How to book a wedding band
The one way to guarantee a memorable end to your wedding is day is to hire a live band. The live atmosphere is an excuse for people to get up and dance to the music, even if they're usually not the type. Whether it's motown, swing, pop/ or rock you're into, then you'll most certainly have been browsing on google and found it a little overwhelming. With so many bands to choose from, all at different prices and many appearing to be similar at what they do, it can hard to pick the right band.
Most people haven't really ever had a reason to book a wedding band before, so if you're not sure how it works, hopefully this article will give you a point in the right direction! I'm going to take you through the process of how to find a wedding band, some guidelines about the wedding reception running order and some things to think about before hiring a band.
Where do I start?
Before booking a band, you obviously want to hear the music that you like so if you're looking for a swing band, the easiest thing to do is type it in Google and see who comes up. Of course, it's difficult to know how good a band is live but their demo's, website and photos are usually a good indication of how serious a band is. If a band's been together for 8 years and are coming up at the top on Google, they must be doing something right. If you want to be 100% sure about a band you either need to watch them play live or book through a reputable entertainment agency. Watching a band play live first isn't as easy as it might sound because event bands very rarely play in public. Hiring a band through a music agency means they've been checked out and are up to a high standard. Remember, you usually get what you pay for!
Booking your Band
Once you've found a band you like, make an inquiry sending over the date, location of the wedding and rough timings. Most bands will quote for 2 x 45 minute sets or 3 x 40 minutes. If the band is available and you want to go ahead, the band or agency will send over a contract, which would be signed by yourself and the band. A deposit of around 20% - 30% is usually required to secure the booking.
Payment
With the deposit paid, you'll be expected to pay the remaining fee to the agency a few weeks before the date or alternatively you may need to pay the band on the night, it all depends on the route you've gone down.
Article submitted by Adam Mezzatesta
Wedding Blog, Ideas, News for the Bride & Groom
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Selecting Your Attendants
How do you pick your bridesmaids and groomsmen?
Why is it that wedding planning always seems to bog down when it comes to planning out the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen to have in the ceremony? Even if a couple can agree on the number to have, how do you decide which people you should ask to be your attendants?
These questions have been asked by nearly every bride for the last 50 years (or at least as long as women have been planning their own weddings). While the question of who to have as your wedding attendants is a little harder to answer than the number you should have, both questions have fairly simple answers.
How Many Attendants Should You Have?
When it comes to the number of attendants that should be in your ceremony, there really is no “right” or “wrong” number. However, it is with a sigh of relief that most brides hear that there is a general rule of thumb regarding the number of attendants, and that it is based off of the size and formality of your wedding.
- Large and/or Formal Weddings (200+ guests). For large and/or formal weddings, it is generally accepted that between 6-10 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen will be in the ceremony.
- Semi-Formal/Medium Sized Weddings (100-200 guests). For Semi-Formal and/or medium sized weddings the standard rule of thumb is between 1-6 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen.
- Casual / Small Sized Weddings (under 100 guests). For Casual or small sized weddings having just a best man and maid of honor is acceptable, though 1-2 additional sets of attendants is not unheard of.
- Second Marriages. Normally for second marriages there are no attendants, though those with children may choose to have them as part of the ceremony.
How Do You Choose Your Attendants?
Deciding who to ask to be your bridesmaids or groomsmen can provide even more headaches, especially if you come from a large family or have a large number of close friends. Again, thankfully, tradition has a few thoughts on the matter.
- Selecting your maid of honor/best man. Selecting a maid of honor or best man is actually fairly simple. A best friend; someone special on whom you can depend is the traditional choice for a maid of honor or a best man. While many times it is a friend, you can also choose a brother, sister or even father or mother to fill these roles.
- Selecting your bridesmaids/groomsmen. Selecting your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen is a more difficult task, especially if you have a large number of friends or family. But traditionally choosing close friends or family members who are close to you is an acceptable way of choosing your bridesmaids or groomsmen.
While choosing the number of attendants and deciding who those attendants should be can be a sticky point in your wedding planning, hopefully knowing what the traditionally accepted numbers and choices are can help you in smoothing out the details of your big day.
About the author: Sarah Rigos is founder of the leading cash registry, Starlight Registry.
Why is it that wedding planning always seems to bog down when it comes to planning out the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen to have in the ceremony? Even if a couple can agree on the number to have, how do you decide which people you should ask to be your attendants?
These questions have been asked by nearly every bride for the last 50 years (or at least as long as women have been planning their own weddings). While the question of who to have as your wedding attendants is a little harder to answer than the number you should have, both questions have fairly simple answers.
How Many Attendants Should You Have?
When it comes to the number of attendants that should be in your ceremony, there really is no “right” or “wrong” number. However, it is with a sigh of relief that most brides hear that there is a general rule of thumb regarding the number of attendants, and that it is based off of the size and formality of your wedding.
- Large and/or Formal Weddings (200+ guests). For large and/or formal weddings, it is generally accepted that between 6-10 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen will be in the ceremony.
- Semi-Formal/Medium Sized Weddings (100-200 guests). For Semi-Formal and/or medium sized weddings the standard rule of thumb is between 1-6 bridesmaids and an equal number of groomsmen.
- Casual / Small Sized Weddings (under 100 guests). For Casual or small sized weddings having just a best man and maid of honor is acceptable, though 1-2 additional sets of attendants is not unheard of.
- Second Marriages. Normally for second marriages there are no attendants, though those with children may choose to have them as part of the ceremony.
How Do You Choose Your Attendants?
Deciding who to ask to be your bridesmaids or groomsmen can provide even more headaches, especially if you come from a large family or have a large number of close friends. Again, thankfully, tradition has a few thoughts on the matter.
- Selecting your maid of honor/best man. Selecting a maid of honor or best man is actually fairly simple. A best friend; someone special on whom you can depend is the traditional choice for a maid of honor or a best man. While many times it is a friend, you can also choose a brother, sister or even father or mother to fill these roles.
- Selecting your bridesmaids/groomsmen. Selecting your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen is a more difficult task, especially if you have a large number of friends or family. But traditionally choosing close friends or family members who are close to you is an acceptable way of choosing your bridesmaids or groomsmen.
While choosing the number of attendants and deciding who those attendants should be can be a sticky point in your wedding planning, hopefully knowing what the traditionally accepted numbers and choices are can help you in smoothing out the details of your big day.
About the author: Sarah Rigos is founder of the leading cash registry, Starlight Registry.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Theme Wedding Ideas
Theme Weddings: how to make your special day even more special.
Weddings are events often organized with respect for tradition: religious ceremony, white wedding gown, fine banquet and so on. But behind every ceremony, there are two people, whose desires and personality may lead to the wish to give their wedding a touch of uniqueness and personalization. A good way to do that, without giving up traditions, is to plan a theme wedding.
Theme weddings can be of many different kinds. Here you are some examples, to be inspired from:
Beach Weddings
For people who love the seaside and want a young and fresh wedding, a wedding on the beach can be the perfect option. The idea is a good fit also for low-cost venues, as luxury restaurants and expensive decorations can be replaced by a rich buffet and simple but colourful flowers.
History-inspired weddings
A Medieval, 9th Century or Gone with The Wind style wedding: a multitude of ideas comes from history and there’s almost no limit to what it can suggest to make your wedding very original, especially if you choose the right location to increase the effect. Try to think, for example, to a Roman-style wedding in Rome, with the Coliseum as a perfect background.
Fairy tales inspired weddings
A wedding venue good enough for a princess: which girl has never thought about a wedding in a castle? Hotels and restaurant located in old restored castles are not impossible to find, especially for wedding venues in Italy and in France.
Personalized wedding venues
A theme wedding does not necessary need a huge effort. A wedding venue can be personalized also thanks to a few simple details. A good idea could be to pick up a specific theme according to the bride’s style, like a colour or the favourite flower, and choose the decoration according to this choice. Other original and simple ideas to give the venue a personal touch could be to write your own wedding vows or to organize special activities to entertain the guests.
Planning a theme wedding can be very complicated. For this reason, it could be a good idea to hire a professional wedding planner, especially if you choose to celebrate your wedding abroad. Involving friends and relatives could be also useful, so that they can enter the “themed” atmosphere in the best possible way.
Whatever support you decide to get, the most important thing to remember is that who has to make the final decisions is the couple. This is what really makes a wedding personalized.
Article submitted by Dimple Lalji
Weddings are events often organized with respect for tradition: religious ceremony, white wedding gown, fine banquet and so on. But behind every ceremony, there are two people, whose desires and personality may lead to the wish to give their wedding a touch of uniqueness and personalization. A good way to do that, without giving up traditions, is to plan a theme wedding.
Theme weddings can be of many different kinds. Here you are some examples, to be inspired from:
Beach Weddings
For people who love the seaside and want a young and fresh wedding, a wedding on the beach can be the perfect option. The idea is a good fit also for low-cost venues, as luxury restaurants and expensive decorations can be replaced by a rich buffet and simple but colourful flowers.
