march/april 2022
REAL
WEDDINGS
nowweddingmagazine.com
ADVICE FOR
CHOOSING
YOUR VENUE
MARCH+
APRIL 2022
REAL WEDDINGS
24
Amanda Waguespack + Tyler Messina
30
Krystal Fontana + Chase Hall
38
Javonn Harden + Davy Crocklen II
42
Virginia Price + Caleb Abbey
PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Alleman Photography | From the wedding of Virginia Price + Caleb Abbey, pages 42-45
ARTICLES
8 Before You Say ‘I do’ to a Venue
Advice from a wedding planner on choosing
your receptionvenue
10
NOW PLANNER: Reception Venue Questions
12
Venue Spotlights
34
Entertaining Advice
FASHION
16
Pronovias’ 2022 Privée Oasis Collection
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 3
@nolawedding
@neworleansweddings
@nowmagazine504
@nowmagazine504
we're social !
we're social !
Follow NOW Weddings Magazine
PUBLISHER
JESSICA BURKE
JESSICA@THENOWBRIDE.COM
Rena Sweeney
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Dayna Dufrene
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
FOR ENGAGED COUPLES
Our blog is filled with tons of great resources,
inspiration, wedding stories and photo editorials
that will help you plan an amazing wedding.
FOR THE WEDDING PROFESSIONAL
NOW Weddings Magazine offers affordable
advertising packages with tons of perks.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT ADVERTISING,
PLEASE CONTACT:
NOW Weddings Magazine
Phone: 504-832-2775
Email: sales@thenowbride.com
www.NOWWeddingMagazine.com
NOW Weddings Magazine is published
bi-monthly by New Orleans Weddings
Magazine, Inc. Copyright 2022. All rights
reserved. Reproduction of any part of this
publication without the express written
consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
NOW Weddings Magazine is a registered
trademark of NOWM, Inc. The use of
the trademark is strictly prohibited. The
information in this publication is believed
to be accurate. However, New Orleans
Weddings Magazine cannot and does not
guarantee its accuracy. NOW Weddings
Magazine cannot and will not be held liable
for the quality or performance of goods and
services provided by advertisers or any other
portion of this publication
NOWWeddingMagazine.com
About The Cover
About The Cover
Look for new issues of
NOW Weddings Magazine every other month.
march/april 2022
REAL
WEDDINGS
nowweddingmagazine.com
ADVICE FOR
CHOOSING
YOUR VENUE
PHOTOGRAPHER:
Eau Claire Photographics
CAKE:
Kimbla’s Cakes
FROM THE WEDDING OF:
Amanda Waguespack + Tyler Messina
#1 Special Events Band
In New Orleans
and The Gulf Coast Region
sugarshakernola.com
Booking:
WCA Entertainment 504-239-9133
WilliamCredoAgency@gmail.com
gk photography
“I do”
“I do”
BEFORE YOU SAY
CONGRATULATIONS; IT’S TIME TO START PLANNING YOUR WEDDING!
One of your first and most important steps is to select your venue. This is a key
aspect of your wedding plans that will inform all other decisions as well as what
will likely finalize your actual wedding date.
As a wedding planner with over 20 years experience, I’ve developed a process
to help my clients work through this decision so they make the best decision for
their specific circumstances and I’m going to share this process with you!
FINDING YOUR WEDDING VISION
To get started, I ask a simple question: “How do you envision your wedding?”
As they describe their dream wedding, I take note of the words they use to
describe their vision for the day. Are they looking for a certain experience for
themselves and their guests? Are certain elements extremely important? How
many people will be celebrating with them?
Some additional questions you may want to ask yourselves to help narrow
things down are: do you want your guests to all be seated for an elegant full
dinner service or do you want them mingling and chatting? Do you want a
fun take on street food or more formal options for your menu? Do you want
architecture that feels like the city you’re in, an exposed brick courtyard or
do you want a ballroom with huge chandeliers? Is indoor space a must or if
everything is outdoors, are you willing to tent or have a “plan B”? What time of
day will everything take place?
Your answers will help guide everything from the venue options you have to
choose from to the flow of the space and how much seating you’ll have down to
the fun items like specialty cocktail selections. If you get stumped along the way,
I recommend always referring back to your original vision.
Take the time to determine your vision for your wedding before you start
scheduling venue tours and be sure to write down everything you’re dreaming
of. You may really love a venue but if it simply doesn’t meet your needs then it
may not be the right fit for your reception and that’s ok, you will find the right
venue! (If you need more help finding your style, be sure to download your free
copy of the NOW Wedding Planner for helpful tips on doing just that!)
THE WEDDING VENUE BUDGET BREAKDOWN
Once you know what aesthetic you want for your reception, you need to then
have a general idea of your budget as well as your guest list. If you select a
venue and you get more RSVPs than you anticipated, you risk not being able to
fit everyone in the space you’re already under contract with. Additionally, you
want to make sure that you won’t overspend and that you’ll be able to meet any
food and beverage minimums that the venue may have.
When looking at packages and pricing, venues vary greatly so there are some
considerations you’ll want to be aware of or ask about if they’re not clearly
stated. Make sure to consider whether they charge a ceremony fee (if applicable
to you), whether they include tables/chairs/linens/china in the rental, if security
is an additional fee and if their pricing already includes the taxes, fees and
gratuity, which can sometimes add up to almost 30% to the final bill.
While one venue may seem more expensive up front, another could end up
costing the same if you add on everything separately like having to bring in your
own tables and chairs, paying extra fees like a “cake cutting fee” or “corkage
fee”, etc.
This is a great time to put your spreadsheet skills to work so you can easily
compare each venue and what their costs are. Make sure to include a column
for whether or not you may need a tent at the venue, as that can also add to the
potential cost of a space.
THE PARKING SITUATION
Another column for the spreadsheet is whether there is ample parking for your
guests or if you’ll need to provide transportation to get them to the venue.
Paying for valet or transportation for your guests adds to your budget and
should also be a consideration when selecting your venue.
For some locations, like the French Quarter, larger buses holding more than 25
people can’t access those areas so if you have a large guest list, you may need
quite a few buses to get everyone to your reception on time.
Also ask about (or Google) large or city-wide events happening around the same
time as your wedding as that could affect parking availability, street closures or
even hotel room block availability and pricing.
SPACE CONSIDERATIONS
The layout of your reception is another important thing to consider. Some
venues offer multiple spaces while others offer one large space and this will
impact the feel of your reception. It’s best to go into the process knowing if you
have a strong preference one way or the other.
As you tour different locations, the venue managers can give you an idea of
how they typically arrange the space for a wedding. While most venues will be
flexible to suit your wants and needs, they may also have a reason for typically
setting up a room a certain way including needing the band in a specific area
where power is available and safety concerns.
Keep in mind if you want to provide seating for everyone (tables and chairs take
up a lot of space!), if you want the buffets and bars in the same room or if a side
room is an option and whether or not you may want additional things that take
up floor space such as photo booths or a large band.
MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
Once you have gathered information on the venues that are your style and
within your budget, you can begin to compare them.
Beyond looking at your spreadsheet with comparisons and expenses, imagine
how your reception would look at each space. Imagine yourself going through
the space as a guest.
When in doubt, refer back to the vision you began with to remind yourself of
the overall guest experience you wanted and eliminate options that don’t fit
your vision.
For additional helpful planning tools and advice, vitit
neworleansweddingsmagazine.com/wedding-planning/
WRITTEN BY: Rena Sweeney, Alchemy Events
8 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
TO A VENUE
LET
US
STAY
WITH
YOU.®
The day you’ve always dreamed of is our pleasure.
