​​In the age of COVID weddings, a lot of people are wondering what the big day will look like. Will people come? Will they dance? If they don't, what will they do? Weddings from six feet away doesn't mean the party has to stop! While maybe everyone won’t feel comfortable packing the dance floor, there are still so many unique ways to celebrate and keep the party going; masks or not. We put together a list of ideas to keep your guests thoroughly entertained and the energy high while still abiding by social distance guidelines. Live performances Fire spinners, hula hoop performers, belly dancers, and a typewriting poet are a guaranteed way to impress your guests. Is your reception kid friendly? Get a balloon artist or a magician. Circus themed? Bring in a juggler and spice it up with some fire. You can hire a caricature artist for the cocktail hour through the end of the reception! The possibilities are endless - try to really think about what fits your theme and don't forget to check with your venue about what’s allowed. A surprise firework show always leaves a lasting impression! Let your creative side run wild with ideas. Don't forget photo booths are NOT out of style - in fact, you can upgrade with Ashley Nicole Affair and add one to your package for a discounted rate! Local shoutouts - Big Dog Pyro, Circus Picnic, Typewriter Poet, Quick Draw Photo Booth ​Wine/beer/spirit tastings Calling all beer and wine connoisseurs, this is your time to shine! You can purchase flight tasting holders online or check with your catering/rental company to see if they have any in stock. Accompanying cards can be printed that list the beverages that you're featuring, Your guests can do the tastings at their tables and chat about their favorites. Bonus points for incorporating drinks with a personalized story attached - like a local beer from your hometown or the wine you had on your first date! This fun activity gives you the chance to tell your love story through flights of beer, wine, or even whiskey! ​Live music A great form of entertainment that never goes out of style is live music; ESPECIALLY in Austin! Even if you already have a DJ, you can still easily incorporate musical acts into the reception. Turn your wedding reception into a mini concert - you can start the ceremony with a solo performer - an acoustic guitarist or a piano player, upgrade to a duo for cocktail hour, a trio for dinner, and then let the DJ or band finish the remainder of the reception. Or you can set the bar really high and turn your reception into a piano bar post-diner. Guests will be able to enjoy from their seats, if they choose to or they can move around and dance. Local shoutouts - Josh Klaus acoustic guitar + vocalist, Mikaela Kahn vocalist + pianist, Sienna String Quartet ​Live screen printing Get in touch with a local printer and most of them can offer between 1-4 custom design options to bring on site. Guests can select from the art you specifically picked out and have the design printed on a t-shirt right in front of them! Not to mention, these will double as awesome wedding favors that guests can take home and use again. You can buy blank t-shirts for dirt cheap at jiffyshirts.com! ​Sweets, sweets, + even more sweets! Another delicious and entertaining activity is a customizable dessert station. There are several companies that do onsite dessert carts + assembly and you can inquire with your caterer! Create a custom menu with a dessert buffet option and let guests go through and pick their perfect sweet treat. This can take the place of a traditional cake or as another special addition. Between cupcakes, cotton candy, doughnuts, or ice-cream your guests will only remember leaving your reception full of deliciousness! ​Local shoutouts - The Cupcake Bar, Steel City Pops, Amy's Ice Creams, Banarchy, Churro Burro, Fancy Fluff ​Keep it FURRY + hydrated Your guests are never too old to enjoy the fluff brought in by a petting zoo. There are several beer burro companies that will have the cutest donkeys walking around your venue fully stocked with your favorite bottled beverages! Want to take it to the next level? Alpacas make great wedding guests... and we aren't kidding. There are petting zoos with goats, miniature ponies for kids, reptiles, micro-pigs, YOU NAME IT! Local shoutouts - Tiny Tails to You, Texas Party Animals, Ralph Fisher's Photo Animals, Fannie's Farm Friends, + Pecan Springs Ranch is a venue that offers on-site beer burros! ​S’mores Consider preassembling individually wrapped s’mores kits and set up fire pits around the venue or mini cast iron griddles for each table. This is a great