Friday, December 12, 2014

Cake Cutting Songs

Some of the most commonly used songs have a sweet title - “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor and “Ice Cream” by Sarah McLachlan to name a few.  But many couples opt for something short and upbeat like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen or “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. 

Here’s a list of 40 songs to consider for your wedding cake cutting.

  1. “How Sweet It Is” - James Taylor
  2. “Sugar, Sugar” - The Archies
  3. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” - Def Leopard
  4. “Sweetest Thing” - U2
  5. “Love and Marriage” - Frank Sinatra
  6. “You’re My Best Friend” - Queen
  7. “Better Together” - Jack Johnson
  8. “Ice Cream” - Sarah McLachlan
  9. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” - Queen
  10. “Rhythm of Love” - Plain White T’s
  11. “Grow Old With You” - Adam Sandler
  12. “When I’m 64” - The Beatles
  13. “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” - The Four Tops
  14. “L-O-V-E” - Nat King Cole
  15. “Smile” - Uncle Kracker
  16. “Happy Together” - Turtles
  17. “Candyman” - Christina Aguilera
  18. “What a Wonderful World” - Louis Armstrong
  19. “You and Me” - Dave Matthews Band
  20. “Eat It’ - Weird Al Yankovic
  21. “That’s Amore” - Dean Martin
  22. “Honey Bee” - Blake Shelton
  23. “Marry You” - Bruno Mars
  24. “Love You Madly” - Cake
  25. “I Do” - Colbie Caillat
  26. “At Last” - Etta James
  27. “Good Life” - Onerepublic
  28. “Today Was A Fairytale” - Taylor Swift
  29. “Is This Love” - Bob Marley
  30. “I Got You Babe” - Cher
  31. “Lips Like Sugar” - Echo & the Bunnymen
  32. “Silly Love Songs” - Paul McCartney
  33. “Say Hey, I Love You” - Michael Franti
  34. “Candy” - Mandy Moore
  35. “I Want Candy” - Bow Wow Wow
  36. “Cut The Cake" - Average White Band
  37. “Lucky” - Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  38. “Accidentally In Love” - Counting Crows
  39. “Little Moments” - Brad Paisley
  40. “Love Me Tender” - Elvis Presley

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Wedding Reception Songs To Start The Party

PICTURE THIS. IT’S YOUR WEDDING DAY.

Your ceremony was perfect. A room full of people that love you sit at your wedding reception, having just finished an awesome meal, as they wait for the opportunity to celebrate your marriage with their feet and dance the night away. The special dances come and go. Then the moment finally comes. “The dance floor is now open,” your wedding DJ announces. He throws on the Kenny Loggins classic, “Footloose”. No one moves. The momentum of your perfect day has come to an awkward halt. Why aren’t they dancing?
More than likely it’s the same problem that plagued your high school prom. No one wants to be the only one on the dance floor, everyone’s waiting for someone else to be first, and so the awkward moment continues.
How to solve this problem before it starts? Have your wedding DJ start the night with a classic slow song, and announce, “Now that our newlyweds and their parents have shared some special dances, they would like to invite you to join them for one more special dance.” Everyone always gets up. The dance floor is packed. Now when “Footloose” come on, the easiest thing to do is “cut loose” and “kick off your Sunday shoes.”

10 slow songs that start the night off right:

1 “Let’s Stay Together” Al Green
2 “Let’s Get It On” Marvin Gay
3 “Wonderful Tonight” Eric Clapton
4 “At Last” Etta James
5 “Unchained Melody” The Righteous Brothers
6 “Can’t Help Falling in Love” Elvis Presley
7 “Have I Told You Lately” Van Morrison
8 “Into the Mystic” Van Morrison
9 “When a Man Loves a Woman” Michael Bolten


10 “Unforgettable” Nat King Cole

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Forgotten Wedding Registry Items

Other than your wedding, there aren’t too many opportunities to scan your way through a store selecting gifts for your wedding registry.  (Check out these registry tips.)  But sometimes couples only realize later that they might have missed a few key items.  Here is a list of somethings you might want to add.


For the kitchen.  
Fine china.  Sure you might be okay with paper plates and pizza boxes now, but family dinners and holidays in the future might call for something special.  And wedding china is perfect to pass on to future generations.
Stylish dinnerware.  It may be the practical choice to stick to a classic white design, but this is a registry so have some fun!  Select a full stylish set or a few funky pieces to mix things up.
Extra wine glasses.  If you are registering for wine glasses, consider registering for more than you need.  Wine glasses are easily broken and you don’t want to find that your set of 4 is now a set of 3.



For the home.
Decorative pillows.  Textures and colors can add so much to a room, but they often come at a steep price.  Add some decor to your registry.
Artwork.  Of course you’ll want to add wedding photos to your walls, but if you have a favorite local gallery, many offer gift registry options.
Photo albums.  Most couples opt to get a professionally designed photo album from their wedding photos, but you’ll probably have some candid prints too.  Protect those memories by registering for some archival quality photo albums.
Tools.  A basic tool kit and a cordless drill will get you through most household projects.
Everyday items.  Don’t overlook everyday household items like towels, blankets, lamps and other essentials.  Take it a step further and include safety equipment like fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors.



