Brides Against Breast Cancer

They are back in Austin for the second time. This is your chance to purchase the dress of your dreams at a reasonable price. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. There are also several links below for you to sign up to attend or volunteer.

http://babcaustin11.eventbrite.com

http://austinbabcvolunteers.eventbrite.com

Some of Our Favorite Things!

Here are three things we knew weren't necessary, but we are so happy we did them and we highly recommend them!

The First is the Ice Sculpture. Doug at Amazing Ice Designs, a wonderful dog lover too, is ridiculously talented. I am so grateful he was able to help me and, of course, our guests loved it! So much so, had I known, I might have ordered an ice sculpture bar or at least a martini luge. I will keep that in my mind for the next party.



The Godiva Chocolate for the favors, they were a generous gift to myself and Brandt. MMM, they were good and very few were left and those that were, were taken on the plane back to OHIO, so my mom could share with all the family members that could not attend.


The third were the Welcome Bags for the hotel rooms. I wish we had taken a photo of one of them. However, I loved them and loved filling them with some of Austin's and some of our favorite things: granola bars, aspirin, band aids, Altoids, chap stick, flip-flops, shaving cream, oatmeal, Austin postcards, bumper stickers, tissue, hot tea, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and yes, we remembered the children too. We wanted to welcome each person to the Live Music Capital of the World with swag bags and a personalized note, thanking them for traveling so far! I am so glad we did it!

Color, Color! Everywhere

For all the people who know me, I can't get enough of colors, especially bright ones, and especially coral. I still haven't lived down the horrific orange I once tried to paint our half bath, now repainted a stoic Swiss coffee.

I can't tell you how difficult it was to blend all the colors I wanted so I could create centerpieces and find beautiful shoes! Oh, and thank goodness I had Becky at Bouquets of Austin. I had a budget and an idea (truly my maid of honors idea) and until I spoke with Becky, I didn't know I had any other opinions. Needless to say, she asked the right questions and guided me. She was able to glean perfection from my babbled confusion, magazine clippings, and checkbook. This is why I went to Bouquets of Austin and Becky. Hands down, the most referred floral company in Austin, for a reason.

Take a look at the photos, because she nailed every placement, every color, and design. Becky made me want to become a florist the second I saw my centerpieces. My mother was so excited about the shepherd hooks lining the aisle. (Mancino Iron Works)I also loved the flowers that were there for my hair. I had forgotten I had asked for them and I was so excited when I saw them! Plus, somehow she had flowers the exact same color of my shoes!

Note: I also added the Purple napkins from Premier Party Central! They made the whole room POP! and it was an inexpensive way to bring in more and stick with my budget! I could have spent so much money in their showroom! If you have the budget, I encourage everyone to rent ottomans, decorations for the trees, and pretty, pretty, soft light layered linens.

http://bouquetsofaustin.com/
http://premierepartycentral.com/

P.S. If Bouquets of Austin is booked, I also highly recommend Visual Lyric.

The Best Wedding Music Ever

Statistically, most brides spend 500 hours planning the wedding of their dreams. However, my hours of labor were spent on music. I chose at least one song for every person/couple that were going to be in attendance at our wedding. And, I did not want one song that would remind me of being a wedding DJ. Below is what I gave Jordann, our DJ, to get her ready to spin!


Prelude:

La Vie En Rose – Edith Piaf
Dancing with Myself – Nouvelle Vague
Amazing Life – Jem
Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard
Rivers of Babylon – Melodians
Green is the Color of Love – Pink Floyd
Sweet Jane – Velvet Underground
Wave of Mutilation (UK surf) – The Pixies
Lebanese Blonde – Theivery Corporation
Mil Besos – Patty Griffin
That's Just How that Bird Sings – The Twilight Singers
Besame Mucho – Cesario Evora
Beautiful Maria of My Soul: Mambo Kings
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
Brand New Colony - Postal Service
Es Por Ti – Juanes
Butterflies – David Garza
Mirror – Velvet Underground
Hallelujiah – Leonard Cohen
Wild Horses – The Sundays



