FAQs

Question

Are vaccines and masks required?

Answer

New Orleans mandates the wearing of masks indoors in all public venues. Because the courtyard and ballroom where we're holding our wedding is considered a private space, and it is our understanding that most if not all of our guests will be fully vaccinated, masks will not be required at the wedding itself. However, hotel and catering staff will be wearing masks, and of course, our guests are welcome to wear masks if you feel more comfortable doing so. In order to enter any bar, restaurant or entertainment venue in the city of New Orleans, you will be required to show proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours. If you have a CDC vaccine card, you can bring the original copy with you to show upon entry to bars/restaurants, or you can show a digital photo or photocopy of both the front and back of your card. Don't leave home without that proof of vaccination!

Question

Didn't you already get married?

Answer

Technically, yes! When we made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding due to COVID-19, we knew it was important for us to move forward with making our love official in front of our biggest supporters - our parents. For health reasons we needed to keep our legal ceremony very small, which is why we are so looking forward to celebrating our marriage with all of our closest friends and family when it is safe to do so. Our NOLA wedding will include all the bells and whistles of a pre-COVID wedding, just without the need for a Louisiana marriage license!

Question

Are kids welcome?

Answer

We LOVE you and your kids. However, our venue has a strict capacity limit and regrettably we are unable to accommodate children.

Question

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

The ceremony will begin at 5 pm CT. Please plan to grab a seat a few minutes before then!

Question

What hashtag should I use?

Answer

The greatest gift you can give us is to be truly present as we exchange our vows, so we're asking guests to please put down their cameras for our unplugged ceremony. Photos at the reception are more than welcome, and we'd love for you to share them on your social channels with the hashtag #AliciaRickSayIDeux.

Question

What is the weather like in October?

Answer

We chose October for our New Orleans wedding because it is the best month of the year weather-wise! It has the lowest average precipitation and has an average high of 80 degrees. Of course, rain, humidity or an unexpected cold front are always possible, so we recommend bringing an umbrella and a light jacket just in case. Our ceremony will be held outside in the courtyard but will be moved to a ballroom if there's significant rain.

Question

What should I wear?

Answer

We'd call it a semi-formal affair, but we encourage you to dress for an all-night party! We're planning to be on our feet all day, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Question

What is a second line?

Answer

Second line parades are the most exciting part of a New Orleans wedding! Historically, second lines began as neighborhood celebrations in the African-American community. Today, second line parades honor loved ones at funerals and celebrate major life milestones. In a wedding, the bride and groom represent the first line, carrying decorated parasols and leading the parade alongside a marching jazz band. The revelers who follow are referred to as the second line, who wave handkerchiefs while they dance. The best part is that all are welcome, so encourage passersby to join in on the fun!

Question

How do you pronounce some of the geographic areas in New Orleans?

Answer

This is a tough one! Many areas and street names are French but they aren't pronounced the way you learned in French class. Here's a quick primer on some street names: Chartres (CHART-ers), Carondelet (cah-RON-de-LETT), Place d'Armes (plahss DARM), Burgundy (bur-GUN-dee), Conti (KAHN-tye), Ursulines (UHR-sah-lines) and Tchoupitoulas (CHOP-ah-TOOL-us). The French Quarter is often referred to as the Vieux Carre (VOO cah-RAY), and other neighborhoods include Treme (truh-MAY), Faubourg (FOH-burg), Marigny (MARE-ah-nee) and Metairie (MEHT-uh-ree).

Question

Of all the places you could have gotten married, why New Orleans?

Answer

We hope that by the time you fly home from our wedding weekend, you'll understand!