How to get everyone dancing? The right wedding band should be able to do this for you – with the right songs, as for laughing … the right dance moves should get guests chuckling!

I have a list of  the top 25 songs chosen for weddings which have proven to be floor fillers, thought it would be quite useful to share. Depending on the wedding band you hire, they should be able to perform these songs perfectly, leaving your guests wishing they didn’t come in heels!

Top 25 songs

Martha & The Vandellas – Dancing in The Street

The Contours – Do You Love Me?

Jackson 5 – I Want You Back

Ray Charles – Hit the Road Jack

Stevie Wonder – Sign, Sealed, Delivered

Beyonce – Déjà vu

Jessie J – Nobodys Perfect

Stevie Wonder – Superstition

The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love

Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody

Estelle – American Boy

Jackson 5 – Blame It on the Boogie

Beyonce – Crazy in Love

Prince – Kiss

Cee Lo Green – Forget You

Luther Vandross – Never Too Much

Kings of Leon – Sex on Fire

Amy Winehouse – Valerie

Toploader – Dancing in the Moonlight

Kool & The Gang – Get Down on It

The Kaiser Chefs – I Predict A Riot

Tine Tempah – Pass Out

James Brown – I Feel Good

Sister Sledge – We Are Family

Michael Jackson – I Wanna Rock With You

This list is just some of the many songs that have proven to have your wedding guests dancing non – stop. There are loads of wedding bands for hire that can make sure the dance floor is never empty, so take some time to look for the right one for you!

Choosing Wedding Photographer

Search Engines. Searching trough search engines such as Google can help you to find the right photographer. We recommend to do local searches. To find local wedding photographers, we advise to search for terms such as “”wedding photographer” + Los Angeles”. You can change the location “Los Angeles” to any other location where your wedding will take place.

Websites. Many local wedding photographers will have their own portfolio websites. Some other wedding resources advise you to choose and hire those photographers that are part of some photographer organizations or associations. Then again, we advise just look at their portfolio. If you like their recent photographer jobs – it doesn’t matter if they’re part of an organization or not, if you like their job, just hire them.

Don’t be cheap. We understand that money is a big issue in these times. But we also follow the old saying “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is”. So this means that if the photographer is really cheap comparing to others, you won’t get top-notch quality. Most of the times if you’re ready to pay good – you’ll receive good photography quality. Don’t be cheap, and pay for the quality.

Asking The Questions. When you have found your potential wedding photographer these are the questions you should be asking to determine if he/she is good enough for you. Ask questions such as –  best photos from past weddings, is photography a full-time job (this indicates if the photographer is good enough to make a living of what he/she does), is the photographer ready to dress up according to the wedding theme, if you have one. And few more specific questions to your interests.

This article provides few tips on how to choose the right wedding photographer. If you have your own tips and suggestions, feel free to post them in the comments section below this article.

4 Points To Follow

Budget. Budget is the first point to follow. When you have a budget ready for your wedding, only then you can have a plan for other things. So let us remind you – set up a budget first and then plan on other things related to your weddings.

Date. Setting up a date for your wedding is the next thing. Be sure to decide early to inform your guests, venues and wedding vendors. Choosing the date for the wedding, might help you to choose wedding theme as well, based on the season in which the wedding will take place you have various options to choose the right wedding theme.

Scale Of The Wedding. The scale of the wedding must be based on your wedding budget. By wedding scale we mean – how many guests will attend the wedding, how luxurious the wedding will be, where it will all happen, a private venue or maybe in the church? All these things must be based on your wedding budget.

Wedding Theme. After you have a budget ready, the date is set and you have the scale of the wedding planned, it is time  to choose the wedding theme. If you’re planning a classic wedding, then don’t worry. But if you’re planning on something more special, be sure to inform the guests about it along with the date of the wedding when sending your wedding invitation. Without informing the guests about your wedding theme – this might make your wedding the way you have not planned. Let us remind you – inform the guests about your wedding theme in time.

This article provided four basic tips on planning you wedding. Fore more articles, feel free to browse around our website, and be welcomed to leave comments and your suggestions.

Choosing The Vendors

Most vendors have websites online, where you can gather some information on what they offer. First you should check their communication method. You maybe don’t know it yet, but believe us, you’ll be making a lot of communication with your vendor. The easier to reach contact method, the better. Check if they offer phone support/live support.

Delivery dates and rates. If it is not listed on their website, then contact them and ask what the delivery timeframe is to your location. Long delivery may cause some stress and headaches. Don’t blindly trust the low prices of their services/products. Check what the delivery/shipping fee is. The shipping fee sometimes is a “dealbreaker”. Don’t get caught on the low prices, the the shipping fee might make you to think twice. So be sure to check that.

