Sarah & Kyle

You might have seen this gorgeous wedding featured in the latest edition of Brides of North Texas or on their blog. If you missed it, you can check out the feature here. Sarah and Kyle got married at The White Sparrow in Quinlan, TX with a fantastic team of vendors including Holly Viles Design, Grit + Gold, Dyan Kethley Photography, and Layered Bake Shop.

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Wedding Planner Myths Debunked

Wedding planning can be fun but also really stressful. To help alleviate the stress, some couples turn to a planner for assistance. There are, however, two misconceptions that I hear most often as a planner, so I want to touch on them.

Misconception #1: “I won’t be involved with the planning if I hire a planner.”

That is not true in the least bit! In fact, often times you’ll find that planners’ packages vary widely so we can be as involved as much or as little as you want us to be. We know this is YOUR day and we simply act as an advocate for and assistant to you to make your dream wedding come to life.

Misconception #2: “My venue comes with a coordinator, so I don’t need an outside planner.”

A venue coordinator and a wedding planner or coordinator are not one and the same and do not have the same responsibilities. The venue coordinators handle things that have to do specifically with the venue. For example, they may manage the venue’s staff, ensure that all rules for the venue are being followed, and help guide vendor load-in and load-out.

On the other hand, wedding planners have a broader responsibility. Weeks and even months before the wedding, a planner may be involved with setting up a budget; organizing contracts and payments; and creating a master timeline for the rehearsal, the ceremony, and the reception, all which may be at different locations. During the ceremony and reception, a planner keeps vendors informed and on track with what’s coming next, and they handle any issue that arises. For example, a wedding planner may help pin the bustle of your dress back together if a guest steps on it or make sure your parents are present when the cake is being cut.

I’ve heard someone put it this way before: A venue coordinator’s priority is the venue (as it should be), and a wedding planner’s priority is the bride and groom.

Article by Amanda Davis, Owner & Lead Wedding Planner at Embrace the Day Events, a wedding & event planning company based in Dallas, TX. Embrace the Day Events knows first-hand how special and important your wedding day is, so we work hard to ensure that the planning process are not only stress-free, but fun so that you can embrace each and every moment!
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Photo by Allen Tsai Photography

Joy & William

We always love working at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club and Joy & William’s special day was no exception. You can just tell by their photos, that the day was full of love and laughter and we are so thankful that we go to be a part of it! Shout out to the awesome vendors, Events by Kristin (planning), Dyan Kethley Photography (photos), Layered Bake Shop (cakes), and Holly Viles Design (floral).

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David & Chelsea - March 3, 2012

The Venue: The Stoneleigh Hotel in Dallas

If you’re looking for a vintage spot for a medium-sized wedding, The Stoneleigh Hotel definitely fits the bill. It has tons of character, especially the 11th floor which includes the Penthouse Suite with a huge rooftop terrace overlooking downtown Dallas. David & Chelsea were not planning a sit-down dinner, so they only used the Grand Salon for their ceremony. (This room is often times used for a formal dinner.) Instead, they had plenty of passed hors d'oeuvres to keep their guests fed.

Since the rest of the 11th floor is pretty spread out, I placed speakers in both the hallway and the bar area (aka The Library), one of them wireless.

Everything was well organized and flowed smoothly thanks Chelsea’s awesome Dallas wedding planner, Kristin Mullen at Events By Kristin! I’ll link back to the photos and video as soon as they are available.

The Music

David, Chelsea, and the bridesmaids spent a great deal of time brainstorming their favorite songs for their reception. Although I usually indicate which songs were on the bride & groom’s playlist (to differentiate from the ones that I picked), I’ll avoid putting asterisks all over the blog post. I’d estimate about 90% of what I played was directly from their list. They knew exactly what they wanted to hear and what would keep their guests dancing. Open dancing started around 8:00 and didn’t end until midnight, and the floor was never empty!

Ceremony
Processional (bridesmaids entrance): Rolling Stones - She’s A Rainbow [1968]
Bridal entrance: Bryan Adams - Heaven (ceremony edit) [1985]
Recessional: Natalie Cole - This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) [1975]

Cocktails
Journey - Lights [1978]
Chicago - Colour My World [1971]
Foreigner - I Don't Want To Live Without You (single version) [1988]
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street (promo single version) [1978]
Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues [1984]
Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me [1982]
Hootie & The Blowfish - Hold My Hand [1995]
Ray LaMontagne - You Are The Best Thing [2008]
INXS - Never Tear Us Apart [1988]
Extreme - More Than Words (Remix) [1991]
Van Morrison - Moondance [1970]
Mr Big - To Be With You (promo single version) [1992]
John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads [1971]

