Tag: wedding

“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

Fun Activities for Your Wedding Reception

Everyone knows the ceremony is bound to be beautiful, but the reception is where the party REALLY starts…and continues into the night, sometimes even after the happy couple has left for their honeymoon! To make sure you have a rocking good time ready for your guests – and for yourselves, too —remember to include some fun activity stations that encourage everyone to mingle, circulate, and capture moments the whole evening through. With a little planning, you’ll create memories that last forever for everyone who attends. There’s no better way to celebrate your happiest day!  

  1. DJs—With a DJ running the show, you have a built-in party steward making sure the music matches the moment, getting everyone on their feet, and keeping the energy flowing from start to finish. They’ll call out the toasts, the special dances, the garter and bouquet tosses, and all the other moments you’ll be too busy reveling to call out yourself. In other words: with a DJ at the helm, you can relax and enjoy the party with everyone else!
  1. Live Bands—Few elements add stratospheric levels of happy energy to a reception like live bands! Imagine a lounge band playing standards, an R&B unit cranking out smooth-as-silk classic tunes, or a dance band turning your reception hall into a house party. If you’re a lover of live music and you want a real treat for the occasion, you can’t go wrong with a live combo to bring the magic alive. 
  1. Lighting—Atmosphere is everything at a reception; you can shift from sweet and romantic to lively and energetic with the flip of a switch. Colored gels can lend mood, disco lights can signal all the party people to the dance floor, and soft spotlights can call out the cake cutting and first dances like no other aspect of your event. With a lighting professional on hand to make the most of your reception space, you’ll know the spirit of your special day will be captured at every turn.
  1. Photo Booth—What better way to get your guests laughing with one another than a fun photo booth? You can supply props for fun wedding hashtag moments, encourage long-lost friends reunited for the occasion to capture new memories, and catch impromptu family reunions among long-distance relatives in digital form to share on social media and to store away for sweet memories. It’s the best way to catch all the beautiful faces in their most relaxed revelry for reliving the moments long after the reception has ended! 
  1. Sentiment Stations—From a registry that allows your guests to leave their best wedding advice to a shadow box frame filled with wooden hearts signed by your friends and loved ones, a sentiment station or two set up around your reception allows everyone to leave their thoughts and wishes for the happy couple. You’ll end up with a collaborative keepsake that captures the spirit of your big day forever, and your guests have a chance to participate in the evening in a special way. Everybody wins! 

At Allegro Entertainment, we specialize in making your wedding celebration an occasion to remember. From lighting to DJs, from live bands to photo booths, our specialty is turning up the fun and excitement, removing the stress from the happy couple so they can enjoy a worry-free wedding and reception. Visit our Look and Book sign-ups (did we mention they come with a free cocktail party, complete with beverages, live music, and appetizers?) and let us show you how we can bring even more magic to your most enchanted day!

by Allegro Entertainment

Group Dances for Your Reception

It’s a moment in the wedding reception that everyone looks forward to, when all your guests can jump up and get their groove on regardless of age, relation or dancing skill. Yes…it’s the time-honored tradition of the group dance! Also known as line dances, these are great energizers for your party, providing the more reluctant dancers a chance to lose themselves in the crowd while reliving popular moves they’re all familiar with – or learning some new ones with the help of everyone on the floor. With such a wide tradition of group dances, it can be hard choosing which to include. We’ve thrown our favorites together on a list to give you some ideas.

