Important things to consider when booking your Wedding Music

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07/02/2011

CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING MUSIC

So, you’ve chosen the date, you’ve chosen the photographer and you’ve chosen the church and reception location. One element you’ll now need to carefully consider is the music. There are two musical elements to the day – the ceremony and the reception – both of which I’ll cover here:

THE CEREMONY:

Whether you choose a large Church gathering or a smaller civil service, music will play a very important part in your ceremony. The music you choose will set the tone of the ceremony.

So what do you need to consider when choosing the music for you ceremony? Below I list the main items of consideration

Location size:

While this may seem very obvious, some couples do tend to overlook the size of the location and the acoustics when choosing a wedding musician or wedding singer. You need to be sure that the singer / musicians you choose have the equipment to ensure a sound that will fill say a large church, or, on the other hand, if the venue is small, that the music does not overpower the ceremony! Make sure you discuss the size of the ceremony venue and ensure that you’re happy that the musician or singer can meet your requirements before booking!

Theme of the wedding and time of year:

If the wedding is a black tie event you may consider having a string quartet for the ceremony element of the day or a two to three piece classical vocalists. Alternatively, if you’re having a more relaxed day, think about the mood you’re trying to create, a Gospel Choir may be the perfect start to building a happy, upbeat mood or a vocalist with a more contemporary feel to his or her voice. Additionally the time of year will be important in your choice of music and songs, if you’re getting married at say Christmas time for example you may wish to include Christmas themed songs into the ceremony.

Type of singer / musician:

If you’re more of a classical type bride and groom a soprano style vocalist may be your preference. A lot of brides and grooms like a more contemporary feel to their service and as such book a more contemporary singer / musician. When choosing your singer or musician get recommendations, ensure you listen to their samples, and try to see them at work if at all possible!

Additionally, an experienced singer/ musician will be happy to help with the various aspects of the ceremony and advise you accordingly regarding the music for each section

Celebrants requirements:

When choosing your music you need to do so in conjunction with your singer / musician AND the priest or celebrant of the ceremony. Priests have been known to request last minute changes to the music of the ceremony as they had not been consulted prior to the day and the music chosen did not fit in with the requirements of the church – so the golden rule is: INCLUDE the priest or celebrant at all times!!

THE RECEPTION MUSIC

Again you need to consider a number of things when choosing your reception music. Some of the questions you will need to ask yourself:

Do you wish to have music at the drinks reception?

Again, depending on the mood you wish to create you could choose from a jazz ensemble (to create a laid back and relaxed atmosphere), a string quartet (for a more formal approach to the arrival of your guests – very suited to black tie occasion) , a piano and singer, a guitarist and singer or simply just a pianist. Having music at the drinks reception will also be dependent on the time of year. I’ve seen summer weddings where the guests congregate outdoors while the musician is playing to an empty room – so it’s worthwhile considering that you may not always need reception music!

What type of Band or DJ to choose: things you’ll need to carefully consider will be the following:

Size of room and number of guests:

While you’d probably LOVE a 10 piece band it may not necessarily suit the size of the room or the number of guests (never mind your budget!). Sometimes a smaller, not fully live band or just a DJ can be as effective in creating and setting that perfect atmosphere! Ultimately size of band should be balanced with size of function room and number of guests

Band set up time and does the room provide for band set up before guests finish dinner.

This all needs to be considered – the band will generally have a set up time in their contracts however the start of the set-up time only begins once the band are given access to the room. As such, any delays in the finishing of the dinner will ultimately impact on the start time of the band – unless the room that you’ve booked is set up to allow band set up prior to dinner finish – in which case you can agree with the band that they start at whatever time suits YOU! Otherwise, if the band have an hour and a half set up time, that’s an hour and a half in which your guests will need to be kept entertained!

Guest age and preferences:

As much as you may both love Coldplay for example, a band who covers that type of music specifically would not cater for guests who are more traditional in their music tastes! While it is absolutely important to cater for your guests with the chosen music it’s also important to remember that it’s also YOUR night and it’s important to infuse the night with both your personalities! Again, you need to ensure that you get a balance here, the objective is to give yourselves and your guests a good night and if keeping them on the dancefloor is what you want to do you’ll need to consider the general musical tastes.

