Saturday, April 24, 2010
Best of Weddings 2010 Plaque
I am very excited this morning. We received our Best of Weddings 2010 plaque from The Knot! It is so cute! :)
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Some questions that I get that aren’t on this list..
Hmm, we will start at wedding songs. Some bride and grooms don’t know what to choose for a song, or ask me what I have seen. I’ve seen everything. Some couples will pick a song that has great lyrics to describe their relationship. Or maybe it was the song that was playing when they first kissed, on their first date or when he proposed. Some couples will listen to the radio and write down the songs that they like and talk about it later or search online.
A few First Dance Songs that I enjoy are:
‘Then’ by Prad Paisley. I am a huge country lover, but this one is great if you have been together for a long time, or maybe you knew each other and were friends or years before you started dating.
‘All I Ever Needed’ by Bret Michael and Jessica Andrews
‘At Last’ by Etta James
‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson
‘’Faithfully’ by Journey
‘I knew I loved you’ By Savage Garden
‘Everything’ by Michael Buble. I am a HUGE Buble fan. My favorite right now is ‘Hold On’, which I am contemplating being my first dance song, but I know that’ll change. Haha
It is your wedding, so you can dance to whatever song that you want!
Which means you can do the same thing. Or you can do a band the whole time. But make sure that the band can play both dinner and dancing music. You want to have that difference. You don’t want your grandparents listening to a cover song of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi or the Black Eyed Peas during dinner.
When it comes to the iPod, I understand the whole concept of saving money, but if music is an important part of the evening and you want to make sure that everyone, and I mean everyone, is on the dance floor, you need a band or DJ. They control the whole evening from the flow of the songs and it becomes interactive. I don't see anything wrong with an iPod if you are more of the relax and background music type.
A few First Dance Songs that I enjoy are:
‘Then’ by Prad Paisley. I am a huge country lover, but this one is great if you have been together for a long time, or maybe you knew each other and were friends or years before you started dating.
‘All I Ever Needed’ by Bret Michael and Jessica Andrews
‘At Last’ by Etta James
‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson
‘’Faithfully’ by Journey
‘I knew I loved you’ By Savage Garden
‘Everything’ by Michael Buble. I am a HUGE Buble fan. My favorite right now is ‘Hold On’, which I am contemplating being my first dance song, but I know that’ll change. Haha
It is your wedding, so you can dance to whatever song that you want!
*Wedding Wire has a great site that has a tons of songs and ideas, http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs
Band or DJ or Ipod?
I think that this is a personal preference.
Band or DJ or Ipod?
I think that this is a personal preference.
My boyfriend and I have a band that we love together, and that we have become friends with. They are a great cover band that we go out to see when they are in town or up to NH or down to RI to see. I WANT them at our wedding; I’ve been saying it for years. And they don’t like to play weddings but they said that they would play for us! Which is great, but then I was thinking, they’re a great band at the bar, but do I really want them playing these songs during dinner? There is such a thing as dinner music and dancing music. So I compromised, I plan on doing both. Starting with a DJ and then after dinner having the Band play to get the party started. Everyone knows that this band is our thing, so I HAVE to have them. The day is supposed to represent us and this is one of the major parts we want to share.
Which means you can do the same thing. Or you can do a band the whole time. But make sure that the band can play both dinner and dancing music. You want to have that difference. You don’t want your grandparents listening to a cover song of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi or the Black Eyed Peas during dinner.
When it comes to the iPod, I understand the whole concept of saving money, but if music is an important part of the evening and you want to make sure that everyone, and I mean everyone, is on the dance floor, you need a band or DJ. They control the whole evening from the flow of the songs and it becomes interactive. I don't see anything wrong with an iPod if you are more of the relax and background music type.
There May Be Questions You Haven't Thought About..
I can’t even begin to tell you how many questions I get a day about weddings. Some are specifically about the hotel itself or just about weddings in general. I enjoy both! But the questions that are just about weddings can be very random. Which is why I chose the below questions and answers from The Knot’s newsletter from 2 weeks ago. Below are a few that I thought would be helpful.
1. What exactly do the bride and groom do during the cake cutting?
The cake cutting typically takes place after dinner when your bandleader or DJ makes an announcement (you can also do this). If you have older guests who might be leaving early, do your cake cutting at the beginning of the reception just before the first dance. For the first cut, your groom's hands are placed over yours as you cut into the bottom layer of the cake. The groom makes the second cut solo and feeds the bride, and then it's your turn.
*here at the hotel, I am by your side for this. We usually do the cake cutting between salad and entrée, where I would come and get you (and make sure that you are ready). I will roll the cake onto to the dance floor, where the bride and groom will cut the cake. But don’t worry, I will remind you how it all works and even show you how to cut it. You always cut the piece diagonally so that it is easier to pull out of the cake and place on a plate. After you feed each other, your photographer will take the pictures he or she wants and then I will roll it away and cut it in the back!
2. Where do I put my engagement ring during the ceremony?
Wear the ring on your right hand or have your aunt or grandma hold it. If you want to wear your engagement ring for the reception, put it on during the ride to your venue or just before being announced. For Jewish weddings, it's fine to wear your engagement ring, and then exchange stone-free wedding bands if you want to keep with tradition. Also remember: The band is usually worn closest to your heart on your left hand.
