The Second-Line parade has a deep history within the city of New Orleans. It is performed for a number of celebrations; when performed for weddings, we Second-Line in celebration of the new life the couple is about to embark on. The parade itself is composed of two parts: the “First-Line” and the “Second-Line”. The “First-Line” consists of the traditional New Orleans Brass Band as well as the Bride and Groom. The “Second-Line” consists of family, friends, wedding guests, and any passerby who would like to join in to follow behind the couple. Parade participants walk, dance, and wave a handkerchief in rhythm to the sound of the brass band as they make their way down the parade route. Please make sure to wear comfortable shoes and keep an eye on the weather. NOTE: If you have concerns about joining our Second-Line due to difficulty walking moderate distances (our route is approximately 0.63 miles) or maneuvering on uneven terrain (cobblestones are beautiful, but can be treacherous), please reach out to the couple so that we can arrange for you to join us via one of New Orleans many pedi-cabs!
A New Orleans style reception - the wedding style of choice in NOLA! - is where the format for the evening is like a cocktail party with guests mingling throughout the evening while being served food in the form of passed hors d'oeuvres and meal stations, which will be open throughout the night. So while there will be no formally seated dinner, rest assured that food and drinks will be flowing steadily and plentifully throughout the celebration!
There will not be transportation provided to the ceremony. We purposely selected room blocks that were very near to the ceremony location - about a 10-15 minute walk. However, Uber and Lyft are readily available in New Orleans for those unable to make the walk. After the ceremony we will parade through the streets of the French Quarter during our second line! At the end of the second line transportation will be provided for all guests to the reception. If you are attending the after party, please be aware that there will be no provided transportation. Feel free to Uber or Lyft straight to the Cats Meow to make sure you get your name on the list to belt out your favorite tunes.
The Welcome Party will be more relaxed, but we would still appreciate everyone dressing in cocktail attire. We're looking forward to seeing everyone in their best while we sip hurricanes on Bourbon Street! For the Wedding Day, we strongly encourage everyone to dress to the nines. The dress code for Wedding Day will be formal and we can't wait to see everyone wearing what makes them feel their fanciest. Formal attire examples include suit and tie, tuxedos, evening gowns, or floor length dresses.
While we adore your children, we want parents to be able to relax and enjoy themselves. Therefore, we have chosen to make our special day for adults only (21 and older outside of the wedding party). We appreciate you making arrangements ahead of time so that you can celebrate the evening with us. Thank you for your understanding!
The ceremony will take place indoors. However, the Second-Line will take us through the streets of New Orleans. The “happy hour” and the reception venues are mostly outdoors but have indoor spaces available for guests.
Yes! We have reserved blocks at a few hotels that we think would be great for your stay. The hotel blocks will book on a first come first served basis until filled. Please refer to the "travel" section of the website for links to book your room!
We think not. It's very easy to use Uber/Lyft to get around town. Parking downtown, in the French Quarter, and other high-traffic areas can be tricky and expensive, so take this into consideration when deciding whether or not to rent a car. Additionally, these areas tend to be very walk-able.
January might be the coldest month of the year in New Orleans, though “cold” in the South is a relative term. Overall, the weather in January is generally mild, though unpredictable, with highs in the 60s and lows in the mid-40s. In past years, the temperatures have risen into the 80s and dropped into the teens, but these would generally be considered extreme cases. January is a moderately dry month. However, rain is a common occurrence in New Orleans throughout the year because of its semi-tropical climate, though it rarely lasts long. We will be keeping an eye on the weather as the big day approaches and provide the necessary elements (tents, heaters, etc) to ensure the comfort of our guests no matter what Mother Nature throws at us!
We love photos! However, we do ask that you refrain from taking photos during the ceremony as we’d like our guests to unplug and take that time to be fully present with us during this joyous time. For the rest of the wedding, please do, and share them with us, so we can enjoy them, too!
If your invitation says “and Guest,” then yes, if not, we would prefer if it was just you.