5 Things Brides Consider When Choosing Vendors & It's Not Price

Why choose a professional disc jockey ?

The question should be "What doesn't a professional disc jockey do"?  The biggest thing is to make a perspective client see and understand the difference between a $250 disc jockey and a $999 disc jockey.  The $250 disc jockey will just show up at the contracted event and play music.  He's just there.  He doesn't do much else other than play music to his liking.  The $999 disc jockey takes the time to meet with the client, go over their musical likes and dislikes.  He will go over the time line for what and when things are happening at the contracted event.  He will coordinate with the planner and photographer and, if there is one, the vidoeographer.  If there isn't a planner, this disc jockey can even stand in as the event planner. 

The professional disc jockey will act as the master of ceremonies and emcee for your event. 

Whatever the client wants him to announce, he will make those announcements in a very professional yet fun way.  He will not continue talking just to hear himself talk.  After all, it's not about the DJ, it's about the guests of honor, the Bride and Groom.

One of the hardest things a professional disc jockey has to do is try to convince his clients that some of the music they have requested may be a little inappropriate and that particular songs probably won't do their dance floor any good.  Convince them in a way they are in total agreement instead of coming out and telling the client "No, I'm not going to play that song!".

Some of the things a professional disc jockey will take with him to an event will be a good portion of the music he owns.  That way whatever is requested will more than likely be covered. This professional DJ will not use iPod generated music.  He has complete control over what music is being played.  The music will be unobjectionable.  Your grandparents, your granfchildren and even your pastor, priest or rabbi would be able to sit through the music without being embarrassed.

Another thing the DJ takes with him will be a copy of the timeline and the names of all the people to be introduced.  These names should be written for him to be able to read and not "flub" the pronounciation of the name. 

There have been times that the DJ is asked "Do you provide a dance floor?"  A professional DJ will have in his list of contacts a referral for a good, reputable party equipment rental company who provides such things.

All in all a professional disc jockey will have all the tools and resources to insure a great, rocking party that will be remembered for years to come.

By Lydia Hatter, Indiana Bride Magazine

Choosing your Bridesmaids may be one of the most important steps in the first stages of your wedding planning. Being able to choose your best girl friends to stand by you at the alter is quite an honor, after all, you chose these women above all others for support on one of the most important days of your life. The bridesmaids are there throughout some of the hectic preparations and planning, leading a role as errand runners, head guest counters, and even supporters as the in-laws come in town. But sometimes, with all the pressure to be the perfect support system, your friends may breakdown with all the weight on their shoulders. Even though, you hope that each one will get through the experience as smoothly as possible, you must be prepared to manage a backlash from unhappy Bridesmaids that are battling with other bridesmaids, or unhappy with the upcoming aspects of the wedding process or plan on hanging out with the boys:)!

Budget Freaking Bridesmaids:

First of all, you must be considerate of their situation. Yes, you are planning your dream wedding, may of set an over the top budget, and are making all the pricing decisions, but you are not in control of their bank account. Instead of choosing an outrageously priced gown for your Bridesmaids, choose something with a smaller price ticket if finances are an issue. You must remember that your bridesmaids will only be wearing this gown for a few short hours, although they will be in pictures but the focus is on the bride, not what the bridesmaids are wearing. If your girls are worried they will be forking over every spare dollar they have toward a pair of heels, a dress, accessories, and hair and make-up for your big day- then have your gift to them take off part of the load and buy the shoes or pay for the up-do as your token of appreciation.

Hate the Dress Bridesmaids:

You’ve run all around town trying to find the perfect bridesmaids gowns just to find that those best girls of yours aren’t so fond of your final choice. If it’s at all possible, take all of the Bridesmaids out together to a local boutique. Tell them that you will be in charge of the color, but with a style that you approve of, they will be allowed to choose a top to fit with a pre-selected bottom gown. Many retailers offer a selection of gowns choices that can be mismatched and swapped for different styles to match each body type. If “Bridesmaid A” feels more comfortable in a halter-top, and “Bridesmaid B” wants a strapless, let the girls choose what will boost their self-esteem the most. Work together with each of them to let them know how important is that they are happy at the end result.

