Louisiana Wedding Traditions You Might Not Know

Every region has its wedding customs, but here in Louisiana, our traditions are as rich and colorful as our culture. Rooted in French, Spanish, Creole, and Cajun influences, these unique customs bring charm, history, and plenty of fun to the celebration.

At New Orleans Wedding Planners LLC, we love weaving local traditions into modern weddings. Here are a few Louisiana wedding traditions you might not know—but will definitely want to consider.

🎀 Cake Pulls (The Ribbon Ceremony)

A beloved New Orleans custom with French Creole roots, cake pulls involve charms tied to ribbons placed inside the wedding cake. Before the cake is cut, single friends each pull a ribbon, revealing a charm that symbolizes their fortune (like a ring for next to marry or a heart for true love).

✨ Why We Love It: It’s interactive, fun, and a sweet way to honor single friends and family members.

💃 Cajun Wedding Dances

Cajun weddings often feature lively folk dances, complete with fiddles, accordions, and lots of energy. The most famous is the Cajun two-step, a spirited dance that gets everyone moving.

✨ Why We Love It: It brings generations together on the dance floor and infuses the reception with authentic Louisiana joy.

💸 The Money Dance

Also known as the “dollar dance,” this tradition invites guests to pin money to the bride or groom’s clothing in exchange for a dance. The custom has both Cajun and broader Southern roots and symbolizes prosperity for the couple.

✨ Why We Love It: It’s practical, festive, and makes for some lighthearted photo moments.

🎶 Second Line Parades

While often associated with funerals, second lines have long been part of New Orleans weddings, symbolizing joy and new beginnings. Guests wave handkerchiefs and dance behind the brass band, led by the couple twirling parasols.

✨ Why We Love It: It’s the ultimate “only in New Orleans” moment.

🍰 Doberge Cake

This layered cake, filled with pudding and frosted in buttercream or fondant, is a New Orleans wedding favorite. Often served alongside the traditional wedding cake, it’s a delicious way to bring local flavor to the dessert table.

✨ Why We Love It: Guests get to experience a sweet slice of NOLA history.

🕯️ Candle Lighting Ceremony

Some Louisiana families embrace a candle-lighting ritual during Catholic or spiritual ceremonies. It symbolizes the blending of two families into one shared light.

✨ Why We Love It: It’s meaningful, intimate, and deeply rooted in faith and heritage.

Final Thoughts

From cake pulls to Cajun dances, Louisiana wedding traditions bring heritage, symbolism, and soul to your special day. Whether you want to incorporate one or many, these customs connect your wedding to the unique culture of the region.

✨ At New Orleans Wedding Planners LLC, we help couples blend timeless Louisiana traditions with their own style, ensuring every wedding feels authentic, joyful, and unforgettable.