The Ultimate Louisiana Wedding Planning Guide (2026–2027 Edition)

By Jenna DeVille Photo + Film


Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting seasons of your life—but it can also feel overwhelming. Between choosing a venue, creating a budget, hiring vendors, and making hundreds of decisions along the way, it’s easy to wonder where to begin.


The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.


As a Louisiana wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of documenting some of life’s most meaningful moments. Along the way, I’ve seen what helps a wedding day feel relaxed, joyful, and intentional—and I’ve also seen the small planning mistakes that can create unnecessary stress.


This guide was created to help you confidently plan your wedding from the moment you say “Yes!” until you walk back down the aisle as newlyweds. Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a large wedding surrounded by family and friends, these answers will help you make informed decisions and enjoy the process.


So grab a cup of coffee, bookmark this page, and let’s start planning.


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Before You Book Anything


1. When Should We Start Planning Our Wedding?

One of the first questions nearly every newly engaged couple asks is, “When should we start planning?” The answer is: sooner than you think—but don’t panic. Most couples begin planning their wedding 12–18 months before their wedding date. If you’re hoping to get married during the popular spring or fall wedding seasons in Louisiana, starting early gives you the best chance of booking your dream venue and your favorite vendors.


Here’s a general planning timeline:


12–18 Months Before:

  • Celebrate your engagement!
  • Decide on a realistic wedding budget.
  • Create a rough guest list.
  • Choose a wedding season or date.
  • Tour and book your venue.
  • Book your photographer, planner, and other priority vendors.


These vendors often book a year or more in advance, especially for Saturdays during peak wedding season.


9–12 Months Before:

Once your venue and major vendors are secured, you can focus on the details that begin bringing your vision to life.


This is a great time to:

  • Choose your wedding colors.
  • Say yes to the dress.
  • Reserve hotel room blocks for guests.
  • Book your florist, caterer, DJ or band, hair and makeup artists, baker, and rental companies.
  • Start thinking about ceremony details and décor.


6–8 Months Before

Now the excitement really begins.


During this stage, you’ll typically:

  • Order invitations.
  • Schedule your engagement session.
  • Choose wedding attire for your bridal party.
  • Register for gifts.
  • Plan your honeymoon.
  • Begin building your wedding day timeline.


3–4 Months Before

As your wedding day gets closer, your focus shifts from planning to finalizing.


You’ll likely:

  • Mail invitations.
  • Meet with vendors.
  • Create your family photo list.
  • Finalize your timeline.
  • Schedule your final dress fitting.
  • Confirm transportation and accommodations.


1 Month Before

This is when all of your planning comes together.


Take time to:

  • Confirm arrival times with every vendor.
  • Prepare wedding details for your photographer, including your invitation suite, rings, jewelry, shoes, perfume, veil, vow books, and any sentimental heirlooms.
  • Pick up your marriage license if required.
  • Finish seating arrangements.
  • Pack for your honeymoon.
  • Most importantly, take a deep breath.


At this point, your goal isn’t to perfect every detail—it’s to enjoy the final weeks leading up to your wedding.


My Best Advice


One of the biggest mistakes couples make is waiting too long to book the vendors they care about most. You can always decide on napkin colors later. You can’t always book your dream venue or photographer once someone else has reserved your date. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give every newly engaged couple, it’s this: book the vendors that matter most to you first. Everything else can fall into place around those decisions.


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2. How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost in Louisiana?


One of the first conversations every engaged couple should have isn’t about flowers, colors, or invitations—it’s about the budget. While every wedding is different, most Louisiana weddings fall somewhere between $20,000 and $40,000, though intimate weddings may cost much less and luxury celebrations can cost significantly more. Rather than asking, “What’s the average?” ask, “What are our priorities?” For some couples, that’s an incredible venue. For others, it’s amazing food, live music, or photography they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives.


Start by deciding on a total budget, then divide it into categories such as:

  • Venue
  • Catering
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Florals
  • Entertainment
  • Attire
  • Hair and makeup
  • Rentals
  • Stationery
  • Cake and desserts
  • Transportation
  • Favors
  • Honeymoon
  • Emergency cushion for unexpected expenses


Not every category deserves the same percentage. Spend more on the parts of your wedding that will matter to you years from now, and don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s priorities. A thoughtful budget isn’t about spending the most money—it’s about spending intentionally.


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3. How Do We Choose the Right Wedding Venue?


Your venue is more than just a place to get married. It shapes the atmosphere, influences your timeline, affects your guest experience, and becomes the backdrop for nearly every photograph from your wedding day.


As you tour venues, ask yourself:

  • Does this space reflect who we are as a couple?
  • Does it comfortably fit our guest count?
  • Is there a weather backup plan?
  • Are there beautiful locations for portraits?
  • Is there natural light indoors?
  • Are there getting-ready suites?
  • What’s included in the rental fee?
  • Are there vendor restrictions?
  • How long do we have access to the venue?
  • Is there enough parking for our guests?


Don’t choose a venue simply because it’s trending. Choose the one that feels right when you picture yourself exchanging vows there.


Years from now, you probably won’t remember every centerpiece or table linen—but you’ll remember how your wedding day felt.