This is definitely one day you want things to run smoothly!  Let me help your day be as stress free as possible. As your DJ and MC, I will work with you in advance to discuss your wedding vision and style. We'll make a detailed plan for your celebration, so  all of your entertainment needs will be met. Then I'll work with your other vendors to help ensure that your day comes off without a hitch. Some things to consider when we talk are:

 

• What music or music genres do you and your guests want to dance to? I have an extensive library, but if you have special requests that  I don't currently have, I'll get them prior to your wedding

• What music or genres of music do you NOT want to hear?  Consider whether or not you will have young children present, songs or genres you don't care for, etc. Ideally I like to have a do-not-play list of about 10 songs to help me guage your music style preferences.

• What would you like to include in your  timeline of events? (See several ideas below)

 

There are many traditions that are typically included in a wedding. I am prepared to help you with any and all special requests you may have, and I have other non-traditional ideas we can discuss to make your reception unique when we meet as well.  Some of the most popular time-honored traditions are:

 

Ceremony At The Reception Location...

 

More and more, couples are choosing to have their ceremony at the reception venue. If this is your desire,  you may like me to provide appropriate music, sound equipment, and microphones. Generally, while your guests are being seated, I will play 15-20 minutes of appropriate music which can be chosen by you or, if you'd rather, I can select fitting music. For the ceremony processional, you would choose a song for the wedding party entrance as well as the Bride's entrance. I suggest that you Google “Best Wedding Ceremony Processional Songs” for a more defined list of popular choices. During the ceremony there is typically no music played unless you specify certain selections and when they should be played, such as for a unity candle lighting or other special part of your ceremony. Once you are married and have been formally introduced, I then play a recessional song of your choosing as you exit.  If an additional sound system will be needed in order to move from one premise location to another or if additional contract time will be required, I do have an additional charge for this (unless you choose this as one of your Gold Elements).

 

When The Bride And Groom Enter The Reception...

 

Traditionally, the DJ would announce you in by your full, married name, and your entire wedding party would follow immediately behind you without introduction. Today, in most cases, the Bride and Groom choose to have the entire wedding party introduced first, by name, into the reception. Within the on-line "Wedding Planner" form I have a dedicated area for these introductions and the appropriate line-up order. Make your wedding party aware that they should not filter into the reception prior to you arriving, because it makes it difficult to find and reorganize them for your grand entrance. Then, depending on the type of grand entrance you choose, I will announce each wedding party member individually into your reception with the Bride and Groom being introduced last. Your wedding party can include any combination of the following: Maid/Matron of Honor, Best Man, Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girls, Ring Bearers, Junior Bridesmaids, Parents, and Ushers. Also consider purchasing a package that allows me to personalize your grand entrance. This can be done many ways, but typically we will tell your love story (composed by me from a questionaire that you fill out) as you enter and add individualized heartfelt anecdotes, humor, sound clips, and/or special effects to the introductions of your bridal party. This allows the audience to feel an instant connection and makes for a wonderful way to start the evening.

 

The Toasts...

 

Usually the toasts will take place after dinner. It is a good idea to get your drinks ready and poured about 5 minutes prior to the toasts being announced (my assistant will help coordinate this with your caterer). I will quiet the crowd and then formally introduce those you have identified as toasters. It is not uncommon for the Best Man and the Maid/Matron of Honor to propose a toast. In some cases, the Bride and/or Groom's parents may also like to propose a toast. It is etiquette for the Best Man to be first, followed by The Maid/Matron of Honor, and then anyone else.

 

The Bridal/First Dance...

 

The Bridal/First Dance is typically done directly after the toasts have been completed. Traditionally you would start the dance, to the song of your choice, and shortly thereafter (approximately 1 1/2-2 minutes into the song) your wedding party would join you to conclude the dance. More often today, Brides and Grooms choose to dance to their entire bridal song by themselves with a second song being played for the wedding party, if desired. 

 

The Father/Daughter Dance...

 

The Father/Daughter Dance is typically done immediately following the Wedding Party Dance, or the First Dance if no Wedding Party dance is chosen. This is where the Bride dances with her father to the song of their choice. If you are unsure about what song to choose, I would be happy to offer suggestions. Occasionally, and only in the case of a deceased father, I have seen brides dance with their grandfather or a sibling for this dance. I have seen some brides choose the song “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn. This song is in reference to a deceased father and should only be used in a fitting and appropriate circumstance.

 

The Mother/Son Dance...

 

The Mother/Son Dance is not as commonly requested, but it is done after the Father/Daughter Dance. This is where the Groom dances with his mother to the song of their choice. In some cases, the Bride and Groom choose to combine the Father/Daughter Dance with the Mother/Son Dance and select an appropriate song. Another option would be to switch partners during the Parents Dance (if you have one) allowing the Groom to briefly dance with his mother. If you decide to have the Groom dance briefly with his mother during the Parents Dance, you should advise your photographer accordingly.

 

The Cutting Of The Cake...

 

Traditionally the cake is cut after dinner, after your guests have had some time to digest their food and dance a bit. If you plan to serve your cake for dessert, the timeline can be adjusted to accomodate this as some cakes take quite a while to slice and prepare. It would be wise to check with your banquet facility and/or caterer to see if they have any special needs. Once the timeline has reached final approval, we will send a copy to your planner/venue/caterer and work with them during the event to help ensure everything goes smoothly. There is a variety of music that can be played during the actual cutting if you desire.

 

The Parents Dance or The Anniversary Dance...

 

The Parents Dance is the last of the specialty dances to be done and usually comes after the cutting of the cake. This is where the Bride & Groom and their parents all dance together. Traditionally "Sunrise Sunset" from Fiddler On The Roof, has been the favorite; however, over the years other songs have become much more popular. In the case of a divorced or deceased parent, The Bride and Groom usually choose not to do this dance.

 

The Anniversary Dance has become a popular alternative to the Parents Dance. It takes place later in the evening, usually after the cake cutting or at the beginning of a later dance set. All of the couples in attendance are invited to the dance floor and the DJ has people move to the sides as he calls out numbers of years people have been married. When one couple is left, they are congratulated and given the opportunity to give the newlyweds advice on how to make their love last.

 

The Throwing of The Bouquet And Garter...

 

The bouquet is thrown first to the single ladies. Second, the garter is removed from the leg of the bride by the groom, and then it is thrown to the single gentlemen. Traditionally, the person who catches the bouquet and the person who catches the garter, do the reverse. That is, the gentleman who catches the garter puts it on the leg of the lady who catches the bouquet. In our experience we see this done less and less, and, in some cases, the bride and groom elect to forego the garter removal altogether. As to when this should be done, generally it is done as a break between dance sets during the general dancing portion of the reception.  Some brides choose to do it immediately after the last special dance song. This is the last of the formal pictures to be taken, so if you are on a tight time limit with your photographer let us know. In this case, having it earlier may be a good option for you. 

 

The Dollar Dance...

 

This is usually done at some point after the general dancing has begun. Your guests take turns dancing with you and pay a dollar to do so. The only downfall of a dollar dance is that it can be very time consuming if done improperly, especially at larger receptions. If you decide to do a dollar dance, we highly recommend having an organized plan! Before the day of your wedding, talk with your Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor and assign them to be your collectors. They will stand at the head of each line and collect the money for you. In addition, they need to keep the line moving, so no more than about 20 seconds of dancing is done with each person. If your guests dance with you any longer than this, you are liable to burn 30 minutes or more of your reception with the dollar dance. Dollar dances are still somewhat popular, as long as you can keep it within a reasonable time frame.