We just returned from our fabulous destination wedding in the FQ. While everything did not turn out perfectly, we had a wonderful time and a perfect day! It was so amazing I wish we could do it again. We're already talking about returning every year to celebrate our anniversary in the city we hold so dear.
We live in upstate NY so I'll keep the vendor reviews just to those from NOLA.
Hotel block -
Hotel Provincial -
A- The staff was easy to work with, extended the rate for guests who booked late, and were very accomodating. My parents and sister each got rooms with a balcony on Decatur. It was the perfect location for our pre-ceremony photos. We stayed in a regular room for the first few nights and then changed to the Honeymoon Suite. The Suite had a balcony on Chartres, again, another great location for pre-ceremony photos. There was some confusion with length of stays etc but the staff corrected it properly and even comped parking for some guests.
Rehearsal Dinner -
Bacco -
A+ My hubby was in charge of arranging the rehearsal dinner and he did a great job. He worked with Aimee who was satisfactory to work with though there was some communicaiton issues such as info being sent to the wrong e-mail but it all worked out. Our RD was for only 20 so we didn't want to pay for a private room. However, when we got to Bacco they said to accomodate us better they put us in a private room in the back of the house. It worked out perfectl. We had two tables, two dedicated servers, and some great backdrops for photos. Our servers were Haley and Suzy and they were great! Everyone raved about the delicous food. We offered the Bacco Shrimo, Chicken & Rigatoni, and Pork Tenderloin. There were no complaints. The drinks were perfect too! It would HIGHLY recommend Bacco.
Hair and Makeup -
Andra Arcurri at Salon Diversions - A+ Andrea was great. She somehow managed to get my medium/short hair up into a French twist. I got many compliments on my hair and makeup. For make up I asked to look like me, only enhanced, and she did just that. Jenny and Kara did my mom & sister's hair and makeup. Both were very happy with the results. The salon was just a few blocks from our hotel so we had it done there. It was fun walking back through the FQ wearing a veil and a getting congratulated by random people.
Ceremony -
Hotel Provincial -
A- The courtyard was great. We had only 25 guests and they easily fit in the courtyard. We were married right by the fountain. The hotel had pointsettias & lights decorating the courtyard so we didn't have to provide anything. The space is small and really would only work for 30 - 35 people max. Robert, the hotel's coordinator, was very helpful and even manned the doors for us. He cued the harpist and helped corral the wedding party. My only complaint, and the reason for the
- is that he did not get in contact with us until the day before the wedding. That said, I didn't contact them either so it isn't soley their fault.
Officiant -
Coco Robicheaux -
B- I wish I could give him a better review but he was a bit of a challenge with which to work. Now, some of the challenge could be different expectations and ideas on timing etc. Coco seems like a great guy and someone you might want to hang out with at a bar. He's VERY laid back. We called him a number of times before the wedding to discuss what information, etc. he might need for the ceremony and every time he'd say, "Just give me a call when it is closer to the wedding and we'll talk about it then." Closer to the wedding to him meant 3 days before. It was a bit nerve-wracking but he showed up on time for the rehearsal and he showed up on time for the ceremony. I don't know if he wasn't feeling well or what, but his ceremony was very abbreviated. I think our entire ceremony, including vows, was between 5 and 7 minutes. He left out the Apache Blessing which he was supposed to peform, and at times he seemed to be searching for what to say. I would recommend him.
Flowers -
Christina O'Malley -
A- Christina was very easy to work with for our ideas and our budget. The flowers came out nicely and were delivered on time to the correct locations. When the wholesaler couldn't provide one of my flower choices Christina offered up a substitute that fit in nicely. Our simple centerpieces turned out lovely. My only complaint is that some of the flowers seemed to droop faster than one might think. My father's bout. was completely disintegrated by the end of the night.
Photographer -
Elizabeth Dondis - A Elizabeth was great to work with. She was a bit take charge, which was great for me as I didn't have too many ideas as to what kind of photos I wanted. She too worked with our budget, and while I have yet to see any of her photos, she seemed to know what she was doing. She does a photojournalistic style so don't assume she will take any specific photos unless you direct her. She was a bit bossy at times but that was fine with me, as I think you need to be in order to corral a large group of people.
Reception -
Arnaud's - A++++++++++++++ I don't think I can possible say enough good things about Arnaud's. They were amazing. Caroline in the Sales Dept. was very professional and easy to work with. Caroline was the only vendor to call me the day after our meeting to see if we had any questions, needed more info, etc. Being from out-of-state we conducted most of our arrangement's via e-mail and everything came out perfectly. They worked with us to meet our budget, no F&B minimum required, and were able to accomodate our room choice. The servers were excellent! Unfortunately I only remember Haley's name, but she went above and beyond the expected service. Towards the end of the night she was out flagging down taxis for our older guests. They boxed up our cake for use and wrapped up our cake stand and cake topper. The food was amazing! Everything was served at the correct temperature and to the right people. The filet was cooked to perfect and was so tender you could slice it with a butter knife. I don't think I can say enough about how great they were.
Cake -
Bittersweet Confections - B- Cheryl and Bittersweet get a mixed review. The cake was DELICOUS! We got many compliments on it. It looked great, unfortunately, it wasn't really what we asked for. It was close, but not quite right. We ordered a two-tier, square cake with 1 layer chocolate cake with chocolate mousse, and 1 layer white cake with raspberry mousse. What we got was a 3-tier round cake that was all chocolate with chocolate buttercream. Cheryl was a bit difficult to communicate with but she did call us the day before the wedding to let us know that she was changing the cake to 3 layers so that it would have more of an impact. It was great of her to give us more than we asked for, but at the time we were so distracted by other wedding arrangements we didn't realize the shape and flavors were wrong. Eventhough the contract/paperwork said differently. All in all it tasted great and ultimately that was most important to us. And it looked great and incorporated most of the design elements we wanted. I would recommend Cheryl but know that you might have to keep in close contact to get exactly what you want.
City -
New Orleans - A++++++++++++++ I love this city. It is so amazing. If I could get my family to move closer I would easily move back in a heartbeat. Everyone we met and spoke with was so friendly. All the people we encountered while doing photographs were wonderful. The highlight of the day was all the people congratulating us, wishing us well, and just being amazing. We danced to a brass band in Jackson Square and after the reception had beignets at Cafe du Monde where we received a standing ovation. New Orleans is the perfect location for a memorable wedding. A number of our guests had never been to NOLA before and fell under her spell. My sister is already planning her return trip. I can't wait to return. I know what it means to miss New Orleans...
BFP #1 - Missed M/C, D&C 3.21.11
BFP #2 - Sylvie V. Q. born and died on 10.28.11 at 21w.
BFP #3 - Evie V. Q. Fetal demise @ 16w. DC 7.8.12
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