Tips for out-of-town wedding guests

Out-of-town weddings are always kinda challenge for guests. So get ready when you get the invitation.

Before You Leave

*Turn it into a mini-vacation. It's a matter of mindset. Instead of asking, "How am I going to do this?" say, "I'm going to have fun." Then get started.
*Plan ahead. Planning can help you make the most of your time. If old friends will be attending the wedding, call them beforehand and make plans to hook up. Make any rental car or other reservations in advance.
*Call ahead for a hotel brochure and a local events calendar. The more you know about your destination, the more time you'll be able to spend enjoying yourself once you get there.
*Send wedding gifts ahead of time. That way, you won't have to lug packages onto the plane with you.
*Make plans to hook up with friends. If old friends will be attending the wedding, call them beforehand and make plans to get together.

On The Plane

*Don't take a night flight before a morning wedding. You'll be exhausted. Also, to make your flight more enjoyable, try to travel with friends who are also going to the wedding. Time will zip by.
*Don't check essentials. You'd hate to show up at the reception in your Ungaro gown and your Reeboks!
*Request an exit row on the plane. Extra legroom means more comfort.
*Don't bring your work. Unless absolutely necessary, don't bring your laptop and files. Instead, enjoy the in-flight movie. Remember, you're on a mini-vacation.

On Location

*Don't live out of your bags. As soon as you arrive at your destination, unpack your bags. You'll feel much more at home if you aren't constantly yanking things out of your suitcase.
* Hit the spa. If the local activities don't appeal to you, make your weekend into a spa-like retreat. Use all the hotel facilities, starting with room service. Many larger hotels offer a massage service, as well as a gym, sauna and pool. Take advantage.
* Take a catnap. If it's an evening wedding, it will give you just the pick-me-up you need for later.
* Live it up. Make up your mind to dance, indulge and have a great time.
* Sleep in. The morning after the wedding, sleep as late as possible, and then order room service.

Plan your trip home so that you arrive in plenty of time to have a good night's sleep. If you head home too late, chances are you'll spend those last precious hours worrying.

Traveling To An Unfamiliar Place
Going somewhere you've never been before? How will you fill the time when you aren't celebrating with the happy couple? Every city has many unique things to offer its visitors -- even the smallest of small towns. Take advantage.

* Do some research online. Conduct a search on the city and state you will be visiting. What is it famous for? There may be a museum, festival, park or other location that you'll want to visit.
* A regional directory is available here at WeddingChannel.com. If you're looking for historic restaurants and hotels to visit during your stay, you may very well find them through our Local Vendors Directory.
* Check with the local Chamber of Commerce. They may be your best source of information on what to do and see.
* Pick up a travel book. There are several outstanding series of city guides, including those by Frommer's, Fodor's, and the Automobile Club of America. If you're an Auto Club member, you'll probably find they have a wealth of free information for you.
* Get a map. You don't want to get lost in a city you don't know well. There are some great websites that specialize in maps, so go online!
* Get a local to show you around. This may be a great chance to meet up with an old friend who's local. Just offer to return the favor when they visit your city.
* Ask the bride and groom. They probably have personal recommendations about activities and things to do in the area. If they've created an Out-Of-Town Guest Information page, you may find suggestions there. (If they don't have one, email the couple now and invite them to create their personal wedding web page -- it's free and fun!)
* Check out the local newspaper. When you arrive at your destination, this is a great way to find out about events.
* Ask the concierge. If you've forgotten to make plans in advance, don't worry -- they can help with recommendations.
* Offer to help the wedding couple and their families. If you don't feel like sightseeing, they are sure to appreciate any assistance. This is also a nice way for you to spend extra time with the people you've traveled so far to see.
Remember, the few days before the wedding are the busiest time for the bride and groom. This is not the time to ask them to play chauffeur or tour guide. One of the best gifts you can give the couple is to take responsibility for entertaining yourself during your stay.

Feel better? You have everything you need to help make a weekend wedding fun and fruitful. Have a blast!

