Wedding Tips 6 10

1. Wedding Entertainment Picking out a disc jockey for your wedding entertainment can be very key to the success of the event. Below are some questions that should always be asked before saying 'how much do you charge?' 1. What type of party experience does your DJ have? Is he or she experienced enough to handle unforeseen circumstances that may arise. They should offer appropriate music during certain times. Dinner and cocktail music should be played during the meal and change to dance or upbeat music after, when the couple feels is appropriate. Additionally, the DJ should work well with other professionals, such as the caterer and photographer. 2. What type of events does your DJ regularly play? Obviously one would prefer the answer 'weddings.' Many disc jockeys serve other markets and only do weddings when one comes along. Weddings are unique from proms or clubs and should be treated that way by entertainers. There is certain etiquette that needs to be displayed in a wedding entertainer, and an inexperienced DJ can end up ruining your wedding reception. 3. Can the DJ provide local references? The key to a disc jockey service is repeat business and word of mouth advertising. Ask for phone numbers or email addresses of past customers and have questions prepared to ask them about their experiences with the DJ. 4. Is the disc jockey's price a good value? Shop around but don't settle for the bottom line. There are bargain DJ services where you get more than your money's worth. There are also services that will charge you too much. Watch out for companies that will try to take advantage of a couple preparing for a wedding. 5. What type of equipment will your DJ use? Make sure there is all professional equipment, no home speakers and home-built lights. You are hopefully hiring a professional who takes his job seriously. Make sure they have made an investment in equipment. Only expect the best. No bride and groom should have to worry about the microphone or speakers dying in the middle of their reception! 6. Will the DJ play a wide variety of music? You want to find a DJ that will entertain everyone at the reception. The music library should contain everything from big band , oldies, disco, country, rock, and should be on digital compact disc. They should also offer to purchase any of your special songs that they do not have in their music library. Also, ask for a sample music listing. 2. What do I do First? The day following your engagement, you run to the store to pick up every bridal magazine in sight. They are filled with photos of beautiful wedding gowns, rings, and articles on weddings. Some of the magazines give you a brief idea of what you need to do to plan your wedding, but you're still not sure how to start off the process. The key is to start organizing and planning earlier rather than later First, you need to create your own system to keep all the details in one place. You may choose to use a binder with a tab for each category you will be using. Examples of categories include: Bakery, Ceremony, Catering, Florist, Music, Reception, Photography and Transportation. An accordion file is another choice, using the same category tables. This way you will be able to see each category at a glance. Which system you choose is up to you, but use it consistently to keep track of all receipts, pictures, brochures, business cards etc. that is related to each category. Once you have your system in place, then you can begin the research. There are plenty of wedding-planning books on the market and countless online websites. Visit the bookstore or the library to pick up a book to help with the planning process. If you have friends who were recently married, ask them if they have a book you can borrow to save a few bucks. Next, find a wedding timetable layout. This will include a list of things 'to-do' for the entire time (months or years) before the big day. Some of the first things on the timeline may be: consulting with fiancé and parents to decide the budget and financial support available. Another may be deciding the number of guests you want to invite to your big day, deciding what type of wedding (formal or informal), or even interview some wedding coordinators. The timetable is a basic guideline. You can recreate it on your computer to fit your wedding and time line. Once you have an idea of all the details involved in planning a wedding, and all the time you will have to invest, then you can begin asking friends and families for help. Delegate tasks to help you check off all the 'to-dos' on our list by the time you arrive at your special day. 3. The Perfect Gown The token piece behind every girl's dream wedding as a child is that perfect gown. But once he pops the big question, how do you get started your quest for the right dress? Begin by looking through bridal magazines and wedding websites, attend bridal shows to familiarize yourself with the latest designer wedding dresses. Keep photos of the designers or designs you like. From the type, size and location of your reception, determine your budget and styles of wedding dresses you prefer. Contact friends and/or relatives for recommended bridal gown stores in your area. Start shopping as soon as you set our date. Most wedding dresses need to be special ordered. It could take 3 to 6 months for a special order or designer wedding dresses to arrive. Order at least 6 months prior to your reception. This will allow plenty of time for fittings, alterations, and coordination. If you decide to have your bridal gown custom made, allow about 6 months since selection of style, fabric and details along with fittings takes time. To save yourself some stress, try not to visit too many bridal shops in the same day. When you are fresh, and full of energy, you will be able to make sound judgments. On the other hand, if you are exhausted, you may be confused and come home with a cheap dress simply because you were tired. Bring along photos of wedding gowns you like and be open to discuss your plan and idea with a bridal consultant. The consultant will study your figure type and personality to help select the styles that flatter you and suit your budget. Bring a family member or friend for moral support and a second opinion. Avoid taking more than one person since too many opinions can conflict and confuse. Wear appropriate undergarments and a bit of makeup can make the dress look and fit better. Take a Polaroid camera along in case you can't decide. Take a picture of yourself wearing each dress and bring them home to study. Regardless of where you order your gown, a sales contract will be necessary, so make sure your decision is firm and there is no turning back. 4. Budget Savers Almost every couple struggles to stay within a budget for their wedding day. Here are a few tips to help you cut back on spending without cutting back on class. To save on flowers, have a December wedding. Usually hotels, reception sites, and churches are already beautifully decorated which keeps expenses low. Also look into historic homes for a more intimate setting. Consider having your wedding, reception or both at a local garden club or botanical garden. Both will offer a beautiful setting all year long, and your decorating expenses will be low. For a more intimate setting, consider a pretty bed and breakfast. It is difficult to save on photography costs because you don't want to skimp on such an important and timeless item. Your formal portrait should be taken by a professional photographer and not by a friend or relative. Since photographers usually charge partly based on hourly rate, consider sending them on their way following the ceremony. Scatter disposable cameras on tables at the reception with cards asking your guests to take pictures. Provide a well-marked basket by the exit for your guests to drop the used cameras in when they leave. Have your families and bridal party make certain that guests understand this. If a friend or relative does offer to take pictures, thank them, and suggest that they take photos at the reception. You could offer to pay for film and/or developing. You should make sure to get the negatives so you can order your own enlargements and reprints. One of your biggest expenses will be the reception. A buffet is less expensive than a seated dinner, but have you considered something unique, such as a picnic, barbeque or afternoon tea? While you will save money if you have a Christmas wedding, many venues up their prices, especially for a Friday or Saturday night. Consider a Sunday wedding since this is usually an 'off' day for most restaurants and clubs. Try to prepare some of the food yourself. Cook ahead and freeze some items. Have family members cook up some family favorites with secret recipes. These will be sure to please every guest in attendance. 5. The Perfect Ceremony

