As a wedding DJ, I have learned many ways to connect with my prospective clients via social media, online search engines and wedding publications. However, I have found that one of the best ways that couples can meet wedding vendors and have many of their wedding questions answered is by attending a bridal show. With that said, I would like to share with you my top 6 tips to make the most out of your time at the event.
Have an Agenda
To make sure you leave the bridal show knowing it was a productive experience, you will want to have a game plan beforehand.
Prior to arriving at the bridal show, make a list of all of the vendors you want to visit as well as the questions you need to be answered.
Set Aside the Time
You will want to set aside at least 3 to 4 hours of your day for the bridal show.
While attending the show it’s important that you take your time to get to know your vendors of interest.
One of the biggest advantages of attending a bridal show is if you really connect with a particular vendor, you can save yourself time booking an interview with them.
You might have the chance to ask all of your questions in person at the show.
Create a wedding email
It is no secret that wedding vendors will send you emails to follow up with you after the bridal show.
It is important to have a dedicated wedding email address to prevent your other email addresses from getting cluttered.
This will help keep all of your wedding emails in one place as well.
Bridal Show Contact labels
Almost every vendor at a bridal show will ask for your basic contact information to submit for either a drawing or a follow up with the couple.
Writing out this information with so many vendors can be very time-consuming.
I recommend printing off labels to simply stick on the form they are asking you to submit. Your writing hand will thank you for it!
The 5 Senses
If a vendor’s booth is a mess, it’s a good sign that they might also deliver sloppy services.
You may talk to a DJ and absolutely LOVE the sound of their voice.
Taste many of the food samples offered by caterers and wedding cake companies.
Even the feel of a simple hand shake can make or break a deal.
You might also have the opportunity to smell the food samples and other fragrances at the show.
Bring a few people with you
This is a time for you and your closest friends and family members to enjoy part of the planning process for your big day.
Many times one of your guests may also have great ideas or questions to ask the vendors that can be very insightful.
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Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer.In 2008, I built a home recording studio in Livonia and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
After DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16 year career as an occupational therapist. I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and I have the distinct honor to work with an amazing team of Michigan wedding DJs.
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Wedding Ceremony Guide And Script Outline
Over my last 10 years providing wedding DJ services, I thought it would be a great idea to put together and share a complete wedding ceremony guide.
During this last decade, I’ve learned that couples spend many days, months and years planning their wedding reception and ceremony.
Wedding Ceremony Guide And Script Outline
After all this planning, there is only about one hour dedicated to rehearsing the wedding ceremony, usually about two days prior to the actual wedding.
At the rehearsal, I’ve noticed couples often ask many of the same questions, which are answered by the hall manager, officiant and DJ.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful and much less stressful to have the answers to these commonly asked questions long before the big day?
Well, that’s what this wedding ceremony guide is all about!
We understand that every wedding ceremony is unique and special.
Furthermore, with so many different traditions, styles and preferences, I have never serviced two weddings that were exactly alike.
With that in mind, this wedding ceremony guide lists samples of the different wedding ceremony components to help guide you in the planning of your own unique wedding ceremony script.
Wedding Ceremony Script Outline
PROCESSIONAL
OPENING REMARKS
THE CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
DECLARATION OF CONSENT
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE
THE KISS
INTRODUCTION OF THE COUPLE
CLOSING REMARKS
THE RECESSIONAL
Sample Wedding Ceremony Order
Processional
Walking into the ceremony (Bride’s side on Left- Groom’s side on Right)
Grandparents of the Groom – Sit in the front row on the Groom’s side
Grandparents of the Bride – Sit in the front row on the Bride’s side
Parents of the Groom – Sit in the front row on the Groom’s side closest to the aisle
Mother of the Bride – Sits in the front row on the Bride’s side closest to the aisle
Officiant, Groom, Best Man – Stands next to the Groom
Bridesmaids
Maid of Honor – Stands next to the Bride
Flower Girl – Stands in front of the Maid of Honor, Ring Bearer – Stands in front of the Best Man
Bride with Father of the Bride – Sits next to the Mother of the Bride after “Handing-Off ” the Bride to the Groom.
