Proposals and weddings: venues, capacities and what to ask
The Eliza Jane can host proposals and weddings on-site in historic warehouse spaces ranging from intimate courtyard gatherings to ballroom receptions. Key event spaces include The Holbrook (up to 150 guests), The Press Room / Library Lounge (up to 75), The Courtyard (small cocktail or ceremony use), and Couvant Private Dining for intimate meals.
In this guide
Why choose The Eliza Jane for a proposal or wedding?
The Eliza Jane occupies restored 19th-century warehouse buildings at 315 Magazine St in New Orleans’ Central Business District, a few blocks from the French Quarter. Its mix of exposed brick, a planted open-air Courtyard, and period details gives couples a historic, urban setting.
The hotel offers on-site dining through Couvant and The Press Room, plus concierge and wedding services to help arrange catering, room blocks, and local logistics. Event space totals around the 1,700–1,800 sq ft range across multiple venues, so the property suits both intimate celebrations and larger receptions.
- Location: 315 Magazine St, near the French Quarter and Canal Street
- Historic setting: former Daily Picayune warehouse buildings
- On-site dining: Couvant (brasserie) and The Press Room (lobby bar/library lounge)
Event spaces and capacities
The Eliza Jane’s main event rooms are The Holbrook, The Courtyard, The Press Room / Library Lounge, and Couvant Private Dining. Capacities vary by configuration — The Holbrook is the largest and can be used for ceremonies, receptions, or presentations.
If you need a specific room layout (banquet, cocktail, theater), confirm the precise capacity and whether the Holbrook will be used whole or split into Holbrook 1 and Holbrook 2.
| Event space | Typical max capacity | Usual uses |
|---|---|---|
| The Holbrook | Up to 150 guests (larger theater capacities noted on some listings) | Ballroom receptions, ceremonies, meetings |
| The Press Room / Library Lounge | Up to 75 guests | Cocktail hours, small receptions, lounge-style gatherings |
| The Courtyard | Small gatherings (venue listings show limited guest counts) | Outdoor cocktail hours, intimate ceremonies |
| Couvant Private Dining | Up to 25 guests | Intimate rehearsal dinners or private meals |
What to ask the hotel when planning
Bring a concise checklist to your first conversation with the events or sales team so you can compare venues and quotes consistently. Ask for written answers and a sample contract or event order.
Confirm any venue-specific limits, service inclusions, and additional fees so there are no surprises on your final invoice.
- Available dates and which rooms are offered on those dates
- Exact guest capacities for your chosen layout (banquet, cocktail, ceremony), and whether Holbrook will be split
- What’s included (tables, chairs, AV, lighting, restroom staffing) and what costs extra
- Catering options: in-house Couvant menus vs. outside caterers and corkage or cake-cutting fees
- Valet parking availability and cost for guests
- Setup and breakdown times, and whether overnight vendor access or storage is possible
- Deposit schedule, cancellation policy, and any required insurance or permits
Ceremony to reception flow and logistics
The Courtyard and Holbrook can be configured to host both ceremony and reception on-site; confirm whether the spaces can be re-set between events and how long reset takes. If you plan an outdoor ceremony in the Courtyard, ask about inclement-weather plans.
Ask about access for vendors (load-in doors, elevator availability, and nearby parking or unloading zones) plus any noise or curfew restrictions relevant to live music and late-night celebrations.
- Ask whether the hotel provides an indoor backup for Courtyard ceremonies in case of weather
- Clarify vendor load-in times and if staging space or storage is available
- Confirm who is the on-site contact during the event (banquet captain or event manager)
Guest rooms, room blocks and on-site amenities
The Eliza Jane has about 196 guestrooms and suites across multiple room types, including Deluxe Room, Corner Room, Editor's Suite, Publisher's Suite, and others. Work with the hotel on a room block if you expect many out-of-town guests.
On-site amenities useful to wedding guests include Couvant and The Press Room for meals and drinks, a 24-hour fitness center, free Wi‑Fi, and valet parking. The property does not have a pool or on-site spa, so mention that in guest communications.
- Ask about group rates and cut-off dates for room-block reservations
- Confirm check-in (4:00 pm) and check-out (11:00 am) times for guests and whether early/late check-in is available for a fee
- Note the hotel’s pet policy and whether guests traveling with dogs need to pay the pet cleaning fee
Catering, menus and dining options
Couvant is the hotel’s signature French‑Louisiana brasserie and offers Private Dining (capacity ~25) for intimate events. The Press Room serves cocktails and light snacks and can be used for cocktail hours or smaller receptions.
Confirm whether Couvant will handle full reception catering, plated vs. buffet options, tasting opportunities, and any dietary accommodations you need.
- Ask if Couvant provides plated dinners, buffets, stations, or hors d’oeuvres for receptions
- Confirm tasting policies and menu customization options
- Ask about bar packages, happy hour options, and whether corkage or outside alcohol is permitted
Costs, deposits and timing
Request a full written estimate that separates venue rental, food and beverage minimums or per-person pricing, service charges, tax, and any vendor or room-block fees. Event contracts usually spell out deposit amounts and a cancellation schedule.
Also confirm incidental policies: the hotel may require a credit-card or cash deposit at check-in for guest rooms and will list any rollaway, pet, or valet parking fees separately.
- Ask for the payment schedule and exact refund/cancellation terms
- Confirm valet parking cost and whether event guest parking is handled differently
- Check if the hotel requires event insurance or permits for amplified music