The Set Lists of your preferred bands:

When you have considered the musical tastes of your guests and know what you want you’ll need to look at the set lists of your preferred bands (you’ll probably have an idea of what they do anyway) to ensure it covers all of your requirements. BUT, check out their samples online and, where possible, try to see them in action before booking them. Most bands organize showcase gigs in hotels and pubs for wedding couples to come along to. And remember, if you have any special requests regarding music, ensure you mail or speak to the relevant person in ADVANCE of booking to ensure that they can fulfill all of your requirements!!

Remember that there are a lot of one stop solutions – some bands provide music for the church or civil service, for the pre-dinner entertainment and for the post-dinner entertainment. A lot of them do the full package at a very reasonable price but ensure that you get a sample of quotes and ensure you’re happy with the final price!

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Antoinette Dunleavy has fifteen years experience in the Irish wedding music industry.

Please contact Antoinette through www.weddingsbyantoinette.ie for booking enquiries for both Church and wedding reception music and she will be happy to assist you with your queries.

Write Good And Great Wedding Speech

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05/02/2011

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Wedding speeches add to the beauty of the moment. While earning the family a daughter, the other gains a son, a great bargain for any family that can be expressed through the words at the wedding reception. Wedding speeches for the groom’s father are among the most important for the occasion.

Wedding speeches are a traditional part of the events involved in creating a new family. They express hope, happiness and best wishes for the success of the endeavor. Thus it is important to carefully consider one’s words and audience that will be addressed if one is obliged to speak at such an occasion. After all one would certainly not wish ill or embarrassment on the couple in question on a day that is very important to them.

The art of a fantastic wedding speech is just being yourself. Get your hands on the guide that I used when I got married. It had tons of examples and tips. I basically plugged my own words into the template and was done in about 10 minutes. I practiced the speech in front of my dog first. Then I recorded another rehearsal on my computer with the web cam. This high tech stuff is cool! The dog never bit me and the camera did not break. I practiced it only twice and that was it.

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Best man speeches consist of a more formal mode of address. It is also composed of more words than what most others are required to utter. Of those words that are most often spoken by the best man are an invitation to join in toasting the bride and groom.

When you finally figure out what you want to say in your speech, be certain that you practice saying it over and over again. Decide upon how you will give the speech to your bride and guests.If you need to jot down a few notes on a note card, then do it. However, never try to do your groom wedding speech from memorization.Everyone in the room will know that it has been memorized and feel embarrassed for you if you miss a line. Just speak in a conversational tone and say what you want to say.

Wedding Magician: Different Entertainment For Your Big Day

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04/02/2011

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Ever heard of a Wedding Magician? Well, they’re the fastest growing trend among your couples that are looking for a little something different to offer their wedding guests. The band can, as always, can get everyone warmed up and keep things lively during the first part of the reception. Then, once everyone has had their fill of food and dancing, they can sit back and enjoy being amazed and entertained by an expert sleight of hand performer who will work the whole room by going around from table to table doing various magic tricks for all your wedding guests, young and old.

Wedding Magicians are sleight of hand specialists who go around from table to table entertaining guests at wedding receptions. They are also referred to as close-up magicians because they can perform their tricks right in front of their audiences, further creating a sense of awe and amazement.
The most common part of a wedding at which a close-up magician will perform is at the reception, but many of them will also walk around and keep guests entertained during other parts of your special day, such as when photos are being taken or at a pre-wedding breakfast. Another option is having the magician come during the rehearsal dinner as a fun treat for your wedding party.
The fact that a magic show is fun entertainment for people of all ages makes it an ideal form of alternative entertainment for a wedding reception. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of trying to figure out how the magician was able to do his tricks without being detected – especially at such close range!

In addition to weddings, close-up magicians also perform at a variety of other venues for which this type of entertainment is just the right touch.
Many of the best close-up magicians have also performed at corporate events, dinner parties, exhibitions and resort hotels.
Prices for a wedding magician will vary between performers and depend largely on the actual event’s specific details. Of course, the level of experience of the performer and the business of his schedule will also be a great factor in determining the cost.
Price calculation will also be based on location of the event, time of year, whether or not travel is required and the length of the performance. Due to their growing popularity, it’s probably best to plan on booking a wedding magician as early as possible.

How do you go about choosing a magician? Well, as with any purchase, you should spend some time doing research and shopping around before you buy. Make appointments to meed with a few magician’s and it’s certain that you will get a gut feeling as to which one would be the best fit for your event.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a good way to shake up your reception, a wedding magician will surely surprise and delight all of your guests.

