July 10th, 2010
 Today with easy access to countless songs you would think that downloading your favorite hits and attaching your iPod to a set of speakers would eliminate the need for a DJ at your wedding, right? Well, before you make that decision, consider this.
What Does a DJ Do Anyway?
A professional DJ does more than just hit the play button of a set of songs. They act as the MC and music coordinator of your wedding.
They announce the bridal party, alert guests when it’s time for toasts and make sure you’re spotlighted when you do your first dance or when you dance with your parent or other special guests.
The DJ also will work with the catering staff to choose the right music at the right time so that guests can enjoy their meal with an appropriate soundtrack and make announcements when the various courses are being served so guests can return to their seats.
Let’s Get This Party Started!
A good DJ will also interact with your guests and distribute any party props (hats, horns, glow sticks, etc.) you may have chosen and lead your guests onto the floor if you’re tossing the bouquet and the garter.
If you’re doing line or ethnic dances, they may teach the guests the steps and encourage even your most shy guests to get on their feet.
The right professional disc jockey also can stir the crowd and get them excited but most of all, they’ll be able to read the crowd so they’ll know what type of music seems to appeal to your guests the most. That’s something that’s difficult to judge when you’re creating your own play list.
Uh-oh! What happened to the music?
As sound professionals, they’ll know the best place to set up their equipment to achieve the best acoustics for your room. And should a speaker break or there is other equipment failure, they’ll likely be able to resolve the issue quickly and/or have back-up equipment available.
When music is as important to your wedding’s success as it usually is, do you still think that an iPod, speakers and pre-determined play list is your best choice?
Looking for other wedding planning tips? Browse through our wedding categories above on the top right.
Tags: disc jockey, djs, ipods, wedding music
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July 6th, 2010
Most couples think of destination weddings taking place on an exotic island. But if you’re more of an uptown girl rather than a beach baby, consider holding your destination wedding in one of America’s major cities.
While lavish weddings are undoubtedly more costly in big cities, there are generally numerous venues and options available that will suit virtually any budget.
Big Apple Wedding
New York – the city that never sleeps – can be the ideal wedding location because it offers so many options. Whether you want to get married in one of the iconic hotels, walk down the aisle in Central Park, arrive by rickshaw or hansom cab, or get married in Chinatown and have your reception in Little Italy, New York City is the place to be.
If you’re on a small budget, take a tip from “Sex and the City’s” Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big and get married in the City’s legendary City Hall and then host a brunch or luncheon at one of the city’s more famous deli’s or trendy but affordable restaurants. Or take your small wedding group to one of its many skyscrapers with its unparallel vistas of New York to say, “I do.”
Perhaps you’d like to get married sailing along the Hudson and East River with the infamous New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty as your backdrop. There are numerous sailing vessels that will enable you to do this.
Whatever you can dream you can find in New York City. From the Bowery to Broadway, from the Upper East Side to Tribeca, from SoHo to NoHo, there’s a New York City neighborhood that’s perfect for your wedding.
Windy City Wedding
Chicago is another great U.S. city that boasts an array of beautiful scenery and spectacular wedding sites. Whether your want the fun of city’s famous pier or you choose to have a beach wedding on Lake Michigan with the cityscape backdrop, Chicago offers a variety of settings to suit your style and budget. Like New York, Chicago is home to famous hotels, fascinating museums, world class dining and the city’s signature deep-dish pizza.
The Nation’s Capital
Washington, D.C. easily has some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks for your patriotic wedding. Imagine your photos with the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial or The White House in the background.
Marry in springtime among the cherry blossoms or set your wedding in one of the city’s historic and elegant venues where many of history’s great have dined and danced. The District of Columbia has played host to virtually every world leader. Now it can play host to you and your fiancé as you become another legendary power couple.
Vegas, Baby!
If you’re looking for an extensive variety of entertainment options and remarkable venues for you and your guests, Las Vegas is the place. And there’s more choices of places to get married than the little chapels the town is famous for.
With a variety of themed resorts, you can get the feeling of being married in Paris, Rome, Venice, New York, Monte Carlo, Mandalay Bay, New York City or any number of other diverse-themed venues. Travel the world and through time in Las Vegas and yet never leave the Strip.
Look for more ideas for Destination Weddings in our Part 2 of Bright Lights, Big City. Or, browse any of our categories of wedding planning tips that interest you. Our list of categories are located at the top right of this page. Just click on any category to browse its tips.
