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I
think the reason I do so many wedding receptions is because of the tremendous
"word of mouth" my business has received. Someone will see
me at a wedding reception, be very impressed with all the different
little things I do to make it successful, and then when it comes time
to call someone, they remember my name or the business logo when looking
in the yellow pages or online for a D.J. If
I am too far away from the ceremony location to see first hand what
is happening, I use cordless communicator headsets, so whoever is helping
me can let me know when to start the different songs for the ceremony.
It works quite well.
When you receive the Party Line contract, you will also receive an information sheet. Once you send the contract and information sheet back, I will know what events you will, and will not, be doing. The week of the event I will call to set up a time that is convenient for you to do the final agenda. Click the link below
To Open the Wedding Information Sheet You Must Have Adobe Reader If you need it, click on the icon below
Together we will go over each item, step by step, leaving no stone un-turned, keeping in mind, this is your day. This final agenda is my cue sheet for your wedding day. It tells me the order of events and the songs to use. I will create folders in my computer program for each of the days events. When I am doing the music for the wedding and reception, I will set up a folder for music "As People Arrive" another for "The Ceremony" then "The Reception." I will set up folders for "Dinner Music," then for dancing, "Fast," and "Slow." During the agenda I will get phonetic spellings for difficult names, so I can introduce the wedding party correctly. I will also type out special announcements that may have to be made. We will discuss whether you will be doing... During the Wedding & Reception I wear several hats. One - Master of Ceremonies. Letting all those in attendance know what is going to be happening next. Two - The Coordinator. Assisting the bride and groom in getting all traditions taken care of. Three - The Disc Jockey. Entertaining all your guests and making sure they have a fun, memorable time.
The Ceremony
When the ceremony and reception are at the same location, I supply the music and sound system for the ceremony. I have two lapel microphones. One for the Bride and one for the Groom. I also have a cordless microphone and stand for the efficient conducting the ceremony. In some instances you may not want to have a microphone. Not a problem, just tell me and I won't put one on you.
1. As People Arrive.
As people arrive I will have light music playing in the background. Just as the ceremony is to begin I will make the following announcement. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the ceremony will begin in just a moment, it's at this time we ask that all cell phones and pagers be shut off or put into the silent mode. Once again, the ceremony will begin in just a moment.. Thank-You" Nowadays it's very important we make this announcement, to insure there are no undue interruptions during your nuptials.
2. The Ceremony
If you do not have a coordinator, I will line you up, and tell you when to begin walking down the isle. If you have a coordinator, I will communicate with them to insure everything goes as planned. I have many appropriate songs for the wedding ceremony; from traditional, to not so traditional. When we do the agenda the week of the event, together we will discuss all the music that will be used during your ceremony. As People Arrive. When the Groom and Officiate enter. (Sometimes Groomsmen as well) For the Seating of Grandparents and Parents. As Bridesmaids enter. (With or without Groomsmen) Bridal March for Bride and Father. (Traditional or not so traditional) For the Lighting of the Unity Candle. (Not always done) Click on a song to hear a sample Classical Pieces Used as Parents and Grandparents are seated Johann Sebastian Bach - Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring George Frideric Handel - Air From The Water Music As The Bridal Party Enters, Here Are a couple different versions
As The Bride Enters, here are several examples Richard Wagner - Bridal Chorus After you are announced as man and wife; Recessional song ideas Felix Mendelssohn - Wedding March Felix Mendelssohn - Wedding March (Grand) For those that want to have some fun
The Events
1. Receiving Line.
After the ceremony sometimes there is a receiving line. If there is, I will make an announcement to inform everyone of when and where it will take place.
2. Introduction Of The Wedding Party.
This is one of the toughest things I will have to do the day of the event. I will get the name of every person that is going to be introduced, their relation and who they are escorting, or being escorted by. Sometimes Grandparents will not walk in, but rather, will be recognized before the bridal party enters. Often times I use the
"Love
Theme from St. Elmo's Fire" as the musical background.
But any song
you want to be played is no problem.
3. The Toast.
I will coordinate with the hall to find out who is going to pass out the champagne. Then I make the announcement.. "Ladies and gentleman, the toast is coming up in just a moment. We only tell you this, so you will have something to toast with. Once again the toast is coming up in just a moment. Often times I play "Drinking Champagne" by George Strait as everyone gets in position for the toast. Again, any song you want to be played is no problem. Other song ideas for the toast "Swimming In Champagne" by Eric Heatherly
"Champagne Time" by Lawrence Welk (This was his original TV show theme music) This one little announcement does so much. First of all it informed everyone to get something to toast with, it also told the photographer and videographer to prepare their equipment to capture the moment, it told the groomsmen to get their jackets back on and it told the best man to start sweating...
