Top 10 Song Choices for All Your Must Have, Wedding Reception Moments
Traditionally speaking, there are several moments everyone can expect to take place during any given wedding reception. You can generally always count on a cake being cut, a bouquet being tossed and a garter being flung. There will inevitably be a mother + son, father + daughter and bride +groom spin on the dance floor, followed by toasts and cheers and almost unavoidably a family member embarrassing him/herself… Yep, gotta love “those” people showing up for all our special occasion needs.
With that said, it’s easy to see why many brides and grooms have a hard time narrowing down what songs should be played at what events. Whether there’s a lack of passion or too much passion behind the music, many couples either have too many song selections to pick from or not enough.
And while there may be no perfect solution to finding the balance, here are some suggestions to get you started:
Top 10 Introduction / Wedding Party Entrance Songs
- I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas
- Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
- Forever by Chris Brown
- We Are Family by Sister Sledge
- Bring ‘Em Out by T.I. featuring Jay-Z
- Sexyback by Justin Timberlake
- Celebration by Kool & the Gang
- Crazy in Love by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
- Get Ready for This by 2 Unlimited
- Walk This Way by Aerosmith featuring Run DMC
Top 10 Bride + Groom Dance Songs
- At Last by Etta James
- God Blass the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
- Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
- I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
- When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Kraus
- Better Together by Jack Johnson
- I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
- Everything by Michael Buble
Top 10 Father + Daughter Dance Songs
- I Loved Her First by Heartland
- My Little Girl by Tim McGraw
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- My Wish by Rascal Flatts
- Unforgettable by Natalie and Nat King Cole
- Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle
- My Girl by the Temptations
- Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
- In My Life by the Beatles
- There You’ll Be by Faith Hill
Top 10 Mother + Son Dance Songs
- I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
- Forever Young by Rod Stewart
- Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler
- Through the Years by Kenny Chesney
- Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
- You’re Gonna Miss This by Trace Adkins
- A Song for Mama by Boyz II Men
- The Dance by Garth Brooks
Top 10 Cake Cutting Songs
- Sugar, Sugar by Archies
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by James Taylor
- Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
- Sweetest Thing by U2
- Lucky by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
- Love & Marriage by Frank Sinatra
- That’s Amore by Dean Martin
- I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by the Four Tops
- All You Need is Love by the Beatles
- I Got you Babe by Sonny & Cher
Top 10 Bouquet Toss Songs
- Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyoncé
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
- It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls
- Hit Me with Your Best Shot by Pat Benatar
- Just a Girl by No Doubt
- Wishin’ & Hopin’ by Dusty Springfield
- One Way or Another by Blondie
- Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups
- Girls, Girls, Girls by Motley Crue
- Maneater by Nelly Furtado
Top 10 Garter Toss Songs
- Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
- Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye
- Legs by ZZ Top
- Oh Yeah by Yello
- Cherry Pie by Warrant
- I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred
- You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC
- I’m Still a Guy by Brad Paisley
- Big Pimpin’ by Jay-Z
- Macho Man by the Village People
Add comment February 8, 2010
Midnight Munchies: Let Your Guests Get Their Late Night Nibble On
(In a haughty French waiter tone) “Dinner is served.”
And to our delight (fingers crossed) it will be followed almost immediately with alcoholic beverages and giant dance circles! While a marriage may be based on the love of two people, their wedding day is often based on everyone else’s love to celebrate it… so, when a wedding reception goes from late afternoon to an even LATER evening, guests are often times in need of some refueling.
Enter: the Midnight Snack.
Bringing out treats for your guests after a long night of dinner, drinks and dancing will be just what the doctor ordered and could totally restock the sizzle in all of them.
Delightful Midnight Dishes: Pizza, White Castle Burgers (more affectionately known as “Sliders”), Cheese ‘ n’ Cracker Trays, Fourth Meal (aka Taco Bell), Krispy Kreme Doughnuts or Cold Cut Sandwiches.
