Wedding Ceremony Music

Today, Adel Domingo, Event Architect will be sharing some tips on how to make selections on music for your wedding ceremony.

I’ve never attended a wedding ceremony without music, except for mine, because my husband and I got married in a civil ceremony in a typical judge’s bureaucratic office. Not cool, or should I say, there was no warmth or romance at all. It wasn’t us. We love music. We did get married in a church a year later and we were surrounded by our loved ones and, of course, music. My brother’s band played at our reception.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

No matter what kind of ceremony you’re having, you need a song for the intro, possibly a reflection or dedication song somewhere in the middle, and a recessional song. That determination is easy but choosing the songs is not that easy. Why? Because you have one chance to show the world which songs reflect the love you have for each other. However, when you choose the right songs, you’ll know it, because it will make you and your loved ones weep, or at least, make them sigh.

What’s your style? Classical, folk, religious, alternative, and in what language? It is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Pick your top three favorite for each category and you narrow it down. This may take a week or months.


Photo courtesy of theknot.com

Who will sing? The church’s music director, your friends or family, or hired musicians are all available. Sometimes a DJ is used, a cd can be played on a boom box, or an iPod can be a big part despite almost being invisible. It needs to be a clear and moving, so if your Dad is an awesome guitar player, ask him to play because that is one memory that will never go away.

What is your favorite song? What songs inspire you or speak to you and remind you of the great love you are about to embark? What prayer song will seal your vows? The choice is endless from the ever classical Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” to the quirky Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Linus and Lucy.” Sometimes an appropriate song to choose for the entrance song is a song of the family letting their daughter go and escorting her into her new life like “The Water is Wide” an English folk song. A reflective song “Only You Can Love Me This Way” by Keith Urban is great for those who like country music.

Whatever style of song you choose, I believe in my heart that it should never be offensive or dark or basically humorous leaning towards bad taste. But, why should you listen to me? This is your wedding ceremony, which is one of the most sacred, peaceful, and serious time of your lives. You’ll never hear the end of it from your mothers and grandmothers on why you chose “that awful song” if you pick a “unique” song. Yes, it’s their wedding too, so pick a song in honor of them or for any anybody near and dear to your hearts that have inspired you and taught you to love.

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

After Party, After Glow

Today Katie Gutierrez, Event Architect from Oliveaire is going to talk about the party(s) after the party. Take it away Katie...

“I wanna rock and roll all nite and party every day!” Kiss could not of said it any better!

Ceremony… Success!
Reception… Success!
That’s it? It’s over already?
The reception does not have to be the end of the celebration. Keep the party going!

Not everyone will attend the after party, but etiquette would dictate that you should invite everyone. What kind after-partier are you?

For you night owls, you can continue the party at the hotel bar. It would be best to set this up ahead of time so that they may be able to stay open for a extra hour or two of friendly cocktail consumption!



For those who want to continue to dance, you can also take the party to a club or lounge. Transportation is the most important thing here! Make sure that if you do have an after party somewhere other than the hotel or reception venue, transportation is organized. Whether it be a bus that will bring the guests back, or designated drivers to be responsible to pick up some guests. Find the best late-night spots and you can continue to dance the night away!

For something a little bit more private, you can book a hotel room or suite. It would be great to invite some guests back up to the room to enjoy some light snacks, and a few drinks just to mingle!



If you’re more of a spontaneous couple, just wing it!

If one day is not enough, have a Post Wedding Brunch.

What better way to recover from a fantastic night than to continue the celebration the next day in a more relaxed atmosphere. Whether it be at a home, or even at the hotel restaurant, this is a great way to gather more of your guests and give them the opportunity to just unwind from the previous nights festivities. Typically those who attend the brunch are the guests from out of town and close friends and family of the newlyweds. A Post Wedding Brunch is great! During the brunch you are able to talk more intimately with each guest, as there won’t be that many. You can bid your out-of-town guests farewell, share photos, videos and even laugh at all the funnies of the night!

The party does not end there. You’ll have a lifetime to celebrate! Your new life has just begun as Mr. & Mrs. Continue to Rock and Roll!!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia

To Dos Before I Do, Will You?

There are many fun things to do when planning a wedding. As a bride you use your creativity in designing the look of your day, you dive into luscious fabric while choosing the gown of your dreams, and there are parties with friends and family to be enjoyed.

However, there is that nagging “to do list” of not so fun items. This includes applying for a marriage license, getting documents together if you are planning to change your name and working with an attorney to create a pre-nuptial agreement, if you so choose.

I’m not sure if it’s thanks to Kanye West, or just our societal standards, but pre-nups seem to be a taboo subject to discuss. Many brides and grooms feel that they do not need a pre-nuptial agreement, and that might absolutely be the case. Here is the thing, if you decide to end your marriage, in the absence of a pre-nuptial agreement drafted by you and your fiancé, you are subject to state law for the division of your assets and all other proceedings.

That may be fine with you. More than likely you do not know exactly what that entails; I’m guessing most of us don’t. So, while I truly hope that every marriage lasts a lifetime, statistics tell me otherwise. My suggestion, while of sound mind, and absolute confidence that you will be with your significant other for all the days of your life, at least have a conversation with an attorney to know what the laws are in your state regarding divorce. I kind of look at it like creating a will or purchasing life insurance. I hate to think of myself dying young, but if it should happen I want to leave my family in the best position possible.

After your talk with the attorney, go out and celebrate the fact that you will NOT be one of those statistics!

BBFN (Bridal Bliss for Now),
Olivia