Weddingbee Blog
You’ve already read about our loft location drama, and how I had worked hard to find a ceremony site that was within walking distance of our original reception site at the Soho Loft because I didn’t want to have to deal with trying to transport guests between neighborhoods in NYC. So we booked the Kraine Theatre for the ceremony. Then we had to move our reception to a different location and were so thrilled to have it at the Midtown Loft! One problem: how to make sure everyone gets between the ceremony and reception without getting lost or having to spend any money?
We could have hired some black cars for the transport, but that seemed kind of boring. I wanted the wedding to be very “New York”, in addition to dramatic, so I thought it would be fun to have everyone take the subway. We have a lot of out-of-towners, though, and I was afraid that they would get lost or be annoyed that they had to figure out the subway for themselves.
Our solution:
WEDDING PARADE!
I was researching online and apparently it’s a pretty common tradition for brides and grooms in New Orleans to parade with their guests between the ceremony site and the reception site.
I think a wedding parade through the streets of New York will be so much fun and such a memorable part of our day! Our photographer will be coming with us and we hope he’ll capture some amazing pictures throughout the parade and the subway ride!
So I’m proud of us for turning what was a wedding snafu into an exciting part of our day!
How have you turned a wedding planning disappointment into a wedding day positive?
|
Share this post:
76 Trombones Led the Big Parade
I think it’s awesome — and you totally need to hire some trombones!
ohhhhhhh, that’s great! I bet you will get some GREAT shots doing that.
I love it!!! You might want to warn guests ahead of time so they wear comfy shoes. 
I love the idea of taking something that’s popular in one region of the country, and moving it into another. Like how my bridal attendants are *essentially* “house party girls.”
Cute idea!
I love the idea but wanted to throw out one caution: New Yorkers are generally not pleased with tourists slowing them down on a commute. I know it is a Sunday so this may not be a problem but thinking about out of towners, there’s high potential for someone to get a bad impression of your city. Just a thought, New Orleans is used to parades and parties. I’m sure you will get some awesome pictures on your parade though!
That is an awesome idea! Do you have to get a permit or anything if you’re stopping traffic to walk down the street? (Not sure how long the walk is, if you’ll even be on a street, etc.)
Love the idea! And so much better if no one ends up lost! 
That sounds like so much fun! Plus, who doesn’t love walking the streets of NYC, your OOT will love it! Depending on the weather and walking-distance distance (since everyone has different opinions on what is doable), just make sure everyone doesn’t mind walking and is able to.
Love the idea. You may want to check and see if you need permits, etc… I am pretty sure that the brides in New Orleans need some type of police escort or permit to do this. Also, the parades can include some type of drink for the guest to enjoy between the two places.
Love the idea! I should, we too had a parade. We all walked from the hotel to the place where we got married - think of it as a 0.4mile “aisle”. It was fun, it was relaxed, and the pictures were great!
this is a great idea, and definitely not uncommon! This type of thing is also done in paris, where a couple and their entire wedding parade from the church to the courthouse!
I think a New Orleans style 2nd line in NY would be awesome! Though our church is too far for a 2nd line; we will definitely use one into our reception! They are so much fun and you MUST must have umbrellas and trombones!
That sounds like a lot of fun
You may want to put a note in your invites or wedding website (if you have one) letting your guests know about the walk so they have comfy shoes
The distance between those locations is not something to underestimate. Make sure you let your guests know.
We are doing this too, but with a fife and drum corps. We are providing cabs for our elderly and pregnant guests. The information is on our website. We are doing it on the sidewalk rather than the street but need to figure out the permit issue. No one at the police department or city hall will answer or questions!
Great idea. I’ve seen this done in Brooklyn and everyone loves it. I highly doubt anyone would be displeased by such a sight and if they are, you can laugh at them. I think you should hire the Hungry March Band—they’re really fun:
2nd line in the city?? Sounds like fun!! Can’t wait to see how it turns out!!
I saw this done in NYC on an episode of Platinum Weddings. That couple had their wedding at a theater too! It looked so fun!
This is a very cute idea, and the pictures will be great! Is the walk really 2 miles long? (I just did a quick google map search, so I may have the wrong addresses.) Is everyone going to be on the sidewalk (how many guests?)? Are you going to provide alternate footwear for your female guests and/or prepare them beforehand? Sorry for all the questions, I’m just very intrigued!!!
I think that a lot of bees want to be in your parade! Sounds like a ton of fun (after you work out the not-as-fun details w/ the city, if necessary)!
Thanks for bringing up all these possible snafus, ladies!
Don’t worry, though! I’ve warned guests about the parade via our website and our invites. And we won’t be walking the whole two miles: we’ll be buying a loaded Metrocard and taking everyone on the subway with us. For those guests who don’t want to/can’t walk, we’ll be hailing cabs.
We’re also going to stay on the sidewalk and not venture into the streets. The sidewalks are wide enough to have several people across and if NYers are annoyed by us walking on the sidewalk five people across on our wedding day, I’m not too concerned!
And we have music and decorations planned: but that’s for a later post
Great idea! That’ll be so much fun. Your OOT guests will feel like real New Yorkers!
I think this is a great idea. My cousin got married in NYC a few years back and we did this. It was a lot of fun and she got some awesome pictures.
I just participated in a wedding parade in Nashville! It was so much fun!
Fun! Thanks for clearing up everyone’s questions! I can’t wait to see the photos that you end up with from the photographer!
what a very interesting idea. i’d like to see how it turns out! you should have it videotaped too!
Aww, St. Patrick, I’m glad you liked it as a guest! Yay!
wow. that sounds logitically tricky as well though! hope you warn your guests beforehand
What a great and crazy idea all at the same time! You really are a star!
[...] One of the other little DIY projects that I really had my heart set on getting done was the idea of having wedding wands for our parade: [...]
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Star, New York City Age and Occupation: 22, Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Casting Assistant Wedding Date: October 2009 Venue: Ceremony: The Kraine Theatre, Reception: Midtown Loft & Terrace About Me: I’m a professional actress who’s always had New York City in her blood and I'm finally getting the chance to make a home in Manhattan with my fiancé, my dog, and my big dreams! I love polka dots, craft projects, Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffee, and anything sparkly. I’m having a blast planning our elegant/dramatic/New York City/acting-themed/largely-DIY wedding and am thrilled to be the youngest current Miss Blogger!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
| 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Latest Gallery Pics