About New Orleans
Also known as the Big Easy, New Orleans is well-known for its culture, cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. It is surrounded by water with Lake Pontchartrain to the north, Lake Borgne to the east, Lake Salvador to the south, and the Mississippi River running through it. And with its warm climate, beaches and parks are popular all year long.
Having your rehearsal dinner venue in New Orleans is a fantastic idea, especially if you like southern food with a spicy touch. Foods like jambalaya, crawfish pie, po’boys, and gumbo are easy to find. And being so near the gulf, you can also find plenty of seafood dishes.
Rehearsal Dinner Options in New Orleans
Finding your New Orleans rehearsal dinner venue is just the first step to planning a fabulous rehearsal dinner. You will also need someone to help with décor, florists, and furniture rental, as well as photography and transportation.
- Decorating
Let a professional take care of all the decorating so you don’t have to deal with all those details. No matter how good you are at decorating, why add that to your list of things to do if you don’t have to.
- Florist
Flowers are an important detail for any event and the right ones will make your rehearsal dinner even more spectacular. Let a florist take care of all the centerpieces and other floral décor so you can just enjoy the results with your guests.
- Furniture Rental
If you are not having your rehearsal dinner at a restaurant, you will need furniture for all of the guests. New Orleans has plenty of rental companies where you can get chairs, tables, and whatever else you may require.
- Transportation
Getting your guests to the dinner on time is easy if you hire a car service or limousine. It is also an important safety measure when serving adult beverages. You want all of your guests to get back safely.
- Photography
Don’t rely on Uncle Tom to take all the photos. Hire a photographer for your New Orleans rehearsal dinner and let him relax and have fun with the rest of the guests.
Rehearsal Dinner Companies in New Orleans
No need to do it all yourself. Let a wedding planner handle all the work so you don’t have to. After all, that is what they do. New Orleans has a variety of rehearsal dinner venue companies to help you out.
- Wink Design & Events
Wink Design & Events can help no matter whether it is a small intimate dinner for a few or a large dinner for hundreds. They do it all from invitations to thank you gifts and everything in between. Some of their previous clientele include Harrah’s, Coca-Cola, Chase, TNT, and Paramount.
- NOLA Event Planners
Planning parties since 2001, NOLA Event Planners can provide full-service help from choosing the color palette to dealing with family drama. Let them handle all the heavy stuff while you concentrate on preparing for the big day. NOLA was even the event planner for the New Orleans Bridal Show of the Year at the Crystal Palace Ballroom.
- Z Event Company
Winner of the Best of Weddings three years in a row by The Knot and featured in Southern Bride, Adore, and Inside New Orleans, Z Event Company has plenty of experience. They have even worked for Hollywood films and Fortune 500 companies, and they truly love what they do.
Pros and Cons of Rehearsal Dinners in New Orleans
New Orleans is a fun and exciting city, but every place has its ups and downs. Here are some of the pros and cons of having a rehearsal dinner venue in New Orleans.
Advantages
- Weather
The weather is always warm so you can enjoy some outdoor adventures before and after the rehearsal dinner
- Venues
There is no shortage of fantastic venues in New Orleans with a variety of choices from small and casual to huge and formal.
- The nightlife
Also known as the Big Easy, New Orleans is known for its exciting nightlife like pubs and clubs.
- The food
Since you are planning a rehearsal dinner, you will be happy to know that New Orleans is well-known for its excellent cuisine.
- The cost of living is good
You will not have to worry about shelling out too much cash for anything as long as you are not shopping at tourist attractions or convenience stores.
Disadvantages
- The bugs may bug you
New Orleans has a special group of insects that can be deceptively dangerous like fire ants and caterpillars that sting.
- The heat
It gets extremely hot and humid in this city, so if you and your rehearsal dinner guests are not used to temps in the upper 90s, you may want to stay inside.
- Crime rate
New Orleans has one of the highest crime rates in the country with a rate of 66 per 1,000 people. Stick to the safer neighborhoods like Lakeview and the West End.
- Traffic
Once ranked 98th out of 146 worst cities for traffic jams, New Orleans is not a place you want to drive around much so a car service is a great idea.
- Lots of partying
This may be a pro or a con but if you are not into public drunkenness, you may be surprised at some of the goings-on in New Orleans.
Famous Locations in New Orleans
- New Orleans City Park
With over 1,300 acres and a variety of attractions, City Park is a popular place with tourists and locals. You can go on a hike, play golf, visit the Museum of Art, and take a walk through the Botanical Garden. Book the beautiful versatile homey location with a pool nearby so you can swim after the rehearsal dinner.
- Mardi Gras World
You cannot visit New Orleans without hearing or seeing something related to Mardi Gras. Take a tour of Mardi Gras World and see over 500 of the floats being designed as well as costumes and other fun items. They are open all year long, so you don’t have to wait until February to experience the magic.
- Audubon Zoo
Learn all about the native flora and fauna as well as wildlife from around the world at the Audubon Zoo. Opened in 1914, the 58-acre park boasts over 2,000 animals from anteaters to zebras. Retreat to the cute curb appeal cottage before and after the rehearsal dinner right near the zoo.