Wedding Reception – What to do if no one is dancing?

January 17th, 2012 | Rss Feed

The day is finally here.  The day you have been dreaming of since your were little.  The day  you have planned for the past 12 months. With all stress, with all the pains, the day is finally here.  Your WEDDING DAY.  First thing you should do is relax and enjoy the day.

wedding dance floor

The wedding ceremony is beautiful and very heartfelt.  It transpires without any hitches.  The bridal couple enters the reception hall to a standing ovation.  Then, everyone eats and the formal dances are complete.  FINALLY, the part-e begins.  Thirty minutes transpire and no one is dancing.  This is not the reception party that you had envisioned.  You pictured everyone dancing the night away.  However, no one is dancing.  What can you do to get people on the dance floor to get the party started?  We offer the following recommendations to get the party started.

  • What guests are the most likely to dance?  Yes, it’s the young adults.  Therefore, play current music hits that are to on the charts now including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, etc.  The younger crowd could get the party started.
  • Men typically will not get up to the dance floor to many high tempo songs.  Think about playing a couple slow songs consecutively to get couples to the dance floor.  Play well known songs by every age group such as Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
  • Play an anthem song that everyone knows that they can sing along to.  Rock – Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, R&B – Shout! by the Isley Brothers, Country – Friends In Low Places by Garth Brooks, Classic Rock – We are the Champions by Queen and much more.  Know your crowd and the type of music that get’s them excited.
  • Talk to the bride and groom beforehand and get an idea of their favorite music style.  Find out if they like group dances and which ones suit their fancy.  You can play a group dance but it must be headlines by the bride and groom leading the way.  Such dances include he conga, the train, the electric slide, the macarena and so on.  Reminder – keep the bride and groom in the forefront so that everyone joins in.
  • Finally, plan a group dance to get everyone on the dance floor.  This way it will be hard for them to leave!  One such planned dance is to invite all married couples to the dance floor.  Then, start removing married couples from newest to oldest until the longest married couple is remaining.  The, give a bride’s bouquet to them as a gift from the bride and groom.

Do you have any further suggestions to fill the dance floor when empty?  Please comment in!  Lastly, stay away from our list of songs not to play at weddings.

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How to save money on your honeymoon

January 12th, 2012 | Rss Feed

Weddings and honeymoons can be very costly, especially if you are paying for everything yourself.  Here are some ways that you can save some money on your honeymoon.  Just because the wedding is in June does not mean that you have to honeymoon in June also.  Think about taking your honeymoon in the off-season.  Also, different honeymoon destinations have different off-seasons.  So you will need to do some research on this depending on where yo wish to travel to.

wedding honeymoon

Another way to save money on the honeymoon is to sign up for a honeymoon registry.  This works particularly well if you are a couple that has most everything for your house.  Instead of registering for that toaster or coffee pot, register for a honeymoon.  Cruises are a great honeymoon destination with this option.  Go to your local travel agency and they can help you set this up.  This way, instead of your guests purchasing a wedding gift, they can put money towards your honeymoon.

Cruises are a great money saving idea even if you do not want to put the expense on a honeymoon registry.  Cruises are all inclusive vacations that can be very affordable.  Your room, food and destination are all included in the fee.  There are some extra charges you may occur but you have control of what you want to spend.  Usually any type of excursion is an additional charge.  Therefore, choose those carefully.  Also, any type of liquor, beer, or soda is an additional charge. Water, tea and coffee are typically included.  There are other all inclusive destinations which follow many of the same rules.  It doesn’t have to be a cruise if that is not your cup of tea.  An example would be Sandals resorts.

Booking early can save you tons of money.  Most airlines and hotels offer better rates if you book early versus waiting until the last minute.  At the very least, this guarantees that all of the inexpensive rooms will not be sold out.

You know all your airline miles/points that are just sitting on your credit card waiting to be used?  What better time than this to use them up.  Don’t forget that in some cases those credits can be used for more than just airfare.  Sometimes they can also be used for hotel or other forms of transportation.

Honeymoons do not need to be exotic destinations.  Check into your own neighborhoods and see what kind of deals you can get at home.  No matter what you decide on for your honeymoon destination, the best way to make sure it is affordable is to budget, budget, and budget.   Do you really need those monogrammed napkins at your reception?  The ones that everyone is going to wipe their face on and throw away.

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Best Love Songs of the 2000′s – Top 20

January 10th, 2012 | Rss Feed

We are continuing our lists of love songs.  We only have 2 era love song list left to complete and this week we decided to post our favorite love songs of the 2000s.  They are now only a couple years past and fresh in our minds.  We have picked songs that also make fantastic first dance songs for brides and grooms.

