Magical Moment Weddings and Events

Guide to Wedding Vendor Tipping

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:00:27 +0000

One of the areas that couples tend to neglect when planning their wedding budget is the subject of tipping. From caterers to waiters to clergy members, it is customary to provide an additional tip on top of the regular costs and rates. Tipping is never required unless spelled out in your contract! However you can’t ignore the fact that some vendors will expect a gratuity and deserve gratuity especially those vendors who have went above and beyond to assist you or provided extra special or added “free” service, which forces tipping to be considered for your wedding vendors.

When planning out your wedding budget, be sure to allow an additional amount to the quoted price, so that you aren’t caught unaware and short of cash. The following is a general idea on the amounts you should set aside for different wedding suppliers. Remember, these amounts are not set in stone. Plan according to your budget and the type of service you receive from each. When you’re already dipping deep into your (or your parents’) savings for so many wedding expenses, paying out gratuities on top can be hard to handle and can add stress and confusion to an already stressful planning process.

Here is a simple chart of who and how much to tip:

Here is another way to figure how to break down your tipping

* Caterer and/or Banquet Manager – 15-18% for extra special service. Usually, the gratuity is already included into the set fee. Be sure to check on this. If it hasn’t been, add 15-18% to the price.

* Bartenders – 15% to 20% of the liquor bill. Again check your contract it may already be included!

* Parking Valets, Powder Room and Coat Room Attendants – 50¢ to $1.00 per guest or car. You could also arrange to pay a flat tipping fee instead.

* Officiant – $50 to $150.

* Civil Ceremony Officials – $50 and up. However Remember some Judges cannot accept money.

* Florist – 15% directly to the driver who delivers the flowers. (Don’t include it when paying the bill; the driver will never see it.)
* Photographer – 10% to 15%

* Videographer – 10% to 15%

* Cake Decorator – 10% to 15%

* Musicians or D.J. – 15%

* Limousine Driver – 10% to 15% paid directly to the driver. Again check your contract as most are already incorporated into it!

* Wedding Planner – 18% of contract or minimum of $500 for large weddings

Now breaking it down for you even further:

Wedding Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist

This is one area where a gratuity is definitely expected. Tip between 15 – 20 percent just as you would in a hair salon, and consider giving a little extra if there’s a crisis, like one of your bridesmaids has a meltdown over her updo and it requires a redo at the last minute.

Tip is: Expected The Standard: 15 – 25 percent, depending upon the quality of service

When to Tip: At the end of your service

Wedding Delivery and Set-up Staff

Slip a few dollars to anyone delivering important items to the site (wedding cake, flowers, or sound system). And if a lot of equipment is being brought in and set up (tents, chairs, or port-a-potties), the workers deserve a tip too.

Tip: Expected The Standard: $5 – $10 per person

When to Tip: On delivery if you have a wedding coordinator leave it with them to pass out if you do not have your Best Man or Grooms Father handle it.

Wedding Ceremony Officiant

If you’re getting married in your church or synagogue and they’re charging you to use the space, feel free to give a smaller amount.

Protocol: Expected (depending on Officiant) The Standard: Donate $500+ to the church or synagogue, or, for a nondenominational Officiant, $50 – $100

When to Tip: Most ceremony fees are required prior to the wedding. Otherwise, have the best man pass the cash envelope at the rehearsal dinner if the Officiant is in attendance otherwise directly after or prior to the ceremony as most officiates leave immediately.

Wedding Ceremony Musicians

If you worked with a mini orchestra to come up with the perfect score for your service (and they pulled it off flawlessly), consider showing some monetary thanks for their talent. However, you probably don’t have to tip the solo church organist who was required to play.

The Standard: $15 – $20 per musician

When to Tip: At the end of the ceremony.

Wedding Photographer/Videographer

Consider tipping each person (or give a certain amount with a thank-you note to disperse to staff).

The Standard: $50 – $200 per vendor

When to Tip: At the end of the reception.

Wedding Reception Staff

This type of staff includes the on-site coordinator, maitre d’, and banquet manager. A service charge is almost always built in to the food and drink fee, so check your contract. If the gratuity is not included, tip as follows.

The Standard: 15 – 20 percent of the food and drink fee (based on labor, not the cost), or $200 – $300 for the maitre d’.

When to Tip: If it’s covered in the contract, the final bill is typically due before the reception. Otherwise, have the father of the bride or best man hand the envelope to the maitre d’ at the end of the reception since you will need to know the final tab to calculate the percentage.

Wedding Reception Attendants

When it comes to bartenders, wait staff; parking, bathroom, and coatroom attendants the rules of tipping are dictated by your contract. If the service fee is included, consider doling out extra only if the service was exceptional. If it’s not included, ask ahead of time how many attendants will be working your wedding and calculate on a per person basis. Again this is Optional, based on contract

The Standard: $20 – $25 per bartender or waiter; $1 per guest for coat room and parking attendants; $1 per car

When to Tip: Although tips are traditionally passed out at the end of the event, you could alternately distribute them at the beginning of the evening, to encourage all the workers to give you great service.

Wedding Reception Band or DJ

Whether you hire 12-piece swing band or grooving to a DJ, tipping musicians is completely optional. (Depending on the quality of the job and how willing they were to follow your ideal play list!) And don’t forget about any sound technicians they bring with them.

The Standard: $20 – $25 per musician $50 – $150 for DJs

When to Tip: At the end of the reception, by the best man.

Wedding Transportation

Again, check your contract, as gratuity is usually included. If it isn’t, plan to tip provided they show up on time and don’t get lost!

The Standard: 15 – 20 percent of the total bill again check your contract!

When to Tip: At the end of the night or after the last ride. If you used a separate company for the guest buses, designate a bus captain to hand the driver a tip, otherwise, this duty falls to the best man.

Wedding Planner

Wedding planners won’t likely expect anything; however, Approximately 80 percent of couples do tip their planners

It is optional but The Standard: $500 or 18% of her total fee

When to Tip: The bride should hand off the envelope at the end of the reception.

Put Someone in Charge of your Tipping

Assign someone you can rely on, your wedding planner, one of the fathers, the best man, your super-organized maid of honor to hand out envelopes with the non-contract tips in cash, either at the time of service (hair and makeup people), at the end of the wedding (which allows you to adjust the size of the tips to reflect the service), or at the beginning so you don’t have to worry about remembering and it allows you to start your married life with out worries.

Happy Wedding Planning to you!

Sincerely,
Terry
Magical Moment Weddings
239-369-7797 or 239-878-3526

Beach Wedding Special Must Book By April 15th

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:24:48 +0000

Looking for a great price on a Fort Myers beach wedding?

This special may be just what your looking for!!

This beach set up includes
10 chairs, covers, and sashes
Officiating
One dozen rose hand tied bridal bouquet
25 photos on CD
Bowditch Beach Fort Myers Beach Florida
ONLY $500 NON REFUNDABLE….Must book by April 15th payment must be made in full at time of booking and wedding must take place by 12-30-2012 Holidays and December 12, excluded in this price!!

Choosing your wedding bouquet colors

admin — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:18:26 +0000

Understand that there are no right or wrong choices when selecting flowers for your wedding. It is your own personal choice, as your own preferences are the most important part, as well as having a basic understanding of what works well for the theme you’ve chosen and your budget.
Determine your budget. Before you get too excited, do the sums. Some floral arrangements might not be realistic once you have budgeted for everything else, so it’s a good idea to know how much you have to spend on flowers before getting your hopes up. When you visit the florist, you can discuss the extent of your budget and work from there. It’s a good idea to keep some flowers on your “must-have” list and some on your “wish-list”, so that if you do have to pare down, the wish-list flowers can go first without depleting the flowers that you must have. See the “Tips” below for an indication of essential flowers versus nice-but-not-necessary ones, if the budget can’t stretch that far.
Be prepared to be more creative if you’re on a budget.
Don’t hedge around the cost with your florist. Be honest if you can’t afford much; it’ll help your florist look for cheaper but just as lovely alternatives early on.
Use expensive flowers sparingly, such as for the bridal bouquet only. Centerpieces soon add up. Consider finding less elaborate centerpieces to reduce the costs if your budget is tight.
Feel free to mix and match flower types and to raid the garden as well. All flowers are beautiful, whether they’re cheap or expensive; the important thing is freshness and a price you can afford.
Use fragrant flowers to give the impression that there are more flowers; stronger smelling flowers will perfume a room with ease (for example, frangipani, lilies, hyacinths, jasmine, and sweet peas).