Asking Her Father - Engagement

The time has come. You've thought about it and thought about it. And talked about it. And thought about it some more. You know her like you've never known anyone else. You love her like you've never loved anyone else and you can't imagine spending a week without her, let alone the rest of your life. It's time to ask for her hand in marriage.

Now, there was a time -- only a few generations ago -- when the next step was clear-cut and simple: you paid a visit to her father and asked him for her hand. Back then, marriage was more a matter of class, status, dowries and other financial arrangements, and love was given less attention. Whether or not the potential groom could provide for his bride, as determined by the bride's father, weighed heavier on a family's mind than love.

As love became more important to marriage than money, this tradition has continued, although it is not nearly as common as it once was, at least in middle-class America. Today, when a man asks his girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage, he does so more out of respect than anything else. Generally, both the father and his daughter's boyfriend are aware that, approval or no approval, if they truly want to be married, there's little to stop them. The father's approval is almost expected. After all, guys are pretty smart sometimes, and they usually know where they stand with their girlfriend's father; if they don't get along with her father, there's little chance they'll even ask.

But even when approval is expected, there's still something nerve-wracking about the process -- there's always the chance her father doesn't realize how serious their relationship is, or that he'll be caught off-guard. And sometimes fathers are just naturally intimidating. Troy, a project manager for a computer product company in Utah, had dated his girlfriend, Tania, for over four years; he got along fine with Tania's father, who is from Yugoslavia and is very Old World and traditional. But Troy admits to feeling too intimidated to ask him for Tania's hand, even though Troy knew both Tania and her parents hoped that he would ask; the fact that her father is an enthusiastic hunter and keeps the heads of various deer and elk mounted on his wall may have contributed to this intimidation.

Sometimes it's difficult to know exactly which father to ask: the birth father or the stepfather. Dave, a manager at a consulting firm in San Diego, dated his girlfriend, Cory, for over six years before he was ready for marriage. Cory's parents were divorced and both remarried; Dave decided to speak to her natural father first, though Cory had spent more years with her stepfather. She had a good relationship with both men, and Dave thought, since both had been fathers to her through the years, the blood relationship a birth father has commanded special respect. Plus, he had been given Cory's mother's first engagement ring diamond a few months prior to use for Cory's ring, so her stepfather at least had an inkling of the impending engagement.

Of course, there's no reason you need to ask her father first; sometimes asking him after the fact is enough to show proper respect to her family. Matt, an electrical engineer in Tucson, had dated his girlfriend, Rebecca, for four years before asking her to marry him. She, of course, gladly agreed. But when her parents visited over Christmas vacation, Matt realized he had never officially received Rebecca's father's permission to marry her. Matt took him aside, poured a couple of whiskeys (to calm both their nerves), told him how much his daughter meant to him and how they could enrich each other's lives, and asked for his blessing. Although her father had met Matt only a couple of times before, the blessing was promptly given, and Matt and Rebecca have now been married for almost two years.

Of course, a father's acquiescence is by no means guaranteed, no matter how well the aspiring groom gets along with him. One young man of 19 asked his girlfriend's father for her hand (she was the same age) and the father immediately denied his request, arguing that they were far too young. The couple ignored her father's wishes and got married anyway. Sometimes, such an obstacle can be a test of love; will you let anyone stand in your way? It's wise to have considered every scenario and know what your response will be.

The decision whether to ask your girlfriend's father for her hand in marriage depends more on the kind of relationship you have -- or want to have -- with her father. After all, he's soon to become your father-in-law, and good relations will make everyone's future happier. It's a show of respect; imagine yourself with a daughter, and how you would feel if her boyfriend asked you for her hand. Chances are, you'd appreciate the gesture and accept it as a show of friendship. While any father would be happy to have his daughter marrying someone who'll treat her well and provide for her and love her beyond measure, there's a respect you gain from him nonetheless, just by showing him a similar respect. And any relationship built on mutual respect has a strong foundation to build a new life upon.