way to gets your guests to spread out, but still allow them to mingle or remain seated. It is a great way to transition from dinner to the dessert portion of your reception, prior to cake cutting! COVID pro tip: there’s been great feedback on items being individually wrapped for maximum cleanliness; plus you can personalize each each kit with a cute tag with your guys name + date! Grand exits If you are doing a sparkler exit, keep it intimate with your wedding party + family to be extra cautious, but don't forget you can still socially distance an exit. Ashley Nicole Affair offers a fog or bubble machine with our rentals! You can still do things from a distance like rose petals, lavender seeds, or incorporate cold spark fountains with Big Dog Pyro as your getaway car drives off! Games The possibilities with interactive games are endless! You can rent cornhole boards from most event vendors or buy your own and customize it by painting them to match your wedding colors, favorite sports logo, or your initials. Other good options are bocce ball, ring toss, or a mini golf setup. If you want to get everyone involved, try a round of bingo, or have guests participate in a digital scavenger hunt capturing photos for each item they find. If you’re really trying to rage, incorporate some good old fashion drinking games into the mix with flip cup and beer pong stations. We've seen it all - INCLUDING rented arcade games like pinball and basketball machines! ​​Live art Hiring an artist to create something special right in front of your guests adds a new WOW factor to every aspect of the wedding. Let your creativity shine while picking out an artist that showcases something about you and your partner. You can have an artist draw individual caricatures, live painting of your scenic ceremony site, or personalized painted portraits that double as a wedding favor! Having a custom painted portrait is a beautiful piece of art to hang above your fireplace. ​Back in September, Jeanna told us she wanted something that no body would expect at a wedding. We convinced her that she needed a face painter during the reception.... and it was the BIGGEST hit. They truly had the best reception dance floor photos! Local shoutouts - Ericatures, Snap Chic Wedding Painting, Faces by Juliet ​Bring good energy + take advantage of the holiday If good vibes are your thing, use that as inspiration to keep your guests entertained. Hire a tarot card reader - don’t be scared, these can be positive and really fun. We had one at our HALLOWEDDING. If your venue only has October 31st open for a postponement, having a Halloween wedding is something that your guests will talk about forever. Enjoy your ceremony in your beautiful gown, while all of your guests get to dress up and then change during cocktail hour. Let's be honest - there's less talking with costumes and masks, anyways! It's a perfect excuse to social distance. ​Karaoke HEAR US OUT ON THIS ONE! Have you ever had a bad time at a karaoke bar? The answer is no. When sending out your invites, give them a clue by asking "what is YOUR karaoke song of choice?" or "what song gets you on the dance floor?" If you hired a DJ, ask them to emcee the karaoke hour and help keep the crowd hype. This can also work with a live band to back the vocals or it’s an easy DIY setup if you want to rent a karaoke machine. Local shoutouts - Brandon with Premier Entertainment is the best emcee we've ever met! ​Go glow stick crazy Glow stick foam batons, necklaces, bracelets, headbands, straws, you name it - you can definitely find it in glow stick form. While these aren’t necessarily new to wedding receptions, they can play an extra fun role during a socially distanced event. Guests might want to maintain their distance while on the dance floor, but with a sea of colors and glow in the dark accessories it will light up the whole room and can start at the dinner tables. Consider personalizing foam stick favors with your initials or wedding date to add an extra personal touch! They are also great for a grand exit option without having to get too close like sparklers! DON'T FORGET TO BRING NEW ELEMENTS THAT COMPANIES ARE OFFERING - LIVESTREAMS WITH DIGITAL DOWNLOADS OR PROJECTORS WITH IMAGES OF YOUR GUESTS THAT CAN'T ATTEND. LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW! LOVE IS NOT PAUSED. WHEN YOU CAN EMBRACE THE SWERVE IN THE ROAD, YOUR GUESTS WILL REMEMBER YOUR WEDDING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST FUN THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED THIS QUARAN-TIME. DROP YOUR SOCIALLY DISTANCED WEDDING SUGGESTIONS BELOW IN OUR COMMENTS!

