BRIDAL TIPS
I've been doing weddings for over 18 years.
I've seen it all---weddings on the beach, in ballrooms, in hotels, resorts, ships, boats, villas, private homes...you name it.
Whether you decide to use my services or not.....Here are some tips to help you keep you sane.
What kind of music?
People always seem to ask me, what are the "Hot Wedding Songs"?
This is the #1 question people always ask me, since most have never been through the wedding process before.
I love all types of music, which is what I think helps me with my DJ'ing. As far as the "Hot" songs for a wedding, there are so many choices out there, it can boggle a bride and groom sometimes. In my opinion, it's whatever the bride and groom enjoy and has meaning to them. Making it all work, is more of what my job is all about.
For some ideas (these are just ideas), try my Wedding Jukebox it lists some of the songs people have asked for from me lately and might spark an idea or two for you.
Ten Tips for a Successful Destination Wedding
#1. Get Help
If you've signed up for a wedding package, the services of a planner are probably included. If not, try to earmark part of your budget (about 10 percent of the total) for a wedding planner. He or she can shoulder the burden of researching, auditioning, and securing local vendors -- especially valuable if said vendors are far from your home base. She can sometimes also the behind-the-scene queen, creating gift bags for guests, greeting everyone at the airport, keeping people busy with fun activities once there, vetting special requests (babysitters, dry cleaners, etc.), and getting everyone where they need to be on time.#2. Schedule a Test Drive
Remember, unlike a wedding in your hometown, guests are TOTALLY dependent on you once they reach the destination. Make sure you provide transportation to and from the airport, as well as to all the events of the weekend.#3. Take a Trip
If you've decided not to hire a wedding planner (or one isn't provided as part of a wedding package), plan to visit the destination after you've finalized your guest count. You'll need to scout and secure your key venues -- church, reception, hotels for guests, rehearsal dinner venue -- and local suppliers such as caterers, florists, photographers, etc. Next -- or during a second trip -- you'll need to schedule a meeting with your caterer, see sample bouquets from the florist, plan a hair/makeup session with a salon, and organize activities (golf, tennis, walking tours, museums) for everyone.#4. Vendor Checkups
If you must hire your vendors sight unseen, ask for a portfolio of pictures and at least three references. Be sure the references are people for whom the vendor did an event similar to yours. For example, a recommendation from a couple who had 10 guests doesn't help if you're inviting 100. Also ask for the names of other vendors who worked those events and use them as further references regarding the company in question.#5. Forewarn Your Friends
Tell your bridal party about the destination before you ask them to stand by your side so that they can gracefully decline if finances are tight.#6. Get a Grip
Don't be upset if some of your closest friends or relatives don't attend. While you are, in a sense, footing some of the food bills, their fees for travel, hotel, and car rental can really add up, especially for a family. And while your wedding is, in a sense, a mini-vacation for you, it may not be the one they want to take!#7. Mind Mother Nature
Don't forget to consider the climate when choosing your dress. A Cinderella gown made of satin doesn't fare well in high humidity. Whether your dream location is specifically a beach or simply outdoors, dress for no stress. Also be wary of wind in an outdoor location as well as your choice of cake...buttercream frosting, for example, doesn't do well in the heat! Upswept hair and strong tropical tradewinds also don't pair well.#8. Pack Right
Whatever you buy to bring with you, just remember that you have to lug it along. Don't forget to allow ample room for "The Dress".#9. Call On a Courier
Don't forget to plan for potential wedding presents. If you've got a ton of wedding gifts to take home, ask if someone who lives in your city can take them back and keep them for you until after the honeymoon -- or even drop them at your home for you. Or, pack an extra duffle bag to bring them home yourselves. Figure this out before the wedding so you'll have a plan of action if you need it.#10. Welcome Your Guests
A nice touch is to place a gift basket in each room that is full of essentials for the trip (suntan lotion, bug spray, etc.) and goodies that will remind them of the setting -- music, cookbooks or samples of native treats (rum balls!), or crafts from local artisans, for example. If you need a place to get started on baskets, a good place to look is to call the "Basket Queen"--Tahra Richardson (also mentioned below as a member of the TNT band) at (340) 775-1253.
Bands versus DJ's
Well, I AM a DJ and I would love your business...however...if you wish to hire a band, keep the following in mind.
TIP #1: Most bands have certain songs and formats they play; variety is not a strong point for most local bands.
TIP #2: Most bands consist of 4-6 people for 3-4 hours. Also, there are not many bands on St John, and St Thomas isn't brimming with many either. If you do book band, you'll need to book way far in advance, usually several months. The truly good bands are usually running on a very tight schedule.
TIP #3: Get a demo tape or CD of what they play and review it before you book the band. Remember that what is on that disc is usually the BEST they will sound.
TIP #4: Bands are not DJ's and DJ's are not bands! What I mean by this is that there are many people who play in bands think that they are DJ's. That's like when Micheal Jordan (athlete) who dominated the game of basketball tried to go out and play baseball. Remember how he did? GREAT at basketball and "just OK" at baseball. There is a difference. Be wary of band members who are GREAT band members, attempting to go out and play DJ. Some are able to pull it off, but very few are able to really cross over and do both.
TIP #5: If you do want a band, I highly recommend calling Tahra Richardson with the "TNT Band" (340) 775-1253 (for all styles) or Sandra Massac of the "P'your Passion Band" (for local soca) at (340) 690-2487. You really can't get much better then these two bands.
TIP #6: Steel Pan Players are a great bargain. Although they don't really get the dancing going, they provide a wonderful atmosphere at a great, reasonable cost. I highly recommend them for cocktail times and dinner hours. They really add to the mood of the whole event.
My two favorite steel panners are:
ANDREW DOUGLAS (on St Thomas) (340) 690-8652 or (340) 714-5311
CARL FREEDMON (on St John) (340) 693-8407
Both guys are in high demand, so book early if you want the best!
There's also a great article on THE KNOT about "Shall I hire a band or a DJ?" --there are several things to consider when hiring one or the other.
Good Advice: Bands Versus DJ's
Need some female advice from other Brides?
Check out www.theknot.com for great forums and more great ideas.
It's a huge site, full of info and tons of forums. You'll love it.