You're planning a wedding, congratulations! How great is that! It's your special day and being one of the most important days of your life you want it to be perfect. You want everything to go according to plan. What helps make your day run smoothly? A main factor in that is who you hire on your wedding day. These people definitely help your day run smoothly and you want them to understand that. Of course, you think of caterers, florists and your venue. However, do you think about your musical entertainment. They must know when to play what and keep the entertainment going on all night long. So, Wedding and Party Network has a list of questions that you might consider asking your DJ.

1. Do You Have A Contract? Most often, vendors have written contracts that you share between one another. A written contract shows professionalism. There are a lot of people out there that may say they're a dj and show up with an Ipod and a set of basic speakers. So, you want someone professional. A written contract shows you what to expect, from setup to the outline of what is required from them. This gives you a great idea on what you can expect from them, while on the other hand what is expected from you in terms of payments, when to pay and what you need to do on your part.

2. Are You The DJ? Ask the person you're talking with if they will be the dj at your wedding or if it will be someone else. It's a great idea to meet with your dj so you feel a connection with them. You want to feel comfortable with them, which makes your night more enjoyable.

3. Can We Meet? You actually may want to meet with your dj. You meet with the rest of your vendors, so why not them? They are going to be in control of the entertainment for the evening. You want to click with the dj and feel confident that they understand your needs and will provide amazing entertainment all night long.

4. How Long? You may want to look around at other people or have something holding you back, so ask how long they will hold your date for you. Make sure you know this after talking with them so you can get back with the asap.

5. How Many Events Have You Done? This may or may not be important. However, it's always nice to see how many events and how much experience they do have within their profession.

6. What Makes You Stand Out From Your Competitors? This is a great question to ask to find out what they offer than their competitors. This is a great question to ask to find out why basically you should pick them and not someone else. What can they do for you?

7. Do You Make All Of The Announcements? Do you act as the emcee for the night? Do you make all of the announcements during the night or do we need to find someone else for that job? This is an important role for any major event and will definitely make your night less stressful not having to worry about making announcements.

8. What Actually Is Included In The Cost? What exactly do I get with the cost? You may just be receiving the basic, basic package. It may not include any lights or anything. So, ask.

9. How Up-To-Date Is Your Music Library, Can We Make Requests? Of course, you want to know if they have the type of music you enjoy. You don't want to hire a dj who has a lacking music library. It's definitely best to find out if they have any of the music you like and if they're willing to get it if they don't.

10. Can We Speak To Your References and Can We Visit You At One Of Your Events? You want to know that they are going to provide you with the very best. So, what better way to experience this than by attending one of their events or contacting past references.

Whenever you hire a dj, there's more to know than just knowing how much they're going to cost. You want to know that they're going to be worth every penny that you spend and provide all that you need for your wedding, birthday party, or special gala. It's important to find someone who will provide great entertainment all night long.

This post is brought to you by St Louis Music Entertainment.
Not in St. Louis, MO? No worries, use Wedding and Party Network's handy party planning directory to help you find musical entertainment near you!

You have all the details to make a great party, but what's a great way to get your guests more involved and having fun? Great and fun music for everyone to enjoy, of course! This is the ideal way to get your guests out of their seats and up moving around to the fun event music beats provided by A & J Mobile Disc Jockey. This musical entertainment will provide your guests with an unforgettable night. They'll be having the time of their lives with their fun music choice and amazing lighting. Your event will be so amazing and such a fun time to be had by all!

When searching for the ideal party accessories, be sure to check out A & J Mobile Disc Jockey. Whether you are planning your dream wedding or wanting to throw an amazing event; let this disc jockey provide the music. By offering your guests with great music, they'll be able to get out of those seats and enjoy the night.

Not only will they have a great time, but your special event will be something unforgettable. You and your guests will have an amazing time that lasts all throughout the night.

