Harry Connick Jr Wedding Photos: Why the 1994 New Orleans Vows Still Matter

It was 1994. The world was obsessed with flannel shirts, The Lion King had just hit theaters, and a young crooner from New Orleans was about to marry a Victoria’s Secret model. If you go looking for harry connick jr wedding photos today, you aren't just looking at celebrity nostalgia. You’re looking at a blueprint. Honestly, in a town where marriages usually last about as long as a summer blockbuster, Harry Connick Jr. and Jill Goodacre have managed something sort of miraculous.

They didn't sell their photos to the highest bidding tabloid for a million bucks. They didn't have a 12-foot cake or a televised special. Instead, they walked into the St. Louis Cathedral in the heart of the French Quarter and did things the old-fashioned way.

What Really Happened at the St. Louis Cathedral?

The wedding took place on April 16, 1994. Now, if you’ve ever been to Jackson Square in New Orleans, you know the St. Louis Cathedral. It’s the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the U.S., and it’s hauntingly beautiful. Harry, being a local legend and a devout Catholic, wouldn't have had it any other way.

There were about 300 guests. That sounds like a lot, but for a guy who sells out arenas and a woman who was literally one of the most famous faces in the world at the time, it was remarkably intimate.

The photos from that day capture a specific kind of 90s elegance. Jill didn't go for the "big hair" look that was still lingering from the 80s. She looked timeless. Harry, meanwhile, looked like he’d stepped right out of a 1940s film noir, which has always kind of been his vibe anyway.

The Dress and the Mood

People always ask about Jill’s dress. It was classic. We’re talking simple lines, incredible tailoring, and a veil that didn't swallow her whole. When they stepped out onto the cathedral steps, the paparazzi were there, sure, but the shots weren't staged. They were raw. You can see the genuine "we actually like each other" look in their eyes.

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Basically, the wedding was a Roman Catholic mass. It wasn't a "performance."

Why We Are Still Obsessed With These Photos 30 Years Later

It's weird, right? We usually forget celebrity weddings by the next news cycle. But harry connick jr wedding photos keep resurfacing on Instagram and Pinterest. Why? Because they represent a "win" for the good guys.

Harry and Jill met in 1990 at a hotel. He was in the pool, she walked by, and he basically forgot how to swim. He asked her to lunch, and that was it. They dated for two years and were engaged for another two. They didn't rush.

When you look at the anniversary posts Harry shares now—often featuring those grainy 1994 originals—it’s a reminder that the glitz of the wedding wasn't the point.

• Authenticity: They weren't trying to "trend" before trending was a thing.
• Geography: Choosing New Orleans over Vegas or Malibu gave the photos a sense of "home."
• Longevity: Knowing they’ve survived Jill’s battle with breast cancer and raised three daughters (Georgia, Sarah Kate, and Charlotte) makes the 1994 photos feel heavier. More meaningful.

Misconceptions About the Big Day

A lot of people think they had this massive, chaotic street parade. While Harry is the king of New Orleans music, the ceremony itself was quite solemn. It was a mass. They took the "vows" part seriously.

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Another thing? People assume there are thousands of professional shots floating around. There aren't. Most of what you see are the press shots from outside the church or the couple of personal snaps Harry has graciously shared over the years. They kept the interior of the ceremony relatively private, which was a bold move for two people at the height of their fame in the mid-90s.

The Secret to the "Glow"

If you study the photos, there's no "celebrity mask" on. Harry often says he married his best friend. It sounds like a cliché, but when you see him looking at her in those 1994 shots, you kind of believe him. He’s said in interviews that he’s still "mystified" by her.

That’s the secret sauce. Most celebrity wedding photos look like a business merger. Theirs looks like two kids who got lucky.

How to Find the Real Photos (and Avoid the Fakes)

If you're hunting for the actual harry connick jr wedding photos, stick to reputable archives like Getty Images or the Associated Press. You'll see the iconic shot of them leaving the cathedral, Harry in his dark suit and Jill in her stunning white gown, surrounded by the brickwork of Jackson Square.

Avoid those "clickbait" galleries that mix in photos from his movie sets (like Hope Floats) or random red carpet events from 1996. The real deal has a specific lighting—that soft, New Orleans afternoon sun that you just can't fake.

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Takeaways for the Modern Wedding

What can we actually learn from a 30-year-old celebrity wedding? Honestly, quite a bit.

1. Pick a place that means something. Harry chose his hometown and his faith's center. It grounded the whole event.
2. Don't over-edit your life. The best photos of them aren't the ones where every hair is in place; they're the ones where they're laughing near a limo.
3. Invest in the marriage, not just the party. Those 1994 photos are beautiful because the people in them are still together in 2026.

If you're planning your own nuptials or just looking for aesthetic inspiration, look for the "Jill and Harry" vibe: classic, slightly understated, and deeply personal.

To see the most authentic versions of these images, your best bet is following Harry Connick Jr.’s official social media accounts around April 16th each year. He almost always drops a "new" old photo from the vault to celebrate their anniversary, and his captions are usually way more touching than anything a publicist could write. Stick to the primary sources for the real story behind the lens.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Check Official Archives: Use Getty Images and search "Harry Connick Jr. Jill Goodacre wedding 1994" for the highest-resolution historical shots.
• Follow the Source: Keep an eye on Harry’s Instagram (@harryconnickjr) during April for rare, non-paparazzi photos from their private collection.
• Study the Style: If you're looking for 90s bridal inspiration, focus on Jill's "less is more" approach to jewelry and makeup, which has aged significantly better than most bridal trends from that era.