Top Ten Wedding Tips. 

As a performer and DJ, I do about 25 - 30 wedding a year (most in the summer months). To insure that your special day goes off without a hitch, here are my top 10 wedding tips.

1. Have a concise schedule for the church and the reception. Make sure everyone is aware of what they are asked to do. From the speech makers to who is cleaning up the hall after the reception. No detail is too small. However spread the work. Ask relatives for assistance and make sure that someone writes up a schedule of what is to happen (a) at the ceremony and (b) at the reception.

2. Food for the guests, Make sure that whoever is catering or in charge of the food is prepared to serve or have the meal ready at the specified time. I have seen too many starving guests generally upset because the wedding was at three and they still haven't eaten by 8 or 9. If your going to have an afternoon wedding, then prepare for an early supper and be aware that your guests will arrive at the reception early and probably hungry.

3. Decorations should be done the night before but be wary of helium balloons that have a tendency to leak. Hiring a good, qualified decorating company can make the job easier and really appeal to your guests.

4. The reception hall should be booked well in advance and everything should be asked about including clean up afterwards and most of all; air-conditioning. I've seen weddings ruined because the hall didn't have air-conditioning in the hot summer months and dollars to donuts says you'll book your wedding during a heat wave. Be prepared and ask them to turn it on hours before the reception. Don't book a hall that doesn't have air-conditioning.

5. Children at the wedding are unavoidable at times, but this is your special day. You decide whether to have them there at the reception or set a time limit when they must leave. Unattended children will run everywhere disrupting your guests and picking at the decorations. Have an area set aside for them, families come from great distances to be at your wedding with their kids, however this does not allow them to interrupt the flow of your wedding. When I do weddings, I always bring balloons and some magic to entertain the kids and I enjoy this. But when the music starts, sometimes unattended children can really cause havoc on the dance floor. Be aware of this fact and mention in your invitations a time limit for kids. Of course these are merely suggestions and you may say "heck we want them there all night".

6. Gift tables are set up at the back of the hall out of sight sometimes which is not only confusing for the guests but unfortunately have been subject to pilferage. Hard to believe that someone you would invite to your wedding would steal from you, but it does happen. Again be aware. Set the table close to the head table or next to the DJ and ask him or here to keep an eye on it for you. Most of the time they are at their table and they stay the whole evening.

7. People are embarrassed to speak in front of others. That is human nature. If you pick an MC then go over all details with him about the schedule of the evening. Who will toast? Stories? Make sure that the toast makers write down what they will say. It's the only way to ensure that you evening goes smoothly. A good MC keeps things going on an even keel and makes your guests feel at home.

8. Have written contracts for all the work that is done for your wedding. This is for the professional people and protects you and your evening. What time does the DJ start and finish? What kind of music? Does the caterer provide everything that you will need? Will the decorations be set up the night before? Will the cake be delivered at the right time?

9. Bands or DJs are an important part of the evening. Make sure that whoever you hire is punctual and professional. Again have a contract and specify everything including music for the first dance, background music, the types of music you want to hear and whether they take requests or play a select set. Can they lower the sound if asked? A wide variety of ages at a wedding means you should have a wide variety of music to please everyone. With a DJ you can usually ask beforehand to play certain songs. Always ask in advance.

10. Finally assign someone to pay all the rentals, caterers, entertainment. And keep a record of your expenditures. Shop around for prices and make sure you check references. Experience is a necessity when it comes to weddings.

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