Mancino Iron Works!

Whether you need a unity candle stand, shepherd hooks, arch, candelabra, or table accent, Mancino Iron Rentals is Austin's favorite place. I met the owner, Alan, years ago at an open house for Hamilton 12, an amazing venue with great food. Brandt and I had just started getting serious, and as I saw Alan load in all the beautiful pieces of iron, I was impressed, and started taking stock of his inventory. Yes, after years of working in the event industry it is hard to impress me, but impressed I was, and it was the first day I let myself daydream about being a bride at a wedding.

Lucky for me, Alan's table was right next to mine during the open house, so each moment I wasn't talking to a bride, I was persistently asking him questions. As I talked to Alan I gleaned quite quickly he was superb at customer service, knowledgeable, and made each person he spoke with feel comfortable and at ease. A prerequisite for hiring any vendor, in my opinion.

As my job duties changed at Complete Music and Video, I hadn't seen Alan in years until it came time to plan my own wedding. While not wedding protocol, and not something I recommend, he was the first vendor I called after I booked Vintage Villas. Now I am thrilled to have his rentals at my wedding, my chupppah maker loves working with him, and everywhere I go and say "I hired Mancino Iron Works" the reply is "Oh, I love working with Alan".

Go to his website at www.mancinoiron.com

Two Thumbs UP on the UP Lighting

Lighting tends to be so versatile and can truly create and recreate the atmosphere of any event. This is especially fun in a facility that has a permanent decor that might not blend with the colors you have chosen for your wedding.
For a wedding this past New Years Eve, the designer used every different kind of lighting imaginable: gobo lighting (custom monogram), static lighting, up-lighting, and spotlighting each table. The bar, the halls, and even the ceremony room was lit up in hues to match the colors of her wedding and enhance the beauty of the Melrose Hotel in Dallas. Throughout the evening we changed the colors as the night progressed from ceremony into the cocktail hour, then dinner, followed by dancing to provoke the desired mood for each stage of the night.
For my own wedding, set in Spring, and at Vintage Villas, we will do simpler lighting. Daylight will be extended and with the beautiful open windows, we have chosen to use up-lighting and gobo lighting in the Sunset Room, where the later portion of the night will occur.
We are using Complete Music and Video of Austin for both the up-lighting and gobo. All the photographs you see are at the lovely Vintage Villas, Complete Music Lighting, and taken by Becca Valley, the owner of Complete Music and Video. The up-lighting is wireless and synced together, so there won't be any ugly wires, tape, and is very affordable. Only $500 for the up-lighting. I am thrilled we offer this as a service and was the first bride to say sign me UP!

Wedding Registry....Ugh!

Ms. Manners says registering might be pretty common, however, not so polite. With that said, it is the custom to find several of your favorite stores, retrieve a scan gun and a registry list, and walk around like a crazy person, looking for UPC codes, wondering if you really need to register for a garlic roaster. On the other hand, I have several friends who, after years of living together, chose not to register and received 20 silver frames all engraved with their names and wedding date still sitting in boxes. Needless to say, we chose to register.

Here is the system, you want to register pretty early, right after the engagement. In some families it is customary to give engagement gifts, so it is best to be prepared. At the very least, the registry should be completed before you send out the save the dates which will include your wedding website. Your registries should only be found on your website or go through word of mouth.
NEVER, I repeat NEVER, should they be found in your wedding invitations. Let's meet Ms. Manners half way!
After years of talking to brides and seeing my friends register, registered myself, and vetted all these lovely stores, I have compiled a list of my top picks. I based my top picks on quality over quantity, Brandt and I registered together, insured the store had a good return policy, and thought about the affordability of my guests. While I love all of these stores, it is only appropriate to choose two or three. Who knew registering would be so taxing?



Top Picks:
1. Macy's - so easy for guests who live in smaller towns and smaller budgets. (Dillard' too)
2. Pottery Barn
3. William-Sonoma
4. Sur La Table - I wish my kitchen was that store.
5. Neiman Marcus - Did I mention I was from Dallas?
6. Fair Trade Global Exchange - Online - http://www.globalexchangestore.org/ - "Go green, whenever possible" is the Austin motto.
7. Crate and Barrel
8, Sears - Fore the groom, of course and very affordable.
9. The Honeymoon - Online - http://www.thehoneymoon.com/
10. Pampered chef

Not Your Mother's Ceremony Music

There is a trend of more and more weddings becoming secular in nature. People are moving their ceremonies to the outdoors, foreign destinations, or glorious, landscaped backyards. Whatever the reason, not all of us are committed to the traditional classical music that our mothers and grandmothers swooned over. Me, in particular, as I have attended thousands of weddings and heard Pachelbel's Cannon and Dodi Li so many times I immediately feel I am at work with the first few notes of many of the classical favorites. Not only that, but over the years, I absolutely loved creating one-of-a-kind ceremony music for each couple who wanted their ceremony to be truly theirs. It was an honor. While I could add hundreds of songs these are some of the top picks from our DJ staff. And yes, many of these songs will be included in my own ceremony.

