April! And FAQs

Wow wow wow. It is April today! Our wedding weekend is in 2 weeks!! We are getting really excited and finally our to-do list is starting to shrink. Can't wait to see you all so soon!

We have been getting a couple of the same questions from different friends and family members, so I thought I would answer some FAQs here:

Q: What is the attire for the rehearsal dinner at Mother's and Sunday brunch?
A: Mother's is a casual creole restaurant - no need for a coat or tie or anything fancy like that. I plan to wear a spring dress and Austin will likely wear khakis and a button down shirt. Brunch on Sunday is at the hotel and very casual. Just wear whatever you are planning to travel in that day. 

Q: What will the weather be like in mid-April? 
A: New Orleans weather can be unpredictable. This is one of the reasons we wanted to get married inside - no humidity, monsoons or extreme heat for any of our guests! When you venture out of the hotel, expect warm weather, likely in the mid-80s. There is often the threat of a brief afternoon thunderstorm. It is always good to check weather.com  before you pack because you just never know here. If the weather is nice and hot as expected, there is a pool on the roof deck of the Westin, so you may want to pack a bathing suit!

Q: Is there public transportation from the airport to the downtown hotels?

A: Unfortunately New Orleans is lacking in good public transportation. Airport Shuttle, Inc. is the official ground transportation for the airport, with service to and from New Orleans’ hotels and the downtown area. Fare is $20 per person one way and a discounted $38 per person round trip. For taxis, a fixed rate of $33 is charged for one to two people. For parties of more than two, the fare is $14 per person. So, it is most cost efficient to share a cab unless you are traveling alone. I have also sometimes seen strangers share cabs to the downtown hotels.  

Q: We are coming to NOLA early. What should we do? 

A: There is so much to do here, and New Orleans is a great city to explore! Make sure to walk around the French Quarter, but if you have time, try to also take the street car to the Garden District to see all the beautiful homes and streets and go uptown to Magazine Street for great shopping/browsing. We have put together a map of some of our favorite places to visit. Once you check into the hotel, you should also receive a welcome bag with a weekend itinerary and suggestions, so you will find plenty to do there as well.

Q: You mentioned your wedding is a "New Orleans style cocktail reception." What does that mean? 

A: Here in New Orleans, it is common to cocktail/buffet wedding receptions as opposed to a formal seated dinner. We have opted for this style and are really excited about it! What you can expect: passed hors d'oeuvres for the first part of the evening, then buffet tables and active cooking stations scattered throughout the room. There are no assigned tables and only seating for about 60% of the guests at one time. We promise you that the crowd will ebb and flow naturally, with some people eating while others are on the dance floor, and everyone will be comfortable and well fed!

  

Why did we choose this: we liked the idea of sticking with a local tradition. It also gives our (many) out of town guests a chance to sample the varieties of local cuisine instead of just having just one entree. Cocktail style receptions also really promote mingling and movement and lots of dancing. Guests aren’t remaining at their seats between courses which helps give the event more of a “party” atmosphere. We know y'all will have a great time!

Any other questions that we haven't answered? Leave it in the comments section below!