What’s the one thing that dictates the wedding decorations, floral arrangements, invitations and just about everything else associated with a wedding? Color! Whether it’s bold, bright hues or soft pastels, color plays one of the biggest roles in planning a ceremony and reception (not to mention styling the wedding party!). If you’re a bride who’s in love with color, but you’re not quite sure how to find a signature shade and make it work for your big day, we can show you how to choose wedding colors that reflect your personality and creative ways to incorporate them in your venue (without overdoing it!).

Space and seasonality

When deciding on wedding colors, ask yourself two questions (depending on how far along you are in your wedding planning, these questions should be fairly easy to answer). One: what is the time of year your wedding will take place (winter, spring, summer, fall)? The colors of the season are a great guide for finding your wedding colors. Two: What kind of space will be used for the ceremony and reception (indoor/outdoor, church, ballroom, formal, casual?) Some venues are blank spaces—ideal for decorating to your exact specifications. But some spaces have a fixed look that can’t be changed (colored carpet or wallpaper), which could clash with the colors you may have in mind.

Look for inspiration all around you

Browse through our image gallery offering an array of inspiring wedding decorations.
How is your home decorated? What is your favorite shade of lip gloss? What colors do you see most in your closet? Taking inspiration from everyday life is a great way to spotlight your personality in your wedding color choices. Need more help? Visit a bookstore and pick up fashion and home decor magazines. The runway is also a good place to turn to for ideas, as designers are the best sources for relaying the latest trends. In fact, the Pantone Color Institute creates color combinations every season just for designers in the fashion and interiors industry to use with new products. Even our wedding expert, Susan Southerland of Just Marry!, uses a Wedding Planning Color Wheel to help brides match shades when selecting a color scheme.

Where to use color

Now this is where things start to get tricky. You imagine a room full of lush, lavish color, but not at the sake of overdoing it, right? So where do you use your hues? And how much is too much? Here, we’ve compiled a list of subtle ways to infuse your wedding colors in the ceremony, in your wedding decorations and at the reception venue:

Your wedding gown and bridal accessories: If you’re wearing a ribbon or sash with your wedding gown, select one with a shade closest to your wedding colors. You can also try a jeweled hairpiece, gloves or another bridal accessory to spotlight your style.

The wedding party: The groomsmen vests and bridesmaid dresses are a traditional way to display the wedding colors. To really see variety (and break up the monotony), have your maids wear varying dress styles of the same color.

Wedding stationary: From save-the-date and engagement announcements to the invitation itself, your wedding stationary not only sets the tone and mood for your wedding ceremony and reception, it also informs guests of the wedding colors. If your cardstock is stark white or ecru, embellishments like ribbons, pressed flowers and colored envelopes liners are little ways to use color with your stationary.

Florals: Just like bridesmaid dresses, flowers are traditional decorative elements to adorn the wedding venue with your selected colors. Instead of mounds of monochromatic arrangements, intersperse complimentary shades to give bouquets and other florals a delicate balance of color.

Reception decor: Wedding decorations such as centerpieces, table cloths and runners, drapes, lighting and chair covers are great design elements for displaying color.

Wedding favors: These little treasures are one of the best parts of the wedding reception. Have your “thank you” treats decorated in beautiful packaging like unique boxes or fancy ribbons that play up your color scheme. Your guests will enjoy the presentation just as much as the favors inside.

Catering: The wedding cake will serve as the piece de resistance of your reception meal (adorned with sugary blossoms and berries). But think of all the other ways catering can showcase your wedding colors—like signature cocktails or a dessert table with colorful petifores and candies. Talk with your pastry chef and caterer to brainstorm creative and unexpected ways to incorporate your colors into the reception meal.

This resource is just a starting off point for helping you choose your wedding colors and ways to use them with your wedding decorations. You can also ask your bridesmaids, family, friends (and don’t forget your fiance!) to weigh-in on color combinations they think will work for your wedding. But never feel pressured to choose a palette or scheme just because it’s in style or is deemed the hottest hue of the moment. Pick colors that you love in shades that make you feel beautiful when surrounded by floral and decor reflecting those same tones

Decide upon the bridesmaids’ bouquets. The bridesmaids’ flowers can be a smaller version of the brides flowers or a different shape but still maintaining the color theme. If the bride is carrying a trailing bouquet the bridesmaids could carry round bouquets. Each of the bouquets can be the same color as the brides bouquet. If you do select a different color, ensure that it blends well with the bridal bouquet and the overall wedding scheme.

Winter Theme Weddings

For winter theme weddings, snow white, platinum and cranberry look magical. Add touches of deep berry colors to your accessories and drape the bridesmaids in thick , dark red velvet shawls. Bouquets can be made with both white and red roses with sprigs of berry twigs and crystals. Try to stay clear of traditional Christmas colors – forest green, bright red and brass. Select colors that remind you of a winter’s day.

Other colors that are reminiscent of winter:

Aubergine or eggplant
Evergreen grey-green
Black
Light rose

Beach Weddings

Select natural colors that compliment the sea such as taupe, silver and aqua. Bridesmaids can be dressed in aquamarine silk dresses with crystal and pearl chokers. Bouquets can be simple with curly willow, and vanilla roses.

Capture the feeling by using shells and sand in your centerpieces. Some other colors that work well for a beach them wedding:

Chocolate
Buttercup yellow
Sunset colors – rust, dark red, maze

Evening Weddings

While shiny, brassy golds are not in fashion, antiqued golds are. Antiqued, soft golds go well with creamy ivory and soft, dusted rose. A deep burgundy can be used as an accent. Look to traditional Indian wedding costume for inspiration. Embroidered golden thread with tiny pearls and crystals – there is nothing more elegant. Classic silver and ice blue work well agains a pitch black canopy of stars.

Hawaiian or Tropical Theme

Navy blue with white and yellow floral accents look lovely. Choose tropical colors like aqua, blue and bright red. The colors mentioned above under “Beach Weddings” will also work well.

Favors Do them or Don’t

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:44:41 +0000

For some reason we love favors, although they are not required and really an added expense that couples can’t afford! And sometimes guests just choose to “forget” to take home! This brings up the question why do we feel the need to provide them then? Well partly because they’re a great way to do something “nice” for those guests that spent time and money to attend your wedding.

To assist the couples who “have” to give favors at your wedding one thing I would suggest is put yourself in your guests shoes when deciding on what little trinket to give. In reality we all have enough candy dishes or picture frames, and who needs trinkets with another couples’ name on them?

Favors more often than not take alot of your money, time and creativity. And few of these guests appreciate all that you put into them, so to not seem hurtful and rude some people deliberately leave them behind, hoping you’ll think they simply forgot, and hoping you can use them better than they can. So as a result you are left with the very gifts you spent all your time creating!

Here are some helpful and inexpensive ideas for those of you who feel you “must” give favors.

*Book of matches with writing on it like The Perfect Match and your names and wedding date below.

*Tulle wrapped candy all you need is tulle, ribbon, and candy keep in mind the weather or environment when choosing the candy itself but it is always a hit for grown ups and children alike!

*Tree or flower seeds with a small clay or plastic pot (wrap the plastic pot to disguise it)

*for children give small boxes of crayons and color book not only will they love it, it also serves a dual purpose to give them something to do during the “boring” parts of the reception

*there are many ways to create inexpensive and thoughtful favors that won’t be left behind!

Until next time Happy Planning and be sure to visit us at www.magicalmomentweddings.com or call us at 239-878-3526 you can also find us on facebook Magical Moment Weddings!

Wedding Love Letter

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:36:45 +0000

WEDDING LOVE LETTER
(similar to message in a bottle)

This is a new “twist” on the traditional Love Letter and Message in a Bottle Ceremonies

A thoughtfully handwritten love letter is one of the most romantic and sentimental gestures possible, and wedding love letter ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular alternatives to the unity candle ceremony or unity sand ceremony.