Non-Traditional Classical Wedding Music

1. Butterfly's Day Out or Appalachian Waltz by Yo-Yo-Ma. (I cannot say enough good things about Yo-Yo-Ma)
2. La Valse d'Amelie From the Amelie movie soundtrack
3. Sarah Brightman
4. Yanni
5. Andrea Bocelli
6. Check out Cirque du Soleil music. Awesome.
7. Enigmatic: The String Quartet Tribute To Radiohead
8. Check out the Vitamin String Quartet's tribute to Coldplay, Tool, Bruce Springsteen, etc. They have over a dozen CD Tributes to a variety of bands.
9. Time Four Three is an amazing band. (garage style classical music)
10. For those beach weddings, steel drum classical music can add an interesting flare.



Non-Traditonal Contemporary Music

1. Only Time - Enya
2. Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (maybe a bit overdone)
3. Moon River - Henry Mancini
4. I'm Feeling Good - Nina Simone
5. Here Comes My Girl - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Bride's Processional)
6. Here Comes the Sun - Beatles (Lots of Beatles tunes would work)
7. Do you Realize - The Flaming Lips (What is the Light is also great)
8. Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
9. Check out Van Morrison, Ingrid Michaelson, Motown's Greatest Hits
10. Sideways - Citizen Cope
11. Green is the Color - Pink Floyd (Bride's Processional)
12. Question - Old 97's
13. Closer - Joshua Radin (lots of others songs by Joshua Radin would work as well)
14. Dream - Pricilla Ahn
15. How Sweet it is and Something in the Way She Moves - James Taylor
16. Soft and Sweet - Neutral Milk Hotel
17. Say Yes - Elliott Smith
18: She - Elvis Costello
19. Maybe, I am Amazed and Amazing Life - Jem
20. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen



Non-Traditional Recessional Songs

1. Stuck in the Middle with You - Bob Dylan
2. I Feel Good - James Brown
3. Wonderful World - Ramones
4. Hotel Yorba - White Stripes
5. It's the End of the World - REM
6. Wouldn't it Be Nice - The Beach Boys
7. Let My Love Open the Door - Pete Townsend
8. Heavenly Day - Patti Griffin
9. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered by Stevie Wonder and other Motown and Jazz Standard songs
10. Just Like Heaven - The Cure
11. Kiss - Prince
12. The Way you Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

Wanna Dance?

As I am getting ready to DJ an amazing wedding this Friday, always taking sales calls, and, of course,answering slews of questions regarding music and dancing, I thought I would post a few items to help couples blend their own tastes of music with a packed dance floor.


How do I know my DJ will play the music I want?

Honestly, after you choose your DJ and the agreement, you can only trust them. (The importance of hiring a great DJ versus a cheap DJ) I have a friend who is getting married in December and she absolutely, unequivocally did not want a DJ. A band wasn't an option for her either, she wanted her music, her way, and was terrified of a DJ being cheesy or not playing her music. She has since hired a fantastic DJ in Dallas at my encouragement. But this is what I am having her do, in order to assuage her concerns and it is what I am doing for my own wedding, because music is what I love.
She is creating a list of music she wants played. Each hour the DJ will play about 15 to 20 songs, so limit the song list to the hours needed. Here is her template she asked me to create for her including the ceremony:

Prelude music: lasts around 30 minutes: The DJ will play about 10 songs but will need about 15 songs in case the time line doesn't go according to plan. If you want classical music for your ceremony then keep with classical for the prelude.

Ceremony music:
1. A song for escorting the mothers and grandmothers down the aisle.
2. A song for the Bridal Party
3. Processional ( a song for the Bride)
4. Unity Candle, Seven Blessing, Sand Ceremony, etc
5. Recessional (the entire wedding party leaving the ceremony)


Cocktail Music: While you are taking pictures with your bridal party and family, your guests will be listening to about 30 minutes of music while enjoying each other and scrumptious appetizers. The DJ will only play about 10 songs, but will again need about 15 in case your photographer wants you a bit longer. Cocktail and dinner music should be fun and upbeat (no classical), while allowing your guests the opportunity to speak clearly. The ceremony, cocktail, and dinner music are all great places to strategically place your own tunes that might fall flat on your dance floor. Ideas are: classic jazz such as Frank Sinatra, Texas Country Music, Alternative, some of your favorite underground indie rock, or even a mix of favorites from the Rolling Stones or the Doors, whatever your fancy.

Dinner Music: You will need about 25 to 30 songs for your dinner music. Dinner will last approximately an hour, and you might only have time for 20 songs, but your DJ will need more, just in case!

Specialty Dances: (Tip: Stick to 2 no more than three of these, your guests don't care and won't be watching)
First Dance
Father/Daughter
Mother/Son
Wedding Party
Parents Dance

Dance Music: Your DJ will need about 20 songs per hour. However, I recommend giving your DJ a DO NOT PLAY LIST, and letting your guests request songs within reason. If the most important thing is that your guests dance, go ahead and give them those solid 70's and 80's jams.

Songs you might have fun choosing, but most of the time people let the DJ do this job: Cake Cutting, Bouquet, Garter, the Last Dance and the introduction song.

How do I get my guests to Dance?
1. If the bride and groom are on the dance floor, then the people will come.
2. Don't get a huge dance floor, make it smaller.
3. Invite the capacity of people permitted in your venue. The energy of a packed room helps.
4. Play the music appropriate to your crowd. e.g. I love Texas country music, but only three people will actually dance to that at our wedding, so I am sadly nixing local Austin music from our list of songs.
5. Meet with your DJ and go over icebreakers. You might be surprised to find there are many icebreakers without the cheese!
6. When your DJ says "This particular song may not get people dancing" Listen to him/her.

