If you were not already aware, January is the month for Bridal Shows.  In southern Wisconsin, there are several large bridal shows that have every aspect of wedding planning and more!  Seriously, these shows will get you inspired and/or all of your planning complete in one visit!  There are also smaller shows that have select aspects for planning.

At any bridal show, however, it is helpful to know some tips.  These tips assist in making even the biggest bridal show manageable.

First is to create a list, either in your head, or written down.  This list should contain all the things still needed for your big night.  If you already have information from certain companies, keep them in mind.  Bring along a list of questions to ask when you’re there.  These questions will help you in decision making.

For the larger shows and expos, have backup!  By this, we mean, another person, or persons, to help in gathering information.  If you are lucky enough to have your significant other to join, awesome; it is always great to have their input.  If not, bring along someone who you feel will help you make a clear choice.  Sometimes that can be a parent, a best friend, or another bride who either is still planning, or already married.  Keep in mind the level of interest in whomever you bring.  There will be a significant crowd at any show, and the more people you bring, the more stressful it can be, for you and them.

With anyone you have come along, let them know what is on your list.  This way they can help keep an eye out for what you need, and more important, what you don’t need.  This said because wedding planning can get a bit extravagant and having a filter helps keep cost down!  Also a plus, they can stream a head and give you a clue as to what to expect.

Another key tip is to have your information already printed up.  These can easily be done with simple mailing labels, or even just written out for companies to copy your information.  Lots of vendors will have exciting specials that you can sign up for, and having the info already at hand saves you from getting writer’s cramp.

Know your budget!  Or a rough idea as to how much you are looking to spend.  A lot of vendors have amazing specials for that day only.  It is a big decision to book anything THAT day, but just talk to the people in the booths.  They will be more than willing to answer any questions.  And in the end, you could save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by taking advantage of the Bridal Show Specials.

Take notes!  Since there will be specials flying around and information to fill your brain, it’s always good to keep your own summary of what you saw.  When you get a brochure, or business card, or even an info packet, you, or your guest should write down anything that made that vendor stand out; good or bad.  Also, write down any specials, or things they offered.  This will be key when you look over all the information later.

Lastly, and most important, breathe!  Sounds a bit strange, but these types of events can get a tad overwhelming.  Not to mention crowded.  If things get the better of you, step to the side and take a couple deep breaths.  For the newly engaged, or just starting to plan, the expos may seem overwhelming with all the information and all the different types of vendors.  Just remember the tips mentioned and you should be ok and ready to start or finish your planning!

After you have reserved Midwest Sound for your music and event entertainment, we send you several forms to assist you in planning the evening’s fun.  One is this very bright pink sheet of paper called Entertainment Enhancements. These are items that can add a little “zing” to the event.  We already include a fantastic sound system and a full dance floor lighting package, but for some, more is better!

First is the cordless microphone.  This is really helpful in making toasts and speeches if your venue does not already include the use of the house microphone!  It is included in our ceremony cost and includes a stand for your officient to use.  This is the most commonly added enhancement because of its accommodation for multiple uses throughout the event.

We also offer a bubble machine and fog machine.  These are a hit with the younger crowd!  The laser light can be paired with the fog machine to get a cool club effect.  The only set back to these, is they must be approved by your reception facility for use.  Some will allow it, but always double check with the venue before the wedding

If they do not allow these certain enhancements, we always recommend another exciting light(s) to replace the machine(s).  We offer par cans which is a multi-colored lighting effect that fills a large space with fun colors!  We also provide other lights that move to the beat of the music and really make the dance floor come alive.

If you want to personalize your space, we can provide a monogram.  This will shine anything from your initials, to a symbol and anything in between either on the wall or on the floor.  This has become more popular with couples as it really makes their reception complete and personalized!

Each of our enhancements are only $35, but, and this is a delight for your pocket book.  If you cannot decide, we offer a buy two get one free!  This way you can get the excitement of the lights, the convenience of a corded microphone, and the thrill of any other enhancement!  If you would like to add any enhancement to your evening, just give us a call at (262)751-2900, and a friendly service staff member will be more than welcome to assist you.

Here at Midwest Sound, we take our time in getting to know precisely what you are anticipating in the entertainment for your evening.  We send you out a series of forms to let us know more information about you and the big day.  (By the way these forms can also be found online!)

The first is a Getting To Know You form.  This lets us know more about you, personally…your age range, what kind of music you and your fiancé enjoy (both separately and together).  On this form, you also tell us what you expect from your guests–are they party animals who will dance to most anything, big dancers who will dance to a lot of the music, occasional dancers who will dance to what they know, or socializers, people who won’t dance at much, if at all?  This helps the DJ know how to anticipate your guests’ reactions once the music starts…and it may help you consider what your guests NEED to get them going!

