Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, the Civic Theatre was opened in 1906 and functions as a 1,200 capacity state-of-the-art concert venue for incredible local and international performers. Modular flooring allows the Civic to transform from tiered concert seating to an awe-inspiring reception space for your wedding day. With over 10,000 square feet of event space the Civic can host elegant seated dinners or traditional NOLA style receptions for 100 to 450 guests.
Just one block from Poydras Street in the city’s Central Business District, the Civic is walking distance to the French Quarter and surrounded by hotels and attractions for your visiting guests.
The Civic's beautiful original all white plaster work and unique architectural touches have been carefully preserved to create an elegant, distinctively New Orleans setting. The harmony between historic architecture and our state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, sets the Civic in a category all its own. Our Hospitality Team can help you create a floor plan that perfectly represents you and your vision!
Our list of preferred vendors is available to complete the design for your wedding day. They have worked in the space previously and are trusted resources. Our experienced staff and highly skilled vendors are dedicated to creating a uniquely New Orleans experiencefor you and all of your guests.
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
$6,000
Ceremony:
$1,000
Bar services:
$35 per person
Catering:
Contact for price
Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices.
Amenities + details
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
On-Site Accommodations
Guest Capacity
Up to 250
Settings
Ballroom
Historic Venue
Venue Service Offerings
Bar & Drinks
Destination Weddings
Awards and Affiliations
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5
out of 5.0
38 reviews
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1/01/2024 • Hilary J
Working with Civic Theatre was absolutely fantastic! The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, ensuring that the evening was not just beautiful but absolutely perfect! The venue itself is a gem—unique and stunning. My guests can't stop raving about how cool it was to have a wedding at such a distinctive music venue. Our band sounded amazing, and our guests were on the dance floor from the moment we walked in until we left! I wholeheartedly recommend Civic as a venue for weddings or any event. It truly exceeded all our expectations!
1/01/2024 • Lily M
I can't say enough good things about The Civic Theatre!! My partner and I had our wedding there in June 2023, and it was truly fantastic.
The venue itself has this wonderful, warm vibe that made our day even more special. Honestly, you won't need a ton of extra decor; the place has its own charm. The staff at The Civic Theatre were not just friendly but downright awesome. They were so organized and made everything run smoothly.
When we arrived, they treated us like VIPs, giving us access to the green room for some pre-and post-ceremony snacks. It felt like our own little oasis. The reception service was top-notch too, and our guests couldn't stop talking about it.
If you want a wedding that's not just special but also has a friendly and welcoming vibe, The Civic Theatre is the place. I can't recommend it enough. Seriously, check it out for your big day!
12/31/2023 • Jackie W
We hosted our wedding at the Civic earlier this year, and it was the best decision we made! The venue is a really cool and unique space - it was a huge topic of conversation for our guests. Our ceremony took place on the stage, and the reception was in the main room hidden during the ceremony by a large curtain. The stage transitioned into the dance floor during our second line, which was a really cool reveal for our guests! The Civic staff went the extra mile for us- all the recommendations we received contributed to the success of our day and the in house lighting was so cool - disco balls, uplights, personalized gobos! So fun! While we initially wanted a venue in the Quarter, we ended up loving Civic's location with all our out of town guests staying at the Virgin and the Ace a few blocks away. We stayed at the Virgin too and did our first look pictures there. The venue's historic beauty allowed us to keep costs down on flowers and decorations, sticking to simple centerpieces and Civic's in house lighting. It was a flawless experience - I highly recommend the Civic for brides looking for a venue in New Orleans!!
Any questions?
12/14/2023 • Monique K
We had the most amazing wedding at The Civic in October! Everyone who attended our wedding said it was the most incredible space, the staff was SO wonderful, and all around - the wedding was PERFECT. The vibes are so unique - perfect for our disco-wedding-bash!
