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Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!

sarahb0521sarahb0521
10 Comments First Anniversary
in Louisiana-New Orleans
My fiance and I have just returned from our trip to New Orleans to pick a wedding venue. We saw 11 places in 2 days and we've now narrowed it down to 2 but we are having a really difficult time deciding between the two so I'm looking to you ladies for help. 

We will be having a daytime ceremony and brunch for a max of 100 guests ending with a second line to Bourbon street for an late afternoon/early evening after party. Both places can accommodate our budget and are open on several dates we are considering. 

Any thoughts? Both venues are so unique and gorgeous and our experience with the people was fantastic it is making this decision really difficult. 

In case anyone is curious below is the list of the other places we saw, I'd be happy to offer my comments if anyone is interested.
Wax Museum
Hotel Mazarin
Royal Sonesta
Arnauds
Broussards
Hermann Grima House
Galvez
Preservation Hall
Republic
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Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!

  • coolcatclairecoolcatclaire member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    I really like Muriel's but I found out that for more than about 75 people, if you have a plated reception, you'll have to use 2 rooms.  At night, that would mean having to meet a much higher minimum.  I don't know if it would be the same for day-time but something to find out about.  You definitely wont be able to fit a dance floor and all those people in one room.  I don't know if you're planning on having your ceremony in the same place but the ceremony space at Latrobe's looks awesome in photos.  In a perfect world, I could have Muriel's for my rehearsal dinner and Latrobe's for the wedding.

    Curious what you though about Arnuad's.  Haven't gone in person yet but I'm thinking of visiting next month (for rehearsal dinner option if Muriel's doesn't work out) and the photos online look a little dated.
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  • NO2012NO2012
    500 Comments
    If they are both in your budget and meet your needs, I would choose Latrobe's hands down. It is so beautiful as you know. If you are having a DW with mostly OOT guests, they will be amazed by it.
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  • louisianabluelouisianablue member
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Comments 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    I personally prefer Latrobe's over the two, but find the space a little dark.  As PP have mentioned, Muriel's can accommodate large groups, but only if they are broken up into separate rooms.
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  • egm900egm900 member
    500 Comments
    edited June 2012
    I prefer Muriel's, and a lot of the things I have to say really come down to personal preferance and which space you would be getting at Latrobe's.  I think those two have a lot of the same great features, but the thing that pushed me more towards Muriel's was having the balcony on Jackson Square.  Latrobe's is a lot more flexible on the menu, if you want them to serve a family recipe, give it to them and they'll include it in your tasting.  

    Edit: As far as breaking up that many guests in two rooms, yes, they will have to do that, but if I remember correctly there is a huge door between the two that will be open, so the spaces do flow together.  We also liked that because we had a lot of older guests who would rather be further away from the music and be able to socialize without it being too loud.
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  • NOLAGRL85NOLAGRL85 member
    First Comment

    How did your meeting with the wax museum go? I am really considering this place and would love your thoughts on it! :)

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  • sarahb0521sarahb0521
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_muriels-vs-latrobes-help-i-cant-decide?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:6c533ef9-458c-47b1-a021-2ad9b005333dPost:bbfe4c8e-24c0-4a13-beb4-eb194380a526">Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!</a>:
    [QUOTE]Curious what you though about Arnuad's.  Haven't gone in person yet but I'm thinking of visiting next month (for rehearsal dinner option if Muriel's doesn't work out) and the photos online look a little dated.
    Posted by coolcatclaire[/QUOTE]

    coolcatclaire,
    Arnuad's was really nice. Caroline, the planner there, is really sweet and took the time to show us all the options. There are 3 spaces that she showed us (the main dining room, the counts ballroom upstairs and a 3rd room which I can't remember the name but has jazz themed artwork on the walls). I haven't eaten there but hear the food is good. It was one of the pricier venues we saw but I think it would be really nice for a reharsal dinner.
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  • sarahb0521sarahb0521
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    edited June 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_muriels-vs-latrobes-help-i-cant-decide?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:6c533ef9-458c-47b1-a021-2ad9b005333dPost:d3823167-9394-4aff-8415-052d37e9a0b2">Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!</a>:
    [QUOTE]How did your meeting with the wax museum go? I am really considering this place and would love your thoughts on it! :)
    Posted by NOLAGRL85[/QUOTE]

