Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

March 11, 2010

10 Simple Ways to Have Great Momentum for Your Wedding

Our Chicago partner, David Rothstein wrote this fun blog post and encouraged us to share with our readers. It’s about “10 simple ways to have great momentum for your wedding.” Being from Chicago, David originally focused on “Chicago Weddings” yet we think it’s good info that can be appreciated by anyone.

1. Be Organized – A well thought out and detailed schedule will give a good structure to each aspect of your wedding.
2. Strong Leadership – You need to have one person in charge of the evening, usually the Wedding bandleader or wedding planner. They will keep all your vendors on schedule and in the right place at the right time. This leadership will keep the energy of your Wedding moving along. The larger the crowd the more crucial this is.
3. School Days – How did our junior high school keep 2,000 hyper, over sugared 13-year olds under control for 6 hours a day? They didn’t leave us any kind of choices as to what we were going to do next. 9:00- Math, 10:00 Social Studies etc. You need to do the same thing for your guests. Don’t give them a chance to make their own choices. If there’s nothing going on they may wander off to another room. Keep everything moving forward and on schedule just like Junior High School 7:00pm Cocktails, 8:00pm Ballroom doors open, which leads to bridal party introductions, which leads to then cake cutting, which leads to toasts etc… Everything leads to dancing.
4. Clear Announcements – Your Band Leader should first get everyone’s undivided attention. Once he has a quiet room, then he should clearly announce, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please direct your attention to the dance floor as it is now time for the First Dance”. “For our First Toast this evening, let’s have a warm welcome for the Father of the bride, James Hines” etc… Your guests will feel more energized and enthusiastic when they know what’s going on and they’re focused on the right thing.
5. Get your guests involved ASAP – One of the best ways to jump start your wedding is to have the full wedding band playing as your guests enter the ballroom. Read my blog about the advantages of the East Coast style weddings. They will become excited about dancing to a full live Wedding Band instead of having to endure 6 hours of a DJ. With this format you’ll go right into your formal dances and then invite everyone to dance one song. You’ve wet their appetite for an amazing evening of dancing!
6. Invite Fun Guests – We all have friends who are just naturally fun to be around. They light up a room. They love to dance with everybody and inspire those watching to join in on the fun.
7. Know your audience – Think about who’s coming to your wedding. What are their age groups? What is their nationality? Where are they from? If you can select songs based on these answers your guests will feel appreciated that you took the time to think of them. For example, If you’re family is Polish, play a polka or two. If you have guests that are from New York, wouldn’t they love to hear “New York”? Work with the bandleader to customize the music to your guests.
8. Positive attitude – You’ve done all your homework. Mailed all the invitations, hired all your vendors and selected the perfect venue. Now it’s time for your reward, an amazing night to celebrate with everyone you love. If everyone sees you’re having a great night they will feel it and want to celebrate with you. You will have plenty of time to socialize throughout the night, but be sure to get out and dance. Everybody wants to dance with the bride and see you both having the time of your life!
9. Keep the Focus – One of the biggest mistakes couples make is to have additional rooms, outdoor patios that your guests can drift off to. If your wedding is in June and you have a large patio next to your ballroom ½ of your guests will wonder off to smoke cigars and enjoy the beautiful weather. In the meantime you’re dance floor is sparce. You’ll be dancing with 10 of your friends wondering where all your guests went. Don’t have your sweets table in another room. It’s an instant wedding killer. Don’t do it! Keep the focus on your dance floor. There should be only 1 wedding going on, not 2 or 3 smaller ones throughout the venue.
10. Book Extra Time – If you are planning a large wedding, over 200 guests, you may want to book extra time in case things run behind. This way at the end of the night you won’t get stuck paying for overtime, which is a much higher rate for all your vendors.

March 08, 2010

Light Up Your Wedding Night

Looking for that “something” that will really make your wedding feel like a fairy-tale? Look no more, lighting is the answer! This luxury is a small price to pay for a big and bold statement. Whether you’re having an afternoon reception of hors d’oeuvres and mimosas, or a seated dinner affair at 8, the simple addition of lighting can be transformational. Lighting can be used to give a cold room a sense of warmth and glow, or change an elegant ballroom into a personal fashion statement for you and your hip groom.

This couple used Jordan Payne Events to transform The Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas into an exotic lounge. Fun, Flirty, Creative…Clearly, this was an event no one could forget with such stunning lighting. Absolutely an art form!

Jordan Payne Events provided this classic wedding look shown below as well. Here is an example of more subtle lighting, a look well suited for the simple and elegant bride. With warm golden tones, this lighting will surely make your guests feel welcome, invited and comfortable. Beautiful with all wedding colors, especially those in the warm color family (reds, gold/yellow, browns, etc.), and complimented by the beautiful chandelier in Arlington Hall at Lee Park in Dallas, Texas. Timeless!