12/08/2023 • Lexi C
Our night turned out absolutely amazing! I had my eyes on this venue before I was engaged and knew we had to have our reception there, once we came to see it in person it was game over! LOL It was everything we wanted and more. I highly recommend doing a first look at the venue on your wedding night, it was so magical and one of my favorite parts of the night. The entire staff was amazing, from coordinators to bartenders. Everything turned out perfect!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks Lexi!! We loved hosting your big day - we agree, the first look of the venue is such a special moment to see all your hard work come to fruition. Cheers to many years of happiness and thanks for choosing to spend your big day with us at ...
the Civic :)
12/08/2023 • J R
Our wedding at the Civic Theatre was seriously a blast! This place oozes history and cool vibes,. And nailed the intimate and party vibes all at once. The staff? Absolute legends. They made sure everything ran like clockwork, Our guests couldn't stop raving about the awesome atmosphere, and the dance floor being part of the same space where we had our seated dinner for 250 - just took the party to the next level. So happy we decided on the civic!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks J!! We had such a ball hosting you, your family and friends - what a fun group. Glad you spent your special day celebrating with us!
10/18/2023 • Shannon N
We were SO happy that we chose The Civic as our wedding venue as it was nothing short of spectacular. This historic theatre set the stage for the most fun and beautiful celebration. Our experience was made especially exceptional by the venues staff who made the planning stress free and so enjoyable. This venue helped our vision come to life and I am so happy we chose this location!!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks for the kind words Shannon! Your wedding was beautiful- you did such a great job with the decor - we cannot wait to see the rest of the photos! So happy you chose to celebrate your big day with us at the Civic!!
2/04/2023 • Erin G
We had our wedding here in June 2022. Best choice we made! Our guests were raving about the venue - the architecture is beautiful and it’s so unique! It was great to have all our guests in the same room with all the seated tables, band and dance floor. We even got to have a built in “after party” with a dj and full dance party lighting. My husband and I keep saying we would love to go back and experience it as a guest! Definitely recommend having your wedding here if you want and elegant and beautiful party that is also FUN!! The staff was so helpful and attentive and bar service was super fast. My only regret is that it wasn’t longer! Love the civic!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks for choosing the Civic Erin!! We loved celebrating with you and your loved ones....and, we think every wedding should be longer too ;)
2/03/2023 • Gloria P
My daughter's wedding was at the Civic last weekend and we couldn't be more pleased with the wonderful job they did. Everything was beautiful, festive, and so special! Cali and each employee were so professional, courteous, and attentive to each and every detail! We would highly recommend the Civic to others and already have had some calls from soon to be brides after being there Saturday night that they are now hoping to have their reception there too!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks for the kind words Gloria!! Thats so great to hear - can't believe it's been so long since the big day - can we do it again?!? Wishing Jordan and Ryan (and you!!) many years of happiness. Thanks again for celebrating with your family an...
d loved ones at the Civic :)
1/20/2023 • Jenna S
The venue was amazing for our wedding back in October of 2022! It’s such a pretty space and was the perfect atmosphere for what we wanted. The only thing that is a little inconvenient is that there is no bridal suite for the girls to get ready in. Other than that it was great and I’m so glad we had our ceremony and reception there!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
Thanks Jenna!! Your wedding was amazing! We loved hosting you at the Civic
1/19/2023 • CoCo B
We had our wedding at the Civic in October of 2022 and it FAR exceeded our expectations!! The venue is a unique space but we were also able to make it our own! The band sounded amazing (rather than echoing like other venues do) because it is a music venue. The staff worked with all of our crazy requests (all the disco balls, cigar/whiskey bar, photobooth etc.) Location is perfect being in the heart of downtown New Orleans too. Everyone loved our lift from beneath the stage entrance. Cannot recommend this venue enough to have an unforgettable wedding!
