When you ask the groomsmen to be in your wedding it’s assumed they will be renting tuxedos, usually at their own expense. While rental offers range from $50 to $150, I have personally found most rentals end up averaging $120, and can be as much as $200. Each tux is a different price and most brides & grooms gravitate to the nicer fabrics because they feel and look better, but also cost more. Some stores charge extra for shoes & accessories such as vests. That entry level deal is rarely the out the door price. 

Another option is to buy a tux. The problem is most people won’t have enough occasions over the next 5 to 10 years to justify the cost. After all you may want to wear a 3 button coat to your wedding while the next one is a 2 button. Then you’re back to square one. The point at which it makes sense financially to own a tux is if you will wear it 3 to 4 times a year. Less than that and you are buying one because you want to wear YOUR tux and not one a hundred other guys have worn.

When the Bride & Groom decide they want their wedding somewhat formal but different from the norm, the third option comes into play.  That is when the Groom & Groomsmen wearing a matching suit. The fathers usually enjoy being a part of this as well. 

The great thing about it is the Groom gets to come out of the ceremony not just with a beautiful new wife but also with a very nice & useful suit he can wear for years to come. 

This isn’t for every wedding ceremony & if it’s not in the budget then don’t even consider it. Here’s when it might be right to do so: 

• The Groom & Groomsmen will get plenty of use out of a nice suit later 
• You would feel a little awkward wearing a tux that you don’t where it’s been 
• The Bride or Groom’s family can subsidize the purchase OR 
• The Groomsmen have the ability to buy their own suit 
• The Groomsmen are already out $100-200 for a rental tux anyway so why not put that money towards a purchase. 
• You would like your special day to not be a cookie cutter wedding 
• Your wedding is out of town, making a rental last too long & cost too much 
• You would like to have a lasting memento of your special day 
• Add your own reason here_______________________ 

Some Grooms like to wear something a little different to stand out in the wedding party. Perhaps he’s in Black and the Groomsmen are in charcoal grey. Or for a summer wedding outdoors during the day he’s in tan and they wear brown. Usually the couple likes to arrange for colored ties and pocket squares to match the bridesmaids if the theme isn’t black & white. 

—

Authored By Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins has been a professional haberdasher since 1998. (206.399.9453) www.MyHaberdasher.com

I meet with the Bride and Groom to talk about styling, color, pricing etc. I then go out to each of the local groomsmen to take their measurements. Sometimes the Groomsmen will have a get together and I can take everyone’s measurements at once. The suits are then made for each man individually out of the same cloth. I bring them to them a few weeks later for a fitting and deliver them after any minor adjustments are done if necessary.

I offer special wedding pricing. Because you’ve have found me here you will at least get a 10% discount. (Please mention this article). You also have the choice to have the Groom get $100 off per each Groomsman buying a suit or have everyone get a $100 discount.

The most common question I receive is “how much do you charge”. That is a good question however, it should not be the first or most important question when hiring your wedding officiant. To often Brides and Grooms plan their very detailed wedding ceremony and reception right down to the detail and want their wedding to be perfect! BUT  They think of the Officant as the person who just marry’s them. Yes the officiant does marry you, but they also create and perform your entire ceremony!

Your guests are sitting there watching and listening to your entire ceremony. If your officiant is not professional, does not speak clearly and with expression, does not have the ability to put together a well organized, well flowing ceremony for you, it can be a disaster.

First and most important interview a few officiants, look at sample ceremonies, ask questions, find out what they will do for the price, are they there for you from the day you book with them until you say I DO?  Will they give you final approval of your ceremony before they get up there and start talking? You need to know what your officiant will say! Will your officiant be dressed appropriately to suit your theme? Will your officiant arrive early to make sure all of the last minute details are in place? What is included in their fee? Are they going to charge extra at the last minute for customizing your ceremony, travel expenses, filing your marriage license?

Do you feel comfortable with your officiant? Do you feel your officiant will guide you through the ceremony? Do you get a feeling your officiant is sincere in their profession or do you get the feeling it is just a job to them?

Don’t get left standing at the alter by your officiant: Ask for a well written agreement. The agreement should contain the following at a very minimum: Their total cost to you. Your wedding date, time and location. It should also contain a statement that they are legal to perform weddings in your state. Does the agreement state what will happen if they do not show up or get into an accident or car trouble on the way to your wedding?

Minister: Are you looking for a minister? If so, are they a true minister with experience or did they click the mouse and become ordained with not one bit of ministery experience? Ask what church or organization they are aligned with. Don’t be misled.