  1. Chicken Dance—Beloved by young and old and easy to learn as shaking a tailfeather, the Chicken Dance has been enjoyed at weddings for generations. It’s a perfect opportunity for children to dance with their grandparents in a fun, silly way that gets the whole room squawking and rocking! 
  1. Macarena— Just try to keep your head from bobbing when you hear the bouncing rhythm of this 90s classic. The lyrics issue a friendly warning that, while Macarena is showing you how to dance, her interest is fully innocent. Once you’ve learned the moves, it’s hard not to bust them out anytime you hear a snippet of the song—or any song with a similar beat!
  1. Electric Slide — There’s nothing quite like seeing a room filled with partygoers dancing in unison, and few dances get everyone in sync like the Electric Slide! Just try to stop them all from chanting the “IT’S ELECTRIC…boogie-woogie-woogie” refrain every time it crops up. Interesting facts: the 22-step dance was created in 1976, though it gained popularity as a wedding dance in the 1990s.
  1. Cha Cha Slide— It’s practically impossible to get this one wrong, since the song literally spells out the dance moves for you—in order! It’s an easy and fun dance for parents of young children to do alongside one another, listening for their instruction of “Two hops one time – two hops two times!” And the freestyling that happens at the break is a spectacle not to be missed.
  1. Conga Line—The whole room becomes a single snaking chain of celebration, kicking and shuffling around the dance floor when the DJ calls for a conga line! It’s such a doable dance that no one needs to be left out of the good times. Try a classic version of a conga tune to get things rolling, or opt for a more contemporary take, such as —you guessed it—“Conga” by Gloria Estevan and Miami Sound Machine!

There’s no reason not to include a few group dances in your special evening sprinkled among the slow dances and the all-out thumpers. It’s a great way to encourage friends, family and strangers to come together all at once to celebrate your special occasion. And with so many possibilities available, you can make sure everyone gets a chance to hit the floor dancing with a group dance that suits their abilities. In fact, you might have trouble getting them all to stop when it’s time to cut the cake!

by Allegro Entertainment

Wedding Colors for 2021

Color coordinates the visual elements of your wedding like nothing else can. It sets the tone, creates the mood, and establishes the overriding vibe for the space, from the entrance to altar, leading right through the reception hall – and even to the cake décor! You may have a favorite color scheme in mind that captures the perfect romantic atmosphere for your special day. But do they match up with what the trends are? And if you haven’t chosen a color set, are you ready to explore the most up-to-date possibilities for the 2021 wedding season? Well, we are…take a look at the five most striking color sets for weddings this year and see if they strike your fancy! 

  1. Naturals

Tans, chocolates, rusts, and other subdued tones of nature are a timeless palette that impart a sense of class and subtlety to your wedding. Natural tones work well with a variety of textures, whether you’re going with a modern-cut silk wedding dress or a vintage design trimmed in lace – and they’re perfect for neck ties and bridesmaids dresses to tie your wedding party into the affair. For an added touch of flair, think beyond the expected tones into washed-out blues, greens and lilacs. These tones fade to effective naturals without losing their personality. 

  1. Brights

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll find sunny, vivid colors splashed throughout your wedding décor an equally viable option. Tropical tones like Caribbean blue and mango orange used in moderation add energy to your wedding space and indicate that you’ve come to celebrate in a bold way. Expand the color set to include leaf green or orchid purple for your place settings to lend an eclectic touch that carries the sense of fun into your reception hall.

  1. Grays

Artful and classic, grays are always an elegant choice for a wedding palette. But until you truly examine the color, you won’t realize how many different grays there are to choose from. Cool grays tend toward the blue end of the spectrum, while warm grays carry a shadow of red, sepia or gold. It’s a subtle difference that can pull together a look that speaks of your favorite bygone era – think stylish 1940s looks or a vintage sepia-toned photograph brought to life in modern shapes and settings. Your guests will be starry-eyed at the nostalgic feel grays can bring to your wedding.

  1. Neutrals

There’s never a time when creams, taupes and tans are wrong for a wedding palette. These colors shimmer with graceful undertones and make for a perfect companion to classic black tuxedo choices, and even table settings and cake décor. To dial up the style a bit, choose a soft color like sage green or dusty pumpkin to accent boutonnieres and bouquets without overpowering the neutral base tones and you have a recipe for stunning wedding color everyone will appreciate.

  1. Rose

Rose is an entire palette unto itself and can be paired with so many other colors to create an array of beautiful color sets. Go with rose coral for a bright, inviting shade that will compliment purples, oranges and greens, bright red rose for a full-on black-tie affair, or opt for a dusty rose to keep with a more classic shade that always plays nicely with greens, golds and chocolates. And, of course, if your flowers will be roses, you’ll have no trouble aligning the colors across all elements for an instant match.