3. Who lifts my veil?
While more and more brides are wearing a veil flipped back for the entire ceremony or not wearing one at all, the most traditional bride still wears a veil over her face. If you like to keep things classic, there are two options. One is your dad lifts the veil when he gives you away, "revealing" you to the groom (like you really need help with that one). The other is for the groom to lift the veil just before the kiss.
4. What side are we supposed to stand on during the ceremony?
If you're in a church facing the altar, the bride stands on the left side and the groom on the right. Guests of the bride and groom should follow suit, sitting on the side of whoever they know best or are related to (hint: tell mutual friends to sit on the side that has less people). For Jewish ceremonies, it's the opposite.
5. What's the best way to greet guests if I don't want a receiving line?
Yeah, we get it -- you don't want to stand around after the ceremony in an assembly line. Instead, greet your guests during the reception by going from table to table during the first course. Just make sure you have time to eat too! Also, make a short speech thanking guests for coming and give a shout-out to vendors and parents (or anyone else who helped pay for your wedding!). While this moment with the mic shouldn't take the place of personal interaction with guests, it can be a great forum to let them know how much their support means to you.
6. Can I take my shoes off at any time during the reception?
We've all been to the wedding where guests cut loose on the dance floor and ditch the heels. But it's a little different when you're the bride -- especially if you're wearing a formal dress. Instead of going barefoot, bring a pair of flats for dancing. If you're getting married in the summer, have baskets of flip-flops in your wedding colors for your guests to slip into before they get down. There's one exception to the shoes-or-lose rule: beach weddings!
1. What exactly do the bride and groom do during the cake cutting?
The cake cutting typically takes place after dinner when your bandleader or DJ makes an announcement (you can also do this). If you have older guests who might be leaving early, do your cake cutting at the beginning of the reception just before the first dance. For the first cut, your groom's hands are placed over yours as you cut into the bottom layer of the cake. The groom makes the second cut solo and feeds the bride, and then it's your turn.
*here at the hotel, I am by your side for this. We usually do the cake cutting between salad and entrée, where I would come and get you (and make sure that you are ready). I will roll the cake onto to the dance floor, where the bride and groom will cut the cake. But don’t worry, I will remind you how it all works and even show you how to cut it. You always cut the piece diagonally so that it is easier to pull out of the cake and place on a plate. After you feed each other, your photographer will take the pictures he or she wants and then I will roll it away and cut it in the back!
2. Where do I put my engagement ring during the ceremony?
Wear the ring on your right hand or have your aunt or grandma hold it. If you want to wear your engagement ring for the reception, put it on during the ride to your venue or just before being announced. For Jewish weddings, it's fine to wear your engagement ring, and then exchange stone-free wedding bands if you want to keep with tradition. Also remember: The band is usually worn closest to your heart on your left hand.
3. Who lifts my veil?
While more and more brides are wearing a veil flipped back for the entire ceremony or not wearing one at all, the most traditional bride still wears a veil over her face. If you like to keep things classic, there are two options. One is your dad lifts the veil when he gives you away, "revealing" you to the groom (like you really need help with that one). The other is for the groom to lift the veil just before the kiss.
4. What side are we supposed to stand on during the ceremony?
If you're in a church facing the altar, the bride stands on the left side and the groom on the right. Guests of the bride and groom should follow suit, sitting on the side of whoever they know best or are related to (hint: tell mutual friends to sit on the side that has less people). For Jewish ceremonies, it's the opposite.
5. What's the best way to greet guests if I don't want a receiving line?
Yeah, we get it -- you don't want to stand around after the ceremony in an assembly line. Instead, greet your guests during the reception by going from table to table during the first course. Just make sure you have time to eat too! Also, make a short speech thanking guests for coming and give a shout-out to vendors and parents (or anyone else who helped pay for your wedding!). While this moment with the mic shouldn't take the place of personal interaction with guests, it can be a great forum to let them know how much their support means to you.
6. Can I take my shoes off at any time during the reception?
We've all been to the wedding where guests cut loose on the dance floor and ditch the heels. But it's a little different when you're the bride -- especially if you're wearing a formal dress. Instead of going barefoot, bring a pair of flats for dancing. If you're getting married in the summer, have baskets of flip-flops in your wedding colors for your guests to slip into before they get down. There's one exception to the shoes-or-lose rule: beach weddings!
I'm Back!
I apologize for me just getting back to the blog. It has been a crazy few weeks. Taking a vacation before wedding reason start is a great idea, giving me time to relax and enjoy warm weather, but when you get back it becomes crazy. We already had a wedding this year, but it starts up again in 3 weeks with Kristin and Shaun. I am excited to get started on the next 16 weddings I have!
I promise I will try to get on here a bit more often then I have been. I actually will be getting my own website (courtesy of Pat, one of my grooms) instead of having a blog. I want something a little more interactive and creative. So it is time to revamp my blog. I love everything about weddings and have a TON of ideas in my head about different venues and set ups, centerpieces and escort cards, music and bands, breakfast ideas and making a weekend/event out of the wedding! It’s crazy! So I hope to get more into that too.
Please enjoy, and any questions, comments, concerns are always welcome!
I promise I will try to get on here a bit more often then I have been. I actually will be getting my own website (courtesy of Pat, one of my grooms) instead of having a blog. I want something a little more interactive and creative. So it is time to revamp my blog. I love everything about weddings and have a TON of ideas in my head about different venues and set ups, centerpieces and escort cards, music and bands, breakfast ideas and making a weekend/event out of the wedding! It’s crazy! So I hope to get more into that too.
Please enjoy, and any questions, comments, concerns are always welcome!
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