Perks to Having a Holiday Wedding

Now when I say holiday wedding, I don’t mean orange and black tablecloths adorned with spiders and cobwebs, but rather an elegant theme of cream, browns, and rust to complete the perfect fall wedding or a wedding complete with deep red colors for the winter.

For many couples, the hardest part of planning your wedding is finding a date when family and friends can travel to the same city to celebrate your big day! In this grown up world, vacation days are harder and harder to come by. By planning your wedding day around holiday, there may be a better chance that more of your out of town guests will be able to make it!

In addition to providing an excuse for all your out of town guests to have a mini-vacation, having a holiday wedding can cut down on your wedding expenses. For example, the entire month of December, many churches and wedding venues will decorate with beautiful trees and garland. This will not only give you a perfect backdrop for your winter nuptials, but also cut down on the cost of decorations and flowers. Another trend we have seen in the last few years is the use of pumpkins as centerpieces or aisle markers. Pumpkins are inexpensive and easy to find from late September to November, making them a great resource for your big day! If you are planning on booking a venue around a holiday, you may want to inquire about the decorations they may already have or plan to have.

Let's Boogie!

Months of planning are complete and you are now Mr. and Mrs.- what better way to celebrate than with a little music and some dancing! Many brides go back and forth between the ideas of DJ’s and bands. When you think about it, what is the one thing that wedding guest normally rave about? You got it, the entertainment. With this being said, it is important that you make the right decision for you and your guests but, also have your wedding photographer capture these special moments!

As for the professional dancers out there, choosing the perfect band or DJ may be the most important decision of your planning process! You want to be sure to pick a band or DJ that will make your guests get up and dance. One that will make you lose track of time and make you want to party all night long! For many, the cost difference between a DJ and band is a deciding factor. On average, a DJ costs about $500 to $1,000 while a wedding band can range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. If you are having a hard time picking between a few, ask if they have any local performances that you and your fiancé could attend. If you fall in love with them at a local performance, they will be even better at an event catered to you and your guests! For many of you, dancing may not be your thing. If this is the case you want to be sure to let your DJ or band know that you and your better half won’t be doing much dancing but to highly encourage your guests to bust a move! 

Think of your DJ or bandleader as the facilitator of the reception. They are the ones that will cue the guests for all the activities of the evening, from the big introduction of the new Mr. and Mrs. to the bouquet and garter toss. While most DJ’s play the master of ceremonies role, some may even “hit” the dance floor to teach your guests the latest line dance. If this is something you would not want at your reception, be sure to let them know what your expectations are. It is important to meet with your DJ or bandleader ahead of time to discuss playlists and a timeline for the reception’s events. One thing you may forget to go over is name pronunciations for the wedding party. Make sure this is on your meeting agenda to avoid name butchering on your big day. If you cannot meet with them ahead of time, be sure to send them a list of all the names written phonetically so they are easier to pronounce!

Another thing you may want to discuss is a “Do Play” and a “Do Not Play” music list. This way you know your favorite songs will be played, and your not so favorites will not- don’t let the “Chicken Dance” ruin the flow of your reception! 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC