Water. It can save your ceremony and reception.  If your ceremony and reception will be outdoors on a hot, sunny day be sure to have plenty of water for your guests to drink.  Even with shade available, dehydration is a possibility.

Water is also a great alternative for your guests who don't drink alcohol or avoid soda.  Tea and lemonade are also refreshing but if you are not making the lemonade yourself at least get a taste test from the venue.  I swear, one venue passing a canister of lemonade mix over the pitcher, puts in just enough to discolor the water and calls it lemonade.

Alcohol. Proper etiquette says if serving alcohol you must have an open bar.  I say horsefeathers!  Certainly, if you have the money and the desire, by all means have an open bar.  But if you are concerned that some guests might over imbibe or if you are on a tight budget this is one place you can save money.  Options include having a signature drink that is hosted, an open bar only during the cocktail hour, hosted wine and beer, or have your reception in a facility that has a bar on premises but you do not have a bar actually set up in your room.

Also, have some designated drivers or make other arrangements in the event that some of your guests do become inebriated.

Coffee. Even if you don't drink coffee some of your guests probably do and would love a cup after dinner or with their wedding cake.  Consider having a pot available but it doesn't need to be gallons of coffee.

Flavors. Wedding cakes used to be white.  That was it.  But this is your wedding.  Have the cake of your dreams.  If you love spice cake. then have spice cake.  Did you know that chocolate is the most popular flavor at weddings?

Looks. Cakes can be square, rectangles, rounds, hearts, just about whatever you can think of.  Granted the more creative, the more expensive.  But it isn't just shape that creates a great looking cake.  Using ribbons, flowers, colored icing, and other decorations can make your cake unique.  If you want both a traditional cake and yet something funky think about letting your imagination go by having an interesting groom's cake.  I've seen cakes that look like fish, hot rods, a surfer's shack on the beach, and a tree stump with a couple of squirrels sitting on top.  Marci from Colorado Rose Cake Company also does a really nice job with white on white icing depicting a mountain scene with trees.

Costs. As mentioned earlier the more lavish, the more expensive.  However, your cake can also be used as a focal point in your decorating so you can use part of your decorating budget for the cake if money is an issue.  There are many ways to save money on cakes.  One:  simple design and only enough to feed the number of people you have.  Two:  If you want a big cake but only have a small number of people to feed you can use styrofoam for the bottom layers and only have the top layer be real.  Have sheet cakes in the kitchen for serving to the guests.  Sheet cakes are less expensive but you are still paying for decorating the foam.  Three:  A small decorative cake and a large sheet cake (ala a groom's cake).  Four:  Using a grocery store instead of a professional wedding cake bakery.

What did I not recommend?  Doing it yourself or having a friend or family member make your cake.  Several reasons for this.  What if the first one doesn't turn out quite right?  Do they have time to make another?  Do they really have time to bake, decorate and set up your cake at the reception while they are supposed to be at the ceremony?

Cutting and Serving. Many venues will have someone on staff to cut and serve your wedding cake.  If not, then you need to make arrangements for that to happen.  Have the baker provide you with written instructions on how to cut and serve the type of cake your are having.  For example, at one wedding the cakes were round and the smallest size was 10 inches in diameter.  The ladies cutting the cake were trying to cut and serve it like you would a pie.  The pieces were unwieldy and much to big.  Cake was falling off the plates and they would have run out of cake had someone not intervened and shown them the proper way to cut a round wedding cake.

The choices are endless.  Tastings are definitely the way to go; but, do not abuse this privilege.  Know before you start if you are wanting something very upscale or more down home.  Before you have a tasting give the caterer an idea of the feeling you want your wedding to have.  Yet, be open to their suggestions.  If you have a strict budget let them know.  A great caterer has many clever ways to keep costs down while creating a lavish feast.

Health Regulations.  Regulations in some states will not permit you to take home any leftovers.  That is to protect both you and the caterer in the event that food is not properly cooled after serving.  An accurate guest count can really help avoid having leftoevers that get thrown away.