Inexpensive Weddings Elopement Packages

y $30,000, inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be very appealing for couples on a tight budget. Before opting for the cheapest nuptials, however, couples should be sure they understand what services are included in an elopement package and what they can expect on their wedding day.

Defining Inexpensive

When a couple begins to plan a destination wedding or elopement, the first thing they should do is define what they consider inexpensive. For some couples, even a small celebration may run several thousand dollars depending on the location and amenities they choose, which can be more expensive than a simpler, more traditional wedding ceremony and reception. On the other hand, a couple that is faced with the prospect of a large celebration in an urban area may find that a more exotic elopement can be a substantial savings. The key is to find the best celebration for the best budget without compromising on the romance, quality, and special sentiments of the day.

Why Go Cheap?

Couples may choose inexpensive elopement packages for a number of reasons. As two individuals join their lives together, they are often confronted with other expenses such as purchasing a home, reducing student loan or credit card debt, continuing education, or starting a family. Saving money by opting for an inexpensive elopement is a fiscally responsible choice that can be just as meaningful and romantic as a more lavish celebration.

Finding Elopement Packages

Finding inexpensive weddings elopement packages can be easy, but couples should plan carefully to find the very best deals for their special day. Many resorts, hotels, and wedding planners in popular destinations offer elopement and destination wedding packages, and couples can contact different planners and facilities to inquire about less expensive options than the packages that may be advertised. Couples could also opt to hire a wedding planner on a consultancy basis for a cheaper rate, or they could make the wedding arrangements themselves if they are familiar with the destination and its legal requirements. The steps to finding the least expensive elopement options are:

1. Choose a destination. Exotic, far away locations will generally be more difficult – and more expensive – to plan.
2. Investigate package deals. These may be from planners, resorts, or agencies, but each package will have unique features and different prices.
3. Ask about cheaper options. Customizing some aspects of the festivities may allow couples to lower the price.
4. Plan early for the best deals. Popular wedding months such as May, June, and December often have higher prices if packages are booked at the last minute. Airfare should also be booked well in advance for the cheapest prices.
5. Save up to pay expenses. By saving before the wedding, couples can pay for the package and any other expenses right away without accumulating debt.

Costs

Elopement packages can be as cheap as just $100 or they may cost several thousand dollars for a couple’s perfect day. Factors that influence the cost include:

* Destination: Travel costs are a significant expense for elopements; couples who marry close to home can save much more. More exotic, popular destinations such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida, and Europe are also more expensive.
* Date: Peak wedding season dates are generally more expensive, even for simple elopement packages. Couples willing to marry during slower periods can often take advantage of lower hotel rates and other reduced prices. Another date consideration is the speed of the arrangements: elopements arranged at the last minute may incur rush fees.
* Guests: While many couples elope privately, including guests such as close family members, parents, and friends is also popular. The more guests there are at the festivities, the more expensive the package will be.
* Amenities: Many packages offer basic services for a minimal cost but also offer a range of additional services such as videography, cultural touches, hair appointments, live music and more for additional fees. Eliminating these extra touches will keep costs as low as possible.

Services

A basic elopement package will offer the bride and groom standard nuptial services such as a simple ceremony that fulfills the legal requirements for marriage, a few photographs, basic flowers, and perhaps simple music or a small champagne toast. This may seem too simple for many couples, but resorts and planners who arrange elopements frequently offer additional services for additional fees. Couple’s massages, commemorative certificates, souvenir toasting flutes, meals, and more elaborate ceremonies are popular add-ons. While these will increase the final price of the elopement package, couples may consider additional services as a way to personalize their special day. In particular, couples who may be saving thousands of dollars by not having a traditional ceremony and reception may enjoy splurging on extra touches to make their elopement even more memorable.

