Nate Sander
Nicole Benisch
Nate Sander
Nicole Benisch
February 16, 2026
Schedule
Friday, February 13, 2026
Monsters Parade
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Costume theme - anything but human.
Most of the parades we'll be attending are walking parades that you are a part of vs. parades with floats where you stand and watch floats go by. Act and dress accordingly! Mardi Gras is a participatory, co-created experience. Please note: this parade meets in the Bywater. Exact times and locations will be shared with folks closer to the date via WhatsApp. Please make sure at least one person you're rolling with is on the group thread!
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Eos Parade
6:00 am - 8:00 am
In Greek mythology Eos is the goddess of the dawn. As the sun rises, we'll roll from the river through the French Quarter into the Bywater. Costume theme - gods, goddesses, ethereal, earthen, water spirits and beings.
Eris Parade
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Eris is the Greek Goddess of Discord, and this anarchic walking parade meets in the Bywater and winds through the Quarter back to the river where we began the day for sunrise. Specific theme will be shared by the krewe closer to the date.
Monday, February 16, 2026
The Red Beans Parade
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
festive but not necessary to go all out
Family friendly parade with incredibly creative bean themed costumes by the Krewe of Red Beans. https://www.kreweofredbeans.org Please note: this is *NOT* a participatory walking parade, you will be a spectator on the sidewalks giving the krewe lots of love and marveling at all the incredible costumes.
Ceremony & Afterparty
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
710 Clouet St, New Orleans, LA 70117
Shortly after the ceremony we will head to Bud Rips as a group for celebratory drinks and merriment, and then at 5:30p the Bride and Groom will go to dinner with just their immediate families.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Society of St. Anne's Walking Parade
Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:00 am - Wed, Feb 18, 2026, 12:00 am
Our Reception will take the form of the beautiful spontaneity of Mardi Gras day and walking together in the iconic Bywater St. Anne's Parade
The St. Anne's Parade is a free, community-driven Mardi Gras parade known for its elaborate, handmade costumes and joyful, spontaneous atmosphere. It takes place on Mardi Gras morning, beginning in the Bywater and winding through the French Quarter towards the Mississippi River. The parade is a cherished local tradition, blurring the lines between spectator and participant, and concluding with a ritual of releasing memorials for loved ones who have passed away. Group costume theme is "Birds of a Feather Flock Together". Feel free to join in the theme or do your own thing! Mardi Gras day is your opportunity to be the most extra with costuming that you have ever been. Be your most colorful, sparkly, and authentic self. If you're going to walk the Parade you *must* be costumed, and please wear comfortable shoes you'll be walking A LOT. After the parade concludes we will be finding some good music to dance to all day!
Travel
Travel Note
Where to stay
Because it can be hard to get around Nola in a car or uber during Mardi Gras, we recommend staying the the Bywater or Marigny neighborhoods. Most of the festivities, including the ceremony will take place in the Bywater. We will share the exact location of the ceremony soon, but a good idea is the use the bar Bud Rips on Piety & Burgundy as a central location when you're looking to book accommodations. Click the button below to view the map, and we recommend booking soon if you're coming!
Mardi Gras 2025 Gallery
Things To Do
Frenchmen Street
local live music, art, vibes
Official Mardi Gras Website
Click here for information on when the big krewes will be rolling with their elaborate floats and unique throws.
Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine
Delicious food all vegan and vegetarian for lunch with omnivore options available on the dinner menu.
Venusian Gardens Art Gallery & Event Venue
Art Space & Venue in the Marigny of New Orleans
The Bargain Center
Great spot for last minute costume flare!
Mardi Gras Zone
Need some last minute costume pieces? Perhaps a gallon of milk, some spray adhesive, or a hot dog? Mardi Gras zone has you covered!
Pond Coffee
Best coffee in the Bywater, second best coffee in America.
Rusty Rainbow Bridge
Highly recommend a nice morning stroll over the rusty rainbow to the river!
The Country Club
Sauna, salt water pool, hot tub, lounge chairs. Also has a full service restaurant and bar, drag brunch every Sat & Sun!
Fifi's Bywater Salon
Wigs, sunglasses, jewelry, thrifted, vintage and locally made clothing items, and other adorable trinkets.
FAQs
Question
How do we find out the exact times and locations for the secret parades?
Answer
We will share all specific parade information via WhatsApp, make sure you get added to the group chat so you will receive all the up to date information on times and meet up locations.
Question
What happens if I'm late to the parade?
Answer
When the parade starts moving, we will move with it. But, don't stress because they usually move fairly slowly. The bride and groom will be happy to share their location with you and teach you the special hand signal (seriously) for finding each other in the crowd.
Question
What should I wear?
Answer
VERY IMPORTANT: comfortable shoes. Not only will you be walking, A LOT, the terrain in New Orleans, especially in the Bywater can be rough and bumpy. We recommend against heels entirely, and strongly suggest your most comfortable walking/running shoes for the parades. For costuming, let the themes inspire you to be your most authentic and expressive self! If you'd like to join the WhatsApp group early, we will be sharing costume ideas and inspiration there.
Question
Can I have a plus one/bring my friend, child, lover, recent tinder match?
Answer
You can of course bring whoever you want to experience Mardi Gras with to New Orleans, but we are kindly requesting for the wedding festivities to be adults only. Also for the ceremony day we want to keep the gathering small and intimate - just close friends and our immediate families.
Question
What does HAUS LIBRA even mean?
Answer
Nate and Nicole share the astrological sign of Libra, having both been born in the same year, just 25 days apart. Ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, Libras are known for being drawn to art, design and aesthetically pleasing environments.Nate & Nicole began affectionately referring to their home in Providence as HAUS LIBRA after hosting a themed gathering inspired by the iconic triptych painting Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymous Bosch, and it stuck! Fun fact: Their first date was a nighttime, socially distanced street art walk in downtown Providence, RI!
RSVP
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Registry
We'll post our registry here when we're finished building it. Thank you in advance!