The Church

So, why are we not getting married in a French Quarter courtyard, or a church closer to the French Quarter?

Heat and unpredictable summer rainstorms made an outdoor ceremony risky.

Besides the family ties to St. Paul's (it was my grandparents' church, and my little sister also got married in the chapel there), the neighborhood in which it's located was devastated by Katrina.

While progress is apparent, the changes are bittersweet. Yet, for families rebuilding their homes, nostalgia is a nuisance.

I prefer old, knotty magnolias and oak canopies to the saplings that now dot medians and front lawns. To be honest, the baby trees depress me, as do the new "McMansions" that rear their obnoxious heads among 1930s cottages.

But back to the church: It's appropriate, I think, to get married in a spot that represents not just love, but perseverance and tenacity.

Registry

Scott and I registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Thank God I'm Home list

If you've visited me in New Orleans, these spots are likely familiar. For those of you traveling to NOLA for the first time, here is my "must-do" list.

This is neither a foodie list nor a tourist index. It's my "Thank God I'm Home" list.

No ranking is implied.

On my last trip home, my parents drove me straight straight from the airport to Mandina's for a 1/2 shrimp & 1/2 oyster po-boy and a Bloody Mary. It's loud, it's local and it's easy to access: Take the Canal St. streetcar. Tip: If they're in season, order the soft shell crabs.

Esplanade Ridge is like an Everlasting Gobstopper. It's the neighborhood that gives and gives and just when I think I'm finished it gives some more. The tree canopy is divine and allows for summertime strolling. Grab an iced mocha at Fair Grinds and walk down to the St. Louis 3 cemetery to see angel sculptures worthy of French cinema. Keep going one block to wander along Bayou St. John and into City Park (get your southern gothic moss on here). When you're ready for lunch or dinner, go to Cafe Degas for fresh, high-quality but not outrageous French country fare. Think Salad Nicoise, pates, fromage and wine.

Elizabeth's in Bywater has a breakfast menu that'll put you back to sleep until about 3pm. That isn't a bad thing. Trust me. Just plan accordingly. You'll need to take a cab.

If you like champagne, crumbling courtyards, damp, fern-sprouting brick walls, and fountains with fat goldfish, go to Feelings Cafe. Many will say it's more about atmosphere than food. I won't disagree, but keep in mind that in NOLA, you can't throw a stone without hitting a good restaurant. And what's good to us is exceptional in any other town. I waited tables at Feelings for a year and never, ever turned down a meal that came out of that kitchen. Decidedly un-trendy and a Marigny neighborhood haunt for thirty years.

In the Quarter, go to the Napoleon House for a muffaletta and a Pimm's Cup. If someone brings me a muffaletta from Central Grocery, great. However, I don't like lines and I always encounter one there.

Folks get very opinionated about restaurants like Galatoire's. Is it worth it? Too touristy? Yes to both questions. It gets loud (lots of intoxicated lawyers and ladies-who-lunch). Get ready to see ridiculous hats and seersucker suits. Still, it has the best Trout Amandine EVER.

These selections are no doubt influenced by the neighborhoods in which I grew up and lived as an adult. It's short on spots in the Garden District, Uptown, and Riverbend, but it's from the heart of a local.

Hotels

After researching more hotels, I'm happy to report that the group rate offered by Place D'Armes is very competitive, especially the interior rooms. I tried to secure group rates at a couple of other places (Quality Inn on St. Charles, La Quinta downtown, etc.)and, unfortunately, I can't get a group rate unless we reserve 10 rooms. If we do reserve 10 rooms and they don't fill up, the discount disappears.

From what I can tell, outside of Place D'Armes, the Holiday Inn in the Quarter has a decent rate (even better if you have AAA).

Again, chime in with questions and I'll do my best to help out.

Cheers!

FAQ

What's the deadline for reserving hotel rooms?
May 25th. Scroll down to the earlier post for the link.

When do festivities begin and end?
The wedding is Saturday, June 26th, but we will host a casual (really, shorts are fine) crawfish boil the evening of Friday, June 25, around 6pm. A local friend has volunteered to "escort" folks interested in taking the streetcar to the party.

Saturday morning and afternoon are free. We will add some suggested activities soon.

For those who are not driving, we have reserved a limo bus to bring people to and from the wedding ceremony. It will arrive at the hotel at approximately 5:15. Please let us know if you'd like to be included in this.

The ceremony begins at 6pm and should last 30 minutes. The reception is at Muriel's. Drinks and h'orderves will be available in the Seance Lounge at 7. The dinner bell rings at 7:30 and will be served in the Plantation Room.

Scott and I would love for guests to join us for brunch on Sunday, June 27th. This will be casual and NOT early.

May I bring my children?
While we'd love to have them, space is tight at both the chapel and at Muriel's. However, children are welcome at the crawfish boil the night before.

What about sight-seeing?
Clearly, there's lots to do and see and eat in NOLA. For those interested in off-the-beaten-path music venues and restaurants, we'll post a list of our favorite places.

Should I rent a car?
The hotel is centrally located in the French Quarter. If you'd like to visit other areas of the city (Garden District, for example), it is feasible (as well as cheap and fun) to take the streetcar. We have reserved a limo bus to bring folks to and from the wedding ceremony. The reception is around the corner from the hotel.

Parking is neither easy nor cheap. If you do rent a car, it is best to pay to put in a garage.

Will it be hot?
It will be hotter than you know. Bring bathing suits for hotel pool.

Will it rain?
Yep. Probably every afternoon around 3pm.

Where Should I Stay?

We've blocked 20 rooms of various sizes at Place d'Armes, a boutique hotel around the corner from Muriel's (where the reception will be). It's in a central French Quarter location, but a safe distance from the aromas of Bourbon Street. The pool and patios are perfect.

Be aware that the interior rooms do not have windows. There is a daily parking fee of $28 (tax included). I do not recommend parking on the street. Spots are hard to come by, and you will get towed for parking illegally.

When reserving your room, tell them it's for the Skinner/Andrews wedding. You'll need to put a deposit down for one night in order to get the group rate. They'll begin releasing the unreserved rooms on May 25th.

Of course, there are plenty of hotels in and around the Quarter. There is a Holiday Inn within walking distance of the reception. If you find a place you'd like stay but aren't sure about the area, please, please give me a holler. Remember, safety first!!

Little Things. Big Love.

He drove cross-town to bring me home-made hummus.
She crossed the river to watch me coach junior varsity football.
He fell for my cats.
She's from my favorite city.
He reintroduced me to my hometown.
She doesn't make me talk to our landlord.
He brings me coffee in bed on Saturdays.
She argues with me about politics.
He argues with me about politics.
She rolls with the Crimson Tide thing.
Brooklyn's growing on him.
He looks good in Levis.

We both believe our dog should have married parents.

Little things make big love.

If not now, when?

And where else but NOLA?