Remember that contest we had a while back? Here’s the winner! Jen will receive a free consultation as well as a basket of goodies to help her de-stress.
Board created by Jennifer Robison
Guest Blogger-Covenant Marriage July 10, 2009
“When you pledge yourself to your husband before God and all your family and friends, do you really mean it? Is “for better or for worse” really your intention? If it is, then consider a covenant marriage. A covenant marriage is basically a strengthened marriage license. Couples agree to participate in pre-marital counseling, as well as pre-divorce counseling, if the need should arise. This diminishes the divorce rate and increases the amount of happy and healthy marriages and families. With the rate of broken families skyrocketing, a call to commitment is necessary. Don’t make your wedding vows temporary, make them forever.”
-Megan
Guest Blogger-Respect July 8, 2009
“When Aretha Franklin belted out the lyrics to “Respect”, she inadvertently gave some of the best marriage advice I have ever encountered. Men need respect. This is an innate necessity, not icing on the cake. When he attempts to help with the wedding details that are really just none of his business, communicate respectfully. (“Well, Brian, as much as I would love an ice sculpture of our heads at our wedding reception, I think the Arizona heat will melt it away!”) When he is more interested in watching “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” than helping with wedding plans, don’t devalue him as a man. (“Brian, you have a great understanding of the inner psyche of children, so where do you think we should put the kid’s table at the reception?”) Point being- make him feel like your big, strong man. Give it a try, stroke his ego, you won’t regret it.”
-Megan
Guest Blogger: Etiquette July 7, 2009
“Etiquette is possibly the most complex issue that you’ll tackle during your engagement. Everyone has a differing opinion. E-invites are uncivil, money dances are a semi-sin, non-handwritten envelopes say “I care more about hand cramps than I do about you”, etc. But for goodness sakes, please don’t forget to write thank you notes. While doing introductions at my shower, a relative chose that moment to admonish my sister-in-law by saying, ‘And by the way, Rachael, I’m still waiting for my thank you note from your shower!’”
-Megan
Guest Blogger: Bride July 6, 2009
Megan has gone through the stress of planning a wedding and is now enjoying that great thing called wedded bliss. I asked her to write as a guest blogger here this week, to give some advice on things she learned from experience. I hope you enjoy her witty posts. If you have a question for Megan, email me at jamie@designerplanning.com and I will pass it on to her.
“Having been engaged all of one time, I have recently been told that I am entitled to advise you during your brilliant engagement period. I certainly do not profess to be an expert in nuptial matters, but I’m guessing that most of you are pretty new to this, so I can pretty much tell you what I want. In hindsight, I think the most important lesson I learned was the following: make sure that all extended family knows not to bring poodles to your wedding reception. Apparently, that’s not a given.”
-Megan
Quick Tip June 30, 2009
Don’t plan any big activities that will require a lot of energy on the first day or two of your honeymoon. Planning a wedding takes a lot of work and you will be exhausted afterwards, whether you feel it now or not. Plan to rest for a while before doing a lot of sight-seeing.
DJ versus Live Band at the Reception: Part II June 26, 2009
DJ: A really skillful DJ can really help to liven up the reception, and can engage with and respond to the audience. He will know how to balance songs between slow and fast, different styles, and set the right volume and feel to carry the event from dinner hour music through the last slow dance at the end of the night. As with the band, he can announce the arrival of the wedding party, instruct people when to eat, announce the cake cutting, etc. The benefit of a good DJ is that he / she can literally have 1000s of songs at the fingertips, and can take almost any request. He should be able to bring a very high quality sound and lighting system, if requested, and play any special songs you may desire. As with the band, make sure they have experience performing at weddings, and get references.
Make sure your DJ knows the following at least 2 weeks prior to the big day:
1) what time to arrive for their setup and sound check
2) who their point of contact is
3) where they can load and unload
4) who will let them in
5) where they can park
6) what time to begin playing, timing of any special songs
7) where their power outlet is located
how much of a sound and / or lighting system they will need to bring
9) attire (ie how formal)
10) whether food and drinks are included with their fee.
11) How they will be paid
DJs versus Live Band at the Reception: Part I June 25, 2009
The decision about whether to hire a DJ or a Live band is an important one for your wedding to be special. The right music can make the whole night, and have your guests dancing the night away! The choice comes down to several important personal factors as well considerations about the size and style of your event. The benefits and considerations of each choice is listed below:
Live band: There is just something about the creative energy and spontaneity of a live band that can not be re-produced with a recording. Vocals are a lot more powerful when live, and good musicians can draw on the energy of each other and the audience to create a more inspired, powerful performance. This in turn influences the audience. Great music is also a visual experience, with lighting, and the physical motions of the performing adding a whole new dimension to the music. Again, this is not possible with recorded music. With a live band, make sure they can handle a variety of styles of music, especially those songs or styles you want to hear, and have experience performing at weddings. Ask to see their songlist of most proficient songs, and try to go see a live public performance before hiring them. References can also be very important. Make sure you have the right space, sound system, and lighting requirements for the band, and work out agreement on any songs in particular you would like them to perform. Make sure your band knows the following at least 2 weeks prior to the big day:
1) what time to arrive for their setup and sound check
2) who their point of contact is
3) where they can load and unload
4) who will let them in
5) where they can park
6) what time to begin playing, timing of any special songs
7) where their power outlet is located
how much of a sound and / or lighting system they will need to bring
9) attire (ie how formal)
10) whether food and drinks are included with their fee.
11) how they will be paid
Set-up for Your Musicians June 24, 2009
It is important to plan ahead for musician set-up prior to the wedding service. Below are key questions to ask the musicians you hire.
Will you need to rent a piano or does the keyboardist have one he can bring? How about a small PA system for guitars, keyboards, vocals, etc.?
What space and power requirements do the musicians have?Will they require any sort of lighting? (playing in the dark is sometimes difficult and people will not be able to see the performers)
Do they know exactly what to play when?
Do you have a backup plan if there is an emergency, a musician is sick or a vocalist can not sing?
(the performer can usually suggest an alternate, and hopefully can deal with such a situation professionally)
If the service is to be outside, is there a tent they can setup under in the case of drizzle, and is there any type of heat lamp if the temperature is below 60?
(even a light drizzle can be very bad for guitars and electronic gear, plus any temp below 65 tends to make the fingers cold, and performing harder).
-Brent Moseley
PLANNING FOR MUSIC DURING THE SERVICE June 23, 2009
Music is an essential element that can truly make a service special and set the tone for celebration and create a classy atmosphere. The more unique, the more memorable! Music is typically performed at 6 stages of the wedding:
1) Before the service while people are walking in. This time works very well for a soloist, duo, or classical ensemble
2) As the wedding party is walking in (called the processional). Also great for a soloist
3) As the Bride and Groom are walking out (called the recessional)
4) After the service, while guests are walking out. Great for a soloist or duo
5) During the wedding dinner
During the reception / dance hour / cake cutting
Its important to plan ahead, hire the right musicians early, and decide on songs early enough to give them plenty of time to prepare. Unless they have excellent reading skills, a small ensemble (strings, horns, singer / piano, etc) will need on average one week per song when the music is something they have not performed before. So, if they will perform 5 songs, give them at least 5 weeks notice. Those that have experience performing at weddings may be able to make suggestions as to a song list – they will know through experience what works. Piano music while people are walking in, during the wedding procession, and while people are leaving the service can be especially nice.
-Brent Moseley, Point of View
