About Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the capital of the state and a vibrant city with plenty to offer. It's known for its beautiful scenic views along the Mississippi River, great Southern food, and friendly people. The weather in Baton Rouge is classified as humid subtropical, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature varies between approximately 60°F in the winter and more than 90°F in the summer. It has gorgeous parks and gardens perfect for outdoor activities such as picnicking or a walk along the riverfront.
The city boasts several notable attractions, including the Old State Capitol Building, the USS Kidd warship museum, and Blue Bayou Water Park. For those looking for an eventful nightlife experience, plenty of downtown bars and clubs offer live music throughout the week.
Organizing weddings in Baton Rouge can be a great idea due to its stunning natural scenery and ample entertainment venues. Couples can choose from many beautiful venues along the waterfront that provide breathtaking river views or find one of the many lovely outdoor locations around town with lush gardens or old historic structures. With its mild weather and vibrant atmosphere, Baton Rouge provides couples with plenty of options to make their wedding day memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Wedding Options in Baton Rouge
- Catering Services
Baton Rouge has various catering services experienced in providing scrumptious fare for weddings and other special occasions. These expert caterers craft custom menus tailored to the couple's tastes, offering everything from classic Southern dishes to international cuisine. Couples can choose from plated meals, buffets, stations, family-style services, and specialty items such as signature cocktails or unique desserts.
- Photographers/Videographers
Professional photographers and videographers capture the memories of your special day for years to come. Experienced professionals in Baton Rouge offer still images and video recordings that allow couples to relive their big day through beautiful photos and HD footage of the ceremony and reception. Through their creative lenses, these experts have the uncanny ability to capture the emotions of your wedding day so you can share them with friends and family far into the future.
- Transportation Services
Transportation services are key when it comes time to getting everyone safely from your ceremony location to the reception site on time. In Baton Rouge, several companies specialize in wedding transportation, offering couples luxurious limousines or vintage cars like antique Cadillacs or Rolls-Royces for a truly unique experience. This ensures everyone arrives at their destination on time and offers an extra sense of class on your special day.
Wedding Vendors in Baton Rouge
- Boudreaux's Caterers
Boudreaux's Caterers is a full-service catering facility in Baton Rouge. This family-owned and operated business provides exclusive catering for any event, regardless of size. Whether it's a corporate dinner, wedding, or kids' birthday party, Boudreaux's can cater to up to 500 guests. They offer an array of centerpieces, decorations, and menus to make your event extra special. In addition, their rich and diverse menu reflects the unique flavors of Louisiana.
- Rickey Heroman's Florist & Gifts
The professional floral staff at Rickey Heroman's Florist & Gifts crafts stunning arrangements that will brighten anyone's day. With their online catalog, ordering beautiful bouquets and decor for your wedding is just a few clicks away. But if you prefer a more personal touch, you can call and talk to one of their friendly professionals. They can create custom arrangements that fit your budget perfectly.
- 1st Impressions Events LLC
1st Impressions Events LLC is an event management company. With their years of experience working with clients in Baton Rouge and strong partnerships with top vendors, you can rest assured that your wedding will be seamlessly executed with exceptional care. Their team is dedicated to transforming your vision into a reality, paying close attention to every detail so you can sit back and enjoy your big day stress-free.
Pros and Cons of Weddings in Baton Rouge
Planning a wedding is always a challenging yet rewarding endeavor, and Baton Rouge presents advantages and disadvantages when hosting your special day. As you consider where to host your nuptials, take into account the following list of pros and cons of organizing your celebration in the southern Louisiana city:
Advantages
- Tradition: A wedding celebrates a couple’s love while honoring long-standing customs and traditions of the past.
- Celebration: Weddings allow friends and family to come together to celebrate a couple’s commitment and joyous union.
- Bonding: Weddings are an incredible way for couples to bring their families closer by creating meaningful bonds through shared experiences.
- Opportunity: Baton Rouge offers an excellent selection of venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions, including outdoor areas surrounded by lush greenery and historic mansions.
Disadvantages
- Stressful: Planning can become overwhelming due to all the details that must be decided upon and managing guest lists and budgets.
- Time-Consuming: The amount of time needed for planning a wedding can often be substantial, requiring the couple and their families to devote hours upon hours in preparation for the big day.
- Unpredictability: With so many factors at play during weddings (from weather to unexpected guests), you never know what surprises may arise on the big day.
- Early Booking: Most popular venues and vendors in Baton Rouge fill up quickly, so couples should book as early as possible to secure their desired date and services.
Tips on How to Organize Weddings in Baton Rouge
Organizing a wedding in Baton Rouge can be an exciting experience. However, it’s important to properly plan and organize the event to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Here are several tips on how to organize a successful wedding in Baton Rouge:
- Secure your Venue: Finding the perfect venue for your special day is essential. With dozens of venues available throughout Baton Rouge, you’ll be able to find one that meets all of your needs. Research each venue to ensure it fits your budget and accommodates your guest list size.
- Book Early: Since there are so many events in the city year-round, it’s best to secure your wedding date as soon as possible, especially if you want one of the more popular venues. Many venues book up several months in advance, so don’t wait too long.
- Hire Professionals: While you may be tempted to tackle all aspects of wedding planning yourself, hiring experienced professionals who specialize in weddings will give you peace of mind and help ensure everything runs smoothly on your big day. Look for caterers, florists, DJs, photographers, and other vendors with positive reviews from previous weddings in Baton Rouge.
- Create an Itinerary: Planning a detailed itinerary will help keep everyone organized during the event and ensure everything moves along on schedule. Don’t forget to include time for photographs.
- Choose Transportation Wisely: Depending on where your ceremony and reception occur, transportation may be necessary for guests who don't live close by or need help getting around due to physical constraints or age restrictions. Consider having buses shuttle guests between the two locations or hire a limousine service if desired.
Famous Locations in Baton Rouge
- The Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
The Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is a must-visit location for those interested in the region's wildlife, plants, and ecology. Visitors walk along the mile-long path through the park and are surrounded by various habitats, including a cypress-tupelo swamp and hardwood forests. The 9,500-square-foot building is home to live animal exhibits and educational displays, providing visitors with an up-close look at the creatures and their natural habitats. Birders will delight in the hundreds of species documented at the park, while animal lovers will enjoy encountering turtles, snakes, and even otters.
- Louisiana Governor's Mansion
The Louisiana Governor's Mansion is more than just a place of residence for the highest office in the state; it is a carefully constructed architectural masterpiece. Designed by Annan and Gilmer, the Mansion was inspired by the stunning Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. However, there is one major difference between the two - the Governor's Mansion omits the second-story veranda found at Oak Alley. This choice was made to maintain an air of formality befitting of the Governor's position. Despite being primarily Greek Revival, the Mansion incorporates several Georgian features to create a unique and timeless look. So while the Governor may come and go, the Mansion's lasting beauty will remain.
- Garden District
The Garden District is renowned for its stunning gardens and well-preserved historic homes. With streets lined with moss-draped live oaks and carefully crafted landscaping, it's easy to see why this area is treasured by those who call it home. Initially planned as a garden suburb, the Garden District boasts a natural charm with hidden utilities and small lots. Not only is it conveniently situated near downtown offices and Louisiana State University, but it also offers easy access to the City Brooks Community Park and City Park Lake, where locals can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.