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Aaron & Angela DeMarestAaron DeMarest

Getting married made me a better wedding vendor.

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Weddings are exciting times for many couples. They can also prove to be very stressful during the planning process. That’s where having a great wedding vendor comes in to play.
I’ve been married once before and I’m about to get married again in just 3 weeks and the Mrs and I are VERY excited to start this new chapter in our lives. We were both married before, have kids, and have plenty of experience between the both of us with weddings. Angela was a pastry chef specializing in wedding cakes and I have had an amazing 28 year career as a wedding dj. But even with our “industry insider” knowledge, we were still just a bride and a groom planning their wedding. Of course, there are some nuggets we gained over the years to help us plan out our wedding. And we of course have our past experiences from our previous marriages to go on. The great part of getting married a second time is that you learn really quickly what your priorities are and get to plan the wedding you always wanted.

My first wedding was 21 people at a country club in Watertown. We didn’t have a formal photographer and our DJ was thrown in with the venue as a package deal. (Not my first choice but, it was a compromise I made to keep the peace) Our DJ was terrible, unprofessional and un prepared. So much in fact that I walked to my car to give her my book of CDs I was using for my own weddings at the time for her to use. Our invitations were designed on the computer and printed at staples. Dinner was a buffet with staples like pasta, salad, and roast beef. There were grocery store flowers on the tables and standard table cloths. The wedding turned out this way because my then wife insisted she didn’t want a big celebration because in her previous marriage, money was no object and she had a big wedding. Also, her dad paid for the wedding which meant all of his colleagues, friends, etc were invited leaving her and her ex husband with just a few close friends.

My fiance’s first wedding was also a lavish affair with lots of detail and a couple hundred people in attendance. They had a DJ, Videographer, Photographer, 4 course meal, a massive cake, and many guests that they did not know that were invited by her parents because, you guessed it… they paid for the wedding. As a result, some family feuds took place and created some tension. Never a fun ordeal to deal with when you’re planning the happiest day of your life.

Fast forward to our wedding. We are paying for our own wedding. Which means we get to make choices that are important to us. Choosing the right wedding vendors was important. We both know that it is very easy to rack up a massive bill with all of the trimmings but as we both learned, the majority of guests remember the venue, cuisine and of course the DJ the most after a wedding. We talked about just eloping. We talked about a private ceremony in the middle of a field with just a few family and friends. But at the end of the day, we both agreed on a Christmas themed wedding. Why Christmas? It’s usually the holiday where everyone gets together. A family reunion so to speak.

Our guest list was 120 people which by our estimation left about 20 people who might not be able to make it. We were right! We’ve got just under 100 guests attending our wedding. Choosing a guest list was not hard at all. We learned from our previous weddings to invite only the people that are near and dear to us and be selective with colleagues and acquaintances. This not only lightened the bill but ensured that everyone in attendance were the people that we really wanted to be there.

The first step was finding a venue. We thought about renting a space and having it catered. But then, we’d need to clean up after. When you’re wearing a fitted dress and tux for 12 hours on your wedding day, the last thing you want to do is roll up your sleeves and clean. We decided on a traditional venue. Grand Oak Villa was calling our name. We had visited several other venues which were nice but they really had everything we were looking for.

When it came to the food, we both understood that all of our 100 guests don’t all like the same thing and some had dietary restrictions. To alleviate the stress of trying to appease everyone, we elected to do hot hors devours and food stations for dinner. We have a wide variety of options for everyone to enjoy and they can have as much or as little as they would like. Plus, for the venue, it’s a lot easier to serve a tray of food as opposed to plating 100 three course meals. This allows their staff to be more relaxed and have an easier day. Happy staff equals happy guests!

I had been asked probably a hundred times in the last year and a half of planning, “Are you DJing your own wedding?” I’m happy to announce, I took the day off and leaving the music to the professionals. But how does a DJ choose one of his peers to host their wedding? The same way any couple would. By making sure they are a good fit. We happily chose Todd from Jock in the Box entertainment. Todd has been a DJ just as long as I have and has the experience and diversity to keep a captive audience across all genres and walks of life. As an added bonus, we both have a knack for the 90’s and Y2K so seeing as how the Mrs and I are 43 & 45, it just made sense to have Todd. Another feature we love about Todd is that he puts his personality into his weddings. Todd is a very outgoing, positive, and energetic DJ. Being a daytime wedding, having the right DJ for the job is even more important because regardless of the time of day, they can execute the vibe you’re shooting for. Sidenote, we told Todd that even though he’s working that day, to please sit and enjoy a meal, have a beverage, and if possible, come on out and dance with us. His job is so very important that I wanted to give him every opportunity to feel his absolute best and have FUN! Because a happy DJ equals a happy dance floor.

