Ending the Evening
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.
September 2010
Brides, save time and sanity at bridal shows. Have address labels with your name, address, email address, phone number, and wedding date already printed when you attend the show. It will save you a ton of writing the same information over and over and over and ...
Be aware that when you complete the registrations forms you are giving permission to wedding professionals to contact you about services you are interested in. This can be very helpful to you when trying to chose one service or product over another. At the show you can very easily become overwhelmed talking to 100 or more vendors.
And I love this tip which I received from my nephew's fiancee. Use your cell phone to take photos of professionals you really liked. It will help you to remember them and why you liked their product or service. What a great way to remember who impressed you and who didn't!
August 2010 #2 - Honeymoon Travel Packing Checklist compiled by Elegala.com
Packing is less of a chore when you know what to bring with you, and what to leave at home. You’ve picked your vacation style, you’ve decided where and when to go, you’ve chosen your accommodations, you’ve figured out ways to save…let the packing begin! There is a fine line between too much and too little when it comes to gathering your belongings: too much and you’ll be plagued by an unmanageable load; too little and you’ll find yourself buying what you didn’t bring. With flowers and tulle still on your mind, you may want to use our packing checklist to get you through the seemingly endless piles of questionable belongings.
August 2010
When I was planning my wedding I was so excited to look at flowers, taste cakes, and make decisions about a ton of things to make my wedding day awesome. As someone whose dad was a firefighter I also thought about guests safety. I know, makes me a little weird, right?
But I have just been reading about the 41 women and children who died in the wedding fire in Kuwait. If you think it can't happen here in the United States I am sorry to say you are wrong. I can't begin to count the number of times I performed in a venue that crowded way to many people in a room. Recently I was at a country club and when the guests were all in their seats there was very little room between the tables. You literally sucked in your tummy and hoped your tush wasn't too big because you were trying to wedge yourself in between chairs to get around. If that room had caught fire I am quite certain people would have died that day.
July 2010 #2 - The Money Dance
The Money Dance - loved by some, hated by others. Very common in some cultures and never heard of in others. What does it mean to you? Some guests see it as a money grabbing scheme while others see it as an opportunity to have a few special moments alone with the bride or groom to congratulate them on their marriage. But one bride saw it an entirely different way. She is a vet and instead of a money dance she had a doggy dance. All the music had a dog theme such as Hound Dog by Elvis Presley or Atomic Dog by George Clinton. The guests still presented a monetary amount to dance with the bride and groom but the money went to the local Humane Society. Is this something you might like to try? What charity would you like to benefit from your money dance?
Even if you choose not to benefit a charity with your money dance, you still might want to consider the type of music to be played. Do you want to swing dance with your guests or would you prefer something slower so you can chat with each other? Who will announce your money dance and how will the money be collected? Ask yourself, what message is this sending to my guests?
And do call it a money dance, not the dollar dance. When you use the term "dollar" it puts a label in people's mind of how much to spend. With the use of the word money you might just find yourself collecting fives, tens, and twenties.
July 2010 (Geared towards brides, but useful to all)
Your wedding is in a lovely venue or a nice outdoor site but there is one glitch. One part of the room or the site is ugly! How do you compensate for that? Several years ago I attended a convention for professionals in the special event industry. One of the workshops was on this very issue. The suggestion made by professionals from throughout the industry? Have one focal point. Do something that draws the eye of your guests toward something special. As a bride you are in luck because you have a couple of possible focal points. You! Yes, remember that your guests will be looking at the two of you. Your wedding cake is also another possible focal point. Or the head table. Use an arch made of flowers or balloons that visually says, "Hey, look here!". Then your guests won't notice that floor is a little worn or that the view out that one window is looking at a brick wall.
