What a great New Jersey wedding Ceremony!

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You might want to put together cd’s or ipod mixes of music for your reception; there are some great tips from a DJ pro; you might not agree with all the suggestions, but they are certainly food for thought!

* Play at least SOME music your public likes, even if you’re not crazy about it.

* Play mainly music aimed at the women. Men will only start to dance when there are women on the dance floor.

* Play the most widely accepted music first, and move to the younger, harder genres later in the evening when the elder family members have left. This way everyone gets to hear some music they like.

* Make the dance floor dark enough;people won’t dance when they are too exposed in the light.

* When someone requests a song that you wouldn’t normally play (because you think it’s not going to work), tell them that you’ll only play it if they promise to dance to it.

* When the dance floor is opened early and there’s not much dancing: don’t worry–people still have to talk, and when they’ve gotten into the party mood )and maybe into the wine and Cosmos….)they will start dancing.

Although I can recommend many fantastic musicians for your wedding, you might be planning  to put together cd’s or ipod mixes of music for your reception; there are some great tips from a DJ pro; you might not agree with all the suggestions, but they are certainly food for thought!

* Play at least SOME music your crowd likes, even if you’re not crazy about it.

* Play mainly music aimed at the women. Men will only start to dance when there are women on the dance floor.

* Play the most widely accepted music first, and move to the younger, harder genres later in the evening when the elder family members have left. This way everyone gets to hear some music they like.

* Make the dance floor dark enough;people won’t dance when they are too exposed in the light.

*  Take requests on your weddidng website, or email some of your party animal friends and ask for suggestions.  When someone requests a song that you wouldn’t normally play (because you think it’s not going to work), tell them that you’ll only play it if they promise to dance to it.

* When the dance floor is opened early and there’s not much dancing: don’t worry–people still have to talk, and when they’ve gotten into the party mood )and maybe into the wine and Cosmos….)they will start dancing.  (Thanks for the pix, Nicole and Michael!)

Today is National Popcorn Day, so in honor of that auspicious occasion, I had some for breakfast (thankfully it wasn’t National Vodka Gimlet Day, or there would be no posting at all……). Popcorn is wonderful stuff; everyone loves it, it just looks like fun, and a gourmet variety would make a wonderful addition to your cocktail hour. We make a mix of popcorn, pignoli nuts or toasted almonds, little pretzels and Oriental rice crackers. Toss that all with melted butter, a little kosher or rough cut salt, pepper and throw it in big silver bowls on the bar. Yum Yum. When I’m at home, in my jammies, I add chunks of fresh mozzarella, sliced sun dried tomatoes and roasted garlic, and pan fried garbanzo beans. Wash it all down with a Gimlet (but not for breakfast, okay?)

A hidden jewel too, as wedding venues go. I had the pleasure of being the New Jersey wedding officiant (okay, okay, shameless plug)  for Ko and Holly on Saturday, and their intimate gathering took place at the Crowne Plazain Englewood, NJ. What a great find this one is!  It combines the sophisticated atmosphere of a city hotel with a convenient location and a gracious staff.  And while they can easily  accomodate groups up to 130, they can also cater beautifully to smaller groups like this wedding of 25 guests.  It’s a real winner, and I was glad to discover it.

Beth, their catering manager should really have another title that describes her caring and hands-on approach to each event. Honorary Aunt?  No, that sounds too dusty….. designated fusser over?  Maybe. I’ll work on it, Beth….  Her calm, but enthusiastic manner made our sweet, personal wedding a breeze.  Each guest felt warmly welcomed as they made their way into the ceremony and the reception.  And when my couple added a special candle lighting to the agenda, Beth hooked me up to Yahoo so I could include the perfect words for the occasion.  After their ceremony, I stopped by her office to say goodbye,  and she was already up to her ears in Sweet Sixteen centerpieces for that evening (adorable balloons from Party-with-Us, a decoration company that’s almost next door). 

The Crowne Plaza offers a sumptuous reception menu with all your favorites hors d’ oeuvres and stations, ending with beautiful wedding cakes from Palermo’s in Ridgefield Park. (You will totally lose your mind when  you see their amazing designs; they even make mini cakes for favors. Pass me the canoli cream please!)  It is definately a venue to consider for your wedding….your first anniversary….your baby welcoming….well, you get the idea!

Or the New England clam dip, or those fantastic butter cookies? Your aunt Carole, or cousin Fred! And since they’re the best of the best, why not include them in your wedding reception. Wedding celebrations are all about the blending of families and friends, and what better way than to share your family’s heirloom recipes. In addition to providing a taste of home, these goodies can create a wonderful conversation starter for your guests. And with more and more couples  adding DIY elements to their celebration, this becomes a perfect way to trim the budget a little bit and let those talented cooks bask in the glow of compliments.

What you can do, as the recipient of their gifts, is make their contribution as easy as possible.  If your cake will be homemade, ask your venue if there is a place to deliver and store it earlier in the day, so that your favorite niece isn’t trying to drive to the wedding with the cake on the seat next to her. (Smart cars and fondant do NOT mix….)    Try to encourage contributions that can be made in bulk rather than individual pieces; this is a little more forgiving when it comes to figuring out quantities.  If you’re going to have a printed program or menu, credit should be given where credit is due (I once even wrote a New Jersey wedding ceremony [like you didn't know THAT was coming....] that included a reference to a special kind of spiced pecans that would grace the cocktail hour, thanks to a dear friend of the groom’s.)