​We have noticed one of the things couples dread about wedding planning comes down to the tiny details at the end; ultimately the seating chart + table assignments. Although you don't have to have assigned seats or tables, if you choose to do so we wanted to show you some ways that our former couples have been creative with the task! Why assigned tables? Assigning tables is a good way of intertwine your guests from both of your family and friends. When you assign tables you have the ability to group together your co-workers, his family with her family, elderly, or even children. Also, you can make sure that immediate family has the best view and that the grandparents are furthest away from the DJ speaker. You have the ability to control who gets to socialize during the reception and meet each other. Why assigned seats? A good reason to assign actual seats at your wedding reception would be for plated meals offered by your catering company. When everyone has a certain seat, it is more efficient to get their chicken or fish plate out to them with little to no error. We want our guests to remember that you can also assign seats to certain tables, instead of the whole wedding - for example, it's not a bad idea to assign seats to your wedding party at the head table or for your family/reserved tables! Don't get overwhelmed at the idea! It can be as simple as sending something into the local copy center or just scratching the whole idea and sticking with just reserved tables for the wedding party and immediate family! We hope this brings you ideas, guidance, and inspiration as you can see what our couples have done in the past! Don't forget a seating assignment is a great way to incorporate a wedding favor... from to-go succulents, to macaroons, to koozies we have never seen a disappointment!

Featured on June Bug Weddings / Ashley Nicole Affair / Austin Wedding Planners "No matter how open-minded, socially conscious, anti-racist I think I am, I still have old, learned hidden biases that I need to examine. It is my responsibility to check myself daily for my stereotypes, prejudice, and ultimately discrimination." Our choice to be quieter than usual has been used to reflect on everything going on in the world. Everybody has a choice and each decision we make will guide where we go from here. In the last few weeks we chose to listen, absorb and be empathetic in a lot of uncomfortable conversations. We are taking the time to educate ourselves, our loved ones, and our surrounding neighbors. We are doing what we can to get a better grasp of understanding on not only the present, but the past and the future and become more sensitive. Internal growth as a person, as well as a business never stops. Today is an important time for self reflection. We welcome any opportunity where we can evaluate our weaknesses. We have been thinking how we can come together to show where we stand and how we support racial equality in the wedding industry. WE WANT TO FIND, CELEBRATE + THANK A LOCAL HERO WITH A WEDDING OF THEIR DREAMS. To show you that we are continuing to listen, support and see you, we are asking for your help. We are getting ready to open up nominations for a person who has been busy advocating for change in their community. We are seeking someone who has been busy bringing awareness to diversity and we are wanting to find that person who is being an example of the change that we want to see in the world. We are looking for that passionate individual who has been fighting for the justice that we think is deserved. We are ready to do anything and everything we can to find our winner and thank them for leading by example and never giving up on what they stand for... and in return, we are going to give them a completely free wedding of their dreams. This individual does not need to be engaged, but we do ask that they wed in 2021, post-Corona. This individual also is NOT required to reside in Austin, TX, although the wedding will be held locally. Who are we? We are a group of vendors, coming together from all different walks of life in the wedding industry. We want justice, we want equality, we want healing, we want freedom, and we want to show our support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement. We will never stop listening. We want nothing in return. We are learning from this individual and are eager to see them in action in our community. We are donating our products and services for this local hero. We want to learn about their experiences, roles, and what they are doing now towards this movement. As we learn from them, we want to continue to promote love and diversity in the wedding industry. There is a reason that we choose to work in an industry where we constantly are surrounded by love. Contributing sponsors: Florist: Verbena Floral Design Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography: LadyBird Studios Venue: The Union on Eighth Videography: Matthew Reid Films Pre-event: Bridal tans + pampering: Glow up Bride Hair/MUA: Silk + Glow Bridesmaids MUA: Makeup by Selena Bride Mother or MOH Hair/MUA: Bethany Elyse + Mandalin Collective Calligraphy: Amanda Reid Designs Engagement photography session: Moodyography Personalized items: To Have and to Hold Venue - rehearsal dinner: Vuka Austin Wedding bands: Benold's Jewelers Ceremony + cocktail hour: Boutonnieres - groomsmen: Mountain Laurel Floral Bridal bouquet + groom's boutineer: White’s Floral Design Furniture + lounge rentals Relic Rentals Cocktail linens: CV Linens Mobile photo booth: Vannagram & Co. Musicians: Sienna String Quartet Reception: Balloons: Starr of Texas Bartending services: Elevate Bartending Cake: Cakes Rock! DJ: Brandon Shabazz, Premier Entertainment Austin Getaway vehicle: Baby Blues Drives for You - 1957 Chevy Bel Air Photo Booth: Austin City Photo Booth Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals Post-event: Bubbly bar: Fizz Bubbly Bar Night of Air BnB: Casa Colibri - Lago Vista, TX Special effects: Big Dog Pyro NOMINATIONS OPEN SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH. Please help spread the word. More details and contest rules to follow. Please check back often while sharing. Help us find our inspiration and shining light during this time! WE ARE FINALIZING OUR SPONSORS! If you are a local Austin vendor and you want to donate your product or services, please email hello@ashleynicoleaffair.com by Thursday, June 25th.

