Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Story

The Low Down

When we were choosing a wedding location, New Orleans was a no-brainer. Jessica was born there and went to college at the University of New Orleans. It was Andrew's favorite city, even before they met. We couldn't think of a better way to spend our wedding weekend than having a big bash in New Orleans with our close friends and family. And, of course, Sally will be making an appearance or two!Our wedding is the weekend before Thanksgiving. So if you've had a little too much fun in the Big Easy, it's a short work week when you get home — or you can take off the entire week.You will not need to rent a car. The hotel is in a great, walkable location and it's expensive to park overnight in New Orleans. You should take an Uber or taxi from the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to the hotel when you arrive. If you want to explore outside the French Quarter area, you're still better off with an Uber, cab or street car than renting a car for the weekend. We're very psyched and can't wait!

Thursday welcome dinner

For guests arriving to New Orleans early we are having a dinner Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Cafe Minh. This French Vietnamese fusion restaurant is special to Jessica — in her New Orleans days, she worked for Chef Cynthia at Cafe Minh's pre-Katrina downtown location. The restaurant is located in Mid City at 4139 Canal Street. You can take an Uber or streetcar from the French Quarter.

Friday dinner recommendations

There is no group dinner on Friday but you're in New Orleans which means there's great food everywhere. It's impossible to list all the best restaurants but here are a few of our favorites. You should make a reservation in advance — the sooner the better. Broussard's (French Quarter): Upscale restaurant with classic creole cuisine. Just two blocks from the hotel. <a href="http://www.broussards.com/">http://www.broussards.com/</a>Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar &amp; Bistro (French Quarter): More casual than Broussard's. Tasty Louisiana cuisine and lots of wine. 1/2 mile from hotel. <a href="http://www.orleansgrapevine.com/">http://www.orleansgrapevine.com/</a>GW Fins (French Quarter): Seafood-heavy restaurant with menu that is consistently updated. 1/2 mile from hotel. <a href="http://gwfins.com/">http://gwfins.com/</a>Cochon (Warehouse District): Outstanding cajun and southern food in a renovated warehouse. 1 mile from hotel. <a href="https://cochonrestaurant.com/">https://cochonrestaurant.com/</a>Jacques-Imos (Uptown): A great New Orleans eating experience. Fantastic creole soul food and a famous alligator cheesecake. 5 miles from hotel. <a href="http://jacques-imos.com/">http://jacques-imos.com/</a>Clancy's (Uptown): Upscale creole restaurant in an old Uptown house. 6 miles from hotel. <a href="https://www.clancysneworleans.com/">https://www.clancysneworleans.com/</a>**Note: While Muriel's Jackson Square is one of the best restaurants in the French Quarter, don't eat there Friday. That's where we're all going for the Saturday night dinner party!**

Fri/Sat night dancing

Join us after dinner Friday night and after the wedding Saturday night on Frenchmen Street. New Orleans' best nightlife spot (sorry Bourbon Street) is full of live music venues. We don't know yet where the night will take us, but keep in touch!

Sunday Brunch

Join us Sunday morning at Brennan's, a classic brunch spot just a short walk from the hotel. Enjoy a great meal to cap off the weekend.

More things to do in NOLA

There is plenty do in New Orleans. Here are some of our favorite activities and recommended stops. St. Louis Cathedral: The oldest cathedral in North America. It's right at Jackson Square in walking distance to the hotel and it's very beautiful inside. <a href="http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/">http://www.stlouiscathedral.org/</a> The French Market: Six blocks of shopping and flea markets at the edge of the French Quarter. <a href="https://www.frenchmarket.org/">https://www.frenchmarket.org/</a>Cafe Du Monde: Most New Orleans first-timers make a stop here for coffee and beignets. There's typically a long line but it usually moves quickly. http://www.cafedumonde.com/ Cemetery Tour: Explore New Orleans' famous cemeteries in the Garden District. Google "New Orleans cemetery tour." There are numerous options. National WWII Museum: The name speaks for itself. It's loaded with excellent artifacts and history. <a href="https://www.nationalww2museum.org/">https://www.nationalww2museum.org/</a>For more tips visit the Best of New Orleans Gambit website <a href="https://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/Home">https://www.bestofneworleans.com</a>

Details

Our Wedding

Ceremony

Our ceremony will be held in New Orleans' beautiful City Park at the Peristyle on Saturday, November 18th at 3 p.m. A motor coach will pick up guests on the corner of Canal and Royal Street, one block from Hotel Montelone. The bus departs at 2:30 p.m.Guests will be shuttled back to the drop-off spot, departing City Park at 4 p.m.

Dinner Party

After the wedding ceremony, join us for a dinner party at Muriel's Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. The restaurant is located in walking distance to Hotel Monteleone. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres begin at 6 p.m. with dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Muriel's has been serving classic Louisiana Creole cuisine for nearly two decades.The historic Muriel's building was first constructed in 1743 as the home of Jean Baptiste Destrehan, the Royal Treasurer of the French Louisiana Colonies. From 1974-2000 it was home of the Heritage Hall Jazz Band.

Enjoy a private dinner concert by the Carl LeBlanc Trio. Carl is a renowned New Orleans guitar master who was a member of Sun Ra's ensemble and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The Carl LeBlanc Trio are regulars in the New Orleans club scene, and they're going to tear it up for us!

Hotel Monteleone

We've booked a block of rooms at the historic Hotel Monteleone, an icon in New Orleans. It's a four-star hotel in the heart of the French Quarter, and it's been in the Monteleone family since 1886. The hotel's Carousel Bar and Lounge is New Orleans' only revolving bar. By booking a block, we've received a significant discount off the normal nightly rate. The rate for Friday and Saturday is $209/night for a traditional king or two double beds. Guests must stay both nights to get this rate.If you want to arrive a night early on Thursday and/or stay over on Sunday night, the Thursday/Sunday rate is $179/night.To book a room call the hotel at 800-535-9595 (M-F, 9AM-7PM ET) and say you're part of the Joly &amp; Abramson Wedding. You must reserve a room by Oct. 2. If you wish to stay somewhere else, there are many hotel options in New Orleans, although it's more limited in the French Quarter. Let us know if you'd like to stay elsewhere and need advice.

Jessica & Andrew

Jessica & Andrew

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Dinner Party