Changing the wedding date! ugh

citybayougirl

I just got a email from my planner and after nearly everyone  she has contacted for my date is booked. Is april 7th that popular? I'm so frustrated! She seems to think Sunday is my best bet in april that is. Changing the date isn't a big deal but Sunday? Who gets married on Sunday? am I overreacting? Now Im worried about some of my guests not being able to make it. So now we are looking at the 14th or the 15th UGH! This is so much harder then what I see on tv

louisianablue

I tried to be really flexible about my wedding date so I could get the venue I wanted.  I just knew that I wanted to get married in April.  My wedding is actually on April 7, and IIRC there were several venues still available on that date.

Federal Ballroom
Royal Sonesta
St. Louis Hotel
House of Blues
The Chicory
Race and Religious (which I think is a terrible name for venue)
The Foundry
Royal Orleans
The Cabildo
Muriel's
Galvez Restaurant

The French Quarter Festival is the weekend of April 14th and Jazz Fest starts the weekend of April 28.  Just something to keep in mind.

NO2012

I discovered that nearly all times of the year are now crazy busy for NOLA weddings, especially given the high number of us OOT destination brides. I started booking for my September 2012 wedding a couple of months ago and I had to switch dates a couple of times (primarily because I am getting married at the Cathedral), but everywhere I went to check out venues I was told there was at least one other bride with my date who had just been there or who had inquired. I would have been inclined to think they were full of it but for knowing I booked the last spot for a Saturday wedding in late September and all of October 2012 (this was in July 2011 for crying out loud!). Once we had that date down, my FI mentioned what about Nov and I almost lost my mind at the thought of switching everything around again and the hassle of doing everything via email from a distance. That was the end of that conversation! So.....I think you just need to decide how set you are on April and/or a Saturday wedding and go from there. I ended up switching from October to the last weekend in September and switching from 7pm to 3pm (after that sunk in I am actually much happier with 3:00 as it turns out). Hang in there!!

NO2012

Yes, the point of my post was, as louisianablue stated, try to be flexible.

ourday12

I'd stick with your date and look at a few differnt vendors and locations. You've only been planning a few days and look how much youve gotten done. Now you have a coordinator who can do all of thet for you and knows the city.I've only been to the french quarter festivel once but the whole quarter was full of people. Dont get stressed just yet.

citybayougirl

Thanks you guys @louisianablue I googled it and  I actually like race and religious. I called my planner and she said the same thing you said about the weekend of the 14th. So now we are at March 31st @NO2012 this is it!  and I'm booking race and religious asap!! From the pictures it looks amazing and I love anything that looks rustic. 

louisianablue

The Final Four is in town the weekend of March 31, so a lot of the hotels will be very expensive.

On Race and Religious, it is in a very odd part of town.  It's on the very far end of the Warehouse district.  You will need to rent table and chairs for the venue, but it is a beautiful venue.  The venue is $3,000 to rent.

Obviously there is something happening in New Orleans all of the time, but I just want to make sure that you were aware in case you run into problems later down the line.

citybayougirl

As you all can probably tell I'm terrible under pressure! Unfortunalty for my mom and dad I'm sticking with March 31st!  @louisianablue, will you be my virtual planner? lol what do you mean by odd? because i would like to have them as my venue

louisianablue

It's just a very industrial part of town.  I definitely wouldn't walk there at night, so most of your guests will have to call a cab to pick them up at the end of the wedding.  It's a really pretty house with two empty lots across the street.

I liked Vesta who runs the venue and the house was really pretty, but I thought it would be an inconvenience for my guests to get there.

Also forgot to mention Rosy's Jazz Hall too.  They have kind of the same look, but are a little closer in.

cbroekstra

its not an "odd" part of town meaning weird, its just kinda out the way of the quarter. its on the other side of the interstate from the french quarter, but not far, so its a quick cab ride for your guests. Plus since its kinda out the way from the quarter/New Orleans area it won't be so crazy because of the Final 4.

I've been to a party there and it was awesome. Good choice! and I've seen pictures from bridals taken there and they came out awesome, so something to think about with your photographer!

I mean, it even has a pool! You could probably even rent it as a place for your wedding party to stay because it has bedrooms on the top floors of the house. GL!

RYLZ

I second Louisianablue that I wouldn't walk there alone at night and I think cabs will be another hassle for your guests.

Have you tried Beauregard-Keyes House?  A similar feel and they have a gorgeous garden that can be used for the ceremony (504) 523-7257. 

Good luck!

Queen Jane

Just so you know, our wedding is on a Sunday, and we saved quite a bit on our venue by doing that. So, it's not unheard of

Good luck on your decision!

carolemb

Rooms! I'd definitely focus on gettinghotel rooms asap! The whole entire city is completely sold out!!! I'm a March 31 bride and just letting you know, it hasn't been easy. I hope you don't have any out of town guests.

asd2011

Ditto to carolemb.  NOLA is a top convention and special events city, so it seems there's always something going on that sells out the hotels downtown.  The Final Four is huge and will be taking up rooms all over downtown, warehouse district and probably uptown New Orleans.  You can contact the CVB and give them your date.  They will send out a request to all hotels in the area and have them send you rates, if available, for that weekend.  You probably don't want the added stress of guests callign you to tell you they can't find a hotel room.  Good luck!!

citybayougirl

Thanks you guys, I have my planner taking care of the rooms. My mom thinks renting a couple of bed and breakfasts will be good and allow more guests to stay in one place. Between my mom and nikki I know it will work out. I have turned everything over to them until the hard parts are done.

NO2012

Glad to hear it! Keep us updated!

AlmostMrsStrong

FI and I were set on 11/3/12, and ended up booking a location during the day. I never pictured myself having a day time wedding, but now I'm really excited!

maleeny

In all honesty, I'd get rid of a planner. It's your wedding, you should be planning it, and doing what you want I started with a planner, but it was like she was planning her 2nd wedding and not mine. Hasta la vista baby. I am doing it all on my own

citybayougirl

Update: We have the hotel room blocks, we had to go out a little futher to get enough rooms for everyone. We are in the process of finalizing our venue and photographer. Now on to the fun stuff florists and food.