Ceremony

1. Processional for Aunts: What is the Light? - Flaming Lip
2. Groom's Processional: Sabracadabra : Black Sabbath
3. Bridesmaids Processional: Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
4. Bride's Processional: Here comes the Sun – Beatles
5. Unity Candle: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Part 1, - Neutral Milk Hotel sung by...
6. Recessional: It's the End of the World as we Know it – REM


Cocktail Music

Stickshifts Safety Belts – Cake
Beast of Burden – Rolling Stones
Make a Little Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might be Giants
Where's My Mind At – Pixies
Jane Says – Jane's Addiction
Wonderwall – Oasis
Wild World – Cat Stevens
John Prine and Iris Dement – In Spite of Ourselves
I walk the Line -Johnny Cash
Whiskey Bar – Doors
Hot Child in the City – Nick Glider
Free falling – Tom Petty
Dinosaur Junior – Feel the Pain
We Belong – Pat Benatar
Like a friend – Pulp
Engineer Bill – Eliza Gilkyson
May the Wind Take Your Troubles Away – Sun Volt
cara luna --bacilos
Pictures of Lily – The Who
Under the Milky Way – The Church


Dinner Music


Bambaleo: Gypsy Kings
Vacancy - White Stripes
Summer Girl – Beck
The More you Ignore Me, The Closer I get – Morrissey
Holland 1945 – Neutral Milk Hotel
Carry The Zero – Built to Spill
Stoned – Old 97's
Tell me something Good – Chaka Khan
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Romeo and Juliet – Indigo Girls
Miss Celie's Blues
I wanna be your lover -Prince
Urban Dance Squad – Deeper shade of soul
Lips Like Sugar – Echo and the Bunnymen
I want You – Cee Lo Green
I Wanna Make it Wit Chu – Queens of the Stone Age
Level – Racontaurs
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Under Pressure – Queen
Here Comes My Girl – Tom Petty
Harvest Moon – Neil Young
Luckenbach Texas – Willie and Waylon
Build Me Up Buttercup – Foundations
My favorite Memory – Merle Haggard


Break between toasts and moving to Cake: Special Dance CD in order
1. Waka Waka (Esto Es Africa) – Shakira
2. Here Comes Your Man – Pixies
3. Everyone's Free – Aquagen featuring Rozalla

Cake:
4. Shoes: Kristi McCall
5. Islands – Shakira

6. First Dance: Old 97's - Question
7. Family Dance: Landslide: Dixie Chicks
8. Hora

Dance:

2.Don't Stop til you get enough – Michael Jackson Must
3. Mana – Eres Mi Religion
4.Moonriver – Henry Mancini (Slow) Must
5.Juanes – La Camisa Negra (Both Brandt and I love)
6.Daddy Yankee – Lo Que Paso Paso
7.Lady Gaga – Pokerface - Must
8.Suavamente – Elvis Crespo - Must
9. La Vida Es Un Carnaval – Celia Cruz
10.I don't feel like dancing – Scissor Sisters
11.Loca – Shakira
12.Last dance: Circle Salute first Don't Stop Believing – Journey – Must

A couple old Country like George Strait if requested
Brandt likes Al Green/ Marvin Gaye Think Let's Get it On
Bob Marley : Is this love?
ABC – Jackson Five – Must
We are Family - Must
Did I mention I love PRINCE? Shakira?
70's and 80's Disco, New Wave Old Hip Hop


Icebreakers:
YMCA: If someone requests, but please use hats. If someone requests others, fine, but only if needed and try to stay away from macarena, limbo, and hokey pokey.

