WEDDING NOTES™ – Music to Celebrate

Selecting the music for a wedding ceremony and reception is an important consideration.  Music should frame the ceremony – not dominate it.  Picking the music should be considered an important aspect of the planning process.

1.      Make an early meeting with the officiator a must.  Churches tend to have constraints imposed on the kind of music allowed.  It is good to have that information early in the planning process.

Some churches limit the options by presenting the bride a list of music from which she must choose.  Others may opt to screen her choices.

2.       If the bride wants a certain music that is important to her and/or the groom, and the church organist can’t/won’t play it, she has the option of diplomatically asking if she can bring in her own musicians.  More and more brides are requesting instruments other than the organ.  Some brides want to be lead up or down the aisle by bagpipes.  Others prefer the sounds of a string quartet.  Allowing sufficient lead-time to clarify any issues around music is a smart move.

3.       Brides must remember that music needs to be selected for the prelude, the processional, the ceremony and for the reception.  Musicians need to be chosen and booked early in the process.

4.       Many budget conscious brides are opting to use MP3 players or other electronic media for reception music – either during the cocktail hour or as background music during dinner.

5.       The bride should spend time researching her music.  Screen pieces, listen to tapes, CDs, and take advice from musicians you know.  Audition any musicians before hiring them.  Check references. Volumes of advice and suggestions are available online.  Think about your own personal preferences and music that matters to you both as a couple as you assemble your “must play list”.

Many couples are creating a CD of their favorite music and making it available as a thank you gift to their guests.

For other ideas about the role of music in your wedding, talk with one of our experienced consultants.

WEDDING NOTES™ – Tips for the Bride on a Budget

The results from THE KNOT’S 2011 BRIDAL FASHION STUDY indicate that for the majority of the 9,690 brides interviewed in the survey, the tough economic times “have not stopped brides from buying their dream dress.”  (VOWS, January/February 2012)  Brides seem willing to cut back in other areas in order to buy the gown they want. 

What are some of the ways brides can save?

They need to prioritize.  Figure out what matters most and allocate budgets accordingly.  These items should arise out of honest conversations between the bride and groom and their families.  Such discussions can make sure that what matters most is funded.

Budgets need to be set.  Couples must figure out how much they can pay for individual items like flowers or receptions or photography and then communicate that to the vendors involved.  It works better if a dollar amount is mentioned rather than a price range.

Consider your own resources.  Do you have unused frequent flyer miles that could cover honeymoon travel?  How about an uncle who collects classic cars? Could he provide a unique and elegant ride between the church and reception for the bride and groom?  Do you know someone who “knows someone” who could get you a good price on quality champagne?

Step outside the usual.  Rather than insisting on a Saturday night wedding, could you move to a Sunday?  It has always been an option but few brides used it.  Every time you choose times, places or options that few others are choosing, you’ll save money in various ways.

Rethink what your wedding means.  It is a special celebration for family and friends, not the way to pay back everyone who has ever invited you or your family to a party.  If you are thinking that your wedding is a way to impress people, think again.  Have it your way and keep it personal.

Our certified consultants can help you find more ways to save and still have a beautiful and meaningful day.

WEDDING NOTES™ – The Role of the Wedding Planner

If the bride and her family would like a stress free wedding, the best solution is to hire a wedding planner.  If the wedding is to be at an out of town/destination wedding, then dependence on a planner at the venue to which the wedding party will be traveling is a must.  If the bride and groom are planning a small intimate wedding and reception but the couple both have jobs that demand huge time commitments, a wedding planner can take the couple’s wishes and instructions and produce exactly the event they envision.

The term planner can cover a wide range of services.  In general the term refers to services provided by an individual, selected by the bride or her mother, to assist with some or all of the details involved in the planning and implementing of an error-free, stress free rehearsal, ceremony and reception.   A plus feature in hiring a wedding planner or coordinator is that the bride can decide the level of service she desires and pay only for those services.

Brides-to-be should determine the credentials of the planner they are considering.  They should check the training/certification that the planner has earned.  They should ask for references from two or three brides the planner has served and decide on the level of involvement they will require.  Maybe an initial consultation to help identify choices and set preliminary plans and schedules is enough for one couple.  Others may want a comprehensive package, which covers time and advice on all aspects of the wedding plus vendor and site negotiations.

Do make an appointment with one of our consultants. Our expert planners can make a valuable and beautiful difference in YOUR wedding.