You can send this music to your DJ and they should be able to buy it or burn the music to lots of CDS and give it to them.

(Song suggestions coming soon)

What's in a Name?

A Lot! While feminists and traditionalists have debated for and against a woman taking her husband's last name for years, it is my turn to make this decision. Surprisingly, neither argument moves me to choose, instead it feels personal and pragmatic.

After some time searching Wikipedia, various websites, and talking to married female friends I found out a few interesting facts. First of all, only English speaking countries expect a woman to change her name after she gets married. I also realized I was not alone in my panic of a new identity and, honestly, it is confusing to have two names in a household from veterinarian to pediatrician appointments.
I have always been Tara Humphrey and my last name, while I never loved it, means Peace. Peace is something I do like and I am proud my name has such a dignified meaning. On the other hand, I can't imagine a life trying to explain each time I make an appointment for our child, why we have different names.

While I am envious of all the other cultures that automatically assume a woman will keep her parent's name, I have chosen to take Brandt's last name, Herrington, and replace my middle name with Humphrey. No one uses my middle name but my mother and she still can! So my identity will still be Tara Humphrey and I am only adding to who I am instead of replacing who I was before I was married. Isn't that the point of marriage?

So how am I going to change my name? Oh, so much work, but a friend of mine gave me "The Name Change Kit". And it is awesome. I LOVE, LOVE this kit. It is helping organize the overwhelming process with lists and paperwork for a smooth transition to becoming Tara Humphrey Herrington. Here I go.
P.S. This is a long process, so make sure you are not leaving the country anytime soon after you start changing your name.

My Glorious Wedding Mistake

Yes, that is right, a mistake. I chose the Travis Room at Vintage Villas before I had written out the guest list to its completion. It's true, I know better, but I love, love the Travis Room, and I honestly didn't think our guest list would keep expanding. Even after we got the guest list down to only people we knew for eight years or longer we were maxing out the venue. So the past couple weeks Brandt and I had several conversations and I had to make a few embarrassing phone calls. The good news is Vintage Villas had their larger Event Center still available and I think my wedding vendors had a great time laughing at me. :)



We could have invited less, but we would have offended a few people. Weddings are like funerals in the sense that they are both times in people lives that can bring out the worst and the best in each other. Families true colors will come into being and whether you are selfish or generous the bride's and grooms behavior will be spotlighted. So, Goodbye Travis and Hello, Event Center!


Here is what I have learned or already knew, but ignored and payed the price:

1. Duh, write a COMPREHENSIVE guest list before you choose the facility!
2. If your venue has two reception areas available ask for the cost of both of them.
3. Do not order your invitations until you get closer to the date and you have finalized EVERYTHING! (I should have waited)
4. 25% of the people you will invite will probably not attend, but also remember, if you invite them, they will come!
5. Do not invite people you have not spoken to in the past year. Email counts as talking, but Facebook does not!
6. Add in the plus ones, especially if they have been dating your cousin for 3 years! A wedding is a social gathering and can be uncomfortable for many single people. I cannot tell you how offended I have been when I have been invited to a wedding, but Brandt wasn't, even though we had been together longer than the special couple.
7. A nice touch is to offer babysitting for the children.
8. You probably don't want to invite an ex!
9. A head table adds something great to a room, but if your wedding party are all married, opt for a sweetheart table instead and sit your wedding party with their partners.
10. If you don't want them there, don't invite them.

How to Spot a Phenomenal Wedding DJ

After several weeks vacation I am back and ready to blog. Of course, I have chosen to hire Complete Music and Video for my wedding. Oh, a band would be wonderful, but that comes with a serious price tag. The next best thing is a really good DJ. Anyone can push play, I want someone to lead my event and take care of my guests!
Looking for a Wedding DJ?

The Top 10 Things to Know and Look for in a Professional Disc Jockey


1. Expect a prompt return on all phone calls and emails: If you haven't received return correspondence in 24 hours it might be time to move on. However if you called on a Friday night, give your professionals until Monday morning. They were performing at events all weekend long.

2. Are they willing to meet with you?: You should meet with your DJ company, prior to signing the contract, whenever possible. Be sure there you may also meet and plan with your DJ a few weeks before your event. It is very hard to build a rapport on the phone or via email.

3. If the price is too good to be true, it is!: Sure, you can find a single DJ out there who is ready to DJ your event for $300. But are they good? Do they have someone on call in case of emergency? Can they guarantee a DJ if something happens to them? What if the equipment malfunctions? Are they playing pirated music? Do they know how to MC and coordinate with all your vendors? Do any of your other vendors know who they are?

4. What kind of DJ are they?: If you are having a wedding, make sure your DJ understands the ins and outs of a wedding. A Club DJ is wonderful at a club, but usually they have not been trained in wedding announcements, the flow of a wedding, appropriate dress, personality, and the communication it takes to work with all your other vendors.

5. Documents and Ethics of your DJ: Your DJ should be INSURED and use a contract to book your event. There should be no side deals and they should never drink or use illegal drugs while performing.

