Revel in the Moment



You're both looking sensational; you're in your gown, he's in his tux. The people dearest to you -- family, friends, school chums and co-workers -- are gathered around you. For a few precious hours, they'll celebrate your marriage and share in a fabulous wedding feast and party. During your wedding reception, all eyes will follow you around the room. All ears will listen to what you have to say. You'll have the undivided attention of those who matter to you the most. What message would you like to share?

Make the Day Yours

It's your party, your time to shine. You'll be much happier if you plan a wedding reception that meets your criteria for fun, not others? expectations. You've carefully chosen a venue and favorite menu, wedding decorations and gorgeous outfits. Think about the mood these choices have created. What music can you add to enhance the ambiance you've worked so hard to develop?

Be Creative in your Approach

Your wedding reception signals the beginning of hours of togetherness. Are you dreaming of an elegant gathering or a high-energy party? Either vision can be achieved when you apply your imagination to each rite of passage, starting with your arrival at the reception hall. This is your time to make a splash. How you do it is up to you. Looking for a stylish entrance? An archway of flowers or the raising of military swords creates a canopy above the bride and groom as they approach. A less formal, more personal entryway is made when the bridal party clasps hands and raises their arms above the heads of the newlyweds. Craving some humor? Put some sunglasses on the bridal party. A ?classy? or ?rockin? reception mood can be established in the first few minutes, so plan your arrival and other meaningful moments ? but enjoy the spontaneous.

Choose Music with Meaning

Set the tone for your reception from the start, by choosing music that matches the mood and creates meaning for you and your wedding guests. When planning your songs, the only rule is: there are no rules! Your selection of music will add to the party's ambiance, so spend some time thinking about your favorite tunes and slowly building a list that brings back cherished memories, while creating new ones for you and your guests.

Lead with the Music

Spin One Song as the Bridal Party arrives?

During your bridal party's introductions, why not choose a song that reminds them of some good times you've shared? Like the time you and your school buddies enjoyed a tailgate party before an ?away? game, while Nelly blared in the background. Or the weekend everyone went canoeing, staying up late and singing Blink-182 songs around the campfire. Were you together for a favorite concert? They'll remember and appreciate a song that touched them personally.

Another option is to allow the title of the song, like Marilyn Manson's ?Beautiful People,? to send a more general message to them. Your guests will enjoy being ?in? on the fun, too.

When your preference is to create a mood or environment, spinning a song like ?Get The Party Started? by Pink or ?Let's Get It Started? by the Black-Eyed Peas can get your guests ?in the groove? when the bridal party arrives. They'll listen for more musical cues as the evening progresses, and they won't have to wait long?

Spin Another Song for the GRAND ENTRANCE?

Anything goes, but not everything works. If the song holds great meaning for you, it's appropriate. Compositions that sound like royalty such as Europe's ?The Final Countdown,? or the Chicago Bulls? theme song, or the ?Imperial Star Wars March? really put the ?grand? feeling in your entrance. They can raise goose bumps -- as well as expectations of the party to follow.

Choosing to say it simply, with your song titles, is another alternative and gives your guests that happy feeling of recognition. Popular choices are U2's ?Beautiful Day? or ?Higher? by Creed. Classy and romantic, ?At Last? by Etta James fairly oozes from the speakers and wraps its musical arms around willing listeners. More upbeat, but equally sophisticated, Glen Miller's ?In The Mood? is a popular selection that blurs the line between ?cranking? and ?classy? and appeals to many kinds of music lovers.

About the Author

Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions