Getting it right
We are at your beck and call to assist you in planning your dream wedding. Please contact our Director of Sales, Sandra Pierre-Kazi, at 504-648-2943 or email Sandra.pierre-kazi@fourpointsnola.com. Our experienced on-staff wedding consultant is Amy Stettner and she can be called directly at 504-648-2922 or emailed at amy.stettner@fourpointsnola.com.

OUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT WEDDING

The Sheraton Four Points New Orleans Hotel in Metairie is the perfect choice for your ceremony. The daily phone calls, the soothing of ruffled feathers---all of it can stress out even the most serene among us. While the thrill of the proposal will linger for a lifetime, the sobering reality of planning a wedding, with all the details it involves, inevitably follows.

ATTIRE

Every bride wants to look her best on her wedding day. Think about a comfortable dress and shoes for dancing and standing. Insist that all your bridesmaids try on their dresses before the day of the wedding.

BUDGET

Deciding on a budget, along with making the guest list, is one of the first things you should do. . Even those with an unlimited budget should set one. Consider investing in a financial spreadsheet program for your computer to help you compare areas of cost.

CAKE

The cake is as memorable a part of the wedding as the gown and the toasts, and as such should be treated as dessert, not served as an afterthought at 2 A.M. Never use fresh flowers on the cake. Make the cake a real showpiece. Don't serve other desserts before the cake, though you may serve fruit, chocolate-dipped strawberries or sorbet with the cake.

CEREMONY

Our staff has orchestrated hundreds of wedding ceremonies and we are often surprised by how people get so caught up in planning the reception that they often leave the details of the ceremony until the last minute. Limit the number of readings. Variety is fine but you don't want your vows to be lost in a sea of poetry. And also don't select very long hymns.

FLOWERS

Nothing represents the celebratory nature of a wedding better than flowers. Whether you love sunflowers or rare orchids, the key is to decide what tone you want to set---formal, casual, romantic, whimsical---and to be consistent.

FOOD

Next to the ceremony itself, perhaps no element of a wedding is more important than the food, which may be why we describe ourselves as "part psychiatrist". We want to know the couple's likes and dislikes so that wedding can be an expression of their life. Try quite a number of choices at your pre-event tasting. Don't assume that buffets are a cheaper alternative to seated meals. Be aware of the overtime costs when you're having fun it is tempting to delay everything.

GUESTLIST

Composing a guest list is perhaps the most stressful item. The guest list should fit your budget and should reflect the size of your wedding. Keep your guest list on the computer so you can cut and paste. If you're having a real problem with numbers, send out the most important invitations ten instead of eight weeks in advance.

IN-LAWS

Unfortunately planning a wedding can instigate conflicts between family members. Everyone wants to be involved, so you are better off being inclusive. Don't solicit opinions on minor details. Remember to send notes to all relatives after the wedding to let them know how much their participation meant to you.

LOCATION

The look and ambiance of your wedding will be set by the location you choose. Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans is a great choice. But try not to make a ballroom into a garden. While an unlimited budget can help you transform rooms, it is important to find a location that can deliver your promise with precision.

MUSIC

The first thing a bride may worry about is finding her dream gown and booking the perfect spot for the reception, but it is the band that will set the mood. Remember the reception should be built around the bride, not the band. She is the most important person that night.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The best reminder of your wedding, other than your somewhat hazy memories, will be your wedding photographs or wedding video. Notice if your photographer asks for a list of key people---a pro should. Book your photographer early.

REHEARSAL DINNER

This may be a daunting task as well. The big question: How to ensure that two families and two sets of friends will enjoy themselves and each other, particularly since many of them have not met before? Just make sure that everyone is having a good time.

RITUALS

Technically speaking, a wedding ceremony need be no more than an officiate pronouncing the happy couple husband and wife. But when it comes to imbuing the proceedings with a sense of meaning, it's the rituals that make the ceremony more than just an official act. Invite children to gather around when you cut the cake. Be selective about your rituals---smashing a glass, setting free 10,000 butterflies and wearing your family's tartans may seem an overwhelming hodgepodge.

SEATINGS

The tables closest to the bride and groom are traditionally reserved for close family and friends; the tables closest to the band are where younger guests should be seated. Have extra place settings and place cards on hand for those guests who show up with unexpected dates.

TOASTS

This is one of the most touching aspects of a wedding. A funny opening line is great, something amusing that explains why you were there or how you are friends with the family. Keep the toast short and end with something heartfelt.

CLICK HERE FOR TEN STEPS TO A PERFECT WEDDING