Love in Style: Queer Friendly Wedding Venues in New Orleans

New Orleans is a city known for its love of celebrations, delicious food, incredible musicians and come-as-you-are spirit. Given the vibrant and welcoming culture in New Orleans, it’s no wonder so many couples choose this magical city to tie the knot. 

For LGBTQ+ couples especially, finding a venue that celebrates love in all forms is a prerequisite that some may take for granted. If you're looking for queer friendly wedding venues in New Orleans, look no further! In this post we’ll take you through what makes the city of New Orleans, and Paradigm Gardens in particular, the perfect welcoming environment to say, “I Do”. 

Creating a space where love wins

Planning a wedding is a deeply personal experience that should be filled with lots of joy. At Paradigm we believe from start to finish, getting married should be a process where people feel safe, respected and celebrated. Being an LGBTQ-friendly venue goes beyond inclusive language — it means cultivating a culture of belonging. From our policies to the people that make it happen; we’re committed to making every couple feel right at home.

Over the years, we’ve had the honor of witnessing all kinds of love being honored and celebrated at our garden. That’s why our team works intentionally to make sure all couples, no matter their orientation or gender identity, feel not just accepted, but embraced.

Why New Orleans Perfect for LGBTQ+ Weddings

New Orleans has a deep and rich history of being a safe haven for individuality and self-expression. It’s a city where people are free to be as they are, nothing more and nothing less. That welcoming spirit shines through in its weddings! From vibrant second lines, colorful handcrafted costumes to intimate garden spaces, the options are endless to customize your wedding and let your personal style shine through!

The city is home to an active LGBTQ+ scene, with bars, drag shows, burlesque shows and even some iconic festivals such as Southern Decadence and PrideFest. Plenty of options to get the party started or keep the party going! For more LGBTQ+ friendly activities in the city, check out this detailed guide from Visit New Orleans.

It’s no surprise that New Orleans is a go-to destinations for queer couples from all over the country.

What Makes us one of the best Queer Friendly Wedding Venues in new orleans

Over the past 10 years, we’ve curated every part of our venue experience to feel inclusive, effortless, and unforgettable. Here’s why so many LGBTQ+ couples have chosen us to host one of the most important days of their lives:

An inclusive philosphy, we walk the walk

We believe love is love — our staff is diverse and always engaging in conversations that confront biases, challenge viewpoints and further expand how we embody inclusivity.

From your first tour to your final send-off, you’ll be supported by a team that truly gets it.

Photography from Willow’s World Photo New Orleans.

Spaces that fit your vision

One of the most unique aspects about a garden venue is that it is a blank canvas, and we love helping you bring your vision to life! The lush green landscape, diverse plant life, and colorful murals adds a unique flair that can be further customized with your own personal touches.

Want something nontraditional? We love that. Every wedding is different, and we pride ourselves on helping you create something truly personal.

Real love, real stories

Nothing speaks louder than the stories of couples who’ve celebrated here. From heartfelt vows to late night tacos and dance parties that lasted into the night, we’ve had the honor of hosting many LGBTQ+ weddings — and each one was uniquely beautiful. Don’t just take our word for it, hear from some former lovebirds yourself!

“Our 100 person wedding at Paradigm Gardens in April of 2024 was perfect. For starters, their Private Events Director Karen is unparalleled. Communication was clear and consistent from the very beginning, and we never felt like they were trying to upsell us. As two more laid-back brides, she made sure we didn’t overlook any important details. If your food is the most important aspect of your wedding, stop reading this and call PAradigm Gardens to book now! Our budget was faily limited, but Chef Pat over at Karibu Kitchen (Paradigm Garden’s Catering) made the most of every dollar we spent. The food and back packages were, hands down, the best we encountered at any venue in New Orleans. We had so much fun designing our custom menu with Chef Pat, and the tasting at Tchop Yard was one of our favorite parts of the planning process. Our family and friends still tell us it was the best food they’ve ever had at any wedding. The team even went out of their way to make sur eour bar included our favorite brand of pickle vodka shots which turned out to be one of the highlights of the night. The location in Central City was perfect. It allowed us to have our rehearsal dinner downtown, and also take our pre-ceremony pictures at Audubon Park without requiring much driving time to and from the venue. The lush garden was more than we could have asked for as a backdrop. We said our vows in a short ceremony then watched the sunset over cocktails and dinner. The jasmine was in full bloom which made for awesome photos. The goats were a bit hit with our wedding guests and the outdoor kithcen acted as a sort of fiery centerpiece to the whole evening. We have a local DJ playing New Orleans bounce and spent the majority of the night on the dance floor. Without a massive budget we anticipated having to compromise on some aspects to be able to afford a wedding in New Orleans, but we couldn’t have been more wrong. We will forever be grateful to the folks at Paradigm for giving us the wedding of our dreams.”

- Amelia and Linsey, April 2024

Ready to start planning?

There are many beautiful venues in this city — but what sets us apart is our heart. We’re not just a backdrop for your celebration — we’re your team, your cheerleaders, and your biggest supporters.

From the moment you walk through our gates, you’ll notice a different kind of energy: warm, welcoming, and completely centered around you. We’re proud to be a part of the vibrant LGBTQ+ community here in New Orleans and even prouder to be trusted with so many love stories.

If you’re exploring queer friendly wedding venues in New Orleans, we’d be honored to show you what makes our space so special. Schedule a tour, meet our team, and let’s start dreaming up the big day together.