Cost: Regardless of cost, your officiant can be very expenisve and that does not relate to quality!  It simply means they overcharge or have you paying their office rent to have a nice “front”. You may find a very cheap officiant that also does not relate to quality. Only interviewing them either by phone or in person, asking questions, asking for sampe ceremonies, asking to read their agreement/contact can you then begin to determine if they are qualified,  professional and a good match for you!

Types of Ceremonies offered: Will your officiant perform the ceremony that you desire? non-denominational, civil, secular, readings, poems, unity candle, rose, sand, handfasting for examples? Is this an additional charge or included in the fee?

You and your Officiant can have a wonderful experience, or you may be left very disappointed. I have heard guests, DJ’s, caterers, talk about a wonderful ceremony and disasterous ceremonies. Don’t let this happen to you.

—

Authored By Sharon of Alafia Ceremonies: I am a Professional Wedding Officiant. I perform each and every ceremony with care and compassion. Each wedding is special. It is not just another wedding. This is just not a job to me. I truly have a passion and take pride in the services that I offer. An officiant is not a job for just anyone. It is not a job to get rich from. There are good and bad just like every other profession. I believe every couple deserves to have beautiful memories and treated with respect.

I believe I have an obligation tto my profession to educate Brides and Grooms.  They deserve to understand the importance of an officiant and the role they play.

You can find information on my services by visiting my website at www.alafiaceremonies.net

No one has ever said, “That hors’ devourers display was Da Bomb” at a wedding reception.

It is the big day, your wedding, you have taken time to plan every detail of the event, from the florist to the caterer; from the officiant to the tuxedo. You have hired he best of the best except for your DJ. Here you and your fiancé agreed that you only have $400.00 for your music and you were lucky enough to find “Discount DJ”.  It is the big day already.  There is no turning back and it is time for your introductions. “Discount DJ” hasn’t got a clue as to how to pronounce your bridal party names, your parent’s names and most of all your names. “Discount DJ” plays music that has explicit language and his emcee technique is horrific. Your guests are complaining about the volume of the music during dinner and how the event is dragging. Welcome to the “Bad DJ Twilight Zone”.

At the end of the day, you and your spouse are laying in bed and you say to each other, “God, we wish we had went with a real professional DJ and not with “Discount DJ” because he sucked and he made our wedding reception something that we wish we could forget.”

So many times budget constraints place a hold on all of us in acquiring the best of the best; but I say, when it comes to your wedding day, let it fly. This is the day that you will remember forever and why should you have the worst DJ in the world merely based on budget constraints.

If you are planning a wedding in advance, take the time to do research on at least three (3) DJ companies and if a particular DJ company is a little pricey but you feel they are the DJ company to get the job done, then ask these important questions:

1. Do you have any package pricing that may encompass an extra hour of time at a discount?
2. Would you be willing to take a deposit in payments so you can hold our date?
3. Would you be willing to work with us under a payment plan that can suit our budget but allows you to hold the date and be fully paid before the wedding day?

Any professional DJ will try to accommodate you and your fiancé because they know how important this day is to you and they want to provide you the best musical entertainment for your wedding reception. The best thing to do is to talk to the DJ and tell them your situation and then ask what can be done to assist you in booking that date. I am not saying that you will find a heart in all professional DJ’s but the good ones will try to assist you in this aspect.

Another piece of advice I can give is, if you are going to ask for assistance then have at least a $200.00 deposit to hold the date and some type of payment schedule in mind for the remaining deposit balance due. This will assure the DJ that you are serious about booking that date and have every intention of staying on a payment plan. Remember, some DJ’s are full-time and this is their livelihood.

If you are planning on spending anywhere from $800 to $3000 on fruit and cheese or hors’ devours then truly believe it is just that important to put as much finance into your music and entertainment in order to have a memorable, entertaining, and hella good party!

---

David A. Smith (a.k.a “DJ Dave) - Co-Owner of Cool Sounds Mobile DJ & Entertainment Services located at 3970 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 209, Long Beach, CA 90807

 

 

Our motto at Cool Sounds Mobile DJ & Entertainment Service is “Good Music & Fun, Sounds Cool”. “Don’t Skimp On The Fun.”

Music is a very important part of both the wedding reception and the wedding ceremony.  Here are some great wedding music tips to help you choose the music that is best for your wedding.

Ceremony Music Tips

• The wedding ceremony music tends to be softer, usually classical wedding music or ballads.
• There should be about five songs played as a prelude when the guests are seated.
• There are two songs during the processional, one when the bridesmaids enter, and the most dramatic as the bride walks up the aisle.
• The most joyous music is played in the recessional, when the bride and groom leave together.
• There can be special songs at different points in the ceremony, such as after exchanging the rings and vows, lighting the unity candle, or taking communion.

