Guitarist Paul Musso

A teacher of mine once said, “Anyone can read music and play notes off a page, but not everyone can play notes how they’re written to be heard and felt.”

Paul Musso is that guitarist. Every note he plucks, every chord he arpeggiates, resonates as if it’s sounding for the first time. And when compounded upon, his music makes for something more than just listening to- it is an experience. Paul Musso’s style is captivating, his musical expression poignant, and his performance uniquely memorable.

As a well versed guitarist, Musso’s repertoire includes Jazz Standards, Brazilian and Latin Styles, Classical, Blues and Popular tunes. He has been performing for over twenty years throughout Europe and the United States, and as a freelance musician, he has also played in numerous music festivals and orchestras. For the past sixteen years Musso has taught at the University of Colorado at Denver, and is currently a Senior Instructor and Coordinator of Guitar Studies.

A Music Plus is privileged to work with such an incredibly talented and professional musician as Paul Musso, and equally delighted at the opportunity to provide our clients with his exceptional guitar performances! He makes every event truly unforgettable.

Every Wednesday night you can find Paul at Mead St. Station at 32nd & Lowell in the Highlands from 8:30pm to 11:30pm.

April Bridal Showers Bring May Wedding Flowers

Welcome to the new A Music Plus Blogspot! We are so excited for the 2009 wedding season, and what a joy it is to be a leader in music and entertainment in the Denver region.

For the past ten weeks we have been training our DJ Intern Class of 2009, teaching the skills and knowledge required to be the best professional disc jockeys in the industry. We have developed a very talented group of individuals and look forward to seeing them succeed at every Wedding, Bat-Mitzvah, and 60th Birthday Party! Once they have completed their internship and auditioned, we hope to add them to our existing roster of talented DJs at A Music Plus.

Weekly events have rapidly picked up this past month, and the summer is looking brighter than ever! We anticipate providing music entertainment for more events this year than ever before- what a great place to be! Did someone say recession?

Groom's Checklist

If you read wedding blogs like ours or hang out on any of the big wedding web sites, then you know that there are about a bazillion checklists for brides. There are bridal beauty checklists, bridal accessory checklists, and pre-wedding checklists galore. What we don't see too often are checklists for grooms, and let us tell you... as wedding disc jockeys in Denver, Colorado, we see plenty of grooms, some messy and some dashing.

That's why we decided to create our own groom's checklist for all the guys out there who want to be prepared to walk down the aisle in style.

Three Months Before Wedding
Choose your menswear and either purchase it or reserve it. Remember that when you're shopping for a tux, your body type matters almost as much as the formality level of your wedding.

One Month Before Wedding
Schedule your fittings and alterations. Don't think you can get away without getting your suit or tuxedo altered, and TRY IT ON IN ADVANCE! There's nothing sillier than a man with a size 30 waist walking around in size 40 trousers.

One Week Before Wedding

• Go for a haircut.
• Get your nails buffed and manicured.
• Purchase new boxers... seriously.

One Day Before Wedding
Pick up the menswear and again, have everyone TRY EVERYTHING ON. Take no chances! If you are renting, double check for correct size of all the elements: trousers, jacket, tie, shirt, cummerbund or vest, cuff links, shoes, and socks. Pack everything up.

On the Wedding Day Morning

• Go for a close shave.
• Take a hot shower.
• Remember the deodorant.
• Take one last glimpse in the mirror to ensure your perfection.

Good luck!


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

Wedding DJ Basics

As wedding DJs ourselves, we feel we are uniquely qualified to help brides and grooms choose the best wedding reception entertainment possible. Hiring wedding vendors is usually a new experience for couples, and wedding disc jockeys are some of the most influential wedding vendors out there. After all, they are the ones who set the tone for your entire reception!

If you've decided to hire a disc jockey instead of a live band, you will need to find a real pro. To start with, you need to decide on where the DJ fits in your reception plans. What is the role of the DJ? Will the DJ just be spinning music or are you expecting him to also be the Master of Ceremony? What is the kind of music you would prefer-- will the DJ be able to accommodate that? And finally, how much are you looking to spend on your wedding reception entertainment?

Look at Yellow Pages and online listings of wedding DJs, known names you get from loved ones, references, and recommendations. Check with local dance clubs and radio stations -- they can often provide good leads. Magazines and newspapers may sport advertisements of companies that provide wedding DJ services.

Look everywhere! This will give you a broad picture of the prices involved and will also help narrow down the list to fit your budget. Don't assume that the most expensive DJ will be the best DJ -- sometimes wedding disc jockeys are quite reasonable even though they have the skills to pay the bills!

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

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/

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/

Choosing a Wedding Tiara

When it comes time to choose your wedding day accessories, don't automatically assume you'll be wearing a veil. There are plenty of other options out there, from fanciful hairdos to wedding tiaras! Choosing a wedding tiara isn't always easy because there are so many beautiful options out there, but it shouldn't be a pain in the tush, either.

