How to Cut Your Wedding Flower Budget in Half

Your big day doesn't have to send you to the poorhouse.

What does a DJ know about wedding flowers? Well, I know that it can take away from the entertainment budget.  So I've done some research and here's what I've found. -Hans

You really don't plan on getting married again, so you want to splurge and still come out with a top tier event. There are ways to have the wedding of your dreams and emerge with a well-budgeted event that doesn't cause a strain. One way that you can do this is to cut your flower budget in half. Here are some ideas on how to do this fancifully, gracefully and attractively.

1.      This first one might be obvious, which is to integrate more than one type of flower. For example, consider combining fresh flowers with silk (yes, you may laugh, but this is a DJ's point of view). There are some gorgeous silk flowers in all kinds of color schemes. It's all in how you incorporate the silk into the real blooms. If they are used judiciously and blended artfully with the real flowers, they can be a show stopper. Not only will you have gorgeous blooms of color for your occasion, but after time has passed you will have some real flower remnants and the full silk flowers for your memory book or other display.

2.      Don't overlook the high-end grocery stores like Whole Foods. These places often have flowers and skilled floral arrangers that can do a marvelous job of creating the floral dream you have for your wedding.

3.      Don't overlook bulk big box stores, like Sam's and Costco. Just like they offer deeper discounts for buying canned goods and other things in bulk, they will also an excellent place to buy large quantities of flowers. Costco is known for providing the entire spectrum of wedding flowers that you will need; from centerpieces to the bridal bouquet and everything in-between.

4.      Find out which flowers are in season. If you do a little studying along these lines, you can come up with a lovely bouquet and other flowers that match the décor of your wedding and save you money.

5.      Consider buying from Overstock.com or other merchants that carry surplus materials. If you can't find flowers (such as silk) on such sites, look for other deeply discounted items like vases and accents. Even Goodwill Industries and thrift stores may be a haven for at least some of the components you need, such as green stems, ribbons, lace.

6.      Who said it had to be about flowers? Pinterest and a host of other sites feature pictures and details on a variety of non-floral bouquets that will work wonders at a wedding. Some of them even have accompanying tutorials, such as one for felt flowers. See here.

7.      Less is more. If you really love having a particular type of flower, but find them a bit on the pricey side, go with them anyway. Just use fewer of them.

8.      Go wildflower picking, if it's the right season.If the wildflower option doesn't work, consider getting flowers from your neighbor's garden or the gardens of people you know. This idea works especially well if you also have people to help you arrange the blooms into bouquets, centerpieces and other floral needs. It also helps if others will do the picking for you, or with you.

If you allow yourself to think beyond the weddings you've attended and plan your own wedding flower profile with style and pizazz, you can do yourself a budget-saving favor. Your flowers can still be fly without throwing your budget through the stratosphere.

Find out more about Nice Guys DJ

What's Your Style of Wedding Music?

At my wedding we had my 90-year-old grandmother and my nine-year-old niece all in attendance. My grandmother was all about the jitterbug and my niece was all about Miley Cyrus. A big difference in musical taste.

You and I both know the number one thing you can do to make sure all people are entertained -  is hire a professional, experienced DJ service. Since The demographics of most weddings is very broad – a professional experience DJ service will know what to play and when to play it.

That being said, you may want to give your DJ some direction on your taste in your style and how you envision the night. The ceremony and the cocktail hour have their own feel and vibe – we will cover these in another blog post. Today I want to talk specifically about the reception.

Alright, close your eyes and think about it. Brides you've already done this – now grooms, I want you to do the same - close your eyes right now and envision what everyone is doing at the beginning of the reception.

For the last hour your feet haven't touch the ground. You're running on pure adrenaline and a high that is like none other! You have just married the person of your dreams. You could probably care less what your guests are doing - But that's what I want to discuss right now (A couple months ahead of your wedding).  Because you are a thoughtful bride and groom, you are going to think through this process right now and make sure your guests have the best time ever. That they leave this wedding not only with love and joy in their heart – but they can say to each other that this was possibly the best "date night" that they have ever had.

So let me ask the question again. At the beginning of the reception what are your guests doing? Whether the reception is taking place at a banquet hall, barn, tent, or a rooftop in midtown - think about the music that would fit the scene.