Ask for samples. Many vendors offer samples of their products. If it’s not listed on their website that they offer free samples, then just give them a call. Samples are very good to introduce yourself with the vendor’s offered services and products.

Reliability. Make sure the vendor is reliable. How to do that? Simple. Just google the vendor. You might come up with reviews from other customers, and see what their experience with the exact vendor was. Obviously, if the vendor has bad reviews, stay away from them.

Ask for advice. Established vendors have vast experience with weddings, and they know what works, and what doesn’t. Ask their advice on various things that may concern you. They’ll be happy to provide the advice, as they want to satisfy the customer as much as possible.  Things that you should ask advice for – wedding decors, flowers, props, cake, even a wedding theme, or wedding colors.

Weddings In Church

1. Visit the church first. You have to visit the church before hosting your wedding ceremony there. You must make sure that it has good temperature, and it is possible to adjust it to your level of comfort. Most brides choose their home church, i.e. – the church in bride’s town, but make sure it has enough room for all of your guests. If the place is too small, choose another church which is near your home location.
2. Decor the church before. Make sure to decor the church before your big day. It is an bad idea to do it on the last day. Things as wedding flowers can be set up on the last day, so they are fresh, but all other decorations and props must be set up before.
3. Have a rehearsal before. We strongly advise you to do some practice before your wedding day. Know where to stand, how and where from to walk in. When the bride must do the walk, and all other important things. You might have an wrong impression that it is simple to do the ceremony, but there many aspects and things that you should be aware of. We will have an article soon, that will outline all the specific information on how to do weddings in church.
4. Prepare specific information to your guests. You must give all the essential information to your guests for the wedding ceremony. You can include those together with your wedding invitation. The information should include – when to arrive, where the church is located, when the guests should start filling the room, in which side of the hall they must sit, and estimated time when the ceremony will end. Basically, you should make a “day plan” for your guests, so they know how to act.

Wedding Cake A Must For Every Wedding

1. Cake stand. Wedding cake must sit somewhere, right? And that’s why cake stands are made for. A good looking, high quality cake stand will only improve the overall look of your wedding cake. Then again, we must say that most of high quality cake stands are quite costly. But if you’re renting a wedding venue for your big day, then just ask the venue, if they can offer a cake stand – most of them do. This might save you a nice chunk of money. And hopefully, you’ll need the cake stand once in your life, so why overspend?
2. Local bakers. There many companies that will provide you wedding cakes. But, before going to big companies, try to search for local small bakeries. Most of the times they will offer it for a cheaper price, and the quality will be top-notch too. It is always good to support your local small businesses, so why not do it with the help of a wedding cake. Always make sure to tell the details of your wedding to the baker, for example if you have a specific wedding theme.
3. The right size. More is more in this case. Have a cake so big, so all of your guests can have a piece of it. It is not unusual to focus on the cake’s design and taste, while forgetting the size of it. Make sure that no guest is left behind.
4. Taste the cake. Always have a taste of the cake before it’s ready. Many bakers will offer samples of cakes, so you know what you’re getting into. Don’t just blindly trust that the cake will taste good, check for yourself.

These were four basic tips for choosing your wedding cake. If you have any other tips in mind, please share them in the comment box below.

The Wedding Planning Checklist

• Engagement. First step is to announce the engagement. Congrats to both of you. Now it is time to spread the word, and be ready for the buzz that your engagement will create in your social circle.
• Guest list. Now it is time to start creating a guest list of people that you want to attend your wedding. We can’t give you tips here, only you know the best who to invite.
• Location. When your guest list is ready, now you should check for your wedding location, or a wedding venue. Since you know how many guests will attend, you have a good idea of how big the venue must be, and what it must offer.
• Date. When you have found your wedding venue, it is now time to set up the date, and call up the wedding venue, if you’ll be able to host wedding on your desired date and time.
• Choosing wedding theme. You have the guest list ready, location and date. That’s great. Now you should pick a wedding theme that you like. You can read an article here – on how to choose your wedding theme.
• Vendor search and musician search. Now you must find the vendors that will prove all the props for your desired wedding theme. Don’t forget things such as – flowers, cake and other accessories. You’ll have to do a strong research on what the vendors can offer, and what prizes. Don’t forget to get in touch and hire a band or an DJ that will play the music. If you have a very specific wedding theme, make sure that the musicians can play songs and music that suits the theme.
• Invitations. When all of the above things are done, now you can send the wedding invitations to all the guests that you have in your guest list. Be very specific about the details – date, time and location. As well as the wedding theme, if you have one. And if the wedding theme requires some specific clothing or fashion style, be sure to include that too.
• Get yourself ready. When all of those things are done. Now get ready yourself. Choose a wedding dress, make up for the wedding, and be mentally ready for this great event.

