Hi Friends! Perhaps it is needless to say, but we have been a little too busy to update this blog in the last few months, but I have some info for you. This post should cover everything you could ever want to know about this event …and then some.
Just about everyone who reads this knows that we are about to get married in ooohhh, 8 weeks! Holy cow. The invitations will be out shortly, but I have some extra info that may be useful for all of you, particularly the out-of-towners. I didn’t want to stuff envelopes with a dissertation on New Orleans and wedding details.
First things first!
Date: Friday, March 16, 2007
Ceremony: 6:00 PM Coliseum Square Park- between Camp and Coliseum streets
Reception: 1729 Clio street, New Orleans LA, 70113
There will be a second line following the ceremony that will bring us to the reception. Anyone who has not yet had the opportunity to participate in a second line is in for a treat. I have created a map that outlines the route in yellow. The second line will be about 10 or so blocks and will be lead by the Panorama Jazz Band. It will bring us to our house for the reception.
For those who wish to miss out on all the fun and drive to the reception, you will be able to park in the parking lot at Fleet tires on Carondolet Street between Clio and Caliope. To do so, head up Camp Street take a left on Erato, cross St. Charles, take a right on Carondolet get into the left lane, dogleg over into the parking lot on Clio Street. We will have a hired policeman on detail between the house and the tire shop. There is also plenty of parking under the interstate, behind the house. Central City is by no means scenic, and unfortunately it is not particularly safe either. It is however, our home and because of that, it is just right for this occasion. Please be advised that your safety is important to us, so heads up.
The Wedding will be casual. Second liners be advised, sensible shoes are appropriate. Also, Coliseum square park will likely have plenty of dogs on such a beautiful day, so if dogs make you antsy, hold a hand, there will be plenty available. The menu will be yummy, and without giving away all of the surprises, carnivores, herbivores and omnivores will leave with full bellies. On that note, we will have crawfish, so don’t be so fancy you can’t feast.
St. Patty’s Day / St. Joseph’s Day weekend
I chose to have the wedding on this particular weekend, because it is so fun! Here is a link with the event listings from last year, which are always the same, so you can get an idea of what goes on: http://nola.live.advance.net/stpatricks/?content/events.html
Basically these are the events:
- Friday: the best wedding ever
- Sat: Cabbage tossing crazy Irish Channel Parade on Magazine
Green beers and Madness at Parasols (First and Constance)
- Sunday: St. Josephs Day and the Irish Italian parade in Metairie on Vets Hwy. (that one is a little more family friendly)
Most everyone knows about St. Patrick, the missionary that saved all of Ireland, and is probably single-handedly responsible for the expression “Irish-Catholic”. St. Joseph, however, gets a bit trickier. He is either the less glamorous virgin father of Jesus who is noted for his chastity, or the Saint that saved Sicily from famine by bringing rain to the Island’s dying crops. Both have the same feast day and different reputations. Come to think of it, I think they are the same Joe… look it up. The feast of St. Joseph looks to me like a combination of Thanksgiving, and a symbol of solidarity and humility among the working class (that is not a scholarly fact, it is the opinion of a non-historian). Anyhoo, his feast day is on the 19th of March, and this is a really big deal in the New Orleans-Italian communities. People spend hundreds of hours baking and preparing for St. Joseph’ s Day alters. You can find them in churches, homes, community centers…check the local paper that weekend and find one. My friend Elsa will be at the wedding and she knows where the good ones are, so ask her.
Lodging is as abundant as crepe myrtle trees in this city, so it should be easy to find a place to stay. We are in central city, which abuts the lower garden district. Both are about 1.5 miles outside of the French Quarter. The streetcar is currently trafficking people from lee circle to the FQ. Sean’s aunt and uncle Joanne and Dennis own a very cute, reasonably priced inn near the ceremonial park. It is called The Saint Charles Guest House (504) 523-6556. If you want to stay there, give them a call and tell em we sent ya. Don’t reserve online, make the call.
Staying in the quarter might be fun too, so I have some thoughts this, and remember nothing is really far away. For this reason I recommend using cabs to get around. You are not likely to get ripped off, arrested or lost… and it’s cheap (United Cab 504.522.9771).
Downtown Recommendations:
French Quarter
W hotel (CBD or FQ) – both nice stylish, swanky, corporate, clean, about $80ish a night http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/index.html
Dauphine Orleans – big rooms / suites available, a friend stayed here once and it was very comfy and easy lounge in. It is pricey, but it can also accommodate a few people if that is how you roll. About $100ish a night. http://www.dauphineorleans.com/index.html
Marigny
Royal Inn (above the R~Bar – “The city’s only bed and beverage” is in the Faubourg Marigny by all the cool jazz clubs, hippies, cafes, soul food, and wierdos. I love it!
http://www.royalstreetinn.com/
Also, for those of you who are like us, and are not financially endowed enough to get a swanky hotel, don’t let that stop you from coming. I have had people offer up sofas and floors and guestrooms for this event, so If you need assistance call me.
P.S.
My mom says that she got a really good rate at the Ponchartrain Hotel in the lower garden district.
And
We are registered at Bed Bath and Beyond
And
The map I made didn't show up really well, so I will email the file as a pdf to adyone who asks
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