Your Special Day

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=95 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="07d64661egerdp.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DJ Mike Cote"><U><B> </B></U></A><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Freehand575 BT" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DJ Mike Cote"><U><I><B><IMG SRC="11a2f2c0.gif" border=0 width="47" height="44" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Staccato222 BT" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DJ Mike Cote"><U><I><B>Mike</B></I></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Staccato222 BT" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DJ Mike Cote"><U><I><B>  </B></I></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Continuum Medium" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DJ Mike Cote"><U><B><U><IMG SRC="11966260.gif" border=0 width="102" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></U></A></FONT>  </div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Corporate Functions Holiday Parties"><U>Corporate Functions & Holiday Parties</U></A>  / <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Campaign Political Events"><U>Campaign & Politica</U></A>l /  <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crossroads"><U>Crossroads Advertising</U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12dc8313.jpg"> <div> <B>Back to </B></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Weddings"><U><B>Weddings</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About DJ Mike"><U><B>History</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Music Selection Equipment "><U><B>Music Selection</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Music Selection Equipment "><U><B>and Equipment</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:mike@djmikecote.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mike@djmikecote.com"><U><B> <img src="HTMLobj-443/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="61" height="30">  </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links More"><U>Links & More!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=385 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="12580803.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <div> Wedding Tips<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>    to help make your planning easier.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Hire your DJ</B> </div> <div> as soon as possible, I generally recommend at least a year </div> <div> to 10 months in advance.  But the sooner the better.  </div> <div> If you've never seen the DJ in action you may want to set an</div> <div> appointment to meet him.  Be sure you meet with the </div> <div> DJ who will be doing your reception. You want to make sure </div> <div> the DJ you hire is someone that you're comfortable with </div> <div> as well as confident in. This appointment gives you a chance </div> <div> to ask any questions you may have & also an opportunity </div> <div> to view a video of the DJ.  Personally, I do not invite prospective </div> <div> clients to a wedding I am performing at out of courtesy </div> <div> to my customers. </div> <div>  Would you want strangers popping in at your reception?</div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT></div> <div> <B>When viewing a DJ video</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > make sure to ask </FONT></div> <div> if the wedding footage you're seeing was staged </div> <div> and ask if it's footage from that DJ's wedding. </div> <div> I've seen it happen, so don't be afraid to ask.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>                                                         </div> <div> <B>Meet face to face with your DJ</B>  </div> <div> about a month before to go over all the details. </div> <div> Including the introductions, traditions that you want </div> <div> or don't want to do. And of course be sure to specify </div> <div> songs for your first dance, parents dances & the last dance. </div> <div> Your DJ should be able to provide suggestions</div> <div>  for special songs for the bride's father & groom's mother.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Music for the party</B><B>.</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > When meeting with your DJ </FONT></div> <div> give him a good idea of your likes & dislikes in music.  </div> <div> Some specific requests and maybe a couple you don't want to hear. </div> <div> I don't however recommend giving a list of 20, 30 or 40 songs </div> <div> that you insist be played.  The reason for this is simple: </div> <div> They might be great songs that you, your friends & family like, </div> <div> but what if they just don't want to dance to those songs that day?  </div> <div> Plus the guests will also be making requests, </div> <div> so you want to give the DJ the flexibility to use their requests, </div> <div> plus yours along with some of the DJ's own ideas.  </div> <div> If you've hired a specific DJ because of his style, </div> <div> selection & experience, let him use it.  </div> <div> I read an article in a Long Island newspaper years ago</div> <div>  that said "If your going to tell the DJ every single song </div> <div> to play at your wedding, rent a jukebox."  </div> <div> It sounds a bit rude, but...</div> <bR> <div> <B>When scheduling</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >the times for your DJ be sure</FONT></div> <div>  that the start time is the time that the <U>guests</U> will be arriving.  </div> <div> That way you're sure background music is playing, </div> <div> the DJ is there for any announcements that may have to be made</div> <div>  and you don't have to worry about someone lugging </div> <div> sound equipment through your guests. Generally,</div> <div>  whatever the scheduled start time is for the reception </div> <div> should be the time the DJ starts.  