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Here are 10 useful tips that you may wish to consider for your wedding reception.
These are not things that you must do at all costs, but are taken from the experience that I have gained from
performing at over 1,000 weddings.
10 Tips For Your Wedding Reception
1. Try to have the majority of your family photographs taken before the reception commences.
Although not directly concerned with the party itself, the reason for doing this is that even if you use the time allocated
for Pre-Dinner Drinks, it will definitely make the reception less stressful and allow you and the bridal party more time to
enjoy yourself.
Please remember that you and your bridal party are the catalyst for the party and therefore everyone will usually follow your
actions - if you are out on the dancefloor enjoying yourself, then they are more likely to be with you as well.
Simply arrange this with your photographer beforehand as it will also allow them time to recover before being
on their feet all day. Remember they will still be required to take pictures of the Speeches, Bridal Waltz, Cake Cutting,
Bouquet, Garter and Final Farewells, so allowing them time to take a well earned rest will provide you with better results
later on.
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2. Do not let the reception venue place any tables between the dancefloor and the entertainment.
This is something that occurs far too often and can really ruin your evening, because this prevents important interaction
between the dancers and the entertainer.
In addition, those guests who are seated between the entertainment and the dancefloor are likely to be subjected to loud music
once the party gets underway and may encourage them to leave your reception earlier than you would wish.
You'd think it was common sense not to seat guests between the dancefloor and the entertainer, but many caterers are more
concerned with squeezing in as many people as possible, at whatever price per head you are paying, than they are about the
comfort of your guests - so it is important to be aware of this fact when planning your table layout.
The ideal place for a disc jockey, string quartet or group is adjacent to the dancefloor. It will also make
it the centre focal point later - especially when it's time for the bridal waltz.
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3. It is understandable that for many people it is important to cut corners wherever possible, but please be careful about
hiring a DJ based on price.
It's very easy to be called a DJ.
If you think about it logically, all one needs to do is: buy some fancy looking equipment from the Quokka or local newspaper,
throw an assortment of CDs into a box or, as increasingly happens these days, illegally download the music from the internet,
place an advertisement in a local paper and just like magic, you're a DJ.
The difference between a professional disc jockey and a beginner may be only a few hundred dollars but you'd be surprised
how many there are with little or no experience working in the Metro area, and by booking a bad one it could easily ruin the
biggest day of your life!
You should meet with your disc jockey at least once; know how to contact
him or her at short notice and remember that you are the customer - therefore what you want really matters, and so it should.
A good entertainer will not only assist you in making the right choices but can explain why things will not work. For instance,
the bridal waltz selection is crucial to getting the evening under way after the formalities and experience is essential to
planning a successful transition.
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4. Never hire a Disc Jockey company or agency without knowing which DJ will be performing at your wedding.
This is such an important fact as the reputation of the agency may be based on the skills of other entertainers and not the
one actually overseeing your big day.
Make sure that you speak with him or her before you make a final decision on booking them as many of the larger agencies won't
tell you whom you'll get until about a week or so before your big day. It is important to know your disc jockey and for the
disc jockey to understand your needs, expectations and more importantly, what you DO NOT want played.
An experienced disc jockey will be happy to talk to you at any time to ensure that they get things right,
as the last thing that your guests will remember of your wedding day is the party - and of course, how good or bad the entertainment
was.
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5. Get involved with the music.
This is such an important topic that it is something I recommend that you always do.
Unless you have used a particular Disc Jockey before, it is always advisable to work closely with the DJ to ensure that you
have the night you have always dreamed of.
Provide a list of between 20-30 songs or artists that you would like to be played during the reception as a guideline from
which the DJ can entertain your guests. Some agencies forward you a list of a few thousand tunes so that their disc jockey
can play from your list, but from experience a big list makes it more difficult to make the evening go with a flow. Bear in
mind that in general, it is only possible to squeeze approximately 15 songs into one hour - so that should give you an idea
of how many songs can be played in your reception or party.
Make sure that the Disc Jockey is aware of any ethnic or cultural music that might be required during the
night, and that if you are selecting tracks to introduce the speakers, then you must allow time for the DJ to both obtain
them, and compile a rigid, non changeable list for him/her, containing the order in which the speakers will rise to the podium,
as it can take between 30-60 seconds to remove and re-cue another song.
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6. If you decide to have your wedding video-taped, be aware that some companies use very bright lights.
Many Video photographers use bright Halogen lights to maximize the quality of the video recording. However, these bright lights
also have a tendency to kill the energy on the dance floor - so you will need to consider what you require from each member
of the team providing you with that magical day.
It might be advisable to ask the video crew to limit the use of these lights during the dancing or to use low lights (normally
attached to the cameras), and then acknowledge that you're aware that it won't look exactly like a television show on the
finished DVD - and of course that this is acceptable to you.
Most couples would rather have a full-on party after a long stressful day, capturing the proceedings as well
as possible on tape, than have everyone squinting or covering their eyes from the harsh lighting - but remember, everyone
is there for your benefit, so don't get forced into something you do not want.
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7. Do you want games and are they suitable for your guests?
It is fair to say that I have lost count of the number of times when the games have offended members of the families, because
many couples don't realise that there are many generational and cultural differences between themselves, their friends and
family members.
Games at a reception can be great fun for everybody, but something that worked well at the bucks' or hens' party may not go
well for the grandparents or family friends attending your big day.
Plan well and talk things over with the entertainer and your parents. Remember, it can be great fun throwing
your 10 year old cousin into a game on the night, but what would you and your guests think if he was the one taking off your
garter after winning your game - trust me, it has happened, and the end result caused an argument.
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8. Do you want the Disc Jockey to act as your M/C?
Although it is more beneficial to have somebody who knows you well to act as M.C., an experienced Disc Jockey can take the
role of Master of Ceremonies very easily by talking to guests as they arrive and then being a friendly ambassador with the
audience after he/she had bonded with them.
Remember, you are possibly the only people in the room who will know everyone attending your big day, so many
will be unaware that the entertainer isnt a friend of the family.
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9. Always ensure that you have a defined running order of events.
Now this might seem overly rigid, but it is possibly the most important fact to ensure that you have that magical day, simply
because everybody who is working towards making it so memorable will know where and when to be, at a given time and place.
You may have separate sheets for the ceremony, reception, catering, filming and transport, but they are the glue that binds
your day together and although times WILL change during the day, it will give you guide points from which to break
the day down.
The team of Caterers, Venue, Photographers, Cameramen and Entertainers will then liaise with each other to
ensure everything goes smoothly.
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10. Remember whose day it is!
I have seen so many happy occasions ruined because family members want something different to you - so by all means listen
and take advice from them - but do it the way that you would like it to be within the budget that you have. It is amazing
that you can create a magical day on less than you think, as the only person you really need there is the one standing next
to you at the altar.
All those working for you are there to see you happy, and a good Disc Jockey will work hard to ensure that you are both floating
on cloud nine as you head out of the venue on your way to a wonderful life together.
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