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

Guest Blogger – Entertainment June 22, 2009

Finding the right entertainment is not always as easy as hiring a DJ and then seeing him at the wedding. My friend Brent Moseley, with Point of View Entertainment, has kindly agreed to be my guest blogger for the week. Brent has been gracing the Phoenix area with his musical talents since 1998. When he’s not entertaining, he teaches music to both children and adults. This week, Brent will discuss how to accommodate your musicians and what to consider when choosing between a live band and a DJ. 

To know more about Point of View and to listen to their talent, click here. Brent can be contacted at Mus123@cox.net or 480-229-5966.

Wedding Decorations June 15, 2009

Save on flowers and include other elements in your decorations. Enclosing flowers is a great way to cater to those with allergies. An arrangement like the one to the left, borrowed from the Wedding Flowers Guide, is beautiful and can be used with a variety of flowers. You don’t have to have gigantic centerpieces to make a statement. I think this would be breathtaking on a mirror, with tea lights surrounding it.

 

 

 

 

 

This one, from Stylish Beach Weddings, has a sophisticated, modern look. Floating candles are right out of a fairy tale love story and the combination of flowers and stones at the bottom of each vase gives the look both a stability and a femininity. Being creative with your wedding decorations will give the affair a special quality and make it even more memorable.

Quick Tip June 10, 2009

Create a signature drink for the occasion. Consider your wedding color, theme, location,  your personalities and put those elements into the drink. By offering only this drink along with non-alcoholic alternatives, you can limit your guests’ drinking. You also have the option of offering only your signature drink at the cocktail hour and having a bar at the reception if this is not a concern. Make it special and give it a fun name.

Wedding Quote June 5, 2009

“This is what marriage really means: helping one another to reach the full status of being persons, responsible beings who do not run away from life”

                        ~Paul Tournier (Swiss physician and writer)

Wedding Make-up Contest! June 4, 2009

Okay ladies, it’s time to get creative! Design an inspiration board with your colors, textures and ideas for your own wedding. Put together inspiring images and send the board to jamie@designerplanning.com by June 12th. That’s a Friday, so you have one week from tomorrow. The winner will get a one-on-one tutorial on do-it-yourself make-up techniques. The techniques are borrowed (with permission) from celebrity make-up artist, Krista Embry. This is good for both the wedding day and those days before and after (parties, honeymoon…). 

Let’s see what you can do!

Bridal Fashion Debut June 2, 2009

In April, I talked about the pros and cons of bridal shows. Well, this Sunday you can form your own opinion. From 9:00-3:00 Sunday June 7, 2009, The Bridal Fashion Debut will be showing at the Phoenix Convention Center. This is a great opportunity to get ideas, meet and compare several vendors and talk to other brides. You can also win amazing things like a free honeymoon (I know someone who won two), champagne flutes, skin care products and the list goes on. Get your tickets and a map here.

Featured Wedding Favors June 1, 2009

These Share and Blossom seed packets are wonderful, eco-friendly favors, found at Nature’s Gifts. The little paper pot comes in many colors and this favor is only $0.99 each! I also love the idea of having small potted plants or flowers on the reception tables to add to the centerpieces, then sending them home as favors. However, this is much more economical. Plus, I’m fascinated by the fact that you just plant the paper pot and the flowers grow through the paper! Amazing!

Wedding Quotes May 29, 2009

From “Corelli’s Mandolin”
by Louise De Bernieres

“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion… That is just being “in love,” which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.”

Don’t Even Mention Rain at My Wedding! May 28, 2009

The thought of a rainy wedding day will send shudders down the back of any bride. The thing you must remember is that, as long as you are married by the end of the day, you had a successful wedding. However, no one will reprimand you for being prepared. You can plan for rain by having a tent with a floor, and plenty of parking that’s not in the grass or mud. If you’d rather have a sunny outdoor wedding, you can simply watch the weather the week of the wedding and rent a tent the day before if it looks like rain. You will be out a good amount of money if you end up not using it, but then what will you do if you don’t have a tent ready and your guests get rained on? Before doing this, check with your rental company about the cancellation fee. If there is an indoor facility nearby, you may consider using this as back-up. Just be sure to have all the arrangements done ahead of time. You may need to reserve the space, or even rent it out. If there isn’t anything nearby, make sure there are sidewalks around so your guests aren’t trudging through the mud in their heels. If there aren’t any, get some cute stepping stones to line the pathway to and from the ceremony site.

If it does happen to rain on your wedding, everyone will be happier if you embrace it. Wedding planner Deanna Morgan suggests saving some of the wedding day rain in a bottle for your baby’s baptism (information found here). You could also hand out umbrellas as favors. This would make for a great trash the dress opportunity. Or, if the rain appears before you get any pictures in, protect the dress and take pictures when you get back from your honeymoon.