Tag: music

“Do This” & “NOT That”

We’ve reached out to the St. Louis Wedding Industry to find out some of the faux pas newly engaged couples make when planning their wedding….Here are the TOP 5 RESPONSES...

selective focus photography of pasta with tomato and basil

#1 – DON’T FORGET TO FEED YOUR VENDORS… Your photographers, planners, videographers, DJ’s & Bands are working 8 – 14 hours on your wedding day, so it’s important to make sure they are included in your guest count for a meal. They’re busting their butts to make sure you have an amazing day, so keeping them hydrated and fed will ensure they don’t keel over in the middle of your event. (*This does not include bar.  Pros should not be drinking alcohol on the job.)
If you’re worried about the added expense, because the menu options you’ve selected are super expensive…

DO THIS INSTEAD: Ask your caterers if they offer vendor meal options. 99% of the time, a guest dinner ranges between $30 – $60/ per person, so you can even factor that in as part of the gratuity.

#2 – DON’T BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY… When it comes to your wedding planning appointments, we understand they mom & dad may be paying for the party, so they want their input heard. BUT most meetings are designed for 4 people or less, so bringing Suzy, Sally, Johnny, Cindy, and Baby Wayne can make things feel extremely overwhelming and unproductive if too many opinions are being thrown into the mix. AND having small children running around, or babies crying while you’re trying to have conversation, can be very distracting for everyone involved.


DO THIS INSTEAD: If both sets of parents are adamant about attending, remember that usually Dad isn’t as interested as Mom is about discussing details….
So we suggest Engaged Couple + Mom + Mom = 4 People.

young woman thinking with pen while working studying at her desk

#3 – DON’T ASSUME TO KNOW EVERYTHING… Listen, we love a client who knows what they want, but sometimes ideas get set in stone too early, and end up needing to be changed once the pros step in. One of the biggest challenges we face, is having to explain why things need to be done a certain way.  A Wedding is a very big event, that involves multiple people doing specific tasks, at specific times, and for specific reasons.  Yes, many online resources help give couples ideas, but it takes a village to execute everything to a “T.”


DO THIS INSTEAD: Before you spend hours planning out every minute of your wedding day, create a vision board, or a list of ideas that you’d really like to include, then TALK to your vendors about the best way to bring those concepts to life.  Trust me, you’ll be happy you did!

clipboard with calendar placed on desk amidst stationery
Photo by Marko Klaric on Pexels.com

#4 – DON’T PROCRASTINATE… When you select a wedding date, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to shop around and start making decisions at a moderate pace. Most wedding vendors will provide you with a list of important dates/deadlines that you need to adhere to.  THESE DATES MATTER!  We have them in place so you’re not cramming everything in at the last minute.


DO THIS INSTEAD: When you meet with your vendors, ask them if what the important dates are, and add them to your calendar right then and there.  You’ll keep yourself stress free and prepared this way.

low angle photography of bride and groom dancing

#5 – DON’T MAKE YOUR DECISION SOLEY BASED ON PRICE… Weddings are expensive.  And with that, true professionals are not going to be the lowest price. This is their career, and not their hobby.  Hiring a professional means getting an experienced individual who is well versed in the wedding industry, that can guide & support you while providing an excellent wedding day.  As a wedding vendor, I always have people telling me nightmare stories from when they got married, or when their friends got married… the common thread is always “I wish we would have hired a professional”

DO THIS INSTEAD: You’re essentially throwing the biggest party of your life… Spend the extra money to get the quality you deserve.  You only get one chance to make it amazing♥

by Allegro Entertainment

Songs To Walk You Down the Aisle

Music sets the mood and brings your guests into your most significant wedding moment, and no moment is more captivating than your walk down the aisle. Beyond the traditional march and the evergreen Pachelbel’s Canon in D, you can personalize your wedding with a theme that captures the spirit of your personal connection to your partner. Of course, if you have a signature song as a couple – something romantic and meaningful – you have a perfect aisle theme already. But if your favorite tune is a little too techno for the tone of your wedding or doesn’t quite fit the moment and you’re just not feeling good about the obvious selections, here are some choices for wedding themes that can make your big moment a proper experience for everyone—especially you and your beloved!

