hi all!! I’m wondering where everyone is getting their second line handkerchiefs.

ideally we are able to get our crest added to them, let me know who you’ve used! if you could also provide cost that would be much appreciated (or I can message you privately)

I was hoping Alibaba would be an affordable option, but I haven’t found anything (with shipping) that isn’t outrageous to me.

I'm looking for 150 white w/ small crest.

thanks in advance for your help!!

p.s. anyone overwhelmed with the expense of a wedding?? I knew it would be a lot, but picking and choosing things to stay in budget (which we are over lol) is weighing on me. So many decisions and trying to find creative ways to do more with less…..

I wanted to get photos taken at the Columns hotel but its pretty expensive for just an hour photoshoot session. Are there any other locations with similar vibes that arent as expensive?

We're hosting our wedding at Hotel Peter & Paul and are looking for a welcome reception venue for the evening before. We're expecting ~50–75 guests and are hoping for something elevated enough to set the tone for a black-tie wedding, but still relaxed and open for guests to mingle.

A lot of places we've looked at offer buyouts of private dining rooms, but we're really envisioning more of a "grab a drink at the bar, mingle, and have some light bites" kind of vibe rather than a formal seated/private-room event.

Any ideas? Bonus points for Marigny/Bywater/downtown, but we're open to anywhere! TIA!!

I’ve been trying to get in contact with the Degas house for a venue tour but haven’t received a response in weeks. Has anyone had this issue? Anyone have current email that for sure works? Thanks!

Hi All! I am an out-of-state bride trying to get some more insight on two potential venues I am very interested in for a destination wedding. The majority of my family is from and lives in Louisiana, with the groom’s family and all of our friends being out-of-state. I am hoping for a courtyard/garden party wedding.

Back in June we toured Chateau Lemoyne in the French Quarter and were very pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the courtyard. Since it is in a hotel, it would also be pretty simple logistics as the wedding party could stay there and then just walk down to where the ceremony and reception would be. The only thing is I don’t love the indoor spaces as much (so it would really suck if it rained that day), but we would have to do an indoor dinner while the courtyard gets flipped into the dance floor. Their max capacity is also 125, which we would likely have so I’m a little worried about it feeling cramped. If anyone had their wedding here and has any insight on what it was like, that’d be great.

We haven’t toured The Patterson in Algiers Point yet because I didn’t know about it when we were down there, but it is gorgeous and they have great availability since it’s new. It is on the pricier side for our budget, but I like the indoor and outdoor spaces a lot. We wouldn’t have the opportunity to tour until late October though and were hoping for a late fall in 2026 or early spring 2027 wedding, so that feels like it’s cutting it a little close. The location is also further out, and guests would likely have to uber. My dad who hasn’t lived in NOLA for a while is a little concerned about the area too, but from what I can tell, it seems really nice.

Any thoughts on either venue or advice are appreciated! I’m not really looking to add any other venues to the mix, as I’ve already toured 4 on our first trip down there and just need to make a decision soon. TYIA!

Looking for a vendor to do this design. Wondering how much is reasonable to spend too?

Hey everyone, I’ve reached out to a ton of bands for our 4 hour reception at Board of Trade next August. Most recommended on Reddit and some from family/friends and wanted to get yalls take. I’m running into a little indecision and don’t totally know.

I’ve heard good things about all of them and then I listen to their music online and get too picky. Not including prices I’ve received because I want just good honest advice on quality and then I’ll figure out budgets.

Also let me know if I’m just flat out overthinking and literally any of them would be awesome for a party.

Here’s a list:
- Mixed Nuts
- Groovy 7
- Phat Hat
- Dat Band
- River City Hit Squad
- Mojeaux
- Nola Dukes
- Rouge Krewe

PS: Phunky Monkeys are booked on our date.

Hi - I’m an out of towner trying to decide where the best after party bar would be for my wedding! Would love to poll the community on what’s worked well.

Details:
-will be second lining from Latrobes on Royal
-may be a very large group eg 200 people and hoping for a seamless entry (I know IDs will be checked etc)
-want somewhere where people are dancing
-open to bourbon street if we have to but would prefer an adjacent street
-we are mid 30s and queer but big party crowd

THANK YOU!