The 2000s were full of prosperity and despair.  This brings many emotions to the forefront in songwriting and in emotional attachment to songs.  We have selected out favorite.  If you feel we have left your favorite love song out, be sure to comment it in so others can read and comment also. If you like the 2000s like we do, be sure to check out our Top 100 Songs of the 2000s.

#1 Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts, Released in 2004, Country

#2 Fallin’ – Alicia Keyes, Released in 2001, R&B

#3 Everything – Michael Buble, Released in 2007, Jazz

#4 I’m Yours – Jason Mraz, Released in 2008, Rock

#5 Halo – Beyonce, Released in 2008, R&B

#6 Love Story – Taylor Swift, Released in 2008, Country

#7 With You – Chris Brown, Released in 2007, R&B

#8 Come Away With Me – Norah Jones, Released in 2001, Jazz

#9 You and Me – Lifehouse, Released in 2005, Rock

#10 Such Great Heights – The Postal Service, Released in 2003, Electronica

#11 Making Memories Of Us – Keith Urban, Released in 2004, Country

#12 Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol, Released in 2006, Rock

#13 Lost In This Moment – Big & Rich, Released in 2007, Country

#14 Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps, Released in 2003, Rock

#15 You’re Beautiful – James Blunt, Released in 2005, Rock

#16 Yellow – Coldplay, Released in 2000, Rock

#17 Then – Brad Paisley, Released in 2009, Country

#18 A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson, Released in 2002, Pop

#19 We Belong Together – Mariah Carey, Released in 2005, R&B

#20 Bubbly – Colbie Caillat, Released in 2007, Pop

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Wedding Colors by Season

January 3rd, 2012 | Rss Feed

Brides and grooms choose their wedding theme for many reasons.  Maybe they have favorite colors that they want to incorporate into their theme, like purple and teal.  Maybe they have a special time of year they prefer, like Halloween or Christmas.  They also may have a special theme in mind, like the roaring 20′s or antiques.  There are many way of incorporating these things into your wedding day.  You can incorporate them into your flowers, linens, centerpieces, invitations, etc.  If you are choosing a color, or colors, into your theme, why not choose colors that are associated with the season you are getting married?

wedding season colors

If you are getting married in springtime, you may want to choose pastel colors.  Think about pastel pink flowers, accented with yellow, wrapped in a baby blue ribbon.  You can choose white chair covers tied with large pastel green ribbons.  You can also select to have more than one color or you can stay with a single color within the color range.

Getting married in the summer?  We suggest to brighten up your color pallet.  Look for vibrant blues, purples, greens, pinks, etc.  Think about cream colored invitations with royal blue lettering.  Centerpieces are a good place to add color into your wedding also.  How about large white mums and deep greenery in a clear vase that is wrapped in a brightly colored ribbon.

Want to have a Halloween/Fall wedding?  The best colors for this time of year are deep reds, rust, orange and golden yellow.  Although there are plenty of flowers in those colors, don’t forget that fall foliage can be incorporated also.  Since the season is fall, which is when the leaves fall off the trees, think about using twigs and leaves.  Twigs in a large vase look very nice as a centerpiece.  Instead of sprinkling confetti or glitter on the table, try placing different colored leaves around.

Last but not least is a winter wedding.  This can be a very beautiful time of year.  There are two ways to look at winter weddings; look at it as winter, cold and snowy, or as Christmas themed.  If choosing the winter wonderland theme, go with blues, whites, silvers and crystals.  You can take bare branches painted white and place them into a vase.  Wrap the vase with a white ribbon with silver glitter throughout.  Now hang crystals from the branches.  You can also do this same option with snowflakes hanging from the twigs.  Another idea to incorporate winter wonderland into your wedding is by adding snowflakes to your wedding invitations.  If choosing Christmas as your theme, you may want to think of reds, greens and even black.  When thinking of flowers, think of poinsettias and holly.

No matter what you choose, use any opportunity you can to add your own touch of personality to your wedding.  Keep in mind that if you get plants and flowers in season, it will be less expensive to buy them at that time they are in season.

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Social Wedding Posts – December 2011 in Review

January 1st, 2012 | Rss Feed

WeddingMuseum.com makes daily posts to our Facebook account.  We post about wedding fun facts, videos and ideas for planning a wedding.  Want to join the conversation?  Join us at facebook.com/ThinkWeddingPlaning.

December 1 - Bring to the florist – list of who gets flowers, photo of ceremony and reception locations, photos of decor inspiration, wedding color swatches, pics of dress and bridesmaid dresses, and detailed list of what you want decorated.

