Songs You Will be Hearing at 2011 Summer Weddings!

We all know how music can make or break a wedding...better yet the party...but how do we know what songs are going to make your guests BUST A MOVE? Well it's hard to say, really, as every wedding/party/event has it's own vibe and guests. But choosing the type of music you want your DJ or band to play is an important detail as you have a better insight on what your guests like to party too.

Most DJ's and bands also have a great way of feeling out the crowd and finding ways to keep the dance floor packed and moving. Personally, I have worked with fantastic DJs that really know how to make a party a party and keeps the tunes coming and the dance floor hopping! But it is important to give your DJ or band some background on what your guests are like and what they may be in to music wise! I realize you can't make everyone happy with your music choices, but I guarantee you will help elevate the party to the atmosphere you are hoping to achieve by giving some background on your peeps.

With that said I am listing the songs you will hear at almost every wedding in the 2011 Summer Wedding Season. Hope this helps you with your own party playlist! Here's my "guaranteed to hear songs" and my suggestions on when they should be played:

Non-Traditional Ceremony Recessional: Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory

Grand Entrance: Taio Cruz - Dynamite

First Dance: Lady Antebellum - Just A Kiss

Father/Daughter Dance: Rascal Flatts - I Won't Let Go

Mother/Son Dance: Adele - Love Song

Bouquet Toss: Beyonce - Run The World (Girls)

Garter Toss: Far East Movement - Like A G6

Cake Cutting: Flo Rida - Sugar

Other Songs You Will Hear This Summer on the Dance Floor at Weddings and Parties

Jennifer Lopez - On the Floor



Britney Spears - Till the World Ends



Ke$ha - We R Who We R



Cee Lo Green - Forget You



Enrique Inglesias - I Like It



Rihanna - S & M



Lady Gaga - Born This Way



Nikki Minaj - Super Bass



Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are



Chris Brown - She Ain't You



P!nk - Raise Your Glass



Justin Bieber - Baby

The Merengue Dancing Dog!

This has nothing to do with weddings but it does have a lot do to with creating a memorable moment. I wish some of my couples could have done a fun first dance like this - and this graceful. Enjoy it!

Happy end of August!

-Percy

Music to Our Ears

I often am asked what songs should be played for certain elements of a wedding reception, so I have compiled my Top 5 Songs for the below categories. Hope this helps in choosing just the right song for you. Even though I am suggesting these songs, there is nothing better than choosing your own play list that reflects you as a couple. Additionally, by choosing meaningful songs, it really helps to play up the uniqueness of your special day.

Bride and Groom Grand Entrance:

1. Now That We Found Love - Heavy D and the Boyz
2. Crazy In Love - Beyonce
3. The Look of Love - ABC
4. Everlasting Love - Gloria Estefan
5. Love and Pride - King

First Dance Songs:

1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
2. One In A Million You - Larry Graham
3. The Time of My Life - David Cook
4. Kiss of Life - Sade
5. One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey

Father/Daughter Dance:

1. I Loved Her First - Heartland
2. Dance With My Father - Celine Dion
3. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
4. Through the Years - Kenny Rogers
5. My Wish - Rascal Flatts

Mother/Son Dance:

1. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You - Rod Stewart
2. Mama - Il Divo
3. I Wish You Love - Dionne Warwick
4. Baby Mine - Bette Midler
5. A Place In My Heart - Sounds of Blackness

Cake Cutting:

1. Sugar Sugar - The Archies
2. Kiss Me - Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy
3. How Sweet It Is - James Taylor
4. Beautiful Day - U2
5. Love You Madly - Cake

Bouquet Toss:

1. Gonna Catch You - Lonnie Gordon
2. Labels or Love - Fergie
3. Point of No Return - Expose
4. Lemme Get That - Rihanna
5. It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls

Garter Removal and Toss:

1. Girls Girls Girls - Motley Crue
2. Foxy Foxy - Rob Zombie
3. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake
4. Give It Up To Me - Sean Paul
5. Go - Tones on Tails

This list was fun to compile, I could have listed my Top 10 in each category, but the list would have been to long. So for you brides and grooms out there I hope this list will inspire your own soundtrack. Have a great time!

-Percy

Photo by Gloria Plunkett

Best Wedding Toast Ever

Today is all about the guys. I came across this video a few months ago but never put it on my blog. It's probably one of the best wedding toasts I have ever seen. It's called Amy's Song, sung by the Man of Honor and a cast of many of the wedding guests. I can't believe the organization this had, its truly wonderful.

Enjoy!

-Percy

Video from YouTube

Surprise First Dance, NYC-style

We have all seen the surprise first dances, where the couple starts off with the standard slow dance or waltz and then deviates by dancing something a little funkier.

This version has to be one of the best I have ever seen. I have to give props to the bride for busting a move in her wedding gown. Take it from this couple if you are looking to do something fun for your first dance. Hire a choreographer and please don't use the "Evolution of Dance" choreography...it's so overused. Do something spectacular...and this is just that.

Enjoy old school hip hop!

-Percy

Video from YouTube

First Dance...Not the Last.

The first dance seems to be a right of passage for married couples. In modern times, it has reincarnated itself as a way to highlight the couple, some adding their own personality to the traditional dance, by foregoing the slow dance and adding some surprise hip-hop or ballroom moves to this sentimental moment.

Wikipedia states, "Traditionally, the first dance is the Waltz." Well we all know that most couples are not waltzing, since ballroom dancing is no longer a widespread skill, but is making a comeback thanks to Dancing with the Stars. Couples often go to dance studios or hire choreographers to help them with their first dance, and others just have a gift to bust-a-move.

The one question I often get is how to you pick just the right song for it. Well my answer to my clients is to pick a song that signifies you and your love one, or a song that reminds you of each other. It does not necessarily have to be a slow song...if Baby Got's Back has special meaning for you, then go ahead with your bad self and breakout your best MC Hammer moves. There are no limits to your choice of music or genre of dance. Feeling a little bold maybe, you can do a pas de deux from Swan Lake or even a vogue dual to Madonna's 4 minutes (may explain timing in the bedroom and that could be a bad thing).

At any rate, here are my top 10 favorite songs at the moment for the first dance - and yes, they are all slow songs, because I'm a sap!

1. (tie) You and I Both and I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
2. One in a Million You - Larry Graham
3. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Leona Lewis
4. No One - Alicia Keys
5. Fields of Gold - Eva Cassidy
6. My Funny Valentine - Melinda Doolittle
7. At Last - Etta James
8. La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf
9. How Deep is Your Love - The Bird and The Bee
10. The Way You Look Tonight - Michael Buble

Regardless of what song you choose or what genre of music, make sure that your song resonates with the two of you. It's a special moment and there is nothing like making your first dance as a couple a meaning and spectacular time for the two of you.

-Percy

Photo from Party Time Productions