6. Wondering what Music will be played: You have every right to choose 100% of your music and the DJ will be able to guide you on what will work and what won't. Your DJ has to be a chameleon and be able to play the kind of music that will make your guests want to get up and dance! Make sure they have a music library you can look through and they will get whatever music you want as long as it is in print.

7. The Entire Package: Be sure to read the fine print and look at what is included in your package. Be sure they are not going to charge you for a wireless mic, lavalier mic, lights, or attaining more music for you. You will be paying more than what you thought and can blow your wedding budget.

8. Your DJ's Personality: While you want to make sure they have the equipment necessary, believe it or not, anybody can go out and buy the fanciest turntables. What makes a great DJ is not their equipment or lights, but their ability to entertain and work with the client and the vendor. They are not the star of the show, YOU are, and your professional DJ is working tirelessly to insure your event is everything you dreamed.

9. Motivating Your Crowd: Ask your DJ how they are going to motivate your crowd. Can they suggest icebreakers that you like, and work with the entire team of your your event, will they be the master of ceremonies?

10. Your DJ should be able to accomplish all of these tasks at your wedding: MC the event, light and sound technician, coexist and coordinate with all other vendors at your event, motivates your crowd, organizes and helps plan out your music carefully, seamless music without pauses unless otherwise stated, will be able to read the crowd carefully and picks the right music for the right moment, is flexible with abrupt changes, and above all else, follows the plan that you and your wedding professionals have created. (written by Tara Humphrey with Complete Music and Video)

I love photography. I can't tell anybody how to take a picture and I am not a photojournalist, but I love to look at photos and say words like 'cool' and 'pretty'. So when it came down to choosing a photographer for our wedding I was excited. I pored over several websites of my favorite photographers and struggled with who we should hire for our wedding.

There are so many photographers in Austin and with the digital camera age so many people think they know how to take a picture. The reality is, I have heard from too many brides and grooms looking for their wedding photographer so they can get their wedding photos back long after they were due. I had already narrowed my search down to the wonderful people I have worked with over the years, and after a long discussion, we chose Ron Parks Photography.

We chose Ron for a variety of reasons, but there were three deciding factors. I knew Ron would get along with my family members, he would be able to take wedding photos and still do an amazing job as an artist, and lastly, even if he can't be there, the photographers on his staff will do just as great a job.


I asked Ron if he could tell me what the top three most important things one should look for in their photographer and here is what he had to say.

1. Budget: Be sure the photographer is within your budget and be careful to budget enough money for a good photographer. Your photos will be one of the few items that will remain after your wedding is over.

2. Chemistry: The photographer's personality should add to your day's experience, rather than take away from your wedding.

3. Dependability: This includes everything from returning phone calls and emails promptly, to arriving on time, not leaving early, getting the photos back within a reasonable amount of time, and delivering all that is promised. The best way to choose a dependable photographer is to look for referrals, ask about any awards they have received, ratings on wedding websites, and by how long the photographer has been in business.

To Tip or Not to Tip - That is the Question

So after spending lots and lots of money and working with a budget, it is time to include the finances of tipping. As a DJ, when a bride asked me what to tip, I was honestly uncomfortable and now as a Bride, when I ask vendors to tell me what to tip, I watch them squirm.
So, I have scoured the internet, read magazines. and talked to my wedding coordinator, Kathie. Kathie was able to produce a Tipping List and I am relieved. I have to see all of my wedding professionals every day long after my wedding and I cannot appear cheap or withhold hard earned and deserved tips. Even if I didn't already call many of my vendors friends, I would still want to tip appropriately. I put myself through college by waiting tables and now the tables have turned. Pun intended.




Tipping Chart Guidelines

One of the most common questions asked to me is who to tip and how much to tip. I tell all of my brides, that tipping is not necessary, but it is a very nice way to say” thank you”, to the vendors that help make your day special. It is not so much about the amount, but that you acknowledge the vendors for the role they played in the days leading up to your wedding and on your wedding day. The following amounts are merely guiding suggestions; you’re free to give more to professionals who exceeded your expectations and really made your day special. And of course, I suggest that you include a beautiful thank-you note.

Event planner: 10 to 20 percent of your bill, depending on the terms of contract or a nice gift.

Officiants: $50 to $100 on top of any set fees. If they do not accept a cash gift, a donation to their place of worship is kind and appropriate.

Organists and ceremony musicians: $20 to $40, depending on length of service – Most of Musicians have their tip included. Ask you Event Planner if you have any questions.

Reception site manager: 15 to 20 percent of entire bill for the reception. check your contract to see if gratuity is already included. Waiters: $20 to $40 each, depending upon quality of service. If you saw that there were only a few waiters who worked their tails off, give them more ( in most cases this is already included in your final bill).

Valets: $1-$2 per car

Bartenders: 15 percent of liquor bill. Check your contract to see if gratuity is already included.

Coat check: $1 per coat

Limousine drivers: 15 to 20 percent of transportation bill (Check to see if tip is already included in the contract first! If so, then on-the-day tip may be smaller as a token for great service, or left out altogether)

Photographer and Videographer: A $50 tip is completely acceptable and they can split it with their assistant.

Entertainers: $25 to $30 each, more if they really exceeded expectations. Again, check your contract to see if gratuity is already included.

