Bridal Party Gifts

The secret to buying a great bridal party gift is thoughtfulness. Not money, not luxury, but thoughtfulness. You can spend all the money in the world on your bridesmaids and groomsmen, but that doesn't mean that you'll end up with the best attendants' gifts.

So what to buy? Start out by asking yourself what your friends want but might not buy for themselves. If nothing comes to mind, consider giving gifts that the wedding party can use at the wedding along with things that can be used for other occasions.

For example, how about buying beautiful handmade shawls for your bridesmaids? You can match them to your wedding colors, but think about choosing shawls in shades your ladies will love. Have fun with it. Wrap the shawls with a real cloth ribbon and place them where bridesmaids can find them. Another great gift is a gorgeous, roomy makeup bag filled with a generous supply of high-end makeup -- think Chanel, MAC, Laura Mercier. What woman doesn't love makeup? Especially if it is a splurgey brand she doesn't normally buy for herself.

For the groomsmens' gifts, high-quality, silver or gold cuff links are a traditional, but great gift. Box them beautifully, and, again, leave them where the groomsmen will find them. If you're looking for something a bit less traditional, gift certificates for lessons are perfect. Cooking lessons, parasailing lessons, a beer-tasting class... there is no limit to what you can give as a gift. If you have a groomsmen with a specific hobby -- perhaps your best man is a disc jockey -- buy a gift associated with that hobby.

Happy shopping!


A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Honeymoon Savings Tips

Let's face it -- honeymoons are expensive. There are, however, tips and tricks you can use to shave some dollars and cents off your honeymoon costs. Saving on a honeymoon is as easy as shopping carefully for the best deals and considering alternative options that aren't the usual Hawaiian getaway.

Here are some money saving honeymoon ideas to get you started:

• Pack whatever you can! Sure it's easier to buy things like sunscreen and lip balm at your destination, but prices for necessities in tourist locales can cost double what they cost in your local drug store.

• If you can round up at least two other sets of newlyweds, you can rent a luxury villa in the tropics or a beautiful house in the mountains for what you'd pay for a hotel room.

• Alternately, look into house swapping.

• Prices for car rentals and hotels can fluctuate, so always always always look for a better deal. Ask for discounts whenever you can!

• Local specialty foods make great souvenirs and gifts for family, and grocery stores are the best and least expensive place to find them.

• Ask your wedding vendors -- like your wedding DJ -- if they know of any good deals. As wedding professionals, they often have contacts at hotels.
  

Remember that there's nothing wrong with asking for a deal. Tell everyone you interact with that you are on your honeymoon because resort managers, tour guides, drivers, and other service professionals may offer you a special discount or package deal. Good luck!


A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding Flower Checklist (Reception)

Once you've checked all of the items off on your wedding flower checklist for your wedding ceremony, it's time to think about the reception. You may have lots of flowers on your reception tables or a couple of blooms scattered here and there around your reception space. No matter what, however, a list will help you ensure that nothing is forgotten.

As with any item of decor, presentation is everything. You may want to have floral centerpieces for several different guest tables, on a buffet table, and in several other areas. If there will be a lot of family members and longer tables are being used, you may need additional wedding flower arrangements ordered to compensate.

Here is a short wedding flower checklist to get you started:

• Centerpieces
• Head table
• Gift table
• Buffet table
• Bar
• Cake table
• Entry tables

That's not everything, of course. As wedding disc jockeys in Denver, Colorado, we attend plenty of receptions that are dripping with flowers. Wedding floral arrangement can be used to inform guests of their seating arrangement. You can also have floral headpieces or aisle runners. Many have also found it appropriate to give a thank-you floral arrangement to out-of-town guests and a separate and special set for each of your parents. And here's one more tip: If you're having a lot of bridesmaids, the bridal bouquets can be used as centerpieces! Just have vases ready on each table!


A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Choosing Wedding Music

For those looking for wedding DJs in Denver Colorado and beyond, we want to offer you a few pointers that will help you when it comes time to make your wedding reception playlist. Choosing music isn't always easy, and there's plenty to think about. You have multiple options when you come to this stage of wedding planning, and we've outlined them below.

1) Do nothing, allowing your wedding DJ to choose all the music.This is fine if you have seen us before and know you will like our selections, or if you do not have the time to choose music. The DJs at A Music Plus are at events every week and can quickly determine the kind of music that you and your guests will enjoy. Additionally, our DJs bring a wide variety of all styles of popular music so that they can adjust to your preferences and those of your guests accordingly.

2) Choose a few songs and/or artists you most enjoy. This is what most clients choose to do. This gives your wedding DJ a clear indication of some of the music that is important to you, while allowing them to take guest requests and play songs that they know from experience will please your guests.

3) Choose several songs and artists and identify a list of "Do Not Play" songs and/or artists, as well as possibly forbidding the playing of guest requests. If you have the time and inclination, this option gives you more control of the music played at your event. While more time consuming on your end, it can help you feel that you have more say in what is or is not played.

4) Provide a list of music choices for your wedding DJ, requiring that only songs on that list be played unless you specify otherwise at the event. This option ensures that you will not hear a song at your event that you have not approved, but is somewhat restrictive and eliminates guest choices as an option for the DJ.

5) Create the list of music you want played, in order, and require that your wedding disc jockey stick to it. While we will happily do this for you, it is not recommended. Making such a list requires a great deal of time and effort on your part. Additionally, it cannot account for or allow flexibility for what may be happening at your event at any given time.

Good luck, and have a great reception!

A Music Plus
Denver Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. II

Of all the Denver disc jockeys out there, we obviously think we're the best. But when it comes to choosing entertainment for your reception, it's up to you to decide which dj will make your wedding fun. To help you make this very important decision, here are four questions you should ask yourself when choosing your wedding dj.

How important is it to you that your guests dance?
This is a huge issue at wedding receptions. We sometimes get clients whose primary concern in selecting music is to demonstrate to their friends and families how eclectic or eccentric their music tastes have become. While we will certainly help them accomplish that goal, we try to warn them not to be shocked if most of their guests don't recognize the music and, therefore, choose not to dance. Again, we make no judgment here as to this being right or wrong, it is just how it is. Most people tend to dance when they feel comfortable, and that usually requires recognizing the music.

What if the DJ is off track with music selection at our event?
We at A Music Plus think of performing at an event much like waiting tables in a fine restaurant. A great DJ will do their best to provide exactly what you want, but they cannot know you want something different unless you say so. If your soup is cold, the finest waiter will not know unless you tell him. If you want the music selection at any particular time tweaked, tell the DJ so they can adjust.

Do we have to hear the same old songs that we hear at most weddings?
Of course not. This is your day and you should have total control of the music played. On the other hand, songs that fall under the category of “popular music” are called "popular" for a reason. Popular songs like YMCA, Loveshack, the Electric Slide, for instance...these are songs that make some people cringe, while others flock to the dance floor. You need to decide what matters most. If hearing a particular song or artist will irk you at your event, you should tell us in advance. If you'll be too busy visiting with guests to notice or care, and the song has your guests dancing end enjoying themselves, then you might be best served to not worry about it.

Should we allow the DJ to take guests requests?
This is up to you. We cannot possibly know you and your guests as well as you do. Sometimes guests come up with some good and fun ideas for music selections. The DJ will always use discretion, anyway, so you shouldn't worry about your wedding DJ playing inappropriate songs. Unless you are concerned about the music your guests might request, or you want the DJ to play from your list only, it is generally okay to let guests make requests.


A Music Plus
Colorado Disc Jockeys
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Wedding DJs Pt. I

Music preferences are so personal that we make no attempt at A Music Plus to determine what is "good" music or "bad" music. The kind of music you like is up to you...not up to your wedding disc jockey. I think that's what sets us apart from other wedding djs in Denver Colorado!

Unlike the other djs you may have met, we do not try to educate our clients about music. We only play the music that our clients ask to hear. With their permission and only with their express permission, we will supplement their choices with selections we feel will appropriately compliment their event.

Live bands are generally limited to the songs they carry in their repertoire. With djs, the choices are much more varied. That doesn't necessarily make it any easier on you -- what if your musical tastes are limited? Don't worry about it. Many clients aren't sure what should be played at their event.

First, ask yourself what do you want the music at your event to do? Is the purpose of the music to provide a format for dancing, to provide ambience, to set a mood or enhance the moment? Determining what you want the music to do will help you decide what should be played.

Then, ask yourself how much control you want over your wedding reception playlist. Again, this is up to you, but here's an analogy. You've asked the chef to prepare a wonderful meal for everyone. You've told him/her what you like. Now, do you stand over his/her shoulder and direct the preparation of the food? What spices to use, what temperature to cook the food at, which pots and pans to use, what order to prepare the food in, etc.?

Providing music for dancing is similar. Your wedding dj should know what you like and dislike and try to play music accordingly. But micro-managing the disc jockey at your event tends to take away much of your enjoyment of the party and makes a long night for everybody.

Balance is best -- tell your disc jockey what you absolutely do want to hear and what you absolutely do not want to hear, and let him or her fill in the rest. We can't vouch for the other Colorado disc jockeys out there, but we here at A Music Plus will always abide by your wishes!

A Music Plus

Denver Wedding Disc Jockeys

http://www.amusicplus.com/