(ARA) - After the date has been set, the flowers have been ordered, and the dress has been fitted, the focus of wedding planning turns to the more intricate details of the ceremony and reception — especially music. But because of the sheer number of songs to choose from, the task of selecting the right wedding music — and the right musicians — can be overwhelming.

With performances at more than 200 weddings between them, piano-playing brothers Tim and Ryan O’Neill have combined their wedding music expertise and recorded their latest CD, “A Day to Remember.” The CD and corresponding sheet music book are designed to help busy brides and grooms select the perfect music for their big day.

“Music helps set the tone for the entire event, whether it’s traditional, contemporary or religious,” says Tim O’Neill. “Many couples have a favorite melody or style in mind, but often struggle to find exactly the right music.” Having planned their own wedding ceremonies in recent years, Tim and Ryan have a new perspective on what brides and grooms go through to get everything just right.

According to The O’Neill Brothers, these suggestions will help make the walk down the aisle a harmonious one:

* Consult with your spouse-to-be. You might be surprised at his or her interests or preferences. Your husband-to-be might have his heart set on a particular song, or your wife-to-be might want to include a traditional family favorite.

* Look at the big picture. Determine the best style of music to use based on the overall theme and feel of your wedding ceremony. Is it traditional? Contemporary? Religious? Romantic? Fun? Not all music is the right fit for all types of weddings.

* Not all musicians are created equal. Select musicians who are comfortable with your chosen style. If your ceremony is traditional, how about a string quartet? Contemporary? Maybe just a solo pianist, or perhaps a saxophone player. Religious? Check with the wedding coordinator at your place of worship to get the names of the most sought-after musicians on her list.

Does someone in your family sing beautifully? Consider inviting them to sing for your wedding to make the experience even more special. But remember that if you ask someone who’s not a professional, you’ll have to cut them a little slack if they’re not exactly perfect. You might want your uncle to play the accordion, but be sure to find a song that fits your style and his ability.

* Determine the parts of the ceremony that you’d like to set to music. You can select as little or as much music as you like for the ceremony, but keep in mind that your guests will be there to celebrate with you, not listen to a concert. Make sure that you select just enough so there are no “bare spots” during which your guests might become fidgety. Potential parts of the ceremony to be set to music may include the prelude, the processional (you may select separate pieces for the wedding party and the bridal entrance), congregational hymns and religious ceremony responses, the lighting of the unity candle, the recessional and the postlude.

If you’re having trouble narrowing your selections, you can always save some of the songs for the band or DJ to play at the reception rather than trying to cram them all into the ceremony. If you’re marrying in a place of worship, remember to get your list of selections approved by the wedding coordinator or celebrant.

* Ask for advice — if you need it. If you’re particular about your musical choices for the big event, you may want to wait to book instrumentalists or vocalists until you’ve made your music selections. If you’re not fussy, and would welcome the help choosing music, hire professional musicians and trust their advice. They’ve likely played for many weddings before, and will have great song ideas.

* Provide the necessary tools. Once you have finalized the song list and booked your wedding musicians, don’t forget to provide the sheet music for the pieces you’ve chosen. Work with the contact person at your venue to arrange for a practice session in the space prior to the event.

* Trust your instincts. Bottom line — it’s your wedding. Don’t feel pressured to include a particular song just because Cousin Merle says you should.

For more wedding music suggestions and to listen to samples of the songs included on “A Day To Remember,” visit www.pianobrothers.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - If you’re not careful, wedding photography costs can get out of hand in a hurry. The typical couple spends about 7 percent of their wedding budget, or $1,150, on photos and a video. How can you make sure your wedding is beautifully photographed and not go over budget? You definitely don’t want to skimp on something so important; the photos will be something you will treasure for years to come, but there are ways to keep costs from getting out of control.

Here are some ideas from a few professional wedding photographers for saving money without sacrificing the quality of your photographs.

* Always hire a professional, but limit their time taking pictures. You only have one chance to get it right, so make sure you engage the services of someone who has experience photographing weddings. You have several options, including a ‘ceremony only’ package which means the professional would take all the formal pictures of the bride and groom, family and wedding party and the ceremony, but wouldn’t stay for the reception.

* Choose a photography package instead of purchasing all of the items separately. If there is something you want that isn’t included, ask the photographer if you can swap it for something else without increasing the price.

* Be careful about choosing the smallest or least expensive photography package. You may end up spending a lot more money after the wedding for all the additional prints you will need to buy separately that are not included in the original package. It may be less expensive to purchase a more comprehensive package up front.

* Be skeptical of all the extras you are offered. Options such as a Deluxe or Ultra wedding album or a framed wedding portrait will add up. What really counts are the photographs, not the packaging.

* Have some designated friends help you document the reception. Putting disposable cameras on reception tables has become popular recently, but many couples are finding that the resulting photographs aren’t very good. It works much better to choose just a few trusted people and supply each of them with a high quality camera.