DJ: 10 to 20 percent of your total bill, if they do an amazing job

Beauticians and barbers, manicurists and makeup artists: 15 to 20 percent of beauty salon bill – don’t forget the shampoo person!

Delivery Drivers: A $10 tip for each delivery of flowers, linens, or cakes is a very nice gesture.

Altar boys or girls - $10-15.00 each

Baby-sitters: $30 to $40 each, plus a gift, in addition to their hourly wages; more if baby-sitter is putting in extra hours or caring for several children.

The Internet Wedding of My Dreams?

I love the internet, use the internet, shop the internet, and now I find myself browsing for the best prices on the internet. It is amazing how I can go to ten different websites and get 10 different costs on the exact same item and even the same brand. I spent hours last night until I figured out what I wanted and what I needed to buy.

I am happy where I, as a consumer, can get online and find precisely what I want and get what I need without leaving my house in the hot, Texas summer.

However, I am a little surprised with many of the cheesy and ugly wedding necessities people try to pawn off on brides. And if one isn't interested in frumpy lace, feminine hearts, or trendy polka dots, one had better be ready to pull out their fat pocketbooks to buy the ONE hip, elegant, attractive item ONE company offers. Weddings are brutal.

After a lengthy time staring at a computer screen, donning my carpal tunnel shield, I found a few buys that I am happy to have purchased.

The Beverly Clark Manhattan Collection pictured above at http://magicalday.com/ was the first thing I bought. Honestly, I am not sure about the flutes or the cutting pieces, but I can always use those as a gift for someone later. If there is a better set of wedding items, I couldn't find them and I tried.

The beautiful Interfaith Ketubah (Jewish wedding contract) from the http://ketubahstore.com/ was the least expensive I could find on the internet. And I love the artist Nava Shalom. I have seen her ketubahs sell for a lot more. The best Ketubah spot online!



I am still hunting for unity candles, still looking at registering, and still eying the debit card wondering what else do I need to purchase. Ahh, yes, I still need to find the perfect pair of shoes, but that is not a task for the world wide web. No, shoe shopping might take the full nine months until our wedding date. At the very least it will take several leisurely afternoons of sultry saunters and sighs. Until I can actually get to Neiman Marcus, it won't hurt to browse.

The Wedding DJ Makes the Worst Bride

When I got engaged I thought it would be so easy to plan a wedding. After years of seeing and participating in events, helping all my friends and acquaintances, and talking to wedding vendors daily, I thought I might know a thing or two. Maybe not.

After the past week and a half, I find myself overwhelmed and stressed. I realized on Monday that during my daughter's nap time: I was trying to juggle sales calls, a contractor for a bathroom on the fritz, a blog, writing thank you notes for Brides Against Breast Cancer, while frantically trying to do the last edit on my first novel because some wonderful agent actually wants to read the whole manuscript.

So, I hired a wedding coordinator. Kathie Millen and Amber with Austin Wedding Planners and Elite events. I didn't hire them fast enough. I was a crazy person at our meeting yesterday, holding up a magazine photo of flowers, saying "these are my colors. Can you do it?"



Kathie knows how I work and thank God for this. I had the list of vendors and contracts in my head and I couldn't even fill out her paperwork appropriately and on time. She was very forgiving. Kathie also knows the ins and outs of a Jewish ceremony and/or Jewish Interfaith ceremony. I knew she could be sensitive to our family's religious and emotional needs while respecting both myself and Brandt.

Did I also mention she has a warehouse full of wonderful items for decorations? And she said we could actually go there and pick items out?

She even asked me the kind of cake I wanted and she would order it for me from Michelle's Patisserie. I do love Michelle and would love to do a tasting, but I don't like cake except for carrot and German Chocolate and that is exactly what I ordered. I already have tasted those and I can't wait to eat them on our wedding day. Yes, I asked for a tres leches for the bottom tier, for the guests. I hear it is fabulous, but the only way I can keep the weight off in the wedding industry is to stay away from the cake. A little wonderful note: Michelle does not use fondant unless requested. (Big sigh of relief, my mother loves butter cream)



After all that, Kathie is taking care of writing up the budget I am tired of pouting over and happily accepts my snap decisions. She knows all I want to do is be a mama, be a wife, write, and decide on the music for my wedding. I said several times "Just surprise me"! And I know better! I know that the bride who doesn't give a lot of direction is the scariest bride of them all. All of her wedding vendors, praying during her event, they have met her veiled expectations. I am that bride now and Lauren at Vintage Villas and Kathie Millen are unfettered, calming all my concerns, so I can jump into the realm of a more balanced life.

To hire Elite or Austin Wedding Planners go to: http://www.austinweddingplanners.com

Here are a few other coordinators I love:

Keri Wootton owner of Leave the Details to Me keri@leavethedetails2me.com
Barbara Hearne owner of Barbara's Brides http://www.barbarasbrides.com
Tanya Posavatz CSEP owner of [clink] http://www.clinkevents.com

I Found the Dress

After a wonderful weekend volunteering for Bride's Against Breast Cancer, I have found my wedding gown. Yes, it is couture and 100% of the proceeds went to a wonderful charity. In fact, I am wearing the dress as I write this post. I love silk.

