Kids at your wedding?

When it comes to the question of whether or not to invite children to your wedding reception, it can be a difficult decision to make. While kids can add joy and create unforgettable moments, they can also present challenges. To help manage these potential obstacles, consider the following tip

Ensuring your DJ is aware that there will be children at your wedding reception is crucial. It’s important to confirm if they have experience in accommodating kids at weddings. Special moments such as the first dance can be complicated, however, our team has mastered some techniques to keep the kids entertained while ensuring that your photographer captures every memory you wish to cherish.

It’s important to clearly communicate any music restrictions to your DJ. Keep in mind that what may be appropriate for your own children, may not align with the preferences of other parents.

Older children and teenagers may request music from popular social media platforms such as TikTok. While your DJ may be inclined to oblige in order to keep them entertained, it’s essential to ensure they understand the limits of what can be played. Without clear guidelines, you may find your dance floor is taken over by the kids’ music preferences.

When planning a wedding reception, it’s easy to overlook the food needs of young children. Many children have a limited palate, and typically prefer items such as chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and pizza. To ensure that all guests, including the youngest ones, are well-catered to, it’s crucial to include age-appropriate meal options in the menu planning.

It’s important to keep in mind the short attention span of young children. When they become bored, they may start looking for something to do on their own, which can cause disruptions on your special day. To prevent this, ensure that there are age-appropriate activities readily available for them. Consider also if the venue has internet access as it can be helpful for parents to keep their children entertained with electronic devices such as tablets and phones.

Above all, if you have children of your own, regardless of their age, make sure you have designated a responsible adult to take care of them during the reception. As the couple, you will be pulled in many different directions on your special day and having someone to look after your kids will make it easier for both them and you.

It may seem simpler to not have children present at your wedding, but the truth is, they can bring so many precious moments that would not be possible without them. These moments are unique and irreplaceable, as they will never be that age again. While it’s important to remember that they are children and to plan accordingly, the memories they bring are priceless.

Do I feed my wedding vendors?

When considering whether or not to provide food for vendors at your wedding, it’s important to take a few things into consideration. In most cases, it’s a good idea to provide food for your vendors as they have dedicated their entire day to making your special day a success. It’s a small gesture of appreciation for the hard work and effort they put into your wedding. Providing food for vendors can also be a practical solution, as it ensures that they are well-fed and energized throughout the day to provide the best service possible.

When planning your wedding, it’s essential to consider the needs of your vendors, particularly those who will be with you from start to finish. Your photographer, for example, is likely to be with you from the moment you begin getting ready until well into your reception. These professionals are putting in a significant amount of time, often working 12 hours or more, to capture every moment of your special day. They want to ensure that they don’t miss anything important, so they often forego regular breaks to ensure they are always ready to take pictures. This means that they will eat and take breaks when you do. It’s important to keep this in mind and consider providing food and breaks for your vendors to ensure they are well-fed and energized throughout the day.

When deciding whether to feed your DJ for your reception, keep in mind that their time with you goes beyond the five hours of the event. They typically arrive one and a half to two hours before the event starts, and it takes them an hour or more to pack up and load their equipment after it ends. This means that, in total, they will be working an eight-hour day. It’s important to consider their need for food and breaks during this time, as it can impact their performance. Similarly, other vendors such as photographers may not take breaks, so it is important to make sure they are provided with meals within their eight-hour time frame.

Consider the needs of your videographer as well, just as you would with your photographer. Like the photographer, they may not take breaks during the event, so it’s important to provide them with meals within their day to ensure they can perform at their best.

It’s important to remember that vendors such as photographers and videographers are sacrificing their entire day to capture the special moments of your wedding. It’s not fair to expect them to go without food. It’s worth noting that meals for vendors at weddings can add to your expense, but it’s important to keep in mind that well-fed vendors will perform better. While some venues may provide vendor meals, it’s important to make sure the meals are of sufficient quality, as poorly fed or underfed vendors may not perform at their best. Keep in mind that vendors play an important role in your wedding day, and it’s essential to make sure they are well taken care of.

The answer to the question of whether or not to provide food for your vendors is a clear and resounding “yes”. It is important to ensure that they are well-fed and taken care of throughout the event in order to ensure they can perform at their best and capture the special moments of your wedding day.

DIY Wedding DJ and Music

DIY music for your wedding may seem like a cost-effective solution, but it can also lead to a less-than-memorable reception. Instead of engaging in interactive events such as dances and games, you’ll simply be providing background music for a fancy gathering. While it may seem easy to rent speakers and hook up your iPod, it’s important to remember the impact that professional entertainment can have on your special day. Without a trained DJ/MC to guide the night’s events and keep the party going, your reception may fall short of your expectations.