If you are looking for music for your wedding, they'll provide it. From your wedding ceremony music, first dance song to your father daughter dance, they will make sure it's your song and have the ideal lighting to make the setting perfect. Music is the key to having an unforgettable time.

A & J Mobile Disc Jockey offers a wide selection of music, over 1000 songs in fact! Plus, with each event, you'll receive a great light show too. Lighting can set the mood and tone for your event, and these experts know just how to do it. Whether you are looking for an elegant setting for your event or a fun and vibrant one, they will provide it.

With over 1000 songs, your guests will absolutely find one of their favorites. From old-time favorites to the newest hits, all your guests will be able to listen to their favorite style. Great musical entertainment for your event is exactly what you need.

If you want amazing music suitable for any guest and lighting that will set the tone of your event, be sure to check out A & J Mobile Disc Jockey. Let your Bardstown, Kentucky event be simply amazing with the most popular music and fun lighting. Your event will be absolutely unforgettable.

Need to kick your party up a notch? Tired of looking at your guests in the hidden corners? Well get them out of their seats with Java Jive. With 20 years of experience, they are truly gifted musicians. Your party will be up-to-date on all the latest music and have guests having the time of their lives. So get up and "Shout!" with Java Jive!

This local band has a music vibe that will make you want to sway all night long. Music is the main source for your guests to have a good time at your wedding and it's not any fun watching them sit in the corner all night, right? So let them break out dance moves they didn't even know they had with this smooth sounding band. Listen to the keyboard, trombone, trumpets and amazing vocals and you'll be impressed over and over again with this talented music group. They are amazing wedding singers that will provide the wedding music for the first dance, father/daughter dance and even the cutting of the cake. Whatever your request, they'll meet it.

This incredible musical band performs at weddings, corporate events, receptions, parties and more! What's your style of music? They play it all from swing, Motown, classic and everything else you hear on the radio. Their sound is appealing to everyone and their music will make you want to get out on the dance floor from the time they start to the very last song. A live band is the key to getting everyone out on the dance floor, especially with their smooth vocals and hit songs. Your party will go from drab to fab with this professional music group. Westwood, Massachusetts is where it's at with Java Jive. They'll party with the best of you at your local venue.

Whatever the occasion, let these musical entertainers have your guests hitting the dance floor and cutting a rug all night long! You'll request Java Jive time and time again!

Looking for an easy way to spice up a Sweet 16 Party? Turn it into a Rock Star Party! For a great rock star or music themed party, look no further than Spotlight Karaoke & DJ Service! When you use Spotlight Karaoke & DJ Services, ask about their lighting and special effect equipment to turn it into a REAL rock show!

Your teenager can pick all of their favorite songs, and your teen will live their rock star dreams! Just check out this great testimonial:

Spotlight Karaoke & DJ Service did a great job for our daughter's sweet 16 birthday party! We planned on this party for a long while and the music made it unforgettable for Lacey and all her friends. Believe me, Lacey is not the easiest child to please, but Stuart & Lori did it. In fact, she wants Spotlight to do her wedding too. Hopefully that won't be for a few years… Thanks to Spotlight Karaoke for a wonderful time. Kelli L.

Need a great wedding DJ? Spotlight Karaoke & DJ Services offers the very best in wedding entertainment, right down to the fine details. Spotlight makes sure your music coordinates with the wedding cake cutting, toasting, etc. They will also make sure everyone dances with their creative ideas to get everyone on their feet! Your wedding or event will undoubtedly be the talk of the town! To remember your fabulous wedding day, Spotlight offers a keepsake CD with all your music and each side of disc have a picture of the married couple in a keepsake cd case!

Most everyone has seen the recent video clip of the wedding party making their entrance to the wedding ceremony by dancing down the aisle—very creative and funny!

However, for those not quite that bold, I thought this would be a great way for the wedding party to make their entrance at the wedding reception. Most receptions begin with the wedding party introductions. Each member of the wedding party could enter the reception dancing. Or the wedding party could enter the reception with a choreographed dance. This is actually a rising trend in wedding receptions. Naturally, the bride and groom would be the last to enter, which could flow right into their first dance.

I think this is a great way to kick off the wedding reception giving the guests a great view of the newlyweds with a little wedding reception entertainment to boot.

One of my favorite songs is the classic “At Last.” I can see that being a perfect “first dance” song, but any song that is meaningful to the bride and groom would work well. After the first dance, the bride and groom could proceed to cutting the cake or greeting guests, and then continue with the father/daughter and mother/son dances. I’ve attended receptions where the official dancing didn’t start until the reception was well underway, and I really like this idea of starting the reception with some upbeat, celebratory music.

Wedding Receptions: The First Party Of Your Married Life

Your first party together as husband and wife – the wedding reception – is a celebration of your love and commitment, a truly momentous event that should be glorified as such. Family and friends will come from near and far to help mark this important milestone in your new life together. And you will have the time of your life. Great wedding receptions are talked about and remembered fondly by guests and wedding party members alike for years and years.

Just think of all the great memories you will make together as husband and wife surrounded by the most important people in your life.  What a great way to start your journey together.

However, before you put on your dancing shoes and let your hair down, there is a lot of planning that goes into making your wedding reception perfect. While there are many aspects of the wedding reception to consider, if you take care of the core five ingredients (food, music, decorations, location and photographers/videographers), it will come together beautifully.

Food: Success Begins With Great Taste

Just imagine, as your guests enter the reception hall they are greeted by a stunningly beautiful ice sculpture that sparkles and glistens in the warm candlelight. Near the buffet table a chocolate fountain gurgles a cascading sheet of rich milk chocolate and nearby an elegant champagne fountain bubbles out the sweet lavish liquid. The aroma of a delicious meal fills the air, leaving your guests with a feeling of excitement for the festivities to come.

Feeding your guests a great meal may just be one of the most important aspects of your reception. A caterer can take the worry and hassle out of feeding a large crowd. A professional wedding caterer can help you plan the menu and tailor it to the desired atmosphere of your wedding reception.  He or she can help you add those special touches like a delicious chocolate fountain, an elegant ice sculpture, or maybe even that bubbling champagne fountain.

Music: To My Ear and Theirs

Think about how much fun you'll have twirling around the dance floor to your favorite song. Or maybe your entire wedding party will wow the crowd with your own choreographed version of  "Thriller" which could make your party one of the most unique receptions your guests have ever attended. Just think how much fun you and your wedding party will have, not only learning the dance but showing off your new smooth moves as well. A professional choreographer can help you create that special dance.

Music sets the mood for dancing and fun and is a vital part of a good reception. A professional DJ can help keep things lively and get everybody out on the dance floor. You'll be surprised to see your aunt kick off her shoes and get down to "She's a Brick House," but a good dj can make even the most prim and proper guests want to get out there and shake it. Plus think about all the good memories you'll have of dancing and being silly with your friends and family.

Decorations: A Feast For The Eyes

Imagine your guests entering the reception hall. On a table strewn with bright rose petals, photos of the bride and groom greet them at the door.  Bunches of sweet red roses surrounded by the soft glow of romantic candlelight grace round tables draped with rich cream colored linens. The shimmering candlelight along with soft music create a picturesque atmosphere for your wedding reception.

Or maybe picnic tables and buckets full of drinks for guests, lanterns strung through the trees above the tables and whimsical palm tree centerpieces with Jimmy Buffet playing in the background is more your style. Whatever your style may be, there are wedding decorations to make your reception the ideal one for you.

Decorations can make any reception location look amazing and are a must for a great reception. When selecting your reception decorations look for items that match the look and feel of your wedding. If you have a very formal wedding, a formal reception hall would be appropriate. If you have a laid back beach wedding, a more casual laid back reception would match the wedding and your attire.

Location: The Best Place To Celebrate

A church hall, a hotel banquet room, or a garden party all make great places to hold your dream wedding reception. When selecting your reception location consider:

• the number of guests
• whether an indoor or outdoor location
• proximity to the ceremony
• nearby accommodations for out-of-town guests
• availability on the date you have selected

When booking your reception location it is important to do so well in advance to secure the date you need. When it comes to places to hold your reception, the sky is the limit. If you can dream it you can probably do it. Just make up your mind and make it happen and you are sure to end up with the reception location of your dreams.

Photographers and Videographers: Capturing A Moment In Time

There will be so many moments you'll want to capture and preserve forever : like cutting the cake, your maid of honor's heartfelt and teary toast, your first dance, the daddy-daughter dance and all the other great moments at your reception. What better way than with photos and videos that will last a lifetime? A professional photographer can capture great candid shots of those special moments and the special people at your reception. Those creative toasts can be relived again and again on video. A professional videographer can help you preserve those precious words and wishes.

When your grandchildren ask about your wedding you will be able to show them the video of your first dance or the cake cutting. You will also have keepsake photos of you looking gorgeous in your beautiful wedding dress that you can pass on through the generations. That is why selecting a wedding photographer and or videographer is so important. You and your spouse will enjoy looking back at all the wedding reception photos and video and remember the beginning of your great journey together.

A special thanks goes to:

Mendon Massachusetts photographer, Blueberry Photo for the use of their bride and groom photo.

Bentonville Arkansas Caterer, Catering Concepts for the use of their fruit platter photo.

Uniontown Ohio Photographer, Curtis Photography-Videography for the use of their wedding reception dance photo.

Tulsa Oklahoma Wedding Florist, Perfect Presentations for the use of their wedding reception decorations photo.

Wedding Songs – Perfect for the Ceremony, First Dance and Reception

With so many songs to choose from, the thought of deciding on ceremony music, a song for the first dance, and memorable songs for the reception, might seem overwhelming. You might worry, "What if I am forgetting some good ones?" No need to run out and buy every "Wedding Music" CD that you can find just to get some good wedding songs. There are several songs appropriate for the wedding festivities. In fact, there are even some Wedding and Party Network favorites. After much discussion with friends, family and co-workers, I came up with a pretty good list of popular wedding songs and the artist who sings them. You Continue reading "Top 10 Wedding Songs" »

Whether hiring a disc jockey for your wedding reception or listing special requests for the wedding singer, personalizing this list of wedding reception music will keep you partying through the night to all of your favorite songs!

Event	Song Title
Introduction
First Dance
Father & Daughter
Mother & Son
Brothers & Sisters
Cake Cutting
Bouquet Toss
Garter Toss
Last Dance
Group Dances
Bride's Special Request
Groom's Special Request
Other Request
Other Request
Other Request
Other Request

Irish Wedding Traditions Fit Easily Into Any Wedding

All cultures have their superstitions and traditions. A common superstition comes from the Irish and involves horseshoes. Seen as lucky, horseshoes are often incorporated by a bride and groom having an Irish wedding. To do this brides will carry a hanky with upturned horseshoes embroidered on them or the grooms will wear horseshoes cufflinks.

Perhaps your ancestry is Irish or maybe you just love the romantic culture of the Irish and Celtic ways. If so, you can easily infuse your wedding day with Irish traditions. The use of traditional music is one way to bring Continue reading "Who Else Wants A Wedding With Irish Traditions" »

Wedding Reception Music Tips
Everyone knows that the music at the wedding reception can make or break the festivities. The wedding reception is the couple’s first party as husband and wife and holds special significance to the couple, friends, and family. Whether interested in a band or a deejay, reception music creates the vibe for the entire celebration. Setting the stage for a great time is easy with these reception music tips! Continue reading "Music Tips And Ideas For Wedding Receptions" »