When it came to a photographer, we chose a tried and true photographer. My good friend and sidekick Corey will be shooting our wedding. Corey is a professional wedding photographer and 2nd shooter for Fritz Photography. His eye for detail, fun personality, and willingness to think outside the box were just a few of the reasons we love Corey. Much like Todd, we encouraged Corey to relax and enjoy the day.

For a cake, we chose Sweet Marias. My fiance used to work for Maria as a cake decorator and with her extensive experience working along side her, we knew that she’d make a cake for us that was not only beautiful, but absolutely delicious as well. We went to her bakery in Waterbury for a tasting and tried all of the flavors. And there were so many to choose from. We decided on a simple yet flavorful cake. This way, no crumb would go wasted.

Our justice of the peace is Eva-Torres Luciano. Eva is a bilingual JP that is very passionate about her job. She took the time to really get to know us and is creating a custom short ceremony for us that we can’t wait to see!

And now that you’ve met our wedding team, you can see why we chose the people we did. They had all of the qualities we were looking for and they felt that we had similar qualities that they like to work with. Now more than ever before, I am a firm believer of finding people who are a good fit for your special day. They all know that they are working with a peer (which also can cause anxiety) but they also know that we want them to not only work our wedding, but to be a part of it with the creative freedom to really let their talents shine. When you pick your dream team, your event will be everything you want it to be and more.

We invested in what we felt was most important, and as a result, we need or want for nothing. Every single one of our vendors made us feel very comfortable and took the stress out of planning our wedding. They reminded us about meetings, tastings, payments, and more which helped us keep on track and ease a lot of the stress for us during our planning. We are truly grateful that we did things this way and can’t wait for the big day! I learned more about how to make my meetings more fun and helpful to my couples. I learned more about the importance of follow up and being choosier in who I work with to ensure we’re a good fit. And lastly, I learned to relax and let the process happen naturally. We’ve got 5 hours to celebrate. Instead of counting the moments, we’re going to make the moments count!

5 Things You Need to Do NOW If You’re Rescheduling

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With Connecticut Re-opening it’s doors slowly but surely, we’ve seen restaurants, salons, gyms, and other businesses open their doors to a limited capacity. But in the events industry, we’re still waiting for the green light from Hartford to tell us when we can get back to hosting events. With this uncertainty overhead, we’ve been receiving emails nearly daily to re-schedule our events. We understand that you’ve taken so much time to research and create the perfect team for your day. It’s important that your team stays intact for your rescheduled event date. Here’s what we’re doing to help our clients to keep their team intact.

1. Contact your venue and get several date options when re-scheduling. This will help give you the best option for nailing down a date with all of your team.

2. Send a group email to all of your vendors with the dates that are available at your venue of choice so that they can check those dates against their future event schedule.

3. Don’t forget about Sundays and weekdays for your event. Often times, these non-conventional days offer big savings to you and double your chances of getting everything you need for the perfect celebration.

4. Follow up follow up follow up! Keeping lines of communication open with your creative team is essential. Especially now.

5. Once you and your team have chosen your new date, pop on social media and let your guests know about the date change so that they can begin making travel arrangements if needed.

Many couples don’t have the luxury of time when booking their DJ and in most cases do so between 8-12 months out. The pandemic is actually a blessing in disguise because you now have more options than ever to plan the event you’ve always wanted!

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Why are you getting married?

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Why are you getting married? Remember the why of weddings : From the WeddingWire Forums

Ali writes:

I thought I would share this quote with all of you from the book: A Practical Wedding by Meg Keene that I am currently reading, and I needed to hear…

“Weddings are about hope. Weddings are hope for the future, hope for a new generation, and the hope that love and family can win over everything else. Weddings are not more important than life, nor do they stand apart from life, but they represent something bigger than us, something larger than the dress we wear or the flowers we carry. So on the days it seems too hard to go on, too hard to pick out flowers in the face of deep pain, remember the why of weddings. When life leaves us a puddle on the floor, weddings allow us a reason to hope and give us a brief, shining moment in the sun. They allow us to celebrate who we love with the people we love, which is always, always necessary.”