Guests Counts. This matters whether you are having food supplied by a venue, yourself, or a caterer.  Today our lives are busy and hectic.  Sometimes we forget to respond to invitations or we have responded and things change.  About two to three weeks before the wedding, confirm the RSVP's you have received and make a phone call to folks who have not repsonded.  They may have forgotten to respond but were planning to come.  Or they may have said they were coming, had their plans change and forgotten to let you know.  If you have a large guest list this is something that could be split among your bridesmaids so they each only have a small number of phone calls to make.  You could even make a party out of it.  Each bridesmaid brings her cell phone to the party and you all make your calls while munching on snacks and enjoying each other's company.

Your ceremony location is an important decision to make. If you have an outdoor ceremony, be sure to have plenty of water available for yourself as well as your guests. When having outdoor ceremonies, be aware of the temperature as guest will be seated in the sun ten to fifteen minutes before the ceremony starts and will be seated for as long as the ceremony lasts. Small paper fans are a good suggestion for warm days. You will also want to take into account the location of the sun when your ceremony is taking place. Is it directly overhead or is it starting to set and will be in the eyes of your guests. Ceremonies facing west with the mountains in the background makes a beautiful setting for photo’s but if the sun is low on the horizon it will be in your guests eyes.

Adverse weather is always a concern for outdoor events and sometimes does not cooperate with your outdoor plans. Always check forecasts and also listen to your coordinator, DJ or venue host. In most instances, they will be a better weatherman than the ones on TV. Many have been in business in their respective locations for some time and they know the weather patterns better than the “pro’s”.

I have seen too many instances where I have informed clients that the ceremony needs to happen “now” and not be postponed for those last minute stragglers only to have everyone running for cover.

There is a very good possibilty that you will have a beautiful outdoor ceremony but ALWAYS have a plan "B".

Disc Jockeys are an interesting lot. Whereas doctors and lawyers, as well as many other professions, have some type of schooling and certification, it seems that anyone with a music collection and a stereo can be a DJ.

Let’s look, for a minute, at what a “DJ” is.

By definition, a DJ is a person that plays records. (Hence the term Disc from the days of playing black vinyl discs known as "45's" and albums) Now days, many “state of the art” DJs will use some type of computer based music playback system. DJs that still use CDs or even vinyl, should not be discounted as not being able to perform a great party. The equipment they use to perform with is just “tools” and nothing more. Each tool has its pluses and minuses. While we are on the subject of tools, let’s look at equipment for a moment. Just about every client I've ever had has never asked me about what I use to perform with. Most would not know the difference between Radio Shack equipment and Rane, Denon or JBL. To the professional, there is a HUGE difference.

To “you” the client, the only thing that matters is that everything continues to function for as long as your event is scheduled. Lower quality equipment is less reliable than professional grade equipment. Will lower quality equipment work for your event? Probably, but, do you really want to take that chance, on what will be one of the most important days of your life?

Also, does your DJ have backup equipment? Even with pro grade gear, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong. A pro will have something to fall back on so your wedding doesn't grind to a sudden stop.

When looking through websites, do you see “(insert company name here) is #1? Or, “Voted best of”?  Maybe, “(insert name here) is Colorado's premier DJ service"? Only to discover,  eight of ten are the best, #1 or Premier.

Be Very Careful when DJ's use these buzz words.  (other buzz words include "unique" "memorable" and "specialize")

Or, do you see “we specialize” in Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s, School dances and Company parties, etc...”? Really?

You “specialize” in everything?

Does your general practitioner do brain surgery? Probably not, so how can DJ’s “specialize” in everything?

Now, for a moment, let’s look at prices. The fact is quality costs. Look at your engagement ring for a moment. If your stone were just a piece of glass, chances are you didn't spend much for it. However, if it is a flawless two karat diamond, you most likely spent a lot. DJ’s are a lot like diamonds. The higher their quality, the more they cost.

For some, a lower price DJ might get the job done but a high end professional will more than likely give you the quality event you deserve, just like a fine polished diamond.

A lower priced DJ may only have the skills to “play music” but not much else. A more experienced entertainer has Master of Ceremony skills, coordination skills, microphone presence, an ability to get a “feel” for your guests “mood” and adapt accordingly and much, much more.

A survey by a national bridal magazine found that 73% of the brides wished they had spent more on their entertainment AFTER the event was over because their event wasn't as good as it should have been. While most brides spend about 3 percent of their budget on entertainment, they felt that the entertainment was 80% of the overall success of their reception. So before you spend $1200 on a vegetable tray or $4 a chair for chair covers, stop and think….”What will my guests remember about my reception”? Then, spend accordingly.