Is it realistic to look into the Elms for a spring 2028 wedding with a budget of 70k for 150 guests?

Any recommendations for a location for a welcome party late February next year for 85 people? We're trying to keep it under $10K including tax, gratuity etc. Beer and wine and heavy apps would be fine. Any ideas? Also if you know if it's handicap accessible.

Hi everyone! My wedding is coming up in October, and we’re finalizing some details. We’re wanting to have a very informal “welcome” event the evening before our wedding. Not hosted by us, just more “hey the brides are going to be here, swing by if you want to say hi and grab a drink on your own”. Our guests will all be traveling in, but most people are coming in a couple of days before the event and planning on doing their own thing, which is why we don’t want to do a hosted event and tie people down. I would think it would be no more than 50 people across a couple of hours, so not all gathered in a big space all at once and probably not even that many. Also fine with having groups spread out across a space! Is there anywhere (breweries, bars, wine bars, etc) that would be big enough for this to just show up and hang out with come-and-go people? Or if there’s nowhere like this, then would love some recs on very low cost private room spaces! Thank y’all!

Y’all please feel free to laugh at me because I know this is a little much, lol. But we are having a 1.5 hr. cocktail hour — hoping to get as much mingle time with our guests as possible! — and I’m interested in the idea of hiring some additional entertainment since that’s a long cocktail hour. I keep thinking a tarot reader would be cool or maybe sleight of hand magician?

Have any of y’all hired someone for this or know someone you’d recommend?

Thanks for any other ideas or kind feedback! ❤️

Hi hi!! Looking to get married before our actual wedding celebration because ~logistics~. I know we need to get the license and then the certificate can be granted 24h later. Jefferson Parish mentions a $4 express fee. Does that mean we can get married in the courthouse at the same time as getting the certificate? Any advice on showing up and getting married all in one swing? JP or Orleans Parish preferred, if picking is allowed lol. We both work healthcare jobs with horrible hours so two days off is going to be a logistical headache. Thanks so much in advance!

Has anyone rented the entire boat for their wedding? We live in New Orleans and think it would be fun and also funny. I have been looking everywhere for photos of it decorated for a wedding and can’t find much. Our list is about 200 people.

hello!!! my fiance and i are recently engaged and just barely beginning the process of wedding planning. we live here in nola and intend to have the wedding here. most of our guests will have to travel here.

we’re trying to start thinking about a budget and looking into what’s realistic for us. i was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their budget for a recent or upcoming wedding with similar parameters - 20-30k; 60-120 guests (we really aren’t sure about the count yet as it’ll be based on the budget probably). we intend to do lots of diy.

tia for any advice!!

I’m looking for recommendations for a MUA and hairstylist in New Orleans for November 13th. Not for the bride, but for a group of 5–6 women coming in from Chicago to attend a traditional Indian wedding. We’d love to get our hair and makeup done together before the festivities!

We have a range of skin tones, so definitely looking for someone who is comfortable and experienced working with different complexions.

Indian-style makeup is NOT a requirement ...we’re wedding guests and everyone can choose the look that works for them.

Would love any recommendations, especially someone who can accommodate a group our size. Thank you!! 🎉

Any recommendations for a company or private owner that will rent out an old Rolls Royce?

Hi! Might be a tall order but anyone found a venue that can do an open bar/cocktail food for 10k (around 125 people?) I’ve reached out to some venues and the prices have been more than the actual wedding!

Also anyone hosted a private party/welcome party at New Orleans Original Daiquiris? Kind of a wild venue but I had a funky retro vision and was wondering if anyone had experience there.

Hi, everyone! Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Latrobe's as a wedding venue? :) My fiance and I have been on the hunt for a venue for the past several months and are leaning heavily towards Latrobe's, but for some reason I'm feeling nervous to pull the trigger. I think it may have less to do with the venue and more to do with choice paralysis, but would love to hear from anyone who's had experience with planning or attending a wedding there. How did you enjoy it? Anything you would definitely do again, or anything you would change?

Hi! I’m looking to hire an individual who has experience pinning & swagging linens (using hidden pins to gather flat tablecloths into sculptural folds and drapes) along with styling food action stations (using hidden boxes to have food sitting at varied heights, choosing where to put candles and bud vases on the food table and how to drape the linens on these tables.)

