You are currently browsing the Mike Staff blog archives for March, 2010.
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Just in case you missed our television debut, check out Channel 7’s Ultimate Wedding Planning Show. I have to say, this show is packed with tons of wedding planning insight that you can’t find anywhere else.
You can view our clip below.
Want to start planning your Detroit Area wedding?
Click here for a brief meeting with one of our wedding consultants.
Happy Friday! The best way to kick start the weekend fun, relaxation, partying, wedding planning, or whatever you’re doing is with some killer tracks. Check out this playlist from SXSW:
Want to plan the perfect music for your reception?
Click here for a brief meeting with one of our wedding professionals.
Today kicks off March Madness in the world of College Basketball - and the world of men for that matter. If you haven’t had a chance to fill out your brackets yet, click here to print them out.
Back to what really matters: planning your wedding! If you thought it was hard to get your man to cake tastings, sizings, and Michael’s before - you might as well put up the white flag for this month.
To get you through the next few weeks of flying solo (those invitations won’t stuff themselves just because 11th ranked ODU could be the Cinderella team this year), we’re giving Detroit Area Brides another chance to download their Free Metro Detroit Wedding Planning eBook.
Click here to kick start your wedding planning with your free Metro Detroit Wedding Planning eBook, and keep your March “Madness” to a minimum.
Want to sit down with a wedding professional who wants to help plan your Cinderella Story?
Click here to get started.
I hope all of you Detroit Area Brides are enjoying today’s holiday as much as I am. What’s your favorite St. Patty’s day tradition? Is it dressing up? Showing off your Irish side? Or just the green beer?
For those of you looking to fully indulge in the festivities, here is a remedy for when you aren’t felling the Luck of the Irish tomorrow morning from top new source CNN: The Facts Behind Hangover Remedies.
Just this week in Detroit a real life bridezilla attacked, and she didn’t do it alone. Here is the story:
Don’t let your inner bridezilla get the best of you.
Click here for a brief meeting with one of our wedding consultants.
A photo montage is a budget friendly way to make your wedding pictures come to life with movement, music and emotion. Check out one of our recently married couples Kim and Chris, and their photo montage.
I just love this Brad Paisley song. The lyrics are just so honest.
Want your own Photo Montage?
Click here to contact us about creating yours.
I received an email today from Rachel Cytacki of All Things Creative. If you remember, she blogged about upcoming trends for 2010 recently. We now have the honor of sharing the insight of her husband, Dan, a wedding enthusiast. Dan’s insight into the wedding industry is impeccable, and to be honest, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Question: If you had a subscription to Sports Illustrated, do you think that would mean you’d no longer want to watch ESPN?
Recently, while working at a bridal show, our booth was near a videographer and I was amazed by the number of brides that told him, “I don’t need a videographer, we have a photographer”
Here are a couple of analogies that came to mind after hearing what the brides told this gentleman…
“What kind of drinks will you be serving?”
“We aren’t serving drinks; we’re going to have food instead”
“I notice there are no chairs for your guests”
“Yeah, we decided to go with tables”
“Where did you meet you’re husband?”
“We haven’t met yet but I’ve seen a ton of pictures”
Ok, maybe I’m overstating things a bit, but in my years of wedding experience, I’ve never heard a couple say “I’m really glad we don’t have a video of the day.” Pictures are wonderful. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the best photographers around, but there are aspects of the day no photo can capture.
While watching the sample work at the show, there was a great moment captured by the videographer I hope will help you understand where I am coming from. The Bride is putting on her veil, getting ready to head to the church. The camera cuts to her father standing in the hallway seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time. He’s smiling and holding back tears. He moves into the room to hug her. As the father puts his arms around his daughter we can no longer see his face, until the camera pans around the bride to reveal that he’s lost his battle to keep back the tears. He’s beaming with pride as the tears role down his face.
On a side note: here I am. Standing at our booth at a bridal show. Watching this, and thinking about my own daughter crying.
This is just one moment in a day full of moments you’ll want to have, keep, and share with your children and grandchildren.
You probably won’t pull the DVD out on a Saturday night when you don’t have plans or want to stay in, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the option. I think it would be really cool to see my parents wedding, and their wedding was so basic. Weddings have come a long way over the years and being able to document the day is priceless.