History-inspired weddings
A Medieval, 9th Century or Gone with The Wind style wedding: a multitude of ideas comes from history and there’s almost no limit to what it can suggest to make your wedding very original, especially if you choose the right location to increase the effect. Try to think, for example, to a Roman-style wedding in Rome, with the Coliseum as a perfect background.
Fairy tales inspired weddings
A wedding venue good enough for a princess: which girl has never thought about a wedding in a castle? Hotels and restaurant located in old restored castles are not impossible to find, especially for wedding venues in Italy and in France.
Personalized wedding venues
A theme wedding does not necessary need a huge effort. A wedding venue can be personalized also thanks to a few simple details. A good idea could be to pick up a specific theme according to the bride’s style, like a colour or the favourite flower, and choose the decoration according to this choice. Other original and simple ideas to give the venue a personal touch could be to write your own wedding vows or to organize special activities to entertain the guests.
Planning a theme wedding can be very complicated. For this reason, it could be a good idea to hire a professional wedding planner, especially if you choose to celebrate your wedding abroad. Involving friends and relatives could be also useful, so that they can enter the “themed” atmosphere in the best possible way.
Whatever support you decide to get, the most important thing to remember is that who has to make the final decisions is the couple. This is what really makes a wedding personalized.
Article submitted by Dimple Lalji
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Special Ways to Remember Your Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day
A wedding day is a once in a lifetime event and will be cherished for many years to come. We are surrounded by our loving family and friends who wish us the very best of what a marriage has to offer us. It is also a time for reflection and a time to assess our lives and where we would like to head into the future. But often times looking back in order to plan the future, means that we come to the realization that there are loved ones which are no longer here with us. Although this may be sad that they are unable to physically take part and attend your wedding day, there are many special ways to remember those that are no longer with us.
A Verse, Hymn or Song
No matter where you have your wedding ceremony, a specific and special verse, hymn or song can be read or sung as an acknowledgment to those loved ones that have passed. Have this moment incorporated into your actual ceremony and have it stated in the wedding program the reason and importance of that verse, hymn or song.
Candles
Just like the bride and groom light a unity candle together to recognize their lives coming together as one, set aside a unique candle lighting ceremony for your loved ones who are no longer with you. Lighting a pillar candle on both the bride and the groom's side of the altar can signify those lost loved ones. Ask others to help you light various tea light candles at the ceremony site, each candle then representing a loved one that has passed.
Dedicate a Poem or Story or Share a Memory
Although the center of attention is primarily placed on the bride and groom on their wedding, those that wish to share the spotlight with the loved ones who are no longer with us, often dedicate a poem or story or even share a memory of that special someone. This can spoken to those attending the wedding ceremony, or spoken by a guest attending the ceremony or the bride and groom can decide to share the poem, story or memory with everyone by inserting into the wedding ceremony program. This would be a lovely dedication to show how much you miss your loved ones and would be an ideal time for other guests to reflect as well.
About the author: Amanda Cooper is a writer for Wedding Favours Kingdom, which carries a large selection of wedding accessories, Wedding Favours, and candle wedding favours. Amanda is also a writer for other home and wedding-related websites. When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
A Verse, Hymn or Song
No matter where you have your wedding ceremony, a specific and special verse, hymn or song can be read or sung as an acknowledgment to those loved ones that have passed. Have this moment incorporated into your actual ceremony and have it stated in the wedding program the reason and importance of that verse, hymn or song.
Candles
Just like the bride and groom light a unity candle together to recognize their lives coming together as one, set aside a unique candle lighting ceremony for your loved ones who are no longer with you. Lighting a pillar candle on both the bride and the groom's side of the altar can signify those lost loved ones. Ask others to help you light various tea light candles at the ceremony site, each candle then representing a loved one that has passed.
Dedicate a Poem or Story or Share a Memory
Although the center of attention is primarily placed on the bride and groom on their wedding, those that wish to share the spotlight with the loved ones who are no longer with us, often dedicate a poem or story or even share a memory of that special someone. This can spoken to those attending the wedding ceremony, or spoken by a guest attending the ceremony or the bride and groom can decide to share the poem, story or memory with everyone by inserting into the wedding ceremony program. This would be a lovely dedication to show how much you miss your loved ones and would be an ideal time for other guests to reflect as well.
About the author: Amanda Cooper is a writer for Wedding Favours Kingdom, which carries a large selection of wedding accessories, Wedding Favours, and candle wedding favours. Amanda is also a writer for other home and wedding-related websites. When Amanda is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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