The following is a list of the most popular wedding songs played at ceremonies and receptions.  We broke down each section of a traditional wedding, in order, from the ceremony to the reception.

Wedding Ceremony Music

Ceremony Prelude Songs:

Played prior to the ceremony, while guests are arriving.

• Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
• Isn’t It Romantic (Glenn Miller)
• Water Music (Handel)
• Ave Maria (Schubert / Gounod)
• The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
• Greensleeves (Traditional)
• Rhapsody In Blue (Gershwin)
• God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Tony Bennett)
• Arioso (Bach)
• Ode To Joy (Beethoven)
• Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)
• Gloria (Vivaldi)
• Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers)

 

Processional & Bridal Songs:

Played during the time the family, wedding party, and the bride walk down the aisle.

• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) from “Lohengrin” (Wagner)
• Trumpet Voluntary in D (The Prince of Denmark’s March) (Clarke or Purcell)
• Canon in D (Pachelbel)
• The Four Seasons (Handel)
• Water Music (Handel)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• I Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• March From Lohengrin (Wagner)

 

Interlude music (optional):

The songs played during the ceremony.

• Ave Maria (Schubert)
• Amazing Grace (Traditional)
• La Traviata (Verdi)
• Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
• And I Love Her (The Beatles)
• Primavera: First Movement, Allegro (Vivaldi)
• Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
• Für Elise (Beethoven)
• We’ve Only Just Begun (The Carpenters)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)

 

Recessional Music:

Music played as the new husband and wife walk up the aisle together.

• Wedding March (from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) (Mendelssohn)
• Ode To Joy (from The Ninth Symphony) (Beethoven)
• Hallelujah Chorus (from “The Messiah”) (Handel)
• Trumpet Tune (Purcell)
• Magnificat In D (Bach)
• The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles)
• I Got You (I Feel Good) (James Brown)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)
• I Got You Babe (Sonny and Cher)

 

Reception Music:

First Dance Songs:

First dance as husband and wife.

• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• Can I Have This Dance? (Ann Murray)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• It Had To Be You (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
• I Cross My Heart (George Strait)
• I Swear (John M. Montgomery or All 4 One)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Michael Feinstein)
• When You Say Nothing At All (Allison Krauss)
• Faithfully (Journey)
• No Ordinary Love (Sade)
• Here And Now (Luther Vandross)
• I Can Love you Like That (John M. Montgomery)
• Power Of Love (Celine Dion)
• Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)
• Everything I Do {I Do For You} (Bryan Adams)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)
• All My Life (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• I’ll Be There (Mariah Carey)
• On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)
• At Last (Etta James)
• Don’t Know Much (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)

 

Father/Daughter Dance Songs:

The dance between the new bride and her father.

• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• The Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• My Dad (Paul Petersen)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• Times of Your Life (Paul Anka)
• A Song For My Daughter (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Daddy’s Hand (Holly Dunn)
• Daddy’s little Girl (Kippi Brannon)
• Daddy’s Girl (Peter Cetera)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof - Sndtrk)
• Lullabye (Billy Joel)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• How Do You Fall In Love (Alabama)
• Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
• Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
• Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)
• Father’s Eyes (Amy Grant)
• Friends (Elton John)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)

 

Mother/Son Dance Songs:

The dance between the husband and his mother.

• Don’t Know Much (Linda Rondstadt and Aaron Neville)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• I.O.U (Jimmy Dean)
• Moon River (Andy Williams)
• Moon Dance (Van Morrison)
• ‘Til The End Of Time (Perry Como)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstong)
• In This Life (Bette Midler)
• You’re The Inspiration (Chicago)
• Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Wishing Tree (Sonia Dada)
• Blessed (Elton John)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• A Song For My Son (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof - Sndtrk)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• Ever I Saw Your face (Roberta Flasck)
• Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston)
• I Wish You Love (Natalie Cole)
• Thanks Again (Ricky Skaggs)
• Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

 

Bridal Party Dances Songs:

The dance including the Bride & Groom, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, and family members.

• That’s What Friends Are For (Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
• Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks)
• We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Heroes and Friends (Randy Travis)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
• Cutting The Cake music: Played while the Bride & Groom cut the cake.
• Cut the Cake (Average White Band)
• I Wanna Grow Old With You (Adam Sandler)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
• Hit me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)
• When I’m 64 (The Beatles)
• Recipe For Love (Harry Connick Jr.)
• That’s Amore’ (Dean Martin)
• Happy Together (The Turtles)
• Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)
• I Got You Babe (Sunny & Cher)
• Love & Marriage (Frank Sinatra)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Axel F (Harold Faltermeyer)
• Peter Gunn Theme

 

Money Dance/ Honeymoon Dance Songs:

Played during the time the Bride & Groom dance with guests while the Best man and Maid of Honor collect the money for their honeymoon.
See music list above: “Bridal Party Music”

Garter And Bouquet Toss Songs:

Played during the bouquet toss and garter toss.