Of course, color is such a personal choice that you should always go with your own taste, and any color palette you choose can be made to work with a bit of creativity in your color placement. And if there are too many options that you love for you to decide easily on a set that makes your heart sing, you can always consult a wedding professional for guidance. They’ll be happy to help you figure out exactly what color will bring the love to your auspicious occasion!

by Allegro Entertainment

Fun Wedding Invitation Ideas

Wedding invitations are the only part of your special day that will enter the homes of
your guests. They’re also one of the most personal elements of the entire event, one
that presents a couple’s personalities, interests, and artful aesthetic, which can set the
tone for the entire wedding. Knowing how much impact an invitation will have, you can
create an invitation that speaks very distinctly about you – anything goes! So how do
you start when searching for the perfect format for creating fun and highly personalized
wedding invitations? We’ve come up with a quick list of possibilities that should set you
on the right path. From photos to lettering, we’ve got your fun wedding invitation ideas
covered!

  1. Dramatic Portraits
    Photos of sweeping natural vistas, illuminated nighttime cityscapes, lush,
    wooded coves and sun-soaked meadows all make for beautiful portrait
    backgrounds, perfect for create a cozy photographic invitation. Not only do you
    capture a pre-wedding moment for your own preservation, but by printing the
    information on the back of the photo, your invitation becomes a lovely frameable
    keepsake for your guests as well. Make it even more personal by enlisting a
    photographer friend or family member to handle the shoot and help choose just
    the right location.
  2. Sweet Illustrations
    There are as many ways to present a happy couple in illustrated form as there
    are illustrators to create them. You can become Disney figures, storybook
    illustrations, boardwalk caricature or anime characters – whatever suits your
    sensibilities! If your social circle happens to include anyone who’s artfully
    inclined, you could recruit them for the cause. And if you don’t happen to know
    any illustrators, you can find many for hire on websites like Fiverr, Etsy or
    Instagram eager to whip up a charming sketch for the occasion. It’s a great
    opportunity to present a whimsical wedding theme into the invitations to start the
    event off in a colorful way.
  3. Beautiful Hand-lettering
    Calligraphy is a timeless touch that lends elegance to any invitation, especially
    when used on hand-addressed envelopes. With lettering artists abounding
    online these days, you’re sure to find one who can provide just the right script to
    suit your occasion. If your budget won’t allow for a personal calligrapher, there’s
    a world of free calligraphic and script-style fonts on the web that make fantastic
    stand-ins for hand-lettering. Some sites even allow you to enter your sample
    texts so you can see what the final product will look like.
  4. Quirky Presentation

If you’re a foodie or a wine lover, why not present the information on your
invitation as a menu or a wine list? Or if your pets are a part of the big day, what
if you let them do the inviting? There are limitless ways to work personal details
about your life into your wedding invitations to add a bit of fun quirk to the
design. You can research more coordinated options at print shops or seek out
designers or artists who’ll create bespoke formats that represent bride and
groom as uniquely individual. With an invitation so fun and personalized, your
friends and family will recognize and appreciate the announcement as soon as it
arrives!

  1. Comical Text
    Let your sense of humor shine through in the way you call out your special
    occasion! Compose a few hilarious lines that explain where, when and what’s
    happening on your special day; remind your invitees to RSVP with a wisecrack
    about late-comers and no-shows. And include details like cash bar (if there is
    one), gift registries, special instructions like dinner choices, etc., all presented
    with a touch of wit that puts your guests at ease and announces the tone of the
    evening. The fun will begin for your guests long before the wedding!

These are just a few possibilities for creating fun invitations for your wedding…and
that’s not to mention the save the date cards! No matter what fun personalized path you
take, as long as your invitations have your own personal touch presented in a thoughtful
way that makes you happy, they’re sure to be a hit. Be sure you save a copy or two
—including envelopes — as keepsakes for your wedding album. You’ll have even more
treasured memories to relieve every time you open the cover and revisit your very
personalized wedding!

by Allegro Entertainment

Songs For Your First Dance

The traditional first dance of a bride and groom is a guaranteed focal point of your wedding reception. All eyes turn to the happy couple for their inaugural spin around the dance floor, and the music chosen symbolizes their bond and the promise of the next chapter of their fairy tale. There’s a whole trove of legendary first dance songs, romantic tunes that set the tone for such a meaningful and emotional moment, each with personal meaning for the couple who chooses them. With so much promise held by this peak moment of your celebration, we’ve gathered a list of potential tunes to suit the occasion perfectly.  