Response from the Vendor on 12/08/2023
OMG Coco!! Your wedding was a blast (and your photos are stunning)! It was so fun to help coordinate everything - we love a wedding with special touches!! Thanks again for choosing the Civic
12/07/2022 • Meredith H
We had our wedding at the Civic in October 2022, and it was one of the best decisions that we made. The venue is such a unique, cool space, and it's easily the thing our guests talked the most about afterward. We had our ceremony on the stage, and our reception on the ground floor, and during the second line the stage became the dancefloor. Everything was truly amazing. The use of the greenrooms was so helpful for bridal party as well as our reception band, and the staff at the Civic went above and beyond to make sure everything went perfectly. We used one of their catering partners, Pigeon, and they were also incredible. All of the recommendations we got from the Civic contributed to our amazing day. Their location is also perfect. We thought we wanted the venue to be inside the Quarter, but we loved the Civic so much we just said oh well, but in the end, we are so happy with the Civic's location. Everything else for our weekend was in the Quarter, so it was nice to have one thing be elsewhere, and it was really nice to have the Second Line in the cleaner streets near the Civic. The venue itself is really beautiful, so we saved a ton of money on flowers/decorations. We didn't do anything apart from centerpieces. It was perfect. I can't recommend the Civic enough.
1/04/2022 • Meredith H
We recently hosted our wedding at the Civic (August 2021) and it had to be one of the best decisions in regards to our wedding day. The venue has had gorgeous renovations within the last year that really brought a beautiful and unique feel to our big day. The venue offers unique opportunities to really stun your guests. We had two separate entrances. The first was a curtain rise on us and our band while we greeted our guests from the cat walk (Spotlight and all). The second entrance we utilized the trap door that rises from underneath the stage. Everyone LOVED it and still talk about it nonstop. I worked with Cali, the Sales Director, exclusively to make sure everything went off without a hitch. She has hosted many an event/wedding at the Civic so her advice and expertise was extremely helpful when designing layout and planning rentals. She was also able to provide me with her honest vendor recommendations based on previous experience which saved us a lot of heartache. She singlehandedly, got me through my entire wedding planning experience without losing my head. The staff was amazing to work with and the venue was stunning. If I could give the civic 1000 stars, I would.
8/13/2021 • Sally H
To say that the Civic was perfect would be an understatement! My wife and I were so happy to find an LGBTQ+ friendly space with a staff that made us feel so taken care of throughout the entire process. They knew exactly what they were doing so that we didn't have to think about anything except for celebrating on our big day. The venue is timeless and was the perfect setting for the elegant, modern look we wanted. No complaints here!!
8/02/2021 • Christy H
I recently attended my sister's wedding reception at The Civic and was so impressed with the venue. The care and preservation in the renovation of such a beautiful historic venue was apparent in every last detail. As far as the staff and experience in dealing with their team goes, it couldn't have been better. They took care of everything so stress levels stayed low. Highly recommend this place!
Samantha Clark
7/30/2021 • Leah D
I absolutely 100% recommend The Civic Theatre if you are looking for a cool, non-traditional space to have your wedding and/or reception. My husband and I got married in June 2019 and we had the BEST night of our lives. the room is AMAZING - it's cozy, warm, and intimate which is exactly what we were looking for. You do not need to spend a boatload on additional decor (unless you want to!) because this room already has a ton of personality. THE STAFF was unbelievably friendly and organized. I was so blown away by how gracious everyone was. The serving staff working the actual reception was also amazing - our guests raved about the service they received. Once we arrived at the venue, we didn't have to lift a finger. We were given access to the green room for refreshments before and after the ceremony which was so relaxing. We honestly felt like VIP celebrities, just chillin in our private lounge ! If you are looking for a way to make your wedding day extra special, and extra cool, you should absolutely consider the Civic. People are still talking to me about what an amazing time they had, how impressed they were with everything, and just how different the vibe was than most weddings. It was so perfect. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!!