The experts at Crutchfield.com, a leading source for online audio/video products, recommend loaning your designated photographers a Sony DSC-U20 2-megapixel digital camera. The camera is smaller than most cell phones, and very lightweight (only 4.2 ounces), making it easy to carry around at a reception. It’s very simple to use, and it takes high quality photos. Start-up is quick, so you can go from ‘off’ to “say cheese” in just a few seconds. A ‘burst mode’ setting lets you snap up to five rapid-fire photos at the press of a button — great for capturing action-filled moments on the dance floor. The movie mode allows you to record several seconds of silent, low-resolution video, which can later be forwarded to friends via e-mail.

* Have a friend or two videotape the ceremony. Most of us know someone who has experience with a video camera and would be willing to record the wedding ceremony. You could save about $1,000 on your photography bill by asking your talented friends for their help. Crutchfield experts recommend using a high-quality Sony DCR-TRV950 digital camcorder that lets you capture professional-quality video and still images. The Mini DV camcorder records detail and color accuracy in any video you shoot; or you can use the digital photo mode to put those pixels to work capturing still images. There’s a jack on the camcorder for sending full-resolution video to your compatible computer for editing or viewing. A touch-panel view screen provides easy navigation of the camera’s menus. Extras like Super SteadyShot for calming camera shake, and optical zoom for great-looking close-ups give your amateur photographer professional tools.

* One unusual option: have a trusted friend roam the reception with Panasonic’s SV-AV30. This versatile, digital A/V recorder/player can not only snap digital photos and capture video clips, it can also record snippets of audio. This is a great way to record candid moments at the party.

Crutchfield customers have access to technical help seven days a week, so if you need assistance with a product you can call toll free (888) 955-6000. For more information on audio/video products go to www.crutchfield.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - June was traditionally the most common month for weddings, captured by the phrase “June bride.” Now, more and more couples are choosing to host their affair year-round. Whether on a sandy beach or inside a snow-covered church, the event is still one of the most memorable in people’s lives and should be celebrated with style.

And while advice and how-tos for brides are plentiful, many guests are still left with lingering questions about what gifts to give and wedding day etiquette.

“Although it is an honor to be included in a couple’s special day — and it’s often lots of fun — there are a few rules wedding guests should keep in mind,” says Denise Dinyon, Lenox gift-giving and etiquette expert. Dinyon offers these tips to help guests and ensure a happy day for all.

* DO give a gift, even if you can’t attend. According to the fourth annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette survey, nearly 40 percent of people don’t always send a gift to celebrate a wedding they can’t attend. Sending a gift indicates your support and best wishes for the happy couple who are starting their lives together.

* DON’T arrive late. Take into account extra time for traffic snarls, bad directions and last minute runs to the convenience store. If you plan to arrive 15 minutes early, you’ll most likely just make it. No one should walk down the aisle after the bride. If you arrive late, try to slip in quietly down a side aisle.

* DO remember to turn off your cell phone during the ceremony. It’s the height of rudeness to allow a personal call to interrupt someone’s once-in-a-lifetime, special moment.

* DO personalize your gift. While registries offer a great way for couples to select the perfect gifts for their lives together, going the extra mile by adding a personal touch is a wonderful way to show you care. If the couple has registered for china, include a special family recipe with the place setting.

* DON’T take a year to send a gift. Contrary to popular belief, guests do not have a year to send a gift. Gifts should really be sent before the wedding. The benefit of sending a gift ahead of time is that the couple will not have to worry about keeping it safe at the reception or transporting it after.

* DO commemorate the special day. After the wedding, send the bride and groom your snapshots. Even though most couples have professional photos, there is something extra special about pictures taken lovingly by friends and family. Personalize the gift by framing the best shot in a beautiful china frame to embellish the couple’s living-room.

* DON’T forget to have fun! Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, the bride and groom may not be able to spend more than a few moments with each guest. But having spent so much time on planning their perfect day, knowing that the guests had fun is indeed, the icing on the cake.

With these simple etiquette tips, guests are bound to have fun at the wedding without having to worry about awkward moments. For more information, tips and gift ideas, visit www.lenox.com or call (800) 63-LENOX.
Courtesy of ARA Content

Your wedding should be a reflection of you and your spouse-to-be, and for many modern brides, the perfect wedding means one that is personalized and unique. There are many ways to customize your wedding, but it is especially meaningful if you craft some of these special touches yourself. From the invitations to your wedding gown, opportunities abound for adding individual touches to the event. Here are some ways that you can make your wedding one-of-a-kind, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Before the Wedding

• Invitations – Tradition still has its place, but brides have more options than ever before. You can personalize the invitations by choosing an image and wording that have special meaning, such as a photo of the garden where your fiancé proposed. You can match your invitations to the color scheme of your ceremony. If your wedding is small, you may even consider crafting the invitations yourself. Take a cue from scrapbookers and add stitching to your invitations that echoes the embellishments on your dress. Theme weddings are once again gaining in popularity. If your wedding will have a specific theme, make sure your invitations reflect that.
• Rehearsal Dinner — It’s customary to give gifts to your bridal party at the rehearsal dinner. You can make any gift more meaningful by adding a personal touch. If you are giving your bridesmaids jewelry, present it to them in lovely drawstring bags that you sew yourself in fabric that matches their dresses.