***Extra*** if doing a buffet style meal, check with your caterers to see the possibility of reheating leftovers. It’s a general rule of thumb for caterers to make 10% more food than they expect will be eaten… making the possibilities of leftovers great!
Add comment February 5, 2010
1950s Styled Wedding Gowns: A Look to the Past Could Be in Your Future
Audrey Hepburn. Marilyn Monroe. Sophia Loren. Elizabeth Taylor. Grace Kelly. Barbie.
…Don’t act like you’re not impressed. Fashion of the 1950s was all about timeless style and demure glamour, and these women embraced it beautifully. The entire decade – not to mention these bombshell beauties - oozed a kind of elegance, grace and sophistication that no other decade since has been able to touch. Heck, even the trends emulated by sultry, 1950s pin up girls reflected an element of class unscathed by raunchy obscenity or flagrant missteps.
It was a time for figure flattering tea length dresses and haute couture gowns; long sleeve, satin gloves and birdcage veils. There fitted waists and poodle skirts; delicately embroidered bust lines and ravishingly rouched waistlines. And while there are some parts of fashion history we all hope will never reemerge (helloooo 1980 linebacker shaped, puffy sleeved disasters!), it’s easy to see why fifties glamour is one of the most inspiring eras on the red carpet, and as luck would have it, bridal fashion.
Below are some examples of where old world icons and modern day designers have collided, and the results, my dear friends, are nothing short of epic. (Photos courtesy of Google Images, TheKnot.com and KleinfeldBridal.com. Merged by yours truly by the power of Photoshop.)
A soft, embroidered halter on Sophia Loren before & an Alvina Valenta gown after
A flaring, tea length dress on Barbie before & a Moonlight gown after
A single sleeved, off-the-shoulder Grecian dress on Grace Kelly before & a Romona Keveza gown after
A sleek, form fitting stunner on Audrey Hepburn before & a Palazzo gown after
A flirty, ballerina tutu on Marilyn Monroe before & a Winnie Couture gown after
A belted, cinched waist and pockets on Elizabeth Taylor before & a Priscilla of Boston gown after
A side sweeped, gathered gown on Grace Kelly before & a Enzoani gown after
A pleated, tea length halter on Marilyn Monroe before & an Amsale gown after
A bubbly, princess ball gown on Audrey Hepburn before & a Rosa Clara gown after
A jeweled side, red carpet favorite on Barbie before & an Oleg Cassini gown after
1 comment February 3, 2010
Celebrity Engagement News: Wedding Bells for Kristen Bell
Photo Courtesy of US Magazine
The former Veronica Mars star, Kristen Bell and long term, live-in boo, Dax Shepard are tying the knot… and what better timing to announce this paparazzi paralyzer than alongside the release of their newest movie When in Rome??
Dax Shepard (age 35), first made famous by Ashton Kutcher’s reality series, Punk’d, has now made a name for himself in quirky, offbeat romantic comedies; while Ms. Bell (age 29) is regular red carpet darling and one of Hollywood’s fastest rising ”It Girls.” The two love birds have been spotted together for the past few years, and it was almost inevitable they were gonna take the plunge.
According to US Magazine - who first reported the nuptial news – Bell is über excited for her upcoming wedding day, in part because she knows what goes into making a good relationship work.
“I’ve learned the necessity for healthy communication. How important it is to talk about your deepest, darkest fears and feelings. Your partner should hear your most embarrassing insecurities, because once you say them out loud, you created a safe zone… (and) a snuggle party can fix anything – it’s true.” Kristen Bell
Haha! Love it! Congrats on the engagement, kids!
***Post Thought*** does anyone else think it’s a bit of a conundrum how someone like Dax Shepard has been linked to Hollywood hottness like Kristen and Kate Hudson? I mean seriously? Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t seem to get past his grease ball persona, Vince Downey from Employee of the Month. (Shivers at the thought) Gross. Haha!
1 comment February 1, 2010
Wish Upon a Wedding: The Fairy Godmother of Wedding Organizations
Because everyone deserves a happy ending...
