Following are some of my ideas on planning a successful wedding. I have listed suggestions below for all of the main activities. My recommendation is to get these completed at least 1 hour before the end of your reception (or at least by the time the photographer leaves, as you want pictures of everything). These are all just suggestions based on my experience, but please remember that this is YOUR day!

When it comes to creating a timeline of events, I always tell people not to become too obsessed. There are really only 4 main times that really matter:

• Hair & Make Up
• Ceremony Start
• Dinner Service
• Photographer/Videographer

You hire professionals to ensure all of the events are done timely, and that everyone is on the same page before the events happen, that includes you, your guesta and all the vendors. that is my job (or the co-ordinators). A good DJ does a lot more than just play music!! Your job is to show up, have the time of your lives and go home, knowing that your vendors will take care of everything for you

The Events:

One thing to let you know before I start talking about the ceremony, is that I got myself ordained on line. This does not mean I am offering this as a service, I think that is the wrong way to do it, it means that if something happened to your officiant, I could step in and perform a basic ceremony that would be legal. As guests start to arrive, there should be soft music playing, nothing too loud. I do not recommend using classical music at this point. I do recommend using classical music for the ceremony. When you make the change, people know the ceremony is starting.

song suggestions:

• Enya - "A Day Without Rain"
• Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony "(Instrumental)
• Sade - "By Your Side"
• Deer Hunter Theme - "Cavatina "
• Coldplay - "Clocks" (Instrumental)
• Bright Eyes - "First Day Of My Life"
• Moby - "Porcelain"
• Sarah McLaughlin - "Rainbow Connection"
• Portishead - "Sour Times"
• Massive Attack - "Teardrop"

I do like to play "By Your Side" by Sade right before the ceremony begins. The words are perfect.

For the wedding ceremony, the typical order of entry is as follows: Grandparents and Mothers are seated by the Groom/Best Man. The Officiant then walks in followed by the Groom the Groomsmen. I recommend using one song for this.(although i have used "Here Comes Your Man" - Pixies for the Groomsmen before!!) My personal favourite song for this is "Clair De Lune" - Debussy. This was the song that was used at the end of "Oceans Eleven"

Next the Bridesmaids walk in, followed by the Maid/Matron of Honour and the Flowergirl and Ringbearer. My personal favourite song for this is "Forrest Gump Suite"

Obviously the Bride is next. My personal favourite song for the Bride's entrance is a piano version of "The Bridal March" - Jonathan Cain.

song suggestions:

• Bach - "Arioso"
• English Chamber Orchestra - "Canon In D"
• Nigel Kennedy - "Gymnopadie"
• Bach -"Jesu - Joy Of Mans Desiring"
• Jeremiah Clarke - "Trumpet Voluntary"
• Mills Brothers - "Wachet Auf"
• Vivaldi - "Winter (Four Seasons)"

If you are having a "ceremony within the ceremony" such as the Sand Ceremony, or the Unity Candle Ceremony (be very careful doing this outside because of the wind), have the band/DJ play something softly in the background as the Officiant is reading the piece, then raise the volume as you perform the ceremony, it adds something to the overall ceremony.

A great song for this is "Watermark" - Enya

Once the Ceremony is over, you want a good recessional song, I think it is great to play something non - classical here. My personal favourite is "Is This Love " - Bob Marley. It is a fun way to end the ceremony, and makes a statement we are going to have some fun tonight. You want people to remember your wedding as being different and better than every other one they attended. This is one thing they will probably not have seen, and it is not at all tacky.

song suggestions:

• Etta James - "At Last "
• Monkees - "I'm A Believer "
• Stevie Wonder - "Signed Sealed Delivered "

If you can do it, I would definitely recommend doing a group picture at this point. It is one picture you will spend many years looking at, probably more than any other picture, and it only takes a couple of minutes to get.

I think that the introductions are the most important part of the reception. The ceremony is obviously the most part of the day, but when we do the introductions, it is the only time you are guaranteed to have everyone's attention. It is important to introduce the bridal party, they are your "warm up act". While I would never compare you to a sports team, when a team is introduced to the "big game" they always come out to an up beat song You really need something instrumental as you want guests to hear the names clearly. I think it is better to have a separate song for the bride and groom from the bridal party. Have fun with this, I have done all sorts, from Star Wars to the Rocky Horror Theme to Hells Bells!!