We get it - you’ve reached the point in the wedding planning process where its FINALLY time to focus on your bachelorette party! Get ready to kick back, pop a bottle of bubbly, and have the PERFECT weekend with your girls. Planning a local party can have huge perks like affordable travel, lodging options on a budget, and in the age of COVID travel restrictions it may be the safest option to stay closer to home. You still can get yourself that bachelorette party your deserve. Whatever your initial reason for planning a local bachelorette party, get ready to have the time of your life! You can make your dream weekend a reality while still working around closures and new travel restrictions. Keeping it local applies to anywhere within a comfortable driving distance; while also opens up the possibilities for awesome Air BnB's. That's the best part of Texas - you can head to the lake for a rental with easy water access and a beachy vibe! Or you can take an hour drive to the hill country for a funky treehouse or cabin. If you want to keep it in the metro, there is always the option to pop on over to the nearest city for a penthouse view. If you’re planning to keep most of the activities at your rental location, make sure you opt for something with ample indoor or outdoor space. ​ You can always head to a winery with a view like Das Peach Haus in Fredericksburg that sits on a scenic body of water. Don't forget to pick up some goodies from the culinary store to use later in the weekend for a beautiful charcuterie board. ​ Book a waterfront property somewhere like Lake Austin or Canyon Lake, rent a boat for the day and let loose on the water. You can always add a fun theme for your girls to get into like neon, tie-dye, or challenge everyone to wear their best Coachella inspired bikinis. For the fitness junkies, sweat it out by booking a group class or a private instructor that can come to your rental. Do a spin class with a customized playlist, yoga, or turn it into a full-on dance party by hiring a choreographer to teach your group a fun routine. Have a private chef or catering company come to you and prepare a delicious meal for you and your girls! You can elevate it and add an extra special touch with beautiful place settings and personalized menus or name cards. Don't forget to create a signature cocktail for the evening in honor of the bride to really give her the full fine dining experience! If you’ve chosen a more remote location, take advantage of the nature around you for entertainment. Spend a day in a state park, visit a local swimming hole, or book a horseback riding expedition at a nearby ranch. Finish off the day with cute matching flannel pajamas and gather around a firepit for hot toddy’s and s’mores. Commit to a theme for the whole weekend and transport your bride to anywhere in the world. Create the vibe of a Cancun trip with colorful beachy décor, a mezcal/tequila tasting, and a fresh seafood dinner - or pretend you’re sitting in a café in Paris with a classy pastry brunch complete with macarons and champagne. BRIDE EXOTIC! Anybody remember Tiger King? Who doesn't want a tiger themed party with all of your cool cats and kittens? Don't forget to highlight your Bride Exotic so she is the star! Pamper your crew with a spa day or beauty services – many of which can come to you. Mobile nail salons, massages, or traveling makeup artists are perfect for a day of luxury and relaxation. This is also a great time to put those matching robes to good use! Check out the Priv app! If you want to spice things up, hire a boudoir photographer to do individual mini sessions. Have everyone bring 1-2 outfits, crank up the Beyoncé, and let your fun fierce side out! It’s a playful way to bond with your girlfriends and make everyone feel glamourous. We love bachelorette parties! Don't forget to send YOUR bachelorette party pics and ideas to us so we can feature them on our social media + blog! CHEERS!

