Remember back to the best meals you've ever had. Maybe it was a Filet Mignon

in Paris, or the Fettuccini with your fiancé on your first date or even a hot

dog and a beer with your best friends at Wrigley Field. What made them so

special? Was it the main course, the spices, the side dishes, the setting, or

perhaps the people with whom you shared the meal? Likely it was the combination

of all these factors.

Now think back to the best weddings you've ever attended. What made them

special? Maybe it was the couple, the food, the venue, the flowers, the guests

or the music. Just like your favorite meal, it's a number of important factors.

As a bandleader and a bass player, I have performed for hundreds of weddings.

They have ranged from 50 to 300 guests, from the most casual to the most formal.

The couples have been Italian, Jewish, Polish, and Korean among many other

ethnicities. Great wedding can take many forms.

In my experience, there are a few factors which I've found to be consistent

in all memorable weddings.

1. Hire the Best: Select the finest wedding professionals you can afford.

   Their expertise will give you the best results and save you lots of worry

   and, in the long run, money. This is a once in a lifetime experience. Do you

   want to trust it to a discount photographer or bandleader and hope for the

   best? A true professional's experience will help to solve problems before

   you become aware of them. Your willingness to trust them and work with them

   in a friendly, respectful way will make them want to give 110 % effort for

   your wedding. Trust who you hire; hire who you trust.
   

    

2. Leadership: For your wedding to run smoothly there needs to be one

   leader that you, your guests, and vendors can count on for direction.

   Ideally it would be your bandleader or a designated Emcee.
   

    

3. Teamwork: In addition to strong leadership, it's important to have

   vendors that are easy to work with. There's no room for ego maniacs for your

   wedding. Regardless of all their achievements, they should treat you as

   their most important client, not just a contract number.
   

    

4. Preparation: The more prepared you are, the more you can enjoy your

   event. Supply the Emcee with names and pronunciations of your bridal party,

   and the people giving toasts and blessing. Give this info well ahead of your

   wedding.
   

    

5. All About You: The style of your wedding should reflect you and your

   fiancé's personality and style. Your wedding should include only the people

   and things that you love. Don't be swayed by what you saw in some stylish

   magazine or what Martha Stewart says you must have at your wedding. Select

   your favorite colors, foods, music, etc. It's your wedding. All your guests

   should feel that the wedding reflects you.

Once cocktails, dinner and toasts are finished the most important part of

your wedding is the quality of the music.

Music: Work with the bandleader to select the ideal music for your

event. Tell him your favorite styles, artists and songs. Think about who is

attending. Is there someone celebrating a special anniversary or birthday? Do

you have a special song for your college friends or a dedication for your

grandparents?

How to choose your music: Select songs that are the most danceable,

not necessarily the songs you like to listen to. There is a difference. Your

bandleader will have a great deal of experience in knowing what works and what

doesn't. If you or your fiancé are of a particular ethnicity, tell the

bandleader so he can be prepared. The goal of your dancing should be to include

as many guests as possible. The more you can make them feel included, the more

likely they are to dance.

First Dance: If possible, select a song that has a special meaning to

both of you. Unless you have taken dance lessons or are experienced dancers, I

would suggest selecting a ballad. They are the easiest to dance to and are the

most romantic.

Father/Daughter Dance: Obviously, stay away from romantic repertoire.

Sentimental songs such as Someone to Watch Over me, Way you look tonight etc...

This song is typically shorter than the first dance.

Mother/Son Dance: The same rules apply as above. Another option is to

have this dance as part of the Father/Daughter dance. About ½ way through the

father/daughter dance song the bandleader invites up the groom and his mother to

join them.

Bridal Party Dance: This should be a fun, upbeat song to get the party

going.

Additional Tips:

1. Approach your day with a positive, enthusiastic attitude. Expect a

   wonderful evening. If you've done your homework, you will. Let the little

   stuff go.
   

    

2. Do not have any other areas open for your guests to wander off to. It

   will greatly reduce the number of people on your dance floor.
   

    

3. I wouldn't recommend a receiving line. It will dramatically slow down

   the beginning of your dinner hour. You be easily able to greet your guests

   throughout the evening.
   

    

4. Be sure to dance, it will encourage others to enjoy celebrating with

   you.

Remember the Keys to a Memorable Wedding Reception:

• Hire the Best Vendors
  

   

• Leadership at your Wedding
  

   

• Teamwork between your vendors
  

   

• Preparation of all Announcements and Introductions
  

   

• Your Positive Attitude

Get Ready to have the time of your life!