Destination Wedding advice - Videographer, Decor, Second Line Band, post ceremony drinks

Knottie97207934

Hi all,

My fiancé and I are planning our destination wedding in New Orleans for Feb 2016 from Western Australia. We have just under 50 guests planned travelling from all over the world to join us.  We aren't from New Orleans, and I have only been to visit once, but we just knew this would be the way we wanted to celebrate together with the ones we love!  We have assistance from a wedding planner, and have agreed (secured some) of the following so far:

Ceremony:  Pharmacy Museum

Reception: The Gallery at The Chicory

Photographer

Reception Band

We are seeking advice on the following:

Videographers: currently reviewing Clawson Media, Terrington Films and 1080 Productions - advice on any of these would be great - what did you roughly pay and what did you get for your package? How was your experience, and did you find they worked well with the photographer?

Rental décor: Lanterns, votives, candles etc. We like rustic/vintage type look, and plan to have various vintage bottles with single/a couple of blooms amongst candles, Who would you recommend that rents candles/lanterns etc. at a reasonable price?  We have had a quote through our wedding planner for florals and décor hire - which is way too excessive ($13k!! - more than our seated and served reception costs for 50 guests). Because of our 'style' we are thinking to do DIY reception florals and then have our bouquets etc. made by the florist, but would still need the lighting. We are also seeking another floral quote - just in case! Appreciate any rental advice here.

Second line band: Who is most reasonably priced and reliable?  Has anyone used Jazzmen Brass Band?

Post-ceremony drinks: After our ceremony at The Pharmacy Museum, we would like to have a short period of celebratory drinks (say 1-2 drinks per person) before the second line band arrives to escort everyone to the reception.  What would be your advice here? Can you arrange this for a reasonable price through someone external who can deliver them? Are we best to just arrange some chilled drinks purchased ourselves made available?  Is there a pre-filled go-cup option that anyone offers? You can tell we aren't from New Orleans asking these type of questions.

Very excited, thanks in advance for your responses!

ZeroOrchestra

We used Luminous Events for candle decor and centerpieces. The prices can rise very fast if you are not careful but they are so very professional and did an amazing job. They even went in our suite during the reception and set up some romantic candlelight for us. I only wish our decor budget had been bigger!

Is your planner also your day of coordinator? If so, I would consider buying your own drinks for post ceremony and have them set up a station. Just offer one or two simple things that either don't need mixing (wine or champagne) or something you can make in a big batch. Just make sure your ceremony allows alcohol first (I'm not familiar with that one). You could also just plan your second line for immediately after the ceremony and have the DOC pour them in go-cups during the ceremony.

As far as I've seen most second line bands run around the same price, 750 is the lowest I think I've seen on the board. And don't forget to setup the permit for it!

missmagnolia

I'm using Firefly Ambiance for my reception decor. I am doing something similar to you and am doing mainly candles, lanterns, votives, etc. and just having flower petals around the base of the candle centerpieces. Firefly wasn't cheap, but she was less than $13k! and she has been amazing to work with so far. For my flowers, I'm having my bouquets/bouts and then just the petals done by Beth's Bridal Bouquets - she does mainly brooch bouquets, but is also a licensed florist.

My ceremony musicians Harry Hardin and New Orleans' Finest Musicians are setting up my second line for me, because I'm second-lining straight from the ceremony to the reception. The second line was $200 per musician.  

I agree that making a big batch of cocktails and serving them in go cups after the ceremony would probably be easiest, and could be really fun. You could do something that is classically New Orleans like Hurricanes, Hand Grenades or something like that (those should also be able to be prepared ahead of time in big batches.) 

Sounds like a super fun wedding!

504mel

The after ceremony drinks is a great idea! 

Personalized to-go cups is really cute. Or you can purchase Pat O'Brien's Hurricane glasses (or hard plastic). They also sell their hurricane mix. You just add water and booze and you are good to go!

Knottie97207934

Thank you so much for your responses ladies. Will research some more of the decor options you've suggested. I like the idea of our day of coordinator (who is our planner) helping with an easy option drinks solution. Thank you!

Knottie28148416

We just had our wedding at the Pharmacy Museum in May. What we did was ordered 15 bottles of champagne from a couple doors down Vieux Carre Wine & Spirits and had it delivered. The Pharmacy Museum was great to work with. They had large party tubs to keep champagne iced, set up our champagne glasses and even poured the champagne for us. Everyone was enjoying this before we took off for the second line. We used Kinfolk Brass Band. I highly recommend them! I did a lot of research and decided to go with them and glad I did. They were so much fun, we had them stay for the cocktail hour at our reception as well! For the ceremony music we had a violin and guitar duo and booked this through Harry Hardin and New Orleans Finest Musicians. He was great to work with! 

Knottie59783736

Was just at a wedding on Friday night.  On Wednesday they took a "cocktail tour" it was one of the best things I have ever done in New Orleans, just to let you know.

missmagnolia

Can you send me the info on that cocktail tour? Was it something they booked through an operator or something they made themselves? Very interested!

nolabride2015

Knottie97207934, I sent you a private message with the BEST advice I have... check your in box.

missmagnolia, we had one for our wedding - and we did one on Wednesday night - - Knottie59783736, were you at our wedding? ;-).  I PM'd you what we wrote on our website...

magnoliabeauty

I'd love info on a cocktail tour as well, please! 

mz1414

Hi, have you finalized your decor yet?  I have an event rental company that I run from my home, with lanterns, centerpieces, linens, etc.  I would love to give you a quote.  Lanterns are $11!!!