Also be very sure to tell </div> <div> your DJ if you have specific theme for your wedding. </div> <div> (ie: Medieval,  Caribbean, Fairy Tale, Celtic etc.)</div> <bR> <div> <B>Outdoor Weddings Ceremonies & Receptions  </B></div> <div> Without trying to sound pessimistic, your best bet is to </div> <div> plan on rain.  Better to have the tent & not need it. </div> <div> I've seen outdoor weddings turn nightmarish because </div> <div> of not planning for inclement weather.  But I have done </div> <div> many in very bad weather that turned out fantastic </div> <div> because it was planned with the idea that it may rain. </div> <div> You may also want to consider having a "back-up" hall to go to.</div> <div>  I've seen that come in handy when severe conditions occurred. </div> <div> Good planning for an outdoor wedding is also important for the safety </div> <div> of your guests and, yes, your DJ too!</div> <bR> <div> <B>More Wedding Tips</B></div> <div>  On the day of your wedding.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Try not to make last minute changes</B> </div> <div> in the order of the wedding party. This saves time lining up </div> <div> for the introductions and there's less confusion.  </div> <div> Also, try not to change songs for the special dances that day. </div> <div>  If you do want to change any of the special songs,</div> <div>  try to do it at least a couple days before the wedding. </div> <div>  This way you give the DJ enough time to make sure </div> <div> he has it & time to get it if he doesn't.</div> <bR> <div> <B>After your formal pictures</B> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >have been done, </FONT></div> <div> try to remain in the reception room with your guests </div> <div> as much as possible. The guests have come to see you </div> <div> & share in your wedding day.  If you're not there, </div> <div> why should they be?  I've seen it happen before when the </div> <div> bride & groom are out of the room frequently or for </div> <div> long periods and the guests slowly begin to disappear. </div> <div> They're there for you, be there for them. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Don't sweat the small stuff!! </B></div> <div> Suddenly the flowergirl or ringbearer don't want any part </div> <div> of the introductions, it's not a big deal! </div> <div> Extra guests showed up or some didn't, or any other aspect </div> <div> of your reception doesn't go exactly as planned</div> <div> ....DON'T SWEAT IT!  It's all small stuff. </div> <div> Remember, only a select few </div> <div> (The DJ, Photographer and Banquet coordinator or hostess) </div> <div> know what your exact plans are for that day. </div> <div> I, for one, will not tell anyone that the ringbearer </div> <div> had a tantrum or that the centerpieces were </div> <div> supposed to be pink lilies not white.               </div> <div> It's the day you've planned for so long, </div> <div> yet it really is the fastest day of your life.   </div> <div>  Relax, and enjoy it because it's over in a heartbeat.</div> <bR> <div> And the last tip: </div> <div>   <IMG SRC="1abe16a0.gif" border=0 width="225" height="106" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <img src="HTMLobj-425/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="120" height="107">  </div> <div>   <img src="HTMLobj-431/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="425" height="20">  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="25327380.gif" border=0 width="295" height="56" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> The following songs may or may not be familiar to you.  </div> <div> When meeting with you a month or so before the wedding </div> <div> we'll go over these and you'll be able to listen to them</div> <div>  to make your choice.  There are more, but these are among </div> <div> the most popular and in my opinion some of the best. </div> <div> Some of these are appropriate for both the Bride & Dad </div> <div> and / or the Groom & Mom. Those are noted with *.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Songs for the Bride and her father:</B></div> <div> "A Song for My Daughter" - Mickii Viereck</div> <div>  "One More Time" - Mickii Viereck</div> <div>  "My Little Girl" - Chris Taylor</div> <div>  "A Place in My Heart" - Chris Taylor</div> <div> "Butterfly Kisses" - Bob Carlisle</div> <div>  "Daddy's Little Girl" - Al Martino</div> <div>  *"Because You Loved Me" - Celine Dion</div> <div>  "Daddy's Little Girl" - Kippy Brannon</div> <div> "Daddy's Hands" - Holly Dunn</div> <div>  "Father's Eyes" - Amy Grant</div> <div> "Turn to You" - Christina Aguillera</div> <bR> <div> <B>Songs for the Groom and his mother:</B></div> <div>  "A Song for My Son" - Mikki Vierreck</div> <div> "I Will Remain" - Chris Taylor</div> <div> "Perfect Fan" - Backstreet Boys</div> <div> "Have I Told You Lately"- Rod Stewart or</div> <div> Van Morrison</div> <div> *"Times of Your Life" - Paul Anka</div> <div>  "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong</div> <div> "I Am Your Child" - Barry Manilow</div> <div> *"Sunrise Sunset" - From "Fiddler on the Roof"</div> <div> *"Wind Beneath My Wings" - Bette Middler</div> <div> *"Unforgettable" - Nat & Natalie Cole</div> <div> "A Song for Mama" - Boyz to Men </div> <div> "Perfect Fan" - Backstreet Boys</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:mike@djmikecote.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:mike@djmikecote.com"><U> <img src="HTMLobj-433/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="61" height="30">  </U></A>                                <img src="HTMLobj-432/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="100" height="100">  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>