If you do decide to wear a tiara on your wedding day, be sure that you choose one that will be the crowning glory of your overall ensemble. It should compliment, not overshadow your gown. It should also blend well with your other accessories -- if you like gold, choose a gold tone tiara. If you're planning to wear silver jewelry, opt for silver tone.

When tiara shopping, you should think carefully about the design elements that define your wedding gown. Achieving a flawless line from the top of your head to the tip of your hemline means sticking to one or two types of ornamentation. Pearls, for example, can appear on your gown, in your jewelry and in your tiara. The same goes for gems and rhinestones. If your gown is plain and you're not wearing much jewelry, you can wear a "busier" tiara, but if your gown is very heavily embellished, stick to simpler headgear.

The next thing you should take into consideration when choosing a wedding tiara is the color of your wedding gown. Silver tone or rhinestone tiaras are best suited to a white gown. Pearl tiaras go well with off-white or ivory gowns because a pearl's luster is accentuated by these tones. Gold tone tiaras are another good choice if you are wearing ivory or off-white. If you can, take a swatch of your gown fabric with you when shopping!

The last two elements to consider when choosing a wedding tiara are the shape of your face and your wedding day hairdo. The tiara should flatter your face by framing it, and it should not draw attention to dominant aspects of your face's shape. When you choose your wedding tiara, follow these guidelines:

• For a round face, wear a tiara that has height and will draw the eye upward, giving the illusion that your face is longer.
• For a long face, wear a tiara that is flat and sits close to the top of your head. It should also extend over the sides of your head to draw the eye horizontally, rather than vertically. This will make a long, thin face appear fuller.
• For an oval face, wear a tiara that either sits on the forehead or some ornamentation that sits on the back of your head to make your face appear less oval.
• For a full face, wear a tiara that has height and forms a "V' shape to draw the eye up for the illusion of length and slimness.

Finally, your hairstyle will also dictate how heavy a wedding tiara you will wear. Short hairstyles look best with a light tiara that has subtle ornamentation, while a large amount of thick hair piled high can carry a bigger tiara that is amply encrusted with gemstones.

Happy shopping!


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Apache Wedding Prayer

If you're looking to inject a little cross culturalism into your wedding ceremony, consider integrating the Apache wedding prayer into your vows. Including this beautiful prayer in your ceremony doesn't mean you have to do away with the words commonly associated with weddings in your own faith. Rather, it can augment the usual religious or secular ceremony and make your wedding even more memorable that it already will be!

The prayer reads as follows:

Now for you there is no rain
For one is shelter to the other.

Now for you there is no darkness
For one is counsel to the other.

Now for you there is no pain
For one is comfort to the other.

Now for you there is no night
For one is light to the other.

Now for you there is no cold
For one is warmth to the other.

Now for you the snow has ended, always
Your fears, your wants, your needs are at rest.

It is that way today, tomorrow and forever.
Now it is good and there is always shelter.

And now there is always one.
And now there is no loneliness.

Now, forever, forever you are as one.
There are two bodies.

But now there is only one heart in both
And you are as one person.

You can ask your officiant to make the Apache wedding prayer a part of the service or you can ask a loved one to step up to the altar space to read the prayer. If you like, you can even adapt the wording of this beautiful and poetic prayer by changing certain words to make it appropriate for you and your spouse-to-be to read to one another as vows.



A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Questions to Ask Your Baker

Choosing a wedding cake is one of the best responsibilities on the typical wedding planning checklist. After all, who doesn't fancy the idea of noshing their way through cake samples? At the same time, your baker will be a vendor like any other, and that means you'll need to interview prospective bakers before choosing one. Below, you'll find a list of questions to ask your baker before you sign any kind of contract.

Flexibility in design choices
Will your baker custom-make your cake based on your specifications concerning cake flavors, icings, and embellishments? Some bakers will only work from templates found in their portfolios, so be sure to ask about this. You may also want to ask if your baker can replicate a particular cake from a photograph or description.

How the cake is made
Some bakers use packaged cake mix while most use all homemade, fresh ingredients. Do you have a preference one way or the other? If you'd like a vegan cake or a gluten free cake, be sure to ask whether your baker can accommodate special dietary needs. Some can and some can't.

Request pictures of their of work
Take a look at a baker's portfolio of cakes. Do you like what you see? Does it reflect good workmanship, a steady hand, and creativity? Does the baker's style gel with your own ideas of what makes a wedding cake beautiful?

Extra charges
Some bakers charge a base price that includes the rental or purchase of pillars, cake bases, toppers, and decorative items, while other bakers charge for these things. Ask whether there will be an extra deposit for non-cake items and when the items will need to be returned. Sometimes if the baker is familiar with the reception site or caterer, they may pick up those items on their own. SIf you're heading off to your honeymoon, remember to designate someone to return these items to your baker while you're gone.

Delivery and set up charges
If your baker is close by, there may not be an additional delivery charge. Some may charge $35 to$60 for delivery or a per-mile fee. Usually, the set up charge is included in the price of the cake, but don't make any assumptions. Get this info in writing!