When a co-worker forwarded me an email titled “Announcing America’s ONLY Wedding Wish Granting Organization,” my immediate thoughts went straight to “DE-LIGHT!” Even before I opened the email and read the press release in its entirety, I knew there had to be something magical in store… and magic, my dear friends, is exactly what I found.
Wish Upon a Wedding is a brand new (for real – their launch party was yesterday 1.28.2010) nonprofit organization whose intentions and goals are nothing short of extraordinary. As America’s only wedding wish granting organization, Wish Upon a Wedding fully intends to “produce weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness.” If that doesn’t have *tear* written all over it, I don’t know what does.
After perusing through their Web site, I came across something that moved me. Because I consider myself an eternal, hope-FULL romantic, I’m always looking for optimistic news, which seems to be few and far between these days. Hence why fairytale-come-true stories are always topping my list. As a self proclaimed cheerleader of love, there’s nothing that warms my heart more than seeing just how far a little love can be spread.
By celebrating the courage and spirit of these couples, it is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love. (wishuponawedding.org)
This is truly inspirational, which is why I encourage you all to read Florence’s story – Wish Upon a Wedding’s first recipient winner and see what you can do to help! Speaking from experience, proclaiming my love to my Mister - in front of all our family and friends – has hands down been the most beautiful moment of my life. So, anyone or organization whose soul intention is built around helping others, especially those as deserving as Florence, achieve this goal are gold star worthy in my book and merit all the help they can get!
So thank you, Wish Upon a Wedding, for bringing the *Bibbidi, the *Bobbidi and the *Boo to those who merit it most! And cheers to everyone who’ll get their “happily ever after…”
Photo Courtesy of Fanpop.com
2 comments January 29, 2010
Save the Date Videos: Let Your Wedding Day be a Box Office Smash
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close up.” Sunset Boulevard
Yesterday, a girlfriend at work (whaaaduup, Nat!) asked me if I saw the Early Show on CBS that featured a couple’s Save the Date video… I was like, “Whhhhaaaaa? A video?? For their save the date? That’s incredible!”
Incredible, I came to realize, was the understatement of the century. After perusing through a few YouTube videos last night, I became a woman possessed. Save the Date videos have been around for awhile, and over the course of time, they’ve become - among other things - a force to be reckoned with. So, reckon, I shall.
When I featured the blog post about the Mister & Me’s Save the Date Magnets, I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with myself and our pre-invitation mailers. Armed with my Adobe Photoshop skills, I created something original in design and unique to us, and while I’m still proud of our little save the dates, I’d be lying if I said they weren’t dwarfed by the awesomeness of these videos.
Just like every couple is different, so were the videos they directed. Dead sere, I saw everything! Some couples treated it like a movie trailer to a big ticket event; while others stuck with the more traditional video / picture montage approach. In the end, however, it didn’t matter if they were telling story, being romantic or simply downright ridiculous, because with the conclusion of each video came the knowledge to Save the Date! Below are some of the standout examples: ENJOY!
Poking fun at Bridal Stereotypes:
Takin’ the CUTENESS to a whole new level!:
Bringing the Humor with Beyoncé (P.S. That’s the groom on the left) :
Movie Trailer Madness:
Traditional Montage:
EPIC (aka forgot-what-I-was-watching) Movie :
3 comments January 27, 2010
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed & (Go Ahead, Make Everything Else) Blue!
Photo Courtesy of W. Scott Chester
Formally known as just another “something,” blue is proving to be more than just another pretty face in the crowd for 2010 weddings… and I must admit, I’m a huge fan.
While 2010 is likely to bring all kinds of wedding trends, when it comes to color, blue is easily the go-to hue for brides everywhere. According to The Wedding Report’s 2010 Wedding Color Trends, over 20% of brides are planning on using blue as their primary color.
This may not seem like much, but considering green is the next biggest competition at 11.3%, I’d say blue has more than a leg up on the competition.