That is one of the most heartfelt testimonials that I have ever heard when it comes to weddings. In reading it a second time, I think it carries a lot of different meanings. If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding or possibly nearing the end, these are great things to keep in mind.

1. Remember why you are celebrating your wedding. A wedding is the union of two people for the rest of their lives. That is a momentous occasion that most certainly requires celebration. How you celebrate is up to you.

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff.  With all of the moving parts that go in to producing a successful wedding celebration from the dress, to the yes, and the ride home from the venue, it’s a lot to conquer. In addition to all of the basics, there is still quite a bit to consider when it comes to making your wedding a unique experience that fits your personality and taste. But how much is too much? Don’t bite off more than you can chew and ask for help when you need it.

3. Make the end result your priority. At the end of the day, YOU’RE MARRIED to your best friend, partner, and soulmate. No matter what you choose for decorations, attire, or accessories, you’re going home with the ultimate prize, your spouse.

A Stress Free Wedding Day – The Importance of a Pretrial

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A Stress Free Wedding Day – The Importance of a Pretrial

As a new bride, there are a lot of details that need to be worked out before you walk down the aisle. When it comes to your look – the dress, the shoes, the jewelry, and the hair and makeup have to be just right. When deciding to get your makeup and hair professionally styled, a pretrial is a must have. Pictures on Pinterest or The Knot might inspire you for a certain look, but trying out these ideas ahead of time will insure you look exactly the way that’s right for you. Can you imagine trying on a wedding dress the day of your wedding without slipping it on ahead of time! Hair and makeup are no different!

Doing a pretrial also lets you live in the look, allowing you to see how long the makeup wears throughout the day. We recommend booking your pretrial on a day that you are going out and if possible dance the night away as you would on your wedding night. When you visit us for your pretrial expect to spend at least an hour with us so we can go over all the details of your big day such as colors, themes and dress style so we can create a perfect look to capture your vision. Once we have applied your make up and styled your hair to your loving we will then have records of all the details. We also go over our arrival time and location to insure all of the details are settled before the big day. If after your make up and hair is done and you decide on a tweak or two, we encourage you to reach out to let us know before the actual day. We want to make sure your day is a stress free as possible! It’s better to make these decisions ahead of time so changes and adjustments can be make with no surprises.

Taking the time to meet your stylists is a great way to talk more about the schedule of your wedding and also to determine the logistics surrounding your bridal party and others that may also be getting services done. A prepared bride is a happy bride!

Booking your pretrial well in advance makes the most sense as the season fills up quickly and popular dates are reserved on a first come basis. On the day of the pretrial, we recommend that you come with your face freshly cleansed, toned and moisturized to make sure the PH balance of your skin is at its best. Please wear something white or as close to the color of your gown as possible. Bring your inspiration pictures and we can go through and see what looks and colors will match up with your features the best. Feel free to bring any swatches as well.

Think of your pretrial as a fun way to pamper yourself and to be confident about wearing your beautiful bridal look. Maybe you can even convince your husband-to-be to join you for your night on the town so he can fall in love all over again with gorgeous you! Call 203-929-6024 or email [email protected] to schedule an appointment! A Touch of Color Make Up Studio, 194 Leavenworth Road, 2nd Floor, Shelton, CT 06484

Wedding Wire Award Winner 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015

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Getting over the fear of choosing the right DJ for your wedding

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Getting Over the Fear of Choosing the Right DJ for YOUR wedding.

 

2016 has been a great year for us at Pryme Tyme Entertainment. Hundreds of couples looking for Connecticut Wedding DJs have come in to meet with us to tell us about their plans for their special day. And in many cases, tell us some wedding horror stories of their own. We love that. With each meeting, every couple is a little different from the next. Each individual couple has their idea of what the perfect wedding would look like. And some, don’t have a clue and are counting on those who are more experienced (parents, friends, co-workers and more) to help them make informed decisions. And in all of the cases, one thing holds true… The one thing that they all remember most about the weddings they have attended was the DJ. Did they dance or not? Did it take too long for the party to get rolling or was the night flawless?

