Wedding Reception Songs

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Coming up with a list of wedding reception songs is something that you may want to do. During the reception, music is played the entire time and it helps to set the mood for your event. You don't have to choose every single song that is played during your reception (it would be very time consuming to come up with 4 or 5 hours of music).
But you should develop a list of songs to be played during specific parts of the evening.

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You'll want to pick wedding reception music for:

• The introduction of the bridal party. This music should be upbeat and festive since you are getting the celebration started.


• The first dance. Most couples go with something slow and romantic perhaps "At Last" by Etta James). But if you have a song that is of some significance to both of you, then you should play that song even if it's fast.


• Mother & Son and Father & Daughter dances.
  


• Bouquet and garter toss.
  


• Dinner. You don't have to choose all of the songs for this part of the evening but you may want a list of 2 or 3 favorite songs to be played sometime during dinner. Remember to keep the songs playing at a low decibel so that guests can talk with one another without straining their voices.
  


• Dancing. You can specify the type of music that you want played (country, rock, disco, R & B, Hip Hop). You can also choose specific songs like the Electric slide or the Chicken dance to get everyone out of their seats.

You also need to think about who will play the wedding reception songs.

• A band. Live music is great and adds the feel of being at a dance or concert.


• DJ. Less expensive than a live band but should have a large collection of music to play. You can provide your play list and the DJ should accommodate.
  
• AV Equipment. If you are working with a really tight budget you could put together CD's of music yourself and play them through a stereo system.
  


• Other Entertainment. You might also want to add professional dancers to your event or maybe do some karaoke to liven up the party.

Wedding Budget: Who Pays For What

Wedding etiquette is different from traditions that were established in the past. Traditionally, the bride’s family would pick up the tab but with the average cost of weddings skyrocketing, and more couples getting married later in life, they are sharing in the expenses. Forget the archaic rule that says certain people have to pay for certain things. Keep in mind that informal weddings are usually smaller (and therefore cheaper), and formal weddings tend to be larger (and therefore more expensive). The table below is a guideline to help everyone involved to share the expenses.

Service	Bride & Family	Groom & Family	Wedding Party
Rings	Groom’s wedding ring	Bride’s engagement ring Bride’s wedding ring
Prewedding Parties	Engagement party Bridesmaid luncheon	Rehearsal dinner	Bridal Shower Bachelor Party
Stationery	Invitations, announcements, programs, thank you notes and mailing costs	Groom assists with writing thank you notes	Assist assembling and addressing invitations
Attire	Bride’s gown, veil, accessories Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Groom’s formalwear Mother’s dress Father’s formalwear	Bridesmaid’s dresses Groomsmen formalwear
Flowers	Ceremony and reception Bouquets for the bridesmaids and flower girls	Bride’s bouquet Corsages for mothers Men’s boutonnieres
Ceremony	Church, rentals, and music fees	Marriage license and officiant fee
Photography & Videography	Engagement and Wedding photos and video		Take extra behind-the-scenes and candid pictures
Transportation	Limo for the Wedding Party to the ceremony and reception	Limo for the Bride and Groom	Wedding Party may drive themselves
Reception	Venue, rentals, food, cake, drink, decorations, favors, and entertainment	Groom’s cake	Bubbles or rice to toss and assist with assembling favors
Honeymoon		Plan and cover all expenses	Travel expenses if a destination wedding
Gifts	Groom and Bridesmaids	Bride and Groomsmen	Bride and Groom

Grooms, Choose Your Wedding Band

Grooms, once you’ve taken care of the engagement and mastered the art of getting down on one knee, it’s time to check off another important milestone in the wedding process. Yep, it’s time to go back to the jeweler. But don’t pass out just yet, guys. This time it’s all about you, and it most likely won’t be your pocketbook that’s taking the hit. Generally, if the groom has paid for his fiancé’s engagement ring and wedding band, common etiquette suggests that she’ll cover your wedding band.

But before you start thinking you don’t really need a wedding band, think again. Although women understand that most guys aren’t crazy about jewelry, your bride-to-be probably won’t let you off the hook without a wearing one after you’re married. Once you understand that, it’s time to start looking for the ring that’s right for you.

First, it’s important to select your band at least one month before your wedding, so there will be plenty of time to deal with any problems related to size or availability. Before you head to the jeweler, it’s helpful to research the types of bands you’re interested in before you step in a store so you won’t be overwhelmed by all of the different options. Believe it or not, there are many different kinds of men’s wedding bands available. Some have different metals, different fits, grooves or engraving, or inset stones. You should also discuss this with your fiancée to decide whether it’s important that your band should match hers. The more knowledge you have before heading in the jewelry store, the better.

There are several different types of metals that wedding bands are made from, and each has its pros and cons. While it often comes down to personal preference and price, probably the most common type of metal used is either white or yellow gold. Gold has several benefits, including its light weight. If you’ve never worn a ring, gold might be a more comfortable option for you. Another popular option is platinum, which is one of the most expensive metals available. However, another caveat is its weight. You’ll definitely remember it’s on your finger. Other options include titanium, sterling silver and palladium. All of these options have their advantages, so it’s important to discuss them with your jeweler before making your decision.

In addition to the metal you choose, some guys like to add diamonds or other gems to their rings. This is another area where it helps to do some research before hitting the stores. Your jeweler should be able to offer you several different options to compare.

Another important decision is the fit of the ring. There are several options ranging from classic to what’s called a comfort fit. The main difference between the fits is whether or not the edge of the ring is rounded or straight cut. We recommend at least trying on a comfort fit band, which are popular because they truly are comfortable and don’t dig into your skin, making it easier to get used to your band if you typically don’t wear jewelry.

TheManRegistry.com Recommendation: Choosing your wedding band is one of the major decisions you’ll make during the engagement process. So it naturally pays to research. Make your trip to the jeweler as painless as possible by talking with your fiancé and picking out a couple of different ring options ahead of time. That way, the decisions at the store will be much easier. Finally, as with your fiancé’s ring, it’s wise to look into ring insurance. You’d be amazed at how many guys tend to lose them as early as on their honeymoon(while swimming, playing golf, etc.).