To plan the wedding you have always imagined, contact the Catering Team at
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans at (504) 670-2871 or visit ritzcarlton.com/neworleans
© 2022 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
10 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
Your
Reception
THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST
ELABORATE PARTIES you will ever
host. It is also the ideal time to thank
your family members, friends and guests
for being there with you throughout the
exciting festivities. Before making your
final choice, ask yourself if this location
fits your wedding style. Is it within your
established budget? If not, are you willing
to compromise your budget to secure the
location?
Reception Site
WHAT TO ASK PROSPECTS
n Is this location easily reached from
our ceremony venue?
n Is there an outdoor reception area
available?
n Is this location handicap accessible?
Is parking available?
n Will there be any changes to the
location between now and our event?
n What are the menus/prices/packages
available?
n What are your payment terms?
n What is your cancellation policy
The Location’s
Coordinator/Manager
WHAT TO ASK
n May we see references and photographs of other receptions held here?
n May we tour the area? Are there any specific restrictions?
n How far in advance must reservations be made? When do you need the final
guest count?
n Are there specific minimums we must meet?
n What area/rooms are available? How early can we set up? How late can we
stay?
n Is there a dressing room our wedding party will have access to?
n Are there enough electrical outlets for our entertainers? Do you provide any
type of sound system? Are there any lighting or sound restrictions?
n How large is the dance floor? Can you provide a stage or raised platform?
n Do you provide tables, chairs, linens and/or table settings?
n Do you have a caterer on site? Bar service? Are we required to use the on-
site caterer or is an off-site caterer permitted? Will they have access to your
kitchen?
n Who will be the main contact for our baker, florist, caterer, event planner, etc.?
n Will you provide the serving staff? How many and in what capacity?
n Can you provide parking valets, coat check and/or door attendants?
n What is the maximum capacity, both seated and standing?
n Do you have any other events scheduled on the day of our wedding?
n Are you insured for liability? Will you provide security, including the parking lot?
n What is your rental fee? For how long? Does that include service, catering and/
or clean-up?
n What are your payment terms?
n What is your cancellation policy?
Image Credit: Jessica The Photographer
Venue: Rosie’s on the Roof, Higgins Hotel NOLA
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 11
UPCOMING
BRIDAL
SHOWS
NOWWEDDINGMAGAZINE.COM
THE NOW WEDDING EVENT
W W W . T H E N O W W E D D I N G E V E N T . C O M
M A Y 1 8 2 0 2 2
6 - 8 : 3 0 P M
W E D N E S D A Y
AT THE MOORE VENUE
12 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
Image Credit: Matteo + Co.
THE COURT OF TWO
SISTERS RESTAURANT
613 ROYAL STREET
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130
(504) 522-7261
COURTOFTWOSISTERS.COM
INSTAGRAM:
@COURTOFTWOSISTERS
Discover the historic Court of Two Sisters
Restaurant nestled on Royal Street in New
Orleans’ French Quarter. The Court of Two
Sisters is home to one of the largest courtyards
in the French Quarter and boasts all original
features. The restaurant’s terrace connects
to the courtyard creating a perfect indoor/
outdoor flow for events allowing couples to
host up to 500 guests.
Say “I do” under the wisteria tree canopy and
then dance the night away while indulging in a
fully customizable menu of NOLA favorites.
The Court of Two Sisters is ideally located
within walking distance to all French Quarter
hotels and popular after party locations.
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Image Credit: Higgins Hotel NOLA
THE HIGGINS HOTEL
NEW ORLEANS
1000 MAGAZINE STREET
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130
(504) 459-0711
HIGGINSHOTELNOLA.COM
INSTAGRAM:
@HIGGINSHOTEL
The Higgins Hotel, located in New Orleans’
Arts and Warehouse District is the official
hotel of the World War II Museum and boasts
numerous luxurious event spaces and French-
inspired, chef-created menus with NOLA
favorites.
