2ndline FAQ

2ndline FAQs

We get a lot of great questions about how second line parades work—so we put together this FAQ to help guide you through the most common ones!

Below, you’ll find helpful info about what to do if it rains, how parasols and handkerchiefs work, and what to expect on the day of your event.

Still have questions? We’re happy to help—just send us an email!

Do we provide parasols, umbrellas, or handkerchiefs?

We do not provide parasols, umbrellas, or handkerchiefs for second lines—but you’ve got great options for sourcing your own!

Many clients find them on Etsy or Amazon, and there are tons of styles to choose from. Handkerchiefs, in particular, are a popular choice for wedding and celebration favors—you can even have them custom printed with your name and event date as a keepsake for guests.

If you’re not sure how many to order or want recommendations, feel free to reach out—we’re happy to help point you in the right direction!

Where should you be during the parade?

If your parade is for a wedding (or celebrating a guest of honor), you’ll want to be in front of the band! Traditionally, the couple—or person being celebrated—leads the way at the front of the parade. We recommend starting the parade in front of the band for at least the first few songs to capture great photos with the band playing behind you.

In second line tradition:

  • The "First Line" includes the band and guests of honor at the front.

  • The "Second Line" is everyone following behind, dancing and celebrating.

There’s no wrong way to enjoy the parade—but if you’re the guest of honor, don’t be shy about getting out front and soaking it up!

Should you tip the band?

Tipping is entirely optional and always appreciated! It’s not included in your booking fee, so whether or not to tip—and how much—is completely up to you.

If you’d like to offer a cash tip, we recommend dividing the amount evenly ahead of time based on the number of musicians booked. This way, the band can enjoy the gesture without having to do math or make change after the parade.

Prefer to tip digitally or by check? No problem! Just let us know, and we’ll include the tip in the musicians’ direct deposit payout the following Monday.

Do you provide pedicabs for the second line?

We don’t provide pedicab bookings ourselves, but we highly recommend Bikes Unlimited, a trusted local pedicab company that accepts advance reservations.

Many local wedding planners and event professionals speak highly of their reliability, and they’re a great option if you’d like a more relaxed or accessible way to ride in your parade.

How long is a second line parade?

Second line parades are limited to 10–12 city blocks, which comes out to about 20–30 minutes of continuous walking. The parade cannot stop once it starts, and you’d be surprised how often guests find it more tiring than expected!

Here are our recommendations based on your type of event:

  • Weddings: We strongly suggest a shorter route—around 6 blocks if possible. Wedding guests usually include a wide range of ages, physical abilities, and a lot of folks in fancy outfits and uncomfortable shoes. A shorter parade keeps the vibe celebratory and manageable for everyone.

  • Bachelor/Bachelorette parties, birthdays, or more active groups: If you know your group can comfortably handle it, we’re happy to go the full 10–12 blocks. Just keep in mind:

    • The band is booked for 30 minutes max

    • We do not extend parade time on-site, even if your event is running late

    • If you're planning a longer parade, it's essential to start on time

We’re always happy to help find a route that’s fun, safe, and appropriate for your group!

Can the band entertain guests while we take photos after the ceremony?

Yes—as long as it's within a venue or private property, the band is happy to perform a short set to entertain your guests before the parade begins.

However, if you're hoping for the band to play outside on a public street or sidewalk (especially in busy areas like the French Quarter, Central Business District, or along major roads), there are limitations:

  • Once the band starts performing publicly, it draws a crowd. Even if it's just your guests, foot traffic often spills into the street. When that happens, police officers are required to manage traffic flow—which means holding up cars and enforcing road closures before your parade has officially started.

  • At that point, officers will likely ask the band to either:

    • Stop performing and wait quietly until it's time to roll, or

    • Start the parade immediately

The band will always follow police direction in these cases to avoid causing traffic congestion.

It’s important to remember: while hosting a second line parade is a special and joyful experience, your permit allows for a rolling parade, not a block party or extended street performance. We aim to celebrate without unnecessarily holding up traffic or impacting others navigating the city.

If you’re hoping for a little pre-parade entertainment, we highly recommend coordinating it inside your venue or private space—we’re happy to help you plan that!

What happens if it’s raining for your 2ndline?

Parades are rain or shine—but there are a few important things to know:

  • NOPD rarely cancels permits. They do not cancel for rain or storms unless there’s a declared state of emergency within the city. The last time we saw a cancellation from NOPD was for Hurricane Ida in 2021.

  • Refunds from NOPD are not guaranteed. NOPD typically will not issue a refund if the parade is canceled within 48 hours of the event. The sooner a cancellation request is submitted, the more likely a refund will be approved. If NOPD does approve a refund, we’ll send that amount to the client once we’ve actually received the funds from the city—this process can take time.

  • Our band bookings are non-refundable. Even if NOPD accepts your cancellation and issues a refund for the parade permit, we still pay our musicians and retain the booking fee for handling the permit application and escort coordination. Our musicians hold that date and time for your event and likely turned down other work to do so. The only instance in which we would offer a refund for this is under a declared state of emergency that would prevent us and our musicians from attending your event.

If it rains, there are two options:

  1. Parade in the rain.
    The show goes on! For safety and comfort, NOPD or the band may adjust the route—such as shortening it while keeping the same end location. We ask for your flexibility, as both the musicians and officers are doing their best to make your event happen in challenging conditions.

  2. Move the performance indoors.
    If the client has secured an indoor venue, the band can perform there instead. Please note: if the performance continues beyond the short parade route, the band must be under cover—we do not ask our musicians to stand and perform uncovered in the rain.

Who contacts you the day of your 2ndline?

You’ll hear from Abby in the days leading up to your event to confirm final details and answer any last-minute questions. While Abby oversees every event, she is not able to attend all second lines in person.

If Abby is not on-site, a Lead Musician will be designated to connect with your on-site contact. They’ll call or text your contact 15–20 minutes before your scheduled start time once the band has arrived.

The Lead Musician’s responsibilities include:

  • Signing for the police escorts

  • Touching base with your contact to go over any final instructions

  • Making sure all musicians are in place and ready to start on time, or once cued by your on-site contact

This helps ensure a smooth, on-time start for your second line—even if Abby isn’t on-site.