For the Happy Couples Dance a slow Elvis will do for Mother In Law. Important - Must




Do Not Play List

Backstreet Boys
Celine Dion (Not even if someone tries to slip you a $20)
Current rap or harder hip hop
Anything on the Slow CDS in your CD book
New Kids on the Block
New Country
Anything cheesy, however ice breakers are fine
Brittany Spears unless someone requests a popular one that you think people will dance to like they would at Rain e.g. Toxic
Bryan Adams, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston, any 80's diva
Michael Bolton, Hanson, Billy Ray Cyrus, butterfly kisses
No Missy Elliott no matter how much I love her, No Eminem Either
Kelly clarkson and any other IDOL
Cheesy slow 80's
Leave A&M and UT at the door. Some people will think this is funny, but I don't. College was a long time ago.

Whew...The Wedding is Over and the Day was Amazing!

And I am not talking about the royal wedding, but my own. Everything was perfect and went superbly well. The honeymoon period is over and all my thank you notes have been mailed...I hope. However, the wonder of having almost all my favorite people under one roof makes me reminisce every moment of the wedding each day. I only wish I could have added another five hours to the reception so I could have talked to everyone more and danced a little longer.

I was so nervous about insuring the hospitality for all of our friends and family and they were thrilled, thanks to all my vendors, I was relieved. The true test of any wedding is what the guests will say and here are some of their comments about the wedding, Vintage Villas, cake, and all of the other vendors.

1. The best food anybody had ever tasted at any wedding they had attended. (Vegetarians and meat eaters alike) They also loved the breakfast the next morning. In fact, during photos, my aunt was asking me if I could get their recipe for Chicken Satay!
2. The view was so fantastic and they were happy to see a part of Austin they rarely get to see when they travel.
3. The hotel was gorgeous, comfortable, and the entire staff was friendly and kind.
4. AHEM...The BEST MUSIC anyone had ever heard at any wedding. Thank you, that was me.
5. The cakes were delicious and moist. Friends are still trying to raid my freezer for the remainder.

6. Ooh, the Ice Sculpture. One guest spent quite a long time trying to figure out how Doug (Amazing Ice Designs) created that piece of art.
7. The flowers were gorgeous! The centerpieces and bouquets were phenomenal!
8. The chuppah was extraordinary.
9. The ceremony was unique and the reception was fun. Yes, Yes, they were!
10. The welcome bags were welcomed!

New and INNOVATIVE First Dance Songs

Okay, so after a year of discussing our first dance, which included comprising list upon list for Brandt, while he turned suggestion after suggestion down and kept saying he wanted to do the Dance Evolution Mix, but didn't want to practice, we have finally chosen a song. I mean, Brandt finally chose a song, "Question" by the Old 97's! Here is a list of songs that we compiled and created for you. While we love Etta James, we don't want to hear "At Last" AGAIN, or anything else so overly done, that will make of our guests yawn! Some are Spanish, some are country, some are new and old, but, hey, there is something for everybody and all are rarely done, if ever!

Someone Like You - Van Morrison
Engineer Bill - Eliza Gilkyson
All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar
Es Por Ti - Juanes
Eres Mi Religion - Mana
My Favorite Memory - Merle Haggard
Question - Old 97's
Islands - Shakira
Here Comes My Girl - Tom Petty and The HeartBreakers
I'll Be Your Mirror - Velvet Underground
Obla Di Obla Da - Beatles
Green is the Colour - Pink Floyd
Giving Up - Ingrid Michaelson
You Have that Affect On Me - Brad Paisley
She's No Lady - Lyle Lovett
Blue Eyes - Cary Brothers
Moon River - Henry Mancini
The Luckiest - Ben Folds
Do You Believe In Magic - Lovin Spoonful
I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson
I Want You - Cee-Lo Green
Sideways - Citizen Cope and Santana
Here, There, Everywhere - The Beatles
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Maybe, I'm Amazed - Jem or Paul McCartney
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf
Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan
Sea of Love - Cat Power
De-Lovely - Cole Porter
So In Love - Cole Porter
Let's Do It - Cole Porter or Alanis Morrisette (Okay, we love Cole Porter)
Besame Mucho - Casaria Evora
How Sweet It Is - James Taylor
Green Eyes - Coldplay
Book of Love - Magnetic Fields
Sleep Walk - Santo and Johnny
We Belong - Pat Benatar (For the funny and the dramatic)
Beautiful Surprise, I See God You - India Arie
If This World Were Mine - Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn
Adore, The Beautiful Ones - Prince
Dice - Finley Quaye
All My Days - Alexi Murdoch
Closer To You - Brandi Carlisle
When It Don't Come Easy, Mil Besos - Patty Griffin
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
No One's Going to Love You - Band of Forces
1963 - Rachael Yamagata
Always Love - Nada Surf
Sweet Baby - Macy Gray

