Accolades

We receive many letters of thanks and appreciation from visitors and corporations who have had the opportunity to experience The Elms. We’d like to share a few of them with you.

Weddings & Receptions Corporate Events & Parties Private Dinners Private Parties

Weddings & Receptions Testimonials

The following are just a few of the many accolades we have received from couples who have celebrated their wedding day at the Elms Mansion:

Your facility is magnificent … sumptuous interiors and furnishings … both beautiful and atmospheric. All of our guests were very impressed with the magnificence of the rooms. The care you took to insure that every detail was attended to, including the gorgeous floral displays in all of the rooms, created a wonderful ambiance .. the food was beautifully prepared and presented. I was told repeatedly how delicious everything tasted. Many of our guests were from different parts of the country and the taste sensations provided by your interpretations of French and Louisiana cuisine were the cause of constant marveling and superlatives. Thanks to you and your staff and the hard work that you put into this event, our daughter's wedding was a truly memorable event. Every detail of the reception was handled professionally yet lovingly. You and your staff must truly love and enjoy what you do, and it shows. We cannot sufficiently express our delight and gratitude for a wonderful affair. We both know that there is no way we would have had such a fantastic, problem-free and memorable reception anywhere else.
The O-Shea's
Thank you for the tremendous job you and your staff did with my daughter's wedding reception… the thoughtful planning and keen sense of attention to details made everything absolutely perfect! Just as we had hoped, our guests were treated to a most wonderful evening.
David M. Mize, Major General U.S. Marine Corps
Juli and I would like to express our sincere thanks for the masterful job everyone at the Elms Mansion did during our recent wedding reception. The event was flawless! Among the almost 200 guests were friends from every corner of the globe — Athens, Parish, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, and without exception everyone commented how beautiful the reception was. The property looks exquisite, the food was sensational, and the organization from the original booking to when the last guest left was truly exceptional. You and your staff did a world-class job of ensuring our most important day was well beyond our expectations (and we had high expectations!)
Jack & Juli Jelenko
Our wedding day was nothing less than sheer perfection! We are still raving about everything, especially the food! We couldn't have asked for better better guidance and professional service.
Angela Lagoren
Thank you for my dream wedding! I could not have asked for anything more on one of the most special days of my life. You were professional, polished, and organized. I have nothing but praise for the mansion, and will recommend you to all of my single friends.
Emai Ho & Brad Kurtz
What a "fairy tale" wedding!!! Thank you so much for all of your guidance, ideas and hospitality at the Elms. Everyone truly enjoyed themselves and our memories will last a lifetime..
Alana Yucatich
Thank you so much for all that you did to make our wedding a dream come true for both of us! It far exceeded our highest expectations and we have had tons of rave reviews from all of our family and friends as to what an incredible evening it was! You did a fabulous job … that alone would be a remarkable feat but considering that you were brought in 3 days before the wedding, it is truly unbelievable. Everything was absolutely perfect and we feel blessed to have had you coordinate our storybook wedding!
Jeanine & Nick Piskurich
Thank you for all of your help with our fabulous wedding! We couldn't have picked a more beautiful venue than the Elms Mansion! We are still receiving rave reviews…
Sean & Tammy Hegarty
I want you to know what a wonderful job your staff did for our wedding ceremony and reception… everything was fantastic — from the location, to the food, and to the staff! The evening could not have been better. Our guests raved — it was certainly an evening they will be talking about for some time and I would highly recommend your facilities to others.
Betsy Kentwood
We wish to thank you very much for helping us make the wedding a truly memorable event. The mansion was beautiful and the food and service were terrific. The entire job was professionally done. One of my very good friends summed the entire wedding up by saying "It was the best wedding I ever attended. Every girl should have a wedding like that!"
C.J. & Shirley Fayard
Thank you so much for helping me pull off such a wonderful reception. The Elms Mansion was the perfect setting for a traditional New Orleans reception. You both made coordinating the details from Texas relatively simple. I can't tell you how many compliments we got on the service and food served..
Chris Williams Soute
The Elms Mansion is the perfect place for a wedding! We had many guests from out of state who were charmed by the beautiful house and grounds. Our Louisiana friends were equally charmed! The food was wonderful and surpassed all of our expectations…
Kathy Durwin
Thank you for providing a lovely setting, delicious food, and excellent service for (our daughter's) wedding reception. Family and friends had a wonderful time. Since many of them had not been to New Orleans before, you provided their first experience with Southern hospitality. What a great first impression!
Billie Morgan
Thank you for your help in making our daughter's wedding so wonderful. You two were wonderful in knowing just what to do and in being patient with this 1st-time mother of the bride with many questions! You certainly have perfected your art and skills and made it almost a flawless event! Our guests have told us over and over how wonderful the food was .. hats off to the chef!
Elaine & Oscar Hingiosa
May we express our deepest gratitude to you and your staff for making our daughter's wedding reception an affair to remember. Since the wedding, we have received glowing compliments on the elegant home, delicious food and gracious hostess…
Jerry & Mary Marcello
I don't know how to begin to thank you for the spelndid evening … the reception was perfectly lovely. Your staff outdid themselves on food and service. The guests all commented on the house, the food, the champagne, the garden, and the warm and inviting atmosphere. You both did such a good job at making it feel personal for us … in short, I can't begin to list all you did for us. It was a huge success!
Katrina Eaton

