Advice for an OOT Bride planning in New Orleans?

Re: Advice for an OOT Bride planning in New Orleans?

• mk4real member

  

  April 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_advice-for-an-oot-bride-planning-in-new-orleans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:6084a3e1-c4ff-4f7f-bcd8-c46423e01863Post:9a09b301-46d3-4009-abd9-bac6b8d94c61">Advice for an OOT Bride planning in New Orleans?</a>:
  [QUOTE]I am originally from Chicago and now live in Baltimore and will be having my wedding in March or April 2013. Haven't selected a date or venue yet because I've just begun the planning process. I am an event planner so I'm familiar with the process just not the location. Any words of wisdom ladies? Great venues? Great vendors? Things to avoid or be cautious of as I move forward? Thanks for your help!
  Posted by sarahb0521[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>Whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT hire Get Polished Events or Emily Sullivan.  She is a fraud and will ruin your wedding!  </div><div>When it comes to florists, Bee's florist was INCREDIBLE!   The Chicory Venue was the best place for a New Orleans style wedding...and it will be perfect for the size wedding you want.</div><div>If you want a true New Orleans feel, try doing a second-line parade :)  </div>

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• JenASurp

  

  April 2012

  I am also an OOT bride also planning my wedding in New Orleans over those dates.  I was trying to be really flexible in terms of dates (basically I said anytime in Spring 2013), but I shocked when I began calling around to venues only to find that EVERY Saturday night in the Spring was already booked.  Granted, I have a larger party (175 people) than you do.  

  
  

  Ultimately, I selected the first weekend of Jazz Fest.  Most people will tell you that this is a terrible idea because of room blocks and transportation issues, but so far I've had no problems.  I have all my room blocks, musicians and transportation set.  Yes, the prices are a little higher for this weekend than others, but it was more important to me that I have the venue that I wanted.  (Speaking of, I also wanted a very New Orleans feel, and I picked Latrobes.  It is exactly what I wanted, and they actually had availability for both weekends of Jazz Fest and gave me a discount).  You never know!

  
  

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• Alicat416

  

  April 2012

  look into Galvez. i really think that it would be perfect for you. i would kill to have my reception there but they do not have my date available (which unfortunated thanks to my family is not very flexible)

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• meowimo member

  

  April 2012

  I'm an OOT bride from NY.

  
  

  Here are my best planning tips:

  
  

  DO plan a "planning trip"   many places look one way online and are entirely not what you expected when you get there.

  
  

  DO confirm reconfirm, and TRIPLE CONFIRM every meeting you have with vendors,  on our planning trip I was forgotten about by pretty much everyone, despite confirms earlier in the week.

  
  

  DO plan a few tasting if you are using an outside caterer,

  
  

  DO: schedule a hair/makeup  trial on your visit

  
  

  DO: realize that this is New Orleans and things get done on their own time... Living in the north at times I was really put off by how long it took people to get back to me etc.

  
  

  Venues I reccomend checking out: ( most of these are outdoor because thats what I wanted)

  
  

  Latrobes, cafe amelie, citypark/botanical gardens, audubon tea room etc, board of trade, or wax museam. Rosy's jazz hall.   I went with Race and Religious which is AMAZING but booked way in advance, also I am kind of pissed at them for not getting their permit situation totally in order before starting to host events, not sure if this will effect my wedding or not.

  
  

  Rehersal dinners: We're doing brennans steak house, but also reccomend Emrils or Nola, 

  
  

  
  

  Vendors I personally would not reccomend: Get polished events/brides lounge ( never called me back after initial visit heard bad things), bees flowers, was nice but it took them 3 weeks to get me a preposal, and then they never got back to me after I emailed questions. pigeon caters, food just really bleh,  The new orleans apothecary museum ( ok garden but not what it looks like online, totally forgot about my apt to see the space and were generally rude)

  
  

  
  

  Vendors I would reccomend: Nola fora, took a bit to get back to me with a quote but so far my favorite New Orleans vendor. Salon M ( not in the quarter but great hair reasonably priced)  Trashy Diva stores, so helpful, bought a beautiful reception dress and bridesmaid dress here a well as adore their lingerie store. 

  
  

  
  

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• shaylapetties20

  

  June 2012

  The other aspect I would suggest because I live in Chicago and we operate a bit differently is to MAKE THE PHONE CALLS! So many vendors in NOLA are not great with responding to emails, and I actually have to call mine to get ANY kinda response. You then run into the issue of not having things they promise you in writing..."sure honey, no problem we can do that"...but at least you will get your answers.

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