Community› Local Wedding Boards› Louisiana-New Orleans
Louisiana-New Orleans
New Discussion

affordable nola reception venue

hollyntonyhollyntony
First Comment
in Louisiana-New Orleans
Hi - OK, I've been engaged for just about a year now but I am FINALLY trying to make plans for a May/June 2011 wedding. I was hoping to get married in a church in NOLA and for the reception venue to also be Uptown/Downtown somewhere. But I have a $20-25,000 budget, and can't seem to find that for ~250 guests. Right now I have a hold at Chateau Country Club for a Friday in June and am considering having the ceremony at St. Charles Borromeo in my hometown. While they are both very beautiful it's a departure fro my initial plan and I'm not 100% it's what I want....w/ that said, I haven't put any money down yet so I'm trying to think quickly and consider other options before it's too late. Any recommendations for venues? I was hoping for something indoor/outdoor, very open feel, and there needs to be plenty of food - for instance, I really like Rosy's jazz hall but they pass hors' dourves for like 1/2 hr at the beginning - that's not going to cut it! Would like some feedback - I need it! THANKS!!!
Report Reply to Post

Re: affordable nola reception venue

  • CVC11CVC11
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you looked at Southern Oaks Plantation, they ahve the look and feel that you want.  the food is very good and lots!  Also, try Hampton Inn on Convention Center.
    Report Reply
  • NOLAbrideinDCNOLAbrideinDC
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    This is a little different, but we are having ours at Southport Hall uptown. The prices are fantastic but it may not be ur style. We are inviting 300 guests and it was well well into your budget. but its not a fancy wedding reception place. The most important thing to me was food, drinks, a band and inviting everyone i knew and this place fit the bill and our personality.  Good Luck!!

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
    Report Reply
  • NatMarie2689NatMarie2689
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am not sure if you are looking for a church, but I am having mine at St. Teresa of Avila on Erato St. off of St. Charles.  It is not too big, but still gorgeous!  And it is only 300 dollars to use.  I am also having my reception Chateau :)
    Report Reply
  • chigirl2010chigirl2010
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm having my reception at Musee Conti - the wax museum. There's no outdoor space but the reception room upstairs is open, airy and very beautiful. You can completely bypass the wax museum part if that's not appealing. Their rental rate was about half of other venues and you can use outside catering.

    http://www.neworleanswaxmuseum.com/weddings.html
    Report Reply
  • mpzimmermpzimmer
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours is at The Foundry.  It is super affordable, as they don't charge you to use the space as long as you meet your minimum (and food prices are reasonable!).  Check it out!  The space is beautiful!  GL!
    Report Reply
  • amydave2011amydave2011 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Rosy's Jazz Hall!
    Report Reply
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you looked at the Elms mansion on St. Charles?  I am not sure about the capacity, but it's great for indoor/outdoor, and there are several nice churches nearby. 
    Report Reply
  • w0204473w0204473
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm using Rosy's!!
    Report Reply
  • acalloway75acalloway75
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you are looking for something indoor/outdoor downtown I'd look at Pat O's on the River and the Riverview room. I prefer Pat O's and I know they do discounts for Friday weddings. They are both nice because they are so close to the quarter and they both have balconies overlooking the river.

    Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • NolaBride2012NolaBride2012 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    mpzimmer (or anyone for that matter): you said that the Foundry was super-reasonable.... I keep hearing this over and over on the boards, and I just don't understand why?!?!?!?

    Based on what they sent me, it's a good three grand above the other "reasonable places" frequently referenced on these boards (rosy's, southern oaks, wax, riverview room, BOT, etc)... so it makes me wonder why people keep saying its so cheap??? Are their other menus / discounts available when you go do a walk-through? Am I missing out on a great deal bc i got discouraged by their emailed pkg? :)
    Report Reply
  • hollyntonyhollyntony
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    thx everybody for all the great ideas! i'm still open to more so keep 'em coming! 

    and i'm w/ you nolabride2012 - i thought the foundry was pretty high. i actually went back and looked at the email pkages they sent me after reading the post about the foundry being super-reasonable, but it was considerably higher than other places i've looked at, too. looks really awesome but just out of my budget! 