Whether you’re pivoting after an unexpected postponement or you’re a newly engaged couple, one of the first details you’ll probably want to lock down is a date for your wedding! Wherever you are in your search, keep an open mind and be sure to research all of the available options. You may find yourself drawn to do something that you didn’t originally think would be for you; like scheduling a weekday wedding. If you’re still on the fence, here’s the real deal on why a weekday wedding might be the right fit for you! Photography by Heidi Elyse ​SAVINGS Budget is a huge factor in the wedding planning process, so you might be swayed to book a weekday wedding based on the savings alone. Most vendors will offer a pricing discount to book an event that takes place at an off-peak time. With the possibility to save big, you can allocate funds towards something that you really wanted- like a gourmet plated dinner, live band, full-service planner, or a cute lounge set up! Photography by Brooke Taelor AVAILABILITY ​ If you have your heart set on a sought-after vendor or venue, being open to a weekday wedding will give you more options for date availability. Popular vendors in your area may be booked up months in advance for Saturdays. Having flexibility in your wedding date can really free you up to get the things you wanted without competing for saturated weekend dates. ​Let's be honest, 2020 blended in with 2021 so give your favorite vendor the benefit of the doubt and inquire about their weekday schedule! ​DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT ​You can play into the timing and setting of your weekday wedding to create a unique experience. Try a happy hour reception with cocktails and small bites instead of serving a traditional seated meal. Or a brunch themed celebration for a mid-day affair, bring in a coffee bar with a barista to whip up café style drinks. Take advantage of the timing in the week and book out a venue that isn’t available on the weekends- for example, some popular restaurants won’t host private events on a busy Saturday but will happily host a wedding dinner on a Thursday. Photography by Moodyography TIMELINE Even if you’re planning your wedding on a shorter timeline, there doesn’t have to be any compromising on the key components! Look to a weekday wedding to open up more possibilities for a dream wedding in a tighter time frame. We always think about planning to the future, but we can literally plan a wedding in ten days. Entertain the idea of a wedding sooner than later! Instead of thinking of next year, think of the next few months! With COVID there are a lot of dates opening up for the rest of the year and you could score some pretty good discounts on a contract takeover. INTIMATE We have to be honest with you, not every guest will be able to attend a weekday wedding; this is one of the few downsides. Even if it’s a local event people may have work or other scheduling conflicts that don’t allow them to be present. For those needing to travel, there may be even greater obstacles when it comes to attending your mid-week nuptials, BUT don’t let that deter you! The positive news is that those who made the effort to celebrate you are truly there for you and provide a loving and intimate setting for you big day. There are now PLENTY of options to livestream your wedding so those who are unable to join can still feel present! Photography by Moodyography TRAVEL Speaking of travel, choosing a weekday date may reduce travel and accommodation costs for out of town guests. If it’s a destination wedding, you’ll also get the benefits of non-weekend travel rates and crowds! Tuesdays and Wednesdays are statistically the cheapest days of the week to fly so maybe everyone will be able to snag some great airline and lodging deals. Don't forget you can always get a courtesy room block during the week to help accommodate your guests! MEMORABLE Doing something different will set you apart, how will guests ever forget a Wednesday beach wedding or a Friday afternoon dance party? During these crazy times in the world, they truly will never forget when you invited them to your weekday wedding via livestream and sent them a cookie or piece of cake to eat while they watched! Whatever your reasons for choosing a weekday date, just have comfort in knowing that your guests will be thrilled that you included them in this special day and a date is JUST a date. Your marriage and wedding will be perfect any day of the week. Photography by Dani Quiroz

Photography: Two Pair Photography | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue, Bar & Catering: Hotel Ella | Baker/Cake: Baked by Amy's | Hair/Makeup: Lola Beauty | Florals: Posey Floral & Event Design | DJ/Lighting: Altared Weddings | Musician: Castle Hills String Quartet | Rentals: Bee Lavish | Videography: Cloudcraft Studios | Photo Booth: Oh Happy Day | Signage: Design to Flourish

Vendor Contributions Venue: The Allan House | Hotel: The Driskill | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Jessica Chole Photography | Florist: Verbena Floral Design | Hair/MUA: Lauren Haese | Catering: Pueblo Viejo Truck | Cake/Desserts: Rayne Desserts | Bartending: Hill Country Events | Lighting: ILD Lighting | DJ: DJ DNA | Rentals: Uptown Rentals