In preparation for the love letter ceremony, the bride and the groom each write the ultimate love letter to each other. In each letter are the reasons you want to marry one another. These reasons may include special memories from your courtship, the moment you first knew he or she was “the one,” the proposal, plans for your future, etc. Whatever you write in it, just make sure your future spouse does not read it.

On the wedding day, the couple performs the love letter ceremony in which their sealed love letters are ceremonially locked into a box along with a bottle of wine, two wine goblets and other memorabilia or mementos they have selected. These keepsakes could include photos of the couple, some flower petals thrown by the flower girl during the actual ceremony or a vial of sand – the sky’s the limit.

The officiant of the wedding will share with wedding guests the only two circumstances when the couple will unlock and reveal the contents and love letters to one another.

Circumstance #1:
If time passes and serious doubts about their relationship cause the marriage to falter (hard to believe at this point, but unfortunately it happens sometimes), they should unlock the box together, drink the wine, read the loving words from each other and be reminded of their joy on the day of their wedding and the reasons they decided to marry and commit to be together “till death do us part…”

Circumstance #2:
If the couple is fortunate enough to never encounter the first circumstance, they will open the box on the occasion of a predetermined significant wedding anniversary or milestone in their marriage (such as their five or ten year anniversary).

Following the officiant’s remarks, the couple presents their sealed love letters, along with the selected bottle of wine, goblets and other mementos. Once the contents are in place, the box is locked with a key to symbolize the vows of love and commitment the couple have made to one another.

Following the wedding, the locked love letter box should be displayed in a central location in the couple’s home to serve as a constant reminder of the love they share for one another. The all important key should be kept in a safe place to ensure the box can be unlocked and the contents enjoyed at the agreed upon time. Once the box has been unlocked and the contents enjoyed, write new letters, replace the wine and lock away for the next special occasion.

Don’t drink wine? Pick another drink you both enjoy. It could be a bottle of the champagne that will be served at your wedding reception, an expensive bottle of scotch or liquor – you can make your love letter box completely personalized to who you are as a couple. (Just make sure whatever you choose fits inside the box along with your letters, goblets and mementos.)

We hope this gives you another wonderful idea of what is possible for your wedding ceremony!! Visit us at www.magicalmomentweddings.com for more information and wedding ideas! Until the next time…Happy Planning!

Sincerely
Terry
239-878-3526

Alternatives to Unity Ceremonies

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:32:25 +0000

Alternatives to Unity Ceremonies

Wedding ceremonies are not “traditional” anymore in this day and age anything goes and is always better when the bride and groom’s personalities show forth!

When thinking about creating a unity ceremony, couples should begin with their interests. From there, you can develop a representative unity symbol based on the couples interests and loves.

For example, if you have a love of nature plant a tree during your ceremony at your ceremony site if your able or hang a tree house.

If you are a couple that has a love of water. Each of you can bring some water from your favorite lake or ocean and combine the water in a keepsake vase.

Look to your experiences and your values. Often, the unity ceremony will evolve from that. It will create a tradition that is unique to the two of you and engaging for your guests.

Happy Planning to you!

Till the next time
Terry
www.magicalmomentweddings.com
239-878-3526

What are your groomsmen responsible for?

admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:08:01 +0000

Name another event in your life where a band of your best buddies and male relatives stand around you in matching garb just to watch you make the biggest commitment of your life? Oh, wait.. There isn’t one.

Your wedding is a huge deal so when your nearest and dearest accept the responsibility of participating in your day, it helps the day run more smoothly when you spell out exactly what you expect them to do.

The eldest or most responsible of your groomsmen should be your head usher, Don’t appoint your Best Man he will be with you before show time and not on the “floor,” It is the head ushers responsibility to make sure all the other ushers show up and are: 1. Appropriately attired 2. On time and 3. Fully informed of what’s expected of them on the Big Day. .

