If you’re getting married in New Orleans, there’s one tradition I get asked about more than any other: the second line. Here’s what it actually takes to pull one off.
What It Is
A brass band leads the wedding party and guests in a joyful procession — parasols, handkerchiefs, and all — typically right after the ceremony or as a grand exit from the reception. It’s pure New Orleans, and it turns a transition moment into one of the most memorable parts of the day.
What It Takes to Plan One
- Booking the band early. The best brass bands in the city get reserved well over a year out for wedding season Saturdays.
- Route planning. If it’s moving through public streets, that means permits, and coordination with the city.
- Timing it right. A second line needs a clear runway in your schedule — rushing it defeats the point.
- Parasols and handkerchiefs. A nice detail for your guests, and they photograph beautifully.
Where It Fits
Some couples use it as their recessional. Others save it for the transition from ceremony to reception, or as a send-off at the end of the night. Any of these work — it just needs to be built into the production timeline from the start, not added as an afterthought.
If a second line is on your wish list, let’s make sure it’s done right — permits, timing, and all.