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April 2012 Bride

citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
10 Comments
in Louisiana-New Orleans
I'm getting married in April in New Orleans, I haven't done much except for signup for the knot lol. Just got engaged last month and I know I want my colors to be purple and green anything else I'm lost. This will be my first marriage soooo what next?
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Re: April 2012 Bride

  • SuzyQ0317SuzyQ0317
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Lol..I felt exactly the same way!  April is not that far away...once you set your budget I would suggest securing place for the reception and a venue for the ceremony.  Once you have those you will get a better feel for how you want your day to go.  Then you can work on the details.  Good luck!
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  • NatMarie2689NatMarie2689
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The first things you want to do are get a venue and church, if your having a church wedding.  Also, depending on your religion, you may have to do marriage prep.  I'm Catholic and found that we had to do our marriage prep at least 6 months before the wedding.  Also, try to find your photographer early because they book fast, especially the most well known.  You might want to start dress shopping for yourself and bridesmaids.  Other stuff to do would be videographer if you want one, booking transportation, hotel rooms, start thinking about a cake, band/dj, food if the venue doesn't come with food, also flowers etc.

    April isn't too far away and it's a pretty busy wedding month for New Orleans.  Congrats and good luck :)
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  • jml1981jml1981
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Those are my colors too! I'm a March 2012 bride. I also got engaged a month ago and have booked several vendors since then based on info I got on this site. Dark Roux - Photography, Omega Sound & Entertainment - DJ, Basin St Station - Venue, Pigeon Caterers - Catering; They have all been great to work with so far and are just some of the recommendations from the lovely ladies on this site. I'm an OOT (Out of Town) bride so it's a little harder when you can't visit places. Good Luck with your planning and your wedding!
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you ladies! We have our budget set and we really want to make our money stretch. We have a reasonble budget but we want so much. I saw somewhere on a blog how much a wedding actually costs and I was shocked.I'm in the process of looking for venues I don't know if I want a church ceremony or not. I like the new orleans museum of art. I'm completly a oot bride I won't be able to come down until early december for a few days.  I work a lot but want to be involved as much as possible. I basically need suggestions on bands, photgraphers, videographers, caterers, makeup,hair, venues, florists, etc. lol. I'm looking at a few planners but not sure if I really need one for anything. Can a florists design my wedding? or would I need a planner or designer for that to? Help
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  • skatoryskatory member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thats a lot to put together in a short time. my florist acted as a mini coordinator for us but with all you have to do I would suggest a full fledged well seasoned planner to put all of this together for you. I hear they can be costly but since you mentioned the Museum I would assume you have a fairly good budget. i was just telling another bride it's so much nicer when your not streesing out as your wedding gets close. Best of luck and your in the right place here for tons of advice.
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  • louisianabluelouisianablue member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Good luck with your planning.  I'm a New York bride getting married in New Orleans next April as well.  I would strongly urge that you start calling venues as soon as possible.  April is a very busy time for weddings in New Orleans, coupled with several events that will make booking difficult: Easter, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest.  When I looked in June a lot of venues were already booked.

    The New Orleans Museum of Art is a beautiful venue, but also one of the most expensive in New Orleans.  I think you'll find the cost of wedding planning much more inexpensive than even the cheapest venue in New York, but if you're set on a April wedding, you better start making some calls fast.
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You guys are scaring me. I'm considering a few planners to help me. Any sugesstions? Please no negativity I'm already in panic mode
    Belle Soriee
    Tie the knot wedding coordination
    318 Designs
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  • louisianabluelouisianablue member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you, but you will want to book your venue, caterer and photographer soon.