Things That You Should Avoid

Weather Forecast –  Weather forecast is really important. We understand, that nobody can predict exact weather forecast, but try to be reasonable. If you’re getting married during the “rainy season”, Fall for example, don’t make your wedding “open field” type. This might sound silly to you, but many couples while going trough the stressful wedding planning process sometimes forget these simple and basic things. A simple thing like weather can either break or make your wedding.

Getting Drunk – We have seen it often, in the movies, stories from our friends how that groom or bride got drunk even before the party, or maybe you have witnessed this yourself. This happens. Wedding day is very stressful –  if the guests are here, have the vendors delivered everything, where is the band, is the venue open, and so on. So some people try to relax with a glass of whiskey, and sometimes too many glasses are involved, if you understand what we mean.  Getting drunk on wedding can also be caused by the many toasts that are made. Be careful, and don’t disappoint your loved one on this wonderful day. Know your limits.

Forgetting The Real Reason – Going trough the wedding process people sometimes forget the real reason why they’re getting married. It’s not to show off to your friends, it’s not to celebrate that you’re settling down, wedding shouldn’t be the reason to impress someone. You have to remember the real reason of the wedding – that two people have found each other, and are ready to make a life-long commitment. This is the true meaning of wedding. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how many guests came, how expensive your wedding was or any other thing. The important thing is that you’re both together, and are ready to walk the same road as one.

Why Professionals

You can save money by having an iPod play the music in your wedding party, but when hiring professional musicians, there are things that an MP3 player can’t do.

First of all, the musicians will not only play music, but they’re great party organizers. Most musicians also do event and party organizing, and they have the skills and experience to organize a great wedding party.  And they’ll be able to play music that suits your wedding theme.

Second, good musicians “feel the crowd” and so they will act accordingly. If they feel that the guests are somewhat lazy, don’t want to dance, etc, they will know how to bring the life of party back into them. They will play energetic music, will invite to dance, and so on.

Third. You can ask the musician to organize various events during the party, such as games.

Fourth. They have various experience in other tasks that will make your party better. Such as lights – they will know how to set up the lightning correctly, and sound as well. They will know how to set up sound acoustics right while keeping in mind the space of the party location, and other affecting factors when it comes to sound acoustics.

Fifth. When a good band or DJ will play the music, you can be sure that there will be no gaps, or those awkward silent moments between songs.

Sixth. A band or DJ will have an extensive song list at their disposal. This gives them the opportunity to dedicate a song to the couple, or any other special guest. Who knows, maybe the crowd demands “White Wedding” by Billy Idol and your MP3 player won’t have it.

These were six good reasons why you should hire a professional music performer for your wedding party. One thing, that we would like to add – remember, that no iPod ever will be able to create such a great atmosphere in weddings, like a real playing band or DJ.

Set Small Goals

Your main goal is to have a successful wedding day that you want to remember for the rest of your life. Then again, it is easy to get lost in all the many and various tasks that are needed to be done while achieving this goal. So our advice is to split your main goal (beautiful wedding) into smaller goals. For example – one goal is to choose and locate your wedding venue. Second goal is to choose the wedding theme . Third goal is to have a guest list ready, and send out invitations to them. And so on. Doing this will help you to be more productive, and focus on all the needed tasks that are needed to be done.

Have A Budget Ready

You should set your budget. Having a budget ready will help you not to overspend, and have a wedding within your means. Of course you can’t predict the precise costs of your wedding, and as with anything unexpected costs may occur. So our advice to you: Have a budget ready + 15% for unplanned expenses.

Visualize Your Perfect Wedding

This is simple. Each day when you wake up in the morning – spend 5 minutes to visualize your perfect wedding. This will help you to keep the perfect image of your wedding in your head, and will keep you motivated. It really works. Visualizing can be applied to any aspect of life.

Workout

Working out will help you to overcome stress. Not just wedding stress, but any stress. Not only that, it will also help you to keep in shape, and look as good as never before in your wedding day. We understand that you’ll have very little time during the wedding planning period, but try to spend 1hour/day to exercise. Be it jogging, swimming or any other physical activity. Anything will do. This help you to clear your mind, and reduce stress.

These were four tips that we provide on how to reduce wedding stress. If you have any other tips that you would like to share, please leave them in the comment section below. We encourage you.