  1. Time and Tide – Basia

A breezy mid-tempo groove from the 80s, this jazzy tune lends a happy, hopeful energy to your romantic spin along the dancefloor. And the lyric “nothing and no one can stop us now, for better or worse…” reflect the strength of your union in no uncertain terms. 

  1. At Last —Etta James

This timeless showstopper resonates with love and gratitude from the first striking note. A classic slow-burner that fills the room with Etta’s pitch-perfect delivery of an arrangement that’s never gone out of style, you’ll feel the power of your total commitment to your truest love as you take your first musical steps as a married couple.

  1. Honeybee – The Head and The Heart

An unexpected song about belief and how love can change your heart, this minimalist pop ballad gives a modern twist to your first dance, and the lyrics state without any doubt that “we made a garden of the love we found” no matter what it took to get there. A stirring tune to set you spinning into your happy ever after!

  1. Like A Star — Corrine Bailey Rae

The overwhelming romance of finding your once-in-a-lifetime love comes through in Corrine’s hushed tones and plaintive, shimmering guitar and electric piano, creating a jazzy vibe that brings equal parts mood and sunshine to your first dance. It’s a captivating blend that presents love as a complex magic, a fantastic start to the celebration yet to come. 

  1. Fidelity—Regina Spektor

This quirky tune expresses the wonderment of discovering the perfect someone and how things could have easily gone another direction but didn’t, and how that reality inspires “music…and it breaks my heart”, but in the best possible way. You’ll be dancing your way into forever to the happy sounds of plucky violins, bouncy piano chords and the happy promise of being inspired by such a powerful phenomenon as true love.

  1. Like Real People Do—Hozier

This almost-choral folk song speaks of acceptance and holding onto the moment with its chorus of “we should just kiss like real people do” will give you the feeling of being the only two people in the whole world despite being watched by a roomful of friends and family members celebrating your most auspicious occasion. And isn’t that what true love is all about? 

  1. I Choose You – Sara Bareilles

Sara gives us a song custom-crafted for first dances. From the proclamation of its title to its “tell the world that we finally got it all right” chorus to its gentle pop-samba guitar-and-handclap delivery, you’ll be swaying joyfully in the glow of true love, and your guests will be bopping along in their seats as they watch your happiness unfold.

  1. Blessed – Thomas Rhett

This country/R&B throwback tune lends a waltzy bounce to your first dance, the descriptions of deep dedication and the idea that being “lucky just ain’t enough” when describing a love so powerful. It’s a honey-sweet introduction to your reception and a glowing invitation for your guests to celebrate your union with some happy dancing of their own.

  1. Overjoyed—Stevie Wonder

There may be no more perfect lyrical summation of commitment than this R&B classic from a musical genius like none other. “Over time, I’ve been building my castle of love, just for two…” It reads like a romantic ode from another era, but it plays like a swelling ballad of ultimate commitment to love that allows for a gentle slow dance beginning and a triumphant call to total jubilation by the end.

  1. Endless Love – Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

“My love…you’re every breath that I take…” This classic emotional duet will bring happy tears to everyone in the hall as it begins tenuously and tremulously like every true love does and slowly builds to that wondrous pinnacle of commitment. As a song for your first dance as man and wife, you can’t do any better.

What are your favorite choices for first dance songs? We’d love to hear what’s on your list. Connect with us on social media, on Instagram @allegrostl and Facebook as Allegro Entertainment and tells what tunes you’ve got cued up for your first wedding dance!

by Allegro Entertainment

Outdoor Wedding Season

Now that we’ve turned the corner toward spring, thoughts turn to spending more time in the beautiful outdoors. And with that comes the idea of outdoor wedding prep. If you’ve already chosen a date and venue, congratulations; it should be a wonderful season for a ceremony al fresco! If you haven’t gotten this far in your planning, or if you’re aiming for a summer or fall wedding instead, there are still considerations you can make now for how to prepare an outdoor wedding that maximizes a memorable setting for your ceremony, your reception and your photography opportunities. Here are a few aspects to consider when planning your outdoor wedding in any season. 

