Let's Elope New Orleans

08/30/2024

A moment of solitude completing & signing a very special marriage license for Cameron & Gary, following their beautiful ceremony 🖤🖤🖤

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08/28/2024

Grateful to receive such wonderful reviews from my beautiful couples…. They mean the world to me! Thank you! 🖤🖤🖤

08/28/2024

Amber & Tyler eloped one beautiful summer evening in magical New Orleans….🖤

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08/25/2024

Beautiful Nyja & Peter… the loveliest elopement!

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Flowers .floralatelier
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Status: I am currently interviewing all my beautiful October couples, painting the chapel, picking out wallpaper, the lighting, and other wonderful things!! Yesterday I jumped out of bed ecstatic because I realised I wasn’t dreaming! The chapel I had been manifesting in my dreams & intentions was real!! It’s an old friend, and its energy is magical!

Some of my darling friends & family and & came to visit this week! I can’t wait to welcome all my friends, the lovely wedding vendor community, & neighbours to come see the space! And when it’s ready we are going to have a party or two!! Oh the fun we will have!!🖤🖤🖤🎉🥳

P.S. DM if you want to come stop by for a sneak peak and a coffee! 🤗

08/16/2024

August has been a busy month (even with mercury in retrograde)!!

Metaphysically I’ve been working with some incredible healers, and my guides & ancestors, to set intentions and magic on the space I am creating. And on the earthly plane we have our wonderful Elmer (an all encompassing handy man extraordinaire), currently clearing, sanding and soon painting the space, so that the work can begin!!

The Chapel is my life’s dream!! To create a safe space full of love and beautiful energy! I can’t wait to share more… but in the meantime catch the progress on my insta stories!! 🖤🖤🖤

08/12/2024

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Big or small, you can pick your ceremony space! 🎀 photo: officiant:

08/09/2024

The last 4 years, as a Celebrant of love have literally flown by! I do need to sometimes take a breath and remind myself of how far I’ve come….I don’t think I have ever publicly shared this but, I didn’t start to learn to read or write English till I was 9 years old!

This may sound crazy, as reading and writing are so integrally part of my soul, and my vocation!

I left war torn Iraq when I was 4 years old after my father died in combat. My mother and I relocated to London where I was placed in several schools that didn’t teach English. Yes, those school really did exist in the 1980’s! One of them was an Arabic School, and the others were more like a summer camps! It was only when my mother remarried, we moved to the suburbs, where I attended my first proper school at the ripe old age of 9!

My step grandmother was an English teacher, who shared her love of books with me. She would take me to church sales and buy me used books. That was when I fell in love with books! To escape my tumultuous childhood I spent hours in the library, and hours more reading. I would walk out of the library with as many books as I was allowed, and able to carry each week…Jane Austen, Judy Blume, The Brontes, Charles Dickens, the list is endless. They were my friends, and my refuge.

For me, books are magic, and words are spells. How beautiful it is now to fast forward to a safe place where I sit in the sanctuary of my lady den, inspired by the love that I document and get to celebrate and share each and every day!

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08/06/2024

Taking a moment to reintroduce myself. My name is Ranna Zahra Mcswain; I am a Celebrant of love, a romantic, and an advocate for mental wellness, therapy, and spiritual healing.

I’ve spent the past 5 glorious years living in this magical city, I get to call home! I arrived on a sabbatical from Dubai, in December 2018, and met my beautiful Greg shortly after. The Universe, my Ancestors, the spiritual wards of this city had some incredible plans for me, so l stayed!

Then in early 2020, just before the pandemic hit, l launched Let’s Elope New Orleans. I wanted to offer couples beautiful love-filled ceremonies with very little advance planning, with no huge financial investments or stress. Let’s Elope New Orleans has since blossomed and so has its offerings; growing into an all encompassing umbrella that is known as “Love is my calling.”

My mission and purpose have always been to facilitate love, in New Orleans and beyond. Love is my calling, and something which comes from deep within my soul. Creating a meaningful heartfelt marriage ceremony that represents the love of a couple, is something I take pride and joy in. Everything I do is filled with intention, love, and authenticity.

I’m now thrilled to be opening “The Chapel”, in Uptown Carrollton, in early fall/autumn 2024.
The world needs more love, so I hope to create a warm beautiful inclusive community space. I want each soul who enters it to feel safe, loved, accepted, and welcome. Thank you again for your incredible support and love. I can’t wait to continue this journey, and open my doors & my heart to you soon at “The Chapel!” 🌙✨🖤✨

08/04/2024

Antonella & Jonathan renewed their vows under the ever magnificent Tree of Life, one beautiful evening in July. Their love is truly a beautiful thing to cherish and celebrate. 🥹🖤

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08/03/2024

Anna & Freddy’s sweetest July elopement at the glorious Pharmacy Museum, was filled with fun & laughter. I started with a guided meditation (something I love to offer in my services too). Then, we flowed into a beautiful and emotional ceremony. These beauties had their zoom connected, and live-streamed the ceremony to their loved ones!

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08/01/2024

Beautiful Nyja & Peter… literally taking my breath away. These beauties met in Manchester, England. The magic of their connection is undeniable! 🖤I can’t wait to share more of this glorious elopement!