A real world example: A couple is getting married at Foote Lagoon in Loveland Colorado. They will be standing on the fountain platform (which is also a stage for concerts). Because it has been abused by water from the fountain, it is not the prettiest place to look at. What can the bride and groom do to cover a five foot diameter platform? Outdoor carpet. Fairly inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors and can be reused later on the patio of your new home. I suggest any color except white. You do not want the floor to compete with you looking gorgeous in your wedding gown. And remember, your friends and family are looking at you, not the floor.
June 2010
I've been seeing a new trend this year in weddings and corporate events. One that I am sad to say I don't like. Imagine yourself as an invited guest at a friend's wedding. It quickly becomes apparent that you will be sitting outside while all the action is happening inside the building. You won't be able to see anything. Thankfully the entertainer has a speaker out where you are so you at least hear what is going on. Sure hope the weather stays nice. How did this happen?
Several possibilities exist as to why this happened. The venue was so desperate for your friend's business that they promised her seating they could not reasonably fulfill. Your friend absolutely fell in love with the venue and thought she could squeeze in 162 guests when the venue told her their max is 150. Or she and the groom couldn't figure out who to leave off the guest list. So, they invited 250 guests and hoped that only 150 would RSVP yes. In reality, 196 of you showed up.
When it comes to planning your own wedding, you must decide which is more important; sharing the day with all 150 of your family and friends or the gorgeous view from the venue that seats 75? Squeezing in even one more table of 8 people can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous if everyone needs to vacate the building quickly for any reason.
The flower has nothing to do with any of the tips. I just took this picture after an event we did in Glenwood Springs, Colorado on June 6, 2009. I hope it brightens your day the way it did mine.
May 2010
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the party inside is so delightful, let it snow, let it rain, let it blow. (With apologies to Cahn and Styne)
I love Colorado! April 16th through the 18th we had rain, slush, snow, and lots of wind. Five days later we were outside enjoying 80 degree temps and getting our early season sunburn. As you organize your Colorado wedding, picnic, or other outdoor party be sure you have a Plan B. ADDENDUM: Here it is June 2 and we are still getting lots of rain with more predicted for the rest of the week. How is your plan B?
April 2010
It is very easy, when planning a party, to get caught up in the pageantry of the event. With the recent loss of Diana's mother we are inspired to remind you that your party is about the people. The heady scent of beautiful flowers will last a week. An excellent meal is a pleasure to be enjoyed. And nicely dressed tables with fancy chair covers are a feast for the eyes. BUT, without people, the room is just a room. It doesn't become a party until your family, friends, or co-workers join you. As you do your planning remember the reason you are really putting so much time and energy into your event. It is about community, belonging, enjoying each other's company, with just the right amount of style and flair.
March 2010
How many times have you heard the phrase, "If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is"? Or maybe, "You get what you pay for." Cliches exist for a reason. However, during turbulent economic times you can find some good deals. But, the buyer beware caveat still holds.
Why is the deal being offered? Just as a freeze may cause a shortage and higher prices of one product, another product may have an over abundance due to ideal growing conditions that created overstock. How does that affect your wedding purchases? If fewer brides were getting married you might see lower prices on some items. And from what I have seen Colorado is seeing fewer brides in 2009. But we are seeing an uptick in 2010 brides. So now might be a good time to look for some deals for your 2009 wedding.
In looking for the bargains ask yourself, "Is this vendor pricing themselves in such a way that they will still be in business when my wedding actually happens?" Since music and entertainment is what I know best it is the area I can most easily share with you. In any given year you can find approximately three dozen DJs listed in the northern Colorado phone books. Upon closer look and year by year comparison you will find that about two dozen of them only last two, maybe three years. A core group of a dozen companies remain. Most of them have been in business since the mid to late 70's. They are the true professionals; DJs, MCs, entertainers and businessmen. When hiring that DJ for $75 per hour ask yourself, what the likelyhood is that he/she will still be in business when your wedding rolls around.