    and to those who are using rosys -- is there a small parking lot available? and then the rest street parking...is that right? are you going to try and arrange transportation for out-of-town guests that may be staying in hotels? 
    Report Reply
  • w0204473w0204473
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    There is a small parking lot across the street from Rosy's. There is also street parking. Also, I noticed that about a half of a block past the small parking lot is a Rouses. I was worried about parking, but they do provide a security guard who directs traffic and helps with parking. I also talked to others who had used them in the past as well as a couple of guest who had gone to weddings there and all told me parking did not seem to be a problem. I am providing a shuttle bus from the hotel that I am blocking to bring guest to Rosy's and will provide two shuttles from Rosy's to bring people back to the french quarter. For the most part, I am told most people who will be staying in New Orleans will probably catch a cab there. I am going to call a few cab companies to see if they can possibly have several cabs go to Rosy's at the end of my reception to be available for these guests so that they do not have to wait around for a cab and in case my two shuttle busses fill up. I am using Limosine Livery and they are charging me around 650.00 for the two shuttle busses, which I think is pretty reasonable and will help with getting close to 60 people back to the quarter. We will also be riding this back to the quarter, so I am not going to be paying for a limo which is double the cost. Plus I think it could be fun to all ride back in groups. Hope this helps! I also think Rosy's is reasonable because it is so pretty without having to worry about spending money on decorating or buying a bunch of flower centerpeices. Flowers, from what I have been told, is a big chunk of your budget that I am looking to alleviate as much as possible.
    Report Reply
  • marleemillermarleemiller member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you looked at Gallier Hall? Its under $4K to rent out. I had a similar budget as you and we were able to make it work (but we did only have 150 guests) You have to bring in an outside caterer and all chairs, tables, etc... which can be expensive. There are lots of great hotels within walking distance so you don't need to worry about transportation for your guests. It is a really beautiful building. I got married there in May, if you have any questions you can email me at marlee.engel@gmail.com
    Report Reply
  • mpzimmermpzimmer
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We found The Foundry to be reasonable in comparison to the other places we looked (Mardi Gras World, Broussard's, Muriel's, St. Louis Hotel, Elms, Southern Oaks-they wanted $26k for plastic plates and appetizers, and Latrobe's).
    Plus, it includes all of the chairs, tables, linens, china, lounge furniture, they don't charge for cutting cake, etc.  All of those things can add up quickly.  I didn't say that they are the cheapest option, but I found them to be reasonable in comparison to the others.  I guess when we were looking, we looked for overall "value" and wanted to find a place that doesn't nickel and dime. 
    Also, after we booked, their prices increased slightly, so I haven't seen the estimates they sent you guys.

    No matter where you book, weddings are expensive!  NOLA offers so many great options- it's nice that everyone gets to choose what best suits them.
    Report Reply
  • w0204473w0204473
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I second that mp zimmer " no matter where you book, weddings are expensive" I just hope it will be worth it. It seems like everytime I turn around there is another expense and I have already hit my budget!
    Report Reply
  • NolaBride2012NolaBride2012 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are going with the federal ballroom... depending on which of their prefered caterers you go with (we haven't picked yet, only scheduled tastings) a wedding for 200 people can go as low as (all-inclusive) around 13,000.

    The only problem is it is a relatively new place, so there's not too much info on their website... but Rebecca is super sweet, and has personally attended to my every need so far, even calling me multiple times a day when we were trying to sort out scheduling. The best way to get info from her is the old fashioned "walk through" way, she tends to appear elusive by email in terms of sending out packaging, but once you meet with her, she's a dream!

    Also, my wedding budget is around yours, so just in case you hadn't thought of any of these places, here are the ones I did walk-throughs of that fell within my budget: Pat O's on the River, the Riverview room, wax museum, le pavillion, board of trade, pavillion of two sisters. You also may want to consider the southern oaks plantation, and the balcony, if you don't mind going out of new orleans proper. My friend got married at SOP, and her wedding was beautiful, and definitely not $26K - their package is super inclusive (even flowers-omg) and the package they sent me quoted 11,800 - 14,100 for 250 people, so that should fit nicely within your budget! I also remember receiving packages from the Bourbon Vieux and Bourbon Orleans that were reasonable..

    Yes, I third the comment that weddings are expensive no matter what! Just know that with enough hard work and research (which it sounds like you're doing) you can totally find the perfect venue within your budget... and will have a wonderful wedding! Smile

    Good luck, HTH!
    Report Reply
  • elizabee10elizabee10
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    About Rosy's... I am thinking of using it as my venue for a October/November 2011 wedding (ceremony & reception).  As a preliminary count, we have about 125 guests... does anyone know what the size of the ceremony areas are and how a smaller venue like this seats such a number of people (up to 150-75 or so perhaps)?  I've been looking at pictures and falling in love with the place from afar because of its looks and fabulous reviews, but am worried that I don't want to have a few guests seated with many standing!  Is there anyone who has used this venue before that knows how they work this out?
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards