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

Going Up...

The movie Up was a summer blockbuster that was enjoyed by both kids and adults. It was a love story and an adventure all wrapped in one animated movie! The characters were definitely the star of the show, but the take away to everyday life were the balloons!

With wedding season just about ending we have seen balloons used in almost every aspect of the wedding adventure. We are not talking about the old school balloon arches, pillars, or centerpieces either. We are talking simple and elegant use of the balloon!

Here are some of the trends we have seen using the balloon this year.

Engagement Photos

Room Decor

Balloon Drops


Bridal Photos

I see the use of balloons as an early trend that we will see more and more of in coming years. I even used balloons for my wedding in 2008 (we did a balloon release) after we said "I Do." The simplicity of these childhood favorites just brings a joyous touch to photos and decor. Use the balloon wisely though, because it can come off cheesy rather than classy if not used in the right way. Try to stick with one color and if you must use a variety of colors...use it in a balloon drop or balloon launch!

The plus with balloons...you get a lot of UMPH for very little moola!

Go and Celebrate!

-Percy

Photos Credits: Sarah K. Chen, Caroline Tran, Max Wanger, Wishpot, Gifts and Decorative Accessories, Clowns Unlimited, Travel Webshots, Martha Stewart Weddings, Kate Headley, Boutwell Studio; Up Logo from Disney

Wacky Wednesday: The Best Bridal Soiree is Coming (Repost)

The best Bridal Soiree is coming to Southern California on April 26, 2009. The second of six events put on by Souly Wedding Vendors will be held at Cafe Firenze, restaurant of Top Chef 5 contestant and uber chef Fabio Viviani.

Souly Wedding Vendors, the brain child of SoulMates Bridal Boutique, is a creative circle of Southern California wedding vendors committed to the same level of service and professionalism. Every other month at a new and exciting location, Souly Wedding Vendors host a themed party for engaged couples, at no cost to them. This gives the clients the opportunity to meet, mix, and mingle with Souly Wedding Vendors in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Official Hosts for Souly Wedding Vendors April 26, 2009 Event:

Fabio Viviani and Cafe Firenze
Mr. Loki Productions
Percy Sales Events
Your Image Botanical Designs

Invitation for engaged couples for the April 26th, 2009 event:

Fabio Viviani of Café Firenze

& Souly Wedding Vendors

invites you & your fidanzato to

That’s Amoré

Café Firenze

563 West Los Angeles Avenue

Moorpark, CA 93021

Sunday, April 26, 2009

10am – 2pm

Come for delicious food, fabulous drinks, & meet the best wedding vendors in Southern California

Free Admission~ Free Gift Bags~ Free Raffle Giveaways

R.S.V.P to Wendy @ 805-630-9868 or wendy@cafefirenze.net

Hope to see you future brides and grooms there! A full list of Souly Weddings Vendors who will be in attendance will be posted on a later date. For a full list of all approved Souly Wedding Vendors, please email me.

-Percy

Photo of Fabio from Bravo

Wacky Wednesdays: Big in Japan

They say it's easy when you are big in Japan and I guess that's why the Japanese does it big. Talk about the new spa trend. Ladies and Gents, here's an idea for your "spa day" with the gals or guys, maybe a co-ed spa day.

Apparently in Japan, the latest trend in spa treatments are drinks...I read this is a UPI.Com article. Last year it was all about the doctor fish treatment, you know where you stick your feet in spa water that has thousands of fresh water Garra Rufa and they eat the dead skin off your feet, leaving them smooth and luscious. Since the trend is now passe, they have done the other extreme and have introduced shared spa baths filled with Green Tea, Sake, Red Wine and yes Strawberry's and Cream.

The Green Tea Spa with it's oversized tea kettle, boasts about health benefits such as preventing rough dry skin, whitening (I take it as skin whitening), or effects for cold constitution. The Red Wine Spa, under which water flows from a big red wine bottle, claims to relieve fatique, moisturizing benefits, and anti-aging. The Sake Spa, characterized by a large Sake (Rice Wine) Barrel, claims to help with skin care, relieving back pain, and cold constitution. Finally the most luxurious of the hip new spa treatments...the Strawberry Spa, where you sit in an oversized Strawberry Shortcake and bath in water mixed with strawberry juice and skim milk...touting benefits of skin care and moisturizing.

At any rate, spas should be fun and relaxing and these spas, found in Hakone Japan, Hanagawa Prefecture, is just that. Plus it's family friendly. I wonder if these spa joints will ever make it to the US? If you can't make it in Japan, maybe you can concoct your own drink treatment and try it in your bathtub. A Diet Pepsi bath...hmmm wonder what that would benefit?

-Percy

Photos from UPI/Kezo Mori

Guest Blogger Fridays: Paul Bott

I met Paul Bott, when we were filming the "Let Them Eat Cake" episode for the premiere season of Peter Perfect, with celebrity stylist Peter Ishkhans. We were two of three event experts that they brought in for show (I think we both had one second of camera time - at least you can clearly see our names on the episode). Since then, the two of us have been emailing and keeping in touch with each other, anticipating the day we will finally work together. I am so excited that he has agreed to guest blog for me on food trends. Enjoy it!

-Percy

food trends: are you really a foodie????

I hear a lot of “we are both foodies” lately from brides and grooms that I speak with…this makes me very happy. Finally, people can speak my language and know that there is more to a wedding feast then breast of chicken!!! Another great trend is they also want to incorporate their ethnic background or "infuse" the menu with their culture. I LOVE THAT PART TOO!

Notice, I used the word "feast." I use that word because I believe that presented well, delicious, and delightfully appealing, a “feast” has a lot of positive power and will completely change the personality of your event and you guests expectations. I have seen and heard entire ballrooms of guests almost fall silent during the dinner course, why, because they are eating and they are happy. The end result is a shared “comfort” (why do you think they call it comfort food?) and a sense of sharing an experience that was truly generous and a gracious gift to them from their hosts, the bride and groom. I have always felt food, good food, carefully made and graciously presented could change lives forever…if you doubt my words then simply rent that marvelous Dutch film “Babette’s Feast” but I digress…

Why am I so happy about this "real foodie" trend? Because, now couples know more then what specific songs they want to dance to and what important words they will exchange at their ceremony. They also know that they want to wow their guests with delicious food, and give them a the kind shared experience that is important to them too. No longer are they satisfied to have pages or pre-determined menu options flashed before them. I believe that couples think that writing their own menu is right up there with writing their own vows. So like seeking a minister for vow help, they need an expert, like myself, to help them articulate this in a way that expresses who they are while creating one of those unforgettable dining experiences.

Here is how powerful food can be...I love this example. I had a bride and groom, a couple of years ago, that was not getting anywhere with what they were wanting for their "feast." They had been to several “caterers” and knew almost everything there was to know about breast of chicken and roast beef. Finally I asked them how they met. WELL, the future bride almost jumped off her seat, turned and faced me square on and said, “I was at this dinner party and I was sitting with a my friend who invited me. The food was so good I actually turned to her and I said, I am going to marry who ever cooked this meal...I do not care if they are male or female, young or old, married or not, I am going to marry them!" So, her friend gets up, walks to the kitchen, grabs the chef (a single man working as a chef), introduces them, they fall in love, and nine-months later they were married. The most exciting part of this story is that I recreated that meal that he cooked and she ate on the night they met at their wedding feast. The same food that made her vow to marry the cook was now being feasted on by their guests. They were sharing a piece of their "foodie" history.

I rest my case.

Paul Bott

Percy's remarks: As you can see from Paul's guest blog, food can become part of your story. Making it a priority for your wedding will only make the event that more special, plus the feast you give to your guests will always remind them of the two of you. For real foodies, making your "menu" a priority is essential in completing the entire look and feel of your event. You know what they say...the food can make or break anything!

For more information on Paul Bott please contact him at:

http://www.paulbott.com/
877.722.7895
323.791.1013

Photo credits: Group Photo: Top large by Paul Barnett, next row from left all by Rebecca Seal, all other photos by Jennifer Dery

Super Sweet Sixteens Just Got Sweeter

MTV's My Super Sweet 16 just got sweeter! They are no longer just looking at over the top Sweet 16 parties. MTV wants to show a wider range of celebrations, showcasing just how creative these parties can be, at every budget!

Want to showcase your party and put it up against someone else's to see who comes out on top? You think you're ready for the Sweet 16 Battle? MTV is searching for teens, or planners putting on Sweet 16 parties in the next few months. You think your party has what it takes to stand out, even with only a $1000 budget?

If you are interested and you think you have what it takes to throw the perfect Sweet 16 party, please contact sweet16battle@mtvstaff.com and send them your party date and information. They are looking for people who are throwing parties between now and December 31, 2008.

-Percy

Photo from MTV

The Big 4-0 is Just Around the Corner

My 40th is just around the corner...well in March actually and I am trying to figure out what to do. I am torn between going to Paris/Prague with my family for a week and throwing a big 80s bash at some dilapidated warehouse and turning it to say something like The Palladium, DV8, The Limelight, Das Klub, Noh Club or Paradise Garage...throwing myself a Super Sweet 40th Party. I've even joked that it would be funny for my husband to surprise me with a mini-van rather than a luxury car.

Paris and Prague would be super fun, but with the economy being down, I think I would spend a lot more than throwing a party that my family and friends can come to. Paris and Prague will always be there...I keep telling myself.

I would really love to recreate the club scene of my youth and having people experience the sights and sounds that defined my "clubbing" days. Box dancers, cigar girls, thumping 80s modern rock and old school hip hop, and maybe even some impersonators doing impressions of my favorite singers of the time, such as Pete Burns and Boy George...did you hear that Kim Goodwin! I would really love to have my most favorite DJ ever, Paige Hodel, DJ the event and give it that Box vibe that I miss. The Box was my favorite funk, hip hop, gay and lesbian club in San Francisco...I was there every Thursday night sweatin' (literally) to Paige's ultra great sounds. Is it bad to go back to your hey day?

So I am torn on what to do. I know I can never get back the actual club scene I loved, but it sure would be fun trying to recreate it and mixing it all together. Paris and Prague has pluses because I just have to explore the city and J'aime Paris, but with a 4-year old in tow it would be less romantic than I have it envisioned in my head.

So sound in and tell me what you think I should do!

-Percy

Photo archive from The Palladium, NYC