I have a cordless microphone so the best man can do the toast right
at the head table. friends and family. Such as, the father of the bride, Maid or Matron of honor. Announcements include thanking family and friends for traveling long distances, thanking those who helped make the evening possible.
If anyone else will be doing a toast, I introduce them as well, having coordinated before hand, so everything flows smoothly.
4. Cutting of the Cake -
Once again an announcement is necessary to inform everyone the cutting of the cake is about to take place. The announcement would go something like this. "Ladies & Gentleman it's time for the cutting of the cake. If you would like to capture this on your own camera, charge your flash, set your A.S.A., (or these day's) set your digital settings on your cell phone, then go that a-way," as I point in the direction of the cake. At this point I often play a song by the "Chapel Of Love." by The Dixie Cups But of course, whatever song you want played would be no problem. Remember, The Party Line has over 30,000 songs in our enormous collection. Other song ideas for the cutting of the cake.... "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by James Taylor "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by Marvin Gaye Natalie Cole - This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).mp3
5. Tossing of the Bouquet:
Yep, I announce this too, after all, we have to get all the single women on the dance floor. I'll say something like... "In order to get your attention today I've been saying, Ladies and gentleman, in this case I need to say Ladies.... Even more specifically, Single Ladies.... It's time for the Tossing of the Bouquet!!!" Often times here I play "Man! I Feel Like a Woman" by Shania Twain. It has a lot of energy and really gets the ladies to the dance floor to catch the bouquet. Again, any song you want to be played is no problem. Other song ideas for the tossing of the bouquet... Cindy Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Beyonce Knowles - Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) Destiny's Child - Bootylicious
Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Lenny Kravitz - American Woman
Note: When it's time to toss the bouquet, I will get everyone involved... "On the count of three.... Do Not Throw The Bouquet. (What?) "On the count of three, I want everyone here to make some noise.... Here we go!" "One! Two! Three!!!" (Wow! Listen to that crowd) "Now, everyone let's count it together... ONE... TWO... THREE!! And that's how I get everyone involved.... On the count of three, let it go. Whoever catches it will be asked to stay in the area, because she's going to be in a Kodak, Fuji or Digital moment in just a bit. (We Need her to stay close for a picture)
6. Tossing of the Garter:
Announcement time again. This time it goes a little something like this... "Time to bring all the single guys to the dance floor for the tossing of the garter, and guy's wet your whistle, I have a feeling we're going to see some bridal leg. Oh! Gentlemen, leave your hands out of the pockets and drinks at your table... Thank you for your cooperation, and what song do the guy's get?" or or any song you want, it's only a suggestion. Now, as the Groom goes for the garter I play a different song. Which one do you like? "The Strip Tease Song" by David Rose Henry Mancini & His Orchestra - "The Pink Panther Theme"
It's time to get everyone involved again... "Crowd, are you still with me!" Let's count it together again... "ONE... TWO... THREE..." Whoever catches the Garter is asked to stay on the dance floor.
At this point we get a picture of the two of you with the Bouquet and Garter catchers.
7. The First Dance:
Your picture has just been taken with the Bouquet & Garter catchers. Time for my favorite announcement... "Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. & Mrs. _____________ and the first dance... For the Rest of their lives....." Need help with a first dance song? Click on the link below for some ideas. During the first dance, I'm in the background insuring the Father of the Bride is ready for the next dance. If he is nowhere to be seen, I will go find him, and politely remind him he's in the next dance. Since I spoke to him during dinner, the conversation often times goes like this. I look at him... He looks at me and say's, "Oh Yeah" Just by seeing me, he remembers that is in the next dance. Dad starts edging closer to the dance floor. Mission accomplished. When I introduce him to the dance floor, he will be right there waiting.
8. The Father Daughter Dance:
The first dance song has just completed... "Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. & Mrs. __________________ Your friends and family applaude... "At this time we'd like to invite to the dance floor, the Father of the Bride, for one more dance with his little girl...." Need help with a father daughter dance song? Click on the link below for some ideas. The Groom steps aside for one last time, as the Father of the Bride dances with his beautiful daughter... Note: Sometimes we will do a combined Father Daughter/Mother Son Dance. When we do your agenda we will discuss what will work for your particular situation. Another combination of this is to do a Father Daughter dance, then a separate Mother Son Dance. The only problem with this is that it makes the evening run a little longer, as it is another song to be played in your agenda of traditions. During the Father Daughter Dance I have to remind the Groom that he will be re-invited to the dance floor for the Parents dance, after the completion of the Father Daughter Dance. Now I go out into the reception area and politely inform your parents that they are going to be in the next dance, The Parents Dance. More and more these days we also have a Mother Son Dance. Neep help with a mother son dance song? Click on the link blow for some ideas.
9. The Parents Dance:
The Father Daughter Dance has just been completed...
"At this time we'd like to invite to the dance floor, Parents of the Bride and Groom for the Parents Dance. The Groom comes back to the dance floor to dance with his bride, as Parents from both sides enter the dance floor. During this dance often times there will be tapping of shoulders. In other words. You would switch partners. This allows for a lot of great pictures. Note: In some instances there are separations. When we do your agenda we will discuss what will work for your particular situation. Some times people simply don't want to do a parents dance because of separations. I don't think it has to be done this way at all. After all, we introduced the wedding party earlier with parents, so why not have them in the parents dance? In the case of separations, simply have the new spouse dance with your Mother and/or Father. If you look at the announcement above you will see it says, "At this time we'd like to invite to the dance floor, Parents of the Bride and Groom for the Parents Dance." I will talk with all parties involved in this dance during dinner, to remind them they will be invited to the dance floor and who they will be dancing with. The day of the event, it runs very smooth.
10. The Bridal Party Dance:
The Parents Dance has just been completed.... "At this time we'd like to invite to the dance floor all of our Bridal Party, for the Bridal Party Dance..." This is one of the most difficult things I have to do. Get all your Bridal Party on the floor, and men with their jackets back on. Once again, during dinner, I walk around to the tables, including the head table. I will say to your bridal party, "Hello, may I take your order... musical entree's." My way of asking your bridal party, what do you want to hear. If I can get your bridal party on the dance floor during the dancing portion of the evening, it will get everyone on the dance floor. If Grandma see's the bridal party having fun on the floor, she's going to want to be a part of it. I'm getting a little off my main subject here, let me get back to it... During dinner I go up to the head table and let each bridesmaid and groomsman know that they are going to be in the bridal party dance. I will ask, "And you all know about the bridal party dance, right?" I can tell by the looks on their faces if I need to explain any further.
"When I invite all the the bridal party to the dance floor, right after the Parents dance, simply dance with the person you walked in with when you were introduced." Note: Sometimes there are variations on this. We will discuss what will work in your particular situation when we do your agenda. Back to the Bridal Party Dance... When the Parents Dance is taking place, what am I doing?
I'm getting all of your Bridal Party prepared for the Bridal Party Dance. I go back out to the reception area. The first Bridesmaid or Groomsman I happen upon I will inform, "The Bridal Party Dance is next! Do you see your partner?" After their response I will kindly ask, "Can you help me tell all of the bridal party, the Bridal Party Dance is next." They almost always oblige. By the time the Parents Dance is complete, we should have all of the bridal party standing by for the Bridal Party Dance. Whewww.... I'm running all over the place making sure things run smoothly. But hey, that's what a coordinator does, and I've been doing if for 23 years. It's not a big deal to me, but as I type it all out for you to see, it looks like a lot more. It's really second nature to me, I don't really have to think about it, I just do it.
11. The Money Dance and/or Dollar Dance:
The Bridal party dance has just completed... I say... "How 'bout a hand for your Bridal Party, Bridal party feel free to give yourselves a hand..." Time for another announcment... "Ladies and Gentlemen, it's time for our traditional Money Dance and/or Dollar Dance. Your Bride and Groom have been very busy today, so this will give you an opportunity to greet them and hopefully get them started off on a great future." I start the first song of the Money Dance and say... "You don't have to dance to the full song, once you feel someone has danced long enough just politely tap them on the shoulder and take over. I'll keep the slow songs going until everyone has had an opportunity to participate in our Traditional Money Dance or Dollar Dance." Earlier when I was at the head table speaking with your bridal party, I asked your Best man and Maid/Matron of Honor to be the first to tap on shoulders for the Money dance. I said to the Best Man... "Right after the Bridal Party Dance, don't wonder off too far, because right after that is the Money Dance! After I announce the Money Dance, you'll be the first to dance with the Bride. I told the Maid/Matron of Honor the same thing... "You be the first to dance with the Groom." I then told both of them... "After you're done dancing, go to the head of each of the lines." Best Man to the men's line, Maid/Matron of Honor to the ladies line. "After 20 or 30 seconds or so, have the next person cut in. "That way the Money Dance doesn't go on forever." After you run out of partners, get back together, that's my cue to go on to the next event. Party Time with
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Party Line | feedback Kenn Bradley Owner, Investor, Secretary, Rodie, Disc Jockey, But most importantly. The Reaper of Benefits To contact the Party Line Call 733-7778 or Toll Free 1-800-783-3572 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Home | Background | Music Collection | Equipment | Availability | E-mail
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