Also on this form is where you tell us what you are expecting out of your DJ.  Tell us you’re your ideal DJ would be like!  This form is really the key in your DJ selection, as the information given will help us match you and your fiancé to your perfect DJ!

The next form is the planning guide.  This is a rundown of events throughout the evening.  Starting off with the Grand March; when, or if and how you want the bridal party announced, what song might be the perfect background for your introduction.  Moving into the spotlight songs; such as your first dance as husband and wife, parents dance, bridal party dance, father/daughter, and mother/son dance.  If you want to do any of these dances, just write down the desired song and who sings it.  Our music director will make sure those songs are there for your big night!

This is also where you let your DJ know about the garter and bouquet toss.  If you want to do this classic event, just let us know if you want it more formal, casual, or “anything goes”.  Everyone has an opinion on the garter removal aspect—and we don’t want you to suffer through any surprises.   This will inform your DJ to exactly what comfort level the two of you are in front of your friends and family.

Next are the group-participation dances.  If you want to do any of the events, just circle them to let us know. If the YMCA is a no in your book, cross it off, we will make sure it does not get played.  Anything left open is up for the DJ’s discretion.  Last, but certainly not least on the planning guide is the level of interaction you wish to see from your DJ.  You can choose anywhere from average, to very interactive, to not active at all.  The great thing is that it’s your choice…not the DJ’s!

Last form is the most fun– the music!  This is around 900 of the most popularly requested songs.  It’s a great starting point.  This might not seem like a lot, but if we were to send a list of our entire music library, it would be the size of a phone book!  With this packet, just go through and highlight and songs that are a must-play and cross off anything that would make your ears bleed.  If you don’t see a favorite song of yours on there, just write it down, and our music director will get those songs for you, no extra cost!

Same thing goes as with the events, if it’s crossed off, you can rest assured it will not get played!  Keep in mind as you are selecting your music, in a four hour period of dance around 50-60 songs can be played.  If the music list is a bit overwhelming, fear not, the information on the previous forms will help your DJ select the right music to fit the mood of the evening!

All these forms, along with the assurance of our friendly office staff and freedom to come in and chat with our music director or a DJ will really make your special day, YOUR special day.  Full customization of your event will make you feel like the day is personalized and perfect!

Why on earth is it important to talk about my vegetarian cousin when I’m supposed to be giving you vital information about wedding reception music?  Because she was smart enough to offer beef and chicken options at her reception dinner.

Like many of people that I encounter—and perhaps like you—she was tasked with a very tough decision when planning her wedding.  Wanting to make sure her wedding plans were a true extension of her and her fiancée, and their personalities…but knowing that her guests would be more inclined to stay and celebrate if the event appealed to their tastes.

Laura struggled with the fact that she had been to so many weddings and always heard a few songs that just made her skin crawl.  She swore to herself that she would NEVER have the chicken dance or electric slide at her wedding.  After all, it was HER day!

She knew that the good, reputable DJ companies would allow her to take as much control as she wanted, so she began to make a list of each and every song she wanted played (or not played) at her wedding reception.  Before long, she had a list of songs that represented all of her favorite artists—much like her favorite iPod playlist.

She knew her closest friends would totally understand her music choices and a few of them would be excited to hear some of the unique underground artists that she had picked.  At one point, the words actually came out of her mouth, “If people don’t like it…tough!  It’s my wedding”

Then she stopped dead in her tracks.

She realized instantaneously what she had just said.  She was so focused on her favorites that she was willing to dismiss her guests’ tastes as irrelevant.   If you want your guests to stay and celebrate with you longer…you have to give them a reason to do so!  It’s a delicate balance between picking the songs that say the most about you and who you are, but also making sure there is something there for everyone in attendance.  Playing music (or serving food) that your friends and family enjoy is the most effective way to make them WANT to stay.

When people rush to the dance floor squealing with delight, it’s because they hear something they know and love…and somewhere inside, they were HOPING to hear it!  By fostering these moments, you are giving the gift of fun to your wedding guests…and yourself!

A wise person once said, “with great power comes great responsibility”.   The power to custom-build your wedding reception entertainment comes with the responsibility to make sure it is best for everyone.

By the way, the filet mignon—AND the great dance party — at my cousin’s wedding reception were among the best I’ve ever had.

Link—> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHQv-Ugqxws