7/30/2021 • Katherine K
During initial planning we were looking for the quintessential NOLA venue to celebrate our recent wedding. Our friends and family were planning to come from out of town (and from around the world!) and we wanted to pick a spot that would "wow" them. Not your AVERAGE wedding venue everyone has been to a million times. The Civic is modern, elegant and a little edgy. The original plaster detailing is breathtaking. The lighting and seating arrangement was spectacular. The dinner guests loved the fact that the dinner tables were in same room as the band & dance floor! We worked with the venue Manager Cali very closely. She is extremely organized and put us at ease with her exceptional customer service and attention to detail. No details were overlooked and Cali inspired a lot of confidence early on so that we could relax, and she delivered what she promised. The venue staff was very polished, professional and welcoming. Every bride wants a unique experience so that she can always reflect back on her special day. I can truly say that I was delighted by the place that provided me and my guests a chance to celebrate in a warm ambiance with a flare and sophistication that I dreamed of. The Civic was the perfect place to create the memory of this special day that we will cherish for years. I highly recommend the venue and the staff! Thank you to the staff at Civic for making our wedding so memorable!
7/30/2021 • Emma B
Like so many of the couples who reviewed, we were looking for a space different from the typical banquet hall. We toured so many different venues I knew when we saw Civic that it was the one. The setting is absolutely beautiful! Day of our guests couldn't stop commenting about how gorgeous the place was! The built in lighting and atmosphere really didn’t require a ton of florals - which was great! The Civic team and staff made the whole process seamless! Everything went smoothly and our guests weren’t afraid to cut loose on the dance floor bc of the great lighting! Definitely recommend The civic for anyone looking for a beautiful and unique place for their wedding!
7/30/2021 • Jessica O
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this venue. We booked The Civic over 2.5 years ago and it truly exceeded every single one of our expectations. Every single person we worked with was a dream and so professional. We had Cali as our sales rep who was the best. She answered all my questions and e-mails and was so accommodating. We also had Winter & Mike as our day of support and WOW. The Civic team made our day so incredibly smooth and were incredible to work with. Every single one of our guests had the best day and had the most incredible things to say about everything from the space, the people, the staff, the lighting, the location - walking distance from the Ace Hotel and FQ! The food and drinks were truly amazing as well- the Civic made my dream come to life.
7/30/2021 • Carli V
This venue was PERFECT. It is unique, fun, and has a great atmosphere. I had 250 guests and we all fit in the same room. It has lots of seating and big dance floor. The lighting was perfect and the sound was great (it’s an old theatre!!). On top of that the bar staff was wonderful.
7/30/2021 • Michelle G
I honestly, don't know where to begin because my wedding at the Civic was incredible! Planning a wedding during Covid is not easy but let me just say, I finally had my dream wedding earlier this month at The Civic - working with Cali could not have been easier and she helped make this crazy process so much smoother. Cali and the Civic staff calmed all my nerves and answered all my questions quickly and kindly. They are all unbelievable and helped make my wedding day beyond beautiful - and a truly blast! The bartenders, servers and all of the staff were incredible!
People are still talking about the built in "after party" We had a surprise DJ pop up for the last hour of our reception - dropped in a huge disco ball over the dance floor and did a full club style light show - no one expected it and it was so fun! No one wanted to leave at the end of the night!!
Our experience at the Civic was incredible and our guests cannot stop calling us to rave what a fantastic place it was. I would tell everyone this is the place to get married - its truly a gem!
7/30/2021 • Rebecca H
Civic Theatre was FABULOUS to work with! Their staff was above and beyond accommodating, and did everything to make the evening gorgeous and perfect! The venue is so unique and beautiful too, my guests keep talking about cool it was to have a wedding at such a unique music venue. Our band sounded great and our guests were dancing from the minute we walked in to the minute we left! I cannot recommend Civic more as a venue for a wedding or any event!
1/28/2020 • Melanie G
Beautiful venue for our daughters wedding! Great acoustics for the band, very pleasant staff and good drinks. Thank you for making this such a special day 👰🥂
11/19/2019 • Becky H
Our reception at the Civic was unbelievable. Cali was amazing to work with, so responsive and easy going. There is no way you could ever feel stressed about your events she working with her, she’s a dream.