Venue: The Addison Grove | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Moodyography | Band: Love & Happiness | Florist: Native Bloom Floral Design | Catering: Crave Catering | Hair/Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Bridal Gown + Salon: Eve of Milady + Bridals by Lori | Photo Booth: Pixster Photo Booth | Drapery: Unique Design & Events | Bridesmaids Dresses: David's Bridal | Livestream: Premier Entertainment Group

​Wedding flowers are the main staple to completing your big day's vision. They provide elegance and glamour, a pop of color, a familiar fresh scent, and they can come with a little bit of sticker shock when shopping. So what can you do with all of the flowers after you’ve said: “I Do”? Here are 13 creative ways we recommend when it comes to getting the most out of those beauties! SEND THEM HOME WITH GUESTS At the end of your wedding reception, ask your coordinator to have the DJ make an announcement that guests can take centerpieces, floral arrangements, or a bouquet home with them. It’s one less thing you have to clean up at the end of the night, and you know those flowers are going to a good home to be enjoyed even longer! IN ADDITION TO GRATUITY Nothing says thank you like some flowers and offering them to the staff that helped bring your wedding to life! Besides the basic wedding gratuity, It is a beautiful gesture that shows you're thinking of another way to express your gratitude. PRESS 'EM Pressing your bouquet is simple and sentimental. There’s a variety of items to choose from to press in, and we recommend choosing one that’s most sentimental to you! You can use a journal, a book, your guest book, your vow book, a bible, a clear picture frame, or even a shadow box. Some local vendors will professionally press your flowers into beautiful pieces of art, like Annie Fentz Smith + her pressed gardens! PETALS FOR HOPE "Our non-profit organization repurposes donated flowers from weddings, events, florists, and retailers. We restyle these donated flowers into bedside bouquets and arrangements which are then delivered to those in need within the community. Our drop off locations include infusion centers, nursing homes, cancer treatment facilities, homeless shelters, schools and more. We currently offer services in most U.S States." PASS ON A GIFT Tis the season of giving, and a simple way to jazz up some gift wrap is to add a few flowers and greenery to the front of the packages. We recommend drying the flowers out first; so they are not as fragile. Have a friend having an upcoming surgery? Or birthday? Nothing says I am thinking about you more than passing on those beautiful arrangements; you can even personalize and purchase your own vase. MAKE YOUR OWN SCENTED ROOM SPRAY Looking for a way to freshen up your house as newlyweds? You can look up recipes to mix your flowers with essential oils & alcohol for your customized room spray. You can also turn these into a thank you gift post-wedding if you aren't sick of DIY projects by now! ADD THEM TO YOUR PHONE CASE If you are one of those sentimental people and want to keep a little bit of your wedding day with you at all times, press your bouquet flowers into the back of a clear phone case. We guarantee that people will notice the show stopper and you have constant memories of your happy wedding day. POTPOURRI GIFTS Potpourri is more than just for your grandma's bathroom decorations; it’s an easy way to savor those florals and showcase them around your entire house! Simply dry out the flowers, remove the stems, and select a vessel to display them in. You can get crafty with the design and add different elements to your home decor! DRAW YOURSELF A FLORAL BATH Wedding planning is stressful, and when it's all said and done, you're going to need a lot of hot baths and glasses of wine! Toss in some of those flowers and create a romantic experience. Whether it’s just for you or for the newlyweds, you deserve it! MAKE A CANDLE Truth be told - if you have leftover wedding flowers, you most likely have leftover wedding candles. Combine the two to recreate your own customized candle - keep it for yourself, or better yet, gift them for your closest friends and family. ​ ADD THEM TO A JAR OR DECANTER Find some clear vessels to place the flowers in - such as a mason jar, or decanter or hand soap dispensers. Add the flower petals to water or soap to add a pop of color and elegance to any room. DRY 'EM Gather up your favorite stems and wrap them in a string to dry upside down. Check them after a few days to make sure they are dry, and then turn them upright and place them in a vase; no need for water! These make for fabulous memories you can place around your home. TEAM BRIDE Are you sharing your wedding weekend with a bestie? Did you become close to a local bride you met on social media (Join us at Bride to Bride Austin + Surrounding Areas!) that has become your wedding weekend date buddy? Ask them if you can brighten their day by gifting them to the bride the next day! Featured: Blanton Floral, White's Floral Design, Wild Poppy, The Flower Girl, Flora Fetish LET'S HEAR IT! HOW DID YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY FLOWERS?! WE LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS!