About the Author (’s wife)
Rachel Cytacki has been in the wedding industry for over 12 years. With that time comes a wealth of knowledge and relationships making her and All Things Creative a leading choice for wedding and event planning throughout Michigan. Rachel’s goal is to assist you in planning your event so you can enjoy the day with your family and friends.
A fun and stress-free wedding reception is a well-planned wedding reception. A step-by-step timetable of events, and an experienced DJ / Event Director to oversee them, will keep your party going.
Create a Timetable
Evening wedding receptions in southeast Michigan typically begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at midnight. Here’s an EXAMPLE:
6 – 7:00 Guests arrive. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served.
7:00 – 7:15 Guests are seated. Bridal Party is introduced into the room. Bride and Groom enjoy their “Grand Entrance”. Cake is cut. Bridal party is seated at head table.
7:15 – 7:30 Toasts are made. Grace is said.
7:30 – 8:40 Dinner is served.
8:40 – 8:59 Dinner is cleared while Bride & Groom pose for photos and visit with guests. Guests are free to stretch, visit restrooms; go outside to smoke, call home, etc. DJ gathers bridal party for the special dances.
8:59 - 9:00 Special introductions (usually grandparents)
9:00 - 9:15 Bridal dances
9:15 - 9:45 Dance & party music
9:45 – 10 Bouquet & garter toss. Anniversary Dance (OPTIONAL)
10:00 – 12 Dance & Party Music
Important Considerations…
Regarding your Hall
If you have invited out-of-town guests, and there is more than an hour between the ceremony and the reception, ask your reception hall what time it will open its doors and if you’ll be charged for asking staff to open early for your visiting guests. Remember to share opening and closing times with your vendors, too.
Bridal Dance Alternative
Occasionally, the bride and groom will choose to do their bridal dance immediately upon being introduced into the hall. This has become fashionable in New York City where, due to time constraints, wedding receptions generally last 3-4 hours. However, in Michigan, where wedding receptions are much longer, it is best for the bride and groom to enjoy their first dance after dinner, thus inviting other guests to join the party immediately following.
Cake Cutting
Michigan brides & grooms have found that the best time to cut their cake is immediately upon walking into the room. If the cake will be served as a dessert course, it should always be cut right away. If cake will be made available on buffet tables for self-service, although not recommended, it can be cut after dinner,
Who Will Give Speeches and Toasts?
Once the Bridal Party is seated at the head table, toasts can begin immediately. Speeches which accompany toasts should be kept between 2-5 minutes. It is VERY IMPORTANT to do all speeches, toasts and grace consecutively. It is very difficult to interrupt your guests’ table conversations multiple times.
Traditional Order of toasts, speeches & grace:
• Father (or mother) of the Bride (IF he/she so desires)
• Father (or mother) of the Groom (IF he/she so desires),
• Best Man
• Maid or Matron of Honor (increasingly popular)
• Anyone else who wishes to toast or give a speech (Remember, less is best!)
• Bride and Groom (If they want to thank their guests, etc.)
• Grace (Always last. Usually said by clergy, parent or grandparent)
Bridal Dances
Avoid the temptation of having too many “formal” dances. If you want to share a special dance with your grandmother, for example, it is best to do it while guests can also dance. Remember, your guests’ attention will wander if asked to watch the newlyweds dance with everyone special to them.
Order of Dances:
Bride & Groom
Bridal Party (Including parents, flower girls, etc.)
Father – Daughter Dance
Mother - Son Dance
Everybody Dance (All of your guests are invited to join the newlyweds for a slow dance.)
Remember to use the timeline and considerations listed here as examples. Tap into the knowledge of wedding professionals to help guide you toward a timeline that works best for your wedding reception.
Start planning your wedding reception now!
Click here to sit down with one of our Award Winning Wedding Professionals.
We’ve talked about Save-the-Dates before on here. You Metro Detroit brides are loving the freedom of this announcement. We’ve seen magnets, postcards, cartoons, stop motion animation, and so many others. I found this Save the Date video today, and I had to share it. I love the vintage and playful feel.
Check it out:
Want to have a professional videographer make your Save the Date video?
Click here to discuss how to capture your creativity on camera.
There’s a new song in the number 1 spot, “Ima Be” by the Black Eyed Peas. Is this song making your Must-Play List?
Want to start planning your Must Play List?
Click here to sit down with a reception music professional aka one of our Award Wining DJs.