Next time you’re brainstorming ways to add that “special touch” to your reception, remember, don’t skimp on lighting. It’s worth every penny!

Source: Katy Brooks

Photography by Gary Donihoo of f8Studio

Photography by Joseph Ellis of Joseph Mark Photography

February 19, 2010

What is Dancing Between Courses/East Coast Style Wedding?

(David Rothstein is one of StrictlyWeddings.com Chicago partners. He shared this great information with us on Dancing Between Courses)

First let’s define what dancing between courses is. It is used for all weddings on the east coast and amazingly enough called East Coast style. It has become very popular for weddings throughout the country because of the many benefits. The biggest difference isthat the dance orchestra starts at the beginning of dinner instead of after.

Here’s what the overall schedules would look like:

Dancing after Dinner (Mid-West Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm Dinner Jazz Trio Continues
9:00 – 12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

Ceremony:
___________________________________________
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm Jazz Trio Continues

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor: escorted by Best Man

Bride and Groom:

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Meal is served

Cake Cutting

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra

First Dance:

Father/Daughter Dance:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone begins dancing

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses (East Coast Style)

Schedule Overview:
5:45 – 6:30pm   Ceremony Classical Duo (Violin and Piano)
6:30 – 7:30pm   Cocktails Jazz Trio (Piano, Bass and Sax)
7:30 – 9:00pm   Dinner 10-Piece Orchestra
9:00 – 12:00am Dancing 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

Ceremony:
5:45-6:30pm Ceremony Classical Duo

Cocktails:
6:30-7:30pm Jazz Trio

Dinner:
7:30-9:00pm 10-Piece Orchestra

7:30pm Doors open (Guests enter ballroom)
Bridal Party Introductions

Flower Girl: escorted by Ring Bearer:

Parents of the Bride:
Parents of the Groom:
Ushers:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
escorted by
escorted by
Matron of Honor escorted by Best Man
Bride and Groom:

First Dance:
Father/Daughter:
Mother/Son Dance:
Everyone dances one song

“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated”

Toasts:
Toast 1:
Toast 2:
Toast 3:
Toast 4:

Blessing Over Meal:

Announce

Salad is served Cake Cutting

After Salads is being cleared:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, while you are waiting for your main course we’d like to invite to join us for dancing.”

The Catering Director cues David once the main course is served.
“Ladies and Gentlemen we will have plenty of dancing throughout the evening. In the meantime, please be seated as your main course is being served.”

Dancing:
9:00-12:00am 10-Piece Orchestra Continues

10:30pm Bouquet/Garter

Dancing Between Courses has several huge benefits to the flow of your wedding:

WHAT HAPPENS:
Dance Orchestra starts performing as the door to the ballroom opens.

BENEFITS:
You will make a big impression having a full orchestra playing as your guests come in.

WHAT HAPPENS:
When you are introduced with a standing ovation, you walk right to the dance floor for your First Dance, Father/Daughter and Mother/Son.

BENEFITS:
All the formal dances are completed. After dinner you will have 3 hours of uninterrupted dancing.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Your guests are invited to dance one song.

BENEFITS:
The dancing will jump start your party and put your guests in the mood for a great night.

WHAT HAPPENS:
Guests are invited to dance after the salad course.

BENEFITS:
Instead of sitting at their table with a dirty plate with waiters reaching around them, they can dance to their favorite songs.

WHAT HAPPENS:
The dance orchestra performs for 4 ½ hours instead of 3.

BENEFITS:
You can choose more of your favorite songs.
If toasts are long or the food is running behind, you’re covered.

SUMMARY:
Dancing between courses is a huge advantage to the overall success of your wedding if you can afford it. Think of it as an insurance policy for having an amazing wedding.

Feel free to contact me at my web site below to ask any questions.

David Rothstein
David Rothstein Music, Inc
www.drsmusic.com

Click to view David on video - This is a detailed and helpful video about how dancing between courses actually works. I describe the differences between mid-west style weddings and east coast style.

November 24, 2009

Wedding Receptions – New Trends – The Smilebooth

Smilebooth makes the party!

Smilebooth is soooo not the old school photo booth. This modern upgrade to the classic memory-maker is all about the entertainment!!  Smilebooth lets your guests be in (out of ?) control and take unlimited studio quality images. Be warned, it might take over your event with outrageous laughter coming from the corner but that’s not a bad thing, right?  Your digital photos can be printed or downloaded to your phone/facebook.

Have a blast while capturing the vibe of your event.  According to wedding parties who have used it, it’s addicting, amazing and amusing. And from the pictures here, you can see that they have the proof.

Source: Smilebooth.com

November 17, 2009

Wedding Reception Furniture – Comfort and Style

One of our partners sent us information on Prop Rock Concepts & Productions as a very attractive option when looking for wedding reception furniture.

Located in Dallas and Houston, Prop Rock works with its clients to develop a customized layout plan, deliver and setup the furniture and coordinate any other details as needed or directed by the client. If you’re a wedding coordinator, event planner or the bride, you can contact Prop Rock at the information below to get more information.

Phone: 1-877-ROCK-212
Email: info@proprock.com

October 12, 2009

Reception Music – Band or DJ?

When you have the band-versus-dj discussion, you need to think about what each has to offer before signing a contract. A great dj is better than a mediocre band any day, but a live band has wonderful energy that you can’t get from recorded music. You decide which fits your party (and budget) better.

Reasons to book a DJ:

• He’s affordable (dj prices start at about $500 for five hours; bands are often a minimum of $3,000)
• Will play any song you want
• Can work in small spaces without a lot of equipment
• Keeps music going during the entire party with no lull
• Is trained to choreograph the reception and make announcements

Reasons to book a band:

• They make a more dramatic presentation, with musicians, vocalists, and all those instruments
• Have unique personalities
• Their infectious energy can get people on the dance floor
• Guests who don’t dance will still enjoy watching the show
• Live music is more emotional, which is what the day is all about

Visit our Dallas entertainment partners

October 02, 2009

New Cuisine Trend

Many brides are eliminating the formal sit down dinner and overflowing buffets and opting for an all-passed appetizers wedding with chic smaller buffets.

Find the Perfect Pair – fun food & drink pairings during the entire wedding:

* Black Bean Soup with Mini Chilled Casahas Shots
* Mini Tuna Tacos with Mini Chilled Lime Margaritas
* Fish & Chips served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Mini Gourmet Pizzas served with Mini Pints of Beer
* Caviar & Chilled Vodka
* Instead of huge cheese displays pair cheese, meats and breads with a variety of wine tastings

Choose Mini Buffets – more do-it-yourself stations with toppings:

* Cous Cous Station with Toppings
* Curry Bar
* Deconstructed Mac & Cheese with Truffle Oil, Jalapenos, Chipotle Crème
* Tuna Bar with Tartar & Seared Tuna with Toppings like Wasabi Caviar, Citrus Caviar, Avocado, etc.

Pass the Dessert – serve your guests mini desserts while they are on the dance floor:

* Espresso Brownies with Mini Vanilla Milkshakes
* Fresh Fruit Sorbet on Mini Cones
* Fresh berry tartlets with limoncello sips

Late Night Munchies – serve mini-burgers and mini-grilled cheese for late night dancing treats or surprise guests with an all-passed midnight breakfast:

* Mini Burgers & Fries
* Mini Grilled Cheese
* Mini Blueberry Pancakes
* Mini Scrambled Eggs in Phyllo Nests
* Mini Bagels

Source: GetMarried.com

Photos courtesy of Blue Plate Catering – Chicago and Culinary Art Catering – Dallas

September 08, 2009

Chicago Wedding Reception Ideas

Photo 1 and 2 from Hello Darling, Chicago, Courtesy of Artisan Events, Inc.

Photo 3 from Keith J. Laverty, Dallas,

August 20, 2009

The Candy Bar – Not Your Traditional Cake

A candy bar, buffet style at a wedding reception is a sure hit and can be a great conversation piece. Plus it’s fun for the guests to pick and choose their favorite sweets.

Color and Size of the Candy Bar Matters
Before you start to purchase the candy, its best to plan the color theme and decide on the amount of candy you will need. I believe cost is just as important as the overall look of the candy buffet. For an inviting and grand look, having a monochromatic theme works best for a candy bar. Many bulk suppliers will let you purchase wholesale orders of things like jelly beans – all in one color. One of our favorite candies, M&Ms can be personalized with photos or words (and right now there’s a promotion going on for a free bag!).

Next, decide on the amount of candy you will need. You do not want to be left with pounds of candy and unnecessary expenses especially when planning a wedding. Figure 5 to 8 ounces per guest. However, this is not a set rule. The amount needed will depend on the type of guests who will be attending your event – kids vs. adults. Something else to consider is if additional desserts will be served. Serving too many sweets throughout the event will be an over kill.

Buying Candy in Bulk
The candy of course is the most expensive aspect for the candy buffet but there are ways to control costs as well. The best option for purchasing candy is buying in bulk. There are plenty of online candy stores that sell at wholesale pricing. Also keep an eye out for sales during holiday seasons such as Halloween, Easter, or Christmas. If your color theme is red, check your local grocery stores or Walgreens right after Christmas. Easter is also a perfect time to get pastel colored candy for very cheap. The most popular candy for a candy table is jelly beans, candy canes, lollipops, Hershey Kisses and M&M’s. All of these can be found in many different colors.

August 12, 2009

Linens – Make a statement, Set the tone

We’re suckers for beautiful fabric, whether it’s the gown or the linens. And today, the bride has so many options to choose from than the traditional white and pastels from way back when. If you’re looking for ideas or a great resource, check out these table settings from Wildflower Linens.

(Click on each image to see a larger view)