    I've talked with Elyse Skansi and Tying the Knot at Danielle at Nola Bash.  Their prices are similar to other coordinators and I liked them both. 
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  • meganb1977meganb1977 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hello fellow April 2012 NOLA bride!  There are some venues that will take care of most things for you...our wedding will be on the Natchez steamboat and they take care of the ceremony music, cake, food and drink, champagne toast, and even take a picture of the bride and groom.  Although they are a smaller venue better, wouldn't recommend for more than 70-80 people.
    Whoever said it was supposed to be happily ever after is a big fat liar.
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  • bridetobexmasbridetobexmas
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Congrats on your wedding and I agree with everyone else you need help unless your guestlist is small or you get a venue that has a venue coordinator. I hired Nikki at  318 Designs months ago because as you can tell by my posts I'm not exactly the one to keep up with things.  But I do know that you have a lot to do in a little time. I really haven't used the boards but I plan to over the next 3 months because brides on here are very helpful. These planners also made my list before choosing.
    Posh & Get Polished Good Luck
    Marrying my best friend
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  • NOLAbridealmostNOLAbridealmost member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Yeah, April is peak season. You need to book, like, now.  I highly recommend Audubon, The Board of Trade, and the Wax Museum for venues and Pigeon Caterers.   I recommend Flour Power for cakes and Fat Cats for flowers. 

    Good luck! 

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  • RYLZRYLZ member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Welcome, Citybayou, I'm a NYC bride getting married in New Orleans in Feb 2012.  In addition to all the items directly involved with the wedding, I would recommend you start working on your hotel room blocks for OOT guests.  That's what I tackled as soon as I had the venue picked.  and I wouldn't wait until December to pick or you might not find much left or have any room for negotiation.

    I've hired Elyse at Tying the Knots for Day-Of and I find her friendly and responsive-- she also had the best prices of everyone I looked at.  I did long telephone interviews when deciding.

    Sabree Hill has super reasonable rates for photography (starting at $1200) and is a joy to work with.  We did our engagement shoot with her and really enjoyed working with her.  She got our pictures back to us in less than 2 weeks.

    Good luck-- and I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful advice here.
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  • diem1034diem1034
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Bridefilm.com for videography! Wonderful to work with:) good luck!
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  • NatMarie2689NatMarie2689
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Christina O'Malley for flowers!  Super affordable and knows a lot about flowers.
    christinaomalley@cox.net

    Haydel's Bakery is great for cakes.  Super tasty!  Also, Royal Cakery is great also.

    Chad Dyle and Bridefilm are two great videographers.

    Brenda Sison, Jennifer at Twirl Photography, and Sarah Mattix are very nice photographers and do great work!!

    Jessica at Just Face It or Two Sisters Hair and Makeup are good for beauty.

    VIP Transportation or Celebrity Limos are afforable.

    I hope this helps!  There are tons of venues in New Orleans so consider your wedding size and check into venues that may come with food so you may save money on catering.  Good luck and I hope it all works out.  Remember, just breathe and don't stress out.  This is the day you and your husband will remember no matter what.
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you guys for the help. I have gotten a little progress done. I haven't decided on a venue but the house of blues looks nices so does the w hotel and I know I want the ceremony and reception in the same place.  I contacted Brenda Sison, I love the pictures on her website. I chose Haydels as my cake maker, thanks to you guys for having good things to say about them and they seemed super nice on the phone can't wait to taste their cake, I chose 318 Designs to help me plan and design, they did a beautiful spread for one of the magazines so that was a plus. I want a florist who can team up with nikki and really bring my vision. So I'm stuck between Christina O'malley, Fat Cat and Bee's (advice) I've decided that a band would be better, still figuring that out. @bezlu I have been calling hotels all day attempting to set room blocks, frustrated. Sorry I'm way to tired to attach the links. But this what I've done so far. I feel a little betterUndecided
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  • louisianabluelouisianablue member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Wow!  You work quick.  Diane at Fat Cat does great work and was very responsive, but I found her quote to be $1,800 more than Meade Wenzel who I ended up hiring.

    I really liked Chloe at the House of Blues and the price was really reasonable.  It just wasn't the look I was going for, but is an amazing space for a wedding.
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  • NolaWhitNolaWhit
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We had our ceremony and reception at Musee Conti Wax Museum.  Everything exceeded our expectations, and our guests raved about it.  Depending on the size of your guest list, you may want to look into it.