During the past few days I was reminded why I love working in the wedding industry. Not only were we able to raise $1000's of dollars for charity, but we had so many prizes to give away to brides. I was warmed by the many happy tears as other women found their dress or won a trip for two.

Shopping for a dress was new to me and watching other brides shopping for a dress was a part of the wedding process I have never paid any attention to and I was overwhelmed.

In order for me to prepare for Brides Against Breast Cancer and buy a dress I have spent so much time researching and learning.

Did you know:
The dress should be stored in a breathable cotton bag? (No plastic)
There is no need to pay for dress preservation? Just wrap dress with cotton muslin and keep it out of direct sunlight. Once a year pull the dress out, wash the muslin, and wrap the dress again.
Couture dresses run small? Sometimes even by more than one size? (cruel)
A dress can usually be let out by 1 size, but can be reduced by about 2 sizes?

It is only because of so many great vendors we were able to accomplish and create a spectacular event. My hats off go to The Renaissance Hotel, Elite Weddings, An Event to Remember, Men's Wearhouse, Dragon Fly Designs, Floral Renaissance, Ron Parks Photography, Ideal Heel, Bouquets of Austin, Premiere Party Central, and The Wedding Guide. Not only were they amazing, but so were all those fantastic volunteers. It was no small feat.

We are already getting ready Brides Against Breast Cancer in 2011!

Brides Against Breast Cancer

Untitled from Complete Music & Video Austin on Vimeo.

Not the dress I bought, but who could resist wearing an Angie Sanchez gown. After watching this video, I am realizing it is true, the camera does add 10 pounds to the figure.

Finding the Prefect Vendor

After years of paying for advertisements and years of working with the most amazing vendors, it is my turn to find them, hire them, and pay them. Here is the hard part: there are some vendors, I have only met briefly, seen at a bridal show, and otherwise do not actively work with during an event. I also don't have a clue to what they cost or what is appropriate. These are the things I know to do:

Step 1. Join the knot at http://theknot.com Great place for dresses and to chat with other brides.
Step 2. Get the Austin Wedding Guide and go to http://austin.texasweddingsltd.com/ I love to write in the time line area of the book.
Step 3. Ask for the list of preferred vendors from Vintage Villas Event Center and do not stray from that list. I repeat, do not stray from that list and if you must, ask your venue about the vendor you want to use.

Then another problem crept up, there are all these advertisements, even from people I have never met or have ever heard their company name. Then, I realized anyone can advertise. So how do I know who is great, that wonderful PREFERRED VENDOR LIST. All the wedding venues have them, use them, your professional wedding venue is telling you they are reputable.



Here is what I know to avoid:

Step 1. If other wedding vendors have never heard of the company, I am staying away.
Step 2. I make sure there is always somebody on call for that company. If my vendor is in a car accident, while I am deeply sorry for their pain, I still need a photographer to attend my wedding. I do not want to have to hire a vendor the week of my wedding due to an emergency. (I can tell you, we get at least one phone call every 2 weeks to replace a DJ who has canceled.)
Step 3. As much as I like my budget, if a vendor is really cheap, there is a reason they are really cheap. One will always get what they pay for.



Sadly, I want so many people to be a part of my wedding after I have worked with them for years, but I only have room for one photographer, one DJ, and one florist.

For a list of all my favorite preferred wedding vendors check out: http://www.cmaustindj.com/preferred-vendors/index.htm

Listen on the Austin Radio

Tune into several radio stations to hear Tara talk about Brides Against Breast Cancer.

Listen for Chris Sanchez of Inside Austin on Sunday.

6:00 am mix 94.7
7:00 am magic 95.5 and at
6:00 pm TALK RADIO 1370 AM

Interfaith Happily Ever After

Over the years, interfaith marriage has become more and more frequent. Of course, as a wedding DJ company in Austin, so many of the ceremonies we participate in include a wide variety of religions and cultures. (Maybe I do use that Anthropology degree) I have always enjoyed the creativity I have seen many couples use to tackle what can be a sensitive and divisive subject.

It is now my turn. I am Jewish and Brandt was raised Baptist who now enjoys dabbling in Buddhism, meditation, Christmas, and whatever else sparks his interest. Early in our courtship, we discussed our differences matter-of-factly, put our cards on the table, and promised each other our religion would not be an issue. What is that cliche? Ah yes..."easier said than done."

I know some people don't care, convert to their future spouses faith, or never had a life of religion, however, both Brandt and I were raised with heaping spoonfuls of religion every day. Never a meal without a prayer or a holiday without purpose. While Brandt and I have come to our own agreements that work for us, it is not without difficulty. There are times both of us, and our families, have to grieve the loss of our expectations and dreams.

I can honestly say that each person, on either side of our families, always wants and tries to do the right thing. I can see us all working so hard to be kind and respectful as we make a path into the unknown. All of us, are amending our prior biases and ready for the next hurdle spurred on by Brandt and myself. We are the ones getting married and creating a rather interesting union.

Our daily religious life is up to us and rarely a light shines upon it, but with the birth of our daughter, and now a wedding ceremony, we have to make decisions for all to witness. While Brandt and I can talk all day along about the music, when we get to the ceremony our conversation begins "Are you ready to discuss the particulars of the ceremony?" The next sentence is "How do we please and respect our families?"