Sample Opening Remarks
Friends and families! 1._____ and 2._____ are here today to happily proclaim their intention to marry. In so doing they are allowing us to participate in the celebration of a love which they have nurtured for some time.
Theirs is a partnership freely chosen and founded on friendship, trust and respect. A partnership that encourages not only open communication, self-expression and the sharing of knowledge but also an enthusiasm for life. I
t is based on the belief that each is equally important and that any pretense of superiority by either would be injurious to both.
1._____ and 2._____ believe that marriage is essentially a human institution. Therefore this ceremony finds its deepest meaning in the celebration of being human.
Sample Question To The Couple
Do you come with joy and anticipation to this moment when you will be legally joined in marriage? Do you pledge to treat each other with kindness, respect and compassion; to listen to each other and to speak to each other with honesty—always?
Answer: We do.
Sample Charge To The Couple
THE CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
You have come to love each other deeply and sincerely. That love has given you the desire to unite in marriage and to establish a home together. In this ceremony, you are dedicating yourselves to give happiness and well-being, each to the other.
Your marriage is an act of faith. It must not be based on the hope of what the other will do or will not do, might become or might not become.
It must be based on the firm belief in your own individual worth and that of the other. Your pledge today is an expression of your devotion.
The words spoken in this ceremony will validate your marriage only if your love and commitment to one another are strong enough to sustain it.
Today you announce your love for each other in the presence of families and friends. We celebrate with you and we wish you well!
Declaration of Consent Sample
Do you promise to love and cherish her/him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him, for so long as you both shall live?
15 Popular Wedding Vows
I’ll Always Love You
“From this moment, I take you as my best friend for life. I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you every day of our lives.
When things become difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone.
I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you.”
Wings of Love
“Love has given us wings, and our journey starts today. Wherever the wind may carry me, I will stay by your side as your husband/wife. Take this ring as a sign of my love and commitment to you.”
My Promise
“My promise is to love you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally and to share my life with you forever.”
Together in Marriage
I (Name), take (Name) to be my wedded wife/husband,
and to live together in marriage.
I promise to love you, comfort you, honor and keep you
for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health,
and forsaking all others, be faithful only to you
So long as we both shall live.
Stand by Your Side
I (Name) promise to you, (Name), before our family and friends,
to stand by your side,
to share and support your hopes and dreams.
I vow to always be there for you
When you fall, I will catch you.
When you cry I will comfort you.
When you laugh I will share your joy.
No matter what lies ahead of us,
I will see it as a journey, that can only be completed together.
I promise this now and forever
Sacred Wedding Vow
In the presence of these our family and friends,
I (Name) do take you (Name) to be my wife/husband,
my partner and friend to join my life with yours,
to share with you all that is to be,
to laugh with you in joy,
to comfort you in sorrow,
to grow with you in love.
I will honor you
I will be faithful to you, all the days of my life
this is my sacred vow.
All My Heart
With all my heart, I (Name) take you (Name) to be my wife/husband.
I promise to be your lover, companion, and friend,
Your partner in parenthood,
Your ally in conflict
Your greatest fan
I will be your comrade in adventure,
Your comfort in disappointment,
Your accomplice in mischief,
Your strength in times of need
I will listen with understanding and trust you completely.
All the days of my life
My Person
I believe in you, the person you will grow to be and the couple we will be together. With my whole heart, I take you as my wife/husband, acknowledging and accepting your faults and strengths, as you do mine.
I promise to be faithful and supportive and to always make our family’s love and happiness my priority. I will be yours in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in failure and in triumph.
I will dream with you, celebrate with you and walk beside you through whatever our lives may bring. You are my person — my love and my life, today and always.
True Partnership
I ask everyone present to witness that I, (Name), take you, (Name), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband. In doing so, I vow to do my utmost to make our lives together a true partnership.
I commit to being motivated in our marriage and I will observe and act on your needs. I vow to care for your well being and show my love in all I do throughout our lives together.
I will endeavor to comfort you and enrich you with my love. I will show you I can be an equal partner and with my support build a stable foundation for our lives together.
Share in Your Dreams
From this day forward I promise you these things:
I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow.
I’ll share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.
I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement.