The venue wowed our guests, it’s stunning and elegant, but still felt modern. It’s a blank canvas that you can bring to life with your aesthetic, but really doesn’t need much to dress it up. We were so happy that we went with the Civic and can’t recommend them enough!
4/24/2019 • Sarahbeth S
If you are looking for a super romantic space this is a beautiful space. I could not even believe my eyes when I saw this place and all the work about my decor staff. All my guests kept asking me how we found this place and how beautiful it was. Cali and her team were great. They made a very stressful day, less stressful by working with our coordinator and also making sure that both the groom and I had everything we needed. Thanks again Cali!
7/15/2018 • Ana B
Our reception was at the Civic in April, and it was an incredible venue and even better experience. The Civic is unique and spacious - it has romantic, vintage charm fused with a modern, industrial style. The staff were amazing to work with, and our event coordinator, Cali, was THE BEST. Cali has a wonderful creative talent, and went above and beyond to make our event special. Cali is experienced and flexible, and thought of every little detail. She made the planning fun and manageable, and was a blast to work with. Our guests are still talking about our reception venue to this day - it blew everyone away! If we had to do it again, we would choose the Civic Theater for our wedding, hands down.
7/12/2018 • Emily R
We LOVED our wedding reception at the Civic! The Civic is our favorite music venue in New Orleans and it made for the most perfect reception! It’s the perfect mix of vintage charm with modern touches throughout. Cali was an amazing help in bringing our vision to life. Would recommend the Civic to anyone looking for a unique, gorgeous venue that will surely stun your guests!
5/30/2018 • Kathleen F
We live in New York but have family ties to New Orleans. We spend all of our holidays there, have been to lots of Nola weddings, and think there is no better place for a great party.
We wanted our wedding to look and feel like us and to be as laid back as the Big Easy is—cocktails when you arrive, a second line to the reception, and outfit changes to set the mood for an epic dance party. The Civic Theater was the perfect place for our reception—historic, beautiful, spacious, and easy to get to. They also have a killer lighting and sound system (it's what they do!).
Cali was with us every step of the way, walking us through the venue on more than 1 occasion, giving her insight and expertise, and being genuinely eager to help. She was incredibly responsive and introduced us to the staff who helped come up with solutions to our ideas. It was such a seamless and smooth experience throughout the entire process. We are thrilled with our decision to have our reception at the Civic Theatre and are forever grateful to Cali and the team for making our wedding so memorable.
3/02/2018 • Sarah T
I had my ceremony and reception at the Civic Theatre and this was the most gorgeous wedding venue! Almost a year later, I look back on photos from that day and am blown away. The venue is gorgeous empty - but so flexible which makes it so easy to add your personal touches to the space. All my wedding guests loved how unique and sophisticated the venue was. The location is perfect, the venue is perfect - my day couldn't have been more of a dream!
3/21/2017 • Angela U
Wow- I had to take a week to really get my thoughts straight. My husband and I got married there on 3/11/17, and I literally could not have asked for more. Cali helped us from beginning to end (and everything in between!). Not only was she kind throughout my many questions and details, she added input that made the night. I walked into the venue and felt the weight of the world leave me. Her and the lightening director went above and beyond to make the space warm and romantic. I could write a book honestly- but instead I will just say- if you are looking for a unique venue your guest will talk about for years- The Civic Theatre is your spot.
Thank you to the entire staff for your efforts and love.
Response from the Vendor on 03/22/2017
Angela! Thank you so much for choosing to spend your special day with us! You were a radiant bride and your party was a hoot. Wishing you many years of love and happiness!
11/08/2016 • Adie K
From the moment I was interested in the Civic Theatre as our wedding venue, Cali was the most amazing help ever. She is responsive, knowledgeable, so sweet, and helped make our wedding absolutely perfect. The space alone is beautiful, but the final set up ended up looking even better than I could have ever imagined. It's the perfect mix of urban and art deco inspired design. Since it's a true music venue, the acoustics are great (the band wasn't too loud etc) and every guest we've talked to has said it was the best wedding they have ever been to. The Civic is the perfect place to have a wedding! Can we do it all again?!