We still don't know. We decide on one detail each time and one of us usually sighs and gives up. This is what we have so far: We will have a chuppah (Jewish tradition), we will have a unity candle (a Christian tradition), Brandt and I both will be escorted down the aisle by our respective parents, if they want,(Jewish and feminism) and no religious music. No religious music is mainly due to working in the wedding industry and hearing the music one too many times. I do not want to feel like I am at work on my wedding day. Our plan is to make one more decision a week until we can complete this overwhelming task. I am so relieve we can and do communicate. It is exhausting, but worth every bit of energy.

Now, all we have to do is find an officiant to handle all of our innovative requests.

The Venue: Vintage Villas

Brandt and I agree on many things and 2 of which are: if Austin had an ocean it would be the perfect city in the US and we must get married by water! Austin may not be able to boast an ocean but it has several beautiful lakes with many fabulous wedding venues. I would like to tell you that after seeing every venue in the city, it was an easy decision. But it wasn't. My knowledge only made it harder! I wanted to work with all the wonderful people I know and relive the best experiences I saw at each of those facilities.
After weighing all my options, I chose Vintage Villas Event Center on Eck Lane!

Let me tell you why from a brides perspective: Vintage Villas is on gorgeous Lake Travis and who wouldn't want to get married there! The ceremony will be on the arbor and the reception will be in the Travis Room. Have you seen the view? They also have a great hotel I knew my mother would love and since 50% of our guest list will be coming in from out of town, it is a great way to have an intimate reunion for family and friends. I also knew they would do the catering, the bar, and the linens with ease. They make it so easy and I like to work smarter not harder.

Let me tell you why from a wedding vendor's perspective: Lauren is the Lead Wedding Specialist and we have worked on countless weddings together. I realized I have never seen Lauren, Lisa, or Samantha without a smile. This, to me, is amazing. They are always on top of their game and put each bride and wedding vendor at ease. Did I mention the food? Well, I love their chef and the food that comes out of his kitchen. We have chosen our menu with delicious prime rib, vegetarian fare, and chicken to please all of our guests. Of course, Complete Music and Video DJ's regularly at Vintage Villas and I thought it would help me understand the Vintage Villa's bride's entire experience.

Now that I am a bride, I feel like a different person when talking about Complete Music to a bride!

This past December, I took Brandt and my mom out to Vintage Villas for their approval. I was right, they were both overwhelmingly pleased. We booked! There was no doubt in Brandt's mind and he is the happiest groom in the world to have to only go to ONE wedding venue.

Rosa Clara and Brides Against Breast Cancer

This is the dress I want, not necessarily the dress I will be wearing. After all the discussions about should we have a big wedding and the budget, I wanted to get down to business. I wanted tomes of wedding magazines filled with pretty gowns and frivolous lace. I love dresses, especially ones that say "wearable art". I stalk the Betsy Johnson store in the Domain and buy whenever possible. I like simplicity in a dress, but not without a bit of drama.
I purchased Grace Ormonde's Wedding Style magazine and stopped on page 39. My search for a dress concluded. I got online and looked up Rosa Clara, I looked for the dress, but I still can't find out the name of the dress, however, I did come across the prices of Rosa Clara dresses. Ouch! I paused again. Then I started looking for used Rosa Clara wedding gowns and came across a wonderful charity.
Brides Against Breast Cancer
http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org
BABC travels from city to city across the US selling designer gowns to brides at a fraction of the normal couture price. The gowns are donated from designers, stores, and companies and 100% of the proceeds goes to charity. I looked on their calendar for Austin, but we were sadly not there. I emailed, "Come to Austin"! They emailed me back and said "We are looking for a city coordinator in Austin". I agreed immediately. Good for charity, good for work, good for brides, and good for my future dress.

So here it comes, a weekend of gorgeous dresses and generous vendors. July 2nd and 3rd at the Renaissance Hotel. I hope we can bring them back every year. If they don't have a Rosa Clara gown, I will just have to settle for a Vera Wang.

BIG WEDDING! No Debt!

That's right, I said, no debt. I will say it again, NO Debt.

The urban myth says "a bride's wedding day is the happiest day of her life". I hope not. How would the birth of my child or hopefully the day I see my own grandchild being born compare to my wedding day? How about the day Brandt told me he loved me for the first time or the day we moved into our first house? How about every day knowing we don't live beyond our means and I can stay at home with my daughter and work part time?

I have seen many couples take out $30,000 to $40,000 worth of loans to pay for their dream wedding. Too often, I see couples forget there is a marriage after the wedding. Do I want to start our life together in debt? No. Do I want to have a college education fund to help my children go to college? Yes! Do I want to be at every PTA meeting, stay at home with my kids, and volunteer at school to give them a wonderful foundation? A Resounding yes. Do I want to have a mortgage I can afford? You bet. This is how Brandt and I agreed to live our life and set a budget accordingly.

I have found discussing a wedding budget and every day finances with Brandt was one of the best things we could do for our relationship. Money is the biggest cause of divorce and we needed to come to an agreement before we realized we didn't agree! We have situated our finances based on our strengths. His strength is saving and mine is spending: he deals with stocks and bonds, I deal with coupons and sales.

