Help finding venue or large wedding reception

[k_may]

Note: Typo in the heading, it should say 'for large wedding reception (not or). >.<

My fiance and I are getting married in New Orleans October, of 2012. He has a sparse few family members there, but the rest of the fam is flying in from both the West and East Coast. We are looking for some help or suggestions with finding a nice place to hold our reception.

Here is the kicker; We could potentially have up to 400 people at our wedding.

Our budget is not very big for this wedding, but the attending list is. I'm seeking help in finding a nice, comfortable, yet inexpensive place to have all of our guests, but not go completely broke.

What we'd like: Indoor or outdoor (the option of a covered area in case of rain would be great; not sure what tent rentals go for), simple, authentic New Orleans cuisine; no need to rent decorating or go through all that hoopla. No outside catering needed, just good, tasty food. We prefer to manage this at $30 or a little more per person. Most people are staying in the French Quarter, so it would be helpful to have the location within walking distance if at all possible.

Suggestions and tips are GREATLY appreciated, as we are both from Oregon, and will only have one day to visit the area when we arrive.

-Kelsey

[Jwestcoaster]

The City Park venues are very reasonable especially coming from the west coast, but more than $30 pp. Had a great rehearsal party at Rock & Bowl. Costs are in your price range. Check the website. Although the ambience may not be to your liking. With 400 you could take over the whole place.

[TaTee]

Jwestcoaster, I had not though of Rock N Bowl! What a great idea and what a bargain:

Rock 'n' BowlRock 'n' Bowl: rock and partyevent.
Be sure to check out our music calendar to see who will be playing for your special event.

Contact event coordinators Genese Moore or Sabine Bellew to secure a date today! 504.861.1700

$20 PER PERSON

2 1/2 hours of bowling

Shoe Rental

Draft Beer, Wine, Soda

Catering

Tossed green salad with house vinaigrette

Option 1

Choose 2 Entrees

Chicken & Andouille Jambalaya

Shrimp, Chicken, or Vegetarian Alfredo w/ Pasta

Crawfish Etouffee w/ Rice

Red Beans & Rice

Turkey & Andouille Gumbo

Option 2

Finger Food Menu

Pepperoni Pizza Tray

Buffalo Wings Tray

Fried Seafood Tray (shrimp & catfish)

Mozzarella Stick Tray

Shrimp Remoulade Tray

Parties of 75 or more will include one Entree

$25 PER PERSON

2 1/2 hours of bowling

Shoe Rental

Bar-brand mixed drinks

Domestic bottled beers, Draft Beer, Wine, & Soda

Catering

Tossed green salad with house vinaigrette

Option 1

Choose 2 Entrees

Chicken & Andouille Jambalaya

Shrimp, Chicken, or Vegetarian Alfredo w/ Pasta

Crawfish Etouffee w/ Rice

Red Beans & Rice

Turkey & Andouille Gumbo

Option 2

Finger Food Menu

Pepperoni Pizza Tray

Buffalo Wings Tray

Fried Seafood Tray (shrimp & catfish)

Mozzarella Stick Tray

Shrimp Remoulade Tray

Parties of 75 or more will include one Entree

$30 PER PERSON

2 1/2 hours of bowling

Shoe Rental

Premium-brand mixed drinks

Premium & Domestic Bottled Beers, Draft Beer, Wine, & Soda

Catering

Tossed green salad with house vinaigrette

Option 1

Choose 2 Entrees

Chicken & Andouille Jambalaya

Shrimp, Chicken, or Vegetarian Alfredo w/ Pasta

Crawfish Etouffee w/ Rice

Red Beans & Rice

Turkey & Andouille Gumbo

Option 2

Finger Food Menu

Pepperoni Pizza Tray

Buffalo Wings Tray

Fried Seafood Tray (shrimp & catfish)

Mozzarella Stick Tray

Shrimp Remoulade Tray

Parties of 75 or more will include one Entree

In addition to the Party options,

the following may be purchased a la carte:

Chicken & Andouille Jambalaya $65

Crawfish Etouffee with Rice $80

Turkey & Andouille Gumbo $95

Red Beans & Rice $65

Pepperoni Pizza Tray $23

Buffalo Wings Tray $55

Fried Seafood Tray $45

Mozzarella Cheese Stick Tray $40

Shrimp Alfredo w/ Pasta $80

Chicken Alfredo w/ Pasta $70

Vegetarian Alfredo w/ Pasta $70

(Catering items feed approximately 35 people)

For each option there is a minimum of 16 people required and a non-refundable deposit of $100.00. Parties reserving 75-174 guests require a $200 non-refundable deposit. In order to consider closing to the public we must have a minimum guarantee of 300 people. There is a $500 non refundable deposit required for all exclusive events. Parties are responsible for an 80% guarantee of reservation contracted. Any party regardless of size must end by 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. All parties are subject to 9.75% sales tax and 15% gratuity.