Groomsmen should arrive at the ceremony site 45 minutes to an hour before the ceremony begins.
At the ceremony, the groomsmen or ushers are responsible for seating guests, whether it is a church, synagogue or secular location. Generally, the rule of thumb is one usher for every 50 guests.
When guests arrive, the ushers should ask if they wish to be seated on the bride’s side or the groom’s side before escorting them to their seats. Ushers should give their arm to unescorted ladies. With couples, they should converse pleasantly with them as they lead them to their seats. The ushers should also make sure the front rows remain reserved for immediate family, if so desired.
The ushers may unroll an aisle runner after guests are seated but before the processional begins. Also, ribbons are sometimes placed along the aisle just before the bride’s entrance to keep guests from leaving and clogging the aisle before the wedding party and immediate family enter and exit the ceremony. The ushers are the ones who put up and take down these ribbons.
Finally, your ushers need to know where to stand after walking down the aisle escorting the bridesmaids. This can be resolved during the rehearsal the night prior, if not earlier.

Happy Planning to you!

Sincerely,

Terry

239-878-3526 cell 239-369-7797 Office

Smaller Can Be Better!

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:58:02 +0000

Smaller Can Be Better!

There are significant reasons for planning a small wedding. If money is not a problem smaller weddings will give you an opportunity to spend lavishly on a few guests rather than conservatively on many. If money is an issue it gives you the opportunity to spend more on the things you want instead of on several guests. Smaller venues and fewer guests create a more intimate and romantic setting. A short guest list means that you and your new spouse can spend time actually talking to the people who have come to help you celebrate one of the most important days of your life. Weddings may be many things but they are first and foremost celebrations. Inviting the friends and family who are closest you can be much more meaningful and MEMORABLE than the pageantry of a large wedding. It is sad when you hear women say that her Magical day passed in a blur that she can barely remember due to having so many guests that there was no time for her and the groom to enjoy the wedding they spent so much money and time preparing. Remember your wedding is first and foremost YOUR day to enjoy with people who YOU enjoy being with!

Suggested Settings for Small Weddings

One of the first steps in planning a small wedding is determining the guest list. Who do you include? Both of you should come up with a list. Start with your immediate family and closest friends. Then set a limit and begin adding to or narrowing down the list. When you have a number and a budget in mind start compiling a list of venues from internet searches, local magazines, and suggestions from friends and family. You’ll probably want to skip the local fire hall, but Inns and Bed & Breakfasts can create wonderful settings. Consider your own home and the homes of family members. Local restaurants that could not accommodate a large reception may be perfectly willing to work with you for a smaller group. Museums, historic houses, and botanical gardens are often available for a reasonable fee. Many resorts and hotels offer special packages. If you are considering a destination wedding do your homework. Ask questions, get the details of your package in writing, and check the venue’s reputation thoroughly. Requesting references from any venue is perfectly appropriate. The site may also have photo albums of past weddings. If your first impression of the staff or the place is anything less than dazzling–save yourself some stress and move on to another option.

Choosing to have a small intimate wedding can actually open up more possibilities rather than limit them.

If you are planning a destination wedding be sure to check out your vendor and their references read your contracts to ensure everything you are hearing is in writing! If they can deliver what they are promising you via telephone they will have no difficulty putting it in writing for you.

Happy Planning to you
Terry

239-878-3526 Cell or 239-369-7797 Office

www.magicalmomentweddings.com

Selecting Music for your Wedding

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:56:47 +0000

Selecting Music for your Wedding

Selecting wedding songs is a very important part of preparing for your special day. Every couple wants the songs played at their wedding to be just right, but sometimes it can be hard to pick the right ones.

So how do you choose the right songs? Several factors play an important part in finding the music that works for you and your wedding.
The Setting

Your wedding music may depend on where you’re holding it. It will be different in a religious setting than in another environment. If your ceremony isn’t in a church or synagogue, then you’ll be able to choose whatever kind of music you like. However, if your wedding is going to be held in a religious setting, then you’ll need to follow the guidelines of that particular church.

In a religious ceremony, the wedding is often seen as a form of worship. Depending on which church or religion, you may face strict guidelines or have very few limits. I’ve been to church weddings that have played religious music only while others have played contemporary pop.

Make sure to run your choice by whoever is in charge so that you don’t cause any problems on your special day.
Vocal Music

Many weddings have some form of live music being played in sections of the ceremony. If you want to have a live entertainment then you need to figure out what time of the ceremony is most appropriate. There are usually a few different opportunities:

• During the seating of the mothers or candle-lighting.
• Before the processional.
• Immediately before the vows
• During the lighting of the Unity Candle
• During the communion service.

