So that is surreal. The New York Occasions simply revealed a chunk about my marriage ceremony drone present.
I’ve spent 13 years masking drones. I’ve written hundreds of articles opinions, and business analyses. I’ve been quoted in publications earlier than. However seeing my very own marriage ceremony featured in The New York Occasions? With asides about pickleball courts and weightlifter animations — and the way 80 of our friends left early as a result of we didn’t warn them concerning the finale?
That hits completely different.
How we acquired right here (and the place we’re headed)
For these simply tuning in: I acquired married to Hamilton Nguyen (you dronies could know him because the enterprise and tech man, in addition to the cameraman for The Drone Woman — sure, a real renaissance man!) in September 2025. Sure, we had a 200-drone mild present as our sendoff. It was 11 minutes of customized animations synced to music and voiceover narration. Our marriage ceremony drone present featured every thing from the fortress the place Hamilton proposed to a lady doing a snatch raise (as a result of we’re each aggressive weightlifters).
The entire thing was lovely, chaotic, character pushed — oh and it required evicting a part of a pickleball neighborhood for a night.
I pitched an editor on the The New York Occasions as to what could be occurring. I invited them to be part of it (both nearly or in-person, and so they selected nearly). And similar to that, the New York Occasions was on it.
Now that The New York Occasions printed their story (I promised them an unique), I’ll be writing extra extensively concerning the expertise right here on The Drone Woman. I figured a few of you is perhaps inquisitive about what goes into planning a marriage drone present — the logistics, the prices, the “oh god it’s raining two days earlier than the marriage” moments. That’ll arrive within the coming days.
What The New York Occasions article covers
If it’s been some time because you’ve bought a printed newspaper, maybe tomorrow (that’s Sunday, Nov. 16) is your day to seize a duplicate. It’s on web page 17
Their piece (learn the print model right here) does an excellent job breaking down the sensible aspect of marriage ceremony drone reveals:
- Why we selected a drone present (spoiler: sparklers felt boring and fire-risky).
- How a lot it prices ($15,000-$25,000 vary).
- What goes into planning (trace: far more than you’d suppose).
- Venue issues (airspace classifications! buffer zones! pickleball negotiations!).
- Climate contingencies (we virtually needed to do paper airplane throws as an alternative).
However my favourite half? They included my largest remorse: not telling our friends concerning the drone present upfront.
About 80 folks left earlier than the present began. They didn’t realize it was coming as a result of I assumed it will have been manner cooler as a shock. In hindsight, I notice that if we’d hyped it up — put it on the timeline, talked about it throughout toasts, something — they’d’ve stayed.
The friends who did keep stated it felt like a ticketed occasion, including that it was undoubtedly well worth the “worth” of admission. Stay and study, proper? Alas, there gained’t be a marriage quantity two!
Why the New York Occasions marriage ceremony drone present article issues for the drone business
Right here’s the factor: The New York Occasions masking a marriage drone present isn’t simply cool for me personally (although it completely is). It’s a sign that drone reveals are getting into mainstream marriage ceremony tradition.
Just a few years in the past, marriage ceremony drone reveals had been principally exceptional. Electrical Sky Drone Exhibits — the corporate we labored with — advised The New York Occasions they did seven marriage ceremony reveals the 12 months earlier than ours. This previous 12 months? Seventeen.
That’s greater than a 2x enhance. And as prices come down and extra venues optimize for drone reveals, I count on that quantity to maintain climbing.
The truth that the Occasions is masking this pattern means it’s not simply area of interest tech fanatic territory anymore. Hey, I like some good “New York Occasions Is On It” jokes. However in all seriousness, this story is proof drone mild reveals are breaking into the broader marriage ceremony business dialog.
Learn the complete New York Occasions article
In order for you the complete breakdown, together with extra particulars on prices, logistics and my recommendation for {couples} contemplating drone reveals, you’ll be able to learn the Occasions piece right here.
It’s behind a paywall (as a result of, you already know, journalism prices cash and we should always help it), however in case you’re even remotely enthusiastic about marriage ceremony drone reveals or simply wish to see how the Occasions covers drone business traits, it’s well worth the learn.
I’m planning extra content material right here on The Drone Woman masking:
- Detailed price breakdowns
- How to decide on a drone present firm
- Venue choice information
- Animation design suggestions
- The complete behind-the-scenes logistics
If there’s one thing particular you wish to know, drop a remark or electronic mail me at sally@thedronegirl.com. I’m apparently an skilled now (or no less than the Occasions thinks so).
13 years in the past, I began The Drone Woman after taking a school course on drones. I used to be fascinated by the expertise and needed to share that fascination with others.
I do know that is in all probability cliche to say, however it’s true: I by no means imagined {that a} decade later, I’d be planning a drone present for my very own marriage ceremony after which speaking to The New York Occasions about it.
Thanks for being a part of this bizarre, fantastic journey with me. And in case you’re planning a marriage and contemplating a drone present? Do it. Simply possibly inform your friends first.
Learn the complete New York Occasions article right here.
And then you definitely wish to watch the complete drone present too, proper? You’ll be able to’t do this as properly, by way of the YouTube video shared under:
Completely happy flying!
— Sally, The Drone Woman
P.S. Sure, I’m completely framing this and hanging this on my wall. Hamilton already is aware of.
Need extra from our marriage ceremony day? We even have a whole video of that, too:
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