Tags: destination wedding planning, Destination weddings
Posted in Destination weddings, Planning a Wedding | 1 Comment »
July 2nd, 2010
If you have not already read Part 1: Renting a Limousine for Your Wedding, you may want to start there first and then come back to this more detailed set of considerations. Like us, you probably have other questions. Lets get started! Here is our list . . .
Timing Counts
- When does the rental time start?
- Is it from the time the limo leaves the company or when it arrives at your home?
Little details – Nice or Musts?
- Does the vehicle(s) come equipped with appropriate heating and/or air conditioning?
- How will the driver(s) be dressed?
- Do they have a “Just Married” sign available or can you affix your own sign?
Company Quality
- How large is their fleet?
- Do they have a backup available on your wedding day if your vehicle breaks down?
- Can you reserve a specific vehicle so that you don’t have a “bait and switch” situation where you inspected one car but get one of lesser quality?
- How long has the company been in business?
- Can they provide you with references?
- Are they properly licensed and insured?
Any Extra Cost Options?
- Is the tip/gratuity/mileage included in the price or is there an extra charge?
- Are beverages available and is there an additional fee?
- Are tolls, if any, included in the fee?
With so many things to take into consideration, you can easily see why the lowest price isn’t always the ‘best deal’. Looking for more wedding planning tips? Browse this page or click on a category link or enter a topic into our search box (both are on the right side above).
Tags: limousine tips, Renting a Limousine
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June 25th, 2010
You will likely want to arrive in style at your wedding and/or reception rather than jamming yourself and your gown into your car or that of a friend. So choosing a limousine service is one of the best ways for you to arrive at your wedding relaxed and in comfort.
What’s Your Style?
One of the first things you’ll have to decide is how many people will the limousine be transporting. Next you’ll want to choose the type and color of limo(s) you’ll need.
Would you prefer a standard stretch, a super stretch, an SUV, a party limo, a mini bus, a Bentley or a Rolls Royce?
Are We There Yet?
You’ll also need to determine how many hours you’ll need the car. There is usually a three-hour minimum but you’ll need to determine if that’s sufficient time or how much is charged for overtime rates should you become delayed or if you need the limo for longer than their minimum time.
See For Yourself!
While it may be tempting to do all of your checking online or over the phone, once you’ve narrowed down your search, make an appointment to visit the limousine companies to inspect the condition of their vehicles.
Pictures are often deceptive and you will want to make sure that the car you’ve chosen has a reasonably low mileage and is well maintained. Don’t forget, many of your photos will involve the car and you also want to be reasonably certain that the car isn’t going to break down.
I Have Some Questions . . .
You probably realize there are other items you will want to consider before making a decision or hiring a limousine.
We have prepared a list of questions – so you can keep reading our Part 2: Renting a Limousine for Your Wedding. Its one of our many wedding planning tips in this blog.
Tags: limousine tips, Renting a Limousine
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June 18th, 2010
 A friend of mine recently had the opportunity to attend two weddings in one week. The story is emotionally rewarding so am sharing it with you.
The first was a beautiful, elaborate wedding held at an elegant country club with all of the festivities you’d expect at a celebration that took more than a year of planning, with hundreds of guests and costing tens of thousands of dollars.
The second was a last-minute celebration that was small, intimate and totally delightful.
Marriage on Short Notice
The second couple became engaged a week before and, deciding that they would rather spend their money on paying off student loans and building a nest egg for a down payment on a house rather than a big reception, chose to get married without any fanfare in a civil service at City Hall followed by a small luncheon of close family and friends within a week after their engagement.
But since this was a close-knit Italian family, the thought of a simple luncheon was deemed not festive enough for such a special celebration so the family spun into action and created a beautiful surprise reception for the happy couple.
Wedding Planners Galore
Invitations were sent by phone and e-mail. The groom’s brother-in-law made arrangements with a favorite Italian restaurant for a private room. The bride’s sister-in-law made bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages for the small bridal party and special family members.
The groom’s grandparents hosted the luncheon as their wedding gift and the groom’s aunt decorated the couple’s chairs and created charming centerpieces that served as décor and wedding favors with items found at dollar and party stores. A cousin who also was the maid of honor took pictures throughout the ceremony and reception. In short, it was truly a family affair.