Meeting with so many different couples is really great for us because, it’s as much a learning experience for us as it is for the couple sitting on the other side of the table. When they share their experiences, we take notes to see if there is anything we can do to be better at what we do and improve the client experience for all of the future events that we do. That is so important to us because you, the client, are what keeps us in business.

One of the most common items that we discuss is personality. At nearly every meeting we have with our clients, undoubtedly the question, “What kind of DJ are you?” comes up. That is a great question to ask your DJ when you’re sitting down with them. What we do is highly personality based. If you’ve been to a wedding and the DJ and guests didn’t click, that’s a sure fire sign that the wedding DJ isn’t paying attention to the room and is pre-occupied with their own agenda. Or quite possibly, they took on a wedding that they weren’t comfortable with just to book it. All of which is a very risky proposition for not only the couple but the DJ as well. If he doesn’t perform and knock the socks off of his clients, it’s a memorable reflection on him. And vice versa.

So when you’re at your meeting with your DJ, pay attention to the body language. If they seem nervous, over talkative, or seem to be trying to flood your mind with equipment specs, chances are, they aren’t the right DJ for the. job. You tell them what your goals are and they tell you whether or not they are qualified for the task at hand.

Another thing that many of the clients that we meet with comment and compliment us on is our attention to detail and responsive communication. And as your mother always told you about marriage, communication is the key to any successful relationship. That’s what this is. The relationship between you, the couple, and your wedding dj. After reading a few entries in the WeddingWire forums, I saw a few that talked about the lack of communication that some couples were facing with their wedding djs. This is especially distressing for the couple who has invested so much time, effort, and money into their wedding day. When there’s money on the line and the phone stops ringing or the emails stop coming, it’s cause for concern.

And let’s face it, in this day and age, everyone is connected 24/7 and also very busy for one reason or another. So allowing 24/48 hours for a response isn’t unacceptable. But if you send your DJ an email a month before the wedding to set up a final meeting to go over all of the details and they don’t respond for a week, try again. Email them, call them, whatever it takes. And don’t worry about being “That Bride”. We have a standard here at Pryme Tyme Entertainment. “Treat the client like they were your ONLY client.” It is an honor to be considered to help you celebrate one of the most momentous occasions in your life, the least we can do is return your calls.

Money can also be an intimidating factor when planning a wedding. Yes indeed, things cost money and weddings are no different. But like anything else, you get what you pay for. A wedding DJ has many responsibilities that far surpass hitting play on an itunes playlist and walking away. They guide the flow of your day and are the keeper of the keys when it comes to your wedding timeline. Choosing the right wedding DJ for your wedding is the difference between a fancy dinner with background music (which you can get at your neighborhood italian restaurant) and a lifelong memory of the happiest day of your life with an amazing celebration. With all of that responsibility and one shot to get it right, that comes with a price.

Now we understand that everyone has a budget that they have to fit into but, this is where prioritizing comes into play. Ask yourself the question of what is more important to you? If you want to dance all night and have a seamless wedding, the DJ is definitely something to splurge on. But if it’s not that important, there are many low budget options available. The best piece of advice I could give you would be to plan on between $1000-$3000 for your wedding DJ in Connecticut. This is the market standard for professional wedding djs in ct. This will allow you to cherry pick who you want from the top of the pile (much like your dress) and you won’t have to settle for anything less than what you want for your wedding. Many DJs offer flexible payment options to help you book their services.

Follow these tips and get over the fear of choosing the right DJ for your wedding.

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5 Wedding Time savers to get you to the dance floor.

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Weddings are a cause for celebration and there’s no better way to celebrate than to let loose on the dance floor. And along with the dancing, there are many ceremonious events from parents dances and bouquet tosses that often occur during the course of a reception. One of the unfortunate things we hear from time to time are stories from couples who have recently attended a wedding and spoke of how long they were waiting to get to the dance floor. A lot of that can be attributed  to the amount of events that take place during a reception and trying to jam as much into 5 hours as possible. So what are some great wedding time savers to help you maximize your time?

This is where a good master of ceremonies really shines. Your master of ceremonies is the keeper of the keys to keep things moving and on schedule. They are the voice of the celebration to help you and your guests get the most out of your special day. But in addition to hiring a professional wedding entertainer, there are a few things that you can do to save some time during your celebration.