December 1 - Interesting news story – Better to be cautious than sorry – Wedding Crashers Plead Guilty To Stealing From Newlyweds -http://yhoo.it/v8NM2H

December 2 - Something blue ideas? Brooch, ribbon, garter, nail polish, sapphire ring, temporary/permanent tattoo, bouquet, charm, and blue shoeshttp://amzn.to/tjqpH8

December 5 – Great news story – Wedded Blitz: The Month in the New York Times Wedding Section – A highly scientific analysis - http://es.pn/tt1pco

December 5 - Great story on MSN – 15 unusual celeb wedding venues with pics -http://on-msn.com/tlFfQQ

December 6 - 6 months before the wedding – Order wedding invitations. DIY? Get started early. Visit Etsy’s wedding invitations section for ideashttp://etsy.me/w4zZky

December 7 - We found a money saving wedding article on Bargaineering – How to be a Wedding Guest on a Budget - http://bit.ly/tDjISh

December  8 - A great way to have personality at your wedding reception is to have a custom money card box. Visit Enamorweddings http://etsy.me/vvkECl

December 11 - We attended the wedding of a co-worker’s son. Because we did not know the bride and groom, we decided to send them a practical household gift, a fire extinguisher. Apparently, the couple mass-produced their thank-you notes because we received a card saying: Thank you very much for the nice wedding gift. We look forward to using it soon.

December 11 - After the royal wedding, there has been a significant increase in the desire to have a horse-and-carriage entrance http://bit.ly/sAgF8y

December 12 - Question: $2,097. Answer: The average amount spent on wedding photos.

December 13 - Hot Wedding News & Debate – Wedding Photographers Sued for Using Music Online - http://abcn.ws/tPgcDj

December 13 - Want to add personality to your wedding program? Include your favorite cartoon, create a crossword puzzle or tell how you met.http://bit.ly/tQrglK

December 14 - ?10 months before the wedding – Sign contracts with wedding vendors – DJ, Photo, Video, Food, Officiant. Find vendors - http://bit.ly/rGWb3s

December 15 - Wedding Saving Tip – Most smartphones now have video recording. A new age save-the-date invite – Record your invite and post it on YoutTube. Then, email family and friends a link to the special save-the-date video invites.

December 16 - Superstitious? Add a little luck to your wedding – 4-leaf clover, rabbit’s foot, dream catcher, horseshoe, bamboo, wishbone and more.

December 18 - Beginning of January we will be updating our song lists with new songs. Be sure to comment in your favorite songs http://bit.ly/azwT7h

December 19 - According to the WSJ – Fewer Americans Are Tying the Knot - http://on.wsj.com/vpnSto

December 21 - Looking for a cake topper that speaks your story? Etsy has their own wedding cake topper section - http://etsy.me/uNMxpv

December 22 - Looking for a great groomsmen gifts? We suggest sun glasses. Select by color or type – aviator, retro, sport and more http://bit.ly/tXlYhT

December 22 - People’s Best of 2011 – Star Weddings of the Year with stories and pictures - http://bit.ly/uMzU9M

December 26 - ?10 months before the wedding – Start compiling your guest list. Utilize our guest list manager: http://bit.ly/sBSoae

December 27 Follower’s Post - How did you ask her (or him) to marry you? Our contest is back.  Tell us your story using the contact link at the left, the two favorite stories will be published 01.31.2012 and voting will take place for that next week. Winner receives an engagement or family portrait session with a beautiful custom designed layflat book. Runner-up wins a portrait session with a complimentary 11×14 of their favorite image! Whether it was 2 days ago, or 20 years…we want to hear about your proposal! NE Indiana / NW Ohio and traveling worldwide!

December 27 - Think about having a unique wedding pic? This couple did. Already viewed by 260k+ people in 6 days. http://bit.ly/rP8o0h

December 27 - Wedding Planning Tip – Who to ask for a vendor biz referral? First, ask recently married friends. Then, ask vendors who see it all – venue mgr, photographer, wedding planner, DJ, etc.

December 28 - Looking for a perfect gift for the groom before the wedding day? We suggest a book – A Gentleman Walks Down The Aislehttp://amzn.to/vwt2uw

December 29 - Wedding Planning Tip – Select music for your surroundings – Swing for black tie, reggae for the beach, country for the backyard or park, christian for a church. Most of all, play what you like!

December 30 - Great wedding dress pic – Bride makes her own Manchester City wedding dress - http://yhoo.it/tvkay3

December 30 - Wedding Money Saving Tip – Lilly of the Valley less expensive alternatives include white lilacs, andromedas and mini calla lilies. Talk to your florist about less expensive options to more expensive flowers.http://bit.ly/tUOINH

December 30 - Article on MSN – Guess How Much the Average Wedding Cost in 2011! How Will Yours Stack Up? http://on-msn.com/vbImiD

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