Making Inexpensive Weddings Elopement Packages even Cheaper

The tightest of budgets may require even more cost-cutting techniques. Ways a couple can make packages even cheaper include:

* Choosing a location such as a hotel or park close to home that will not require travel costs
* Opting for a private event without guests
* Eliminating all ceremony extras from the package
* Booking the elopement with the honeymoon for better deals
* Buying flowers and other accessories without including them in the package to better control costs
* Choosing a destination wedding dress and groom’s suit that can easily be reused

Inexpensive weddings elopement packages are a great way for couples on a budget to plan their special day without accumulating excessive debt. Even a small, private ceremony can be memorable and romantic without straining the budget, and by eloping, a couple may be even better prepared for the financial challenges of starting their life together.

Tips for the Maid of Honor

Maid of honor, we salute your decision to grab the microphone from the best man at toasting time. After all, your inspiring words need to be heard, too. Here's your complete guide to the maid of honor's toast -- what to say, when to say it, and how to get rid of those nervous butterflies.
Take It Seriously

In agreeing to toast the bride and groom at their wedding, you're not just speaking for all the guests, you're essentially a poet with an important story to tell. It's both an honor and a huge responsibility. Embrace this obligation with the grace and maturity it deserves.
Don't Procrastinate

We recommend writing your toast about three weeks before the big day. Approach this "assignment" with the same seriousness you would a college paper. Have someone you trust edit your work, and do a couple of drafts. Advance preparation will prevent hastily scrawled thoughts on cocktail napkins and last-minute panic attacks.
knot note

Not a drinker? It's fine to drink from a glass of water or other nonalcoholic beverage when toasting.
Cover All the Bases

While we encourage you to innovate and personalize the standard as much as you want, an expert toastmaster will usually:

* Express how thrilled she is to be at the wedding and thank the bride and groom (and their parents, if appropriate) for inviting everyone to be a part of their special day.
* Include a personal touch (a favorite memory, joke, or special secret) that will be emotionally significant to everyone.
* Offer encouraging (and often moving) words of advice for their future together. (A quote will usually work its way in here.
* Offer triumphant of well wishes.
* Conclude with the standard raising of the glass, saying "To Jane and John" (don't forget to take a sip!).

Pick an Appropriate Quote

If you choose to quote, make sure the quote you pick has real resonance for you and is relevant to the message or idea you want to share. Settle on words of wisdom that you can deliver with confidence, earnest emotion, and understanding. And remember, quoting is not required. If it feels at all pretentious or insincere, skip it, and substitute with something that comes from you.
Suss Out Your Style

Best man speeches are often wry retellings of zany shenanigans, droll commentary on the subject of marriage, and self-deprecating remarks -- often with knee-slapping, side-splitting results. Don't feel your speech has to be sentimental and poetic for the sake of contrast. If you're hilarious too, the crowd is in for quite a treat. Don't worry about stealing thunder.

On the other hand, if funny isn't your shtick, don't feel pressured to be a comedian -- just be yourself and speak from the heart.
Go for Short and Sweet

As you prepare your toast, keep it simple. Don't use words you normally wouldn't use. Try not to ramble -- toasts can be as short as two lines or as long as two minutes. Steer clear of X-rated anecdotes, goofy giggling, and sing-songy, gimmicky group efforts. Remember, this is your moment. Make it a class act.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once the toast has been written, practice reading it out loud obsessively to up your comfort level on stage. On the day of the wedding, grab one of the bridesmaids and ask her for final feedback on delivery, jokes, and hand gestures. You'll be grateful for the preperformance audience. Be sure to write out the complete speech (or transfer it to note cards) and bring the cheat sheet with you to the microphone (no, you don't have to memorize). Emotions and nerves can catch even the coolest of cucumbers off guard.
Set a Schedule

Toasting time usually happens once everyone has been seated and served champagne, but the bride and groom may want to have it happen between courses. Check with them; if they don't have a preference, the timing is up to you and the best man. When you're ready, simply approach the microphone stand as a toasting team. The crowd will be called to attention the old-fashioned way (clinking a glass with a utensil) or the bandleader or DJ may announce to guests that toasting is about to begin.