HERE ARE 5 WEDDING TIME SAVERS TO GET YOU TO THE DANCE FLOOR
1. BE ON TIME

This is a big one. We’ve all heard of the wedding that runs late. Things happen from time to time. Maybe makeup and hair took a little longer than it should or a bridesmaid had to use the restroom just moments before the processional at the ceremony. It happens. But being prepared is key to the success of any event especially when it comes to weddings. Arrive to the ceremony location or venue at least an hour early to ensure that you and those who are a part of the ceremony are present and accounted for and start the ceremony right when it’s supposed to happen. Every minute counts and lost time adds up and ultimately delays the festivities.

2. GET YOUR PHOTOS DONE BEFORE COCKTAIL HOUR

If you get your formal photos done prior to cocktail hour or at the very least, the majority of them, this will allow you and your bridal party to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests as well. It also gives your photographer more time to get you the shots you are looking for and there is less pressure to get to the venue. If you go over a little bit, no worries, at least you’ll be on time for your introductions and your dinner will be ready when you arrive.

3. HIRE PROFESSIONAL TRANSPORTATION

This is one of the best investments you can make with  time saving in mind. A limo or transportation company is in the business of travel and know the roads better than most because driving is what they do. They know where the venues are and shortcuts to get you there faster. Not to mention, you can sit back and relax with a glass of bubbly while your chauffer handles the cross town traffic and gets you to the reception on time.

4. KEEP IT SIMPLE

Pinterest is great for inspiration in weddings. But be careful not to load up your 5 hour celebration with too many trends. The more you try to jam into your celebration, it may complicate things to the point of taking time away from you and your guests enjoying time on the dance floor. Timing is everything so be sure to keep your wedding dj, venue, and photographer abreast of any details you would like to put into your special day.

5. USE VENDOR REFERRALS

A wedding team that works well together is a sure fire way to get the most out of your wedding. When the venue, photographer, and DJ are familiar with each other, they work like a swiss watch and can work around any unforseen circumstances that may arise. We’re all here to help you enjoy your special day.

 

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Wedding music for the non-conformist

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Wedding music for the non-conformist couple.

Manly beards, craft beer, and daisies. Enter the hipster.

2015 was the year of the hipster. It was a non-conformists paradise. And with that came the rise in wedding music that was anything but typical. From childhood superhero theme songs like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” to “Gold on the Ceiling” by the Black Keys, no stone was unturned and all bets were off.

Many wedding djs found themselves in a challenging position because we tend to play it safe with what wedding music we know works. But this past year, I loved the challenge. It really forces you think outside the box and really LISTEN to the music to find a place for it.

What we found was a treasure trove of ideas that really focused on a concert like experience rather than the chicken dance, electric slide, and YMCA which just proves… you don’t always need a knock down drag out dance party for the wedding to be successful. Maybe you really enjoy sing alongs and power ballads. Some of the most memorable music makes a cameo on a goof in a movie.

Here’s some non-conformist wedding music that we played this year. There are no rules to have a good time. Just let your wedding music move you.

Black Keys – Gold on the Ceiling

Foreigner – Juke Box Hero

Ben Folds – I am the Luckiest

Reel Big Fish – Beer

The Who – Teenage Wasteland

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

Dropkick Murphys – Shipping up to Boston

Hozier – Like Real People Do

Rose Ave. – You and Me

Tim McNorris – Overwhelmed

Annie Lenox – Walking on Broken Glass

Harry Belafonte – Banana Boat Song

St. Motel – My Type

 

 

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Getting the most out of your wedding dj

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Getting the most out of your wedding dj – get on the floor when ever you can.

It’s no secret. Weddings can be an expensive endeavor. Most wedding receptions last 5 hours and when you’re trying to jam in cocktail hour, a formal dinner service for 180 of your closest family and friends, dance with your father, your groom dance with his mother, toss a bouquet, do a couple toasts, have a blessing before dinner etc… the time flashes by quicker than you might think. Your wedding dj is the keeper of the keys when it comes to your wedding timeline. They will guide you and your guests through the events of the day ensuring that everything is set to plan with the coordination efforts of your wedding team. But there are times where things take a little longer than expected or maybe dad is in the restroom right when it’s time for the father/daughter dance. It happens. But fear not, you can still get the most out of your wedding dj.

When you think of wedding djs, the mind thinks first of the dance floor. The goal of most couples is to get to the dance floor as soon as possible and have the maximum amount of dancing time to enjoy with their guests. Depending on the meals you choose, and the formalities that you add to your timeline, each thing plays a role and takes a certain amount of time which in some cases can take away from open dancing. So how do you get the energy up and keep it going to have a fun and memorable wedding reception and get the most out of your wedding dj?

There is no right or wrong time to dance. If you’ve ever heard your favorite song come on and it just compelled you to dance or at the very least, tap your foot to the rhythm, you know this is true. A great opportunity for dancing is the bridal party introductions. Your wedding dj will introduce your bridal party and then your grand entrance followed by your first dance. Now this is when the magic happens. Either towards the end of your first dance or shortly after, have your wedding dj invite everyone to the floor to join you and kick off the night with a high energy song to get everyone in the mood and set the tone for the rest of the reception.

Although it’s not customary to do this, it’s a great way to keep your guests wanting more. If you’ve been snacking on finger food for an hour, followed by a 4 course meal that could feed a small army paired with some spirits and wine, that’s a recipe for a food coma. But if you get them all on the floor from the start, it’ll get their blood pumping and get them excited for what is to come. Another great way to get more out of your day is to dance in between courses. Your dj might instruct everyone to stand up and push in their chairs and then head to the dancefloor for another short and powerful set. This does 2 things. It offers more dancing time but also is a great way to help the waitstaff clear tables in between courses without having to reach around guests and efficiently serve the next course.

Following this, once the newlyweds are done with their meal (because they will be the first to be served), this is a great opportunity for the cake cutting. By doing the cake cutting before parents dances, this allows the catering staff to cut and plate your cake to be served while your parents dances are happening and give your guests another focal point so that they won’t be waiting for the next event to take place. The goal is to always keep them moving. After that, it’s time to toss that bouquet, maybe do an anniversary dance to get your married couples out on the floor and then in to open dance until the end of your night.

Surprise wedding expenses

9 wedding expenses you didn’t see coming.

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9 wedding expenses you didn’t see coming.

Since August 12th 2006, I have been happily married to my best friend. I’ve also been a wedding DJ for more than half my life and have seen a lot of couples go through the wedding planning process. The funny thing is, even with all of that acquired knowledge from other couples, I still ended up not knowing everything I needed to know when it came time to plan my own wedding. There are a lot of things to think about when planning a wedding budget. There’s the obvious things like your venue, photographer, DJ, etc… But even with a lot of DIY weddings (like mine was), there’s still a lot that goes unnoticed until it happens.

1. Transportation to and from the wedding.

While most would say, “Just hire a limo and you’re good” that comes with a price. In many cases, couples may indulge in some adult beverages and cannot drive themselves home or to the hotel before the honeymoon. So having a reliable transportation resource is always a good idea. Even if you don’t pull out all of the stops and get a stretch party bus complete with full bar and club lighting, a ride in the back of a comfortable large SUV with room for your gifts and bags is always a nice thing to have at the end of your wedding.

2. Lodging

While we’re on the topic of post wedding expenses, don’t forget to have a roof over your head. When you’re a couple who is headed  to a honeymoon the day after the wedding, you won’t want to go very far to get to the airport or bus terminal.  Be sure to research hotels in advance to make sure that they are convenient to travel from. In some cases, hotels may even offer a shuttle to and from the airport if they are close by.

3. The Rehearsal Dinner

You’ve taken great measures to ensure that everything about your wedding is as perfect as your soon to be spouse. After you’ve gone through the motions of rehearsing your ceremony a couple times to tie up any loose ends, you’re going to have a lot on your mind and probably won’t want to entertain a house full of wedding guests at your house so, consider a rehearsal dinner following your dress rehearsal. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy but, if you have the ability to hit up a restaurant that can comfortably accommodate your bridal party and family, it’s definitely worth it.

4. Thank you Cards

As of late, many couples are opting to make their own thank you cards. If you head to your local retailer and pick up cards, you will find yourself writing until your hands fall off trying to personalize every card that you send out. Of course you want to thank all of your guests for attending your wedding and for any generous gifts they may have given but, if you’ve got 150 couples coming to your wedding, that’s a whole lot of writing and a whole lot of time. Consider a mailing service like Vistaprint.com or sendoutcards.com for your thank you cards. You can customize a card that fits you and enter in a database of addresses and they will print, stamp, and mail them for you. It’s a small price to pay for the hours you could spend writing them all out yourself.

