The Courtyard and event tips: planning a private reception
The Courtyard at The Eliza Jane is an open-air interior courtyard best suited to cocktail receptions and small private gatherings; Eventective lists a maximum capacity of about 25 guests for the space. For larger receptions, pair the Courtyard with nearby indoor venues at the hotel — Holbrook (up to 150) or The Press Room/Library Lounge (up to 75) — and coordinate timing with the hotel events team.
In this guide
About The Courtyard
The Courtyard is an open-air interior courtyard that connects The Eliza Jane’s historic warehouse buildings. It features original brick walls, tropical foliage, gaslight lanterns, a Venus fountain, and decorative lighting elements.
The space is typically used for cocktail hours, small receptions, and as a lounge area for guests during events. Eventective lists the Courtyard’s event capacity as about 25 guests; the hotel markets the courtyard for intimate gatherings and as an accessory space to indoor rooms.
- Setting: interior open-air courtyard with brick walls and foliage
- Common uses: cocktail receptions, pre-dinner gatherings, photo backdrops
- Listed capacity (Eventective): ~25 guests
How the Courtyard fits into a reception plan
Use the Courtyard as a cocktail-hour or mingling area that opens into an indoor dining or ballroom space. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for atmospheric arrivals, passed hors d’oeuvres, or a station-style bar rather than a full plated meal.
For full receptions, combine the Courtyard with The Holbrook or The Press Room/Library Lounge to give guests room to dine, dance, or sit. The Eliza Jane’s event listings show flexible configurations across its venues so you can stage different parts of the event in adjacent spaces.
- Cocktail hour: Courtyard only
- Reception with seated dinner: Courtyard for cocktails → Holbrook for dinner
- Smaller seated events: The Press Room/Library Lounge (listed capacity ~75)
| Venue | Best use | Listed max capacity |
|---|---|---|
| The Courtyard | Cocktail hour, mingling, photo area | ≈ 25 (Eventective) |
| Holbrook | Ballroom-style seated dinners, larger receptions | Up to 150 (hotel materials / Cvent) |
| The Press Room / Library Lounge | Intimate receptions, lounge-style seating | ≈ 75 (Eventective) |
Logistics and timing
Confirm event timing, load-in windows, and when vendors can access the Courtyard with the hotel’s events or concierge team. The Eliza Jane has a 24-hour front desk and dedicated event services; specific load-in rules and labor requirements should be confirmed directly with the hotel.
Plan for New Orleans weather and a contingency for rain because the Courtyard is open-air. If you need a fully indoor back-up, request Holbrook or one of the indoor rooms when you hold your date.
- Ask the hotel about vendor arrival times, audio/visual access, and ceremony rehearsal windows.
- Confirm set-up and breakdown timelines so valet and guest arrival aren’t disrupted.
- Have an indoor alternative confirmed for severe weather (Holbrook or The Press Room).
Catering, bars and menus
On-site food and beverage at The Eliza Jane is handled through Couvant (the hotel’s French‑Louisiana brasserie) and The Press Room. Couvant offers private dining and can support wedding catering; the restaurant also has a small private dining room with a capacity listed at 25.
The Press Room is the hotel’s lobby bar and library-lounge, suitable for cocktail service and small bites. Work with the hotel’s events team to determine menu options, beverage packages, service staff needs, and whether passed service or stations work best for the Courtyard footprint.
- Couvant: full-service restaurant and private dining (private dining capacity listed at 25)
- The Press Room: bar service, happy-hour style menus and cocktail stations
- Confirm whether plated dinners are feasible in your chosen combination of venues
Decor, rentals and vendors
Because the Courtyard already has architectural character (brick walls, greenery, lanterns), many couples use minimal additional decor — string lighting, a floral focal point, and table linens. Confirm what the hotel provides (tables, chairs, lighting) and what must be brought in.
Ask the events manager about preferred or required vendor lists, load-in paths, and whether vendors need certificates of insurance. If you plan rentals (dance floor, tenting, heaters), request dimensions and weight/load restrictions for the courtyard surface.
- Ask which furniture items are included and which must be rented.
- Confirm if outside florists, DJs, or musicians are allowed and any decibel limits.
- Verify power access and whether additional lighting or heaters are permitted.
Guest accommodations and event-day flow
The Eliza Jane is a boutique hotel with a variety of room types and 24-hour front desk service; standard check-in is 4:00 pm and check-out is 11:00 am. Coordinate room blocks and rooming lists with the hotel’s sales or reservations team to simplify arrival and lodging for out-of-town guests.
If you want a suite or specific room types (for example Editor's Suite or Publisher's Suite), reserve early — the property has a finite number of suites and room types. The hotel provides valet parking only and can assist with local transportation and tour bookings for guests.
- Standard check-in: 4:00 pm; check-out: 11:00 am (hotel policy)
- Valet parking is available (no on-site self-parking listed); confirm fees with the hotel
- Ask about pet policy, rollaway availability, and incidental-deposit requirements for guests