Obviously the wedding ceremony is what your big day is all about. The vows, the Church, exchanging of rings, and of course, the big "I do." Here are a few ideas about ceremony etiquette that you may want to keep in mind before walking down the aisle.

If the Church you choose has two center aisles, pick one aisle to use as your focal point. Treat the whole wedding as though it had only one, or use the right aisle for the processional and the left for the recessional. That will allow all the guests to get a nice close-up of the couple. If you choose one aisle, you may want to consider seating guests in certain areas.

What exactly is the ruling about the Groom kissing the bride at the altar? Ask the person performing the ceremony their opinion, the priest or clergy. This will make sure that the decision is in line with church practice so as not to offend anyone in attendance.

Some couples opt for a home wedding. This style wedding can be just as formal as a church, but keep in mind there will be fewer attendants.

In what order to things occur in the ceremony? Here's a brief overview of a typical ceremony.

The processional, involving the entering of the wedding party. Next, follows the welcome, Call to Worship and Introduction, typically done by the officiant. This is followed by the questions of intent and the declaration of consent. After this, the couple may choose some special music or readings to personalize the ceremony, done by family and friends. Scripture readings, congregational hymns, or solos are appropriate during this time. The couple may choose their favorite items or passages regarding love and commitment. After this, are the ever-important wedding vows and the exchange of rings. Finally we have the pronouncement of marriage ("I now pronounce you husband and wife), and any special acts of celebration (lighting of candles, flowers to family members, etc). The officiant will conclude with a benediction and a presentation of the new couple. The wedding party will the exit the chapel area during the recessional.

6. Rehearsal and Dinner

Your rehearsal dinner is a great time to enjoy being with family and friends and begin your wedding celebration. There are a few things you want to keep in mind when planning for this special event. Firstly, usually the groom's parents host the dinner (however, this is no longer a strict rule). Sometimes the bride and groom will host they dinner or it can be hosted together by several people.

In terms of food for dinner, try a different style and menu than that of your wedding day. If your wedding is a formal sit-down dinner, try a buffet or something more casual for the rehearsal. Also, mix up the types of food. Maybe have each of the couple's ethnicity reflected in the food for each meal.

Your rehearsal is the perfect time to incorporate a theme that the couple enjoys such as a Mexican Fiesta, or a Western Barbeque, or even a Hawaiian Luau. You could try a nautical theme, with the dinner on a boat, or have a clam bake on the beach. Be creative!

On the other hand, you may prefer a sit down dinner at a restaurant. Check out restaurants with private dining rooms. Plan the first hour of the rehearsal dinner as a cocktail 'hour' where guests can mingle with each other and with the bride and groom before eating. Having the dinner at a restaurant will also save some stress on the couple's preparation, but may be a bit more costly.

Should you send invitations for your rehearsal dinner? This is not required, but if you have the time and money, it's a good idea. The invitation will tell people exactly where and when the rehearsal will be held and where and when the dinner will take place. Include directions to the restaurant if necessary. If you choose to send invitations, make sure they are less formal than the wedding invitations. Invite everyone participating in the ceremony. Spouses or dates of all adult attendants should also be invited. Additionally immediate family is included. It is not necessary to invite musicians or soloists unless they are close friends or family. Feel free to invite family and out-of-town friends not in the ceremony to the rehearsal for a chance to spend extra time with them.