Advice On Making Your Wedding One To Remember

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04/02/2011

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Your wedding day should be one of the most special days of your life. To make sure this happens, you invariably spend months planning to ensure everything runs smoothly. But how can you make your wedding more memorable? We’ve put together some ideas. One great way to personalize your big and make it stand out in your memory is to write your own wedding vows. Don’t just rely on ‘I do’, think about what you really want to say to your better half, and make sure you tell them.

Your wedding day should be one of the most special days of your life. To make sure this happens, you invariably spend months planning to ensure everything runs smoothly. But how can you make your wedding more memorable? We’ve put together some ideas. One great way to personalize your big and make it stand out in your memory is to write your own wedding vows. Don’t just rely on ‘I do’, think about what you really want to say to your better half, and make sure you tell them.

You can also make the most of your wedding meal by doing something a bit different to the norm. Think about your favorite food or style of food – French, Italian, Chinese, or whatever it might be – and then put that on the menu instead of the usual wedding fare, which isn’t always that exciting. You could even have a variety of food and serve it as a buffet instead of a sit-down meal so it caters to all guests while still being interesting and making your day memorable.

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To make your wedding really stand out in people’s memories, you could consider having a theme. If you’re after something a little bit wacky, then you could go for something like a Western or hippy-themed wedding. Alternatively, fairy tales, Disney and Mardi Gras are all popular theme options. It’s your day, though, so you can do what you want. If you want something more traditional, then having a seasonal theme is popular, such as having lots of flowers and pastel colors for a spring wedding. Having a special event at your reception is another fantastic way of making your wedding day more memorable.

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This could be something such as a live band to get everybody dancing, or perhaps a string quartet playing some of your favorite music. You could also do something bigger and have a big attraction such as horse-riding, fairground rides for the children or perhaps even party games to get all your guests involved. If you have any favorite home videos, you could also show them to the guests.

Finally, the first wedding dance between bride and groom is a truly special part of any wedding. One idea is to pick your favorite song beforehand and then get dancing lessons to prepare for the big day so you’ll be able to show everyone exactly what you can do on the dance floor. This is an increasingly popular option and your guests are sure to love it. Another idea that is always sure to go down well at weddings is to have an open bar.

Image credits:

Wreath with ribbon Be something new on etsy

Burlap sign for food Designer Canvases on etsy

Bouguet Fleur du Nord on etsy

Wedding dress Daughters os Simone

The perfect venue setting for your wedding day

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02/02/2011

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Saying ‘yes’ to a wedding proposal is an exciting time for the couple, their friends and family members, but unfortunately this is the easiest step when it comes to actually marrying your partner. There seems to be an endless list of requirements for a wedding reception and ceremony, and it requires a great deal of organising, effort, money and time to be made a successful one. From organising the guest list to getting the bridal party flowers to finding a wedding dress to picking the theme of the wedding, there is so much to be arranged. However the choice of wedding venue appears to be one of the most difficult things to decide on, as there are a number of wedding venues over the lower north island region to choose from.

Before deciding on what wedding venue you’d like, think about whether you’d like to have a theme to your wedding or not. Some couples choose to have their wedding follow a certain theme, such as roman times, beach or a 40s theme. While a themed wedding makes your wedding unique, on the other hand it decreases your range of different venue options, and most don’t follow a particular theme. Having a traditional un-themed wedding opens your options for different wedding venues.

The two most popular wedding venues generally take place in churches or gardens. If you are not overly religious, garden weddings can offer a beautiful, romantic and intimate setting for your wedding day. It can also provide gorgeous surroundings to take your wedding photos in.

While there is an extensive amount of Wellington garden venues available, perhaps consider having your wedding in a smaller town. This means that you won’t have to deal with any traffic problems, for both the couple marrying and the guests arriving and leaving. Smaller locations also generally offer lower venue hire bills as they are not based in the city, making it more accommodating if you are on a set budget.

Allow yourself plenty of time to view different wedding venues in advance, and this will give you opportunity to choose the best place for your wedding day.

Composing An Unforgettable Best Man Talk

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31/01/2011

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It is indeed of great credit to be asked to become a best man, and like most you probably want to do your finest to live up to this honor. You are also probably hoping that your speech reproduces your attitude toward this honor, and your feelings toward the groom. A well-crafted best-man speech can make the wedding reception sizzle with excitement.

Your best help is to act like a boy scout and be ready. Make use of some extra time just by thinking about your feelings and thoughts before you even begin to put it to writing. Several weeks before the event, you are now set mentally to begin making a rough draft of your thoughts.