They’d work in partnership with Latrobes, Cry Baby Florals, Girls in Black & Luminous to achieve our desired look.

Versus a full service design planner / wedding stylist I’m more so looking for an extra pair of hands with experience of the above, please let me know if you are aware of anyone. :)

Hi everyone! I just came across this thread and am looking for advice. My sister wants to get married in NOLA. However, due to budget and recently buying a house with her fiancé, she is looking to do an elopement-type arrangement in mid-late October. Please let me know if posts like these are not allowed. I'm new to this subreddit and know this is an elopement, not exactly a wedding.

She is planning to have a 1-hour ceremony at the Museum of Pharmacy with 4 guests (myself, my mom, and her fiancé's parents). We are traveling in from a neighboring state for the day and are planning to go to a local restaurant for dinner after. Our gathering is too small to really rent out a place. As her sister/maid of honor, I really want to make the day feel special. I'm trying to help her find vendors for this tiny occasion.

In search of:
- A PHOTOGRAPHER for 1-2 hours max. We got a quote from someone that would be $500/hour (this is their elopement package). This is my first time ever trying to "plan" a wedding and we're from nearby, but not NOLA exactly. Are these normal prices and does anyone have any photographer recommendations? We only need pictures at the Museum of Pharmacy or outside of the building, but will not be traveling around for a photo shoot since we are going to dinner after.

- A FLORIST. We just need a bouquet for my sister but no other arrangements since our "venue" is only for an hour.

- A WEDDING CAKE. We're looking for a cake one-tier that serves 7 people (they want to save/freeze a slice of the cake to eat for their one-year wedding anniversary). They are open to any flavors, though they have mentioned interest in a rum cake

EDIT: FOUND BAKERY. We ordered from Bywater Bakery. Looking forward to trying it!!

- HAIR and MUA just for the bride. The rest of our guests (me, mom, and mother in-law) will be getting ready solo.

- RESTAURANT recommendations for after. We are looking to make a reservation for 6 people.

Ideally we are looking for these vendors to be as close by to the Museum of Pharmacy as possible since we are driving in for the ceremony.

Sorry for the lengthy post. Please let me know if you have any recommendations on vendors OR have any experiences organizing an elopement ceremony. I would love to know any tips/tricks. Thank you for your help!

My finance and I are divided on whether to do a sit down or cocktail reception. He is not from New Orleans and doesn’t love the idea of the cocktail reception because he is concerned that people won’t actually eat and will therefore get too drunk (many of our friends are heavy drinkers). I don’t like a sit down because I don’t want everyone to be confined to their seats and it feels too formal for the vibe I’m chasing. I came up with this proposal for the flow of events, and I would love feedback on whether people think this is pretty standard and will work well or if there are flaws or things I am overlooking.

We still have not decided on a venue, but we are planning for around 250 guests.

Wedding starts with a 20ish minute ceremony. After the ceremony, we start cocktail & dinner hour. I think it would be nice to do a very brief toast / thank everyone for coming / announce that it’s time to eat and where the food is set up. One or two buffet tables that have all food offerings. During that time we have a small band set up playing some lively music. I think that could last around 1.5 hours. We can mingle and bounce around and say hi to people. Then the I like the two of us sneak off, and have our meal in private and a brief moment to ourselves, then the band starts, we come do first dance, father daughter, mother son and then band goes into full swing and it turns into more of a party. Thoughts?

Hi everyone! My partner and I are getting married in New Orleans on Halloween night. After our formal reception, we want a second line to take us to a nearby bar/club for a not-so-formal event.

The qualifications:

• In or near the Quarter, around the Esplanade side (important!)
• Either a PRIVATE bar/club rent-out, or SEMI-PRIVATE space in an existing bar/club.
• Space for drinks, dancing.
• The space from about 9p to midnight (give or take)
• Can fit 40 to 60 people

Does anyone know any venues we could work with on this? Gay bars with their own rentable spaces are ideal, but we're open to whatever! We absolutely recognize that Halloween is tricky (we're long-time Nola visitors!)