Setting up the cake
Will your baker embellish the cake using fresh flowers provided by your florist? Will they decorate the cake table, too? If you'd like your baker to provide these services, be sure to ask up front in so there are no surprises.

Price per serving
For a three-tiered cake, prices tend to hover between $1.50 and $5.00 per slice. Price per serving can vary by quite a bit based upon the intricacy of the decorations on the cake and the flavor of cake. Elaborate frosting decorations are time- and labor-intensive, so usually cost more.


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

Cutting a Guest List

We know that if money were no object for brides and grooms, we'd be DJing at a lot more 500-guest weddings than 100-guest weddings. Unfortunately, most couples can't just toss their budget constraints out the window. That means that no matter how many people they'd like to invite to the wedding, they are going to have to leave some people out and that means cutting the guest list.

Choosing the "winners" and the "losers" can be a painful process that causes familial strife and hurt feelings, but it doesn't have to be as hard as it's made out to be. The first step is to go through your prospective guest list and put an A or a B next to each name. The As are the absolute must-invites like grandmas and best friends, while the B list is everyone else. The next step is to work through the B list to figure out who won't be offended to not receive an invitation.

Ask yourself these questions as you pore over names:

• Have I seen this person in the last 12 months?
• Have I spoken with this person in the last 6 months?
• Did I send this person a Christmas card last year?

If you answered no to all of the questions above, it's probably fine to cut this person from your guest list. You can always send them a wedding announcement to let them know that you're married and to acknowledge that you appreciate their friendship.

Still need to do some more cutting? There are other ways to cut your guest list, though these won't be as easy.

• Don't invite your parents' friends, particularly if you don't know them very well.
• Don't invite old school or college friends that you know you'll never see again.
• Don't invite second and third cousins.
• Don't invite business associates or boss.
• Don't invite children.
• Don't allow single people (those without steady significant others) to bring a date.
• Don't invite people just because you were invited to their wedding.

You may feel badly about cutting people from your guest list, but remind yourself that practicality demands it. If you don't have the money to invite 200 or even 50 people, you simply cannot invite that many people, no ifs, ands or buts about it! There's a chance that people who were not invited will approach you to ask about why they were excluded. In such a case, honestly is definitely the best policy.


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/

BRIDEZILLA!

Planning a wedding is a stressful, largely thankless job. When you consider that you're planning a wedding on top of doing your regular job and keeping up with loved ones, it can become a nightmare. While there are some bridezillas out there, most of the brides-to-be who are saddled with this nasty label simply let their anger and frustration get the best of them. If you'd like to keep bridezilla at bay, take these nine tips to heart.

1. Plan on being overwhelmed. Even if you've got your wedding checklist under control, a wedding is still a life-changing event and you're bound to have some strong feelings about it. As much as you want to be calm and collected, you may be weepy, snippy, lonely, or fidgety at times. When you feel the 'zilla coming, step back and take a long break.

2. Diminish the effects of "Bride Brain." Think about how you react to stress in everyday life, and keep your usual coping strategies in mind. If you get clumsy when you're stressed, don't try to create your intricate handmade invitations until you feel better. Do you get forgetful? Make detailed lists. If you lash out, let your family and friends know in advance that you're under a lot of pressure and may say things you don't mean.

3. Enlist the help of one solid, responsible girlfriend (or guyfriend). As wedding DJs, we have seen countless best gal pals step up to the plate when things went awry before and on the wedding day. Why not a sister or your mom? Your friend isn't caught up in your family drama and can protect you from it.

4. Practice being overwhelmed. If you don't usually like being the center of attention, practice at your bridal shower and bachelorette party. If handling multiple responsibilities freaks you out, learn to take smaller steps. When you sense you are becoming overwhelmed, it's time for another break. If you can cope, you will survive and stay in your loved ones' good graces.

5. Connect with your fiancé. Don't let wedding planning overshadow the great relationship that led to the upcoming event! Designate wedding-free days or weekends. Tell your spouse-to-be to let you know when he's feeling overwhelmed by all the wedding talk. Remember how you used to go out on those awesome dates? Make time for those dates again!

6. Allow your wedding to take on a life of its own. Do your planning but when the big day finally arrives, let your wedding be what it wants to be. A major life event like this will have its own personality, rhythm and soul. Something will go wrong, and someone will probably have something negative to say. You can control that, so just let it go.

7. And let go of perfectionism! Be delighted by spontaneity, not appalled that things aren't going as planned. Some of the best memories couples have are of those little unplanned events that made the day special.

8. Be emotionally connected to yourself. That way, you can connect with others. If you feel confident, happy, and in control of your own emotions, you'll be able to engage with your spouse and your guests on a deep, satisfying level.

9. Create a mental image of the bride you want to be. Just because you have a lot to do doesn't mean you can't be the kind of bride who has fun before and during the wedding. On the other hand, if your mental image doesn't quite manifest in your everyday experiences, don't beat yourself up. You are a complex human being with complex emotions, and that's okay.


A Music Plus
Denver's Wedding Entertainment Specialists
Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Event Entertainment Specialists
http://www.amusicplus.com/