  1. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

For a wedding with a contemporary feel, this horn-soaked slice of R&B bliss will set your ceremony off to a rollicking start. Ray’s chorus of pleading declarations echoed by honey-sweet backing vocals expresses everything your guests will need to know about your love and start your celebration off with a warm groove.

  1. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

A perennial favorite and long-time chart topper, this brisk and breezy little tune perfectly sums up a walk down the aisle. Jingling ukulele chords and Jason’s easygoing tones are as great a match for a beach wedding or an outdoor ceremony as they are for an intimate, candlelit indoor celebration.

  1. Come Away with Me – Norah Jones

If you want a tune with a nostalgic feel but a contemporary presentation, consider this lovely song from a classic voice that brings a 21st century feel to jazzy standard songwriting, with a message of two people escaping the world for the sake of love. Romance is the order of the day, after all!

  1. The Book of Love – Peter Gabriel

There won’t be a dry eye in the house by the time this valentine to the notion of eternal love is finished. Gabriel’s whiskey-and-smoke voice set against a curtain of romantic strings sets an orchestral tone paced perfectly for your aisle stroll. By the time final line “You want to give me wedding rings” comes around, you’ll be front and center for your big moment.

  1. I And Love And You – The Avett Brothers

Few musicians on the modern landscape capture the emotional sense of a wedding march than these talented siblings, and this chiming folk tune attests to the strength of a simple melody and a stirring chamber arrangement. A gentle, earthy tale about life on the road, the lyrics can easily be reimagined as the story of the challenges of love that have led two people to their pinnacle moment. 

  1. No One – Alicia Keys

If you’re looking for a bit of a thumper, this one has you covered. A gently driving beat and a minimalist arrangement provide a sonic landscape for Alicia’s soulful plea of commitment and devotion. A fantastic choice if your tastes tend toward a more upbeat option that will synchronize your guests and get their heads happily bobbing along in time!

  1. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – Damien Rice

Maybe one of the most tender, haunting love songs ever, this fragile rumination on the unexpected power of love builds to a soaring peak that can be timed for a wonderful touch of romantic drama for your trip down the aisle. A wonderful choice for the couple who favors a bit of storytelling in their ceremony.

  1. Best of My Love – The Emotions

If you’re looking to put a bit more spring in your step as you take the big walk, think about using this joyful classic. With its sun-splashed horns, bouncy rhythm and cheerful melody – not to mention a message of sheer and complete commitment – you can invite your guests to their feet to join you in a celebratory dance before the reception even begins! As a bonus bopper, pair it with This Will Be by Natalie Cole for a full-blown wedding aisle dance party.

  1. Fix You – Coldplay

An anthem of utter commitment, this buoyant wonderwork brings you the best of both worlds: soft introductory verses to set a delicate entrance that build to a triumphant climax proclaiming dedication to love even during the most trying times. It’s a heartswell of a tune that will broadcast your shared devotion in no uncertain terms.

  1. Glitter in the Air – Pink

A simple story told in a series of romantic images about letting go for the sake of love, this plaintive ballad is a study in celebrating the magic and excitement that comes with taking a leap of faith with the one who holds your heart. And closing with the sentiment “Will it ever get better than tonight?” is a pitch-perfect entrée into your ceremony and exchange of vows. 

Of course, there’s a whole world of music out there that would make a perfect theme for your walk down the aisle. And the theme and tone of your wedding will suggest the right music for you and your occasion. Consider the setting, décor, and tone of your wedding to make sure your theme is in keeping with the vibe you’re trying to create and listen to a wide range of choices with an open mind. You might find the right tune in a genre that you aren’t familiar with but that sets your hearts on fire as soon as you hear it. Also consider the pacing of your wedding; if you have several bridesmaids and groomsmen, you might choose a longer song to allow the full processional within the length of the song. You might also think about having two songs, one for the processional and a special one just for the bride. And because it’s YOUR wedding, you can choose what ever music suits your mood – the possibilities are practically endless!

by Allegro Entertainment