Song suggestions:

• U2-"Beautiful Day (remix)"
• Fratellis - "Chelsea Dagger"
• Blue Oyster Cult-"Don't Fear The Reaper" (special More Cowbell Version!!)
• Barry White-"Loves Theme"
• Yello-"Oh Yeah"
• Safri Duo-"Played Alive, The Bongo Song" (Good Techno entrance song)
• Justin Timberlake-"Sexy Back" (instrumental)
• Herb Albert-"Spanish Flea" (Theme from Dating Game)
• Timbaland-"The Way I Are" (instrumental)
• Thicke -"When I Get You Alone" (instrumental)

First Dance

I do recommend doing this after the introductions because the introductions don't take very long, and if I announce that we are having dinner straight after introductions, it can seem a bit anticlimactic.

I would never try and suggest what your first dance should be, every couple has a song that is personal to them. Additionally, do not worry how long the song is, have a signature move such as a dip and a kiss that I am looking out for and I will end the song when you do this. That way you are in control of how long you dance

Toasts

I firmly believe the best time to do the toast's are at the end of dinner. I get with the caterers and have them start to pour the toasts when the last person has gone through the buffet or been served their entree. By the time they have finished pouring the toast, everyone making the toast has finished eating, as they were served first. Everyone else is still sitting down and paying attention.

Let me know in advance who is making the toast and I will make sure they know what order we will do the toast in. You can do the toasts in any order, but the most common is Father Of Bride - Father Of Groom - Maid/Matron Of Honour - Best Man - Bride & Groom I always instruct them to go to where the bride & groom are sitting, so you can all be in the same pictures together. I strongly advise you not to have an open toast, this can go on for a long time and you get those really bad unrehearsed speeches.

Parent Dances

If you cannot think of a song, or do not have a favourite, ask your respective parents, it makes them feel more a part of the wedding. I would not recommend doing the whole song, people lose interest very quickly. Additionally (especially for the Mother - Son) choose a more upbeat song, I see a lot of "uncomfortableness" when a slow love song is used for this. You can also use the same song for both. Another option is to use the same song for both, have the Bride and her father come out first and then after a minute or so, invite the Groom & the Grooms mother to join them

song suggestions:

Father - Daughter

• Paul Simon-"Father & Daughter"
• Tim McGraw "My Little Girl"
• Bobby Helms "My Special Angel"
• Nickel Creek-"When You Come Back Down"
• Bill Henderson-"You Are My Sunshine"
• Stevie Wonder-"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"

Mother - Son

• Boys II Men-"A Song For Mama"
• Celine Dion-"Because You Loved Me"
• James Taylor -"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"
• Natalie Merchant-"Kind & Generous"
• Commodores-"Three Times A Lady"

Joint

• Crosby Stills & Nash-"Teach Your Children"
• Kenny Rogers-"Through The Years"
• Louis Armstrong-"Wonderful World"

Anniversary Dance

An Anniversary dance is where you get all married couples to the dance floor and eliminate them by the length of the marriage. If you want to do an anniversary dance and can find out who the "winning" couple will be, it is a nice touch to find out what their song was when they were married and (if I can find it) have me use this for the dance. It also helps to find out who the "runner up" is to help me keep it going until the end of the song. I have seen couples bring a bottle of champagne and hand this to the "winning" couple or give the lady an extra Bouquet (or your own if you are not doing a bouquet/garter toss). Typically the "winning" couple will be family members which make this all the more special. I have seen some very touching moments. If you do not know who the couple would be, or cannot find their song.

song suggestions:

• Anne Murray -"Could I Have This Dance"
• Glenn Miller -"Moonlight Serenade"
• Alan Jackson -"Remember When "
• Frank Sinatra -"The Best Is Yet To Come"
• Kenny Rogers -"Through The Years "
• Nat King Cole -"Unforgettable"

Cake Cutting

I do not say anything during the cake cutting, except to get people to go over to the cake. I believe there is nothing more tacky than a DJ giving a running commentary and trying to encourage you to smash the cake into each others face!! Depending on the song you pick, you may need 2 songs, as typically the cake cutting takes about 4-5 minutes

song suggestions:

• Mony Python -"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"
• Pat Benetar -"Hit Me With Your Best Shot"
• Jason Mraz -"I Melt With You"
• Echo & the Bunnymen -"Lips Like Sugar"
• Cake -"Love You Madly"
• Def Leppard -"Pour Some Sugar on Me"
• John Legend -"Save Room"
• Archies -"Sugar,Sugar"
• Dean Martin -"That's Amore"

Honeymoon/Money Dance

The honeymoon dance (also called the money dance) is not done at every wedding, for some weddings it is a traditional part of the wedding, for others, it is something the couple find hard to decide on, while they know that they want to do it, there is a feeling it is "tacky". My take on it is as follows, if you have an open bar, it is like them buying you a drink back. If you are not having an open bar, it may be considered "tacky" by the guests if it is not in your tradition.

