Music is one of the most important considerations for your wedding. It will set the tone of your event from start to finish, and it's an imprint of who you and your beloved are as a couple. On the other hand, you don't want to pull your hair out making the music selections either. Listen to the words (if there are any), but most importantly, pay attention to how a certain song makes you feel. It it feels good, it's probably the right song. If you don't already have a large selection of music, you can check out some sample options at the Wedding Wire song page.
Here's how the folks at Ensemble Elan suggest making your picks:
A GUIDE TO CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING MUSIC
Q: What song absolutely melts your heart?
A: That's your Processional.
Q: What song could you hear over and over without tiring of it?
A: That could be for your attendants.
Q: What song honors your family?
A: That's the "Seating of the Mothers"
Q: What song reminds you of when you fell in love?
A: That's your First Dance.
Planning for your reception dance music is a lot less controlled. Pick a great band or DJ that fits your style. It's important that they understand the atmosphere you want to create. If there are special songs the band will need to learn, make sure you inform them in writing at least 4 months before the wedding. If some of your picks are not performance-friendly, the band could play those on CD during their breaks.
After you've given your band or DJ a list of DO NOT PLAY songs and a very short list of songs you absolutely want to hear, trust them to keep your guests entertained. You will still need someone to communicate the order and timing of the toasts, special dances and bouquet toss, etc. (Hopefully, a wedding planner). But the entertainers should be clear on what you want to hear months ahead of the wedding.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Cutting the Wedding Budget – Without the Pain
So you’re planning your wedding and find it’s not so easy to squeeze a $50,000 wedding out of your $30,000 budget. Here are some almost painless budget-trimming tips from Cherished Events, Inc:
Ask yourself if it will matter in 10 years
No one is going to remember the car you pulled up in unless it was something out of the ordinary or involved a horse and carriage. Even if you were dreaming of driving off into the sunset in that 1965 white convertible, if it doesn’t fit in the budget, skip it. Besides, the bridal party can decorate your usual mode of transportation with “Just Married” signs just as well and, it will actually make for more interesting pictures later. Whether or not they had a great time is what your guests are going to remember most anyway.
Who said Saturday was best?
Everyone loves a Saturday, but for several thousands in discounts, most of us could learn to like Friday or Sunday just as well. More venues and vendors that are hard to get will be available. To boot, Fridays can actually be more advantageous since it gives the couple the whole weekend to recuperate or have a family brunch and still catch that honeymoon flight to Rome.
What about the band
There is another alternative besides a DJ for the couple that really wants a band, but doesn’t have $5,000 or more to spend. A hybrid consisting of one singer instead of three along with a scaled down ensemble of musicians accompanied by recorded music would fool the senses. Ask the band of interest if they would be willing to offer a hybrid option for you. It should cut your cuts by at least 40%.
Dressing the part
Before you shell out thousands for that Vera Wang dress you love (we would not think of suggesting you choose another), you may want to check out a wedding dress consignment shop. Stores like Sabrina Ann (http://www.sabrinaann.com/) near Philadelphia, carry brand new and once-worn designer gowns. In one phone call, you could find out if they have the dress you’re looking for in stock.
See, we said it would be painless. Until next time, Happy Planning!
Ask yourself if it will matter in 10 years
No one is going to remember the car you pulled up in unless it was something out of the ordinary or involved a horse and carriage. Even if you were dreaming of driving off into the sunset in that 1965 white convertible, if it doesn’t fit in the budget, skip it. Besides, the bridal party can decorate your usual mode of transportation with “Just Married” signs just as well and, it will actually make for more interesting pictures later. Whether or not they had a great time is what your guests are going to remember most anyway.
Who said Saturday was best?
Everyone loves a Saturday, but for several thousands in discounts, most of us could learn to like Friday or Sunday just as well. More venues and vendors that are hard to get will be available. To boot, Fridays can actually be more advantageous since it gives the couple the whole weekend to recuperate or have a family brunch and still catch that honeymoon flight to Rome.
What about the band
There is another alternative besides a DJ for the couple that really wants a band, but doesn’t have $5,000 or more to spend. A hybrid consisting of one singer instead of three along with a scaled down ensemble of musicians accompanied by recorded music would fool the senses. Ask the band of interest if they would be willing to offer a hybrid option for you. It should cut your cuts by at least 40%.
Dressing the part
Before you shell out thousands for that Vera Wang dress you love (we would not think of suggesting you choose another), you may want to check out a wedding dress consignment shop. Stores like Sabrina Ann (http://www.sabrinaann.com/) near Philadelphia, carry brand new and once-worn designer gowns. In one phone call, you could find out if they have the dress you’re looking for in stock.
See, we said it would be painless. Until next time, Happy Planning!
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