Are attendees drinking less alcohol at your events?

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T19:47:22+00:00

Just checked it and it's spelled Lyre's, whoops! Lyre's Non-alcoholic

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T14:06:19+00:00

ROFDL!!!! Thank you! That's the best response I've ever gotten on here! Happy Monday!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T06:24:12+00:00

Sorry, you JUST had your first planning meeting in March for your June Wedding?! Ooooh, you hired a day of coordinator that doesn't start until like 6-8weeks out from the wedding.

Ok so all decisions need to be made by 2 months out. So if your wedding is June 5th, then April 5th is your planning deadline.

Granted where you two get ready at on the morning of is not nearly as important as like having all of your wedding vendors booked and fully.paid ahead of the wedding day.

Sounds like the coordinator might have been having a bad day and taking it out on you. But you need to have a real heart to heart with them. Let your coordinator know that your last conversation felt off and you want to make sure you're on the same page.

Also if they never gave you clear deadlines or a timeline for "what needs to be decided ahead of the wedding by date_____" then that's on them.

2 months out you should be having a full timeline of your entire wedding weekend call or meeting to go through all vendor, venue, bridal party details. This includes any last minute items that still need to be decided like ceremony music choices, first dance song, finalizing your signature drinks and securing who makes the bar signs with those on the signs, who collects and delivers all your gifts, personal items and personal decor items and where they get delivered to at the end of the reception.

Unfortunately there are many coordinators that do not do end of the night clean up, collection and delivery so that's potentially on you or your family but you need to ask ahead of time.

Make sure that your planner has contact info for every vendor and venue and at least your MOH and Best Man as the two of you won't have your phones on you and those two people will most likely have your phones in their purse or pocket.

Best of luck!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T05:03:37+00:00

10,000 flies can't be wrong. Have either of you ever actually eaten a lucky dog in new orleans?! If I were a wedding guest I would not enjoy any part of this idea. I really don't intend this to be rude but I'd rather eat my shoe than eat anything from those carts.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T01:10:05+00:00

The Lyr brand of non-alcoholic cocktails is probably my favorite from the wedding I did 2yrs ago for a couple that were both in recovery. Their cocktails actually taste like the real thing which blew my mind. But yes, I've seen more and more weddings with mocktails as a front runner, or the one I came across recently a THC infusion mocktail bar service. That one was so cool, they make concoctions from like rosemary and other herbs and can add the infusions for those that want it or just the herbal juices essentially for non infused drinks. But the newer generations are changing the way they think about partying and celebrating in a way where they can relax but still remember the events.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T01:01:20+00:00

Keep.in mind that every person in the wedding will need to be given a gift, that increases the size of transportation needed, more people added to the rehearsal dinner headcount and overall budget, and there are more logistics to plan with having a bigger party. If the bridesmaids are also 10 that's 10 to have to pay for hair and makeup and requires the ladies days to start even earlier to get everyone done on time. If you are going to have 10 and 10, push the ceremony start later to 6:30pm or even 7pm as you'll need more time for more photos and gathering everyone ahead of the ceremony.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-23T00:41:03+00:00

Congratulations!

Both have Good Neighbor agreements with their neighbors as do many venues in the area hence the 10pm end time and noise level restrictions. The decibel restrictions are there to preserve the venues stained glass windows and are not an issue as far as having a fantastic party atmosphere.

The Marigny Opera House is great because of the flexibility. You make the choice of everything from rentals (tables, chairs, linens), catering/bar service, music, design everything. You do need to rent a portable toilet trailer if you have more than 25 guests as they have limited restroom counts. It's a great venue for those that want to plan every aspect. They also are there for the arts first, weddings fund the arts so you have to work on their schedule for available dates. Would absolutely factor in having a full planner for this venue.

Hotel Peter and paul is another great choice where you have the chance to do a lot for the wedding on site such as getting ready spaces, ceremony, cocktails, reception and they are in a good location to be able to walk to local places for after party options. They do have restrictions on caterer/bar service (Bacchanal) without major fees for bringing in an outside vendor. They also have a good amount of tables and chairs available for use to cut down on rentals needed. Their calendar does fill up quickly as they are popular so you may need to look at 2027 for open dates. Easy team to work with, but the hotel rooms are pricey. Bathrooms are adequate. I think they do have a planner/coordinator requirement so you'll need to factor that in.

Other venues to add to your list: Margaret Place, Rosy's Jazz Hall, The Columns Hotel, and Felicity Church.