As you consider your options for wedding entertainment, it’s important to remember that your reception is one of the most memorable days of your life. Rather than leaving the success of your special day in the hands of a pre-made playlist, consider the impact that professional entertainment can have. If you’re comfortable with the idea of a DIY approach, then go for it. However, it’s worth taking the time to read through the rest of the information available to ensure you’re making an informed decision.

As a professional DJ/MC, it’s essential to be aware of everything happening during a wedding reception. Guests often turn to the DJ/MC for information and assistance, even for things that aren’t technically within our responsibilities. From locating the photographer to providing updates on the schedule of events and answering questions about the seating chart and bar, the DJ/MC is often at the center of everything that happens during the wedding day, whether or not there’s a planner present. This is why it’s crucial for the DJ/MC to be well-informed and proactive in anticipating the needs of the guests.

The success of your wedding reception’s timeline relies heavily on the coordination efforts of your DJ/MC. They are responsible for keeping the events of the evening on schedule, from ensuring that dinner starts on time to orchestrating formal events and keeping the flow of the evening moving smoothly. Even after dinner, the DJ/MC continues to play a crucial role in overseeing and coordinating the remaining events of the evening. Whether you have a planner or not, the DJ/MC is the key player in the seamless execution of your wedding timeline.

Choosing the right music and entertaining your guests on the dance floor is a crucial aspect of a successful wedding reception. While it may seem easy to pick a playlist, the truth is that it takes a skilled DJ to cater to a diverse crowd with varying age ranges and musical preferences. The ability to read the crowd and make on-the-spot adjustments is vital to keep the party going and ensure that guests of all ages enjoy the music. Weddings are vastly different from the homogenous crowd found in bars and clubs, and it takes a special kind of skill and knowledge to cater to guests ranging from 18 to 80 years old, or even older. Finding a balance that appeals to everyone and keeps the flow of the night going is an art that is not easily learned, and it takes years of experience to master it.

Choosing the right music and entertaining your guests on the dance floor is a crucial aspect of a successful wedding reception. While anyone can play music and make a playlist, it takes a skilled DJ to read the crowd and make on-the-spot adjustments to keep the party going and ensure that guests of all ages enjoy the music. It’s important to have a live DJ who can observe the guests and adapt to the flow of the evening. Making everyone happy on the dance floor is a daunting task, and it’s nearly impossible to predict the music preferences of every guest, even if you are a psychic, a live DJ can observe the guests and make the necessary adjustments to keep the dance floor packed. If you happen to be a psychic, feel free to reach out to me, I have some questions for you.

If you’re comfortable with the possibility of not having the perfect wedding reception, then by all means, proceed with a DIY music setup. However, it’s important to note that by not investing in professional entertainment, you risk missing out on the opportunity to have an unforgettable and memorable reception that your guests will be talking about for years to come. While renting equipment and creating a playlist may seem like a cost-effective solution, it’s important to remember that a professional DJ/MC brings more than just music to the table. They bring a wealth of experience, skill, and expertise to ensure that your reception is a success. If you want to ensure that your wedding reception is a night to remember, consider hiring a professional DJ/MC.

All of the information provided thus far only scratches the surface of what a professional DJ/MC can bring to your wedding reception. There is also the added benefit of an experienced Master of Ceremony (MC) who can help guide the events of the evening, make announcements, and keep the flow of the night running smoothly. A skilled MC can make all the difference in ensuring that your reception is a seamless and unforgettable experience for you and your guests. The MC role in a wedding is just as important as the DJ role, and it’s a topic that deserves its own dedicated discussion.

Planning your music!

As experienced wedding DJs, we understand the importance of personalizing your special day. However, we have encountered situations where we’ve had to decline to work with certain couples due to an excessive level of music control, such as requesting that every song be handpicked for the special moments and the entirety of the reception. From our experience, allowing for a level of flexibility and trust in the DJ’s expertise leads to a far more enjoyable experience for both the couple and their guests

So here are a few reasons to consider NOT doing that.

  1. Flexibility: One of the main reasons why it’s not recommended to select every song for the entire night of your wedding is that it can limit the flexibility of your DJ. A professional DJ will be able to read the crowd and make adjustments to the music as needed, in order to keep guests engaged and entertained. By selecting every song for the night, you may be preventing the DJ from being able to make those adjustments.
  2. Experience: A professional DJ has the experience to know which songs will be the most well-received by the crowd. They are aware of the most recent songs and the classics that will make everyone happy. Therefore, it’s important to trust their expertise and allow them some flexibility in their song selection.
  3. Flow: A professional DJ will create a musical flow throughout the night, choosing songs that will complement each other and keep the energy level high. In contrast, if you choose every song, the flow of the night may be disrupted, and the energy may not be sustained as well.
  4. Unforeseen circumstances: Sometimes, unexpected things happen during a wedding, like a change in the timing of the event or a guest request, a good DJ will be able to handle those situations by adjusting the song selection. If you’ve chosen every song for the night, your DJ may not have the flexibility to make those changes.