In most occasions you would want the energy level to crescendo throughout the night. Rarely do I see (if ever), the reception starting with 128 BPM fist pumping a Avicii or LMFAO. Noooo....  You would want to start with something cool, classy, elegant, yet still a sense of excitement – not elevator music by any means.

The "beginning of the reception" timeframe that we are talking about can last from 1 to 2 hours. This music will be played during dinner, in between toasts, all the way up till party time! This music is something that you would want to tap your toe too, sing-along in your head to you, it just feels good and is familiar. Here are a couple options that I've seen work out very well.

●     Frank & Friends (Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett)

●     Mumford & Stuff (Mumford and Sons, Lumineers)

●     Love Ballads (Norah Jones, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson)

●     Your favorite favorites (choose a list of songs that you and your fiancé love to ride around and listen to. But the songs are not quite dancing songs)

Formality dances

We always give the bride and groom the option to pick their formality songs, and rarely we have been asked to help. The formality dances are usually very special songs that are unique to the couple dancing. As the DJ, we can manually cut the song short by fading out – so you're not dancing with your dad for five minutes (sometimes awkward).

Here's a list of formality songs to think about:

- introduction song

Something fun and crazy to get the crowd pumped up and set the tone for the night. I personally feel like it's giving the wedding party a little spotlight for buying clothes, shoes, and putting up with your pre-wedding craziness. Oh yeah - you'll be a little crazy. But it's good crazy :)

- first dance

I think the more personal this song is to the couple – the better. Start listening to songs while you are riding around, or sitting in a restaurant. It will hit you and you will say "this is our song".

- father/daughter & mother/son

I think a great idea is to let your parents pick the song. It's one of those formalities that makes everybody smile and it's definitely a peek memorable moment in your parents live.

- cake cut

I honestly have never seen this song to be one of the most important songs of the night. Nobody is really paying attention to the music and as long as it is fits the scene – anything can go here. Something with the word sugar is usually kind of cool. Sugar sugar, how sweet it is, the sweetest thing.

- garter

Depending on your personality – you may want this to be your time to shine as the groom. Getting the garter off with your teeth may be funny ...but not for grandma. So one way to break the ice and make this moment "not so awkward", is to play music that lightens the mood. Remember - You want this to be somewhat funny and create a memorable moment without having guests think OMG "save it for the honeymoon". One example that we use a lot – is the mission impossible theme song.

- bouquet

I don't know where this tradition started, but I think it's pretty hilarious. You've got a bunch of girls in high heels going up for a basketball rebound. Oh, not to mention that they are somewhat intoxicated. So any high-energy song that girls know and love – would work perfect here. The DJ plays a big role in the bouquet toss - making sure the girls are ready to catch the bouquet – the photographers ready to take the pictures – and the bride is not going to chuck the bouquet into a fan overhead.

- last dance

This is a tough one. I think that we could talk about the last dance for an entire blog post. It can go in so many different directions. But here's my thought. Have the DJ announced "this is the last song" and play a slow song. Then expecting an encore have a crazy song lined up ready to go. That way, you will have that last dance moment where you can reflect on the night - how awesome it was – and soak in the moment. But then, the crazy song you can go out with a bang!

Hopefully I have given you something to think about. Comment below if you agree or disagree and – share this post with someone who may like it. Thanks and see you on the dance floor!

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House Music at Weddings

What is "House Music"? 

Wikipedia says "House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago in the early 1980s." It goes on to say "Early house music was generally dance-based music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats, rhythms mainly provided by drum machines,[17] off-beat hi-hat cymbals, ... House music today, while keeping several of these core elements, notably the prominent kick drum on every beat, varies a lot in style and influence, ranging from the soulful and atmospheric deep house to the more minimalistic microhouse. House music has also fused with several other genres creating fusion subgenres,[17] such as euro house, tech house, electro house and jump house."

Wow!

That's a lot of "house" music. 

It seems like you can add any fusion subgenre to house.  And that's what I'm doing today.  I'm creating a subgenre called "Fun, Funky, Classy, Wedding, Lounge House" (of course I'm joking). 

I've created a playlist below that may work well for the super chic urban brides and grooms that want a house vibe without freakin' out your grandparents.  This mix could work well during the cocktail hour - or during dinner.

(Disclaimer: In the past 300 weddings we have performed - this type of music may have been appropriate for 20%. So, if this is not your "thing" that's OK.  We are just giving options.)