5. The emergency kit

Think emergency kits are just for expectant mothers? Think again. On your wedding day, you’re going to be living in the moment and may need a few things. Things like bottled water, gum, protein bars, first aid, makeup, shoe polish, feminine products, pens, cell phone chargers and any other thing you might need in a pinch is a good thing to have on hand. Head over to your local Target store and hit up the travel sized toiletries aisle.

6. Gratuities

Although gratuities are never expected, they are always appreciated. So if your wedding team exceeds your expectations and you’re feeling generous, set aside a few dollars as a thank you to your vendors. Tips don’t always have to be money. They can be Dunkin Donuts cards, Movie tickets, or anything you would want to thank your vendors with.

7. Your Marriage License

Yes, this is a big one. With all of the finite details that you’ve painstakingly planned, you want to actually be married at the end of the day. Check with your local state and town government to see if things like blood tests, and any ancillary fees there may be for obtaining a marriage license. Your officiant might be able to shed some light on this as they have to sign the marriage certificate.

8. Don’t forget the dancefloor

If you’re planning an outdoor or backyard wedding, you will want to shelter your guests. But you also need a place for your guests to dance. Outdoor weddings are subject to changing weather and dancing in a pile of mud is just no fun (unless you’re in to that type of thing) Be sure to ask your events rental company about dancefloors and what you will need to provide a clean, stable, and safe surface for dancing.

9. Your rent or mortgage

You’re probably thinking, “Of course I’m going to pay my rent/mortgage!” With all of the added expenses of a wedding, some times this gets overlooked. Especially if you’re going on a honeymoon. Before you leave for your honeymoon, be sure to go through your monthly living expenses and where possible, have your bank do an auto-deduction to make sure that you don’t get charged late fees while you’re away.

 

 

The Backyard Wedding – Is it really less work?

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Backyard weddings. Once thought of as cheap and tacky, these weddings have been the butt of many jokes. But as of late, more and more couples are embracing the ‘Country’ atmosphere. While many wedding venues offer 5 star service, breathtaking architecture, prime rib, chicken picatta, and filet of sole, backyard weddings serve up something different from the norm. A relaxed atmosphere.

So what kind of couple does a backyard wedding? Every couple! From the wealthiest couples to the bluest of blue collar, backyard weddings have one thing in common. Family. If you love the atmosphere of a close encounter with your closest family and friends, this is a great option for you. But it’s more than just slapping up a $50 canopy from Wal-Mart, plugging in an iPod, and your drunk Uncle John burning meat on a grill.

There are a TON of things to think about before your backyard wedding.

1. The Weather. Mother nature does what mother nature wants. If you’re planning your wedding in July, expect a few surprises. High humidity and thunderstorms are very common during the mid-summer months. This is where solid shelter can make all the difference. If you’re going to rent a tent, spare no expense. A proper events rental company will have everything you need to make sure that your guests stay dry and comfortable.

2. Dinner on the rocks. Backyard weddings are typically a little more casual than weddings held at a wedding venue. But don’t forget tables & chairs! These rentals could get costly depending on how many guests you invite.

3. You’ve got the POWER. Hiring a DJ, or wedding band? They need LOTS of power. Be sure to have plenty of dedicated and easily accessible power readily available for your entertainment. If you’re having your wedding catered on site, they will need power as well because they are bringing a mobile version of their commercial kitchen with them.

4. Not so fine china. Disposable flatware has come a long way. You can purchase strong disposable flatware from your event rental or party vendor that will give you just the right amount of class while making clean up a snap!

5. Get TRASHED. Make sure you have enough trash receptacles for the amount of guests you are inviting. Put them in obvious places such as the bar and around the tent to make sure that your property stays looking clean and tidy.

6. Find your inner green thumb. With all of the effort you’re putting in to shelter, seating, food, drink, and entertainment, don’t forget about your wedding photographer. Having some nice flowers and landscaping to use for your photos is a must.

7. Restrooms. Homes are typically built for families of 5 and under. Make sure your home can take the extra people. If you’re not sure, renting portable toilets might be your best option.

8. Bugs really bite during a wedding. If you live in a highly rural area, you might consider treating your property with a bug repellant. Head to your local home improvement store and ask what will work best for your needs.

All in all, you get what you put into it. A backyard wedding is a lot of work but, if you do it right, it can be AMAZING!


The backyard wedding of Ali & Aaron