Grand Entrance
Queen - You're My Best Friend [1976]

First Dance
Willie Nelson - Unchained Melody (first dance edit) [1978]

Father/Daughter
Beatles - In My Life (father-daughter edit) [1966]

Mother/Son
Jackson 5 - I'll Be There (mother-son edit) [1970]

Open Dancing
Cat Stevens - Wild World [1971]
Garth Brooks - Shameless [1991]
Abba - Take A Chance On Me (promo single version) [1979]
Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night) (single version) [1976]
Michael Jackson - Rock With You (single version) [1980]
Elton John - Your Song [1971]
Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (mono) [1965]
Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally (mono) [1966]
Queen - Another One Bites The Dust [1980]
B-52's - Love Shack (single version) [1989]
Kenny Loggins - Footloose (LP version) [1984]
Chubby Checker - Let's Twist Again (mono) [1961]
Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup (mono single version) [1969]
Isley Brothers - Shout (Parts 1 & 2) (w/o false ending) [1959]
George Strait - I Cross My Heart [1992]
Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places [1990]
Pink - Raise Your Glass (Radio Edit) [2010]
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling (Radio Edit) [2009]
Earth Wind & Fire - September [1979]
Salt-N-Pepa - Push It (Remix) [1987]
Run-DMC - It's Tricky (LP Version) [1987]
MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This [1990]
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean [1983]
Kool & The Gang - Celebration (single version) [1981]
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride And Joy [1983]
Journey - Faithfully [1983]
Dixie Chicks - Landslide (Sheryl Crow Remix) [2003]

Cake Cutting
Barry Louis Polisar - All I Want Is You (from "Juno") [1977]

Alicia Keys - No One (first dance edit) [2007]
UB40 - Red Red Wine (LP version) [1988]
Black Eyed Peas - Pump It (Radio Edit) [2006]
Spice Girls - Wannabe (Single Edit) [1997]
Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (extended) [1995]
Usher f/Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah (Radio Mix) [2004]
Kesha - Tik Tok [2010]
Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You [2002]
Madonna - Vogue (Single Version) [1990]
Madonna - Music [2000]
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath (Radio Edit) [2004]
69 Boyz - Tootsee Roll (Rap Version) [1994]
Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want To Have Fun [1984]
Rolling Stones - Start Me Up [1981]
Journey - Don't Stop Believin' [1981]
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer [1987]
Terror Squad - Lean Back (Clean) [2004]
Kanye West - Gold Digger (extended intro) [2005]
J-Kwon - Tipsy [2004]
Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll [1978]
Beatles - Twist And Shout (mono) [1964]
Flo Rida f/T-Pain - Low (New Radio Mix) [2008]
Flo Rida - Good Feeling (extended) [2011]
LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It [2011]
Maroon 5 feat Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger (extended) [2011]
Jennifer Lopez feat Pitbull - On The Floor (extended) [2011]
Destiny's Child - Jumpin, Jumpin [2000]
Jay-Z feat Amil & Ja Rule - Can I Get A (Clean Album Version) [1998]
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise [1995]
Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder (Mainstream Version) [2004]
Lou Bega - Mambo No 5 (Radio Edit) [1999]
Wham - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go [1984]
Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen (promo single version) [1983]
Jennifer Lopez - Jenny From The Block (No Rap Version) [2002]
Ace Of Base - The Sign [1994]
Salt-N-Pepa - Shoop (Single Version) [1993]
Commodores - Brick House [1977]
Ben E King - Stand By Me (mono) [1961]
Frank Sinatra - The Way You Look Tonight [1964]
Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 [1981]
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl [1967]
Nelly Furtado feat Timbaland - Promiscuous (Radio Edit) [2006]
Timbaland feat Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake - Give It To Me (Extra Clean) [2007]
Timbaland feat Keri Hilson - The Way I Are (extended) [2007]
50 Cent Candy Shop (Clean) [2005]
Beyonce feat Jay-Z - Crazy In Love [2003]
Jackson 5 - Never Can Say Goodbye (mono) [1971]
Semisonic - Closing Time (Radio Edit) [1998]

Scott & Amber - September 10, 2011

Since I just started this blog at the beginning of November, I’m still catching up on some prior weddings. Scott & Amber were married on 9/10/11, and they had a beautiful backyard wedding at the groom’s parents’ house. The weather turned out to be perfect for an outdoor reception.

To add some color to the yard, they had me shine some red uplighting in the trees and behind the bartender. If I can get my hands on some pictures, I’ll be sure to post them. It looked really great! I also included a wireless speaker on the other side of the yard, since the area was quite large, and some of the tables were a long distance from the dance floor.