I’ll help you when you need it and step aside when you don’t.
I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health.
You are my best friend and I will love and respect you always.
Loving Friend
(Name), I pledge to you to be your loving friend and partner in marriage.
To talk and to listen, to trust and appreciate you; to respect and cherish your uniqueness; and to support, comfort, and strengthen you through life’s joys and sorrows.
I promise to share hopes, thoughts, and dreams as we build our lives together.
May our lives be ever intertwined, our love keep us together. May we build a home that is compassionate to all, full of respect and honor for others and each other. And may our home be forever filled with peace, happiness, and love.
Just as You Are
I promise to give you the best of myself and to ask of you no more than you can give.
I promise to accept you the way you are.
I fell in love with you for the qualities, abilities, and outlook on life that you have, and won’t try to reshape you in a different image.
I promise to respect you as a person with your own interests, desires, and needs, and to realize that those are sometimes different, but no less important than my own.
I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you see through the window of my personal world into my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams.
I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face change as we both change in order to keep our relationship alive and exciting.
And finally, I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all I feel inside in the only way I know how…completely and forever.
Love Privileges
“I see these vows not as promises but as privileges: I get to laugh with you and cry with you; care for you and share with you. I get to run with you and walk with you; build with you and live with you.
I get to have you be the person I spend the rest of my life with. I get to be there for you and support you. I don’t have to honor and cherish you – I get to.”
Biggest Adventure
Today I stand before you, ready to start the biggest adventure of our lives. I know it will be really hard, and some days will take a lot of work.
But I also know that there will be days filled with love, laughter, and pure bliss. I can’t imagine sharing this adventure with anyone else but you.
You’re my best friend, the love of my life, and my soul mate. Today I promise to stand by your side and to love you always.
Traditional/Religious Wedding Vows
Holy Estate of Matrimony
I, (Name) do take you, (Name);
to be my wedded wife/husband,
after God’s ordinance,
in the holy estate of matrimony,
To have and to hold
from this day forward,
for better for worse,
for richer for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
I will love you and cherish you,
all the days of my life,
as God is my witness,
I give you this promise.
Exchange of The Rings
Sample Script
I give you this ring
as a reminder
that I will love, honor, and cherish you,
In all times,
In all places,
And in all ways, forever.
With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours.
It is a symbol of my eternal love,
My everlasting friendship,
And the promise of all my tomorrows.
Pronouncement of Marriage Sample
As you have both accepted the vows of the other, you may now go forth and fulfill your vows with the same love and devotion which now blossoms between you. You are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)
The Kiss
Sample Introduction of The Newly Married Couple
Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great honor to present to you for the first time:___________________
Wedding Ceremony Order
Recessional
Newly Married Couple
Maid of Honor and Best Man
Bridesmaids with Groomsmen
Flower Girl and Ringer Bearer
Parents of the Bride
Parents of the Groom
Officiant
Wedding Guests
Wedding Ceremony Guide
Questions to Ask
Do we need a wedding ceremony sound system?
It is so important to never assume a DJ, banquet hall or officiant will provide the music or sound system.
Be sure to ask your banquet hall first if they provide all of your audio equipment needs.
If not, your DJ should be able to add music and sound equipment services to his or her wedding package.
Presentation is also something that is overlooked when hiring live sound reinforcement.
You will want to ask if all the speakers being used are in good physical condition.
So much has been put into making the ambiance of your wedding ceremony beautiful.
The last thing you need is for your DJ or venue to add an “eyesore” to your wedding by using dented or dusty speakers.
Will Lapel Microphones Be Used?
This is a very important question so I was sure to address it in this wedding ceremony guide. Picture this for a moment.
You are standing face to face stating your vows to your lovely bride or groom and right in the middle of the two of you is a microphone, microphone stand and audio cable.
Furthermore, the microphone stand can also get in the way while exchanging wedding rings and will be in all of your wedding pictures as well. YUCK!!
The best way to eliminate this problem is for the officiant to wear a wireless omnidirectional lapel microphone.
In addition, this type of mic will also pick up both the officiant and the couple stating their vows.
If somebody is going to do a reading or sing during the ceremony, you will want them to use a separate microphone that is wireless so nobody trips on an audio cable.
