Wedding Advice Archive

Courtesy of Keri Doolittle, Denver wedding photographer

1. Timeline.  Plan your ceremony and Bride/Groom images around “The Golden Hour”, if possible.  The absolute best light of the day is the hour right before sunset.  Look online to see when the sun-sets on your wedding day and plan your timeline accordingly. 
2. Let me know your “must-have” shots.  Start pinning/bookmarking images that you adore and admire online and share them with me at the consultation.  Also, please let me know of any special images you would really enjoy, for example, a photograph with a great-aunt that you haven’t seen in a long time.
3. Relax and Enjoy your day.  Have fun, be yourself, enjoy the moment.  Some of the best images are candid captures of you just being you!  Laugh a lot and cherish the day with your loved ones.
4. Consider having two photographers.  Most wedding photographers have an assistant or associate photographer help photograph the wedding.  To be able to get two difference perspectives is a definite bonus!
5. Trust me.  Hiring a photographer is a big investment and you will have these images for the rest of your life.  Please make sure to address any questions or concerns upfront, but also know that you will be well taken care of from start to finish. 

Call StudioWed Denver today to set up a meeting with Keri Doolittle or stop in the studio to see her gorgeous images and albums.

Courtsey of  Save The Dave Events 

Do you take commissions or kick-backs from vendors?

To really compare pricing, ask potential planners if they mark up vendor prices.  You may be paying $3000 for a wedding planner but not realize she marks up all your vendor proposals by 10-20%.   If it is important to you that your planner doesn’t take commissions, make sure it is in your contract with the planner and ask to see the original proposals from your vendors.  Also, keep in mind that you are paying for their design talent and style.  A planning company with a fantastic portfolio of well styled weddings is going to charge more than a planning company focused on logistics and time lines.

Do I have contact with any of my vendors during the planning process?

You may want to be really involved in the planning and be able to contact your vendors directly if you have a question.  Or, you may want your planner to always be the point of contact.  Either way is just fine but you need to know what your wedding planner prefers so there aren’t any surprises.  You also want to know if your planner will attend all of your vendor consultations or if she just gives you recommendations.

How many weddings and events do you personally do per year?

This is going to really clue you in on the level of service you are going to receive. If your planner personally does 40 weddings per year, you are not going to receive the level of commitment and service of someone who only takes 15-20 per year.   If your wedding planner is working every single weekend in the summer, how excited and dedicated is she going to be at those last few weddings of the summer?

Many summer brides are getting their music organized for their weddings – especially their first dance song requests. The Groove Nation & Diamond Orchestras, Denver wedding bands, love to learn new songs for their client’s special moment.  In fact, many of these songs are often requested by other happy couples.  Here are their top requests for 2011:

Contemporary First Dance Songs

Marry Me – Train

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars

Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

Make You Feel My Love – Adelle

You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

Everything – Michael Buble

I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead

Classic First Dance Songs

At Last – Etta James

Unforgettable – Nat & Natalie Cole

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

Just the Way You Look Tonight – Harry Connick Jr.

Fields of Gold – Sting

Faithfully – Journey

Someone Like You – Van Morrison

If you’d like to see more great bridal dance suggestions click on the link and visit Celebration Nation Entertainment’s website.

It’s safe to say that out of all the events for which you will gather your friends and family to celebrate your marriage, the wedding ceremony itself will be the most meaningful and, hopefully, memorable. Music plays many vital roles in the ceremony, from providing flow and ambiance to highlighting the deeper emotional meaning with timeless style and class.

Our fabulous vendor partner Celebration Nation Entertainment shared with us the 6 major components of wedding ceremony music. As with every other detail of a wedding, each component has its own set of requirements!

The Prelude

The purpose of the prelude music is to welcome guests as they are being seated before the ceremony. It also should give a cheerful yet subdued atmosphere, setting the stage for the solemnity of the event. The prelude generally begins 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony start time, and it often involves quite a few songs.

The Wedding Party’s Processional

The wedding party’s processional marks the official beginning of the ceremony. It should have a slow but flowing feel, ushering the beautiful bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party down the aisle.

The Bride’s Processional

The bride’s processional can be an incredible moment, as memorable to everyone involved as the vows or any other part of the ceremony. You should choose a very special song here

The Interlude

The interlude can actually be many different moments in the ceremony, a very loose definition being any time there are no words being spoken for a minute or more. For most ceremonies, the interlude is the unity candle, memorial candle, or rose presentation.

The Recessional

The wedding officiant’s pronouncement of husband and wife is followed by enthusiastic applause and joyous recessional music as the happy couple leads the way back up the aisle. The song you choose should be bright and upbeat, inviting everyone to celebrate your union

The Postlude

The postlude sets a pleasant atmosphere as guests are leaving. It usually lasts between 5 to 10 minutes, so it’s best to treat the postlude like the prelude and simply give the musicians an idea of what you want.

For more information and ideas of music for each of the 6 components please click on the following link that will take you directly to their blog: Celebration Nation Entertainment!