Community› Local Wedding Boards› Louisiana-New Orleans
Louisiana-New Orleans
New Discussion

Destination Wedding--Need HELP!

erinking31erinking31 member
First Comment
in Louisiana-New Orleans
Hey everone I just recently got engaged in NO, and my fiance and I are really want to get married there. I live in Missouri and I am only able to look at the venues on the internet. After I get it narrowed down to 2-3 I am planning on going back to see each place...does anyone have a suggestion on a great place? We are looking for an outdoor venue, maybe a courtyard or something. Any help would be GREAT!

Thanks Erin
Report Reply to Post

Re: Destination Wedding--Need HELP!

  • risti97risti97
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    What's your budget for the reception?
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • AshLace10AshLace10
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Get a planner! Destination weddings and planners are a MUST, even if its just for the day of//month of! How many guest do you have and whats your budget? I'd suggest somewhere in the quarter to get the entire NOLA experience! I'm using Belle Soiree as my planner, ceremony at st jude shrine and reception at the wax museuum! So nola!
    Report Reply
  • Queen JaneQueen Jane member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our wedding is a DW also. We wanted the outside courtyard feel and went with the Benachi House. It is a few minutes car ride from the quarter but it is an amazing venue. You will have to bring your own caterer in though, the rental only includes the mansion and grounds so it's a little more work. We got a coordinator for day of, but she offered a management package that allows us to ask all sorts of questions and use her contacts which has made things extremely helpful. Long distance planning isn't as difficult as it's made out to be :) Good luck!
    Married! In New Orleans BIO Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • LGJ713LGJ713 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I suggest you contact a bunch of potential venues and ask them to email you info about pricing/packages.  You can narrow down a long list of venues to 2-3 very quickly by price, date availability, and whether they can accommodate the # of guests you are expecting.
    Report Reply
  • chigirl2010chigirl2010
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Planning our NOLA wedding from Chicago - do a search for vendor reviews. There's so much information in them. I picked almost every vendor from those reviews!
    Report Reply
  • erinking31erinking31 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone for the great ideas. We are expecting 75-100 people and haven't really narrowed down a budget yet. We are still in the early stages of planning and I have called a lot of venues but it is Mardi Gras right now so everyone is really busy and unable to send me information. Just trying to find a place to hold the wedding and the reception without having to decorate much or find a lot of vendors. Mainly just trying to pick the venue right now....
    Report Reply
  • amyj54amyj54 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are getting married at the Maison Dupuy.  They have a really cute courtyard w/ fountain and just off of Bourbon Street.  I'm in LA and have planned everything myself in just over 3 months with no wedding planner.  This site is very helpful.

    Good luck.
    Report Reply
  • chzhead24chzhead24
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hey!  I live in Kansas City and am getting married in New Orleans too!  If there's anything I can help you with, let me know, since I've got almost everything done (wedding is 4/16/11).  Last August I researched a ton of venues and made a short list based mostly on who had low enough minimums since I'm not having a huge wedding.  We made a trip down there and looked at venues, met with hair/makeup, photographers, florists, bakers, etc., and that really helped us make our decisions.  That's what I would recommend you do.  Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • phunluvin82phunluvin82 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with chzhead, if you are planning to have a Sat. wedding with that many people, you will want to automatically cut places that have Sat. minimums b/c it's usually for something like 150-200 ppl.  Not that you won't be able to find something great...but you don't want to waste time researching a place only to find out that they have a 200 person min. for a Saturday wedding.  I have heard that Maison Dupuy is gorgeous...and I *think* it is the size you are looking for.  We also thought the Degas House was pretty when we were looking...but I think it was going to be too small for us (we have over 200), could be one to look into.  Good luck, and now that Mardi Gras is over, it should be easier to get in touch with venues :)
    Report Reply
  • phunluvin82phunluvin82 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    p.s. If you read through a lot of other posts on this board, you will probably get more ideas also...House of Broel was mentioned in another post for a wedding about your size.  Just reading through lots of posts on this board has helped me sooooo much throughout my planning!
    Report Reply
  • erinking31erinking31 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks everyone for your help. I just got some information back from Mansion Dubly, and it looks like a really great venue. Hopefully I will get some more information on other venues soon.
    Report Reply
  • jessnwill4everjessnwill4ever
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree you need a planner. I'm a destination bride also and it feels good to know I'm not the only one with my wedding as first priorty. As far as venues you need to see your venue in person. We're getting married at Muriels and the internet did not do it justice. http://318designsbynicole.com my destination planner.
    Report Reply
  • WED572011WED572011
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi Jess,
    Nikki at 318 Designs is planning my wedding to! We hired her a week agoSmile
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards