How I Planned a Parade Wedding That Stopped Traffic (Literally)

Written By Andrea Lilly

Most couples dream of a wedding that feels magical.

Jasmine and David took that to the next level by saying “I do” in the middle of Portland’s iconic Grand Floral Parade, with thousands of parade-goers unknowingly about to witness one of the most joyful, nontraditional weddings the Rose City has ever seen.

For the couple, it wasn’t just about getting married, it was about celebrating their love in the city that’s been part of their story for years. They wanted a wedding that felt bold, communal, and uniquely them.

Here’s how we brought their colorful, crowd-cheering vision to life and how this once-in-a-lifetime parade wedding came together.

How the Grand Floral Parade Wedding Came to Life

This whole thing came together because I was in the right place at the right time. 

While hosting a PDXperts cocktail hour at Castaway Portland, I struck up a conversation with a member of the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. We bonded over our shared love for community events and my passion for planning unique events.

Soon after, they reached out with an idea the Festival had never done before in over 100 years: a live wedding during the Grand Floral Parade. 

I was all in.

The Couple’s Vision

When we opened applications, we weren’t looking for just any couple, we wanted people who were down for something spontaneous, joyful, and completely outside the box.

Jasmine and David stood out immediately.

They described how the Rose Festival had always been woven into their lives and how much it would mean to celebrate their marriage surrounded by their community. 

Jasmine joked that she didn’t have to stress about a guest list because “the whole city” would be there. And David mentioned how their friends would absolutely believe they’d be the couple to pull off something this out-of-the-box.

They wanted to celebrate in an unforgettable way, and a parade wedding in Portland was most certainly that.

Design Details

When thousands of people are watching your wedding (in-person and on TV), the design needs to pop.

We went COLORFUL. The Rose Festival Parade already has its own vibrant palette, and I wanted to go all in.

Blues, purples, oranges, pinks - every bold, joyful hue made an appearance. The trolley was bright pink (a moment on its own), and I knew blue would pop against it, so we highlighted blue accents throughout the design.

My favorite part? Bringing in vintage details. I wanted it to feel like a “let’s elope in Vegas” moment with all the charm of a vintage cake - piped icing, swan toppers, a little kitsch in the best way. Put those together, and the vision came to life. 

We had the swan heads forming a heart, a “Just Married” sign on the back of the trolley, and we obviously had to do the cans. Non-negotiable.

I also wanted David to have his moment, too. Instead of the usual tiny boutonniere, I pitched the idea of a full lapel floral piece, and everyone loved it!

The Timeline:

From Sunrise to “I Do”

Friday, June 6 – Rehearsal Day

  • 1:45 PM – Private ceremony run-through with the couple and their parents

  • 2:15 PM – Marriage license prep

  • 2:30 PM – Full rehearsal with vendors, Rose Festival staff, and the media crew

Saturday, June 7 – Parade Wedding Day

  • 4:00 AM – Streets close

  • 4:50 AM – Picked up Jasmine from the hotel

  • 5:00 AM – Hair & makeup begins

  • 6:00 AM – Coffee run (non-negotiable)

  • 6:15 AM – Photo & video team arrives

  • 6:45 AM – Fox 12 starts filming

  • 7:00 AM – Groom arrives; trolley decorating begins

  • 7:20 AM – Hair & makeup wrap; private first look and vows

  • 8:00 AM – Marriage license signed
    8:10 AM – Family photos

  • 9:30 AM – Final setup on the trolley

  • 10:00 AM – Parade kicks off

  • 10:05 AM – Ceremony takes place on the move

  • 10:07 AM – They’re married! Parade continues

  • 12:00 PM – Event concludes, hearts full

Behind-the-Scenes Challenges

This wasn’t your typical wedding day and naturally, we hit a few snags that made things extra memorable. 

First, the timeline was intense. Because we were a side act (in the best way) to one of Oregon’s biggest parades, everything had to run to the minute. Streets closed at 4:00 AM, which meant we had to get the bride to glam before most people had even hit snooze on their alarms.

I ended up picking Jasmine up myself and walking her part of the way in the dark, because that’s what wedding mornings look like when you’re getting married in a parade. 

And then there was the dress situation, those delicate little buttons were not playing. We needed a crochet hook (which I did not have, adding that to the kit now), so we lost a few minutes finagling them into place. 

But we adjusted, made it work, and kept the whole thing rolling - literally.

The Ceremony

And then, in the middle of the Grand Floral Parade, the magical moment happened.

With the Clown Prince officiating and parade-goers cheering, Jasmine and David exchanged vows in just over a minute - one of the shortest and most joyful ceremonies I’ve ever witnessed.

It was quick, chaotic, and completely unforgettable.

The Team Behind the Portland Parade Wedding

This parade wedding came to life thanks to an incredible team of creatives, coordinators, and behind-the-scenes rockstars.

Portland Rose Festival Foundation:

  • Chloe – Marketing Coordinator and point of contact for me and the parade side of things

  • Marilyn – Executive Director, helped interview and select the couple

  • Angle (aka The Clown Prince) – parade mascot and officiant

  • David – Board Member who helped conceptualize the Rose Buds Dance Team kickoff

  • Haley, Jessica, Kara, and more behind-the-scenes pros who made it all happen

Vendor Dream Team:

Support Crew: My two assistants, Slater and Tom

Planning a Nontraditional Wedding or Event of Your Own?

If you’re dreaming of a nontraditional wedding—whether it’s during a parade, in a forest, at your favorite dive bar, or on a boat—I’d love to help you bring it to life.

✨ Let’s start planning your dream unique wedding ✨

Andrea Lilly
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