    As far as room blocks, I knew which hotels I wanted to use and contacted them directly.  Many ladies here recommend going through the New Orleans Visitors Bureau to request hotel information.  Here is the form if you want to check it out.
    http://www.neworleanscvb.com/crm/index.cfm/action/viewform/formID/1

    I didn't use any of those florists, so I can't give any advice there.  You've accomplished a lot in a short period of time!
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Are you guys serious, i hired a planner and reserved a bakery that's not a lot. I sat up lastnight and sent out requests and whoever answered by morning I was talking to. @louisianablue scared me lol. I still don't feel like thats a lot accomplished I wish I could actually see the venues before choosing.1800 for flowers why sooo much? Please send me the info on the one you used. Thank you @nolawhit for the info.
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  • ngddvm1ngddvm1
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am an April 2012 bride as well and we are having our reception at the House of Blues - just loved the space! Are you planning a Saturday evening wedding? That seems to make a huge difference if you have some flexibility there (i.e. If you are willing to look at another day or different time). I'm using Erin Steen for flowers; she has good reviews on this board and is very reasonable. Don't get too scared - you can do it, you just may need to be flexible. The ladies on here are incredibly helpful!!
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  • RYLZRYLZ member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    citybayou, I have found flower quotes to be CRAZY!   Christine O'Malley gave me a good estimate but I'm not totally convinced yet.  Has Nikki made any recommendations? 

    We spent 4 days in Nola last month and went on a vendor marathon if you need any additional first-hand info on venues you have in mind.  I have copious notes! Smile 

    For room blocks, I called most myself but I got a good offer from the Whitney Wyndham using www.hotelplanner.com

    Where in the city are you?  Louisianablue and I discovered we're in the same borough :-)
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  • louisianabluelouisianablue member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    When I went to look at venues in June, I had a very different idea of where I wanted to have my wedding.  I looked at a number of restaurants, several hotels in the French Quarter and other random sites I happened to see.  I've probably looked at over 15-20 venues, so I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.

    Surprisingly, I have actually not seen my venue yet.  My mom and her friend went to look at it after I was home and also attended a tasting.  I feel confident that I will love the Board of Trade and Pigeon Catering has been great to work with.

    I PM'd you information on Meade Wenzel.  Just know that is very old school and does not do email.
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  • NO2012NO2012
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would look into Musee Conti (Wax Museum) as a venue. Beth can help serve as a coordinator of sorts also to help get you going. It's a great venue and a very flexible space. Lots of pics on their website and I can send you a few others I took on my visit as well. I totally feel you about not seeing the venue ahead of time, but between your planner and the girls here, you should be able to make an informed decision. I'm going with Christina O'Malley for flowers at my planner's recommendation. She was also recommended by the Wax and I found her prices to be very reasonable. Flowers aren't a huge priority for me budget wise, so she is a perfect fit for me. On the hotel room blocks, my planner is handling that primarily, but I can tell it's been a time consuming process, so be patient (haha). Let us know your next steps so we can help you out as much as we can!!
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm in Kings county. @bezlu and @louisianablue please send me info on venues! I was looking into the foundry but I read some not so good reviews and I don't want to take a risk with my venue!! My email is graceha244@yahoo.com Nikki suggested Christina also and Nola flora, so Im going to check into them. Flowers are important but prices are to.ngddvm1 I wanted to get married on a saturday because of our guests, flights and all. We have a draft of our guestlist which is about 200 at the moment, my mom thinks that's way to many for a destination wedding. So I guess my next steps are nailing down a venue and photographer. I see you guys keep mention pigeons catering so I sent a request for more info but I was worried about venues not allowing the caterer I want. I hired Nikki for month of and design although she has been very nice about doing extra already I'm kinda of weary about asking her to do things that's not in our contract without paying extra, or maybe swapping services for stuff I can have my sisters do, is that rude?
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  • NO2012NO2012
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Let Nikki help you with as much as she is willing, especially to get your venue nailed down.
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  • citybayougirlcitybayougirl member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yeah she's been really good about my constant breakdowns lol! I just want to look pretty in my dress! I'm really thinking about Race & Religious now bonus Arnold thinks its so cool to be called that (he's crazy) so hopefully getting the information and booking will be painless. Once this is done along with the photographer I will be able to breathe
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