Have you ever heard the phrase, a good DJ isn’t cheap and a cheap DJ isn’t good? If you haven’t heard it before, we are telling you the truth behind it! Planning your wedding may take months, even years; dress shopping may take a few weeks, your vows may take a few minutes, but your party, your music, your entertainment… that is the area where you want to focus your time on when it comes to planning the experience for your guests. The crowded dance floor, the dancing flower girl, the groomsman doing handstands, and the current trending songs are just a few things that your guests will remember for a lifetime. ​ Contrary to what most people believe, the DJ’s job is WAY MORE than just playing music. When your wedding has a different area for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception they provide MULTIPLE set ups for sound and microphones. They will emcee your reception, herd your guests from cocktail hour to the seating chart to the reception. They set the mood, read the crowd, make all of the important announcements, and run the timeline of all of your events planned. They arrive nearly three hours early just to set up every aspect of your wedding, offer sound checks, bring extra microphones - wireless, lapel, standing, and they maintain a level of professionalism that sets the standard for your event. Hiring a professional wedding DJ is one of the most important things you can do for the success of your wedding! Still not convinced on why you should hire a wedding DJ versus a friend who can throw an epic house party versus a Spotify playlist? We will convince you otherwise! They are the Master of Ceremonies with MULTIPLE setups. “You’re a DJ, but do you specialize in weddings?” Any DJ can play music, but what you should really focus on is their ability to be your host of the ceremony and reception, as the master of ceremonies. Your ceremony will most likely require a set up somewhere else than where the reception is, which will need a microphone for the officiant, couple, and even any possible readers or speakers. They will play pre-seating music, turn the volume of the microphone down to make any announcements, and transition each song; the song that the family walks down to, the groom walks down to, the wedding party, and the bride. They will amplify the volume during the recessional and also play your hype song after you’re pronounced Mr. + Mrs. If someone doesn’t specialize in weddings, this is a HUGE opportunity to not have enough equipment or know the proper timing and cues of when each song needs to be plated. What happens after the ceremony? Usually guests migrate to cocktail hour, which is in a completely different area than the ceremony and that speaker needs to be ready to go for the guests arrival. Have you ever been to a quiet cocktail hour with no music? *Crickets* You won’t forget how awkward that felt, right? Once cocktail hour is over you may have 100-200 people that have been drinking and now you need them to find the seating chart, find the reception area, and find their seat. What’s the best way to make this happen? Your DJ, of course! He can easily announce where every location is and herd your guests inside for dinner within a blink of an eye. Your DJ will be the one making ALL of the special announcements, such as introducing the wedding party AND the bride and groom for the first time into the reception. They will announce how dinner is going to work, whether guests need to stay seated or release tables through the buffet line. They will cue first dances and get everyone’s attention - they will even fade out the songs for all of the dances after a minute or two, if you’re just not into dancing. They will be introducing the people who are making toasts, calling up the fathers + mothers for the traditional dances, announcing cake cutting, as well as garter toss, bouquet toss, exit, etc. If you think just any DJ can grab the attention of 100 guests, after four hours of drinking, to line up for a sparkler exit - good luck. It takes a special breed of a professional and that is not something a Spotify playlist can conduct! They know what music to play.. and what NOT to play. Believe it or not, but the music at your wedding sets the reception’s tone, and it takes a pretty good amount of prep work. They let you select songs for the second your first guest walks through the door until the last guest exits at the end of the night. A talented wedding DJ has to be able to read the crowd - not only with what to play, but what not to play. Have you ever been on the dance floor and you hear your favorite song that gets you dancing only for it to be slowly transitioned into a slow dance? There is no quicker way to kill the vibes on the dance floor than with the inability to read the crowd. Of course, you’ll have selected your favorite must-play songs, the songs for your first dances and those special events, but a great DJ will be able to play the perfect combination of music to entertain (and not offend) the 7 year old ring bearer, the 90 year old grandma, and everyone in between. Spotify may be able to play music for six hours straight, but when it comes to a wedding, sometimes it is just not that easy. They have to coordinate with EVERY single vendor. The DJ is