Royale Orleans

Craptastic just like so many of the other full-​time wedding venue locations. The place has no ambiance. It’s just a large room with a dance floor in one corner and a bar in another. If you weren’t drinking and celebrating you’d notice more. I am sure that these wedding halls are the easiest option, but if you want your reception to be memorable to all, choose something different. Hell… I think a party in a barn would be more fun.

I had my wedding here at Royale Orleans and I would not recommend it to my family or friends. I think it would be perfect for non-​wedding events. The venue itself provides you with many convenient options such as room décor (including room up lighting), chair covers/​table runners, wedding invitations, ice carvings, photo booth options, wedding cake discount through McArther’s Bakery, and very convenient wedding packages that include many buffet menu options, bar service, china service, and room décor. They really pride themselves as being ‘the one-​stop shop’. They truly make it very convenient and affordable to create your desirable wedding.
Initially, when I discussed the details about the wedding including food, music, beverage, décor, I was immediately hooked and booked the venue within a few days. The staff, including general manager were very easy-​going, approachable, and friendly. The venue offers in-​house DJ service in which you do not pick your own DJ (he Wedding Show at the America’s Center is when I found this out, it was not in contract). The staff at the venue are very unorganized. An example: I went to a cake tasting with one of the staff at the venue and selected my layers and flavors. The staff member (who I do not wish to name) wrote down the details to our cake to provide to McArther’s. After the tastings, I still received calls asking me to recite what I had chosen for my cake because she said she «lost the paperwork.» At my final meeting just 2 days before the wedding, I received paperwork to sign regarding the cake agreement, and it ended up being the wrong layers, frostings, etc. once again. Another example: I went to select and finalize décor at the venue (chair covers, table runners, table skirts, etc) with the same staff member that could not get my cake order correct. As I was selecting décor for my wedding, I noticed that the staff member wasn’t taking notes or writing anything down. I asked her if I can have paper and pen to write it for her because I want to make sure she remembers. She said she will remember everything I tell her because she has does weddings almost every weekend. I had to write my own details for her to make copies to keep in her file. This lack of organization and professionalism created many stresses for me as the bride. I had to make sure to follow up on everything. And still during the Wedding day some of the details weren’t accurate.
My wedding day was very beautiful and my florist Crimson Petal and décor company Exclusive Events, Inc really did an incredible job with the beautiful «St. Louis Ballroom» at Royale Orleans. They have inexperienced servers for dinner. The food was OK. I was cutting into my chicken as the server came by asking if I am finished so he can take my plate. Dinner seemed very rushed and my guests came to me stating that they didn’t get enough time to eat their meals. There was also lack of communication between my vendors and Royale Orleans staff that stayed to close the event. Overall my wedding was amazing. The Royale Orleans staff are laid-​back, easy-​going, and flexible (they let us bring some of our own food in from local restaurants and they allowed an out of house band to play), however, it really made it stressful for me as the bride because I couldn’t necessarily keep track of everything during the day of the wedding. If only I had hired a planner to keep things in order it would have really been perfect!

I have been raving about the Orleans (?) sauce on the sliced beef ever since the event we attended here! So delicious — kinda like au jus mixed with horseradish somehow. Super tasty!
Space seemed ok, bathrooms seemed kinda small, no separate bathroom/​dressing area for bridal party than for wedding guests caused a back-​up as guests arrived for the event.

Positives: 1. Certainly doesn’t feel pretentious 2. If you are at a banquet hall it probably means something joyous is happening in your own or someone close to you’s life.
Negatives: Parking is a mess – not that drunk people should be driving, but if they are, expect some new dings on your bumper. The food was abhorrent. I don’t know if they allow outside catering, but if so, get it. Boiled ham, boiled beef slices with no seasoning. Like eating shoe leather. The wall dividing the place only allows for two openings so there are definite choke points if you pack the place to capacity. This place feels like the 1970’s. Definitely needs some love.

I’ve been to a bunch of wedding receptions at the Royale Orleans and I’ve never had a bad time. If you’re looking for a venue that will host a casual but nice reception, Royale Orleans is the place to do it. I’m sure they put on a nice banquet or other party as well. The food is good– especially for buffet style food– and most of the staff members are friendly. Except the bartenders. I’ve never run into a nice bartender at the Royale Orleans. Another downfall of the Royale Orleans is their parking lot. The spaces are super close together and it’s almost impossible to get out. So, all in all, this is a good place to have a party, but I’d ask for friendly bartenders and perhaps I’d throw my party on a weeknight to avoid traffic issues.