Not every DJ is right for you. Just like picking out that diamond, you need to look for the entertainer that will be performing for you. Do they fit your personality? Your style? Your music choices?  Your vision of how you see your event flowing? That’s why the interview process is so important. Some DJ’s are stand up comics with banter and quips that keep your guests in stitches; some are very refined and elegant. You need to find which one is “your style”.

Finding the right DJ is a two way street. On some occasions, I’ve said straight out…”I don’t think I’m the right DJ for you”. The “fit” has to be both ways. Sure, I could take every event that comes my way, but that wouldn’t be fair for “me” and certainly would not be fair for “you”.

Happy Hunting.

Have you thought about how you want your wedding reception to end?  There are two trains of thought in the disc jockey industry.  One is to finish the party with a bang.  Get the crowd hot and sweaty and clamoring for more.  The other is to end with a Circle of Love or some other type of finish that includes a nice, slow, romantic dance that welcomes everyone to the dance floor.

Will you be slipping away in a limo or staying with your family to help with the clean up?  Do you want a last group hug or to the excitement of that last rousing song that had you swinging, swaying and jumping?  Do you have the availability to extend your time with the venue and the DJ, or must you be out of the room by a certain time?

Whatever you decide, be sure to let your DJ know how you feel so they can program their music appropriately.  You can select your own last dance or leave it up to your DJ.

Favors can be a nice "thank you" to your bridal party and guests. They can be as simple as candied almonds or chocolate kisses to very nice "trinkets".
Be careful of DJ companies advertising that they will provide "CD favors" of your favorite songs for all you guests. As the law is written, this is illegal.

The recording industry has determined a maximum penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment and $250,000 dollars fine for EACH song. We have seen and heard on the news of housewives, preteen children and such being sued by these agencies. The original Napster, Audiogalaxy, E-Donkey and Bearshare have been shut down, and now, even Limewire is under the microscope.

Will the RIAA actually burst into your wedding and haul off everyone for "bootlegged" music? Well....I've never heard of it done and I doubt these agencies want that type of press. Also...It would not gain them very much financially, so why spend the time and energy pursuing your event?
My point is this. I'm sure most of us have gone over the speed limit on the highways before, but, it does not really hurt anyone as long as an accident was not caused by this, and, unless we get pulled over, no real harm is done. But, when we download or copy an artist’s song without paying them for it, we are in effect "stealing" from them, and if they are not going to make any money....why perform. Sure, some may do it just because they love making music, but, if they don't get paid somewhere....they don't eat.

Look at it another way. You go to work and put in a 40 hour week only to be told "Thanks" at the end of the week and nothing more. The Artists that get download from a file sharing site don't even get a thank you.
So, back to my point, if your DJ is willing to steal a bunch of songs to hand out to all your guests....What other unethical practices do they participate in? Cash under the table? No insurance? No income tax?
Just something to think about.

As far as favors go, will your guest really remember your special day because they received some trinket? Maybe. But, too often I have seen many of these favors left behind because they carry no real "meaning" for those that receive them. So.....How much of your budget was spent on favors that won't be apprciated? Be carful when being talked into those little jars of bubbles, or the little tinkling bells. They may be cute but do they really add to the overall event success? That money might better be spent on other things that mean more to you. You need to decide if you want to spend $500 on favors and only $400 on your entertainment. The choice is yours.

Sorry if I scared you.

When planning on floral centerpeices, be careful! If the spread is too large or too tall, your guests at opposite ends of the table will not be able to see each other as they talk during cocktails and dinner. A lot of times they will move the flowers onto the floor so they can see accross the table, making all your planning and decorating go out the window. Kind of expensive to have your beautiful displys on the floor.

Photo's are an important part of your wedding process so make sure you buget accordingly. I'm sure "uncle Fred" has a beautiful camera but if he doesn't have the eye and the know how to take your wedding pictures....you should leave it to a professional. At our wedding, we just bought a whole bunch of film and sat it out for anyone to use and to give us copies of the prints. We got no pictures with us with my family or Diana's family. A lot of "moments" got missed.

Meet with a few and find one that fits your "style" and see's what you want. Watch out for the ones that "have nice gear" but don't have many years ofexperience behind them. A true professional will "shadow"an established photographer for some time before they go out on their own. Make sure you look at their work.