Thank both sets of parents for sponsoring the day. Make a statement about the significance of this milestone day in everyone’s lives.Starting couple of weeks before the wedding then that would be a good time to start with the draft. You can start by formalities by doing introductions to yourself and how you are connected to the groom or maybe introducing even the parents You’ll want to observe some conventions right from the beginning by introducing yourself and your relationship to the groom, and also even introducing the parents of the couple or any other distinguished guests. Thanking everyone by being present in the ceremony and seeing the couple off into their new future.

Now to connect the bridge between the formalities and your words, you could come up joke or some funny lines. This will put everyone at ease including you and set the atmosphere to a much comfortable one.

Go on from there with a tale or two about the groom and you. Don’t put his spirits down the poor lad; instead uplift him with good words. If you tell a tale that tramples as his decision making, be sure and save him by relating what he acquired from the incident. Also try to also involve the bride in your discourse by looking back on how they became a twosome and how they got to their decision to wed.

Just before giving the toast, you may want to offer some advice to the happy couple. This may be serious or funny, amusing or thought-provoking. Regardless, express your good wishes for the future, and your confidence in their strength as a couple congratulating the new couple.

For more information about Wedding Day Toasts please visit this complete set of resources and additional articles, including a Free Special Report at Wedding Speeches and Toasts.

Facts That Should Be Known About Silver Rings

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31/01/2011

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There are a lot of people that are investing in silver rings. With this being the case there are a lot of facts that they should be aware of. This is what we will look at a bit more in depth now.

There are a lot of people that are investing in silver rings. With this being the case there are a lot of facts that they should be aware of. This is what we will look at a bit more in depth now.
The cost factor is one of the most common reasons people turn to jewelery of this kind. They are far less when it comes to price than their gold counterparts. Many people are very conscious of the money they spend on jewelery as the economy has been less than favorable over recent years.

For the people that make jewelery, metal of this kind is far easier for them to work with. They are able to manipulate the metal in ways that are extremely difficult for people to do with other metals. Some very delicate styles are able to be found made from silver and the prices that go with them are very reasonable. It is a winning combination in that regard.

Some common traditions that are observed throughout the world involve this kind of jewelery. Take the claddagh rings that are known in Ireland to symbolize love, friendship and loyalty. Many times they are what is used for wedding bands. There are other ways that this ring can be worn and they also have their own individual meaning that is represented when doing so.

Some cultures still follow the custom of having a ring made of this material used as a family ring. It is passed on throughout the generations to the eldest male of each generation. This is a custom that is still being done to date in many parts of the world.

These are only a few facts that people can learn about these items. There is a vast amount of information that can also be obtained from the internet. Try reading some of the articles that can be found on websites that are dedicated to silver rings and you may find a few surprising facts out that you would never have thought of before.

For wedding bands, eternity rings or engagement rings visit VoltaireDiamonds.ie

What not to Wear to Weddings!

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30/01/2011

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Weddings are one occasion where an effort should be made. This goes without saying for the bride, groom and their families but it is not always coherent on how one should dress if they are a guest. This has proved to be extremely difficult for many in recent times when weddings are not only being held in churches but also at gardens, destinations, beaches or an alternative wedding.

Weddings are one occasion where an effort should be made. This goes without saying for the bride, groom and their families but it is not always coherent on how one should dress if they are a guest. This has proved to be extremely difficult for many in recent times when weddings are not only being held in churches but also at gardens, destinations, beaches or an alternative wedding.

One of the most definite faux pas as well as not wearing white is not to try and wear anything that might compete with the bride’s dress. Most girls dream of their perfect wedding day from a very young age and when it finally arrives they want it to be special and want to be the only woman that everyone wishes they were at that point in time. The last thing any bride wants to see if someone who goes that extra bit further to rival their look on that special day. This competition of the frocks would be worse if the bride was one of your closest friends.

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If you are attending a garden wedding, it is important that you do not wear heels like you would for a traditional wedding setting. You will only make holes in the grass, ruin you shoes and it will be uncomfortable to walk around in them all day. If you want to wear a hat to protect you from the glare of the sun or just keep in with the theme of the garden make sure that your headpiece is not bigger than the one which the bride is already wearing. The perfect outfit for a woman to wear would be a maxi or a sundress teamed with sunglasses and flat shoes or sandals.

