*NO212*

Brooke4377

I was wondering if you ever had your meeting with your planner about the logistics of pictures after ceremony and the secondline?  In an earlier thread I had mentioned I didn't know how it would all work (trying to squeeze in some quick pictures, passing out drinks and hankies).  Did she have any ideas on how to pass out drinks?  We want to do go cups with hurricanes but I'm wondering who I can have set them out, will I need a table, who brings the table back, etc.  I was wondering if you were planning anything similar.  I guess for you the planner could handle it?  I am trying to find some way to just have a couple of my guests poor out drinks (that we will have premixed in gallons) but I can't figure out exactly how to do it!  I know, sad (or maybe good?) that this is my biggest problem right now!

NO2012

Yes I did, and her answer was she would make it happen if I really wanted to do it, but she recommends foregoing the drinks during the second line.  She had a really strong opinion about it.  Her reasons were that it is very difficult to get drinks set up in Jackson Square in front of the Cathedral and then it is cumbersome for the guests (especially ladies) to manage walking with a drink in hand, with their purse, and the handkerchief, and whatever else they have with them (in heels for some).  She basically said in her experience it is more trouble than it's worth.  She did say if I had my heart set on it, she would make it happen and she has done it before.    So...I am not 100% sure what I am doing.  I am mulling it over. 

The wedding I went to a few years ago did what you are describing.  They had pre-mixed drinks (hurricanes I believe) in plastic gallons and someone was in charge of pouring and handing out.  Another friend of mine told me her groomsmen wheeled an ice chest over to the Cathedral full of champagne and left it out there during the Mass, then they popped it open after everyone processed outside.  I think that was an impromptu thing that they handled on their own. 

Sorry I don't have a brilliant plan for you!  I get what my planner is saying and it makes sense, I just keep thinking how badly I am going to want a drink as soon as I get outside! haha  Keep me posted on what you decide. 

Brooke4377

Lol I know right?  My main reason was to start the 'party' atmosphere.  My guests are mostly from the Northeast, and us New Englanders are known to be a little stiff   I don't want the second line to just be people walking, lol.  Also I am hoping it will alleviate a line for the bar at the cocktail hour if everyone already has a drink.  Hmmm....I guess their is the concern about purses, but I imagine if someone couldn't hold it they wouldn't take one, right?  I was also thinking it will be 'something happening' while we take pictures quickly in Jackson Square so no one will be standing there bored wondering what they are supposed to do   the band will already be there playing, so I figured everyone can grab a drink and their hankies while we take a few quick family photos.  Plus I wanted to include a New Orleans drink.  I'm pretty sure I'm definitely doing it, I will let you know how once I figure it out   I have many guests staying at the Place D'Arms right there, so I may ask them if I can pay to have someone set up the table and pick it up after...I can have groomsmen handle pouring the drinks and such....

Brooke4377

at the wedding you went to that passed out the hurricanes was there a table?  or they just handed them out one by one?

NO2012

I don't recall a table being set up, but instead someone just pouring and handing them out one by one. 

tinkerbek

Hey ladies! can I jump in on this conversation? I am also trying to figure out the logistics for this one... I'm getting married at the board of trade tho and recpetion is there too. we're still doing a second line around the block tho. I REALLY want everyone to be able to have a drink for it! my relatives are from the North East too btw, ha! I hadnt even thought about people having programs, purses, on top of drinks and hankees. hmmm. but i think Brooke you are right, if drinks are there and they dont want to bring one, they dont have to, i'd think...


Who are ya'll getting as your band? We are hiring the Kinfolk Brass band.

again, sorry to jump in! just interseted.

Brooke4377

Yes, I think it will be fine.  purses have a strap, and women are used to carrying them (with other things).  Programs can go in the purses...lol.  then that still leaves one hand for the hanky and one for drink, or they can skip it.  My main goal with the drinks is to alleviate the line at the bar at the cocktail hour...if everyone starts out with something it won't be a mad rush   We are using Smitty Dee's.

NO2012

We are using Smitty Dee's also for our second line band.  We will have a signature drink waiting for everyone as they walk into the reception, so this is weighing in on my decision to possibly skip the second line drink.  I will say  at the wedding I went to (that I referenced earlier), I had a clutch purse and it was difficult to navigate with the drink and handkerchief, but that's what your date is for!  

dreamgal8

Smitty Dee's performed a second line at my wedding. I found out a year after my wedding that my wedding guests had to pay them several hundred dollars out of pocket when they were threatening to leave before performing (bc a guest passed out in the middle of the ceremony and 911 had to be called; the band got tired of waiting). They didn't play the song that was requested to be played upon the bride and groom exiting St. Louis Cathedral. They LEFT THE BRIDE AND GROOM and proceeded down the street, leaving my husband and I to have to RUN several blocks in our wedding attire to catch up with them!!?!? Then once we caught up, they stopped dancing. They literally WALKED the rest of the way to the reception venue. ALL of their music was monotonous and not exciting. They were the part of our wedding we were most looking forward to showing out out of town guests to give them a NOLA wedding experience. They were the WORST part of our wedding! DO NOT BOOK THEM FOR ANYTHING! They were by far the worst decision I made for my wedding.