Silly Love Songs

“Some people just can’t get enough of silly love songs” sings Paul McCartney and the Wings and it is definitely true at weddings. The whole event is usually taking place to the soft strains of various love songs specially chosen by the couple to enhance the romantic mood. Usually these love songs have special significance to the bridal couple or are among their favorites.

Admittedly, though, it can get a little sappy. It can be really trying when the song selection includes songs like Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” or the classic “The Nearness of You”. Then again, what can you do? It is the way the bride and groom feel and it is their time so you’ll have to grin and bear it and enjoy dancing with your partner.

On the other hand, you might get lucky and the bride and groom might actually have a wider selection of music prepared, some of which might even have a faster beat and allow dancing. They might actually get you singing and swaying, hopping, jiving and boogieing the night away even if the words are actually expressions of love still - yes, not all love songs are ballads.

One way to avoid getting stuck in the silly love song mode is to help the bride and groom create their playlist. Help them find music that does express how they feel but won’t lull the guests to sleep or drown you all in sappy romantic syrup. There are millions of songs available there is sure to be some that meet your standards.

If you love music you know that the arrangements can be changed to spice up an old song. You still keep the tune and melody true but you make the song unique. This is something that the band that the bride and groom hired can do to make these love songs seem less sticky yet still be wonderful songs everyone will enjoy. This will require however that you give the band advance notice so that they can rehearse and prepare for the change in the music.

Generally, though, people don’t mind the silly love songs. It is nice to know that some of us do indeed find love and fall in love. It seems silly only because we know that sometimes it can be like waiting for the sky to fall and none of us like waiting for the nearly impossible. We all know though that when it happens, there is nothing like it and we too become sappy and happily drown ourselves, and everyone around us in the romantic mood created by these love songs.

Some songs that are great choices to have at a wedding:

• I Only Have Eyes For You
• The Gift by Jim Brickman
• That’s All I Ask of You from the Phantom of The Opera
• The Way You Look Tonight
• What A Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong

The rest of the songs will really vary depending on the particular taste of the bride and groom. We can all just hope that it won’t all be silly love songs.

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

There is nothing like being in love. The sheer joy of having each other often makes the lovers feel that they can fly or at least float on air. That is the very emotion that they display in their first dance.

Of course, they aren’t the only ones expected to have a great time dancing. The matchmakers that most lovers automatically become when they find their happiness demands that they give their family and friends every opportunity to find their other half, possibly during their wedding. What better way for their friends to meet and maybe impress each other than on the dance floor, right?

Ladies, if you are serious about having a great time dancing at your wedding, then here are some things you need to prepare:

• Dresses for dancing. Choose dresses for you and your bridesmaids that they can move in. If you will give them a form fitting gown, make sure it has an interesting slit so that they can move around in it without teetering around. Full skirts gives a Ginger Rogers effect and makes a beautiful flourish when the boys twirl the ladies down the dance floor.
• Dancing Shoes. Providing shoes for your entourage is an option, not a requirement. If you have decided to be generous and have everyone shod in the footwear of your choice, keep in mind that you want them to have happy feet at your party. While dancing shoes are not meant to be used anywhere but on the dance floor, there are pairs of shoes that can come pretty close. They look great, fit well and are absolutely comfortable to trip the light fantastic in. Maybe one of these dancing slippers will hold the key to one of your guest’s heart.
• Music to Groove To. Don’t get stuck on the idea that weddings have to be formal events. If you want dancing to happen at your party, find music that will get your guests up on their feet. Your nuptials may not be the time for break dancing but you can still have an assortment of music, from waltz, to tango, to swing, to hip hop. As long as you and your guests get caught up in the rhythm and have a great time, no one else will mind.
• Dance Floor. If you are going to dance, it is best that there is a dance floor to move gracefully on. Carpeting really won’t do as it puts your guests at risk for injury. Make sure that your caterer and the manager of your reception venue knows that dancing is part of your plans so that a proper dance floor is laid out for your party.
• Mention Dancing On Your Invitations. If you want everyone attending your wedding to participate in the dancing, make sure that they know that dancing is on the menu. It will help ensure that they come wearing the best possible outfits to groove in and that they come in the mood to get down and party.

Wedding Souvenirs or Favors?

How many weddings have you attended? With a clan as big as ours, lots of old classmates and officemates of marrying age plus a lot of good friends, our family has a cabinet full of nothing but wedding souvenirs.

Why is it that when people get married they immediately think they must have something to give the guests that is cute and unique, yet not the least bit practical? A Cinderella themed wedding is a really beautiful idea; everyone wants to someday become a princess. What in the world though will your guests do with a small shoe? It will probably sit in a cabinet gathering dust since no one in their family can wear it anyway.

Why do brides do this? It could be because they want their guests to have a souvenir of their special occasion - one that will last as long as their lifetime; and maybe beyond. For others, it’s because they themselves just love the specific item and want everyone to have one too, even if its only purpose is decorative with their names and wedding date engraved on it.

Instead of wedding souvenirs, ladies, you may wish to give wedding favors instead. “What is the difference?”, you ask. The difference is that wedding favors are meant to be savored to celebrate your nuptials and may or may not last beyond your wedding day.

A great favorite for wedding favors come from the Italians. They call them bombonniers. Traditionally they gave 5 sugar coated almonds placed in colored netting or boxes which are called confetti. These five almonds are said to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility and long life. They are given to family and friends as a token of the bride and groom’s love and friendship. Some couples will even add a bottle of champagne (not necessarily a big bottle) to complete the memento.

A piece of your wedding cake is always a great choice for a wedding favor. Your baker will decorate each piece beautifully and place it in beautiful boxes for your guests to enjoy. Single ladies may wish to put it under their pillow on the off chance that it is true that doing so will allow them to dream of their true love.

Of course, there is no reason why you can’t have something that lasts more than a day or a month or a year; and still have a practical choice. Picture frames are also a favorite choice. They can be stylish and elegant and really keep the memory of your wedding alive for your guests. Each guest gets to put a favorite picture in it; and when they look at the picture, they also see the frame you gave them and remember. Pretty cool!

Another favorite choice as a souvenir is the CD. You can give your guests the wonderful gift of music, songs that you yourself have loved and have played a part in your relationship. Just don’t forget about the copyright laws please. The artists, composers, musicians and producers will truly thank you.