Photo Courtesy of Beautiful Blooms
Brides are incorporating its cool tone into everything from bridesmaid dresses and bouquets to reception centerpieces and accessories… and making their guests “ooh” and “aww” accordingly. No longer a just a sad shade for Picasso’s blue period, this cobalt encrusted hue epitomizes peace, tranquility and harmony. <Sigh>Sounds pretty incredible, right?
Well, historically speaking, blue is also the symbol of unity, trust, confidence, loyalty and security; so, it seems like a no brainer that brides would want it to be a part of their day. Buuut, if you still need some convincing, feast your eyes on some of the Google images I’ve collected to help state my case… Case dismissed 
1 comment January 25, 2010
How-to Create Your Own Wedding Day Bouquets!
Photo Courtesy of Intimate Weddings
I may not know much, but I do know this: Weddings Are Expensive. And I’m not just talking about the main venues (reception hall, food, booze, dress, etc.); I’m talking about eeeevvveeerrryyyythiiiing, and one wedding detail that are often times overlooked in expense are flowers. My poor father – who was constantly being told by my well-intentioned mother, “Just shut up and pay, William… just shut up and pay” – had a very hard time keeping quiet about the florist’s bill… so hard of a time, in fact, that he decided not to keep quiet at all. Haha!
I’m not kidding you, the man almost fell out of his chair when he read the circled price hovering over the dotted line. Then, while readjusting his specs and squinting his eyes, he almost immediately began making remarks that would hit home to fmost athers around the world. “Are you kidding me? For flowers?? Why on God’s green earth… (inaudible grumbles)… But they’re dead the next day!”
And while I love love love flowers (what girl doesn’t?) I’m afraid I had to agree. Like every bride, I had to find the balance between my dream wedding and our actual budget. We started throwing out ideas, and we decided it might be fun to make the bridesmaid bouquets ourselves and save on the expense of having a florists bring them in.
What You Will Need:
- Flowers (focal, filler & greenery)
- Vase
- Vase Filler
- Scissors
- Floral Tape
- Finishing Ribbon
- Straight Pins
- + Any Additional Accessories of your Choosing (ie. lace, tulle, beads, etc.)
What You Will Do:
First, gather your flowers, vase and vase filler. Be sure your vase is congruent to the size and shape you want your bouquet to be. Add in the vase filler of your choosing to the bottom of the vase. Sand, beans and pebbles all work nicely and will make arranging your flowers much easier.
**Extra Tip** Whether you choose real or fake flowers is totally up to you! But if you choose to do real flowers, check out FiftyFlowers.com. They sale large quantities of flowers at wholesale prices and also provide tips on flower combos and arrangements. For fake flowers, try a local arts and crafts store. Places like Hobby Lobby and Michael’s have large selections of flowers, as well as a number of products you can use to “spruce” up your bouquet.
Next sort your flowers by color, bloom size and the amount intended for each spray and trim their stems to equivalent heights. This will make it easy for you to build your bouquet, as well as keep it organized.
***Extra Tip*** When trimming the stems of real flowers, be sure to cut them under water with sharpened scissors. This will help keep the bloom healthier for longer.
Then, using the vase as your holder, start placing in your flowers. Because larger blooms are more difficult to maneuver, you should start with them first. Work your way from the center, outward and alternate from color to color (when applicable) until a desired look is achieved.
After all your larger blooms have been added, start adding any ”filler flowers” or smaller blooms into the bare areas of your bouquet, followed by any greenery. This will give your bouquet a full and polished look.
***Extra Tip*** Great filler flowers can be found anywhere. The most popular choices include: hydrangea, baby’s breath, asters, statice or limonium flowers and blooms, which feature several buds on a single stem.
Once you’ve reached the desired amount of flowers and size of your bouquet, shift them around and rearrange them accordingly until you’re satisfied with the appearance. If you’re not completely satisfied, try adding in accent accessories, such as bouquet pins, picks or anything with sparkle.
After you have your bouquet positioned perfectly, remove it from the vase using your hands carefully, making sure to disturb the arrangement the least amount as possible. Then, using florist tape, wire or even a rubber band (depending on your preference), tie off the bouquet.
