Your personal wedding march might not be one of the most pressing matters on your mind as you plan your nuptials, but it certainly isn’t a detail that should be left until the last second. Your options aren’t exactly numbered, but it’s worth it to keep a few things in mind while choosing the right tunes for your walk down the aisle:
Does it fit your personal style?If you and your fiancé spend all of your free time at metal shows where at least half of the audience leaves with blood on their leather vests, it might not be true to your nature to hire a concert pianist. That’s not to say that pianists aren’t a completely viable option, but it might be prudent to think long and hard about what sort of music represents your style. If you and your fiancé are huge fans of the Rolling Stones, there is no rule that says you can’t march up to the altar to “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” though “Paint it Black” might make your future mother in law fall out of her chair.
Will it scare your family?If your family is less than liberal about their musical tastes, and the last piece of contemporary music they heard was Ke$ha at the mall (and it ruffled some feathers), you might not want to start your big day off with a hearty rendition of “Poker Face.” While you want to be true to who you are (and the music that you care about), it often isn’t worth it to alienate your family with R&B hits that feature the word “booty” more than once. Consider alternatives such as string quartet versions of contemporary songs. You get the music you love, and your grandmother survives the ceremony.
Does it mean something to you?If the traditional wedding march really is your thing, by all means, set the harpist to work. But if you and your fiancé are choosing your own wedding march, don’t be afraid to pick a song that is meaningful to your relationship. Was the song you danced to at prom “Video Killed the Radio Star”? Did you catch him crying while listening to the theme music from “Up”? Nothing is cheesy if it’s meaningful – don’t let your family bully you into a decision if it isn’t something you really want to walk down the aisle to. After all, it’s the song you’ll probably remember forever. Do you really want it to be some Sarah Mc Lachlan song you’d only heard of the week of your wedding?
Do you have the budget?Most venues can accommodate a mix CD and a walkman with few problems, so seriously consider how fancy you want to get with your musical choices after that. If you have your heart set on a live string duet but you would have to sacrifice a wedding cake, remember that quality recorded versions of string music exists, and your guests probably won’t throw their hands up in rage if they can’t see where the cellist is. Remember also that bands you hire for your reception are usually fine with showing up a little early for some ceremony mood music (for an extra fee – though it’s much smaller than hiring two separate musical performers).
There are many long-lasting traditions that a couple will implement on their wedding day, but there’s always room for just one more (especially if it’s one that will last for years). A wedding memory box is a memento that more and more brides are using on their wedding day – and for obvious reasons. A wedding memory box is a lot like a guest book in that guests have the opportunity to write bits of wisdom and well-wishes for the couple. But instead of those notes being complied into a venue that the bride and groom will read immediately, the wedding memory box contains the well-wishes on cards that are reserved for future anniversaries.
The wedding memory box has a card for every anniversary from #1 all the way to #50, and it doesn’t have to be used just as a supplement or replacement to a guestbook. A couple could ask their closest friends and family to fill out the cards in the wedding memory box, or the couple themselves could fill the vessel with future hopes for their marriage. The wedding memory box is a great way to remind your future selves of how much support and love began your marriage.
Are you a DIY sort of bride whose main concern is boxing your favors – not ordering them? Wedding favor containers come in all shapes and sizes and are a perfect vessel for the DIY bride. So whip out the glue gun and keep the following tips in mind as you exercise your creativity on a few wedding favor containers:
Don’t leave your wedding favor containers until the last minute. Favors might not seem like such a big priority right now, but don’t let wedding favor containers wait until the week before. If you don’t have a choice (busy work schedule, other more-pressing DIY projects), enlist help from your bridesmaids to stuff wedding favor containers over a long weekend. Make the offer more appealing by offering drinks or dinner (and promises of everlasting loyalty) to your maids.
