23 wedding venues under $1,000 in New Orleans
Under $1,000 is where public fee schedules beat private venues outright: park districts, courts, and civic buildings rent the same square footage for a fraction of the wedding-market rate. Every listing below is a real New Orleans area site with a price published by the venue itself or in a public fee schedule, checked in August 2026. We do not publish estimates, and we do not take a cut of what you book.
- Listings
- 23
- Cheapest
- $50 to $64
- Median start
- $300
- Highest start
- $750
Cheapest is NORD Recreation Center - Multipurpose Room at $50 to $64. Prices last verified against their sources in August 2026.
The mix here is 11 park & pavilion, 7 other venue, 4 state park, 1 chapel, spread across 8 cities in the metro. Filter by price tier, guest count, indoor or outdoor, and ceremony versus reception below, then open any listing to see its source link.
NORD Recreation Center - Multipurpose Room
$50 to $64New Orleans Recreation Development Commission Rental Fees sheet (revised April 2026), Multipurpose Room Rental: "Small Gatherings (50 people max.) $50.00" per hour and "Large Gatherings (80 people max.) $64.00" per hour. These are the published per-hour rates; the sheet does not publish a minimum block for this space. Additional fees on the same sheet: Clean-up $250.00; refundable litter/damage deposit $200.00; staffing $30.00 per hour, per person.
Mel Ott Park - Picnic Shelter
$150City of Gretna Facility Rental page, Mel Ott Park: "$150 per shelter per day (shelters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)".
Paul Spitzfaden Community Center
$150 to $450City of Mandeville Spitzfaden Community Center Standard Rental Agreement and Rental Guidelines (revised 7/13/2022): "The weekday/weeknight rental fee is $150.00 plus a $75.00 refundable deposit for two (2) hours" (Monday-Thursday, 7:00 am up to no later than 10:00 pm). "The fee for weekend rentals (Friday night through Sunday) is $450.00 for five (5) hours plus a $200.00 refundable deposit", ending no later than 11:00 PM, no exceptions.
City of Mandeville - Carroll Street Gazebo
$150City of Mandeville Facility Usage Application (wedding form): "Usage for short (30 minute) weddings is $150. The Lakefront is a park, so reserving the usage does not prohibit normal usage of the area." Estimated attendance is capped at 20 maximum on the wedding form. The City's separate Facilities (Parks) Usage Application lists the same location at "$150 with a $50 deposit to reserve" with a max of 25.
City of Mandeville - Sunset Point
$150City of Mandeville Facility Usage Application (wedding form): "Usage for short (30 minute) weddings is $150. The Lakefront is a park, so reserving the usage does not prohibit normal usage of the area." Estimated attendance is capped at 20 maximum on the wedding form. The City's Facilities (Parks) Usage Application lists Sunset Point at "$150 with a $50 deposit to reserve".
New Orleans Parks & Parkways Wedding Permit - All Other Parkways Parks
$175 to $475City of New Orleans Park or Rec Center Use Permit wedding fee table, row "All Other Parkways Parks": usage $125.00 for 2-50 guests, $225.00 for 51-100, $325.00 for 101-200, $425.00 for 201 and above, plus a refundable litter/damage deposit of $100.00-$500.00. A non-refundable $50.00 processing deposit is required before the space is reserved. priceMin = $125 + $50 = $175; priceMax = $425 + $50 = $475.
Brechtel Park - Picnic Shelter
$225 to $400City of New Orleans Shelter Rental Permit (in Brechtel Park) fee table: Brechtel Park shelters 1-6 base fee $225.00; shelters 7 & 8 reserved as a pair $400.00; additional grilling fee $25.00. Refundable litter/damage deposits: $200.00 for 1-100 persons, $300.00 for 101-200, $400.00 for 201-300, $500.00 for 301 and above. "Usage fees are non-refundable."
Joe W. Brown Shelter
$250New Orleans Recreation Development Commission Rental Fees sheet (revised April 2026), under Grass Field / Multipurpose Parks: "Joe W. Brown Shelter $250.00 (per day)".
Mel Ott Park - Gazebo
$250City of Gretna Facility Rental page, Mel Ott Park: "$250 per gazebo rental per day". The same page lists $150 per shelter per day and $1000 for a Whole Park Rental (all shelters and gazebo) per day.
Jackson Square
$300 to $1,050City of New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways wedding fee schedule for Jackson Square: usage $250.00 for 2-25 guests, $500.00 for 26-100, $750.00 for 101-200, $1,000.00 for 201 and above. "These fees only apply to the first hour requested, all additional hours will be priced at $125.00 per hour." A non-refundable $50.00 processing fee must be received before reservations are scheduled. priceMin = $250 usage (2-25 guests, first hour) + $50 processing = $300; priceMax = $1,000 usage (201+) + $50 processing = $1,050. A refundable litter/damage deposit of $100.00 (2-25) up to $500.00 (201+) is also required.
Louis Armstrong Park
$300 to $1,050City of New Orleans Park or Rec Center Use Permit wedding fee table: Armstrong Park usage $250.00 for 2-25 guests, $500.00 for 26-100, $750.00 for 101-200, $1,000.00 for 201 and above, plus a refundable litter/damage deposit of $100.00-$500.00 by guest count. A non-refundable $50.00 processing deposit is required before space for the event is reserved. priceMin = $250 + $50 = $300; priceMax = $1,000 + $50 = $1,050. Overtime fees for all parks are $50.00/hour.
St. Mary's Chapel
From $300City of Kenner Rental Policies fee schedule (revised June 2024): "St. Mary's Chapel = $150 per hour; 2 hour minimum rental required; plus $100 refundable damage deposit to be mailed back via check 3-4 weeks after event." priceMin = $150 x 2 hour minimum = $300. A 50% down payment is required at the time of booking.
Kenner's Heritage Park
From $300City of Kenner Rental Policies fee schedule (revised June 2024): "Kenner's Heritage Park = $25 per hour plus $125 per hour staffing fee; minimum 2 hour rental; plus $100 refundable damage deposit to be mailed back via check 3-4 weeks after event; available for weddings ONLY." priceMin = ($25 + $125) x 2 hour minimum = $300. A 50% down payment is required at the time of booking.
Firehouse Event Center
$300 to $1,100City of Covington 2026 Rental Rates sheet, Firehouse Event Center: 4 hours $300.00 Monday-Friday ("Not Available" Saturday-Sunday); 8:00 AM-5:00 PM $500.00; 3:00 PM-11:00 PM $700.00; 8:00 AM-11:00 PM $1,100.00 - the 8-hour and full-day blocks priced the same Monday-Friday and Saturday-Sunday. Refundable damage/cleanup deposit $150.00. A 25% discount is granted to non-profits with current proof of status.
Bayou Segnette State Park - Group Pavilion
From $350Louisiana State Parks Fees and Facilities page: "There is a $300 wedding fee associated with holding a wedding on Louisiana Office of State Parks property." Bayou Segnette is listed under both Group Pavilion Type I (up to 40 people) at $50/day and Type II (up to 60 people) at $70/day. priceMin = $50 Type I pavilion + $300 wedding fee = $350; the Type II pavilion works out to $370. Entrance fees of $3 per person also apply ("Entrance fees applicable to renters of day-use facilities"); free for seniors 62 and older and children 3 and under.
Fairview-Riverside State Park - Group Pavilion
From $370Louisiana State Parks Fees and Facilities page: Fairview-Riverside is listed under Group Pavilion Type II (up to 60 people) at $70/day. "There is a $300 wedding fee associated with holding a wedding on Louisiana Office of State Parks property." priceMin = $70 pavilion + $300 wedding fee = $370. Entrance fees of $3 per person also apply to renters of day-use facilities; free for seniors 62 and older and children 3 and under.
St. Bernard State Park - Group Pavilion
From $370Louisiana State Parks Fees and Facilities page: St. Bernard is listed under Group Pavilion Type II (up to 60 people) at $70/day. "There is a $300 wedding fee associated with holding a wedding on Louisiana Office of State Parks property." priceMin = $70 pavilion + $300 wedding fee = $370. Entrance fees of $3 per person also apply to renters of day-use facilities.
Bogue Falaya Park Pavilion
$400 to $1,300City of Covington 2026 Rental Rates sheet, Bogue Falaya Pavilion: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM $400.00; 3:00 PM-11:00 PM $700.00; 8:00 AM-11:00 PM $1,300.00 - the same rates Monday-Friday and Saturday-Sunday. Refundable damage/cleanup deposit $150.00; table/chair rental $200.00. A 25% discount is granted to non-profits with current proof of status.
Fontainebleau State Park - Group Pavilion
From $420Louisiana State Parks Fees and Facilities page: Fontainebleau is listed under Group Pavilion Type III (up to 100 people) at $120/day, and its meeting room is listed at $160/day plus tax. "There is a $300 wedding fee associated with holding a wedding on Louisiana Office of State Parks property." priceMin = $120 Type III pavilion + $300 wedding fee = $420; the indoor meeting room option works out to $460 plus tax. Entrance fees of $3 per person also apply to renters of day-use facilities.
Mel Ott Park - Multipurpose Center
$450 to $1,000City of Gretna rental brochure, Mel Ott Multipurpose Center meeting rooms: "1 Room: $450 - up to 50 people, 3-hour minimum"; "2 Room: $750 - up to 100 people, 3-hour minimum"; "3 Room: $1000 - up to 200 people, 3-hour minimum". Additional hours are $150 for any number of sections. A $200 booking deposit is required and non-refundable; a $150 damage/cleanup deposit is refundable if requirements are met. Gretna resident discount (multipurpose center only): $50 off 1 section, $75 off 2, $100 off 3.
NORD Recreation Center - Gymnasium
From $470New Orleans Recreation Development Commission Rental Fees sheet (revised April 2026), Recreation Centers - Gymnasium Rental: "Special Event (Party, community event, etc.)" day or night, first 4 hours $470.00, each additional hour $134.00. Additional fees listed on the same sheet: Clean-up $250.00; refundable litter/damage deposit $200.00; staffing $30.00 per hour, per person.
Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts
$600 to $1,500City of Gretna rental brochure, Gretna Cultural Center for the Arts: Lobby Rental, capacity 60-75, "Base Rate with 3-hour minimum: $600" plus $150 for each additional hour, Booking Deposit $150. Full Facility Rental, capacity 250 maximum, "Base Rate with 4-hour minimum: $1500" plus $250 for each additional hour, Booking Deposit $500. All events require a $250 damage deposit paid separately. Police security if required is $400 for 2 officers, flat rate for up to four hours.
Kenner Pavilion
From $750City of Kenner Rental Policies fee schedule (revised June 2024): "Kenner Pavilion = $150 per hour; 5 hour minimum rental required; plus $200 refundable damage deposit to be mailed back via check 3-4 weeks after event." Add-ons published on the same sheet: "Outdoor Terrace Area = $150 flat fee" and "Indoor Meeting Room = $50 flat fee add-on". priceMin = $150 x 5 hour minimum = $750.
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Tell us your date, guest count, and budget. We'll email you the New Orleans venues under $5,000 that fit, each with its published price and source. We don't book or hold anything, you contact the venue yourself.
Common questions
- How much do venues that start under $1,000 cost in New Orleans?
- Across the 23 New Orleans listings on this page, published starting prices run from $50 to $750, with a median starting price of $300. The cheapest is NORD Recreation Center - Multipurpose Room in New Orleans at $50 to $64. Every figure comes from the venue's own pricing page or a public fee schedule, checked in August 2026.
- What is the cheapest of the venues that start under $1,000 in New Orleans?
- NORD Recreation Center - Multipurpose Room in New Orleans, at $50 to $64. Rental fees do not include the marriage license, an officiant, or anything you bring in.
- Which parts of New Orleans have venues that start under $1,000?
- The 23 listings here sit across 8 cities in the New Orleans area, including New Orleans, Gretna, Mandeville, Kenner, Covington, and Westwego. Some rates are lower for residents of the city or county that owns the site, so check whether a resident rate applies to you.
- Can any of these New Orleans venues hold 50 or more guests?
- Yes. 7 of the 23 listings on this page publish a capacity of 50 or more. The rest are sized for smaller ceremonies, and a few courthouse and garden sites cap guests in the low single digits.
- Are these New Orleans venues indoor or outdoor?
- Both. 15 of the 23 have an outdoor ceremony or reception area and 7 have indoor space. Outdoor sites almost never include a rain backup, so ask what happens to your fee if the weather turns.
- Are these prices current?
- Each listing shows the date its price was checked against the source, most recently August 2026, and links straight to that source so you can confirm it yourself. Fee schedules change, peak-season and weekend surcharges are common, and nothing here is a quote. Confirm with the venue before you book.
Places in New Orleans that rent several spaces
These venues price each space separately, so what you pay depends on which one you book. Each page compares all of them side by side.
Guides that go with this list
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