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Corporate Events & Parties Testimonials

I want to express my thanks to you and your staff for a party that was clearly the talk of the convention. As you said, the mansion clearly speaks for itself. Thank you for all of your assistance in coordinating this event.
Janet Lagner, Affiliate Relations
The Oprah Winfrey Show
Repeat customers can be your best advertisers and I can certainly attest to that. ..I held many functions at your home and every time it gets better and better. I feel very fortunate to have taken a new group to The Elms, all of whom have expressed what a delightful and enjoyable evening they experienced…
Kathy Dennis, Director of Communications
Honeywell
I have to smile every time I think of the wonderful Southern Hospitality you and your team exhibited during our recent conference. Our guests really enjoyed their day at your home. You made them feel so welcomed and so comfortable .. we're going to have a difficult time trying to match this experience at our next conference.. your home is beautiful, your style impeccable, your presentation stunning, and your cooking — absolutely delicious! Thank you for providing an incredible backdrop for our meeting!
Susan L. Schmitz, Marketing Programs Manager
Motorola
I don't know how to begin to thank you for the wonderful job you and your staff did for the Intel Corporate Advisory Board members … they all had such a lovely time. I am still getting great feedback from everyone. The Corporate Advisory Board attendees ..are all very senior level executives with discriminating tastes who travel frequently and aren't easily impressed. They were blown away! I can truly say that the event was the highlight of the entire program. Every aspect of the evening was perfect. The staff was very cordial and the attendees loved hearing about the history of the house. The food was outstanding! I will absolutely recommend you to anyone doing business in New Orleans…
Lisa D. Warren, Corporate Event Producer
Intel Corporation
Thank you – the food was fabulous and gave our guests (and us) a real taste of New Orleans… the house is beautiful — thanks again!
Eileen M. Hammond, Corporate Vice President, Marketing
New York Life Insurance Company
I don't know how to thank you enough for providing the most exquisite setting for a cocktail party. This was by far the most successful party I have been responsible for arranging. I find myself depending on outside individuals like yourselves … all arrangements were made over the phone and I was unable to actually view the Elms Mansion until the day before our function — it is without a doubt the most beautiful home I've ever been in. Hors d'oeuvres are sometimes unexciting and uninviting — that certainly wasn't the case here. My mouth is still watering … I hope this adequately expresses how grateful I am to both of you for making this year's cocktail party a smashing success!
Leslie M. Tinsley, Marketing Manager
Mosby – Year Book, Inc.
Everyone here at Paddington wants to thank you and your staff for making our WSWA Convention in New Orleans one of our most memorable events. You should be proud of your beautiful home. Our guests got a taste of southern hospitality from the folks at Elms Mansion.
John A. Callahan, Jr.
The Paddington Corporation
Without a doubt, the Christmas party our organization held at "The Elms" was the best we have ever had. Your staff certainly did their job way above and beyond the call of duty .. so much, that our members have already stated that they would like to return.
Beverly Buisson
Tour Guide Association of Greater New Orleans
WOW!!! What a wonderful time we had at the reception! Based on what we discussed, I expected a successful event. Well, let me say this: those expectations were exceeded ten-fold! We have had similar receptions in many different cities and in many 5-star facilities. Without a doubt, you and your staff are at the top of the chart. Every one of our customers from throughout the country thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Many thanks to you and your staff for helping show our customers what New Orleans hospitality really means.
Rodger A. Malehorn, Vice President
Bayou Steel Corporation
Thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening at the Elms Mansion. Our cocktail reception was a huge success. Many of our customers told me that this was the best hospitality function they have ever attended .. the mansion is beautiful, the food was fabulous and the music was perfect. We also appreciate your taking the time to give tours and to explain the history of the house – everyone felt so comfortable. It was a perfect evening…
Nancy Williams, Marketing Services
Thermo Quest Corporation
I wish to personally thank you for the use of the Elms Mansion for our group … I have heard nothing but rave reviews of the house, tour and dinner. I am so pleased that we were able to utilize such a gracious setting for this first-night event. It was a wonderful way to welcome the group to the best of New Orleans hospitality.
Kathleen A. McVay
Trexler World Travel Service
The evening more than exceeded our expectations. The food was exquisite and the mansion itself is an exceptional venue for customer entertainment. The feeling of luxury in a relaxed environment made it a pleasure to be there… I usually measure our success by the people who stay till the very end … and our guests just didn't want to leave. I really appreciate the personal attention…
Janet Johnson, CMP
BASF Corportation
Wow! What can I say — but thank you for a job well done! You, your staff, and allowing us to utilize your beautiful mansion truly made our final night in New Orleans wonderful! On behalf of everyone here, I would like to thank you for your assistance with making the end of our conference in New Orleans a huge success!
Wendy Urban
CA One Services, Inc.
Let me begin by saying "thank you" for a fabulous and memorable reception and dinner for our board of directors. Our board members come from all over the United States .. they are CEO's of very large and successful companies and travel the world. One of my priorities for the board reception and dinner in New Orleans was to find "the" unique and memorable venue. The Elms outscored on all points. Our directors were thoroughly impressed with the magnificent Mansion, the southern charm of you and your staff, and the special menu you created for this special occasion.
Martha Brady
Kerr-McGee Corporation
Words seem inadequate when expressing the gratitude I feel for all you did to make our anniversary party a success. The food was excellent and abundant, and the variety was amazing. Your staff was by far the most accommodating group of people I have ever had the pleasure of working with .. constantly seeking to serve in any way possible … there is nothing I would change about that night … there is no better measure of success. Most of that success was due to you and your staff …
Mary Behlar
Bourbon French Parfums
The food was delicious and the mansion was decorated beautifully. You and your staff must have worked very hard to achieve such perfection. I can't tell you how many compliments you received, from our guests and from Seitel employees, for a spectacular evening. Everyone was very impressed!
Neva Johnson, Executive Assistant
Seitel
As we reminisce about New Orleans, our evening at Elms Mansion stands as the number one event of our successful conference .. my memory is flooded with the warmth, the sights, the sounds and tastes of that splendid evening. Whenever I am asked by my association colleagues and friends about things to do in New Orleans, a function at Elms is my first suggestion. Thank you for one of those special memories we keep near to our mind's eye.
John A. Altobelli, Chief Executive Officer
Internation Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Thanks so much to all of your staff who contributed to making this such a successful event. We received nothing but compliments from our clients, and it was obvious that everyone really enjoyed themselves … we were told the party was one of the highlights of the convention…
Linda J. Kleim, CMP, Second Vice President
The Northern Trust Company
The party was sensational and so were both of you. Having the privilege to work with truly honest people of the highest professional caliber is what makes my work so enjoyable … thank you for pulling together a superb event on a mere ten days notice. You made the impossible, possible. All the guests were overwhelmed by the exquisite atmosphere your home provided, and were thrilled with the party. The food music, flowers, setting and all other details of the party were superb. Without people like yourselves who care, successful parties like ours would not happen. I will brag about you and The Elms Mansion to everyone I know!
Steven Neiman, President
The Neiman Group

