The Benachi House & Gardens
The venue search began in summer 2010 a month or two after Liam's birth. Looking at all the options online, we narrowed it down to 4 places that seemed to go with our vision and our budget. So we trucked out to NOLA (with baby Liam, my parents and Future MIL in tow) to see the real thing.
We began at the Benachi House and Gardens, a cool old mansion outside the Quarter right near City Park. The site was beautiful, offered 2 different ceremony locations and and amazing rear courtyard to hold the reception. A plus for us was that we were allowed to bring any vendors we wanted, including catering, and they included a bridal and honeymoon suite.
We then ventured over the The House of Broel. We knew after a few short minutes that this was not our venue. The owner seemed very set in her ways of how a wedding should go, and htose ways did not match ours. The courtyard was beautiful, but very squished feeling, so we moved on.
We had an appointment at The Elm's Mansion also, but canceled. Just by driving by we were able to rule it out. While the mansion is simply stunning, it seemed a bit too formal for the laidback feel we wanted, and hey, they didn't allow red wine inside the mansion. That's a deal-breaker.
Lastly, we had an appointment at City Park to view the Peristyle as a ceremony site and reception in the Parkview Terrace. Well, the lady we had an appointment with was very late, and when she arrived, we found that there had been a meeting scheduled in the reception site during our viewing time, so all we could do was look in through the balcony windows. The Peristyle was absolutely stunning. I fell in love with it. However, the terrace was less than ideal, we really wanted an outside reception and the courtyard feel.
After much thought, we decided to go with The Benachi House, and take our pictures at City Park (hopefully a few in the Peristyle!) since it is only a few minutes away.
We began at the Benachi House and Gardens, a cool old mansion outside the Quarter right near City Park. The site was beautiful, offered 2 different ceremony locations and and amazing rear courtyard to hold the reception. A plus for us was that we were allowed to bring any vendors we wanted, including catering, and they included a bridal and honeymoon suite.
We then ventured over the The House of Broel. We knew after a few short minutes that this was not our venue. The owner seemed very set in her ways of how a wedding should go, and htose ways did not match ours. The courtyard was beautiful, but very squished feeling, so we moved on.
We had an appointment at The Elm's Mansion also, but canceled. Just by driving by we were able to rule it out. While the mansion is simply stunning, it seemed a bit too formal for the laidback feel we wanted, and hey, they didn't allow red wine inside the mansion. That's a deal-breaker.
Lastly, we had an appointment at City Park to view the Peristyle as a ceremony site and reception in the Parkview Terrace. Well, the lady we had an appointment with was very late, and when she arrived, we found that there had been a meeting scheduled in the reception site during our viewing time, so all we could do was look in through the balcony windows. The Peristyle was absolutely stunning. I fell in love with it. However, the terrace was less than ideal, we really wanted an outside reception and the courtyard feel.
After much thought, we decided to go with The Benachi House, and take our pictures at City Park (hopefully a few in the Peristyle!) since it is only a few minutes away.