Outdoors.
A grill.  As more brides and grooms are having couple’s showers instead of bridal showers, it’s becoming more the norm to add a few things for the guys to the list.  Depending on the style you like, a grill can be quite expensive.  Maybe his friends will pitch in and get him grilling.
Patio furniture.  There are many stylish and still affordable options that go beyond the resin chairs.  If you want to create an outdoor living space, consider adding patio furniture to your registry.
Outdoor work.  If your new home together will need lawn care, add a lawn mower, trimmer and leaf blower.
Outdoor play.  Bocce ball, horseshoes, bean bag toss and more outdoor games can be added to the registry.  These items can often be personalized with your new monogram or wedding colors.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Choosing Your Wedding Reception Venue

Each couple looks for the perfect wedding reception venue.  But what makes it perfect is different for each couple.  So what should go into the decision?
Start by talking before making any visits.  It’s important that you talk with you fiancĂ© about the vibe you want for your wedding reception.  If he likes the idea of a laid back barn wedding and you crave a posh party downtown, you’ll need to get on the same page before visiting venues.
Church or civil wedding? If you are considering a civil ceremony, you may be able to save money by selecting a wedding reception venue that has a location for your ceremony.  If you will have a church wedding, you might want to consider a venue that is nearby for the convenience of your guests and to best use your time.
Decide on a budget.  Wedding catering and alcohol will be a large portion of your wedding budget.  You should have a good idea about your budget and guest list before visiting reception venues.  Their sales director can present options for you to consider when she understands your budget.
What’s best for your guests?  If a large number of your guests will be traveling for your wedding, you might want to consider venues with lodging or near to hotels.
Your wedding date.  Prime dates book quickly – sometimes years in advance.  When considering a venue you’ll have more options if you are flexible about your wedding date.
For questions to ask potential wedding venues, click here.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Wedding Reception Music For A Great Party


Music sets the tempo for your wedding reception.  It lets guests know what to expect, communicates the tone of events and can accentuate the theme of the day.  So how do you use music to weave your ideas together, check out these tips.
Consider your guests.  When thinking about the songs for your wedding reception, consider the age and personality of your guests.  While much of your play list will include Top 40 and dance hits, remember that guests have some favorite songs that they like to dance to at weddings as well.  If you’re getting married near a particular holiday or season, consider adding music for that time of year as well.
Create playlists, but don’t go overboard.  When thinking about the songs for your wedding reception, it is helpful to think of them in three groups; “Must Play”, “Try To Play” and “Do Not Play”. These lists are very helpful in letting your wedding DJ know the types of music you do and don’t want to hear at your wedding reception.
Trust your DJ.  While you will likely attend a few weddings this year, your  wedding DJ will be performing at numerous events.  Allow him to use his professional skills to guide you towards songs that he knows will pack your dance floor.  After all, you do want guests to dance.
Let your DJ take requests.  Talk with your wedding DJ about the type of party you are hoping for.  Do you want music as the background for visiting or do you want a dance party?  Allow the DJ to take requests and suggest alternatives that will keep the party flowing.  A professional DJ can read the crowd and play the best song next.
Every guest request isn’t a good request.  While it’s become trendy to ask guests to submit songs in advance, it is highly suggested that you don’t ask guests for requests in advance.  If you do collect requests, make sure that you discuss with your DJ to make sure he is screening requests to make sure they match your vision.  You don’t want to create a party for one person.  If you receive 100 requests of songs averaging 3 minutes, that is 5 hours of music programming.
Music Set The Tone.  The music for your wedding reception gives your guests a cue on what kind of event you will have.  This starts with your Grand Entrance to the wedding reception.  Choosing a fun song for bridal party introductions can help get the crowd ready for your big moment and give your guests a preview of what is to follow.
Cocktail hours can rock!  The formality of the ceremony is over and guests are ready to have a good time.  The music for your cocktail hour is a great way to share your personal tastes so anything goes.  Consider acoustic artists, crooners, reggae, love songs through the ages or any other genres that fit with your wedding theme.
Keep Dinner Upbeat.  There is no rule that says you must play soft jazz during dinner service.  Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead, Mat Kearney and artists of similar nature translate well to the dinner hour.  Your wedding DJ can also play songs that pickup the tempo as you get closer to the dancing portion of the evening.
Keep It Flowing.  Nothing kills the flow of a dance floor more than constant interruptions.  Work with your wedding DJ to establish a timeline that takes care of the traditional wedding events early in the reception and allows you to open the dance floor.
End It On The Right Note.  Ending your reception on a high note gives your guests a final, lasting impression.  Whether a special slow song for the romantics, or a sing-a-long for friends, give some consideration to  your last song of the evening.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Wedding Flower Colors and Their Meanings

With the change in seasons, we are thinking of all the beautiful flower options.  The color of wedding bouquets and reception centerpieces has a history of traditional meanings.  What do the colors of your wedding day colors represent?

