All You Need is Music, Sweet Music!

Sometimes it is hard to get people out on the dance floor during a wedding, but have no fear...there are easy ways to fix this problem! First thing is first...a good DJ should have no problem getting your wedding guests out on the floor. A bar doesn't hurt either! What it really comes down to though is the songs you play during the reception. I know that when you think wedding reception you think "Shout" etc...we beg you...consider something else because playing "wedding songs" is played out.

8 Wedding Songs to Skip...(and why)

1. YMCA
just because everyone knows the words...and the dance...does not mean you are obligated to play it.


2. Chicken Dance
the name says it all! Who really wants to flap around and look silly like that?

3. Stayin Alive
no one knows any of the words to this song except the one line...it's just silly!

4. Every Breath You Take
whether it is The Police or Puff Daddy...we can think of so many other romantic songs (that aren't so stalkerish)

5. Total Eclipse of the Heart
If you saw Will Ferrell's rendition of this song in Old School you know why we want to skip it (or that might be why you want to PLAY it..?)

6. Macarena
Do you really wanna see all your relatives doing that hip thing?

7. My Heart Will Go On
EW!

8. Mony Mony
Weird!

Don't get all flustered and heart broken just yet brides and grooms...we have a list of new songs that haven't been deemed "wedding songs" just yet that we think you should try...

1. Lucky - Jason Mraz and Colby Callet
Maybe a first dance song? The lyrics are so romantic "lucky I'm in love with my best friend"! Not to mention both Jason and Colby have AMAZING voices!


2. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
This song just makes you feel good and makes ya wanna move!

3. Good Time - Alan Jackson
If you have never seen this music video, open a new tab and find it now! How is this song NOT more popular?


4. The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
Another song with some great lyrics!

5. Single Ladies - Beyonce
This is a number that you DO want to see your relatives try to dance to! Plus, it is just fun! It's also pretty relevant "if you like it then you should have put a ring on it" isn't that what everyone is there to celebrate? Your ring and commitment?



6. Beautiful - Akon
This is a good party starter

7. So What - P!NK
Another party starter...just like her other song "Get This Party Started"

8. Just Dance - Lady Gaga
No one can resist dancing to ANYTHING by Lady Gaga

9. Green Light - John Legend
This is a good transition into the "goodbye" portion of the evening

10. When the Night Comes - Dan Auerbach
A good last song!

This list could continue forever...just keep in mind "oldies but goodies" are not always good! :)

I'd Like to Propse a TASTEful Toast!

Toasting the bride&groom is a wedding tradition and expected of you if you happen to be in the wedding party. Add some more bubble to your bubbley with some tips and delicious additions to a tradition that we don't want to see fizz out:

On the tip of the lips....
(some advice on how not to spill out your speech)

*Do not wing it
make note cards, pratice, write it out....just like in school, remember?

*It's a toast...not a ROAST
a toast is made in HONOR of a person (or couple) not to embarass them. So, if you wouldn't be honored if the same speech was made about you, then it may need some revisions.

*Shorter is Sweeter
You wouldn't want to listen to yourself talk for more than a minute or two, so why make everyone else?

*Hold on to your glass
Alcohol will calm your nerves, but too much will make you babble over your bubbles so limit the pre-toast intake.



Ritzy Glitzy Recipes to Make Your Sparkling Beverage Really Shine!...
(Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton)

*Wedding Veil Cocktail
This blue beauty is the perfect addition for the popular wedding color.

60 ml Champagne
10 ml parfait amour bols
20 ml white peach puree
20 ml apple juice
20 ml blue curacao
green cherry
lemon peel


*Barefoot Bubbly
Why not? We are in Florida, aren't we?

1/2 tsp. sugar
2 dashes of bitters
1 oz. guava rum
1 squeeze of a fresh, Florida orange
1 strawberry
champagne


"CHEERS!!"

Some invitation FAQ (and answers!)

Invitations used to have to be worded a certain way and the order of names on the invitation had underlying meaning...but the tradition of traditional invitations seems to be fading. Word your invitation however you'd like, in whatever order, font and color you choose. There are a few things with respect to wedding invites that haven't changed however:

* Invitations should be in the mail 4-6 weeks before the celebration.

* If you don't want children at the wedding your options are:
1. Leave their names off the invitation
2. Have friends and family spread the word that you don't desire children at the wedding.
3. Add one of the following phrases to the bottom of the reply card: "adult reception", "We hope that the (# of guests) of you will be able to join us", "(# of seats) have been reserved in your name"

* If someone hasn't responded, one week after the "reply by" date, call them.

* Your officiant and their better half get an invitation

* Send your parents and wedding party invitations as a keepsake, you know they're coming so they do not necessarily have to reply.

* You have to put the return postage on your RSVPs.

