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Same weekend as Jazz Fest - good or bad idea?

ctsiscoctsisco member
First Comment
in Louisiana-New Orleans
Thinking of a French Quarter wedding during a Jazz Fest weekend in 2012.  Realize the festival doesn't take place in the Quarter, but is it still too ridiculous of a time to have an event?  Part of idea is that it gives guest another reasong to come to town.  Not from the area so looking for input.  Thanks!
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Re: Same weekend as Jazz Fest - good or bad idea?

  • NOLAbridealmostNOLAbridealmost member
    2500 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    It wouldn't be the worst thing ever, but your guests' hotel room costs are going to be sky-high (close to 250ish a night for the Quarter/Downtown). In terms of your venue, it should be fine, but just be aware that flights and lodging will be your biggest challenges. 
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  • ur+my+sunshineur+my+sunshine
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well, all of your guests will be paying premium hotel rates.  If money is an issue/deciding factor on whether or not guests will come, I'd say stay away from a Jazz Fest weekend.  But, if you are fairly confident that hotel pricing won't affect their decision to come, then yes, it might be a great time for them to come to NOLA.  They could even go to Jazz Fest on Sunday if you are getting married on Saturday.  :)
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  • ctsiscoctsisco member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    Thanks, ladies!

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  • lhtmlhtm
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Also, keep in mind that Jazz Fest makes everything a lot more crowded ie restaurants.  There are ridiculously long waits for french quarter restaurants during Jazz fest.  Also, it may be hard to get a band (or you need to book way ahead of time).  A lot of the clubs around the quarter book a ton of bands to keep the music going all night.
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  • oohsnapashoohsnapash
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Tough call, I booked a busy March weekend for 2012 and the cheapest hotel block I've reserved is $139 a night, plus tax and parking, with a TWO night minimum stay.  So most hotels will probably have that 2 night minimum stay policy as well.  

    You might want to try to e-mail the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau for their opinion http://www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/104/sectionID/1/subsectionID/104

    They've been very helpful for me!
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  • shanhintonshanhinton member
    Seventh Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Personally, I wouldn't do it.  Hotels will be expensive, getting around in general can be a pain, you may even have a hard time booking a reception venue.  Also, I've heard getting limos during that time is near impossible.
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  • jennypejennype
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Bad, bad idea.
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  • phunluvin82phunluvin82 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I actually considered this for about 2 seconds because I LOVE Jazz Fest first of all.  And, my family and several family friends all come to Jazz Fest every year since WAY before I even lived here in New Orleans...so for me it could have been a 2 birds/one stone type of thing. 

    Ultimately though, for our other potential guests who don't make Jazz Fest travel arrangements every year...it'd be a huge issue with flights and hotels.  I think like pp mentioned, 250 per night for any downtown area hotel is maybe even a conservative estimate...and also, hotel blocks booked WAY in advance would be a must, otherwise you can't expect there to be any rooms left available for your guests at all.  Flight prices is a whole other issue.

    I would say only attempt this if you are planning to have a smaller size wedding and booking everything very far in advance.  And even then, just be aware that EVERYTHING costs more during Jazz Fest.

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  • MDehmlowMDehmlow member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I am getting married French Quarter Fest weekend next year, and my planner has already mentioned it will be a bit more difficult to get room blocks and that is much less crowded than Jazz Fest weekend, in my opinion. You just might have a hard time getting hotels at a good rate. But if you are planning on getting married in the Quarter, I don't really see why you'd have traffic issues or anything. Best of luck!
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Fifth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Funny how this board is up! I actually booked my wedding for April 28th, first weekend of Jazz Fest next year. New to the area, I was unaware that Jazz Fest can get hotel rates similar to that of Mardi Gras. I had places say that it would be a 3 night minimum with around $300/night!

    So- I am actually calling around today to change the date =[ Yes, it will be later. Yes, it will be hotter. But- my friends will actually be able to afford to be there.

    As a person who has been calling around for the past few days to block hotel rooms (which they won't block since it's such a popular holiday)- I am saying that you should not go for it.

    Sorry and good luck!
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  • sunshiny31sunshiny31 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I disagree with all of the above posts. I actually had my wedding this year on the 2nd weekend of Jazz Fest (Saturday, May 7th) and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. All of our out-of-town guests were thrilled to have another fun New Orleans activity to do during the day and the entire city had a fun, festive vibe. Yes, the hotel wasn't cheap (our rate was $249/night at the Royal Sonesta) but we got married in the French Quarter and wanted everything close and convenient. Our guests definitely appreciated that and were willing to pay the extra money to be close and in walking distance to everything. We did offer a second hotel at $199/night. Other than that, we had no issues whatsoever. The restaurants were not crazy booked, the streets were crazy crowded - it was just fun!! I was initially concerned, but I am so glad that I went with it because it was the perfect decision. I say go for it!
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