Jordan Fell
Jon Diaz
Jordan Fell
Jon Diaz
January 23, 2027
Check back for updates!
Please scroll to the FAQ section for information about children and babies during the ceremony if you plan on traveling with your little ones. Children are not invited to the ceremony, with the exception of immediate family.
Schedule
Saturday, January 23, 2027
Ceremony doors at 6 o'clock
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
547 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116
Dress code: Festive Formal. Please check the FAQ section for more detailed information.
Doors to Lanaux Mansion open at 6 o'clock. Ceremony will begin in the parlor promptly at 6:30pm. Please plan to arrive when doors open to grab a drink, enjoy some pre-ceremony music, and settle in. Our ceremony space has a mix of seating and standing room. (Please be considerate of people who need seats. Please do not occupy reserved seats.) Run time is 30 minutes. Following the ceremony, we will walk to the reception at: Cane & Table 1113 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 This involves four blocks of walking on city streets, so please consider shoe choice and weather forecast. If you cannot walk this distance and require different travel arrangements, don't hesitate to email so we can ensure everyone's travel to the reception is accommodated (see FAQs). Reception is cocktail style, with no assigned seating. Grab a plate and a cocktail, hit the dance floor, and laissez les bon temps roulez, y'all! Party concludes at 10:30pm (but the city is your oyster after that!).
Travel
Hotel
Bienville House
**Room blocks available** $250/night, two night minimum, for standard king rooms; opportunities to upgrade. Rooms blocked for January 22-24 (you can add more nights if desired). This is close to our reception venue, a 12 minute walk from Cane and Table straight down Decatur. There is a fun tiki bar downstairs, called Beachbum Larry's Latitude 29. Guests at Bienville can enjoy amenities at sister hotel, Hotel Monteleone, home of the iconic Carousel Bar.
Hotel
Le Richelieu Hotel
This boutique hotel is very close to our ceremony venue, about a 2 minute walk from the Lanaux Mansion, just a block off Esplanade down Chartres. It's a little on the outskirts of the more bustling part of the French Quarter. An affordable option at $200 and up.
Hotel
Hotel Peter and Paul
Hotel Peter and Paul is a luxury hotel option located inside a 19th century Catholic church on Burgundy St in the Marigny. It's a beautiful hotel with a bar and restaurant inside. 11 minute walk to Lanaux through the Marigny neighborhood. Check out Ayu Bakehouse, they've got tasty king cake. You'll love staying here if you're feeling fancy.
Hotel
The Pontchartrain Hotel
A mid-fancy option right along the St Charles streetcar line, with Tennessee-Williams-history attached to the building. Uptown, though not easy walking distance to our French Quarter venues, is a charming and scenic area to stay in the city. If you are hoping to stroll amongst sweeping oak trees and be a bit further from the late-night French Quarter energy, you'll love it here. Nothing in New Orleans is really "far" anyway. You could take the St Charles streetcar towards the Quarter and walk the rest of the way. The Pontchartrain has Jack Rose restaurant and the Hot Tin rooftop bar inside, plus a coffee shop and another small bar. There is an elevator, but be warned: she's old. ($300+/night)
Hotel
The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery
This is an affordable option ($200+/night) located on Tchoupitoulas (ask a local how to say that...) in the Warehouse District, near many of the city's museums, like the Ogden Museum of Southern art and the WWII Museum. The restaurant located inside the hotel, Compere Lapin by chef Nina Compton, is fantastic. The Old 77 is not easy walking distance to our wedding venues in the Quarter. That said, New Orleans is not terribly big, so nothing is far. The Warehouse District is pretty close to the French Quarter.
FAQs
Question
What does the "Festive Formal" wedding dress code mean?
Answer
Tuxedos or fun dinner jackets, formal suits, evening dresses of any length, fancy separates or jumpsuits, bold accessories, and the inclusion of costume pieces are all welcome. Dress to impress and join in the revelry. Go for it; gild the lily!
Question
Are my young children allowed to attend the ceremony?
Answer
We love your babies so much and don't want the exclusion of children to be a barrier to any of our friends attending. However, we are trying to keep this ceremony running at a tight 30 within a small space in an old building with resounding acoustics while our friends perform meaningful songs and speeches they have practiced for a year. We are looking into onsite babysitters for the duration of the ceremony so your children can hang out at the mansion under the safe care of professionals while the ceremony occurs. Please keep in touch with Jordan at j.e.fell@hotmail.com for more information. We will determine how many babysitters to hire once we have a final headcount. Thank you for understanding!