Vicariously Attended Ceremony
Since the couple wasn’t able to invite everyone to the ceremony in the small wedding chapel at City Hall, the photos of the ceremony was set up as a scrolling scrapbook on a laptop at the reception site so everyone who couldn’t attend the ceremony still had a sense of being there.
An Intimate Spectacular
A wedding cake was hastily ordered from a local supermarket but was as lovely and delicious as one created with months of planning.
The bride wore an exquisite white cocktail dress with a decidedly bridal feel complete with “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” and the groom was handsome in a dark suit.
When they entered the beautifully decorated restaurant room as the guests waved ribbon wands, they were overcome by the spectacle that their family created to make their wedding day even more special.
Food and drink flowed, and laughter, toasts and stories abounded. And while the only music that was there was piped in from the restaurant’s sound system, not one of the 20 guests or happy couple missed the dancing and traditional wedding fanfare.
Their budget was under $1,500 so I guess it’s true that all you need is love to have a wonderful wedding that will be fondly remembered always.
Tags: intimate wedding, short notice wedding, something blue
Posted in Wedding Ideas | 2 Comments »
June 12th, 2010
If you’re invited to the wedding of a friend who is holding a typical Jewish wedding ceremony, you’ll notice that there are some parts of the service that are quite different than Christian ceremonies.
Here’s a quick primer to help you to understand the parts of the ceremony that are rich in Jewish tradition.
Breaking of Glass
One of the most recognizable moments in a Jewish wedding ceremony comes at the end of the service when the groom breaks a glass that’s been wrapped in fabric.
This represents the destruction of the Holy Temple in Israel and when the glass is broken the wedding guests shout “Mazel Tov!” which means good luck. Mazel means luck and Tov means good.
Poles of Fabric or Flowers
The couple is married under a chuppah. This is generally made of fabric suspended on four poles or from above. Today the chuppah can be made from fabric, flowers or other materials.
In current times, the chuppah represents the new home of the bride and groom but in the ancient past it was thought to shield the couple from evil eyes.
Elaborate Unveiling
The bride is often elaborately veiled before the ceremony. This is called the badecken.
It’s said that this custom comes from a biblical story in the Old Testament where Jacob, who worked for seven years to gain permission to marry his true love, Rachel, was tricked at the altar and forced to marry Rachel’s sister, Leah, who was heavily veiled.
It wasn’t until after they were married that Jacob realized the deception.
Now, to avoid the same fate, the bride’s veil is lowered or raised before the ceremony so the groom can be assured he’s marrying the right woman.
Walking in Circles
Another part of the ceremony that is still often incorporated into the service is when the bride circles the groom three or seven times during what is called the hakafot.
One theory for this tradition is that it shows that the bride considers the groom to now be the center of her life. Another theory states that the bride is shielding her groom from evil spirits who may try to keep him from the happiness of his wedding.
So the next time you’re invited to or participate in a Jewish wedding, you can appreciate the ceremony while remembering the long history that goes into each of its aspects.
Need more information such as bridal tips or wedding planning tips? Browse this page and or go to the top, right column and either click on a category of interest or else enter the topic into our search box.
Tags: jewish wedding ceremony, jewish wedding traditions
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June 5th, 2010
So Many Options!
You’ve selected the perfect wedding gown and now you have to choose a headpiece. With so many options these days, this selection process can be as challenging as finding the right dress. Here are some tips to help make your shopping less stressful.
 etsy.com/FascinatingCreations Gown and Hair Style Come First
When you’ve selected your gown, be sure to take a photo of you wearing the sample dress. Then head to your hairdresser to decide the best hairstyle to work with your dress, your face and your hair type. This decision is essential in deciding the type of headpiece to buy. Hair combs, vintage-style hats, crowns, tiaras, head bands, flowers and more options are available to you but you want to choose a style that works best with your dress and your hair. Unless you have chosen a very simple dress and you want to add a visual punch, your headpiece should enhance rather than detract from your dress.  etsy.com/ChamberryCherry What to Wear When Shopping
If you’re shopping for your headpiece in a store other than the bridal salon where you purchased your gown, what you wear when shopping is also important. Wear a white top or dress whose neckline mimics the general style of your gown (strapless, spaghetti straps, portrait neckline, and so forth) so that you’ll have a better sense of how the headpiece will look with your dress. While you don’t necessarily have to have your hair done professionally to go shopping, you should try to achieve a similar affect to how you will be wearing your hair on your wedding day.
