Wedding Recap and Detailed Reviews (super long!)

RYLZ

Wedding Coordinator-Elyse Skansi of Tying the Knot (504.261.0484) www.tyingtheknotweddingcoordination.com email: tyingtheknotweddings@yahoo.com
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Wedding Reception Venue-Bourbon Orleans Hotel-Contact Alyssa Mistretta
tel: (504.571.4605) email: Alyssa.Mistretta@bourbonorleans.com.
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Boudoir and Wedding Photography-Jacqueline Kay-Contact Jacqueline (504.470.344)
wwwjacquelinekay.com
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Wedding Cake-Haydel’s Bakery-504.837.0190
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2nd Line Brass Band-Smitty Dees-Contact Demitri Smith (smittydees@msn.com)
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VIP Limo-contact Steve (504.897.5466)
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Makeup-Artistry by Camille-Contact Katherine Redmond (504.231.9626)

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Hair-Ringletts Hair Salon-Contact Tracy (504.483.9031)
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Facebooth Photobooth-Megan Daigle (225.364.9935) email: megan@faceboothla.com
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riceowls13

How much was your second line permit, if you don't mind sharing? Can't find a definitive answer. Thanks!

RYLZ

Thanks, ladies :-)

Riceowls, $375 total.  I've heard it might be less if you have fewer than 50 people but I'm not sure of that's just a rumor.

[Deleted User]

BEZLU, you are nothing short of amazing. Your reviews are impeccable and so helpful always. I'm so happy for you that your wedding was a success. I am from the area and actually see Tawanna at Ringletts regularly. I love ringletts...great choice. I am looking into using some of your vendors now. I also have a room block at the Bourbon orleans and was concerned about the size of the townhouse suite, but it sounds like it was perfect for pre-wedding meet up. Thanks and don't be a stranger to the board. Your postings will be missed.

[Deleted User]

p.s. my fiance is also from New York and we are expecting a number of oot guests. Your prince conti info is so helpful.

egammo3

Hey Bezlu, loved your reviews. While most of my vendors have been selected, I will definitely take your limo review into consideration.
I am so glad everything worked out with Makeup Artistry by Camille, I actually went to high school with those girls... they were like my little babies. Unfortunately, I decided not to go with them because my BM's wanted MUA's that had more experience especially if they were paying for it. However, you looked beautiful. If it were my choice, I would def choose them.
I have also been to Ringletts before, my Best Friend is the owners cousin and I also went to HS w/ one of the stylist/MUA there.  While I did not have a "wow" experience there, I am so glad that you were satisfied.

Thanks for taking the time to write very detailed reviews. I wish you would've done this maybe 8 months ago! LOL.

NO2012

Thanks for sharing the details of your wonderful wedding weekend with us!!  Despite the "fly in the ointment" as you called her, it sounds like everything was fantastic.  I can only hope I can come back in October with the same excitement as you have!  I am using Smitty Dee's & Haydel's also and this puts my mind at ease about some lingering concerns.  And we are having our RD in the Rex room at Antoine's (our favorite restaurant for sentimental reasons)!  Great to hear you had the same great experience that we always do.    Still super jealous of your honeymoon.....

jml1981

Congrats Bezlu! So glad everything went well despite the hiccup you had with Nikki. I hope my reviews are as detailed as yours!  

Brooke4377

Congrats again!  Amazing reviews....so appreciative of your detail.  We have also booked the Bourbon Orleans and I was anxiously awaiting your reviews and so glad that you were happy with the venue!  I am also using Haydel's and Omega Sound, and may look into your hair/makeup choices as well!  I am so torn about the second line band....the practical side of me says that it is way too much money for so little time, but everyone seems to really, really love them!!  I don't want to have regrets, and it is such a New Orleans thing to do....did you definitely think it was worth it?  Are there any rain cancellation options in the contract?  Sorry for all these questions, and I think I need to write you a long PM with my other questions about food/bev at the Bourbon Orleans

egammo3

Bez, I didn't see the new post. What happened?!? You just give me the time and the place and Ray Ray will be there. LoL!

mnols

So helpful, thank you!  Looks like you had a terrific day.  We're narrowing down a few vendors, your review include some of the people we're considering.

Congrats!

jeffandjazzgetmarried

Thank you SO much for your post! I'm African-American but have a rainbow of bridesmaids as well. Your hair and makeup recommendations are definitely filed away for the big day!

terrieas

I also really appreciate your detailed reviews - I hadn't even considered that a second line needed a permit!  Much less how much a permit would cost!

dreamgal8

Smitty Dee's performed a second line at my wedding. I found out a year after my wedding that my wedding guests had to pay them several hundred dollars out of pocket when they were threatening to leave before performing (bc a guest passed out in the middle of the ceremony and 911 had to be called; the band got tired of waiting). They didn't play the song that was requested to be played upon the bride and groom exiting St. Louis Cathedral. They LEFT THE BRIDE AND GROOM and proceeded down the street, leaving my husband and I to have to RUN several blocks in our wedding attire to catch up with them!!?!? Then once we caught up, they stopped dancing. They literally WALKED the rest of the way to the reception venue. ALL of their music was monotonous and not exciting. They were the part of our wedding we were most looking forward to showing out out of town guests to give them a NOLA wedding experience. They were the WORST part of our wedding! DO NOT BOOK THEM FOR ANYTHING! They were by far the worst decision I made for my wedding.