What happens if it rains during an outdoor wedding ceremony?
To reduce the chances that your outdoor wedding will be interrupted by light rain, you will want to ask the venue manager or DJ providing the following wedding ceremony guide questions.
1. Does the DJ or hall have sound transparent rainproof speaker covers? These speaker covers will help “buy some time” if there is light rain and you wish to continue the wedding ceremony outdoors.
2. Does the DJ or venue have an audio canopy or adequate shelter at the ceremony location to protect their computer, mixer and other digital components? If not, they will have to stop the wedding at the first sign of rain to protect their equipment.
3. Will the DJ have a second sound system in the reception area set up PRIOR to the ceremony? If the DJ only has one audio setup, they will have to move the wedding ceremony equipment inside if it rains.
In addition, it could take them up to two hours to do this. It’s important to avoid these unprepared DJs at all costs and hire a true professional.
Wedding Ceremony Songs
Check out our list of the top wedding songs that are most requested at weddings.
We know that every wedding is unique and special. These songs are simply suggestions. They might be perfect for your wedding or they may give you some great ideas.
Once you have selected the music for your wedding, please submit your top wedding songs with our online planning forms.
Wedding Ceremony Processional
(Audition all wedding ceremony songs listed by clicking their song titles)
Contemporary
“All This Time” by OneRepublic
“The Only Exception” by Paramore
“Real Love“ by Beach House
“Love” by Lana Del Rey
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars
“Crazy in Love” by Béyonce feat. Jay-Z
“Make You Feel My Love“ by Adele
“Love on Top” by Béyonce
“The One” by Kodaline
“Home” by Phillip Phillips
“Say You You Won’t Let Go” by James McArthur
“Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
“Higher Love” by James Vincent Mc Morrow
“Better Together” by Us the Duo
“Fix you” by Coldplay Boyce Avenue feat. Tyler Ward acoustic cover
“Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Haley Reinhart
“I Choose You“ by Sara Bareilles
“History In The Making” by Darius Rucker
“Hallelujah” by Pentatonix
Instrumental
“A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys
“A Day Without Rain” by Enya
“Beethoven’s 5 Secrets” by The Piano Guys
“Dawn” by Jean-Yves Thibaudet
“Theme Song from On Golden Pond” by Kelly Stewart
“Somewhere in Time” by John Barry
“The Swan” by Robbins Island Music Group
“Pachelbel Meets U2” by Jon Schmidt
“Love Story Meets Love Story” by Jon Schmidt
“Jurassic Park Theme” by The Piano Guys
Favorites
“You & Me” by Dave Matthews Band
“100 Years” by Five for Fighting
“Your Song” by Elton John
“Stand by Me” by Ben E. King
“You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin
“Turning Pages” by Sleeping at Last
“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
“At Last“ by Etta James
“Is This Love” by Bob Marley
“All I Ask Of You“ by Andrew Lloyd Webber
“Everything” by Lifehouse
Classical
“Bridal Chorus” by Wagner
“Canon in D” by Pachelbel
“Clair De Lune” by Claude Debussy
“Hymne” by The O’Neill Brothers Group
“Arioso” by J.S. Bach
“Prelude in C” by J.S. Bach, performed by Brian Bradley
“Air on The G-String” by J.S Bach
Wedding Ceremony Songs
Recessional
Contemporary
“Love Never Felt So Good” by Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake
“Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
“Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine
“Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
“Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay
“The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson
“Accidentally In Love” by Counting Crows
“Us” by Regina Spektor
“First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes
“Good Life” by One Republic
“Beautiful Day” by U2
“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé and Jay Z
“I Do” by Colbie Caillat
“Happy” by Pharrell Williams
“Halo” by Beyoncé
Instrumental
“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Marz – Vitamin String Quartet Cover
“Without You” by David Guetta ft Usher – The Piano Guys Cover
“You are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne -Bridesmaids Quartet Cover
“The Cello Song” (Bach is back with 7 more cellos) – The Piano Guys Cover
“Hey Soul Sister” by Train – Vitamin String Quartet Cover
“Stir it Up” by Bob Marley – United Guitar Players Cover
“Everything” by Michael Buble – Bridesmaids Quartet Cover
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis – The Piano Guys Cover
“Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay – Vitamin String Quartet Cover
“Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles – United Guitar Players Cover
Favorites
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder
“You’re All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
“Do You Believe in Magic” by The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest
“Gimme Some Lovin” by The Spencer Davis Group
“You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
“Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers
“The Best is Yet to Come” by Frank Sinatra
“At Last” by Etta James
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
“Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green
“Hallelujah I Love Her So” by Ray Charles
“Baby I Need Your Loving” by Four Tops
“This Magic Moment” by The Drifters
Classical
“Air” from Water Music by Handel
“Allegro” from Spring, The Four Seasons by Vivaldi
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
“Wedding March” (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream) by Felix Mendelssohn