10/27/2016 • Dana B
I can not say enough how amazing this venue is! Cali is the most incredible, hands-on event coordinator, the space is absolutely stunning, and the staff is always on top of things. Pretty much every single person at my wedding told me it was the best party they'd ever been to...and we had almost 300 people!
10/27/2016 • Christopher S
My husband and I got married here last Saturday and it was the best night of our lives. We are so grateful to Cali and the rest of the civic staff for making our experience perfect for us. The theatre was beautiful and set up exactly like we wanted. Highly recommended for a medium to large wedding!
Response from the Vendor on 10/27/2016
Thanks so much Matt & Chris. We LOVED hosting you and your lovely friends and family. Your ceremony was beautiful and I can't wait to see photos. Please come back and visit soon, you're part of the Civic family now!
5/31/2016 • Kelly R
Words simply cannot describe the impeccable experience I have had with Civic. I was privileged enough to work with Cali, Paz, Adam and the rest of the amazing team to curate a beautiful, super fun, tasteful wedding reception experience. The space lends itself to a variety of seating arrangements with plenty of dance room space. The long, main bar at the entrance is perfect for people to gather and get a drink and a great prelude to the phenomenal space beyond. As a wedding planner, I can't wait to work on another 5 star event at Civic.
1/07/2016 • cali g
We had our wedding here and I cannot stress enough how amazing it was!! I wish I could do it again and again! The wedding was perfect and the staff was so awesome to work with. The bartenders were super fast as well :) The venue is SO beautiful and has the most amazing architectural details that I just fell in love with the moment I saw the space! I loved the fact that it had so much NOLA history but still felt hip and cool- plus the all white feeling is perfect for a wedding! I had been to so many concerts at the venue that it was SO cool to be able to see it in a different light. We got to take our engagement photos here too which was a really awesome touch! I can't say enough good things about this beautiful hidden gem of a venue if you are considering it definitely do it!
10/05/2015 • Theresa N
Cali Gabrielle was actually my Sales manager at the House of Blues for my wedding in May of 2016. Meeting her was like a breath of fresh air - she is kind, personable, attentive, caring, considerate, knowledgable, funny - literally every positive and wonderful thing you would want in another person! She has since left to join the Civic, and while I am sad to see her go, I can only think of the blessing Cali will be to the brides that choose this venue. She would make even the most overwhelmed/stressed event planner feel at ease with her thoughtful, organized, yet relaxed personality that just makes you feel right at home. I can't say enough! Just know that you are in good hands with this gem - she will make sure everything is taken care of, and most importantly, make you feel that you are the most important person in the room. :)
9/30/2015 • Knottie1443652099
I worked with Cali at a different venue, and it was the easiest wedding I have helped plan. I was my sister's maid of honor, so I worked pretty closely with her throughout the planning process.
The day of the wedding, the car company forgot to pick up the wedding party, so the wedding ceremony ran late. We were almost 45 minutes late to the reception. Cali made arrangements with the band, bartenders and staff to extend the reception. She made up for the hiccups that we ran into.
Cali made planning the reception a breeze, and then she fixed everything for us on the day of the big event! I hope I get to work on another wedding with her in the future.
9/29/2015 • Collin C
I came here for a wedding and was blown away! Prior to the wedding I had only been to the Civic for concerts so I was very impressed to discover they do weddings as well, and even more pleased to see how tastefully it was done. The space itself was beautiful. The staff that I had interaction with was very helpful. Over all it was amazing! Great job, Civic!
Cali has been a key player in the thriving wedding and events industry in New Orleans for over 10 years. Working in Sales, Logistics, Operations, and Wedding Coordination at notable New Orleans venues such as Tipitina's, House of Blues &the Civic Theatre she is a wealth of knowledge in the industry and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty
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