While I will be sharing my budget tips and highlighting each of my vendors in future blog posts, here is a short list that got us started.

1. The number one thing that saves money on an Austin wedding: Choose a Friday or a Sunday wedding to get married. This saves a couple lots and lots at the venue and with all of their vendors. You can also look at having a daytime wedding! We chose a Sunday evening wedding to get the most bang for our buck. It is in our budget and we we are extremely happy.
2. The second: Choose a month that is not in the peak season for Texas. Months that could potentially save you money in Austin are: January, February, July, August, and December.
3. Some venues have several sites to get married. Our venue is Vintage Villas and they offer "The Travis Room" as opposed to their larger event facility. We chose "The Travis Room" that still holds 100 people and has the most amazing view.
4. If a particular wedding item is stressing me out and it isn't necessary, then I have to rethink if I want to pay for said item.
5. We also chose to go semi-formal instead of formal so we can save a little more.
6. We also talked about what is important to us as a couple and the 3 vendors we did not want to go cheap on: food, booze, and music.

Out of all the weddings I have attended, well over 1000, the only things I remember is if the food was good, if the party was fun, and if the room was pretty. This is our focus.

Why get Married?

An Introduction to the Blog, Relationship, and Brief History of Wedding DJ Experience

Written by Tara Humphrey



The Premise: Our wedding is April 17th 2011. We have 10 and half months to go and this is the beginning of what I hope to be a blog that can help other brides as I muddle through the experience of booking my vendors, finding my dress, creating an interfaith ceremony, and dealing with the ever ugly budget! After 10 years in the wedding industry, let's see if I can put my knowledge through the ultimate test!



When I was a child in the glorious 80's other little girls set out planning their weddings scribbled in spirals. They used their mother's dresses, kissed mirrors as their grooms, and used sheets to act as veils while they took big strides in their bedrooms. Not me! I talked about eloping to a faraway country on a beach, and played Michael Jackson on my record player that lit up to the beats and made my girlfriends shriek in the dark during slumber parties. I loved books, not dresses, preferred New Wave over pop and dreamed about travel and writing over boys. I wanted a CAREER and I was being raised by a FEMINIST with serious capital letters.

Absolutely nothing changed through the nineties. Imagine shaved Sinead O'Conner hair, Amnesty International, and spirals full of sometimes bad, but overall decent youthful poetry. After years of college, backpacking and sleeping in my car as a traveling poet and waiting tables periodically, September 11th hit America and the economy and I needed a second job. Badly. However, with a background in Anthropology, Philosophy, and writing, jobs were then, and still are, a bit sparse. I was very lucky to meet the owner of Complete Music and Video in Dallas, while I waited on them at a Chili's restaurant. He offered me a job on the spot! I thought “I can play music, how hard could it be?” What can I tell you, I was naïve.


The first year I was a DJ in Dallas I learned mere mechanics. It is true, I had no idea what RCA cords were or how important they were to a DJ system. Then I learned to battle the fact that very few people wanted a female DJ and I had to make myself better if I wanted to pay my bills. After I had gotten a bit of confidence I began to be swept away by the beauty of the dresses, the shoes, the scent of flowers cascading from the reception hall. When brides cried as I cued them to walk down the aisle, I was moved. For the first time in my life, I started to think a wedding was worth the trouble, the money, and the time. I still had no desire to get married, but on Sunday nights when my girls and I got together to watch Sex in the City, I planned their weddings for them, suited to their eclectic tastes.


I moved to Austin, TX in 2002 and continued to DJ for the Austin Franchise of Complete Music and Video. By that time I had accomplished the tasks needed to become an excellent wedding DJ, but I had a lot to learn. And I did learn.

I learned what a bride wanted and needed. I learned I could still love The Flaming Lips, but play the YMCA to get the guests dancing. I succeeded at bustling dresses, holding a tearful bride's hands, pouring champagne when they didn't hire a catering company, I have worn a firefighter's costume, all the while trying to find the perfect piece of music for every moment of their wedding. I learned I was no longer hip or cool, but I brought JOY!

These lessons are what gave me the many awards I received as a Wedding DJ, including DJ of the Year, Best Evaluation (on a yearly basis), and the promotion to Director of Sales.

Soon after, I, like so many women before me, fell in love. My now fiancee, Brandt, did not even flinch when I said I worked in the wedding industry. The day we met, he asked how I would like to get married and I said “If I had to get married, I would like to elope, but my mother would be furious”. He laughed. I did concede later that after watching so many other loving couples get married I had warmed to the idea of a lifetime of companionship.

Many years later, as our daughter celebrated her first birthday, Brandt looked at me and said it was time for a wedding.

I still struggled with the concept of marriage and a big wedding. I already have the marriage I want, a loving man and father, a beautiful daughter. Why then would I choose a big wedding? Is it really my “special special day” like everyone says. I don't think so.

The truth is, I don't think weddings are just about the bride and groom. I think these lavish affairs are for the family and friends who may never have met, who brought them together, and who may never meet again. But for one day or long fantastic weekend the bride and groom can pack their loved ones into a room and say thank you. What better way to say “thank you” than good food, good wine, and music that makes everyone want to dance.

Of course, what Brandt doesn't know, I filled out my own spiral notebook of our wedding after our first year together. Yup,we are in for a ride.