TYING THE KNOT TRENDS
When the one man loves the one woman
and the one woman loves the one man,
the very angels desert heaven
and sit in that house and sing for joy.
~Braham Sutra
Wedding Ceremonies and Wedding Receptions are a blend of traditions and recent trends. Most of the other pages in this section describe various traditions and rituals of various religions and cultures. Recent trends in weddings include the following:
Hiring a Live Band and a DJ.
Many couples hire live bands to perform at their wedding ceremonies to create an atmosphere that can not be created by CD's played through an amplifier. Other couples hire DJ's to play an extensive library of recorded music so that the guests can dance to any music they wish. Recently, a trend is developing with couples who want to have it all by hiring a live band to create the mood by performing during the cocktail hour, through the dinner and for the all-important toasts and traditional dances after which a DJ takes over to stimulate the dancing. A variation of this theme is to alternate sets between a live band and a DJ. More information is available on the Ceremony Music page and on the Reception Music page.
Managing Expenses of a Live Band
Astute couples have discovered that live bands will often provide a package discount if certain members of the band perform at the wedding ceremony and the entire band joins them for the wedding reception. This approach has enabled many couples to be able to afford their dream of live music at their reception. Couples that want to reduce the expense of a live band even further should seek a band with an accomplished musician who plays a synthesizer single electronic instrument that can digitally create the sounds of hundreds of analog instruments. More information is available on the Ceremony Music page and on the Reception Music page.
Dance Lessons for the Groom
Couples are taking dance classes before their wedding day so they can impress their guests with their fancy footwork during the First Dance, the Family Dances and throughout the evening. Of course, they need not stop their dancing when the wedding is over so they can continue to experience the joy of dancing together for the rest of their lives.
Bride & Groom Choreographed First Dance
Many couples are opting to chroreograph their First Dance as a married couple. Some choose to choreograph the dance themselves; others hire a professional dancer to work with them. Some couples are selecting non-romantic dance music for a more relaxed, causal display.
Destination Weddings
Many bridal couples dream of a wedding on the beach, in the mountains or at an exclusive resort. In the past ten years, destination weddings have increased by 10% as reported by Conde Nast Magazine. More information is available on the Destination Weddings page.
Theme Weddings
By carefully considering the bridal couple's heritage, family traditions, personal expectations and private dreams, a couple can conceive a wedding theme that their guests will remember and they will cherish forever. Joining traditional color themes are beach themes, garden themes, woodland rustic themes, seasonal themes, destination themes, period themes and cultural themes. More information is available on the Destination Weddings page. Some couples use music to create a common theme throughout the wedding cycle from bridal parties and rehearsal dinners to wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions. More information is available on the Wedding Planning page.
Bride and Groom Table at Wedding Reception
Some couples desire to emphasize the intimacy of their wedding celebration while recognizing the importance of celebrating their union with family and friends. A recent trend that underscores this desire is a private table for the Bride and Groom rather than the traditional large table for the entire bridal party. This approach not only provides an intimate table for the bridal couple, but also allows the wedding attendants to sit with their friends and families.