Entangling Attachments
When looking at headpieces, look for details such as loops or straps that will allow you to pin your headpiece securely to your head without detracting from the look. You may even want to try moving about and dancing to make sure that you can comfortably and securely wear the headpiece throughout your long and active wedding day. If you’re wearing a veil, you may want to look for one that can be easily detached for the reception. Too many brides find that they can’t dance comfortably or that their long veil gets caught on jewelry and entangled with guests during their reception.
Use these bridal tips and you’ll look lovely and be comfortable from head to toe on your wedding day.
Posted in Bridal Tips, Fashion | Add a comment »
May 31st, 2010
Fortunes in Wedding Cakes
The history of wedding cakes is varied greatly by culture. In ancient Rome, a small barley cake was partially eaten by the groom who then broke the rest of the cake over his bride’s head to symbolize prosperity.
In England, cakes were stacked on top of each other and the bridal couple who was able to kiss over the top of them without toppling the cakes would also be able to look forward to a prosperous future.
However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that sugar was more plentiful in Europe and white icing began to appear on cakes.
The white color came from the whiteness of the sugar and it was thought that it also represented the bride’s virginity. Since sugar was still relatively expensive among the poorer members of society, it meant that the whiter the cake, the more prosperous the bride’s family.
What are Honeymoons Made of?
In the ancient past, after the wedding, the bride and groom would hide away from the bride’s family for a length of time. During that period, the couple would drink a fermented honey wine known as mead. Mead was originally developed by monks for medicinal purposes.
Due to its high alcoholic content, however, it also was thought to raise a person’s spirits and since brides were often kidnapped by grooms and forced into marriages, it was founds that the honey wine would make the bride more agreeable to consummate the marriage and, presumably, before the next full moon, she would become pregnant. Thus, the term “honeymoon” was coined.
Gift Giving: Dowries and Bridal Showers
In olden days a bride’s father paid the groom or gave him a dowry for marrying his daughter. The dowry could take the form of money but in general it consisted of a variety of items to help them start their household. It also could be livestock, a plot of land to start a farm or useful tools to help the groom be able to make a living.
However, if a man wanted to marry a woman and her father was poor and unable to provide a dowry, family and friends would often gift items to the bride and her father so that she could have a dowry and marry her young man. It is said that these gifts would be “showered” upon her. Hence, the custom of bridal gifts purchased for her bridal showers.
Its amazing what traditions we carry forward, often with knowing the original meaning or reason. Do you have any suggestions on which we should continue and which should fade into the past? Add your thought below.
Wedding Planning Tips Blogger
Tags: bridal showers, dowry, honeymoon, wedding cakes
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May 29th, 2010
 Woman's Corset, Circa 1878, Wikipedia Tying the Knot
This expression came from the time when brides wore corsets which were tied in the back with many knots leaving it to the groom to undo the knots of her corset so that the marriage could be consummated.
Leap Year Proposals
Hundreds of years ago, under British law, February 29th had no legal significance. It was a day that was “leapt over” and consequently leap year was “born.”
Since the day wasn’t officially recognized, people came to believe that common social rules were to be ignored on that day. So unmarried women who had no likely prospects in their future could take matters into their own hands and propose marriage to the man of their choice.
 Be Careful, Clara, that's a Fine Specimen, Circa 1908, Wikipedia Bridal Attendants For Good Luck
The concept of bridal attendants stems back to a superstitious time many years ago when the bride and her female friends and family members would dress alike to confuse evil spirits who might try to attack or snatch away the bride since she was believed to be filled with good spirits and good luck on her wedding day.
Today, while the bride now traditionally wears white, her attendants often still dress in the same color and/or attire.
Are Wedding or Engagement Rings Returnable?
Thousands of years ago during the reign of the Romans, an engagement ring or wedding band was used as a “down payment” by the groom to show that he was legally promising to marry a young woman and therefore it served to “bind” the marriage contract.
Other cultures may use similar symbols but with different origins or meanings. What other traditions or versions of these traditions have you heard? Do you have any old bridal tips to share?
Tags: bridesmaids, engagement rings, leap year, tying the knot, wedding band
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Today with easy access to countless songs you would think that downloading your favorite hits and attaching your iPod to a set of speakers would eliminate the need for a DJ at your wedding, right? Well, before you make that decision, consider this.
