Brass Bands for Second Line? Suggestions??

jessthom1144

We are thinking about "Second Lining" from our ceremony to the reception venue.  Any recommendations on affordable brass bands for this purpose? 

Kate504

We must be thinking alike, I was getting ready to post the same thing. I'm planning a second line as well and any info would be appreciated. We are going from St.Jude on N Rampart to the Wax on Conti. Thanks!

jessthom1144

We will also be going from St. Jude/Our Lady of Guadalupe on N. Rampart but we will be goin to Pat O's on the River (at Jax Brewery)  It's probably further than most second lines but we figure we can still do it (it's about 8 blocks)

Also, any info on who to contact about street closures etc for the second line would be appreciated.  I think I read somewhere that there is a police officer to reach out to, is that the case??

Kate504

Don Powers - 504-658-6080

We are going to go around the block so it is not as short as the two block walk. I don't think 8 blocks is that bad.

lexicon82

I used Algiers Brass Band and they were great.  I think my planner booked them through White Oak Productions.

jessthom1144

I have heard of them! Thanks for the info.

Also, thanks for Don Power's info.  I thought he was the one to contact so good to know for sure!

HeyGualdoni

We used Smitty D's Brass Band and were very happy with them! We paid $750 for a 4-piece band and a grand marshall. I researched several bands and found that $750 was one of the most reasonable prices. You also have to pay $100 per police escort, and I think there is a 2-escort minimum (We only had about 30 people and still had to have 2 police escorts). Depending on how big your wedding is, you may need to have more. Totally worth every penny! Email me if you have questions: laurengualdoni@gmail.com

http://www.smittydeesproduction.com/

jessthom1144

Awesome!  Thanks for all the useful information.

nadiaferrus

Does anyone know what is the policy for the brass bands if it rains?

laurenclarea

Just fyi for anyone looking for brass bands, I used Smitty Dees Brass Band for our second line, and they were terrible. The music was monotonous, they didn't play the song they promised to play as our first song while we exited the church, the band left without the bride and groom (so we had to run 0.25 miles to catch up with our whole wedding crowd and band), and once we caught up with them the marshall stopped dancing and waving his feathers. The manager was apologetic and nice, but it was a HUGE let down for our wedding. We had so many out of town guests come wanting to experience a great New Orleans wedding, and the second line is such a huge part of this. Besides all the mess ups, the biggest thing was just that their music was unexciting, droning, and lacked energy. 

laurenclarea

Just fyi for anyone looking for brass bands, I used Smitty Dees Brass Band for our second line, and they were terrible. The music was monotonous, they didn't play the song they promised to play as our first song while we exited the church, the band left without the bride and groom (so we had to run 0.25 miles to catch up with our whole wedding crowd and band), and once we caught up with them the marshall stopped dancing and waving his feathers. The manager was apologetic and nice, but it was a HUGE let down for our wedding. We had so many out of town guests come wanting to experience a great New Orleans wedding, and the second line is such a huge part of this. Besides all the mess ups, the biggest thing was just that their music was unexciting, droning, and lacked energy. 

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.