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Florals .floralatelier

07/31/2024

Taking a moment to breathe in all the beauty and wonder… July has been incredible and wonderfully intense!

I spent weeks literally sitting in a permitting office in downtown New Orleans. I was determined to figure it all out, and make the Chapel mine! Thank you all for the outpouring of love, support, and incredible energy. It means so much to me. The Chapel’s purpose is “love & community”, and your belief in me reinforces my vision and intention for the space I’m creating.

And now I need a minute to recharge, and rejuvenate. The Ancestors and my trees have been telling me to “fasten my seatbelt”, because it’s going to be a wild ride! 🖤🖤🖤

07/27/2024

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07/26/2024

Hard launch… Hi Friends, delighted and thrilled to announce the thing….!!

Over the past four years, since I founded I have realised the need and importance to have an intimate space for my couples, who wish to privately elope or marry….
A beautiful place full of love, magic, and beautiful intentions!

So, in early Autumn/ Fall 2024, I will be opening a beautiful Wedding Chapel and an all encompassing “Love” headquarters for

The Chapel, will sit in the prettiest historic corner store, dating back to 1889. When I first found it, I knew! My Ancestors told me this was it!! It was waiting for me!

It’s located in Uptown, Carrollton, one block between the St. Charles streetcar line, at the intersection of Hampson Street and Adams Street. Let me tell you the location is gorgeous!!

In addition to small wedding ceremonies & elopements; I will be offering relationship counselling, and hosting dating workshops for singles, in a sanctuary of love, compassion, and beauty. I will also be inviting experts in their chosen fields to host creative classes and workshops too! This magical place will be all about love!

You all know I love my New Orleans wedding community! So, I would also love to invite my Officiant friends to come and utilise the space too! ( I will be messaging you all.) ❤️

For my photographer friends, the space will be perfect for engagement shoots, family portrait sessions, and more!

Lastly, Greg and I love a good party, or two, so we will be inviting you all to come and celebrate with us soon, but in the meantime, if you want a sneak peak, dm me!!!

P.S. I am totally booked up for October (with the most gorgeous couples, in glorious venues in New Orleans), but I have a few dates available for November & December. 🖤

07/24/2024

Okay!!!! Hello my lovelies!!! We did a “big” thing today, and by we I mean Greg and I!

For the past couple of months I have been working on something sooo exciting!! It’s part of my calling, and my Ancestors have been pushing me hard to grow!! I truly can’t wait to share more with you all in the next few days! Right now I am beyond excited, and trying to keep calm. I can’t wait to start creating more magic!!!

07/23/2024

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07/07/2024

Beautiful Adrianna & Peyton celebrated their love with their family and friends in the heart of the French Quarter🖤

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Flowers & Decor Firefly Ambiance Event Rental

07/02/2024

The rules for an elopement….Not a damn thing!!!
Get married to your bestie under a gorgeous tree, eat Beignets, then go home, drink, dance and eat plenty of cake! Sounds like a dreamy way to celebrate love!!!! Erin & Sid - you are everything!

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Cake

06/28/2024

Happy 5 year wedding anniversary my darling Greg. You have shown me that love is an action not a word.

Our love is growing and our life is blossoming; even though we had a lot of challenges to overcome, we are stronger for it. We have the tools, the understanding, and the trust.
It has taken commitment, the ability to be honest, authentic, accountable, and vulnerable. Love grows when it is nurtured, respected, and protected.

No one has ever taken care of me like you. I know you are not one for words, but your heart, your actions, and your constant commitment and drive for betterment in all facets of life speak volumes. You are one of a kind, and I love you more than any words can express. ❤️

06/27/2024

Jessica & Benjamin….🖤The loveliest couple had the sweetest elopement

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06/25/2024

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you…I could walk through my garden forever.”

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06/22/2024

Beautiful Alexa & Zack celebrated their love - an art deco gem which sits at the old lakefront airport.

Alexa & Zack are literal rays of sunshine!! 🖤🥹

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06/21/2024

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06/18/2024

Thank you Amanda & Matt. It was an absolute joy to officiate your ceremony. Your love story, and journey to the altar was pure magic! ✨🖤

06/17/2024

Gina & Kelli🖤

“I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

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Second Line Band

06/15/2024

Mary & Evan🖤 These beauties had the loveliest wedding at Audubon Zoo, one glorious day in May. Mary wore her grandmother’s wedding dress 🥹, and the ceremony was held at the sea-lion exhibit which was adorned with the most exquisite blooms!! I loved every moment!!

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MUA & Haley Rose Hair
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06/10/2024

Amanda & Matt (Part 2)

Happy Monday beauties! I don’t know about you, but seeing these glorious photos of Amanda & Matt makes me want to frolic in the sunshine and moonlight all week!!

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Florals .floralatelier
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06/06/2024

Beautiful Diana & Jeremy’s fairytale wedding ….🖤🥹They were the sweetest souls, so gentle, and full of love.
The wedding ended with lots of dancing down the aisle and a second line!!

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06/05/2024

Amanda & Matt…. Taking a moment to appreciate the beauty and magic of it all. 🖤🥹

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Florals .floralatelier
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