Now, if your grandma’s favorite recipe is curried smelts, candied Brussels sprouts or Jello Mold and Ball Bearing Surprise, we might want to investigate another way to honor her…..

I know, I know….everyone’s had  two hours of hors d’oeuvres, a beautiful dinner, wedding cake, a Viennese table and more Champagne than you ever imagined. But in the wee small hours of the morning, when they are headed home after dancing up a storm, they are going to be HUNGRY AGAIN!!

So, the PERFECT favor is a beautiful little bag or box with a freshly baked muffin or bagel, some flavored cream cheese, and maybe a little bottle of cool and groovy juice. Add a New York Times (or your paper of choice) and you’ll have guest who think you’re just cool beans. Coffee beans that is…..

Where for art thou….or the cake….or the harpist?  If you’re working with Alida and Angela, you’ll never be wondering. 

Juliet Events, their company,  is a partnership between these two sisters whose talents are uniquely complimentary.  Alida excels at communicating with vendors and organizing the wedding.  Angela’s strength is iher creativity in event design.  Together, they have all the skills to make sure your wedding is beautiful, flawless, and within your budget. Their personal attention to every detail will allow you to really relax, knowing that your vision will come to life in their hands.  

I am especially enthusiastic about their “DOC”, (Day of Coordination, not Despair and Chaos) is especially helpful for couples who have found their favorite vendors and products, but still want to relax on their wedding day.  Having done as many weddings as I have, I’ve witnessed first hand missing licenses, last minute seating changes and incorrect bouquets.  Alida and Angela’s  enthusiastic, hands on approach allows you (and your bridal party and families) to enjoy the day without wondering what happened to the custom monogrammed aisle runner or the two vegetarian entrees. 

What exactly does a DOC package include?  Everything that you will have no patience to deal with on the day of your wedding. Juliet will be confirming vendors, developing a timeline, managing the rehearsal and coordinating the wedding day.  They  act as liaison between the bride and groom and their vendors at the wedding.  The couple will have total access to A and A for any of their needs on the wedding day.  We will find the solution for any question or concern they have.  And the vendors look to us to answer their questions without having to interrupt the couple on their special day.   

Your job, on that day, is to be the bride or groom; not the general contractor for a fleet of professionals. Hiring a day of coordinator is the best gift you can give yourself to make sure all your other careful investments (in time and money) culminate in the event you imagined.   With Alida and Angela in your corner, you can truly enjoy one of the most meaningful days in your life!

If your wedding is during the Christmas season, why not hang your placecards on a Christmas tree? You’ll still want

to put them in order, maybe cascading each table from the top to the bottom of one portion of the tree. Even more fun; write your table assigments on simple Christmas ornaments that can become the favors.  Or origami cranes….or keys…or birdhouses…or..or…or….

Planning and budgeting for your wedding is a LOT  like planning and paying for your starter home. The obvious similarities?  It  is a huge purchase.  It is an expression, perhaps, the first, of your couple style. AND you will be spending a lot of money in a situation where you may not feel that you’re informed enough to  feel totally comfortable.

So many factors can contribute to your decision, but perhaps the most important (or close) is your budget. Every couple has one, sparse or generous.  While it may not be the only thing on your mind, it certainly looms large. No one wants to walk away from such an important purchase with buyers’ remorse, fearing that they have made an expensive purchase that wasn’t the right choice. In the case of your wedding, those multiple expensive purchases contribute to a day that cannot be done over; it truly is a “once in a lifetime” experience.

Decisions based solely on price can cause regrettable (and avoidable) disasters on your wedding day.  Like the classic joke, “The food was terrible, and the portions were so small!”, five hours of an obnoxious DJ or an out of tune band will ruin your reception, no matter how many mirrored balls, inflatable guitars or ‘dance motivators’ they throw in for “free”.  Five thousand photos that are carelessly shot, amateurishly lit or cropped and delivered late are not going to capture your wedding day in a better way than 500 artistically created pictures that really tell your story. (And there is just no way to know what great shots were missed.)  A cake no one eats is well, a cake no one eats……and a ceremony everyone yawns through is a terrible way to start this precious moment in history; yours, your friends’ and your families’.

When you buy a house, a common phrase is, Location location location!  Buy the most  house you can afford in the best neighborhood, not the most expensive house in a less than desireable neighborhood.  How does this translate to your wedding? Easily. Instead of finding the cheapest professional in any category, strive to put together a team of the people that you truly want to create your wedding, and then work with them to see just how that can happen.

Every wedding professional who truly is that, a professional, wants to work with the couples that want to work with us. We want you to understand why we charge what we do, how we are uniquely qualified to be a part of your wedding, and how we might work together to stay within your budget. Your photographer might suggest a shorter period of coverage (maybe just before  the ceremony and then  part of the reception, rather than spanning the entire day, from makeup to the last crumb of cake). Your invitation artist might deliver your wedding stationary in components, ready for your bridal party to assemble. Your officiant, (that would be me!!), might offer to do a quick run through of your processional before the wedding rather than on a separate day.  (I also offer a printable, decorative copy of the ceremony readings that some of my couples have used instead of favors.)  All of these are invisible ways to include the vendors who will truly enhance your days.

None of us want our couples leaving their reception thinking that their day was vastly more expensive than they hoped; that is not the memory we are striving to create. Great, experienced, enthusiastic wedding partners are worth every penny that you’ll spend on them, and they’ll help you spend it wisely. That is our wedding gift to you.