DJ XTC Entertainment

The Toronto Wedding DJ & Gravity Class Entertainment's owner Neal A. McFarlane gives you his Top Ten Tips for Planning the Perfect Wedding Reception.

Hi. I'm Neal McFarlane and I'm a 35 year veteran of the wedding and entertainment industry.
​This is my top 10 tips for planning the perfect wedding reception.

1.Keep in mind that the guests are going to be where the wedding couple is. If you're on the dance floor, that's where your guests will be too.

2.Don't micromanage the timeline. We do want the order of events that are going to occur, but we don't need the exact time of each.

4.If there are older guests try not to sit them close or right in front of the speakers.

5.Don't put the DJ in an obscure corner or location in the room, they need to be close to the dance floor to be able to read the crowd.

6.If you have dance floor lighting you don't want to make it too bright. You don't want to blind your guests as they're dancing on the dance floor.

7.If you have a bar or a photo booth you want to keep them in the main room where the DJ is. You want to keep all your guests as close to the dance floor as possible.

8.When picking the songs for your wedding take into account not only your tastes, but the taste of your guests as well.

​9.You always want to leave your guests wanting more. It's not your responsibility to entertain them until 2 a.m.

10. When picking your music you don't have to overdo it, pick 10 or 20 songs that you like and leave the rest to the DJ to fill in for you.

If you have to cut corners on your budget don't skimp on the entertainment. That's one thing that will make or break your wedding reception. I'm Neal McFarlane and that was my top 10 tips for planning the perfect wedding reception.

​To ensure that your wedding day is the best it can be it’s important to ensure that you include all of the important elements in a timely fashion. This means that you need to have at least a basic list and schedule of events, often known as a “wedding ceremony timeline.”  While there is no standard wedding ceremony order, there are elements that need to be present. We will go over what’s needed and optional ones below.
 
First, determine whether you want your attendees to sign the wedding certificate or marriage license. This is not that common anymore, but it is an option to consider, especially if you have a small, more intimate wedding. Consider whether you want literature, love poetry, or religious wedding readings to be read during the early part of the ceremony.
 
The wedding processional is the entrance of a partner, the wedding party, and the second partner. Determine what romantic ceremony music is to be playing, especially when the second partner starts walking in. Do you want to have more of a traditional flavor, such as “Here Comes The Bride,” or do you want more contemporary music such as Natalie & Nat King Coles’ “Unforgettable”?
 
Decide how you will exchange your wedding rings. Will you state standard wedding vows, or will you write and state your own specific vows?  
If you plan on doing your own specific vows, decide on whether you want to go over them together before the big day.  This is especially true if you come from different faiths, as you may want to incorporate different religious references in your vows and want to be sure you are unified in your vows ahead of time.
 
Decide upon how the ceremony will be recognized. Will there be a community commitment to support the marriage or an officiant (priest, rabbi, etc.) present to officially recognize it and bless the marriage? After this recognition and declaration of the marriage, the couple usually seals their first kiss as a married couple. They then leave down the centre aisle. After a period of time, the attendees will leave.
  
There may be pictures taken outside, as the wedding couple will enter a limousine, a horse carriage, or some other form of transportation to be taken to the reception hall where the reception will take place. There may even be a “Just Married” sign on the back of the vehicle.
     
For a wedding to have the special meaning it is intended to, it is important to set up a program of all of the elements that you want included in it and in the proper order. You want to decide upon the opening readings and/or music, as well as the music for the entrance of the wedding party.
 
All of these elements should be considered in order to ensure that your wedding ceremony will be as memorable as it should be for you, your partner and for all who attend.
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One of the most important things that I bring to an initial consultation with a wedding couple is a copy of a wedding day emergency kit. I always get an odd look when I give it to them. I guess they are thinking, “ What is this thing for?” or “What’s the catch?” In all honesty there is never a catch. If a couple feels that we are a good fit as a company for their upcoming wedding then great. I just want them to be prepared for any emergency that may arise. (They WILL arise)
 
What are some of the things that should be included in every wedding day emergency kit?
 

1. Antacids  - If there is a day where nerves will affect your body this would be it. Having a pack of Tums or Pepto-Bismol would be a smart thing to do. Not only for the wedding couple but just about anyone on the big day.
2.  Pins (Bobby pins , Safety pins) – The weather can play havoc with best style hairdo. Also with the amount of walking and posing that will be done there is sure to be a wardrobe issue. Having both of these pins on hand make sure that within seconds a minor crisis can easily be averted.
3. Band-Aids - simply put, walking in shoes that are not regularly worn can cause undue pain and suffering. It would easily be rectified with a Band-Aid on a “friction suffering” toe or heel.
4. Tissues – Many couples fool themselves into thinking that they will not be crying. Perhaps having tissues on hand for the parents or siblings may be prudent anyway.

          5. Tied to go stick – My personal favorite that has saved me from many a dinner or toasting mishap

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While the wedding itself is the most important event of the day, the wedding reception is a close second. This is where you as the new couple, along with all of those who attended the wedding and perhaps a few more guests will go to celebrate the wedding.  
The reception will be less formal and more of a chance to let “your hair hang down,” relax, and have fun. Below, we will explore how to plan the reception so that  a good time Is had by all.
Always keep in mind the reason behind the reception. It’s likely that not everything is going to go according to plan, and that’s okay. Don’t let that ruin your evening. This reception is to be the start of your life journey together in holy matrimony, so don’t let an unforeseen problem put a damper on this evening or on your marriage. You should let any problems that crop up to not ruin the mood and atmosphere of this evening.
Be sure to keep your guests in mind; you want to be confident that they are enjoying themselves as well. Most of your guests will probably have spent a good amount of money and time to be here so you want to make sure that they are finding the atmosphere and event worthwhile. The reception should reflect your personality, including your humor, tastes, and preferences, so as to remind guests what makes you, you.
Decide on a specific style or theme you want your reception to have. This will also help you to determine where you will hold the reception.  
Do you want the reception to be a large gathering or a smaller, more intimate group?
Do you want the reception to be more formal or informal? This also includes whether you want the meal to be more fancy or more casual.  
The theme or style can be based upon your favourite colour(s) or something that is more complex, such as a specific time period that appeals to the two of you, a specific genre of music, or your favourite season.
Be sure to set your budget ahead of time so you can include and eliminate sites right away.  This will help you move closer to your ideal site quicker. Be sure to take into account the money that will be needed for decorations and centrepieces, food and beverages, music, the wedding cake and the site itself.  
Try to narrow down your ideal site to eight to nine sites right away. You can then call each one to see if they have availability on your wedding date. This can help to narrow down the choices even more.  
You can then see if they have all the facilities and room necessary to accommodate your party. Then, you can schedule appointments to visit the venue to get a better idea if this will fit your dream reception or not.  Be sure to have your list of questions handy so that you can truly determine which sites will make the final cut before deciding upon which site will be the one.
Choosing the proper wedding reception venue and having the best theme or style will take some planning ahead of time.  You want to have the right theme or style that reflects your personality.  You also want to be sure that your guests enjoy their time at your reception, as most will spend considerable amounts of time and money to attend.  
By taking these things into consideration, you will determine a venue and theme that will commemorate your relationship and be a fun, memorable time for all who attend.
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