Traditionally, the best man is considered the toastmaster. For this reason, he may toast first, warming up the crowd for your turn in the spotlight. Of course the maid of honor can take over his role altogether, serve as comaster (a two-person show), or toast the couple right after the best man. We've seen double toasts work well in a variety of formats. You and the best man may want to determine who goes first and who follows based on the content and feel of your speeches.
Stay Calm, Cool, & Collected

Or at least fake it. No matter what, you're going to be nervous. Take deep breaths. Think pleasant thoughts. Maybe have a glass of wine, but don't overdo it. You definitely want to avoid that drunken honor attendant cliche. Remember, when it's all over, you get to party hardy. Speak slowly, and no, no one's going to care that your hands are shaking.
Get Creative

Is toasting too old hat? Knock their socks off with a dance performance, a song, or a reading of an original poem. Salute them in whatever fashion feels most comfortable. That said, if you're planning something really outlandish, check with the bride first.

Top 10 Wedding Tips for the Groom

1. Be there before the bride! Never, ever be late - and make sure your half of the wedding party are on time too, even the ring bearer. Camp out if you have to.
2. Even though it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress, don’t be ignorant of the colours she’s choosing for the rest of her wedding party. It would be a lovely touch if some of your accessories (cummerbunds, bow ties, kerchiefs, boutonnières) complimented hers. Black is a safe bet, but to coordinate shows thoughtfulness.
3. It’s the groom's responsibility to pay for the bride’s bouquet. However, at the end of the evening the tradition is for her to throw it to her guests to help them follow her up the aisle. A lovely touch might be to surprise her with another bouquet as your new wife at the honeymoon suite.
4. Consider an alternative to the tuxedo. Traditionally the morning suit was chosen for a daytime wedding, a tuxedo for an evening. For the modern marriage, a well-cut suit can be an alternative to the tux.
5. At the wedding breakfast – the first meal after the wedding (i.e. usually at the reception), if the wedding guests decide to toast the couple, it is NOT appropriate to join them in the toast – but rather you should acknowledge the toaster gratefully by looking at them and then thanking them after the toast. To join the toast would be to concur with the toaster and shows a lack of humility.
6. As the groom you will be required to make a speech. A few points to remember: Most importantly, compliment your new spouse and don’t be afraid to openly express you affection for her. Then similar praise is due the bridesmaids. Obviously you will thank your parents, the bride's parents and your groomsmen. And if you want to win a few points, make special mention of the bride's mother and how lovely she looks this evening….and don’t forget your own mother either.
7. Obviously “the mates” will be there and all eager to toast your new demise. Remember, this is your wedding night, not your stag, so watch your intake of alcohol. Drunk is not the condition in which to spend your first night of marital bliss.
8. If you are not leaving immediately on a honeymoon, organize in advance what you are going to do for your first night together and if it is to be a hotel, pick a nice one and enjoy using the room service.
9. Remember that you are now a couple and what you want is not necessarily the top priority, be thoughtful and attentive to your spouse’s needs.
10. Don’t forget to return rented tuxedos before you depart on your honeymoon as late charges can be exorbitant.

21 Century Wedding Must: Websites!

The Internet has made planning a wedding a much easier process for young couples of the 21st century. It is a tremendous source of information for everything you could ever imagine related to the big day. One application that is becoming increasingly popular is a wedding website where all of the details of the wedding can be posted along with many other terrific features.

There are many benefits to having a wedding website. There is a lot of information to disseminate, and by putting all of the information online; the couple eliminates the endless requests for information that typically occur when a wedding approaches.

Sallie Baldwin of Savannah Georgia, a recently engaged young woman, appreciated her wedding website for the information it provided for her guests. "I wanted a way for our family and friends to easily access information about events around the wedding. A lot of our family and friends don't live near us so it is a way for each other's families to get to know us as a couple immediately! "

Most wedding websites allow people to RSVP online. Emily Riggs of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, another wedding website user had a very positive reaction from her guests regarding the RSVP function. “We were so pleased with the way it worked out, 85% of our RSVP's came via email - including two sets of grandparents!” Her guests also found another benefit. “Everybody was printing our "Our Story", Pictures and Bios so they could save them.”