“The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” by George F. Handel
“Trumpet Tune and Bell Symphony” by Henry Purcell
____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for reading our Wedding Ceremony Guide.
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Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer. Ten years ago, I built a home recording studio and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
After DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16 year career as an occupational therapist. I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and I have the distinct honor to work with an amazing team of Michigan wedding DJs.
Contact Us
Master of Ceremonies Planning Tips
The Master of Ceremonies form that your DJ will send you very important to complete so your DJ can prepare all of the music, grand entrance and announcements for your wedding.
However, it is important for me to mention that it is also a great wedding planning tool.
Here is a list of ideas on how to use the Master of Ceremonies form to get the most out of your wedding planning experience.
Be Creative
With the power of digital technology and online music downloads, your wedding DJ will almost always find the song you requested online and have it ready to play for your wedding.
Submit Your MC Form 30 Days Before Your Wedding
With so many great songs to choose from, you will almost always find a song you will want to use to replace another.
Sending your MC form within 30 days of your wedding will save much time changing up your song selection and reduce the risk of the wrong song being played at your wedding.
This is very helpful in assisting your wedding DJ to get a feel for the type of music that is most enjoyed by you and the people attending your wedding.
Playing song requests is one of the many ways CC King keeps the dance floor shaking ALL night long!!
Song Suggestion Lists
There are many great ideas for song suggestions on-line that are worth checking out.
This is a great wedding planning tool to help give you ideas for selecting the perfect songs for your ceremonial dances.
Special surprises
While planning your wedding, its always fun to throw in one or two unexpected sentimental moments.
These special moments go a long way and ensure your wedding will be unique and special to everyone.
“Do not play” song list
This section of the MC form is often skipped but is just as important as completing the song request list.
The “do not play” song list helps prevent any moments of awkwardness and also helps the wedding DJ avoid playing any songs that are not well received.
Speak to the Hall Manager
Some banquet halls have structured timelines that the DJ and wedding party must follow.
Knowing this information in advance will assist you in the planning and structuring of your master of ceremonies form.
Review Your MC Form With Your Wedding DJ
Your DJ will call you or schedule a meeting to review all of the details included in your MC form.
This is a very important step to ensure all of your wedding ideas are properly understood by your DJ.
This is also a great time for the DJ to make sure he or she pronounces the names of the people on your MC form correctly.
Include Special Instructions
Be sure to add any special instructions in the “Comment” section of the MC form.
Every wedding is unique in its own special way. The “Comment” section is a great place to further tailor your wedding to meet all of your specific tastes.
HAVE FUN completing your MC form!
This is a time to celebrate! Using the master of ceremonies form as a wedding planning tool should be fun.
Play some of the songs that you have requested while you complete the form and have a great time. It’s a great way to get “warmed up” for the BIG DAY!
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Click the video icon below for more
Hello! My name is Tony Coppola and I’d like to take this time to tell you a little bit about myself and CC King Entertainment.
I began my musical journey when I was 12 years old as a singer and drummer. Ten years ago, I built a home recording studio and named it CC King Studio. Shortly after, I DJ’d my first wedding and CC King Entertainment was born!
After DJing hundreds of weddings, my business allowed me to leave my 16 year career as an occupational therapist. I ALWAYS go the extra mile to personalize my wedding services and I have the distinct honor to work with an amazing team of Michigan wedding DJs.
Contact Us