Blue.  Whether pale and delicate or bold and deep, blue wedding flowers traditionally represent peace, serenity and new beginnings.  Popular choices for blue bouquets often include delphiniums, hydrangea, roses, orchids, and statice.

Pink.  Pink wedding blooms are thought to represent happiness and grace.  Pale blooms can be used to convey youth and innocence while bolder tones invoke fun and energy.  Think pink and you think of grace, gentility, and happiness.  If you think pink, consider garden roses, carnations, tulips, lilies, gerber daisies, peony and orchids.

Purple.  Long associated with royalty, purple weddings represents dignity, creativity and success.  It has also been the most popular choice for wedding colors for several years.  Some popular purple blooms include hydrangeas, roses, carnations, tulips, orchids, lisianthus, and iris.

Red.  Is there any color more associated with love?  Red weddings represents passion, desire and long lasting love.  While red roses are traditional you can also use mums, orchids, peruvian lilies, daisies and calla lilies.

White.  White wedding flowers offer the simple beauty associated with innocence and reverence for the occasion.  Some popular blooms include lily of the valley, roses, lilies, phlox, amaryllis, carnations, dahlias and hydrangeas.  

Yellow.  Yellow wedding flowers are the color of happiness and sunshine.  Often used to create a feeling of joy, popular choices for wedding bouquets include daffodils, roses, tulips, orchids, lilies, dahlia and sunflowers.

Orange.  Orange wedding flowers symbolize confidence, enthusiasm and optimism in life.  Roses, alstroemeria, daisies, craspedia, peruvian, asiatic and calla lilies, and tulips are popular choices for the bouquet or centerpieces.

Green.  Symbolizing good fortune, harmony and health, green wedding bouquets are growing in popularity.  Consider blooms of carnations, roses, dahlia, hydrangea, lisianthus or pom flowers.


Thursday, September 25, 2014

15 Date Night Ideas

Date nights can be tough when you’re on a budget, especially when you are saving for your wedding budget.  But that doesn’t mean you have to stop dating!  Check out these ideas for free and low cost dates.

Game Night.  Invite a few couples over for a low cost game night.  Working together as a team is a great bonding experience.  Guys against gals is great for a little competition to make things interesting, just be sure not to be too competitive.

A Different Kind of Game Night.  Is your fiance a sports fan?  Take a break from the details of wedding planning and spend time on an activity he enjoys.  Whether it’s taking in a game from the cheap seats, or hitting the links yourselves, getting involved in one of his passions, at least for a day, shows you appreciate who he is.

Go To A Show.  Whether it’s a concert, performance or a day at the movies, matinees are great for a day out, but still budget friendly.

Explore The City.  Most large cities are great for festivals, free concerts or great scenic walks.  Spend an afternoon exploring the city.  You can even use the day to scope out locations for your wedding day Romantic images.

Visit Your Favorite Restaurant.  While dinner out might seem like a big splurge, using coupon sites like restaurant.com, can save you a few bucks.  And who doesn’t love a day without cooking?!

A Day At The Beach.  Surf, sun and sand make for a perfect day without a large expense.  Most MetroParks offer an annual pass, making it affordable year round.

Visit The Zoo.  When wedding planning is turning you into a bear, drop what you’re doing and go visit the real thing!  A day at the zoo is great for a leisurely stroll, watching the animals play and some downtime with each other.

A Day At The Orchard.  Whether picking summer strawberries or fall apples, orchards are a great place to spend the afternoon.  As a bonus, you’re spending the day picking fruits which are perfect for your pre-wedding diet.

A Night Under The Stars.  Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and drive away from the city nights.  Spend the evening watching the stars and talking about your plans for the future.  Check out http://www.space.com/skywatching for stargazing highlights.

Go Back To School.  Did you attend school together?  Spending a day on campus, reminiscing about your time there, or cheering on your alma mater for a game can provide some relief from the wedding planning process.  If you didn’t attend school together, this is a chance to show your fiance where you have been.

Get Involved.  Look for opportunities to serve your community together.  Clean up a park, serve at your church, or work with a charity close to your heart.  Working together to make the world better will bring you closer as a couple.  To see how Mike Staff Productions gives back, click here.

Visit Museums.  If you haven’t been to a museum since your fifth grade field trip, it’s time to go back!  Visiting the museum as an adult allows you to truly appreciate all they have to offer.  And as a bonus, on a hot day they are great for an air conditioned activity.

Go Ice Skating.  Cold temps don’t have to force you inside.  Visit a local ice rink for some winter fun and finish the day with cocoa!


Have A Picnic.  Pack a basket lunch and head to the park.  Swing on the swings to bring back the happy times as a kid.

Sip, Sip, Enjoy… Go wine tasting. Check with any specialty wine stores in your area; some offer free (or really cheap) wine-tastings.  Grab your favorite bottle and head home to relax the night away.