The Music

The following is a list of songs that were actually played at the wedding with a * or ** indicating a request.

* from Scott & Amber’s request list
** requested by one of their guests

Cocktails
Alan Jackson - Gone Country [1994]
Van Morrison - Moondance [1970]
Conway Twitty - I'd Just Love to Lay You Down [1980]
Drifters - Under The Boardwalk (mono single version) [1964]
Elton John - Your Song [1971]
Hootie & The Blowfish - Hold My Hand [1995]
Garth Brooks - To Make You Feel My Love [1998]

Grand Entrance
Scott & Amber have a great sense of humor, and they had some fun with their grand entrance. They surprised everyone by dressing up with oversized sunglasses, a large clown tie, and a big red nose. I think they got the idea after deciding on their entrance music.
Boots Randolph - Yakety Sax (stereo) [1963]

First Dance
George Strait - I Cross My Heart (first dance edit) [1992]*

Father Daughter Dance
Brad Paisley - He Didn't Have To Be (father daughter edit) [1999]*

Dinner
Stevie Nicks & Don Henley - Leather And Lace (single version) [1981]
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Cold Shot [1984]
Kenny Chesney - Somewhere With You (Single Edit) [2011]
Ray LaMontagne - You Are The Best Thing [2008]
Steely Dan - Hey Nineteen (single version) [1981]
Conway Twitty - Tight Fittin' Jeans [1981]
Eagles - Peaceful Easy Feeling [1973]
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing [1991]

Dancing
George Strait - Here For A Good Time [2011]*
George Strait - Amarillo By Morning [1983]*
Etta James - At Last [1961]
Cupid - Cupid Shuffle (extended) [2007]**
Michael Jackson - Beat It (extended) [1983]
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline (stereo) [1969]**
Kenny Loggins - Footloose (single version) [1984]*
Brian Setzer Orchestra - Jump Jive An' Wail [1998]*
Michael Jackson - Thriller (promo single version) [1984]**
Marcia Griffiths - Electric Boogie [1990]**
Usher f/Lil Jon & Ludacris - Yeah (Radio Mix) [2004]*
LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem (Updated Radio Edit) [2011]
Maroon 5 Feat. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger [2011]**
69 Boyz - Tootsee Roll (Rap Version) [1994]**
Billy Currington - Good Directions [2007]**
David Allan Coe - You Never Even Called Me By My Name [1975]**
Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (mono) [1965]
Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel (7'' Re-Mix) [1988]*
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Jump On It (Clean Radio Edit) [1996]**
Foster The People - Pumped Up KIcks (Radio Edit) [2011]**
V.I.C. - Wobble (Clean Version) [2008]**
Nelly - Ride Wit Me (Clean Edit with FX Short) [2001]*
Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World (stereo) [1968]
Frank Sinatra - Summer Wind [1966]**
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride And Joy [1983]*
Mr C The Slide Man - Cha Cha Slide (Radio Edit) [2000]**

Bouquet Toss

Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (bouquet version) [2008]*

Garter Removal/Toss
Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen - Theme From Mission Impossible [1996]*
Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut [1983]*

Juvenile - Back That Thang Up (Clean Radio Edit) [1999]**
Big Tymers - Still Fly (Radio Edit Clean) [2002]**
Bobby Goldsboro - Watching Scotty Grow [1971]**
Lou Bega - Mambo No 5 (Radio Edit) [1999]**
Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Zoot Suit Riot [1998]*
Snoop Doggy Dogg - Gin And Juice (Radio Version) [1994]**

Last Dance (before sendoff)
Brad Paisley - Then (Single Edit) [2009]*

After Party
Some of the guests wanted to come back and dance some more, and I was happy to continue the music.
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl [1967]
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There (mono) [1964]
ACDC - You Shook Me All Night Long [1980]
Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Women [1969]
Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll [1978]
Earth Wind & Fire - September [1979]
KC & The Sunshine Band - Boogie Shoes [1978]
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love (single version) [1986]
Herbie Hancock - Chameleon [1973]**
John Mellencamp - Jack & Diane (promo single version) [1982]
Queen - Another One Bites The Dust [1980]
INXS - Need You Tonight [1988]
Bell Biv Devoe - Poison (7" Version) [1990]
Aretha Franklin - Respect (mono) [1967]
Sister Sledge - We Are Family (single version) [1979]
Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing (promo single version) [1976]
Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough (promo single version) [1979]
UB40 - Red Red Wine (LP version) [1988]
Brooks & Dunn - Boot Scootin' Boogie [1992]
Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places [1990]