A huge benefit of a wedding website is that the couple can have a link to their online registry. This allows guests to see what the couple has chosen and to make a contribution without leaving their home. Kirk Spangenberg of Charleston, South Carolina appreciated that feature the most. “My favorite part is the link to the registry. I want to make it as easy as possible for people to buy us the things we have picked out for our wedding!"

There are also fun things for the guests to see on some wedding websites, like photos, a countdown, a poll and quiz about the happy couple. Some sites have additional features such as a special page for out of town guests. This allows the couple to provide their guests with all kinds of information about their city, suggested accommodations, places to visit, restaurants, and shopping. Tiffany Duggin of Los Angeles, California appreciated this feature the most. "I wanted a way for our family and friends to learn about things to do and see in Philadelphia “ (where the wedding is taking place). Our site had great links for restaurants, attractions, and lots of other great stuff in Philly.

Perhaps the greatest thing of all is that the couple can make everyone a part of the festivities, even those that could not attend the event. Lara Goldenberg of Montreal, Canada can attest to that. “We had a small wedding and could not invite as many friends and family as we wanted and many people who live far away could not make the trip. The website allowed everyone to be a part of our special day”.

Top 11 Guest Complaints about wedding receptions

We all know the saying "You can't please everyone"! While that may be true, these types of guest criticisms are easily avoided by careful planning -- and addressing them now will make everyone's memories of your wedding day so much nicer.

1. The DJ was obnoxious or played lousy music. Find the best wedding DJ available using recommendations from other brides and the advice of wedding industry professionals.

2. The music was TOO LOUD. Again, hire a great DJ who is experienced and focused on creating a fantastic overall experience for you and your guests. Other suggestions to avoid this common complaint: Move tables and chairs away from speakers and seat older guests further from the sound equipment.

3. Speeches were TOO LONG and we couldn't decipher the words. Keep speeches under five minutes. Ideally, they should last between two and five minutes. A good DJ will spend a few moments with each person making a toast or speech, teaching him or her how to correctly operate and speak into the microphone. He will also use a quality microphone!

4. We didn't know anyone at our table. Take the time to carefully plan your seating arrangement, placing guests at tables with others they know. They don’t have to be fast friends, just acquaintances or people with some kind of connection. Try to seat out-of-town guests, who aren't likely to know anyone, with others having similar interests.

5. I resented paying a dollar to dance with the bride. Unless it’s a long-standing family tradition, and you will offend someone if you break the ritual, the dollar dance is best forgotten.

6. We stood forever in the receiving line. The bride & groom, and their parents are the only required greeters. Better yet, couples should instead consider visiting individual tables during or immediately following dinner. (See #10 below)

7. We had too much time to "kill" between the ceremony and reception. Out-of-town guests are often at a loss for ways to fill the time between a two o'clock wedding and a six o'clock reception. Try to keep the down time to a minimum. When it isn't possible to hold the events within an hour or so of each other, ask the hall if it will open its doors early for your visiting guests (and ask them if there’s a charge). Other options include asking relatives or close friends to invite them to their home for a light snack, or arranging a hospitality suite for them at their hotel.

8. The centerpiece was so large that I couldn't see or talk to guests seated across the table. Smaller, shorter arrangements are best. Your centerpiece shouldn't be the center of attention (or main topic of conversation) at the table.

9. I was offended that I had to pay for drinks. Open bars are the accepted norm. If your budget is tight, offer wine and beer only -- or limit drink choices to “call” brands. You can also close the bar during the dinner hour to save on costs.

10. The bride and groom didn't stop by to say hello. Make the rounds of guest tables at your reception, but don’t spend too much time at each. A quick greeting, thank you or compliment will suffice.

11. I was never thanked for my gift! Share this task with your husband. Divide your list, write your notes at the same time, and make a pact to finish a certain number every night until they are finished. Dangle a carrot in front of your noses. When the last note is FINALLY written, reward yourselves with a special bottle of wine or dinner out. It is customary to mail thank-you notes within three months. You don’t want to wait that long for your carrot anyway, do you?

