Bridesmaids Gifts and Groomsmen Gifts

Gifts for wedding attendants are typically a nice way for the bride and groom to thank their bridesmaids and groomsmen for all of the money they've spent and the effort they've expended in helping to plan the perfect wedding. Choosing the right gift isn't always easy and can be downright stressful if you're not sure what your attendants might like to receive.

The following tips will help you make meaningful gift selections:

• When choosing personalized gifts for groomsmen or for bridesmaids, allow time to have the gifts personalized with the date and occasion if it's appropriate. This can take up to eight weeks from the time your order your items... and even longer if a mistake is made.

• Choose presents that mean something instead of gifts that are stereotypically wedding-y. Think of shared experiences, common interests in activities or books, and what will be most widely accepted. You don't have to get all of your attendants the same gift.

• On the other hand, to keep costs reasonable, choose the same gift for all of your attendants, perhaps only differing between men and women. A universal gift like an engraved or imprinted pen, carafe or mug or a CD of your favorite music can delight both genders. Ask yourself if your particular friends will be happy receiving the same gifts.

• Poll your attendants to see what they might like to receive as gifts. That way you'll be sure to get them something they want, and it might turn out to be less expensive and more special than whatever you had previously planned.

Good luck, and happy shopping!

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

Questions to Ask Your Wedding DJ

As the premier Colorado disc jockeys, we know that it's a wedding DJ's job to keep the party moving. That means so much more than lining up a list of tunes and letting the records play. We keep the party going, make sure people are out on the dance floor, and help set the mood. Consequently, when it comes time to choose your wedding DJ, you should be pretty careful!

Here are eleven questions you should ask your wedding DJ before signing a contract:

1. Can I choose my own music? If you love a song, ask for it. If you hate a song, let your DJ know ahead of time so he doesn't play it. Your disc jockey should work with you on a set of reception guidelines, and a professional will abide by those guidelines.

2. Can you suggest songs? You'll probably have some favorite songs you'll want played at your reception, which your wedding DJ should be eager to play. The DJ should also be able to make suggestions for music you're not sure about. If you need help choosing music, just ask!

3. What is the cost of your services, and what do they include? Are there any hidden fees or taxes not included in the base price? Make sure you're getting what you want. Create a list of DJ duties ahead of time so your disc jockey knows what you hope to receive in return for your money.

4. What contingencies do you have if a piece of equipment fails? Good wedding DJs bring backup equipment and may even bring an assistant to help deal with any problems that may arise.

5. What happens when you're on break? How many breaks will the DJ take? Make sure that it states in your contract that the DJ will leave music playing during bathroom breaks.

6. What will you wear? If your wedding is a black tie event, you might not want the wedding DJ showing up in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Clarify the dress code in advance.

7. When do you arrive to set up? This will be based on when the venue is available, but the DJ should be there between one and two hours beforehand. There should be time for the DJ to become familiar with the venue, set-up, perform a sound check, and to work out any last minute kinks.

8. Do you provide a contract? Never hire a wedding disc jockey without getting everything in writing!

9. Do you provide references? You should be able to speak with someone who has used the wedding DJ in the past, and if possible see his work on a wedding video.

10. Are you insured? All wedding DJs should have business liability insurance. In fact, your venue may require it. It protects you if your DJ should damage property or if one of your guests is injured due to contact with the DJ or his equipment.

11. What happens if you are unable to perform DJ duties on the day of my event? Your wedding DJ should have a replacement on call if an emergency prohibits him from working your event.

If the wedding DJ you're talking to doesn't answer any of these questions, RUN. Only work with wedding vendors who act like professionals.


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

Second Wedding Invitations

With divorce becoming much more common than it was in the past, we here at A Music Plus (the premier Denver wedding disc jockeys) are spinning our tunes at lots of second weddings... not to mention third and fourth weddings! When it comes to second weddings, it's hugely important that everyone involved follow the rules of good etiquette. There are usually enough tense feelings at second weddings that you don't want to add fuel to the fire by offending anyone.

When it comes to wedding invitations for second weddings, the wording is particularly important. You can bet people will be scrutinizing your wedding stationery pretty closely. Don't worry too much about it, but do try to be as proper as possible.

Here are two ways you can word your wedding invitations:

Mr. and Mrs. Neal Perry
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Mrs. Mary Beth Johansen
to
Mr. Paul Bowman
on Saturday, October the twelfth
at seven o'clock
Our Lady of Good Voyage

OR

The honor of your presence is requested
at the marriage of
Mrs. Candice Eve
and
Mr. David Walker
on Sunday, June the eighteenth
at one o'clock
at the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Romney
Sixteen Ocean Avenue

Of course, choose lovely invitations that are in keeping with the formality level of your wedding. Above all, have fun!


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

Wedding Gown Care Tips

When your wedding ceremony is over, you're not out of the woods as far as caring for your wedding gown is concerned. Yes, you made sure to protect it from hairspray and lipstick and sips of champagne before your ceremony, but there are other perils yet to come!

Here are some ways you can keep your most precious piece of clothing looking beautiful before, during, and after your wedding reception:

Be careful with the train when you and your new husband get into the car. Have someone help you with it and hand it to you as you sit down. Do not close it in the car door.

If everyone is blowing bubbles as you and your husband come out of the church, make certain you told someone to remind others to not to blow bubbles on your dress. The bubbles will pop and leave little stains on your dress.

Food and champagne stains can set quickly. Steer clear of your uncle if he drinks too much and walks around with chicken wings in his hand. Choose your wedding menu carefully -- avoid greasy finger foods and edibles apt to stain.

At most receptions, brides and grooms feed each other wedding cake. This is a lovely tradition, but be careful. Ask your spouse ahead of time NOT to squish cake in your face, as that cake can crumble onto your pristine wedding gown.

The best tip for keeping your wedding dress free of champagne spills and butter is to take it off immediately after the wedding ceremony. Choose a less expensive and fun reception dress to wear when you kick up your heels on the dance floor.


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

Wedding Budget Concerns

Creating a wedding budget is just about the most responsible thing you can do when your planning a wedding. Before you decide between a sit down dinner or a buffet meal, a wedding band or a wedding disc jockey, you need to sit down with your fiance (or fiancee) and maybe also your parents to figure out how much money you can spend on your wedding.

Of all the wedding budget concerns, whether to have an extravagant affair or a modest party may be the most pressing. This one decision will have an impact on every decision you make from this point forward.

If you're the kind of person who has been dreaming of your wedding since you were born, then you may want to have all the things that the royal family may want. However, you will need to have a considerably larger budget. Symphonies and real dove releases are not cheap.

Sit down with your soon-to-be spouse and figure out what is really important to you. Or you may want to each write out what your idea of the perfect wedding is, and then compare notes. You will probably find that many things match. And for those things that don't, you will need to figure out if they're necessary and something that you both want.

It seems that many couples split right down the middle in terms of a budget. One person is usually more lax, while the other tends to count every penny. Use this to your advantage. After you've figured out what kinds of things you're including in the budget, then you can determine if there are inexpensive ways to accomplish them.

This is your first lesson in compromise. Some things will work, others will not. As long as everyone involves keeps an open mind when you're preparing your wedding budget, you'll have a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank!


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