Keep in mind that the DJ is there to provide music for your wedding, not only for you but for your guests as well. A good DJ will take into consideration the audience, the flow, and the energy of the night. Trust their professional experience and allow them to make some selections to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. Remember, you’re hiring a DJ for a reason!

Planning Your Ceremony.

It is often one of the most overlooked moments. In most cases you think, “I walk down the aisle, someone says some stuff, and bam, I am married.” When it gets closer to time, you then realize there is a bit more to it.  It is not complicated by any stretch of the words. It is however a normally well-coordinated event. Many people and things going in many directions.  With most “traditions” not being used on a regular basis, people are even more unsure of what to do. I hope this helps. 

So, first things first, let’s talk about hiring your officiant. In this day and age, you can hire a “professional” to do it, have your friend or family member do an online ordination, or ask your local church leader to do the deed. It honestly comes down to what your needs and beliefs are. There is no right or wrong way.

You also need to think about where you are getting married. Some wedding venues have a ceremony location on site. If your venue does not have one, then you will need to go in search of one that will make your ceremony be exactly what you want. You will want to make sure you visit these places. Ask questions. Take pictures.  Never go just off what you see online. Always be sure to ask what happens if it rains!

Another thing, people tend to forget about until closer to the date, are the Vows. In most cases, people are still writing their own vows. Some, however, are opting out of that now, and let the officiant have vows that can be repeated. This is again entirely on you, and how you want it to be done.

Next thing to think about, is what do you want to do during your ceremony. You know, aside from the rings, vows and everything else.  So many more options today, especially if you’re not going to do a traditional “church” wedding.  Things like the unity candle, hand fastenings, and sand pouring have become even more common.  These are typically worked in somewhere in the ceremony itself. Determined by either the couple or the officiant.  (Note: in most cases, the items used for these things are picked out and supplied by you, not the officiant.)

Those things are probably the hardest part of the planning your ceremony. The rest is just logistics.

Another decision to make is how you want everyone to walk down the aisle. Do you want the girls to be escorted down? Do you want the guys just to be there already at the altar? Do you want the officiant to accompany the groom down? Don’t forget about parents and grandparents being escorted to their seats, prior to the wedding party starting their walk.  In most cases, the parents are escorted by the groomsman and the groom, moments prior to the start of the ceremony. Sometimes people will change the music for this event. Sometimes people will have silence, as almost a heads up to your guests that things are about to get started.  After that, the guys return to their waiting place. The Officiant and groom will walk down the aisle together. Then, girls come out from there “hiding place” and meet with the guys one at a time, then walk down the aisle. Once all the guys and girls are in place. The music fades out, then the bridal march begins. Bride gets escorted down and bam. The ceremony is started. Usually, during the ceremony, your officiant will help guide you through the steps if you are required to do anything besides stand there. After it is all done. Music starts, and you walk back up the aisle. Normally into a receiving line.

The receiving line is not always done. It is, however, a nice gesture for you to see and thank your guests for being at the ceremony. Also, let’s be honest, the night is going to be busy, it may be your best chance to actually converse with everyone even if for a second.

More on logistics, you should make sure that someone is able to get all the pieces and parts for your ceremony to your locations. If you have an arch you must set up, or anything else, someone will need to set that up. You are most likely going to be crazy busy already, so you will need to rely on someone else to do that. Typically, you want that done about 2 hours before your actual ceremony begins. This gives ample time to make sure if something needs to be tweaked, it can be done with no impact on the event.

Lastly, the music.  In most cases, you will need a song for your Bridal Party to walk down the aisle to. That is considered by many to be the “Processional”. Then what song the bride is walking down the aisle too (the “Bridal March”). Then, after the “I Do’s” are done, what song will you be coming back up the aisle too? Commonly referred to as the “Recessional”.   Whoever oversees the sound, will ultimately communicate with whoever is coordinating the processional. They will work out cues, so he/she knows when to play the music.








Why are weddings so expensive?

This is a concern of the bride and groom that is planning their wedding. In an economy where every penny counts, people are always watching more and more of what they spend and how they spend. While your wedding day may be one of the most magical days of your life, you will ultimately still have a budget of some kind.

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