How to Officiate a Wedding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

If you’re fixin’ to get married in Baton Rouge, you’ve come to the right place. Louisiana’s state capital has all the flavor of New Orleans without the hordes of tourists … which makes it all the better to host a wedding, as hotel accommodation costs, catering costs and venue rental prices are all lower, just a few miles away!

In our guide, we have all the necessary information for how to get married in Catfish Town, including how to get your officiant-of-choice legally ordained. So, without further ado, let’s jump into it and laissez les bon temps rouler!

Step 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. If you have been asked to perform a wedding ceremony, but you don’t have any ministerial credentials, you can get ordained with AMM for free in just a few minutes!

Any clergyman of any religious sect that is authorized by the authorities of his or her religion and who is registered to perform marriages may perform marriages in Louisiana -- including Internet ministers.

All officiants must also register with the Local Parish Clerk before they officiate a wedding in the state of Louisiana. You can find the link to register your ministerial credentials on the clerk of the court’s website here. Click the link “Officiant Registration Affidavit” to download the PDF.

Step 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in East Baton Rouge Parish

Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to  brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

Step 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

On the day of the wedding, your biggest job is performing the ceremony! But you also have another important duty to fulfill.

Be sure to double check that the couple has a valid marriage license before the performing ceremony. You will also help them complete it correctly. The process is fairly self explanatory, but you can check out our guide on how to correctly fill out a marriage license here if you have any questions.

There’s one final step before the marriage becomes legal: the marriage license must be returned to the office in which it was obtained. In some states, it’s the couple’s responsibility to return it. In others, it’s the job of the officiant. The marriage license will specify whose responsibility this is. Make sure you have that squared away so that the marriage is valid.

First, call to schedule an appointment for your marriage license application at one of the three locations in Baton Rouge: the Downtown Clerk of Court, the Clerk Court of Airline Highway Branch Office, or the Baker Municipal Annex.

The downtown clerk of the court’s phone number is 225-389-3950. (Appointments are not required, but strongly recommended to promote safe distancing between customers.)

Before you go, you will also need to complete your Application to Obtain an Orleans Parish Marriage License online.

Then, when you prepare to head down to the clerk’s office, gather together:

• A valid, state-issued IDs for both parties (driver’s license or passport) for both parties
• Certified birth certificates for both parties
• Social security numbers for both parties (the social security card is not necessary)
• If either party is divorced, a copy of the final divorce decree
• $27.50 for marriage license application fee

During your appointment, remember to ask who is responsible for returning the marriage license after the wedding. In some jurisdictions, it is the responsibility of the couple and in others, it’s the responsibility of the officiant. 

Before you leave, you will be issued your marriage license and you can get married the next day and you will have 30 days to hold your ceremony before the license expires. On the day of your wedding, your officiant will help you complete the form accurately.

The Basics

Baton Rouge is a great city to host a wedding because when it comes to venues, there is a lot to choose from. Whether you’re dreaming of a glamorous city wedding or a regal reception on a Louisiana plantation, all kinds of options are just a short drive.

Our favorite downtown venue is the Shaw Center for the Arts. The outdoor terrace has gorgeous views of the Horace Wilkinson Bridge and downtown landmarks. The Guru is another great option in the downtown area -- still urban, but with a little bit more lowkey, cozy vibe.

If you’re thinking of having your wedding at one of the area’s historic plantations, there are plenty to choose from. The Mount Hope Plantation House is one of the only antebellum farmhouses remaining in the Baton Rouge area, located just 15 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge. The White Oak Estate and Gardens and the Old Governor’s Mansion are also top contenders.

If you don’t love the options you find close into the city, don’t be afraid to widen your search to include the numerous other venues tucked in the countryside; your Baton Rouge-issued marriage license is valid to use anywhere in the state. (Just make sure the marriage license is returned to the same office that you obtained it.)

Once you have honed in on your favorite venue, you will also be faced with choosing a wedding date. Just make sure to check Baton Rouge and New Orleans’ local events calendars before committing to a date -- you don’t want to schedule your day on top of one of the city’s highly-attended events or festivals, which back up the city’s already congested streets with traffic. 

Transportation

The public transit system in Baton Rouge is good for commuting to and from work, but as far as getting around town in a timely manner, it can be a real pain. Many of the routes only run hourly and the schedules are unreliable. It’s best to use Lyft or Uber if you’re visiting from out of town. Also, remember to factor in extra travel time, as traffic is notoriously bad, especially during rush hour.

Weather

Spring and Autumn are the best times for outdoor weddings in Louisiana. Average high temperatures are in the 80s and mid-70s between April - May and September - November. However, these are also the most popular times for weddings, so you may find that venue rates are at their highest. If you want to score the best deal on a venue rental, choose an indoor venue during the winter or summer months.