Hosting a New Orleans wedding comes with some responsibility. From the moment your out of town guests arrive or your locals check out of their obligations for the weekend, they are counting on a good time. Lucky for you, you’re hosting your special event in a city rooted in culture, bursting with charm and exuding hospitality. Here are some traditions a New Orleans wedding guest loves to experience.
Welcome Bags
Who doesn’t love a good welcome bag waiting in their hotel room upon check-in? Make your guests feel special and thank them for traveling to New Orleans to celebrate you. There are many local goodies you can add such as Aunt Sally’s Pralines, Zapp’s Potato Chips (try the Voodoo flavor) or Abita root beer or brews. If your wedding is at The Parlor at The Pontchartrain, consider adding a bag of coffee beans from Silver Whistle Café. Your visitors will need a little caffeine kick when they make it home.
Friday Lunch
Here, the festivities are not contained only to the wedding day. Friday lunch is a tradition in New Orleans that we take very seriously. It is not uncommon for us to head out for lunch on a Friday afternoon and leave our emails right where they are until Monday morning. Consider taking your wedding party out to share a meal the day before you say “I do.” One of our favorite spots for a lively Friday lunch is Galatoire’s (they practically invented the Friday lunch party). Your lunch will most definitely turn into an all-day event, so make sure you have a flexible afternoon.
Food
It’s unclear whether great music or delicious food is a more essential prerequisite for a New Orleans wedding. The cuisine of New Orleans draws influence from a myriad of different cultures. Give your friends and family what they came for: to leave with a full belly! Lucky wedding attendees at The Parlor get to indulge in custom culinary delights from Jack Rose, featuring menu items that are a mix of New Orleans’ craveable Italian, French and Spanish dishes.
Music
Speaking of great music, if you’re going to host your celebration in the birthplace of jazz, everyone better be ready to hit the dance floor. Selecting music for your occasion can be overwhelming with the number of options available. Undisputably, New Orleans is home to many talented groups. If you’re hosting a destination wedding, ask your venue for suggestions of who they’ve worked with. One great place to check out some bands that frequently play New Orleans weddings is Rock N Bowl. Wedding research is the best kind of homework, right?
Cake Pulls
This may be a less familiar item for visiting brides. It is a custom similar to the bouquet toss. The bride asks her single ladies to join her around her cake. Your baker hides little charms attached to a ribbon in the bottom layer of the cake. When the time comes to cut your wedding cake, your ladies each grab a piece of ribbon and pull a charm out. The charms symbolize a prediction for what’s to come. The charms are often sterling silver and serve as a great memento for the recipient!
Second Line
A musical memory you’ll want to create is performing a traditional second line. Whether you’ve got a full brass band or your entertainment plays a classic New Orleans song for your guests, you can bet everyone will follow the newlyweds waving their hankies in the air. You can second line from your ceremony to your reception, in a circle around your reception or right on out of your venue at the end of the night. No matter how you choose to do it, create some personalized hankies for the parade. They’ll double as a fun wedding souvenir!
PS: don’t forget to order some second-line umbrellas for the married couple!
Sunday Brunch
After a night full of great food, music, dancing and some imbibing, your spouse, friends and family may need something to soak up all the fun. Close out your weekend with quintessential Sunday brunch. If you’re wise enough to stay in the heart of the Garden District at The Pontchartrain Hotel after your big day, all you need to do is ride the elevator down to Jack Rose, and their team is sure to get your group back in shape. It’s the perfect ending to a great weekend.
If there’s one thing we know in New Orleans, it’s how to host a party. We are a bit set in our ways, but we think these New Orleans wedding traditions make for a memorable event. Following this checklist for your wedding is a foolproof recipe for a weekend your guests won’t forget!