Try to remember that there will be a variety of different people of varying age attending your wedding. This is important when selecting music for the day as most couples want to accommodate their guest’s tastes and play a wide variety of music from romantic ballads to the latest commercial tunes.

It is also important to specify to your DJ or singer what their role is. Whether it is to keep the music flowing or to double as a master of ceremonies, ensure you have discussed your expectations. Let the musicians know where they will be performing so that they can adequately prepare and be sure to check your venue for adequate power sources and room for the band to perform. Also ask your musicians if there is an extra charge for learning new music and allow them plenty of time to do so. Finally, make sure you book your music as early as possible. Provide the musician with a deposit to secure the date and ensure you have a signed and written contract stating what you expect from them.

Music during the ceremony is usually of a softer and more romantic tone to set the appropriate atmosphere. Instrumental music is popular amongst brides and serves as appropriate unobtrusive background music. If the ceremony is to be held in a church it is important to remember to ask about any restrictions on musical repertoire. (Some churches may request that only sacred music is featured.)

At the reception a wider of selection of music may be played that reflects your taste and those of your guests. You may prefer a traditional string quartet, a soothing jazz band or perhaps a band or DJ if your mission is to get all the guests involved and on the dance floor.

Approximately 10% of the cost of a typical wedding is set aside for music and entertainment. A popular alternative to having a band play at your wedding is to hire a DJ to play pre-recorded CD’s of your choice.

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Photography at your wedding will leave you with your memories of “Your Day in the Sun”. However what those beautiful, serene and picturesque photos do not know show is what went behind the organization of the photo shoot. It’s always a stage scene so to say. Like the rest of your wedding plans nothing, if at all should be left to chance.

First of all is the question of formal wedding photos taken before the wedding ceremony itself? Although some may say that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the actual wedding ceremony , many couples today feel more than comfortable in doing away for what some consider a “superstition” , and taking the formal photographic shots before the wedding ceremony itself.

Handling the formal photo session this way makes life easier for an awful lot of people: the photographer does not have to rush around getting all the shots on your list before hungry guests get upset. As well the crowd does not have to wait through the tedious task of getting all the photos and all the pictures “just right”.

On the other hand if seeing the groom before the wedding ceremony itself is of concern to you, or in many cases to very observant family members then as a start try to take as many of the pictures as possible without the groom to at least get some of the photo shoot out of the way. For example the basic photos of the bride alone, with her family and with her attendants can mostly be done and take care of. Next at the time and place of the actual reception try as best as you can to ensure that everyone and everything will be in their correct places and timing. This way the photo shoot will go as quickly and as seamlessly as humanely possible.

What of the location of the photo shoot? Some couples will opt to take their formal wedding photos at a location other than the reception site itself. One fine professional photographer was even able to make use of the services of a backdrop of a magnificent lobby of all things – a business office tower as a most wonderful and scenic backdrop that of course was usually vacant and unused on the Saturday time period. Of course the spot chosen, often has sentimental value for either the couple, their families or even of general intrinsic sentimental value. Some of the times the spots chosen are chosen simply for their beauty of their scenic backdrops. In some cases even the backyards of homes where the bride or grooms families’ lived previously and very fond memories remain are chosen as well.

Examples of good places to host photo shoots are at a beach, lake or garden (in the spring and summertime), near beautifully colored foliage (in the fall), and in wintertime in a snow covered wood or forest scene.

Remember though that if you do plan to take your photo shoot “on the road”, remember that your wedding reception guests will have to wait even longer than usual, on the wedding day for you to arrive at the reception. Plan of course to make the photo shoot as close to the wedding banquet venue and location, and for places, times and people to be as simple and as straightforward as possible. It’s all as simple as that.

Above all take time to remember and note that it’s your wedding day and “Your Day in the Sun”.

Your wedding is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an event that’s utterly unique – an unforgettable celebration of the love you have for one another that expresses the essence of your identity as a couple. So there’s no better time then now to think outside the square!