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Private Dinners Testimonials

Thank you very much for the wonderful dinner party that we enjoyed .. the mansion was exquisitely elegant, and the entire affair was well planned and executed. Your preparation and experience certainly showed with the results. Our guests were very impressed, and all had an excellent time. It will be a difficult task to equal the event at our dinner next year.
Louis Pengue, Marketing Manager
TriQuint Semiconductor
Thank you for the excellent dinner that you hosted for us at the Elms Mansion. My multi-national group loved your catfish dinner as well as the history lesson that both your tour and the antebellum-era greeters gave us. The next time we come to New Orleans, we will be certain to put your venue on the top of our list.
Lynn Moddejonge
Fluke Corporation
We were so very pleased with our dinner party last Sunday. You accomplished a beautiful evening with superb dining and ambiance. It was very reassuring to plan our special event with such professionals. Thank you again for a truly wonderful evening in New Orleans.
John R. Edney, Senior Vice President
Durham Transportation
Thank you so much for your help in coordinating our dinner event. Everyone had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience the elegance of the architecture of the 1800's. Please convey our thanks and appreciation to the entire staff at the Van Benthuysen – Elms Mansion for an excellent job.
JoAnn O'Connell
Organon Teknika Corporation
We would like to thank you and your staff for the outstanding service we received during our recent function at the mansion. The food was only outdone by beauty and elegance of the mansion itself. Our memories of New Orleans will be fond ones … and the highlight of the trip was the dinner at your mansion.
R. B. Willy Harmon II, International Customer Service Manager
Aviall
I just wanted to say thank you for all your assistance with our dinner at the Elms Mansion during this year's convention. The evening was perfect. Our guests were more than pleased, from the time they were greeted by the banjo player at the door to the after-dinner cordials and cigars out in the garden. Not only was the mansion itself beautiful, but the meal prepared by Faith Elms and her staff was absolute perfection and their service was outstanding. Your assistance with all the many many details that made our dinner a truly special occasion is much appreciated.
Lynne Diefenbach, Marketing Communications
Waukesha Engine Division, Dresser Industries, Inc.
What a perfect evening! Your home provided us a most elegant setting for our installation. I received many compliments on your beautiful house as well as on the delicious food served …
Ann Caballero, Manager of Marketing
Eye, Ear, Noe & Throat Hospital
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality during our convocation banquet… our guests raved about the food, the service, and of course the beauty and charm of the mansion itself. The whole evening was a wonderful experience… just know it was a tremendously successful event for us thanks to your great staff.
Rev. Jesse Jennings, Site Chairperson
Creative Life Church

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Private Parties Testimonials

My birthday party was a beautiful occasion, and I want to thank your staff for making it so. I have received many phone calls and notes from friends telling me how lovely and gorgeous everything was. The refreshments were delicious, and every detail was carried out to perfection. Many thanks for a delightful and elegant celebration!
Virginia Wood
We want to extend our sincere appreciation for an outstanding party. We have received so many compliments from family and friends and we attribute them to both of you and your wonderful staff. We could not have asked for a better evening! The food was outstanding and the house, lit up for the party, set the stage for a wonderful and memorable evening.
Deane & David Richardson
Thank you for your wonderful supervision of the 50th wedding anniversary party we celebrated … the mansion was so beautiful and the food and service were outstanding! We had a marvelous time!
Stephanie & Randy Treadaway

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