At the Wedding

• Wedding Program – This is a great place to include a special touch. You can add poems that are meaningful to you, or that you and your spouse wrote for each other. You can thank friends and family for their support and help in organizing the wedding and being present to celebrate with you. You may wish to repeat some of the motifs from the invitations for continuity, or pick up decorative elements from your wedding gown.
• Wedding Dress – Your wedding dress is the center of attention at the ceremony. Express yourself by choosing a style that fits your personality as well as your body. If you or someone you know is an accomplished sewer, you can custom-make your dress. Even if you buy off the rack, there are many ways to customize the dress by adding beading, appliqués or embroidery. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to finish this project without creating extra stress leading up to the wedding.

“Today’s computerized sewing and embroidery systems make even a project like a wedding dress much easier than it used to be,” says Gayle Hillert, vice president of education at Bernina of America, a premiere sewing machine company. Bernina accessory feet make sewing fine fabrics like satins or velvets easy and there are a variety available like hemming, pintucking and edgestitching feet that enable one to add couture elements quickly and successfully. The Bernina artista 730E sewing and embroidery system helps with embellishments. Microsoft Windows powered, it allows the user to create their own designs, and easily edit the designs on screen using the artista 730E’s built-in capabilities.

One trend that is gaining popularity is to embroider the wedding date or a special message around the hem of dress, or on the slip. Hillert tells of one mother who made her daughter’s wedding dress and added special message to her daughter in embroidery on the slip. Tone-on-tone embroidery is popular for embroidering on the dress itself; color stitching can be used on the slip.

At the Reception

Approximately 2.4 million weddings take place in the United States every year, and, on average, four parties, including a bridal shower and the rehearsal dinner, surround each one. These parties should be as unique as the bride herself and also reflect the wedding couple’s personal style.

Wallpaper and borders offer unlimited variety and are a party-giver’s greatest ally in creating wedding celebrations that impart unique personal style. Romantic traditionalists, for example, will find an abundance of vintage rose bouquets and other nostalgic themes in the Country Chic Collection from S.A. Maxwell Co.

For the growing number of couples who have delayed marriage into their thirties, however (and for second marriages, which are also on the rise) a more sophisticated, contemporary theme may be more suitable. Here, with the help of wallpaper, we offer ideas for a sleek, up-to-the-minute chic wedding gathering that imparts an air of uncommon elegance with no sacrifice to romance.

Platinum lends luster to this contemporary theme, and animal prints give it a touch of exotica. The neutral color and texture of a spotted-animal pattern from the Ivory Coast Collection by S.A. Maxwell Co. is enriched with a hint of platinum. Installed on the dining room walls, this print not only sets the stage for a stylish wedding buffet, but also stands as an elegant backdrop for formal dinners throughout the year. Animal prints and metallic luster are among the top home design trends for 2002, as well as layering

To achieve a layered look use a white or ivory-colored tablecloth as the base layer on the table. Run a length of either the Wild Animal or the Platinum Scroll border from Ivory Coast along the center of the table. Both borders coordinate with the wallpaper in color and in theme. Finish the table with a top layer of square-cut sheer organza fabric in gold or silver.

For the centerpiece, spray a 14- or 16-inch round twig wreath with silver paint. You can use the same paint to add gloss to the tops of three white, non-drip pillar candles: four, eight and 12 inches tall, respectively. Wrap each candle with the Platinum Scroll Border and cut to overlap by approximately an inch. Fold any excess width of border to make it fit the candle. Tape one edge of the border to the candle, then glue the remaining edge over taped area. Place all three candles on a glass or silver plate under the center of the wreath. Fill any open areas around the bottom of the candles with shiny polished stones or glass beads, which can be found at your local floral center.

Carry the theme to the sideboard using a decorated glass compote, an elegant, long-stemmed dish for candy or fruit. Run a length of the Wild Animal Border along the top of the sideboard. Then cut a length of the Platinum Scroll Border long enough to encircle the compote with one inch to spare. Fold back the excess border about an inch, creating a double thickness. Measure approximately one-half-inch down from the top and make an even row of holes along the folded edge with a hole-punch. Cut a 20-inch length of 1/2-inch silver ribbon. Thread it through the holes and tie it into a graceful bow. Trim a neat “V” at each end of the ribbon.

Insert an eight-inch tall pillar candle in the center of the compote and anchor it in the dish with glass stones or beads. Paint the pillar candle silver to match the silver table candles.

Light all the candles. Pop the cork. And offer a heartfelt toast to today’s sophisticated bride and groom.

To locate a retailer that carries Ivory Coast and other collections by S.A. Maxwell Co., call (847) 932-3700 or visit www.samaxwell.com on the Internet.

Courtesy of ARA Content

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jaima Brown is design director for S.A Maxwell Co., a leading producer of wallpaper, borders and coordinating fabric.