The best time to do the Honeymoon Dance is right after the cake cutting. This gives people a chance to eat cake while others are taking their turn to dance, and they are not just standing around.

When selecting songs, try and avoid "I Love You" songs. One thing I have noticed over the years is that the songs are as important for the people waiting in line as they are for the people dancing with you. I want to keep them nodding their head, tapping their feet and singing along while they wait. Whilst I don't talk a great deal through the reception, as the wedding is not about me, this is one time where I talk a lot, to keep things moving. If you are not having the money pinned to yourself, have the Best Man and Maid/Matron Of Honour collect the money for you. I ask people to form two lines and will announce something along the following lines.

"Ladies and Gentlemen" at this moment we will be having a Honeymoon Dance, your chance to dance with the bride or groom, so put your hands in your pockets and wish them as much luck as you can.

I then ask people to form a line of ladies and a line of gentlemen to take their turn. I am constantly reminding people to cut in line if they feel like they have waited long enough, about 15-20 seconds is good.

By doing this, I can usually get about people through in 20-30 seconds, so we do not take up too much time. Some people like to have fun and be blatant when selecting songs, others like to be more subtle.

song suggestions:

• Barenaked Ladies - If I Had $1 Million Dollars
• Beatles - A Little Help From My Friends
• Chaka Khan - Hey Big Spender
• Dave Matthews - Crush
• Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon
• Jack Johnson - We Are Gonna Be Friends"
• James Taylor - You've Got A Friend
• Koffee Brown - After Party
• Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay
• Randy Newman - You've Got A Friend In Me

Bouquet - Garter Toss

This is a moment some people really look forward to, and others not so much. I think it is harmless fun and can lead to some great pictures, I have a special twist at the end that you can ask me about. If you are going to do this, some suggested songs are:

Toss the Bouquet

• Beastie Boys - Girls
• Beastie Boys - Hey Ladies
• Beyonce - Single Ladies
• Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun
• Ernie Doe - Here Come The Girls
• Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
• Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men
• Ludacris - Move (edited version)

For Groom to take off the Garter

• 95 South - Whoot There It Is
• Herb Albert - Love Potion # 9
• MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
• Mission Impossible Theme
• Moby - James Bond Theme
• Salt 'N' Pepa - Whatta Man
• Tom Jones - You Can Leave Your Hat On
• Tone Loc - Wild Thing
• ZZ Top - Legs

Toss the Garter

• Austin Powers Theme
• Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men
• Gary Glitter - Rock & Roll Part II
• Queen - We Will Rock You
• Right Said Fred - I'm Too Sexy

Last Song (s)

I do not recommend ending on a slow song. I do recommend having a "last slow song" of the evening, then have a more upbeat one to finish. br> going before you decide.

One song I like to use is Billie Joel's "Piano Man" I get everyone in a circle (the only time I do this is if you want me to). Then I've used my old school (the movie) song for some more rowdy crowds and the results have been interesting to say the least. Of course this would only be played on the OK from the Bride & Groom!!!

other suggestions:

• Al Green - Lets Stay Together
• Frank Sinatra - Last Dance
• Frank Sinatra - My Way
• Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
• Maurice King - Stay

After these songs, i like to play one more upbeat song as an "encore" it always seems to work well this way. i love, love, love playing a dance remix i have of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" it is great!!

other suggestions:

• Barry White - You're My First, My Last, My Everything
• Club Nouveaux - Lean On Me
• Dirty Dancing - Now I've Had) The Time Of My Life
• Donna Summer - Last Dance
• Joey Ramone - Wonderful World
• Toy Dolls - Nellie The Elephant

Lastly I also like to play a song softly as guests leave, such as Lionel Richie's -"All Night Long" It always seems strange to go from louder music to nothing.

other suggestions:

• Elton John -"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
• Green Day -"Good Riddance(Time Of Your Lives)"
• Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
• Lionel Richie - All Night Long
• Nat King Cole -"Almost Like Being In Love"

I hope these suggestions help, remember, this is just a small selection of the music I have and I am just advising you, never telling you, how to run your wedding !!