  1. Location—The most important consideration aside from climate is the location of your outdoor wedding. The size of your wedding will help you decide whether an intimate garden setting is appropriate or if something larger like a botanical garden if one is available and suits your expenses. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, think about friends or family who might have a pretty backyard setting that you could use; an outdoor wedding on a site that has meaning to you and your attendants is a perfect personalized choice for a smaller event.  
  1. Lighting—An afternoon wedding will have plenty of bright and happy illumination to spare; a beach setting is even brighter, though reflections off the water might dazzle your vision, or that of your wedding goers. Visit the site ahead of the wedding during the time of day when your ceremony will take place to gauge positioning for maximum lighting impact. If your outdoor wedding is an evening event, think about adding a gentle romantic glow using candles on tables and lanterns or fairy light strands hung from trees. And if you’re particularly celestial-minded, planning your wedding for the night of a full moon can bring all the elements into perfect lighting alignment. 
  1. Décor —For an outdoor wedding, the setting can serve as the décor as well. A rose garden overflowing with colorful blooms, a greenspace with lots of lush limbs and leaves, or a lakeside setting under the trees will give a striking background for the ceremony and the reception. Take advantage of the setting by choosing a focal point for the ceremony that maximizes the environment. A few simple hanging ornaments can create a visual border to hem in the space; think tasteful tulle swags or floral garlands, things that keep with the atmosphere while leading the eye to the bride and groom for the ceremony, and something like a runner or a path of flower petals to direct wedding goers to the reception area.  
  1. Table Settings—With a few easy touches, you can pull the theme of the outdoor setting into the décor of your reception. For a woodsy setting, use tasteful sprays, pinecone bundles and branches as rustic tablescapes, or fill small vases with flowers that match the background of a garden wedding setting. Shells and sand dollars in small glass globes filled with sand and tealight candles will make lovely ornaments for a beach-themed wedding, and autumn leaves with your guests’ names elegantly lettered make stunning placeholders for a fall wedding. Be imaginative with your table settings to give your wedding a cohesive feel that incorporates elements of wilderness in meaningful ways.
  1. Weather—If you outdoor wedding takes place in the fall or on a cool spring evening, your guests might need to bring jackets or gather around space heaters to keep comfortable; if it’s a summer wedding, they might need an air-conditioned indoor space to cool off, or maybe more casual dress. The time of year and setting of your ceremony may determine the attire of your guests, so be sure to outline the expectations in your save-the-date cards and invitations. Of course, you can’t control the weather on the day, but a bit of forethought will make sure you’ve covered as many bases as possible.

An outdoor wedding brings the majesty of nature to a most significant day and can lend a sense of awe to your auspicious occasion. With enough planning and ingenuity, you can create a wonderland for your special day and create a memorable event that expresses your love of the outdoors as much as it does your love for one another!

by Allegro Entertainment

How to Choose Your Vows

There’s no more emotional aspect of a wedding than the vows you’ll exchange. Your guests will hang on your every word, waiting eagerly to hear you speak your commitment to your spouse in lines you’ve chosen especially for the occasion. With this much significance, putting your heart and soul into written form can be challenging, especially if writing isn’t your strong suit. There are plenty of existing vows that can be adapted for any wedding that will work wonderfully with just a few additions to capture your personal details. But if you’re looking for a special reading specific to your ceremony, how do you know what to include, what to leave out, and how to choose just the right words to express exactly what you feel? Here are a few helpful suggestions to get you started.

  1. Make Them Personal—Consider your truest emotions for the occasion and write them in plain language as a love letter to your partner. How does this person make you feel? What made you fall in love with them and choose them as a forever partner? What do you hope to experience them as the years unfold? If you speak your heart, no matter what ends up on the page, your vows will be sweet, sincere, and genuine.
  1. Make Them Poetic—If you’re a fan of poetry, you can choose a few lines or a whole verse from a favorite poem that properly expresses your feelings. If you’ve never explored the idea of poetry as vows, research classic and contemporary romantic poets to see what their work offers. And if you’re truly daring, why not try putting your own thoughts in poem form? It doesn’t need to rhyme to be poetry; it just needs to express what you feel poetically.
  1. Make Them Original—If you have a friend or family member who happens to be a writer, why not enlist their help in creating something special and new that says exactly what you’re feeling? You can conduct an interview or have a conversation about what you want to include. Give them all the notes they need, then let them work their magic to make your thoughts sing. Not only will you create something special together, you’ll have a wonderful memento to commemorate your special day. You can even have them printed and framed and present them to your partner as a beautiful bride or groom gift!
  1. Make Them Authentic—No matter which direction you choose, make sure your vows come from your heart and not just from the expectations of others. These are your personal thoughts about your loved one, and you are free to decide what they should be. Even if they end up being three simple lines about your devotion and dedication, you’ll have created the perfect vows for your ceremony. 

And if all else fails…

  1. Make Them Traditional—There’s nothing wrong with choosing classic, traditional vows for your ceremony. Even if they’ve been written by someone else and used in weddings other than yours, as long as they resonate with you, they’ll be perfect. You can investigate the possibilities online to find something unique or go with beloved phrasing from Biblical or spiritual text. Your minister or officiant can offer some suggestions if nothing speaks to you. Be sure to ask for their assistance.

There are unlimited ways to speak your love in the form of wedding vows. Whether you go with a contemporary twist, choose a love poem that everyone will recognize and swoon over or opt for a thoroughly traditional set of familiar, loving vows, the fact that you’ve taken the time to choose them yourself will add the personal touch that makes your wedding unique to you. And you’re sure to set your loved one’s heart aflame all over again when they hear you speak of the depth of your love and adoration for them. And that’s what your vows are all about!

by Allegro Entertainment

Wedding Cake Trends

Aside from the happy couple, the centerpiece of any wedding is, of course, the cake! Whether it’s a humble creation for a modest affair or a sculptural monument for a gala event, wedding cakes are what capture your guests’ attention most. Not only are they the confectionary pinnacle of the celebration, they’re also a symbol of union and exchange; when the bride and groom cut the cake and share the first slice, they’re enacting cooperation and commitment to nourishing and taking care of one another. And when all eyes are on the masterpiece from the start of the reception right up until the big moment, the cake is in the spotlight. 

With influencers creating masterful cakes in new styles literally every day, there’s an exciting and diverse range of designs to choose from, something for any and every couple’s tastes. Because it can be difficult to decide – and because traditional wedding cakes just won’t cut it for your special day – we’ve rounded up some cake trends we think will be setting off sparks for the 2021 wedding season. 

Tall Towers – Think thin when it comes to cakes this year. Tall, narrow columns of confectionary goodness stacked two tiers high make a striking visual impression. 

Mini-Cakes—Having a small, elegant cake represent the festive occasion with a larger cake stored in a fridge for cutting and serving at the right moment addresses hygiene protocols that come with a COVID-era wedding. But small needn’t be less than; there can be great artistic impact in a small cake on a well-chosen pedestal surrounded by themed décor that fill out the display.  

Thoughtful Design— Step away from traditional flower sprays and vining ivy to add more personalized elements that speak of the happy couple. Gold and stone veining, candy crystal geodes, faux paper wrapping or impressionist frosting details will stun your guests with an artful display, one with significance beyond being the centerpiece of the celebration.

All Things Buttercream—Fondant moves aside in favor of minimalistic tone-on-tone buttercream piping that can be made modern or traditional with a twist of the frosting tube. Think sculptural designs, fabric recreations and bas-relief bands of detailed design to maximize the shape and shadow rendering that will lend an understated elegance to your cake. 

Individual Desserts—For the ultimate in safety among your guests, individualized desserts that reach beyond cake can be presented in lovely packages that ensure each serving is sealed until presented. Color-themed macarons, detailed sugar cookies decorated in wedding colors, handmade candies and custom-flavored chocolates all lend a distinctive touch. 

No matter what style you choose—something modern or a more traditional idea—your cake is bound to be a celebration in and of itself. The most important thing to consider is that it reflects the tastes of the happy couple. And as long as it does, it will be the perfect cake for a perfect occasion!

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