logistical timeline question...

Brooke4377

so I am really struggling with how to work out our timeline!  We are getting married in a 3 pm ceremony at the Cathedral.  We want to have a second line, and then our reception starts at 4:30 with the cocktail hour.  We also want to take pictures after the  ceremony...so how do we work it out?  Do we do ceremony-second line- return to church for pictures while guests are at cocktail hour?  Or do we take pictures quickly and then head over to the Bourbon Orleans with the guests?  Mass will end at 4, so that gives us 30 minutes before the reception starts.  If we decide to have everyone wait while we quickly take a few photos how would that work?  I think it would be odd to have them all standing there! haha.  I guess we will have to go back afterwards, but then do we pull family away from the cocktail hour (those we want photos with)?

RYLZ

Our Brass Band played outside while we took a few photos inside the church (about 15 minutes)-- guests were entertained and didn't get restless.  Then we 2nd lined to the Bourbon Orleans and guests went inside to the cocktail hour.  We kept parents and wedding party behind with us, took photos with them for about 20 minutes, then sent them in for the remainder of the cocktail hour.  We took photos alone for the next 40 minutes before the reception started. 

We took the last of our photos on the balcony and when the DJ introduced us, made our entrance in through the doors, down the steps onto the dance floor under the chandelier.  The stairs were decorated with dozens of candles and it looked beautiful.  Just mentioning that last detail since you're using the same venue as us :-)

Brooke4377

Bezlu- that is a great idea to come in from the balcony!  I had been wondering how we should be introduced, and we also plan to take some photos out there. glad to hear that you don't think having the guests wait 15 minutes was too long.  We may try to do family photos during that time, so that by the time we second line over to the bourbon orleans the rest of the family will be able to head in for the cocktail hour as well.

NO2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_logistical-timeline-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:10819a7b-c781-4c24-8223-b25035e23bc0Post:dc02de2a-455d-41bb-9a68-fcd3adbb8b82">Re: logistical timeline question...</a>:
[QUOTE]Our Brass Band played outside while we took a few photos inside the church (about 15 minutes)-- guests were entertained and didn't get restless.  Then we 2nd lined to the Bourbon Orleans and guests went inside to the cocktail hour.  We kept parents and wedding party behind with us, took photos with them for about 20 minutes, then sent them in for the remainder of the cocktail hour.  We took photos alone for the next 40 minutes before the reception started.  Posted by bezlu[/QUOTE]

Planning to do this exactly.  I have been to a wedding at the Cathedral that was followed by a Second Line to the reception and this is what they did as well.  It was perfect.  We, as guests, took a while to file out of the Cathedral to be greeted by the band and were given handkerchiefs and go cups with hurricanes for the second line.  Everyone milled around and enjoyed the band, discussed how beautiful the Cathedral and ceremony was, and there was never an awkward moment or lull in time.  The couple took their pics in Jackson Square (since no pics in the Cathedral after the ceremony), so it was obvious to everyone what was going on.  My planner tells me as long as we have our pic list lined up, she will run the pics "military style" (haha), so we get them all accomplished but don't leave our guests waiting too long. 

Brooke4377

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_logistical-timeline-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:10819a7b-c781-4c24-8223-b25035e23bc0Post:570393af-8f9c-4ffb-b83b-bc08eaaa84b4">Re: logistical timeline question...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: logistical timeline question... : Planning to do this exactly.  I have been to a wedding at the Cathedral that was followed by a Second Line to the reception and this is what they did as well.  It was perfect.  We, as guests, took a while to file out of the Cathedral to be greeted by the band and were given handkerchiefs and go cups with hurricanes for the second line.  Everyone milled around and enjoyed the band, discussed how beautiful the Cathedral and ceremony was, and there was never an awkward moment or lull in time.  The couple took their pics in Jackson Square (since no pics in the Cathedral after the ceremony), so it was obvious to everyone what was going on.  My planner tells me as long as we have our pic list lined up, she will run the pics "military style" (haha), so we get them all accomplished but don't leave our guests waiting too long. 
Posted by NO2012[/QUOTE]

NO2012- I've been wondering about this....so it is legal to pass out drinks to the guests?  I definitely want to do that, but didn't know if it was allowed.  I mean, since I would be providing it myself....that is great to know!

NO2012

I have another friend who got married at the Cathedral also (I did not attend) and she tells me that her DH's groomsmen had an ice chest outside of the church full of beer and champagne and they opened it up for the wedding party to drink during the second line.  I don't know of any restrictions against doing this.  I have a sit down meeting with my planner in a few weeks and this is on my list to confirm as far as logistics go (who will pass out, etc.)  If I am told otherwise, I will let you know. 

Brooke4377

Fantastic, thanks!!

RYLZ

According to what I've heard and read online "Alcohol can be consumed in the streets of New Orleans as long as it is in an "unbreakable container" (no glass)", so if you're providing plastic cups you should be alright.

Brooke4377

Thanks!  Yes, drinking is allowed....I was only wondering the legality of providing it yourself....or if they want it purchased from somewhere.  I guess that's right though- it would be illegal for me to SELL it to people but probably not give it away. 

BMurph1998

Ok Bezlu, I knew I would have some questions for you!!! 

You said you had a cocktail hour after second line while wedding party and family finished up photos. Is the cocktail hour something extra or is it part of the reception time?  Was it held in the ballroom at Bourbon Orleans as well as the reception?  Is there an extra charge for the cocktail hour?

Then you said ya'll entered from the balcony.  How did you do this?  Can you get on the balcony without walking through the ball room?  I love this idea!!!  My daughter (the one getting married) pick out this hotel and we have booked it.  The wedding is going to be out by the pool.  I am hoping the second line band can set up in a corner and be playing while guest are being seated.

Thanks!!!

RYLZ

Hi, BMurph, the cocktail hour was an additional hour before the reception and in a different location.  Ours was in the St. Anne's Cottage, but they can also do it in the St. Mary's Salon, which is a room that opens out onto the pool area, so that could work out nicely for you:  they could open up the triple French doors to the Salon, right after the ceremony and have the bar and cocktail tables set up in there.  They could probably remove the ceremony chairs while you go out for the 2nd line (assuming you do it after the ceremony).  There was no additional charge for us for the St. Anne's cottage but only because no one had booked right up until a week before the wedding.  Other wise we would have used the St. Mary's and pool option because there ordinarily would have been a $5k minimum for St. Anne's.

The only charge for the cocktail hour is the hour of open bar, the additional bartender and whatever hors d'oeuvres you select to be passed.  As for the brass band playing pre-ceremony, that shouldn't be a problem space-wise.  The only thing to consider is that if you hire them for an hour, you may go into over-time, to also fit in the 2nd line.

After our 2nd line, we took pictures with parents and wedding party really quickly, then went up the ballroom balcony for pictures alone.  We stayed out there for about 30 minutes and by then the cocktail hour was over and guests had entered the ballroom.  After they introduced the wedding party, the DJ introduced us, we entered the ballroom from the balcony and walked on to the dancefloor for our first dance.  It ws a really great flow, and I'm sure the photos of us entering from the balcony double-doors will be great.  We specifically had them line up the dance floor under the chandelier, and in front of the stairs for a dramatic entrance. 

Hope that helps!

BMurph1998

Thanks Belzu that really does help.  I hope we can get it all worked out.