Venues are listed in alphabetical order by town name.

Estes Park

Aspen Lodge - Three beautiful ceremony sites and an awesome view of Long's Peak from the Long's Peak room for your reception.  Amber and Paula will take good care of you.

Big Horn Mountain Lodge - For the small wedding on a budget this is a great reception site.  A nice fireplace, bar set up, wooden deck.  Bring in your own food and Diana really likes playing here.

Black Canyon Inn - Rosemary will help you have the wedding of your dreams.  Three beautiful ceremony sites.  Backup room availabe on the outside chance of inclement weather.

Della Terra - What a view, what a venue!  A lovely secluded mountain location.

Mary's Lake Lodge - Breathtaking view of Mary's Lake in the Rocky Mountains.  Great staff who will treat you well.

Lakeshore Lodge - Right on the shore of Lake Estes with a pretty ceremony site with the lake as a backdrop.  The look of a lodge on the outside with the upscale feel of a nice hotel on the inside.  Enjoy the panaramic view of the mountains. Sandy and Patti have a terrific crew that will make your wedding day special.

The Stanley Hotel - Angie, Morgan, and Candace are wonderful to work with.

The View at Historic Crags Lodge - with the best wedding coordinator on a venue site, Keelee Doan.

Twin Owls Steakhouse - Sharing property with the Black Canyon Inn provides you a two for one with a rustic mountain lodge and beautiful views of the Twin Owls mountain feature.  Talk to Sandra.

YMCA of the Rockies - Teresa is the new coordinator at the YMCA but she is not new to taking care of people.  Give her a call for info on ceremony sites and reception facilities.  They also have lots of lodging so your guests and family can come out for your wedding and have a family reunion as well.  Three chapels and two outdoor ceremony s

A 2009 Amercian Wedding Study conducted by Brides.com complied some interesting statistics about wedding budgets.  Spending may be up, but people are being smarter about how they are investing their money.  In 2009 the average traditional wedding cost $28, 082 and the average destination wedding cost $27, 981.

However, as always, statistics can be misleading.  One or two weddings on the expensive side can really raise the average.  Here are some figures that are a little more helpful.

1. 27% will spend less than $10,000.
2. 27% will spend between $10,000 and $20,000
3. 25% will spend between $20,000 and $35,000
4. 21% will spend over $35,000 on your wedding

This does not include the cost of the rings.  By the way, up to 39% of you will spend more than you budgeted.  The most expensive parts of your wedding will be the reception and the photography.  And this is why it is so critical to figure out your priorities before you start spending any money. I personally know of one bride who was so ga-ga over a venue  that she spent over 1/3 third of her entire budget to book the location.  She spent another 1/3 on the venue recommended caterer.  When she began purchasing her other wedding services she was dismayed to learn that she couldn't have much of what she wanted because she had no money left.

Engagement Rings - 24% of you will be wearing a ring that cost between $1,000.00 and $2,499.00.  44% percent of you will have a ring that ranges in price between $2.500.00 and $9,999.00.  2% of you will have an engagement ring that is valued at over $25,000.00

Video is a wondeful addition to your wedding memories and can be enhanced if your DJ/MC has the skills to give your videographer what is called a "direct feed" directly from the mixing console. What this means is that sound and music goes directly into the video camera without interference from outside noises such as wind, guests and other outside distractions, giving you cleaner sound makes your memories much more enjoyable than just hanging a michrophone on a speaker.

Wedding coordinators are a wonderful thing. Taking the stressful planning off of your shoulders and figuring out what to do and when to do it. They help find the vendors that match your needs and keep the day flowing based on what your wishes are. They can see to it that everything you desire gets done so you can relax and enjoy. However, when it's time for the reception, let your professional entertainer take the helm for the musical portion of the evening. That's why you hired them.

A professional entertainer/DJ will have a comprehensive planner that you and they fill out so they know what you desire to make you and your guests welcome and to insure that a great time is had by all. A professional entertainer will have the skills to "read" how your family and friends are reacting to certain types of music and can adapt instantly to changes. You hired them because you like them and trust their judgement to keep your reception flowing. Let them weave their magic without a heavy hand overseeing everything they do. A coordinator is part of the team you assembled to help remove the stress from you, let each one do what they do best.....Work as a team.