    To be honest Wax Museum was at the top of my list before my trip and was in the bottom 2 after my trip. The main reason for this was that the museum really creeped me out. You can have the museum closed during your event but I felt like the flow got messed up from ceremony to reception if you didn't have the museum open (tpically they start the reception down in the museum while they reset the room upstairs but this would happen very quickly and isn't necessary). Beth seemed distracted and off when I visited but so many previous posts have said that she is incredible to work with. She's definitely very laid back from what I gather. The space upstairs is beautiful but I think it would need more decor than some of the other venues I saw. It is probably better for groups that are upwards of 150 because the space is quite large. It is really one of those places that you need to see in person. I can see how some love it, it just wasn't the place for me.
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  • JoeybinablissJoeybinabliss member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    We had the same problem!  We saw at least 10 venues during our scouting trip, and narrowed to Muriel's & Latrobe's.  The budgets were very similar for us as well, which made it even tougher to decide! 

    In the end, the convenience of having the ceremony and reception in the same space was key, as we are having a destination wedding.  Also, Latrobe's is just so unique and I've heard NOTHING but phenomenal reviews on every site imaginable, and very little about Muriel's, so that was a tipping point. 

    Finally, while both have fantastic menu's, we are budding foodies and heard that Latrobe's is THE venue for foodies, so in the end, it came down to a few preferences, but it wasn't easy!  

    I don't envy your decision, but know you'll make the right one - good luck!!
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  • silverspark7silverspark7 member
    Sixth Anniversary 100 Comments
    I haven't been to a wedding at Muriels, but I recently went to one at Latrobes and the food was DELICIOUS.  Personally, I didn't like that the wedding was broken up into several rooms, because everyone just tried to pack into the main room with the food/band.  But, it's a cool venue and the food is definitely awesome.
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  • coolcatclairecoolcatclaire member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_muriels-vs-latrobes-help-i-cant-decide?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:6c533ef9-458c-47b1-a021-2ad9b005333dPost:1ecf1578-3150-4faa-bdac-ea91bf0a40be">Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide! : coolcatclaire, Arnuad's was really nice. Caroline, the planner there, is really sweet and took the time to show us all the options. There are 3 spaces that she showed us (the main dining room, the counts ballroom upstairs and a 3rd room which I can't remember the name but has jazz themed artwork on the walls). I haven't eaten there but hear the food is good. It was one of the pricier venues we saw but I think it would be really nice for a reharsal dinner.
    Posted by sarahb0521[/QUOTE]

    Good to hear!  I agree about Caroline.  I've spoken to her and she was super helpful.  Would you happen to have any menu info from Latrobe's that you wouldn't mind sending me?  They said they'd get back to me "soon" but it doesn't look like it will be before the weekend now.  And I'm eager to start getting some details!
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  • sarahb0521sarahb0521
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_muriels-vs-latrobes-help-i-cant-decide?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:6c533ef9-458c-47b1-a021-2ad9b005333dPost:9cff0e7a-ffb0-4f80-99dd-2d1fddcd0ccc">Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide! : Good to hear!  I agree about Caroline.  I've spoken to her and she was super helpful.  Would you happen to have any menu info from Latrobe's that you wouldn't mind sending me?  They said they'd get back to me "soon" but it doesn't look like it will be before the weekend now.  And I'm eager to start getting some details!
    Posted by coolcatclaire[/QUOTE]
     I'd be happy to send you their wedding packages if you want to send me your email in a PM. 
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  • coolcatclairecoolcatclaire member
    10 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_muriels-vs-latrobes-help-i-cant-decide?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:6c533ef9-458c-47b1-a021-2ad9b005333dPost:853797bb-9879-4fa7-abc0-a3af6f3fdfc9">Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide!</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Muriel's vs. Latrobe's - help I can't decide! :  I'd be happy to send you their wedding packages if you want to send me your email in a PM. 
    Posted by sarahb0521[/QUOTE]



    Sent it. Thanks so much!
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