Finally, finish off your bouquet with any desired accents, ribbons or jewels and – voilà! – you’ve just made your first bouquet!
***Extra Tip*** If you’re having difficulty getting things “juuuust right,” try using a hot glue gun. This will ensure your arrangement stays in place.
1 comment January 22, 2010
Be Oscar-worthy at Your Wedding with a Wardrobe Change
“Dumpy economy. Schmumpy economy.” Not even an economic crisis can prevent this dual dress, wedding trend from booming. With a growing number of brides saying “Yes!” to not one, but two (sometimes even three) dresses, it seems as though future Mrs. everywhere deserve a pat on the back for causing the most fashionable, most fabulous, economic stimulus ever!
But who’s to thank for this diva-riffic duality?? You guessed it… celebutantes. Like so many trends, we have our famed sisters to thank for trickling this treat down to the rest of us. Everyone from Britney and Christina to Avril and most recently, Khloe Kardashian-Odom pulled the showed off but they aren’t the only ones. This trend can be seen everywhere!
And it didn’t begin, nor will it end with celebrities. In fact, it’s been a part of many bridal cultures for centuries. Having multiple dresses has been associated with a number of different cultures and ethnic groups around the world. Especially enriched in East Indian and Asian cultures, many brides of certain heritages will wear traditional garb during the ceremony and switch it up at the reception to really let loose… which I consider the main reason behind any girl’s decision to bait ‘n’ switch.
It’s about being young and having fun! While many wedding ceremonies are viewed as traditional and sacred, their accompanying receptions are a time to PARRRTAAAY! Hence why so many wardrobe changing brides tend to wear more formal, fairy tale or traditional gowns during the ceremony, and jazz it up at the reception!
While this wasn’t in my budget, I soooo encourage any bride-to-be who can afford it, to be like Nike and “just do it!” I mean seriously, it’s like having the most fun dress up day… twice!
And finally, for your viewing pleasure… by merging photos from Google Images, I’m proud to present some of my favorite celebrity, wedding wardrobe switches!
From Vera to Velour, Khloe Kardashian was all kinds of FaBuLoUs!!
Christina Aguilera transformed from "Oh Wow!" to "Ow Ow!" on her wedding day!
Even though she didn't find her "happily ever after," Britney still rocked out both her wedding dresses!
Our favorite Bachelorette, Trista, also pulled the 'ole switch-a-roo!
Avril went from glowing bride to ready to rock'n'roll!
2 comments January 20, 2010
Impress Your Guests with a Star Studded Exit
All Aboard! It's Trolley Time! (Photo Courtesy of Erin Chris Photography)
A Poem for the Getaway Girl in all of us…
It’s time for stretch limos and fancy cars to take a rest.
Because brides and grooms want to “WOW!” their guests!
And there’s no better way to leave a lasting impression,
Than an exit devised by pure imaginative obsession…
For real though, it’s all about avant-garde getaways these days. Not only are they a super fun way to tie in your personalities to your big day, but they also create incredible photo ops and leave the guests cheering for more.
I mean think about it, we’re a world obsessed with grand finales and happy endings; so, what better way to ”exit stage right,” than with something that has “Mr. and Mrs. (Insert Your Name Here)” written all over it? Whether you choose a customized mode of transportation or simply just try something fun… I can guarantee your guests will love sending you off with love when you leave them in style!
Here are some of my favorites…
Tandem bike for two? Whoop-it-tee-do! (Photo Courtesy of Grazier Photography)
Newlywed nerves? No way! (Photo Courtesy of Google Images)
Fairy tales DO come true with carriage rides! (Photo Courtesy of An Urban Affair)
ReV up the love! (Photo Courtesy of Kurt Photography)
This is just plain hilarious! (Photo Courtesy of Google Images)
Saddle up your partner and ride into the sunset! (Photo Courtesy of Emily Porter Photography)
Be a motorboatin' maniac! (Photo Courtesy of Claudia Akers Photography)
- Jet settin’ has never looked this good! (Photo Courtesy of Richelle Dante Photography – love her!)
2 comments January 18, 2010