• The Stripper (David Rose)
• Legs (ZZ Top)
• You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Macho Man (Village People)
• Theme From Mission Impossible (Danny Elfman)
• Wild Thing (The Troggs or Tone Loc)
• Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
• Bad Boys (Inner Circle)
• Another One Bites The Dust (Queen)
• Curly Shuffle (Jump n’ The Saddle)
• Kiss (Prince)
• Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (Rod Stewart)
• Gimme All Your Lovin’ (ZZ Top)
• Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
• Freak Me (Silk)
• Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)
• Heaven (Bryan Adams)
• U Can’t Touch This (MC Hammer)
• Shameless (Garth Brooks)
• Girls Night Out (The Judds)
• Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
• Whipped Cream {Dating Game Theme} (Herb Alpert)
• Miss America Theme (Various)

 

Last Dance Songs:

The last song of the night for the Bride & Groom and their remaining guests.

• Last Dance (Donna Summer)
• New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
• Good Riddance {Time Of Your Life} (Green Day)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain & Bryan White)
• Save The Best For Last (Vanessa Williams)
• Wonderful Tonight (David Kersh)
• Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
• You’re Still The One (Shania Twain)
• Closing Time (Semisonic)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• I’ve Had The Time Of My Life (Bill Medly & Jennifer Warnes)
• How Your Love Makes Me Feel (Diamond Rio)
• Goodnight, Sweetheart (David Kersh)
• The Party’s Over (Nat King Cole)
• Goodnight Sweetheart (Spaniels)
• What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• The Dance (Garth Brooks)
• Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
• Always And Forever (Heatwave)

 

---

Magical Memories Entertainment (www.EntertainmentWithStyle.com) will do whatever it can to help you plan your wedding to create memories that will last a lifetime. From the first song to the last and everything in between the MME team will help you make sure your event is completely successful. The MME team looks forward to meeting with you, answer your phone calls or emails, and provide you with comprehensive, professional paperwork including contracts, planners, and song lists. MME offers Wedding Magicians and Wedding DJs. (914) 548-2048

Gone are the days when our streets were made of dirt, and aisle runners were used to protect the bride’s path down the aisle from the dirt and mud her guests would track down the aisle before she arrived. The use of a white aisle runner was symbolic to walking on holy ground.

Today, brides and grooms want the accents of their wedding to stand out and be as unique as they are. Elegance and style are of utmost importance. Today’s trends are to embellish on “the symbolic and the traditional”.

The first time a groom sees his bride in her beautiful dress and veil, walking down the aisle, is still considered one of the most important moments of the wedding day. So, now brides choose runners that suit this momentous occasion!! Modern weddings are using hand-painted runners that can set the mood and create a look of complete elegance. They complete a theme, and create quite a photo opportunity as well.

Brides are choosing colored and hand painted runners. Painted monograms, quotes, and poems are being used to personalize their weddings, along with famous quotes or poems meaningful to the couple. Runners now have crystals added to them to add glitz and silk flowers that give a 3D effect. The possibilities are endless. This is a HUGE trend that employs this dramatic visual as a reminder of the important union taking place.

As in days gone by, to protect the runner from your guests walking on the runner before you do, there are two things you can do. If you want to have your runner already rolled out when your guests arrive, but don’t want anyone to walk on it, place a ribbon across the aisle and allow your guests use the outer aisles to gain access to their seats. OR, you can wait till your guests are seated and attendants have already gone down the aisle and roll the runner out immediately before you-the bride are ready to walk down the aisle. This later method can add even more drama to your arrival!

---

Article By: Beth Martin/designer/artist
Take a look at our gallery of ideas for a Chic and Unique aisle runner for your special day! www.chicuniqueinc.com

Yesterday we launched some small changes to the themes.  Many themes have changed slightly, but look as close to the original as possible.  In all cases, they will look more consistent across all the different browsers that your guests may use.  This is in preparation for a new feature being launched soon. 

You may also notice some extra spacing in your text. Previously you had to hit enter twice to get a space between paragraphs. This is no longer the case. Our servers have cleaned up most of the extra spaces, but may have missed some based on how much formatting is in your text.  If you see extra spaces between paragraphs on your wedding website just let us know.