typically hired by the couple, but coming from our experience, it’s just as crucial for the DJ to maintain a strong relationship with the couple and their selected vendors. After all, we are all working together to make sure you two have the best experience and the wedding you’ve dreamed for. A great DJ should take it upon themselves to contact the venue beforehand to get the lay of the land, figure out load in/out directions, ask questions about power sources, outlets, noise restrictions, etc. The DJ will also want to work closely with the wedding planner day-of to make sure the timeline is still accurate and that people are actually ready for the events that are scheduled to take place. The DJ waits for the cue from the wedding planner who waits for the cues from the couple, photographer, videographer, catering team, etc. If you eliminate the planner (which we do not suggest;) then the DJ has to be able to communicate every event on a timely fashion with EVERY vendor. They can’t start the introductions, first dance, or sparkler exit if you’re both not prepped, in placement, and everyone is ready to go. If a venue or a planner has a DJ that checks all the boxes, you better believe that they are going to be HIGHLY recommending them. They’re professional. For those who have decided to have their friends DJ their wedding, we would think that they would get to also act as a guest at your wedding - drinking, hanging out with other guests, walking away from their DJ table, etc. Professional wedding DJs are the opposite- they are professional, they come with a change of clothes and sometimes even a sandwich so they don’t have to get up to eat dinner (although we recommend feeding them a hot meal for all of the hard work that they do!) They remain professional, relaxed and in control of any situation that may arise; you’ll never see a good DJ sweat even if they make an honest mistake and play the wrong song at the wrong time. They will take the job more serious than you could imagine and you can allow your talented DJ friends to sit back and relax - they got this! They’re ready + efficient. A professional wedding DJ has their own equipment, and doesn’t need to rely on the venue to provide. They know their equipment like the back of their hand and come ready to set up. They will test the sound with the microphones, adjust as needed, ensuring you get the best sound possible from all angles. Some provide lighting, backup equipment, and will have everything covered even when it comes to the “what ifs.” They’ll come with your timeline, have your list of songs loaded, the names of those who will be introduced (they even come with name pronunciations!), their own table and linen, and even lights (if included in their package) to create the ambiance of your dreams! Background music will be on before your guests arrive, reception speakers will be setup will be all set and they will just wait for the wedding planner’s cue for go time. They listen to make it stress free for you. After all, it is your wedding day, so a good DJ should listen to your wants and needs, as well as your wishes and expectations to help create your perfect reception. Not only should they listen and engage in providing the sound to your vision, but they will ask questions and even make recommendations if need be. Weddings are stressful enough and once you hire a professional DJ, a huge weight WILL be lifted off your shoulders. It’s your big day, one you’ve dreamed about for so long, and honestly, you shouldn’t have to worry about trying to fit in the first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, anniversary dance, and announcing cake cutting after the words I do. It’s your turn to hang out with your favorite people, enjoy your marriage, and let them take control of all of the important events in the evening. It’s time for you both to mingle with your guests and not worry about timing and who’s going to get everyone’s attention for what’s next. The venue, the dress, the flowers, the food, the cake, the decor - all of those things will be beautiful and will create your wedding ambiance. Those pictures will last forever. But your DJ and entertainment will bring your celebration to life and create the forever memories of your guests and their experience. Martha Stewart once said, “the music entertainment you select for your wedding or party is responsible for 80% of the events success and the memories you’ll have for the rest of your life.” Truer words could not have been spoken!

Venue: Canyonwood Ridge | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florist: The Flower Girl | Photography: Moodyography | Videography: Cloud Craft Studios | DJ: Brian Weber | Musicians: Terra Vista Strings | Catering: Olive Garden + Santisi Staff | Cake: Oh Yeah Cakes + Nothing Bundt Cakes | Caricatures: Party Arty | Grazing Table: Hill Country Grazing Co. | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage | Hair/MUA: Dolled Up Salon

Venue/Florist: Highpointe Estate | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Moodyography | Catering: Austin Catering | Bartending: Sterling Events | Cake: Petite Lei Cakes | Bouquets: DIY | Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair | DJ: Madley's Mobile DJ | Hair/MUA: Noemi Alvarado