So that is surreal. The New York Occasions simply printed a bit about my wedding ceremony drone present.
I’ve spent 13 years masking drones. I’ve written 1000’s of articles evaluations, and business analyses. I’ve been quoted in publications earlier than. However seeing my very own wedding ceremony featured in The New York Occasions? With asides about pickleball courts and weightlifter animations — and the way 80 of our company 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 might 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 gentle present as our sendoff. It was 11 minutes of personalised animations synced to music and voiceover narration. Our wedding ceremony drone present featured every part from the citadel the place Hamilton proposed to a girl doing a snatch carry (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 group for a night.
I pitched an editor on the The New York Occasions as to what could 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 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 awesome job breaking down the sensible aspect of wedding 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 suppose).
- Venue concerns (airspace classifications! buffer zones! pickleball negotiations!).
- Climate contingencies (we nearly needed to do paper airplane throws as a substitute).
However my favourite half? They included my largest remorse: not telling our company concerning the drone present prematurely.
About 80 folks left earlier than the present began. They didn’t understand it was coming as a result of I believed it might 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 company who did keep mentioned it felt like a ticketed occasion, including that it was positively definitely worth the “value” of admission. Dwell and be taught, proper? Alas, there gained’t be a marriage quantity two!
Why the New York Occasions wedding 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 coming into mainstream wedding ceremony tradition.
Just a few years in the past, wedding ceremony drone exhibits had been principally unprecedented. Electrical Sky Drone Reveals — the corporate we labored with — informed The New York Occasions they did seven wedding ceremony exhibits 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 exhibits, I anticipate 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 gentle exhibits are breaking into the broader wedding ceremony business dialog.
Learn the complete New York Occasions article
If you need the complete 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, , journalism prices cash and we should always assist it), however when you’re even remotely all for wedding ceremony drone exhibits or simply need to see how the Occasions covers drone business tendencies, it’s definitely 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 need to know, drop a remark or e mail me at sally@thedronegirl.com. I’m apparently an professional 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 know-how and wished to share that fascination with others.
I do know that is in all probability cliche to say, but it surely’s true: I by no means imagined {that a} decade later, I’d be planning a drone present for my very own wedding ceremony after which speaking to The New York Occasions about it.
Thanks for being a part of this bizarre, great journey with me. And when you’re planning a marriage and contemplating a drone present? Do it. Simply perhaps inform your company first.
Learn the complete New York Occasions article right here.
And then you definitely need to watch the complete drone present too, proper? You may’t try this as properly, through 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 wedding ceremony day? We even have an entire video of that, too:
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