Question
What can I expect during the ceremony?
Answer
Doors to the Lanaux Mansion open at 6pm. Please grab a glass of champagne, mingle, enjoy a little pre-show music, and get settled in the parlor. There are no designated sides, with the ceremony occurring in-the-round, and a mix of seating and standing room (only a few of the seats are assigned, please don't sit in them.). Please plan to arrive no later than 6:15pm to get situated before the start time. Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 and feature songs and speeches by honorary guests. The ceremony will last approximately 30 minutes. If you are late to the start of the ceremony, you will have to wait by the front door until you are escorted to the dining room where there is standing room. Following the ceremony, we will top off drinks before heading to Cane and Table, 4 blocks away on Decatur, for the reception.
Question
What can I expect during the reception?
Answer
We will walk to Cane & Table, an excellent Caribbean restaurant with some of our favorite cocktails in the city, from Lanaux Mansion (about four blocks total). **Please email j.e.fell@hotmail.com if you need special travel accommodations to get from ceremony to reception.** We have the restaurant to ourselves, including upstairs, downstairs, and the courtyard. Reception is cocktail style, as is typical of New Orleans receptions, with plenty of food and an open bar. There is no assigned seating. Reception runs from 7:30 until 10:30pm. A live band will play in the courtyard for the duration of the reception, with one 30 minute break. (A note to those with little ones, the band will be loud!)
Question
What will the weather be like in New Orleans in January?
Answer
What a great question! Winter weather in New Orleans is wildly unpredictable. It could be colder, at 35 °F, it might be warmer, at 78 °F, it could hit both of these temperatures in the span of one day; it is only guaranteed to be humid. Your best bet is to keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared to bring a coat and other layers (humid-cold is more bone-chilling than you may think).
Question
Will it be Mardi Gras during the wedding?
Answer
Actually, yes! Though not in the deepest throes of Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras day being Tuesday February 9, 2027), January 23rd is in the midst of Carnival season, which begins on Epiphany each year, January 6, and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. What does this mean? It means: you should try as much king cake as you can eat around the city (see Things To Do section)! You might catch a walking parade in the French Quarter during the weekend (these will not be the big Mardi Gras parades with floats and a million throws, but rather smaller walking krewes in fun costumes plus some bands).
Things To Do
Commander's Palace
UPTOWN We celebrated our engagement here! Of the more old school, iconic New Orleans dining establishments, Commanders is by far the most fun. They prepare New Orleans classics, and execute them beautifully. Festive atmosphere, with 25 cent martini lunch ("limit three per person, 'cause that's enough) and jazz brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Dress code: business (for gentlemen, jackets preferred).
Bayona
FRENCH QUARTER An establishment by the local legend, Chef Susan Spicer. A wonderful fancy dinner in the Quarter where everything is prepared perfectly. Jon and I love this magical place for a date spot. It's been thriving since the early 90s.
Compère Lapin
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT Another favorite fancy dinner spot by Chef Nina Compton, who blends her Caribbean heritage with Creole cuisine. Hearty, delicious, and unique entrees. Amazing brunch menu and pre-fix dinner menus.
Cafe Degas
MID CITY This is a favorite restaurant of ours, a nice cafe, but not too fancy, good for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Tasty salads and seasonal ravioli, and best of all, the hanger steak and frites. There is a tree growing in the middle of this charming patio dining room.
Mosquito Supper Club
UPTOWN(ish) This restaurant serves a set menu each night based on whatever bayou bounty is in season. Table settings are family style. I know this can sound intimidating, but it's one of my (Jordan) favorite meals I've ever had. I think about it all the time. Trust the menu, this meal will feed your belly and soul with quintessential Louisiana flavors, and Chef Melissa Martin does not miss (buy her cookbooks!). They unfortunately cannot accommodate seafood allergies, vegetarian diets, and many dietary restrictions because of the nature of their menu (they CAN accommodate nut and gluten allergies with notice).
Ayu Bakehouse
MARIGNY A bakery near our ceremony venue with delicious pastries and king cake!
La Boulangerie
UPTOWN Two kinds of king cakes here: the French galette des rois, and a braided New Orleans style. Both good!
Palm&Pine
FRENCH QUARTER A good, lively, casual brunch option.
The Sazerac Bar
DOWNTOWN Inside the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Home of the sazarac.
Erin Rose
FRENCH QUARTER Not only does this dive bar have frozen Irish coffee...they also have a delicious poboy stand in the back by Killer Poboys! Food served until midnight. Especially great when you're drunk! **Tasty vegetarian options**
Jewel of the South
FRENCH QUARTER This is a beautiful bar and nice dinner spot. Most importantly, try their craft cocktails.