Which brings us to my final point for this tip. Ask your DJ what provisions he/she has made in the event of their untimely demise. I have been in contact with one poor gentleman who paid for his July wedding in full at the time he booked his DJ. Sadly the DJ died last January. This groom can't get anyone to return his phone calls, emails, or letters. He has no idea what is going on and has been told by his lawyer that he will have to file with the court once the DJ's estate has gone into probate. Who needs that stress? He doesn't know if he'll get his money back and now he has no DJ.
February 2010
In today's economy it is especially important that you watch your wedding budget carefully so you are not wasting money. Your appetizers is one area that can dramatically affect your budget.
- Exotic Items - Don't waste your money on foreign or exotic appetizers if your guests are meat and potatoes people. Last year one of my brides spent $200 on a tray of appetizers that was ignored once the word got around about the goat cheese wrapped in steamed grape leaves. Her guests just didn't like it.
- Chicken on a Stick - Unless you are serving a vegetarian meal it makes no sense to serve a meat dish as part of your appetizers. Save money here.
- No more than three choices, two is better - Appetizers are just that, appetizers. You do not need to make so much food available that your guests are stuffed before they get to the main course.
- Easy to eat - Try to avoid appetizers that will roll around on someone's plate. They are often standing and chatting with other guests rather than sitting down so it helps if the appetizers stay on the plate.
January 2010
On your wedding day you will be on the go all day. Running to get your hair done or meeting the photographer for photos. Then it's time for the ceremony, more photos, and then more photos. Jump in the limo with your wedding party and photographer and off to the reception where you are still surrounded by all your family and friends. You will not have a moment alone with each other until the party is over and you fall into bed exhausted. Take an extra step, plan to have at least 10 minutes for just the two of you between the ceremony and reception. A limo ride with just the two of you. Or perhaps the church has a room you can use to share your joy in having married each other. Yes, your wedding day is a big celebration but don't forget it is really about the two of you. Take a moment for yourselves.
December 2009
A sweetheart table is a lovely thought and a nice way for the two of you to be alone yet still with all your guests at your wedding. However, it also isolates you from your wedding attendants. Sometimes you just want to turn to your best man or maid of honor and say something to them that would mean more or be funnier than telling it to your new spouse. So before getting a sweetheart table just give it an extra thought or two.
November 2009
Have you been to three or four events that were all the same. Cookie cutter versions of each other? Make your party different. Inject your own personal style into it.
For example, at a recent wedding the groom was a big fishing fan. The bride surprised him with a groom's cake in the shape of a Rainbow Trout. As it was being brought from the kitchen we played You Can't Catch Fish which is a parody of You Can't Touch This. It was a big hit and everyone will remember that moment. It was one of several things the couple did to make the wedding their own.
For family reunions, birthdays, or company parties you can usually come up with one or two ideas that will be special to your group.
October 2009
Be sure to let both the venue/caterer and the vendors know if you are providing vendor meals. We recently worked a wedding where the photographer, event coordinator and the DJ had all been told by the bride that they were included in the meal count. However, there was not a specific seating chart for them and the venue said they knew nothing about it so they refused to feed the vendors. I just hope that the customer didn't end up paying for meals that were never eaten. When creating your seating plan determine where you want to have the vendors sit and then be sure to let them and the venue know.
September 2009
What could be more frustrating than trying to carry on a conversation with someone whose face you can't see? Design your centerpieces so that they are either above or below face level. Here is a picture to show what I mean. There are two lovely ladies on the other side of these tulips but you can hardly see them because the flowers are too tall.
August 2009
Outdoor events can be absolutely gorgeous. And an outdoor reception can be a lot of fun. Just remember for the comfort of you and your guests, let them know in advance that the party will be outdoors. Even more important if it will be on lawn so that the ladies know not to wear the latest 5" heels.
Your memories of your event should be pleasant, so make sure you have plenty of water, suntan lotion and mosquito spray available for your guests. Because it is hard to spray your face you may also want to invest in insect repellent packets that can be carefully wiped on your face. Finally, if guests will be bringing small children in strollers you may wish to consider having an area with netting or some netting to place over the stroller to protect the little ones.