CulinART - Quintessential Austin

It is my favorite night out of the year! I don't believe I have missed the annual surreal event in six years!

CulinArt is hosted by the Austin chapter of the International Special Event's Society(ISES)and The Wright House Wellness Center is it's beneficiary. They team up to deliver an evening of talent and craft to entertain each guests eyes and bellies and all for a wonderful cause. This is my idea of perfection.



Brittany, an event coordinator with [clink], spearheaded the night with an unexpected viewpoint into art, culinary deliciousness, and beauty. This year it was held at the Austin Music Hall in downtown Austin, the most exciting venue yet. Ilios Lighting created the mood while body artists walked among us spectators as we bid on glorious silent auction items. I went straight to the art. They never disappoint.

As I kept a watchful eye on the items I bid on, I enjoyed the tasty appetizers and made my way to my table and looked forward to the food. My favorite part of dinner was dessert as Delysia Chocolatier shocked and pleased me by pairing chocolate, wasabi, and rasberries on the same plate. I don't know who thought of that, but thank you.



After dinner, each year, I excuse myself to battle for art with pen to paper. I am competitive and I love to win! My house is becoming an homage to CulinArt! As always, I watch the live auction, the eager bidding numbers silhouette the evening, and listen to the exciting cheers of donations. It would be nice if this is the way I could live every day! I am proud to be apart of the Austin wedding community.


Enjoy the pictures of all the art I picked up and Dessert(From the Top):
"Warm" by Rene Norman
"Paintballs, Not Bullets" photo by Dave Berry
Dessert photo from Delysia Chocolatier
Painting by Jeromy Furguiele

Oh Yes, I Have My DJ

And her name is Jordann Mitchell. I am so excited and there isn't another DJ in the entire city of Austin that I would rather have emcee and play music at my event. I am so happy we have her at Complete Music and Video as the Director of Sales.

Music, of course, is the most important aspect to me at our wedding, so I am working poor Jordann to death during the weekend of my wedding. She is also an amazing musician and not only will she be DJing at the wedding, but she will be playing live music during the rehearsal dinner and playing our first dance live as well. Brandt has no idea either one of these things are happening and it will be a surprise to him. I am pretty sure Brandt doesn't read this blog, so I think my secret is safe.

I chose Jordann for a huge list of reasons. She is the consummate professional, so much fun, not cheesy, and is so great with customer service. This is what I need as a super high maintenance retired wedding DJ.

While I am trying to relax and not try to control every second of the music for the wedding, I also know for ease I want to have all of the prelude, ceremony, special dances on a CD for Jordann so she doesn't stress...too much. This will be my whole job for my wedding this month.

An interesting thing happened as I began to write this post: A very level headed, easy going, Vintage Villas bride walked through our door to drop off music for her wedding on March 12th. As I was discussing when the DJ would call her that she can set up an appointment, etc. She shrugged and said "as long as he shows up, dressed and ready to go, we are good, I mean, I know there are going to be a few mistakes at my wedding, but who cares." I let this very smart bride know that I would like to more like her. There will be mistakes, nothing is perfect and I am going to laugh it off and enjoy myself.

Complete Music and Video WON!!!!

Erica Smith, our National Wedding Wire representative just notified us that Complete Music & Video is one of the Bride’s Choice winners. We are so pleased and honored and wanted to share the good news with everyone!

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.