Pascal's Manale by Dickie Brennan & Co.
UPTOWN Two words: barbecue shrimp. Home of "the original". Barbecue does not mean barbecue sauce, it means spices and buttery broth. A favorite dish of Jordan's, which Jon's shellfish allergy prevents him from enjoying. But you can!
Audubon Park
UPTOWN This is a gorgeous place to go for a walk and take in the beauty of the city. Many centuries-old oak trees, plus the historic architecture all along St. Charles Ave. The Tree of Life is a particularly impressive oak closer towards the levee.
City Park
MID CITY This expansive park has massive oak trees that are hundreds of years old, many trails, and swamp life. The New Orleans Museum of Art is beside the park. The sculpture garden is wonderful!
Magazine Street
UPTOWN This is the best shopping street in maybe the world. Blocks and blocks of wonderful boutiques and specialty shops, plus many restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries. Some blocks are busier than others, but you could spend hours on this one street. Dirty Coast is a great spot for a souvenir t-shirt with local references.
Octavia Books
IRISH CHANNEL Very cute book store featuring plenty of local work.
The Historic New Orleans Collection
FRENCH QUARTER This a free museum with rotating exhibits and a research center in the French Quarter (though admission is free, reservations are required, so check the website). It's a fabulous resource. They cover all sorts of niche local history, and will undoubtedly have some sort of Mardi Gras history featured during carnival season. AND! The gift shop even sells king cakes from bakeries all over the city this time of year! Whole cakes available all season, while supplies last.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
FRENCH QUARTER A small museum whose collection focuses on the history of pharmacy and medicine. The building itself was an "apothecary and residence of Louis J. Dufilho, Jr., the first licensed pharmacist in the United States, until 1855" (from the website). It's a very cool and creepy stop!
Haunted History Tour
FRENCH QUARTER Ghosts of the French Quarter Tour with New Orleans Secrets. These evening walking tours through the French Quarter are exciting, spooky, and informative, and this particular touring company actually references historical documents to support their tours. 2 hours on foot, $39 and up, ages 13+
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT A smaller art museum featuring works by southern artists.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 Tour
MID CITY, ETC. Cemetery Tours offered by Save Our Cemeteries. St. Louis Cemetery 3 is just one of the options. St. Louis Cemetery 1 is by the French Quarter and where Marie Lavaux is buried, its tours are operated by one company and you have to pay to enter the cemetery at all unfortunately. Save Our Cemeteries, however, is in the business of historical preservation, which is great.
Backstreet Cultural Museum
FRENCH QUARTER(ish) If you want to learn about some of New Orleans' living history, this small museum is devoted to preserving and sharing the history of Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals (or secondlines), and more. It's very relevant and culturally significant preservation work to support.
The National WWII Museum
WAREHOUSE DISTRICT This is a large, comprehensive, and well done history museum. It used to be the called D-Day Museum (the reason it's set in New Orleans is because the Higgins boats associated with D-Day came from New Orleans) and is a Smithsonian Institute affiliate. You'll need several hours to visit, not a quick stop, as it's a lot to take in.
Audubon Zoo
UPTOWN If you're traveling with children, the Audubon Zoo is a great option. It's an exceptional zoo. There's even a song about it. Don't miss the Louisiana swamp section or candy from the iconic Roman Candy Cart (same family, same three flavors, same wagon since 1915)!
Preservation Hall
FRENCH QUARTER Preservation Hall hosts jazz concerts featuring an array of talented musicians almost every night of the year. Tickets must be purchased in advance, see the online calendar. Tickets $28.50-$53.50.
Tipitina's
IRISH CHANNEL Live music venue on Tchoupitoulas and Napoleon, shows most nights.
Maple Leaf Bar
UPTOWN Another long-standing live music venue with shows most nights.
Trixie Minx's Burlesque Ballroom at The Jazz Playhouse
FRENCH QUARTER Friday evening burlesque shows by local legend Trixie Minx featuring live vocals. At the Jazz Playhouse inside the Royal Sonesta.
Frenchmen Street
FRENCH QUARTER Frenchman street holds many bars with nightly live music, like DBA, and is an easy walk from our ceremony venue. (It is literally right out the back door of Lanaux Mansion!) It's a popular spot and very lively at night; you can wander into bars and follow whatever music you hear. There is also a nighttime art market.
Registry
RSVP
Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.