Envious Bridesmaids:

We watched the battle unfold on the hit movie “Bridesmaids” as the maid of honor and another Bridesmaid competed for the approval of the bride-to-be.  If your bridesmaids are feuding, be sure to address the issue at hand. It might be the case that both friends are coming to terms that their best friend is moving on into the next phase of her life and could possibly be leaving her friends behind. Schedule some fun “non-wedding central” time out with the girls for a little “R & R” and female bonding.

Slacking Bridesmaids:

Taking on the role of a Bridesmaid is an honor. With this role, your Bridesmaids must know the expectations upfront of what they are entitled and willing to do. Aside from the financial obligations, they should be there for emotional support, encouragement and the willingness to be there for you through a roller coaster ride of wedding tasks to be completed. If one of your Bridesmaids is not doing her part, the first thing you must do is communicate your needs with them. It’s important to be honest, but don’t attack you friend with a list of duties to complete. No one wants a bridezilla to come out! Sit your Bridesmaid down and help her organize and manage those Bridesmaids duties she is having trouble with, or delegate that Maid of Honor to help make it all smooth sailing.

Remember right after that Diamond, Bridesmaids really are girl’s best friends!

Courtesy of Alex Perry, Indiana Bride Magazine

When I proposed to my wife, I have to admit I did not think I was prepared for the planning a wedding hurricane that followed.  You may be asking yourself, hurricane? Yes, I like to joke that on the day of our engagement, I created Hurricane Danielle.

Thinking back, I was probably naïve and thought that planning a wedding would be relatively simple and consist of  just calling a few places, renting tuxes, and getting to the church on the wedding day.  I quickly learned though that I drastically underestimated the amount of work that planning a wedding required.  I never realized how much thought could possibly go into choosing napkin colors, designing invitations, or finding the perfect knife to cut the wedding cake.  However, if your significant other is anything like my wife, these are details that are very important and cannot be overlooked.

Most women, my wife included, have likely turned to their imagination since they were little girls to orchestrate their perfect wedding day.  They have fantasized about the “big day” and in their minds have a crystal clear picture of what their wedding will look like. Little did I know, my own wedding was probably planned well before I ever even met my wife, I was simply the last piece needed to make her wedding dreams come true.

Throughout the wedding planning process, I was repeatedly reminded that “every small detail adds up.”   This common phrase was something that I did not fully appreciate until the wedding day.  Although I did not understand the chaos of planning a wedding in the months leading up to the wedding, the minute I walked into our reception everything made sense.  Every detail, as little as I thought some were, all came together perfectly and created the absolute perfect wedding day.  I give my wife a hard time about how irrational she may have been at times during the wedding planning process, but she knew EXACTLY what she wanted our wedding to be and she put in an unbelievable amount of work to make her vision come true.  Her determination and focus created a day we and our guests will never forget.

One specific detail in the wedding planning that will always stand out in my mind was our first dance.  We both were not big fans of the usual boring first dance idea, so she suggested that we take dance lessons.  At first, not being a big dancer, I was hesitant to agree.  However, she had a vision of what a choreographed dance could add to our wedding day and she was persistent in recruiting me to the idea.  I eventually caved and went along with the dance lessons and I have to admit it was one of the best decisions I have made.  We performed our dance when we were first introduced at the reception and it was a major success.  It was very fun, classy, and played a major role in creating a great atmosphere for our reception.  And the best part of it all was that we actually kept the idea a secret from everyone, which allowed it to be a complete surprise for all of our guests, making it that much more exciting.

With that said, my advice to future grooms in planning a wedding would be to respect her vision, have input and be supportive, but for the most part let her go with her ideas and trust that it will all come together perfectly!