Private restaurant space for wedding ceremony & dinner

[nekst]

Dear Chowhound:

I will be getting married next October. We are planning on doing a combined ceremony/dinner in a private room in a restaurant. It will be very small--about 30 people total. The food is by far the most important thing--we are planning on a tasting menu format with wine pairings. But it is also important that the space itself be aesthetically pleasing. Huge windows, nice furniture, fireplaces etc. would be a plus.

I've reviewed the extensive past threads on rehearsal dinners, and they have been very helpful. We were initially planning on Clacasieu, but after seeing additional pictures we are worried the space would not look that great for a wedding (although it looks perfectly nice for a private dinner). We are now thinking about Coquette. I've not eaten there myself, but the vast majority of reviews seem positive and the second floor space looks pretty nice.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. If this was your wedding, where would you be eating?

Thanks!

[nekst]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone--I really appreciate it. We ended up picking Coquette. I'll report back.

[Cwhvar]

Nekst, Pls.do report back. I am getting married in March 2013 and, I, too, am planning on having my wedding dinner upstairs at Coquette (the ceremony will be at a B&B in the Lower Garden District) and would love to know about your experience. My fiance and I have had lunch there a few times in the past year and the food and atmosphere are wonderful. Never been to an event there though and am curious as to what the service is like for a private group (we'll have 15-20 in all). I can tell you that the photos of the upstairs room are pretty accurate although the room is longer and narrower than the photos would indicate. There is also a bar near the entrance that you can't see in the photos. There are restrooms on that level as well which is great since there is no elevator, just one long steep staircase. All the best to you on your special day.
Cathy

[nekst]

Will do! They have a new person managing the private dining reservations and she has been much more responsive than the former person.

Have you by chance selected a photographer yet?

[Cwhvar]

Not yet but several people I know have used Michael Caswell. I believe he offers a special package for intimate weddings.

[TaTee]

While looking for something else the other day, I came across the web site for the Valentino Conti House which is next door to the Prince Conti Hotel. Catering is done by the chef at the Bombay Club in the Prince Conti. Looks like a lovely palce and you and your guests could stay at the Prince Conti.
http://www.valentinocontihouse.com/in...

[Littleman]

Get married in Jackson Square or St. Louis Cathedral and dine in one of Muriel's private rooms.

Muriel's @ 801 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA. 504 - 568 - 1885.
http://www.muriels.com/html/home.html

[j.ho]

My wife and I did just that in 2009 and it was the most wonderful experience that we wouldn't trade for anything. Understanding a small wedding or even elopement (that was us) isn't for everyone its what we did. We had a Justice of the Peace (and photograhper) meet us at our hotel and performed the ceremony in Jackson Square. After a carriage ride we dined in the wine room at Muriel's and were very well taken care of. They even made a two tier chocolate wedding cake for us!

*To the OP - if you need a wedding photograqpher reco let me know. Ours was fantastic.

[nekst]

j.ho, if you're still watching this thread, I'd love that recommendation--thanks!

[j.ho]

Absolutely! Her name is Elizabeth Ray - check her out at erayphoto.com. Tell her Jay of Jay and Bridget (married May 09) recommended her. Keep us posted!

- J

[Bill Hunt]

If you can get past the "windows," I would recommend the "wine room" at Restaurant August.

Same goes for both Arnaud's and Galatoire's.

Your group is probably too large for the private room at G W Fins, and it has zero windows.

Now, one option might be Broussard's, with cocktails on their patio, and then the meal in one of their rooms. Though it was less intimate, and much larger, we did similar there, and they really came through.

Enjoy, and congratulations,

Hunt

[nekst]

Thanks for the reponses! Any thoughts on the wine room at Bayona? Hard to tell what it is like from the internet.

[BayouTeche]

The wine room at Bayona is kind of cramped. Think a finished attic.

[noradeirdre]

August, Commander's Palace, Dante's Kitchen... (trying to think of places with multiple rooms.) Coquette second floor would be great, though, good instincts there.