When going to a beach wedding, do not aim for high stiletto heels and short tight dresses. In the same way stay away from cleavage inducing halter dresses and again you might look better than the bride on her special day. Instead stick with a classic theme of wearing a long flowing gown with tropically designed earrings to add that ‘tribal’ touch and complete this look with a tote or a luxury wrap around shrug.

As a man attending the wedding as a guest, make sure you are aware of the latest suits and relevant fashion before deciding what to wear. The dated look is not in and it would not be appropriate to wear what you wore to a wedding two years ago especially if the same people are present at this wedding. Even if it is not a black tie wedding, men should always show their respect by wearing a tie. Team a silk tie with the classic long sleeve shirt and loafers and you are ready to go. If you want to add that extra sophisticated touch, add a belt to your attire.

Having The Best Wedding Invitations

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29/01/2011

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When choosing wedding invitations there are a lot of decisions to be made to pick out the perfect ones. There are many options to select from, but there are the right ones out there for your ceremony. Choosing the invites can be a trouble free or stressful process but when they are done it will be worth it.

Choosing a design for the invitations can depend on what form of ceremony you are having. There are many sizes to choose from, such as having paper size ones or an index card size one. A lot of businesses can cater to the different types of materials and shades for you to choose from.

Once you have chosen how you want your invites to look, the important details are now to be added. The specifics you should have on the invite are whose getting married, where the service is at, what time it is going to be, and if there is a reception afterward (with those details as well). Many invitations also have an response paper enclosed where they can let you know if they plant to attend.

Before you send out your invitation there is always an option for a before the initial invite. These ones are to let your family and friends know that you are going to get married on an upcoming date so be sure to keep it open. Once those are sent out then you can then send the real ones whenever you have completed them.

Another choice when picking out invites is making your own. You can be creative with any supplies you find at different markets and choose the kind of paper you want to use as well as decorations. If you do not have enough time to do that, then some stores have already made invites and all you have to do is put in all the information either on a printer or handwritten. This may be less expensive.

Timing when you send the invitations out is important as well. Most couples tend to send them out about six weeks before the big gay. This enables them to make their arrangements to get the time off and travel arrangements as well. This is also important in case you did not have save the date cards. If you cannot get the invitations out this early then do it as quickly as possible.

Once all the invitations have been mailed out, the next step would be to wait for your guests to inform you if they will be showing up or not. Determining how many guests will attend can help you with other parts of the wedding. When the wedding invitations are sent, it is a great way to help start off a perfect wedding.

Wonderful Gifts for the Bride-to-Be

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My Dream Wedding

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28/01/2011

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Shopping for the bride-to-be can be a lot of fun, whether you are looking for the bridal shower gift or the ultimate wedding present. Giving a gift to the prospective bride can help to make the time before the wedding extra memorable. Usually the bride and groom are registered at a number of stores, so looking on these registries can be a good way to see what they want. However, why not surprise the bride with a gift that she will love, but perhaps she has not even thought about. Here are some wonderful gift ideas for that special bride-to-be.

Great Honeymoon Gifts

Giving a bride a gift that she can use on her honeymoon can be a lot of fun. If you know where the couple plans to go, a travel guide for their destination could be a gift that would be much appreciated. A scrapbook designed to hold photos and mementos from their honeymoon would also be a nice gift. You could also give her a couple of special picture frames so that she can frame her favorite honeymoon photos when she gets home. If the bride does not already have a digital camera, giving her one as a shower present would be an unexpected but welcome gift. Not only can she use the camera on her honeymoon, but she can also use it to take photos of her bridal shower as well as other wedding preparations.

A Scrapbook for the Engagement and Wedding

You can surprise the bride-to-be with a fun gift if you are good enough friends to be included in pre-wedding festivities. You can take your camera along and take pictures of the events, then use the photos to create a wonderful scrapbook. Present it to the bride for a wedding present, but leave the last few pages empty so she can add her favorite photos from the reception and honeymoon. If you are one of the groom’s friends or family, a scrapbook full of photos of him growing up would make an awesome gift. Be sure to include some pictures of his family. Placing some photos of the groom as a child into picture frames would also make a great present.

Giving the Gift of Relaxation

Although planning a wedding can be a lot of fun, it can also be quite stressful at time. A gift certificate to her favorite spa, hair salon or nail salon could be the perfect gift to help her relax and unwind. You could even make your own gift certificate booklet for her, including coupons that she can redeem for things you could do to help her with her wedding preparations.

Credit images:
Gift boxes The Find Sac on etsy
Scrapbook Shabby Scrap on etsy

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