Successful Music Suggestions for the Thinking Bride

There is an old saying “the key to a great song is a good lyric”, but unless you are looking for a sing-along at your wedding, there are a variety of other factors which will invite your guests on the dance floor.

A great lyric can only take us so far and that’s where the volume, rhythm and tempo take over to either make your wedding reception pulsate or be put to sleep. Save the lyrics for your first dance with the lucky man, but watch the volume, understand rhythm and dictate the tempo for a wedding to remember.

Cocktail hour and dinner are a vital time during your reception to set the mood and make certain your guests are comfortable in their environment. Sacrificing your personal song preferences can sometimes be a benefit at these times, for if your tastes drastically vary from your guests, you will have a disconnect.

Music volume is the most significant factor in the comfort level of your audience. Volume is measured in decibels where 130 dB is the threshold of pain and 0 dB being the sound of a mosquito flying about 10 feet away. Where is the best spot to set your cocktail hour mix? Depending on the size of your crowd and room acoustics, it should sit in the 30-50 dB range, permitting a background sound. A level where you can easily let your friends and family mingle, converse together, and share thoughts about how beautiful the bride is. During the reception, an average “danceable” range of volume should be in the 90 dB range. The entertainment should make sure not to exceed levels of 110 dB which can cause ear damage, and chase your guests to corners of the room away from the speakers.

Entertainers often will bring a sub-woofer, which is an additional speaker that strictly emphasizes the bass response of their sound system. While in most cases this is effective to give a more wholesome feel to the music, it can often result in a muddy sound, drowning the vocals with an excessively booming bass. However, with insufficient bass, or “low frequency roll-off,” as it is sometimes called by audiophiles, you will be left with lifeless music resulting in thin mixes throughout the night. Thin mixes often sound glassy and cutting, thus resulting in temporary or even permanent damage to the ear. Even the most high end sound systems can have a thin mix if the right DJ isn’t behind the control boards, doing what he or she should be trained in extensively.

Once your volume is set, fixing the rhythm will likely be key factor in which guests make it to or stay on the dance floor the entire night. Even if heavy metal is your personal music preference, to have a memorable wedding where everyone was dancing, opening the dance portion of the event with a high energy Latin track usually appeals to everyone. Latin rhythms such as salsa, is a mixture of traditional Cuban, African and other Latin-American rhythms that traveled from the Carribean to New York in the 1940’s. The dance steps usually integrate swing dance moves along side foot patterns always stepping on the beat of the music. Songs such as Cup of Life by Ricky Martin and Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez usually do the trick to get those salsa lovers on the floor. Once those salsa lovers are out there, they tend to make the rest of the crowd get out of their seats. An experienced entertainer will know how to read your crowd and vary the rhythms of the night based on their requests, attire, demographics and personalities.

Tempo can be just as important as rhythm in keeping your guests motivated to slow dance, go back to the bar, or keep their hips shaking. Tempo is measured in beats per minute, abbreviated as BPM. The common tempo for a funky dance track is around 130 BPM while a slow dance can be listed around 70-80 BPM. Having an older crowd in the ages of 65 and up will usually require songs in the 90-100 BPM range including such as the standards of Frank Sinatra and certain Motown hits. Not only do they appeal to this age group as far as it being their “decade of music” but the tempos do not exceed a level of energy that they simply can not maintain.

In essence, searching for the right entertainment should be a search for an experienced entertainer. Laying out the form of your event should include a series of song suggestions to the DJ, always including general ideas of your rhythmic sets. These sets can incorporate anything from top 40 club, euro-trance, hip-hop, disco, to Motown, salsa, bachata and even easy listening for your cocktail hour. Always make sure to speak with your entertainment company about their knowledge of volume and song organization for an event. This makes sure that they know you are an educated consumer, and nothing less than a thinking bride!

