Pump Up The Music!

A crowded dance-floor, an energetic DJ and a party atmosphere is the perfect scene that most brides and grooms aspire for. A great playlist is the first step to ensuring that this dream becomes reality (plus a great DJ). I prefer a blend of hits from different eras, providing the perfect energy and plenty of favorites that everyone will enjoy. I personally love to mix classics with current Top 40 Hits, but today I will focus on the past ten years to avoid my own Top 100 list. Here are some hits from the past decade that will get your guests on (and keep them on) the dance-floor!

I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Give Me Everything (Tonight) - Pitbull feat. AfroJack, Ne-Yo and Nayer

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Just Dance- Lady Gaga feat. Colby O'Donis

Applause - Lady Gaga

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

California Girls - Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg

On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull

I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) - Pitbull

Shots - LMFAO feat. Lil John

Raise Your Glass - Pink

Teach Me How To Dougie - California Swag District

One More Time - Daft Punk

Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

In the Ayer - Flo Rida feat. Will.I.Am

Single Ladies - Beyonce (Perfect to get the ladies up for the bouquet toss)

Hey Baby - Pitbull feat. T-Pain

Wake Me Up - Avicii

Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat. Pharell and T.I

Work B**ch - Britney Spears

Timber - Pitbull feat. Ke$ha

Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Thrift Shop - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Do What You Want - Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly

Royals - Lorde

"I Do" Spotlight: Nimble Well

A Chicago based company, Nimble Well provides vintage china, cake stands and decor items for any event. The fine china and available items are perfect for a birthday party, engagement brunch, or a wedding celebration. Whether you want elegance, or something unusual, mixing vintage pieces with your decor makes your overall event unique. Nimble Well has a bounty of cake stands! Over 100 different types in their inventory as well as tiered stands. I would love for one of my brides to consider using Nimble Well to decorate their dessert bar. There is plenty to explore on their site, but here are some pictures to give you a peek:

Adult Twists On Childhood Favorites

Although we are adults, we still appreciate those treats we loved as kids. Those Hostess treats, and Little Debbie are brands that resonate with everyone, and their treats are childhood favorites. Why not take Childhood treats that everyone loves and give them an adult twist for your wedding? Your guests will enjoy age appropriate twists on their nostalgic favorites. Who wouldn't be happy with these delicious ideas?

Cotton Candy Martinis are the perfect whimsical signature drink. This is the perfect amount of sweet! Have fun with different flavors. Green Apple, Watermelon, Pomegranate, or Grape! Get creative and give your guests a treat at cocktail hour: Dessert before dinner!

What is better for cooling you down in the spring/summer than a Popsicle! An adult twist to these summer-time favorites is a simple upgrade in flavors. Create a Margarita, Pina Colada, and/or Daiquiri  Popsicle. Adding them to a glass of Prosecco adds some elegance to the cocktail treat, and the melted Popsicle will flavor the drink. 

Cake Pops have become very popular over the past few years, and have even replaced the cake sometimes! Make them even more unique by adding some adult flavor. Baileys and Chocolate, Patron and Key Lime Pie or Brandy and Banana Foster Cake are just a few delicious ideas. 

Who doesn't love a good milkshake? A spiked milkshake is a great late night surprise to cool your guests after a night of dancing.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Guests join the bride and groom to celebrate their nuptials. The bride and groom want their guest to enjoy delicious food, wonderful company and a great atmosphere. Just as important as all other aspects of the wedding, the bride and the groom take the time to pick their cake for the special day, so why keep it in a corner? The cake should have its moment and the details chosen by the couple should be in plain view. Here are some creative cake/dessert displays:

None of these pictures are my own.

A Reception Dress to Shock the Guests!

I have watched many wedding shows, had many discussions with friends and have read many blogs where this question pops up: Should a bride change out of her wedding dress for the reception? I have finally, after a lot of thinking, come up with an answer; It depends on the bride. It is a pretty simple answer. As the most important person that day, the bride has to do what makes her happy. Dream ceremony dresses can be heavy, form-fitting, or just not what the bride feels is right for dancing the night away at her reception. I will agree that more than one wardrobe change is extensive because the bride begins to miss events during her own special night, but I support the reception dress. Every star has a wardrobe change!

 So take a look at these fun, flirty, short dresses that still have that unique bridal feel that every bride wants, for all of her dresses:

None of these pictures belong to me.

Where To Seat the Married Couple?

This question is more common than most believe. There are multiple seating options and couples do not have to feel forced to do the traditional long table with the entire bridal party. Here are a few  options:

Sweet Heart Table
Very Modern. The bride and groom sits here in perfect view of their family and loved ones as toasts occur.

Estate Seating
This is for the bride and groom who want a more intimate dining experience with their guest with this "family style" seating. The bride and groom tend to sit in the middle, reserved by cute signs.

Square Table Seating
In my opinion, this is a perfect choice for the couple who don't want to be separate from the guests, but do not want the long tables. The square tables are perfect seating for the bride, groom, the parents, the best man and maid of honor. 

Traditional Long Table
This is the most common seating style. The bride and groom sit with their wedding party on either side.

Don't Stop Believing.....In Bands! (Did you get it?)

As I stood in Smash Studios in Manhattan, listening to the showcases of the bands of Elan Artists, I tart to wonder....What happened to the days when the excitement of the event you go to, whether a school function or a wedding, were a result of the live entertainment that would e supplied. the age of the wedding band is not gone yet! Wedding bands hold an energy and intimacy that DJs just can't produce. The interaction and ability to read a crowd is the biggest benefits of a band (plus the random 15 seconds of fame singing with the band). A reception can be divided between a DJ and a band: keeping the guests on their toes and playing something for everyone. I truly enjoyed the mash-ups of Top40 hits, old R&B, Motown, Rock & Roll and 80's hits. Check out the website and look at all the bands. I had the privilege of hearing Djore, The Elements and a new group Sound House.