In these articles, we’ll show you how to escape the bustle of everyday life and discover easily accessible, quiet country towns that will embrace you with an intimate charm all of their own. Set among rolling fields, rambling vineyards and quiet country lanes are enchanting wedding and reception venues, and romantic hideaways perfect for a blissful honeymoon. Or does a touch of the exotic appeal to your senses? Sapphire water, sandy sun-kissed beaches, palms swaying in a balmy breeze and velvet star lit nights. Sound enticing? Read on …

More and more couples are opting for a wedding that’s huge on romance, exciting beyond belief and more special than you can possibly imagine. We’re talking about destination weddings … your opportunity to become a runaway bride (but take the groom with you) and celebrate your marriage in style!

Perhaps an island wedding appeals, or how about zipping off to marry in Paris, the romance capital of Europe. Disney World, anyone? With Cinderella’s castle as a backdrop and an Elvis look-alike as your celebrant, you can be sure of some fascinating wedding photos.

But why go overseas? Australia is rich in wonderful wedding destinations, from vineyards and mountains, to snowfields and sandy beaches. Prefer the idea of a rural retreat or outback adventure? No problems. And if an uber-chic urban ceremony’s your dream, you have some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world to choose from.

Most Australian resorts and hotels offer special wedding and honeymoon packages, with great accommodation rates for you and your guests. However, you’ll need to book well in advance, particularly if your wedding date happens to coincide with a peak holiday season. And ask your travel consultant (or go online) to check on the special rates some airlines offer to wedding groups.

No matter whether you’re looking for a completely private wedding, or whether it’s an opportunity for the whole family to get away together, a destination wedding is the answer. If you do decide to invite guests, you can always stay at your chosen destination for a few extra days to enjoy each other’s company … solo! And when you arrive home, throw a reception party to ensure that all your nearest and dearest are included in your celebrations.

Other destination wedding pluses? They’re almost guaranteed to be stress free. Suddenly the family feud that erupted over whether you should hold the wedding in his town or yours is defused.

Destination weddings are also amazingly cost effective. Just do the maths. Compare the expense of an ‘at home’ wedding with all the trimmings to the costs of escaping to an exotic location where you can get married, enjoy an extended honeymoon and return home with money left over to start your lives together.

And here’s another point. At a typical wedding you’re on the go all day and with a gang of guests involved, you perhaps won’t have the quality time you would have liked to share with your family and closest friends. Destination weddings, on the other hand, are like one long holiday. Arrive at your chosen location a few days before your ceremony to ensure everything’s ready to go and when the big day arrives, you’ve already enjoyed time by yourselves as well as sharing some priceless moments with your family and friends. Best of all, you make all the rules. Want to say “I do” wearing a bikini? Go right ahead. A ceremony at the top of your favourite ski run before schussing down the slopes to join your guests? Why not!

Are you loving the wedding destination idea but feeling nervous about the logistics? Let’s take a quick look at some planning basics.

First, choose a location based on your wedding style and your list of ‘must have’ guests. Remember that not everyone will have the budget or the free time to be able to join you.

You should also decide if you are willing to be flexible about some features of your wedding to save money, time, and your sanity. If, for example, you have had your heart set on wearing a full-length wedding gown with cathedral veil ever since you can remember, rethinking your fantasy tropical beach wedding might be advisable.

You should also check whether your destination of choice has easy access to wedding services (local photographers, videographers, caterers, florists, wedding planners, make-up artists, cake decorators, etc).

Get a rough idea of guest numbers before making a booking to take advantage of possible group discounts. Also consider low season special rates to keep both travel and accommodation costs down. And just in case you were wondering, guests should pay all their own expenses.

However, the bride and her family should cover accommodation for any bridesmaids, and the groom and his family should do the same for any groomsmen. Otherwise, they pay their own way.

If you were thinking of a wedding destination other than Australia, start your research and planning as early as possible. Remember that you’ll need to investigate the legal requirements for marriage in your country of choice, as well as arranging travel, accommodation and venues.

Once you have all the details, put together an information package for each of your guests so they have all the facts at their fingertips. Then get set to enjoy a fabulous wedding adventure.

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