Contact event coordinators Genese Moore or Sabine Bellew to secure a date today! 504.861.1700

$15 per child (min 8 children max 30)

Shoe Rental

4 snack-sized slices of pizza per child

Unlimited soft drinks for 2 hours

$50 non-refundable reservation deposit

Minimum bowling party age is 7 years old.

Bumper bowling is available.

9.75% tax and 15% gratuity will be added.

HOMECALENDARHISTORYBOWLINGMENUPARTIESPRESSSHOPGALLERYCONTACT3000 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVENUE NEW ORLEANS LA 70118 5048111700 follow

twitterfacebooke-letterget directions

3000 SOUTH CARROLLTON AVENUE NEW ORLEANS LA 70118 telephone [phone] Monday-Friday DOORS OPEN AT 4:00 PM Saturday DOORS OPEN AT 2:00 PM book a party

[fat harry]

Rock n Bowl.

[jmorri26]

I think honestly, 30 per person for 400 people is low if you're looking for in the quarter (unless you don't have a sit down dinner) You'' be hard pressed to find many places in the quarter that can fit that many. Your best and cheapest bet would be the Warehouse district (potentially walkable from the quarter) they have tons of venues for parties and could do 400 or, as another said, Mardi Gras World but I do think that would be quite pricey.
Its not a restaurant but I know many have receptions at the aquarium which is in the quarter and could probably do 400.

[Hungry Celeste]

All of the Audubon properties charge hefty rental fees, plus you're going to have the considerable expenses of table/chair/linen rentals....before you've even reached the food costs.

[TaTee]

Call Mother's and inquire about "Mother's Next Door." http://www.mothersrestaurant.net/moth...

I think your $30 PP price range is a bit low, but give them a call and see what you can work out. It will accomodate your crowd and give you a real New Orleans experience.

-----
Mother's Restaurant
401 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[k_may]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I know, it's really hard :-/. Having it near/in the French Quarter isn't required, just a plus. I'd rather find an area to at least fit everyone comfortably for a reasonable price.

[hazelhurst]

Apart from what you have already been told, the Two Sisters Pavillion at City Park is a thought. I have been to several receptions there and everything was just fine. But it is not walking distance I'm afraid.

Other than private Clubs, the only other suggestion I can make is The new Orleans Board of Trade...its a beutiful spot across Canal Street from the French Quarter BUT it ain't cheap..I think the big room is $4K for three hours so that whacks $10/person off your target.

[Hungry Celeste]

I honestly don't think it is possible to do a 400-person event in the French Quarter for $30/head. Latrobe's on Royal won't hold more than 200, Napoleon House can't hold more than 150....any of the larger hotels in/near the FQ can probably accommodate you, but not for $30/head. Hard Rock cafe has an upstairs room, but it won't hold 400 either. Oh, the Riverview Room atop the Jax Brewery will hold 400....

-----
Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Hard Rock Cafe
418 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Riverview Restaurant
555 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

[collardman]

That is quite a task. I'm thinking like Hungry Celelste.

The old Plimsoll Club might have been a possibility but the new one in the Westin will probably be hotel pricy. Locals, Is Mardi Gras World a possibility? I know they rent out but don't kow any deatils.

[N.O.Food]

MG world is a cool venue, but I don't know how expensive it is. I went to the Coast Guard gala a while back, and it was much larger than 400 ppl.

In general, it's going to be tough to find a place for that many people at that price. NOMA is big enough (I think), but you'll have to cater it and arrange for transportation.

[JazzyB]

You could take streetcars or cab it to city park.

[jmorri26]

Trust me, I had my out of town family stay in the quarter for our wedding and to get to the church uptown we had everyone take the streetcar. It was an absolute nightmare. It wasn't even a ton of people but half the cars just drove right by when they saw how many were waiting. What a mess. Especially for 400 people like they said? Don't put your guests through that hell lol.

[Littleman]

Ernst's Cafe is about 7/8 blocks W of Canal in the CBD but they have a great bar and restaurant. They have a large upstairs room that can accomodate large groups for events like yours. I would contact them. Napoleon House is another suggestion. Good luck.

http://www.ernstcafe.net/

-----
Napoleon House Bar & Cafe
500 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130