Need Help! OOT bride going crazy!

natbug21

Hey all!  I am from St. George, UT trying to plan a New Orleans wedding and I am getting so lost!  I keep reading all these posts saying that almost all venues in the french quarter have around a $10,000 minimum for food and bevarge!  I'm only having around 35 people and was hoping to spend around $5,000 for the reception.  I really love the Omni Royals rooftop location or a nice french quarter courtyard. Any advice or previous experiences? Has anybody had sucess planning around a $12,000 New Orleans wedding?  Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated.  The only thing I have booked is my photographer because she is flying out with us from St. George.  Hopefully this will help and I will stop pulling out my hair lol.  Thanks guys! Oh and by the way we are getting married March 2012.

Queen Jane

I know that Arnaud's is a popular choice for a smaller reception, but not sure on the price. Ive heard cafe Amelie and house of blues are reasonably priced. Are you set on right in the quarter or would you go outside a bit? That may expand your options.

natbug21

Yeah I'm trying to get ahold of Cafe Amelie but I havent gotten anything back yet.  I'm pretty set in the french quarter because that is just what all my guests are wanting and expecting for the New Orleans destination experience.  I'm still trying to get ahold of Omni Royal as well.  It seems like everyone is so hard to get ahold of!

Queen Jane

There are lots of options close to the quarter (10 minute car ride or so) if you don't mind finding them transportation, and you could still do your hotel blocks in the FQ. Just a thought, if you can't find something to fit your budget. We ate doing something like that and I'm hoping to be around 15k.

aniadenver

I am having a small wedding myself - around 45-50 people- at House of Blues. Its a daytime wedding and Food & Bev minimum is $3500. Very reasonable. The place is super cool if you like unconventional stuff good luck!

Ps. St George is gorgeous!

svaltie

The Hermann Grima House has a beautiful courtyard and no food and beverage minimum (they do have a gratuity minimum, though, and will work that out based on your party).  I just visited the site yesterday.  It's on St. Louis right off Bourbon.  For a group smaller than 50, they charge a $500 rental fee.

phunluvin82

I think you can definitely do your budget for 35 people.  I think that a lot of the traditional venues have big minimums for Saturdays...but since yours is small, you have other options (and you wouldn't really want a huge ballroom or something for a smaller group of people anyway).  I would look at some nice FQ restaurants like NOLA has a private event room that would fit that many people.  Also August (may be on the pricier side, but their upstairs private room is really nice).  Brennan's I think has a courtyard available for private events.  We are having our RD for about 35 people at August, and I didn't pry about the cost b/c my in-laws are paying for it...but I know my FMIL mentioned that their minimum was $1000 (but that was for a Friday...not sure if it is the same for Sat.)

You could also try the museums: Cabildo, Presbytere, U.S. Mint which have a variety of room sizes and I think that you bring your own catering...not sure what the rentals fees for the spaces run. 

http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/rental.htm

natbug21

Wow thanks guys! Those are all places I haven't heard of yet! I definitely will be looking into those today!

TurWalk

You should also check out the Montegut House and Beauregard Keyes House, both in the FQ.

meganb1977

If you're interested in expanding your options beyond a courtyard, the Natchez steamboat is very budget friendly.  Weather permitting, you can get married on the deck overlooking the Mississippi River and they can take care of the officiant, music, everything for you.  You can have a limited bar and hors d'oeuvres for about $40-$50 per person including tax/gratuity which is very reasonable for a quaint venue here.

NOLAbridealmost

Antoine's has tons of private rooms in a variety of sizes and I am not sure they require a "minimum" unless it's a Saturday night. 

Also, I am not sure about their minimum but try the Maison Dupuy. 

Hotel Monteleone has a smaller ballroom (called the Riverview Room? I can't remember) and it overlooks the rooftop pool and the entire French Quarter. I highly doubt the minimum for that space comes anywhere near 10,000, but it is still beautiful. 

amyj54

We are having our ceremony and reception at the Maison Dupuy.  I will be checking the place out next weekend but, from what I've seen online it looks like an amazing place.  We are only having 50 people.  They have a F&B minimum but, if you book a Friday night is will be less expensive than a Saturday.  I also got a deal because we booked on an open date within 3 months, anything after that they hold to their rate card.

Good luck!

seanpatrickb

We tried to book Cafe Amelie, and after three weeks of phone calls and emails and virtual phone stalking, we gave up. It's a great space, but I wouldn't get my heart set on it. 

AshLace10

I would hire a planner to help you! They know all the spots that are cheaper and that do smaller weddings!! I had the same trouble but my planner helped out a ton in what have mins and not, and I know some hotels have smaller ballrooms that they dont advertise. Just my advice! The above posters are right antoines and arnauds have nice sized private rooms that are way cheaper! Hope I helped!

natbug21

Hey guys! Thanks again for all the input! I have checked out all the places everyone recommended and I have some great options now! I also looked into getting a wedding planner who can help out (good advice AshLace10!).  TurWalk mentioned the Montegut House but I am having no luck in finding out how to contact them.  I've seen some pics of the place and I really like it! Does anybosy have any experience with getting ahold of or having a wedding at the montegut house? Thanks again!

hh3073a

I had a similar experience with Cafe Amelie. I'm also OOT, and i felt like a total stalker. In the end, I told them to shove it. It's a beautiful place, but nowhere is worth that much aggravation.

chzhead24

Also check out Broussard's.  Our budget is similar to yours, and we almost went with them.  They have some really nice settings, very knowledgeable, very responsive, etc.  I've also read some good reviews from others who have had their wedding there.  Good luck!

natbug21

Do you mind me asking what venue you ended up going with?

lindsaywoods

Does anyone have the Montegut House contact info?

ChrissyBeachBride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_need-oot-bride-going-crazy?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:6395a6c7-91b3-450b-bd90-57bf4b88b707Post:9214430a-43d4-424a-856f-1dd4276d7827">Re: Need Help! OOT bride going crazy!</a>:
[QUOTE]Does anyone have the Montegut House contact info?
Posted by lindsaywoods[/QUOTE]

I just PM'd you.