The Arcadia Ballroom on the second floor
features coffered 18-foot ceilings, Art Deco
details.
Be sure to visit Rosie’s on the Roof for small
plates and cocktails with amazing views of the
New Orleans skyline or host an intimate event
with a space buyout.
Special wedding guest room rate are available
without a room block - to find out more, visit:
higginshotelnola.com/our-wedding
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Image Credit: Jessica The Photographer
INTERCONTINENTAL
NEW ORLEANS
444 ST CHARLES AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130
(504) 585-4363
ICNEWORLEANS.COM
INSTAGRAM:
@INTERCONNOLA
Located on historic St. Charles Avenue in
New Orleans’ Central Business District, this
luxurious AAA Four Diamond award-winning
hotel features 484 guest rooms, 33 suites
and an exquisite rooftop pool. The 8,300 sq
foot La Salle Ballroom with capacity for 700
guests boasts 26’ ceilings, lalique chandeliers
and large windows with panoramic views
overlooking St. Charles Avenue.
The InterContinental New Orleans can also
accommodate intimate weddings of 12-25
guests in their charming Storyville room, which
features atrium space with floor to ceiling
windows.
The luxurious lobby and Grand Staircase
provide superb photo opportunities for
wedding parties of all sizes.
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Image Credit: Mike Lirette
THE MOORE VENUE
5616 CITRUS BOULEVARD
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70123
(504) 737-1300
THEMOOREVENUE.COM
INSTAGRAM:
@THEMOOREVENUE
If you’re looking for a fabulous, all-inclusive
venue close to New Orleans, be sure to check
out The Moore. This newly-renovated wedding
venue boasts a 5,100 square foot ballroom that
can easily accommodate up to 400 guests and
a brand new 1,600 square foot courtyard space
that’s perfect for wedding ceremonies!
Amenities include a private suite for the
newlyweds, a covered portico for flawless
arrivals in any weather, in-house DJ, free
parking and custom upgrades such as photo
booths, champagne walls and more are
available.
Bar service and catering is provided in-house
by 12 Seasons Catering and wedding packages
include gourmet food and carving stations, and
passed hors d’oeuvres.
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 13
613 ROYAL STREET
NEW ORLEANS 70130
(504) 522-7261 | COURTOFTWOSISTERS.COM
@COURTOFTWOSISTERS
PHOTO: DARK ROUX PHOTOGRAPHY
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 15
TheHospitalityCollection.com
Image Credits: (ABOVE) Tasha Rae Photography (BELOW LEFT + RIGHT) The September Company
SouthernHospitalityRental.com
CloverJohns.com
SouthernApproach.com
16 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
TIMIMUN: A spectacular tulle and organza
princess dress with cascading beadwork,
detachable sleeves and dramatic ruffled skirt.
NOW WEDDINGS
STYLE
EXPLORE THE 2022 PRIVÉE OASIS COLLECTION
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY PRONOVIAS GROUP
AMUN: A long-sleeved, sheath
wedding dress with bateau neckline
and soft, georgette draped skirt. The
bodice features a Chantilly base with
3D appliqué and luxury beadwork.
continued>>>
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 17
HAVASU: A floral lace sheath wedding
gown with a sweetheart neckline and
dropped shoulders. This gown can be
worn with or without the overskirt.
18 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 19
MOGRA: This fit-and-flare,
semi-transparent gown features
detachable sleeves and a
sweetheart neckline.
continued>>>
20 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com
TAFILALT: A fully sequined tulle,
V-neck, sheath wedding gown shown
with detachable ruffled sleeves and
HAVASU overskirt.
BIMMAH: This sparkling champagne
sequin gown is truly glamorous. The
fitted corset bodice flares at the waist
and cascades to a ruffled hemline.
continued>>>
N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com | 21
ALMAHA: This ethereal wedding
dress features embroidered 3D floral
appliqué details and an underlayer of
glittery tulle.
22 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com