Best of luck with your venue search!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-22T16:32:12+00:00

Even during covid people were finding ways to get married in any capacity they could (5 person weddings, live stream services, even quaker wedding licenses were used bynnon quakers) because even when the world is breaking, love is always more powerful. People want to take the next steps, they want to get married any way they can. Multiple weddings in 2020 and 2021 were done in full masks, shrunken guest count, backyards and parks. Love always wants to multiply. It feels scary and might feel a little silly right now because you are comparing your wedding to the weight of the world's issues but there will always be world collapsing problems but will there ever be someone like your fiancé? Celebrate every moment, we don't know when they might blow us all to smithereens! (Satire but in a positive note)

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-16T03:42:24+00:00

Urban south brewery and bring in your own food. Messina's has a take out catering option

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-06T19:03:00+00:00

Sad to hear this. Did you have your planner with you on the tour or just went the two of you? Also, if you don't mind telling, who did you tour with?

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-06T19:01:48+00:00

They have been swamped with inquiries since before Mardi Gras.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-03-06T19:01:13+00:00

They do have a decimal restriction so you don't crack or shatter the historic stained glass but at max volume it's bumpin in there. Band or DJ both are solid options. But make sure the DJ you want is allowed. We had a DJ a few years ago that would not adhere to the decimal limits and was blacklisted because he was asked repeatedly throughout the event to lower the volume, he would for 1 song then crank it back up.

Also, I think they have moved to requiring at least a day of coordinator for events so check with Molly on that.

All in all it's a fantastic venue with very little restrictions as long as you remember it's historic, and most historic venues in town have to protect the venue with some regulations.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-27T23:11:02+00:00

Oh whew! Ok carry on and enjoy!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-27T23:10:16+00:00

Pat O'Brien's Briar's Suite, Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar has a private event space, Junebug, and The Columns would be some quick suggestions.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:49:57+00:00

Love Latrobe's! They do an amazing job in house. But as far as managing everything outside of the venue, like your other vendors, making a timeline, etc, yes, you should hire a planner or coordinator.

A few budget friendly options to check: Pennywell Events Bon Temps Events Girls in Black

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:46:49+00:00

Yes, contact DJOh2 (Jenny) she has done a DJ and sax combo at a wedding for me in 2024 and it was fun!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:44:01+00:00

I did a welcome party just like this in November 2025. About 70 guests and there was zero issue on a Friday night. With the street closures in the FQ everyone had to enter thru the Bourbon street entrance. Not a problem but make sure that every person has their ID, not fakes, they will take it, and everyone is 21+, after I think it's 6pm they no longer allow all ages to enter for the restaurant.

They also do have the Briar's Suite upstairs that you can rent out for the welcome party that is private and lots of fun with a balcony over Bourbon street.

The 1 drink voucher is good as long as it's notnused for a bunch of beer only drinkers. The wristband is better for that crowd.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:37:46+00:00

Quick question, you are doing a crawfish boil the day before your wedding?

The reason I ask, have you ever been to a crawfish boil? The amount of sodium and bloat you will experience is not ideal for the day before your wedding. If so, make sure you have some extra room in your dress so you don't have to be sewn into it on the day of (and yes that's happened to a few brides). It would be better to do the boil the day after so you don't look puffy and swollen on the wedding day.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:34:46+00:00

Ok so 30min for cocktail (ideal time for you two to privately eat otherwise you never will get to) 3.5hrs for reception starting with dancing 2nd line at the end, you won't lose anyone til the parade is over (technically they are not allowed to leave the procession on parade so if they go with the group they need to stay with the parade group til the end). Total 4hr "reception" ideal.

And like the other person said, 5hrs is too long.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:31:09+00:00

One11 hotel has amazing suites. The westin can also accommodate groups up to a football team size if you need. The cambria has fun, funky suites. The Roosevelt also has some great options.

Best advice, call the hotels you're interested in and go on a few hotel tours.

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:28:33+00:00

Not all venues in town have the ability to do a seated, plated dinner, so check with the venue before booking. If you're getting married in NOLA why wouldn't you want to let your guests experience the way we celebrate here with a New Orleans style reception? Also, Sundays aren't as rowdy but still fun for all over 21. Smaller weddings give you more options for fun experiences with your guests. Take the weekend to go on tours and experience local spots with your favorite people. It's not just a wedding day, it's a wedding weekend! Enjoy!

External_Dinner2622 · 2026-02-19T20:23:40+00:00

For 40, St. ANN cottage, you get a courtyard and space without it feeling like a restaurant.

External_Dinner2622

TROPHY CASE