* You are not supposed to put registry information on the invitation. If you have a wedding website, an insert containing the address can accompany the invite and the website can obviously contain your registry information.

* Do not seal the invitation in it's envelope before you write the address on the envelope, it will leave indentations on the invite.

Have Your Cake Topper and Like it Too!

Now, it is beautiful to have the traditional brida and groom, side by side, adorning the top of your delicious wedding cake. However, brides are being less tradtional these days…right on up to the cake topper. It could be as simple as the bride lassoing the groom (or vice versa). We have seen some that show the couples favorite hobby or sport (in bride and groom form). There are so many different ways to express yourselves as a new married couple. Click the pics to go to the websites where we found these out of the ordinary toppers that take the cake.

ready to show off your wild side?


modern much?


craving custom or handmade?


theme queen?

Scan-tastic!

Put that scanner down for a minute and check out some tips for registering for wedding gifts:

* DON'T WAIT
You should have at least started building a registry by the time you have your engagement party and it should be completed (no buts!) by the time you have your bridal shower, which is typically 2-3 months before the wedding. The last thing you want is for people to guess what they should buy you and then you have to return 200 of the same vase or champagne glasses.

* GET ONLINE
A website is a great way to announce your wedding and share details with everyone that needs to know. (You can also link your registry to your site too...shopping online is SO painless!)

* GET REAL
Evaluate what you and your hubby have and want. Don't feel obligated to have a registry that looks like "the standard couple"...because there is no such thing! ;)



* GIVE A SECOND OPTION
1 registry is not enough. Register at 2 locations and choose places that you both like.

* EXPECT LESS
Set a price range that includes small kitchen items as well as larger ones. You don't know what kind of gift giving budget your guests have.

* MAKE IT FUN
If you both share a hobby that doesn't necessarily include kitchen appliances, then don't be afraid to ask for something to aid in that too!

* DON'T LISTEN TO YOUR MOM
If you two only really host casual dinner and want silicone muffin pans instead of bone china...then ask for what you WANT. Do NOT skip registering for things you want and like just because you feel pressure to ask for fancy things because the worst thing is having a bunch of gifts you will never use and still needing so many things that you didn't get.



* WEIGH ALL YOUR OPTIONS
Find out what stores are offering as far as wedding registries go. Can you get online and in stores? Do they offer free shipping or perks for you? Ask and you shall receive. Pick a place that works for you...not the other way around.

* IN LINE AND ONLINE
The two of you should make a trip to the actual store the first time you register but it is also nice to add and subtract from your list from your own home.

* GIFTREGISTRY360.COM
This allows you to create a registry featuring any and all retails so shop away soon to be Mr. & Mrs!

10 planning no-nos...

So browsing through the most current issue of the knot we found an article: "No Regrets, the 10 Most Common Planning Blunders and How to Avoid Them" by Meredith Bodgas. As a wedding planner, I thought these were great and that it would be beneficial to summarize and share them!

10.Try not to get too attached to your flower choices. Have back-ups added to your contract and think colors and shapes rather than specific flowers. "you can't always get what you want" and neither can your florist

9.Think twice before you send save the dates to everyone. The friends you have at the time of your engagement might not be your friends when you are tying the knot, so make sure to send save the dates only to those whom you KNOW will be invited.

8.You'll regret if you skip videography. Photos cannot capture your vows...or your dance moves ;)

7.Be careful not to blow your fashion budget on your dress. Not only do you have to buy a dress, but might also have to gather shoes, jewelry & hair accessories and undergarments. Not to mention, you may have to have your dress shipped to you and or altered. (not to mention taxes on all of the above!)

6.Avoid micromanaging your vendors. They are the professionals, not you.

5.Think hard before you pick your attendants. Picking bridesmaids or groomsmen that your family demands or to get an even number in your wedding party will backfire. The people up there with you during the ceremony are people that you should be able to depend on throughout the process leading up to your special day.

4.Please restrain yourself from telling everyone your plans. The more people you tell, the more opinions you are going to get and the less surprised your guests will be. Plus, the last thing you want is for someone who is getting married before you to copy your unique plan or idea.

3.Seriously, don't book your salon appointments last. We know you want your hair and makeup fresh...but you don't want to have to simplify your hair and makeup if time is running short. Get your hair and makeup done halfway through your bridesmaids. It is easy for them to switch to something easier and less time consuming if it comes down to it.

2.Don't even think about speeding through photos. An hour and a half is ideal for photos...less than an hour is not enough. If you are rushed, you will LOOK rushed in the pictures.

1.Avoid "hiring" a friend instead of a pro. It doesn't matter how good you think they are, they are not a professional. You should let all of your guests enjoy the wedding...hire a professional...you'll be happy you did!