Music - Do it your self?

I've seen a trend with couples wanting to save a little money on their wedding and cutting an important part of their wedding. Their DJ! A DJ provides a much needed service for most weddings, they introduce the couple, they provide a fun environment for everyone, the get people involved, but that's not all. They provide experiance! I was helping my niece pick out some songs for her wedding before she met with her DJ and I will tell you it's hard. What music to you you have the mothers walk down to? I've shot a lot of weddings and never knew the names of these songs or even where to find them. Sure google is great, but that leaves you still looking for the music. What song are you going to cut your cake to? what song will your bridal party dance to? etc.. and really important, what songs make people just want to get up and DANCE?

My suggestion is find a good DJ and hire him for his services and personality he will bring to your wedding and reception. I couldn't believe all the options and all the various artist out there doing wedding music, and unless your friend has this experiance and collection of music I think you will be happier with a REAL DJ. I've got a couple in my perferred vendors that we have worked with that you can start with, but really do your home work, find one that you like.

Memorials

Weddings are a time to remember but not to necessarily dwell on lost family members. A small dedication of flowers on an alter is not unheard of. Some couples choose to do a little more, lighting a candle in memory of a lost member. We’ve even see a small speech. What you do is up to you, just remember not to let it set the mood for the rest of the day.

One wedding we attended a few years back where the bride just lost her grandmother a week before the wedding was rather touching emotionally. One of the family members that was in the wedding was to read a poem, when he got up to read it he made it through about 10 words before he was in tears. I was thankful I had a camera to shield me, because if I was just a guest I would have joined him and half the guests.

Personally I like the candle idea or small memorial table places somewhere off to the side so it don’t flavor the whole wedding.

On a happy note:

I heard on the radio today that the Recession is officially OVER! Hopefully everyone is in agreement on this and it really is and I’ve had the last person that wanted a full blown wedding package with Albums, Engagement sessions and a ton of prints to display call to inform me that they have decided to let their Uncle Fred (or a friend) take their pictures. See our blog at http://georgestarrphotography.blogspot.com for more on this subject as it is important to couples trying to cut costs.

LOCATION - It's where it is at!

Location - Your wedding location is personal to you, and when you are searching for a place to have your wedding and reception you want it to reflect on you and your good tastes. Above is a local Banquet center called "Mill Race Banquet Center" that is located on West Sharon Road. There are several locations and parks around town that have a lot to offer to couples getting married. Some of the parks even provide the food.

A few things go to look for when you are selecting a wedding venue are listed here:

• Emotional Attachment
• For the wedding, Long isle? can I use an Isle runner, nice alter space
• Is there a nice place for formal pictuers close by?
• If you can visit during the time of day of your wedding.
• Clean - It's gotta be clean.
• Do they supply the food and if so and you bring other food in?
• Do they supply Drinks? Do you provide the bartender seperatly ?
• Rest Rooms, are they located out of the way, and enough of them?
• Location for cake, Don't hide you cake in an ugly cornor!
• what is on the walls, can it be taken down or covered up?
• Can you get in early to decorate?
• Who cleans the place up?
  

This is just a short guide, best practice is to find a nice place you like, attend an open house if you can, or just hope for the best because it is open (last minute planners do this).