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?
Re: April 2012 Bride
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.
Belle Soriee
Tie the knot wedding coordination
318 Designs
Get Polished
Posh
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.
Posh & Get Polished Good Luck
Fatty Blog
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 :-)
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.