Miscellaneous Monday: Entertainment Tips for Weddings

At this time of year we all enjoy throwing a few shapes and pulling off some moves on the dance floor. But how do you ensure you and your guests have the time of your lives on your wedding day? Wondering how to find a good DJ for your big day and how much of the budget it will require? Find the answer to these questions and some interesting wedding-related facts from this infographic created by the Rated DJs team. 

Who are Rated DJ?
Rated DJ is an innovative concept that helps connect talented DJs with music loving people looking for great entertainers that can create a rocking atmosphere on every occasions, especially wedding receptions. For more information, visit the website: http://www.rateddjs.co.uk

If you're anything like us, then you probably can't get Bruno Mars' latest hit out of your head these days. Why not come over to Twitter and Facebook and tell us us what songs you're adding to your wedding playlist. 

Miscellaneous Monday: Pretty umbrellas and parasols

We can’t get enough of umbrellas on Miscellaneous Monday this week!  There are so many ways you can incorporate them into your wedding day – after all, you can’t leave anything up to chance!  For inspiration, take a look at our new Pinterest board featuring some of our favourite parasol ideas - repin or make your own board and let us know on Twitter! And if you haven't already, read our West Weddings summer issue, where you'll find more planning inspiration!

Natasha and Ryan - a picture of love under the umbrella  

Accessorize your dress with a matching parasol

Follow West Weddings's board Pretty umbrellas and parasols on Pinterest.

       Ceremony! Outdoor ceremonies are more and more popular and perfect for summer weddings!  If your dream day is saying your vows alfresco, then a perfectly pretty arch made with fresh flowers and beautiful brollies is your best choice for decor.  Say your vows in the sunshine and don’t forget to provide a station of parasols for your guests, too – they’ll appreciate the shade!

 Reception! Create a unique reception style with scattered upside-down umbrellas in your colour theme. This idea works well outside for a summer wedding as well as inside when the weather is cooler– as long as you’re not superstitious! You can also use parasols as centre pieces, by tucking them into flower vases or as place names for your guests. Another idea is to decorate your drinks with mini crochet umbrellas to add a burst of colour.

Evening party! Cluster white or pastel parasols together and some fairy lights for a stunning canopy, which can decorate the dance floor.  After sunset, enjoy your first dance as husband and wife in a magical setting.

Accessories! Umbrellas make great accessories and gifts for your bridesmaids - they’ll keep them dry and shaded on the day and be lovely keepsakes afterwards. Used as props, they also provide plenty of fun photo opportunities!

10 Alternatives to Cheesy First Dance Tunes

It's a Friday. If you're in the midst of planning a wedding, let us give you permission to set aside the seating plans, phone calls to vendors, decisions about bridesmaids dresses, and instead to take on a slightly more relaxing wedding task: picking the song for your first dance as a couple. What isn't there to enjoy about sitting back and listening to some romantic tunes that conjure up images of you and your future spouse walking through life in matrimonial glory? (Or something like that.)

The one sticking point about picking a 'first dance' song is avoiding the predictable and over-done options (yes Nearly Anything By Frank Sinatra, I'm looking at you). To help you past this hump and into your weekend of music-listening relaxation, here are West Weddings' top 10 'first dance' picks to stir your creativity:

1. "Something in the Water", Brook Fraser - "Give me something fun to do, like a life of loving you"
2. "Bloom", Mae - "Love will find a way to bloom"
3. "Marry You", Bruno Mars - "Hey baby, I think I want to marry you"
4. "Such Great Heights", by Iron & Wine - "I am thinking its a sign that the freckles in our eyes our mirror images, and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned"
5. "In My Arms", by Jon Foreman - "We need to be together, like the shore and the sea"
6. "Grow Old With Me" (John Lennon), cover by The Postal Service - "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be"
7. "Sweet Darlin'", She & Him - "Sweet darlin', come hold me just a little bit longer now"
8. "You Picked Me", A Fine Frenzy, - "The two of us a perfect fit, you're all mine, all mine"
9. "'Til Kingdom Come", Coldplay - "For you I'd wait 'til kingdom come"
10. "Love Today", Mika - "Everybody's gonna love today"

(To listen to the songs on YouTube as a playlist, use this link.)

Happy listening!