Check out the Spotify playlist below (a mixture of Funky House and Electro Swing) - and, as always - if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email info@nicedj.me  CHEERS!  Hans

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Wedding Ceremony Music

Wedding Ceremony Music Overview

We all know how important music is to the overall feel and vibe of the wedding ceremony. For example, the perfect music played during the prelude can create an atmosphere that is elegant and exciting.  Or the song that is played while the bride walks down the aisle can make everyone cry (including the groom).

Short doesn’t mean less important.

Some say because the wedding ceremony is short - less time, energy, effort, and money should be spent on the ceremony. I beg to differ. I believe the ceremony is indeed the most important part of the wedding. Without the ceremony - the awesome, fun, exciting, crazy, (too) tipsy bridesmaid reception party would not take place.  Two people becoming one is a big deal.

Break it Down

At different times there are different “feels”.  Music plays different roles at three different times during the ceremony.  We’ve broken them up into three categories.

1. Before the ceremony (Prelude)

2. During the ceremony (Processional)

3. After the ceremony (Recessional)

Let's take a look at the first time frame...

Before the ceremony.

Whether you are having an outdoor wedding in the rose garden or your ceremony takes place in a two hundred year old chapel - you want the same thing.  Also, it doesn’t matter if you want classical music, love songs, contemporary Christian, indie rock, jazz, or church organs.  You are all wanting the same vibe before the ceremony.

.....Anticipation

What you are wanting to do here is set the mood and the tone of the event.  You want the sound to be calming yet exciting - if that makes sense?? Calming meaning - the instruments are soft like a violin, cello, acoustic guitar, or piano. But exciting meaning - something grand or big is about to happen.

[To sum it up - the beginning of the ceremony needs to sound like the beginning of a movie]

During the ceremony  

OK - Everyone has settled into their seats.  Here comes Grandma, Mom, and the gang.  There needs to be a shift in music to show everyone that “This thing has started”.  You can grab everyone’s attention by doing a couple things.

1. Play the music louder (This is where a great DJ comes into play)

2. Choose music a little “less chill”

During the ceremony you have a couple parts to think about.  

• When the parents and the wedding party walks in.

• When the bride walks in.

• A song if you are doing unity candles or sand (remember silence = awkward)

• If someone is reading scripture or speaking- have soft music playing while they walk up to the mic. (Think the Grammys awards speech)

You may want a different song for each part, but I have seen one song used for several parts.  For example, the DJ can set a several cue points for a song and jump to different parts of the song that has different feels.  

Just last week Nice Guys DJ used the song “Kisses and Cake” by John Powell for the parents, bridal party, and bride by setting cue points at three different times.

Three cue points = three different events

1) Grandparents/Parents   2) Wedding Party   3) Bride

Listen to the song below at the three cue points and hear the difference.  00:00, 01:52, 03:46

After the ceremony

You may kiss the bride...  I now announce you Mr. and Mrs.!!!  Yay!!!  Boom, everything has instantly changed.

In this short time frame everyone's mood has shifted from nervous/excited to relieved/joyful and seriously ready to party. It is an amazing feeling to be a part of a wedding ceremony. It is one of the few times you get to experience so many emotions in such a short amount time. Seriously think about it - it's like watching the World Series in 25 minutes.

Using that analogy (even though that might be a stretch) - - but using that analogy - after you have won the World Series, you want the soundtrack to be amazing. And just like the beginning of the ceremony we wanted the music to sound like the beginning of the movie. You guessed it - You want the end of your ceremony to sound like the end of an awesome movie. There are many songs that would work for the wedding ceremony exit that actually are movie endings.

 When you are choosing your song, you want to ask yourself “Could I see credits rolling to this while the couple holds hands walking off into the sunset with a smile on your face?”

As a DJ I enjoy getting to be a part of the ceremony. A lot of times people will go with the DJ route if they are looking to cut costs. But I think the DJ for the ceremony can also be a classy elegant experience. Period can create a classy and elegant atmosphere.

I've seen it too many times where the strings are so quiet that no one can hear them. And the bride and groom forgot - even though they had hired cellist - they forgot to Mic the officiant. I would suggest a DJ for all ceremonies - even if you have a string Quartet.

How many songs do I need for the ceremony?

Before the ceremony = 6 to 10 songs

During the ceremony = 2 - 3 song

After the ceremony = 1 song

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