So that is surreal. The New York Occasions simply printed 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 visitors left early as a result of we didn’t warn them concerning the finale?
That hits completely different.
How we received right here (and the place we’re headed)
For these simply tuning in: I received married to Hamilton Nguyen (you dronies could know him because the enterprise and tech man, in addition to the cameraman for The Drone Lady — sure, a real renaissance man!) in September 2025. Sure, we had a 200-drone mild present as our sendoff. It was 11 minutes of personalised animations synced to music and voiceover narration. Our marriage ceremony drone present featured all the pieces from the fortress the place Hamilton proposed to a girl doing a snatch carry (as a result of we’re each aggressive weightlifters).
The entire thing was stunning, chaotic, character pushed — oh and it required evicting a part of a pickleball group for a night.
I pitched an editor on the The New York Occasions as to what can be taking place. I invited them to be part of it (both nearly or in-person, and so they selected nearly). And identical 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 Lady. I figured a few of you is likely to be interested by 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 incredible job breaking down the sensible aspect of marriage ceremony drone exhibits:
- 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 assume).
- Venue issues (airspace classifications! buffer zones! pickleball negotiations!).
- Climate contingencies (we nearly needed to do paper airplane throws as an alternative).
However my favourite half? They included my largest remorse: not telling our visitors concerning the drone present upfront.
About 80 individuals left earlier than the present began. They didn’t comprehend it was coming as a result of I believed it will have been approach cooler as a shock. In hindsight, I understand that if we’d hyped it up — put it on the timeline, talked about it throughout toasts, something — they might’ve stayed.
The visitors who did keep stated it felt like a ticketed occasion, including that it was positively definitely worth the “value” of admission. Reside and be taught, proper? Alas, there received’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 exhibits are getting into mainstream marriage ceremony tradition.
A couple of years in the past, marriage ceremony drone exhibits have been mainly extraordinary. Electrical Sky Drone Reveals — the corporate we labored with — advised The New York Occasions they did seven marriage ceremony exhibits the yr earlier than ours. This previous yr? Seventeen.
That’s greater than a 2x improve. And as prices come down and extra venues optimize for drone exhibits, I count on that quantity to maintain climbing.
The truth that the Occasions is masking this development 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 exhibits are breaking into the broader marriage ceremony business dialog.
Learn the total New York Occasions article
If you would like the total breakdown, together with extra particulars on prices, logistics and my recommendation for {couples} contemplating drone exhibits, you possibly can learn the Occasions piece right here.
It’s behind a paywall (as a result of, you recognize, journalism prices cash and we should always help it), however when you’re even remotely desirous about marriage ceremony drone exhibits or simply wish to see how the Occasions covers drone business traits, it’s definitely worth the learn.
I’m planning extra content material right here on The Drone Lady masking:
- Detailed value 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 [email protected]. I’m apparently an skilled now (or at the least the Occasions thinks so).
13 years in the past, I began The Drone Lady after taking a school course on drones. I used to be fascinated by the expertise and wished to share that fascination with others.
I do know that is most likely cliche to say, nevertheless 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 when you’re planning a marriage and contemplating a drone present? Do it. Simply possibly inform your visitors first.
Learn the total New York Occasions article right here.
And then you definitely wish to watch the total drone present too, proper? You possibly can’t try this as nicely, by way of the YouTube video shared beneath:
Blissful flying!
— Sally, The Drone Lady
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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