Wedding Tips

Planning your wedding is a very important project, there is a lot to think about and it is easy to overlook things.

I have some suggestions that I have put together from weddings I have performed. Please note, these are just suggestions!!! Your wedding is your wedding!

Ceremony

  • Make an announcement before the ceremony to make sure everyone has turned off their cell phones.
  • If the wedding ceremony is outside, provide water/fans for guests.
  • In hot weather, think about cover for guests. DJ's and Musicians often have this in their contract
  • If you are having a ceremony within the ceremony (i.e.: Sand Ceremony) have the DJ or musicians play something softly while the Officiant is reading. It makes a big difference (Watermark by Enya is a great song).
  • Be careful if you choose the unity candle outside as the wind will make it hard to light.
  • After the ceremony, try and take a group photograph, you can have the officiant make the announcement. Ten years from now you will spend more time looking at this picture than any other.
  • Check to see if the site requires clean up after the ceremony (i.e Rose Petals). They often charge a fee if it is not cleaned up
  • If you are having an outdoor ceremony, try and keep the last row of seats empty for any late-comers.

Reception

  • I love it when my clients pick all their favourite songs in cocktail and dinner. I would have the cocktail music more upbeat than the dinner music, but never too mellow, and not all the same type as people get bored with that. I do recommend that you limit the dance 'Must Play' song list as every crowd is so different. If you want everyone to have a good time, you need to take their tastes into account, that is why you have a DJ, to read the crowd :-) Your Do Not Play list can be whatever you want it to be !!!
  • The introductions are very important, it's the only time you have everyone's attention. Make sure your DJ has written the names out phonetically, There is nothing worse than having names pronounced incorrectly.
  • Choose songs appropriately for introductions, Bridal Party should be introduced to something instrumental (you don't want lyrics competing with the names) but fun. For the Bride & Groom, go with a song that is either very special to you, or something upbeat that "announces you". If you have a videographer have them also pan the guests reactions on your introductions.
  • Your First dance should be after the introductions and before dinner. The main reason I recommend this is that introductions do not take long, once you come in, you are all psyched and then I announce "it's time for dinner" it seems like a big anticlimax.
  • For your first dance, don't worry about how long the song is, have a "signature move" such as a dip and a kiss. I am watching for this and when I see it I will end the song. You are now free to dance for as long or as short a time as you want !! Remember that dancing in your wedding dress is different to dancing in jeans and a shirt ........
  • Never underestimate the older crowd at a wedding, they look forward to weddings more than the younger crowd as they don't get out much !! Don't underestimate what they will dance to either. To put it in perspective,"You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC" was released in 1980. If you were 30 when that song came out, you are now almost 60 ......
  • Do the toasts after everyone has been served their food. If you are having a sit down dinner, after the last entree' is served, if you are having a buffet, after the last table has gone through.
  • If you are planning on walking around every table to thank guests, be aware of how long you are spending at each table. Every guest will want your time and it can end up taking longer than you think. If you have 20 tables and you spend 2 minutes at each that is 40 minutes of your time gone .....
  • If you are having a Money Dance, have it right after the cake cutting. I talk a lot through this to move people along, about 20-30 seconds per person is good. Select songs that do not say 'I Love You'.
  • Consider a sweetheart table instead of a head table. When dinner is over people will head to the table their spouses are at and you will be left with a table not being used and taking up space.
  • If you are having a slide show, have the videographer check with the DJ to see if he can hook up to the DJ's mixing board and run the music through his system.
  • If you are having pictures to identify the tables, include table numbers or it will be difficult for guests to find the table, especially at larger weddings. If the pictures are large, laminate them or they may not stand up in the holder.
  • If you are having videographer ask if they will be using your special songs' to complete the video, see if the DJ can bring them a copy.
  • A lot of people forget to sign the Guest Book. Have the DJ/Band make an announcement to remind everyone to sign the book.
  • The Parent Dances should not be played in full, as guests lose interest very quickly. If you cannot decide on a song, ask your parents, they will feel more a part of things. You can also use one song for everyone and switch parents so all 4 get a chance to dance.
  • Have Two 'Do Not Play' Lists. One should be an 'Absolutely don't play under any circumstances', and one should be a 'Don't Play unless Requested'.
  • Make sure you have enough people left at the end of the night to take everything away i.e gifts.