing.
Festivals to time around
- Sugar Bowl — January
- Carnival & Mardi Gras — January through Fat Tuesday
- Tennessee Williams Literary Festival — March
- French Quarter Festival — April
- Jazz & Heritage Festival — April/May
- Essence Music Festival — July
- Satchmo Summerfest — August
- VooDoo Music Festival — October
- Celebration in the Oaks — Thanksgiving through holidays
Book and pay — at your convenience.
Use the online scheduler for secure card payments, or Zelle directly with Samantha.
Payment is due upon booking and is non-refundable. Custom and formal-event packages can be invoiced separately.
Let's talk about your day.
Samantha personally answers calls, texts and emails — tell her your date, your idea, or just ask a question.
Call or text
504-214-0610
romancesneworleans@gmail.com
Based in
750 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Samantha travels to venues across Orleans Parish and surrounding parishes.