You’ll likely need to hire musicians, but try contacting friends or family friends who may be singers to see if they’d like to get involved; they’d most likely be honored. Stress they should choose words that fit your relationship well.

A vocal duet with a male and female is always a safe choice, as it blends well and carries the feeling of a couple. If you are musically gifted, then you might even want to consider the option of singing a song at your own wedding.
Instrumental Music

You’ll have the option of choosing instrumental music to fill in some of those moments of the ceremony that need a little something to maintain the mood. Some of the more popular instrumental options include the violin, a piano, the church organ, a harp, or even a string quartet. You can also have instrumental music during the procession or the recession.

If your live performance isn’t going to have any vocals involved, then you’ll want to make sure that it is powerful and able to invoke emotion. Always make sure that your musicians are trained and prepared for that day – although it’s impossible to guarantee that no mistakes will be made.
Finding the Right Songs

You’ll probably want to spend most of the time choosing your vocal music, as the words usually have a special meaning behind them. If your couple has a song that is considered “your song,” then you should definitely consider using it, assuming that it is appropriate for the ceremony.

If you’re having a tough time finding a song, go through your CD collection to find a choice that reminds you of the one you love – or perhaps even something that conveys a message about your future together.

For instrumental music, the decision might be more difficult. If you love classical music, this might not be a problem, but many people don’t know instrumental songs unless they are a musician themselves. If you’re having a tough time finding a song that works, ask the musician that will perform if there are songs they recommend. Sift through your options and choose something that fits well with your desires.

If you can’t find music that works – keep looking! You’ll only have one wedding ceremony, so you want to do it right.
Custom Song Writing

If you have somebody close to you that is extremely gifted as a songwriter, then you might want to consider the option of having a song written for your wedding. It may be more meaningful in the long run. Be sure to give the songwriter plenty of time in advance to compose the right song for the moment.

If the songwriter is composing from your perspective, then be specific about what you want the song to convey. However, if they’re writing it as a close friend or family member looking at your future life, then it can be incredibly powerful to have the musician write something original on their own and sing it to you as a couple.
Reception

While most people choose a DJ to figure out the music at the reception, some couples choose to pick the songs and performers themselves. You’ll always be able to make suggestions to the DJ, and you’ll have more control over choices played during the reception.
Choose Wisely

While music certainly isn’t the focal point of any wedding, music can heighten the experience or lessen it. If you choose your songs right and have everything set up perfectly, you’ll be thankful that you spent the time and effort. There’s nothing more embarrassing than having poor music throughout your wedding day!

By selecting your wedding songs wisely, your wedding will be more enjoyable – and be everything that you want it to be.

Adding a Wedding Arch

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:56:08 +0000

Adding a Wedding Arch

Give your beach wedding a focal point by using an arch. Add decorative elements in your wedding colors or items with a beach theme to the arch. The scenic view of the beach is the perfect backdrop for your wedding, but let the arch create an ideal spot to frame your wedding photos.

Bamboo Canopy
We use a canopy made of bamboo poles for your beach wedding. This style is similar to the bamboo arbor, but is more three-dimensional with a cover. This can be draped in fabric on the top and sides. This elegant look can be further decorated by setting decorative pots full of flowers or greenery on short columns next to the four poles of the canopy.

Bamboo Arbor or Screen
We use an arbor made of bamboo to create a simple arch with clean lines instead of a curve. The arbor is made of four long bamboo poles that, when connected, create more of a square-shaped arch. It can be draped with fabric, flowers or greenery along the top and/or sides of the bamboo poles. To give it a screen appearance, hang strings of shells, crystal, mirrors or beads from the top.

We strive to provide the best beach wedding and wedding ceremony on the cost. Our beach wedding arch setups are comprised of natural Bamboo, beautiful silk flowers and green foliage to create a fantastic beach wedding setup. Our flower wedding arbors are designed with sheer or colored material of your choice and customed designed with flowers, greens and beach wedding decorations.

Happy Planning to you
Terry
www.magicalmomentweddings.com
239-369-7797 Office 239-878-3526 Cell