NOLA Dukes: Getting Married During Mardi Gras Season: A New Orleans Planning Guide
There is no party like Carnival, and plenty of couples want their wedding to feel part of it. A Mardi Gras wedding in New Orleans comes with built-in atmosphere: purple, green and gold everywhere, king cake on every counter and a city already in the mood to celebrate. It also comes with parade routes, road closures and some of the busiest hotel weekends of the year.
With Mardi Gras Day falling on February 9 in 2027, here is how to plan a Carnival season wedding that captures the magic without the headaches.
Know the Carnival calendar
Carnival season officially begins on January 6, Twelfth Night, and runs until Mardi Gras Day. Parades build gradually, with the heaviest schedule in the final two weekends before Fat Tuesday.
That gives you choices:
- Early Carnival (January): the festive spirit, king cake and decorations, with far fewer parades and easier logistics
- Parade weekends (late January to Mardi Gras): maximum atmosphere, maximum planning required
- Just after Ash Wednesday: a calmer city, lower demand and often better availability
Check parade routes before you book a venue
Parade routes shut down major streets for hours, and they affect everyone getting to your venue, from guests to caterers to your band. A venue near a route can be unreachable by car during a parade.
Before signing, compare your date and venue with the published parade schedule. Ask your venue how they handle access on parade days, and plan guest transportation that avoids closures, such as shuttles with routes confirmed in advance.
Vendor load-in on parade days
Road closures don’t just affect guests. Your band, florist and caterer need to load in, often hours before the ceremony. On parade days, load-in may need to happen much earlier than usual or by an alternate route.
Share your venue and date with every vendor early so they can plan around closures. We map parade schedules against load-in for every Carnival season wedding we play.
Book hotels and vendors early
The final weekends of Carnival are among the busiest of the year in New Orleans. Hotel rooms sell out and prices rise, and popular vendors book up fast. Reserve guest room blocks as soon as you set your date, and confirm your wedding band and other key vendors right after.
Bring Carnival into your reception
This is the fun part. Ideas couples love:
- Purple, green and gold in your florals, linens or lighting
- Beads, doubloons or custom throws as guest favors
- King cake as a dessert course or late-night snack
- A masked-ball theme for the reception
- A soundtrack that mixes New Orleans classics with the dance-floor hits your guests know
Event lighting in Carnival colors is an easy way to transform the room without overdoing the decor.
Consider a guest weekend guide
Out-of-town guests may not know how Carnival works. A simple guide on your wedding website, covering the parade schedule, transportation tips and where to watch, helps everyone enjoy the city safely.
Capture the season
Carnival season gives you photos unlike any other time of year. Our photo and video partner, Lightwave Event Artists, knows how to make the most of the city’s color and energy.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mardi Gras in 2027? Mardi Gras Day is Tuesday, February 9, 2027. Carnival season begins January 6.
Is it a good idea to get married during Mardi Gras season? Yes, if you plan around parades and book early. Early Carnival dates offer the atmosphere with fewer logistics.
Will parades affect my wedding vendors? They can. Road closures may change load-in times and routes, so share your date with vendors early.
Does NOLA Dukes Band perform outside New Orleans? Yes. We perform for weddings and events throughout Louisiana.
Planning a Carnival season wedding?
Tell us your date and venue, and we will plan around the parades so you don’t have to. Check availability, or see us at a live showcase.