Before You Shop For Your Wedding Dress

Tips and Tricks on Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for You

One of the biggest decisions you will face as the big day approaches is choosing the perfect wedding dress. The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming--particularly because a bride-to-be often starts shopping for her gown before many other details are determined. You might have had a clear mental picture of the perfect wedding dress ever since you were five years old. On the other hand, you may have no idea what you are going to wear or feel strange about the idea of wearing white. The important thing is to relax, and remember that there are as many different kinds of dresses out there as there are different kinds of brides.

Plan Ahead Take a few minutes to think about what you want. It will be helpful when you enter the maze of wedding dresses out there to know what your budget is, any details that are essential (i.e. I must have a full skirt, or my arms must be covered), and an idea of how traditional you want your dress to be. After all, if really a teal pantsuit would work best for you, it’s probably not worth your time to sort through racks of flouncy white gowns.

When to Start Shopping Give yourself ample time to plan- generally the rule of thumb is that you need to order your gown at least six months before your wedding. So you should ideally start shopping for your gown nine months or more before your wedding. (If you don't have this much time, its okay, just budget for some rush charges).

Be Comfortable! On your wedding day, you'll want to look great, but you'll also want to be comfortable- it will be hard to pose for all those pictures, dance, laugh and more if you're tugging your dress up or have boning jutting into your ribs. First- consider which wedding dress is most appropriate to your day – for example- consider a shorter tea-length or cocktail length dress for a beach wedding. If you're the kinda gal who likes to dance with her hands in the air, and anticipates doing the limbo, perhaps a strapless dress is not the one for you. Look for wedding dresses with removable sleeves or straps to give you the widest range of options.

A Dress that Fits Your Body Well Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. If a friend is making your wedding dress, ensure that you have agreed on a fitting schedule and chances to make adjustments. If you're looking for a bargain at a sample sale, or discount outlet, you should budget money for taking the dress to a good tailor. Many designers will ask for three fittings, and will closely tailor your wedding dress to fit you.

Saving Money on Your Wedding Dress If money is an issue, remember that the most expensive kind of dress is not necessarily the best kind. Many brides find a bridesmaids dress in white or off-white that works perfectly, and is hundreds of dollars cheaper. There are thousands of dresses to be had at sample sales, thrift stores, and ebay. Consider taking pictures from magazines to a friend who sews or seamstress and getting a price quote. If you choose to make your own dress, don't delay. The sooner you finish it, the sooner you'll be able to attend to the many other details of your wedding.

Most of all, remember- this is your wedding day. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and feels like you. And have fun shopping for your dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Now you're ready to start checking out dresses on the web!

Who Pays for What?

Modern weddings no longer have set rules on who pays for what. Traditionally, the majority of the wedding expenses were paid by the bride's family. However in these modern times, it is far more common that the expenses are shared. Each wedding will depend on individual situations.

You should discuss this matter with both families to come to an agreement that will best suit all the parties involved. It is not uncommon for couples to pay for all or part of the wedding themselves. The following is a breakdown of traditional costs for the traditional wedding.
The Bride:

* Groom's wedding ring
* Gifts for the groom and bridal attendants.

The Groom:

* The bride's engagement and wedding ring.
* A wedding gift for the bride.
* Gifts for the best man and groomsmen.
* Suit hire for himself
* Bride's & bridesmaid's bouquets, the corsages & boutonnieres.
* Celebrant & ceremony fees
* The honeymoon

The Bride's Family:

* Engagement party
* Newspaper announcement
* The Reception
* Bridal Gown & accessories
* A wedding gift for the bride and groom.
* Wedding invitations
* Ceremony & Reception flowers
* Photographer
* Wedding cake

The Groom's Family:

* Wedding gift for the bride and groom.
* Any general expenses they may wish to contribute.

The Attendants:

* Wedding gift for bride and groom.
* Hens night given by maid of honour or bridesmaids.
* Bucks night given by best man or groomsmen.

The Bride and Groom:

* Gifts of appreciation for parents or others who helped with your wedding.