Second Lines (a bit of a rant)

AlmostMrsStrong

So one thing I've noticed is that all (or at least the majority) of brides who want to do second lines at their weddings are destination brides. Do you gals realize that second lines are traditionally held for a funeral? Are there any local brides who have done second lines? Yes, I've seen it done, and yes it's really festive, but I find it inappropriate.

Maybe I'm just a cranky coon ass.

TurWalk

Second lines originated at funeral processions, but now are done at all kind of events including weddings. I'm a destination bride who lived in New Orleans for several years and every New Orleans wedding I ever attended had a second line. The first thing my New Orleans native friends asked after I got engaged was "Have you booked a band for your second line?"

phunluvin82

I disagree that a second line is inappropriate for a wedding.  Even though the second line came out of the jazz funeral tradition, it has been a long time since second lines were used exclusively in funerals.  Second lines come from the existence of the Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs which used to help people pay for the funerals of their loved ones in the days before African Americans were allowed to purchase life insurance.  Therefore, the Clubs used to have parades not only for funerals, but also for neighborhood celebrations in order to try to attract more members to their club, since more members meant more money in the pot.  Second lines are now a part of everything from neighborhood celebrations, to festivals, etc. 

I have only been living in New Orleans for 5 years, but I work at a high school where I am one of the only people (including staff or students) who are not born and raised New Orleanians.  My co-workers and students love to have a second line for just about anything...we had one for the funeral of a staff member, but we also had one for homecoming, one for the end of the school year, etc.  I also considered not having a second line for my wedding (because of time and logistics, not because I was worried about appropriateness) and any of my coworkers that I mentioned it to all unanimously felt that I could not have my wedding without a second line!

lbmsrlotr

Aren't the second lines at funerals done as a "celebration" to honor the life of the dearly departed? A second line is a celebratory dance regardless of the occasion. Were it not a New Orleans tradition & part of our culture, I would find it inappropriate for funerals.

cm10/10

I've lived here my whole life.  Every wedding I've ever been too in New Orleans has had a second line.  I know it orginated with funerals, but I have never seen it at one though.

NOLAbrideinDC

ditto cm10/10. I have lived in NOLA my whole life too and just moved to DC 6 months ago. I have never been to a wedding without a second line. In fact, i have never gone to anything in the city without a second line to celebrate the occasion. Funerals included.  Its all of what you want in your wedding 

Kate504

Every New Orleans wedding that I have been to has had some kind of second line, maybe not a fancy one down the street, but one still the same.

I plan on having one from the church to the reception venue.

I see it as a celebration not as something that is done in a time of mourning.

Rdh2MrsOMFS

cranky coon ass?... are you from Nola.. or an actualy coonass from the Bayou, like me?.. lol

AlmostMrsStrong

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_second-lines-bit-of-rant?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:84Discussion:a2bb1f58-15b0-44d6-9654-f40fa0730e83Post:7fce8cc6-667c-447a-9066-f2418f49ebc2">Re: Second Lines (a bit of a rant)</a>:
[QUOTE]cranky coon ass?... are you from Nola.. or an actualy coonass from the Bayou, like me?.. lol
Posted by Rdh2MrsOMFS[/QUOTE]

I'm a born Westbanker, but my paw paw is coon ass to the bone, and he was a big part of my life growing up. :)

bmfrazie

I am NOLA native that moved away 3 years ago.  I have never been to a NOLA wedding without a second line.  It is one of the must have items for my wedding.