Best Idaho Weddings

When it comes to choosing your wedding decorations, you must decide on your theme. Once you have done this, you can then make your decisions about the budget that you will have.

Here are the top 10 tips that you should know in order to lower the cost of your wedding decorations.

1. Decide on the essential items you must have first and then worry about the extras.
2. Hand make the centerpieces yourself using items priced toward your budget.
3. Using artificial flowers is cheaper than fresh flowers unless you pick them yourself from a field.
4. Skip the extra wedding favors and focus more attention on decoration detail.
5. Never go over your budget because you set it up for a reason.
6. For smaller items like candles, candle holders, small laces etc. visit your nearby dollar store.
7. Never underestimate the elegance of basic décor. Sometimes minimal is best.
8. Some very versatile items that can make beautiful decorations include: clay pots, plastic bowls/vases, faux flowers, pearls, balloons, pillar candles, rhinestones, and empty wine bottles.
9. Tissue paper roses and flowers give off a beautiful look to any decorating style and they are quick and easy to make.

10. A word to wise is that your decorations should not even amount to half of the money that is spent on the reception.

Affordable Centerpieces

When it comes to decorating your reception tables, the centerpieces for each table play a major role in setting the tone and style of your wedding. They will be one of the major focal point for your guests while they are eating their meal, and spectacular or unique centerpieces can add an element of sophistication or surprise to your event.

The most established kind of centerpiece is flowers and it is the most expected. There are literally hundreds of floral centerpiece designs, from tall lilies to tightly packed roses.

You should really shop around and check out different wedding supply shops and online specialists to see the different possibilities, and look at the varying prices. You must also remember that you will need a centerpiece for every table, so it could get expensive if you are planning to invite a large guest list.

For a cheaper option, buy the flowers yourself from a wholesaler, and produce simple displays such as six tulips in a glass vase. You could also use the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces to really get the best value out of them.

Believe it or not, this happens all the time. Instead of fresh cut flowers, consider using potted plants as centerpieces. You can decorate terracotta pots and pick plants that flower in coordinating colors to your scheme.

These centerpieces will last long after the day has finished, and provide a lovely gift for those you would like to give them to.

Popular alternatives to floral centerpieces include candles and fruit. Candles are a wonderful way of creating an air of romance and enchantment for your wedding, and look particularly effective if your venue is dimly lit.

However, if you plan to hold your reception in the afternoon, with plenty of natural daylight, candles may not produce the appropriate dramatic effect.

You could purchase candelabras for each table for an elegant look, or consider the less formal appearance of floating candles in a large glass bowl.

You must ensure that any holders or bowls you use are heat-resistant, and also check with your venue for any restrictions they may have on the use of naked flames.

Fruit is a nice and decorative choice, and can also be eaten later in the evening! Other edible choices include candy, chocolate lollipops or Hershey’s Kisses. Use your imagination to display whatever treats you choose in an exciting way, using glitter, streamers or balloons.

You can be as original as you like when it comes to your centerpieces, and you may choose something really personal such as hand-written poems or family photographs in ornate picture frames.

If you are having a themed wedding, create a unique centerpiece that reflects the wedding motif. A wonderful centerpiece for an oriental themed wedding is a bonsai tree, or large origami creations. Anything that matches your theme is best.

Myth #1: A DJ will talk too much.

You’ve probably heard about (or been to) weddings where a DJ, in a misguided attempt to emcee, talked more than he spun, with cringe-worthy results. But an experienced wedding DJ will only speak when it’s appropriate. “Every time a DJ speaks, he should have something important to say, which you and he planned in advance,” says DJ Dr. Drax, National President and Executive Director of the American Disc Jockey Association. To ensure that your DJ doesn’t abuse his proximity to the mic, be specific about when you want him to talk and when you don’t. If you’re nervous that yours is a chatterbox, consider sending an example of what you find inappropriate. “You can find a litany of bad DJ videos on YouTube,” says Dr. Drax. But handle with care so as to not offend.

Myth #2: Bands take a lot of breaks.

One common concern about hiring a band is that each 40-45 minute set they play will be followed by a 15-20 minute break filled with music from a compilation CD — and that bored guests will vacate the dance floor. But you can manage your band’s need for downtime so that it doesn’t disrupt the party too much. Ask the band members to stagger their breaks so there’s live music throughout the night (it may cost an extra fee); guests will stay entertained and the dance floor will stay full.

Myth #3: A DJ will play cheesy tunes.

Worried that your DJ has his mind set on “Y.M.C.A.” and the Electric Slide, when you’re thinking more along the lines of “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Unforgettable”? It doesn’t have to be that way — your DJ wants to play what you want to hear, but you have to communicate your tastes clearly. Don’t rely on words alone, since terms like “dance music,” “rock,” and “slow songs” are vague and can easily be misinterpreted. To make sure you are on the same music style page, give him a playlist and a do-not-play list. “Brides and grooms should be able to customize the playlist,” says Dr. Drax. “People today have grown up with choice and personalization, and good DJs understand that.”

Myth #4: You can control everything.

One caveat to the last idea: You can give your DJ a mile-long playlist, but you shouldn’t try to micromanage the music. To some extent, your lists should be guidelines for the mix master, not hard-and-fast rules. Your DJ should know the genre you’re interested in, but let him choose the best way to mix the music — after all, it’s his job to keep people on the dance floor. Give your band some flexibility to react to the crowd and adjust the tempo accordingly. “When you hire somebody to bake a cake, you can tell them what flavors to use, but you don’t try to tell them how much flour or what kind of sugar to put in,” says Dr. Drax. “It’s the same with DJs — you need to trust that they know what to do.”

Myth #5: Bands love line dances.

The days when it was de rigueur for a wedding band to encourage a conga line are over. But if you’re worried about that kind of thing, be sure to see the band in action before you sign on. Ask for a DVD of a previous performance to get a sense of how they interact with the crowd. You should also try to see them live. But you can’t crash somebody else’s wedding — find out if you can drop by to watch them play at another type of event. Just keep in mind that you can’t alter a band’s style as easily as you can tweak a DJ’s. If their live act is rambunctious and interactive (complete with line dances), then asking them to change might hamper their performance, and you’re probably better off going with a different group.

Myth #6: A band can’t offer enough variety.

You’d be surprised by the musical depth a quality wedding band can offer. One indication that a band has versatility is if they have more than one singer — if they have both male and female vocalists, for example, chances are they’re open to a wider range of songs. Though a band may specialize in a style (like big band or soul), they’re professional musicians and should be able to stray at least a little from their niche. And if a few of the songs you have your heart set on aren’t in the band’s repertoire, simply ask them to learn the songs before your wedding — most bands will learn between three and five songs if you give them enough notice.

Myth #7: A DJ will save you money.

Although a DJ almost always costs less than a band, that doesn’t mean you should cheap out on this vendor. “If you’re willing to pay for a top-notch DJ, you can get way more than somebody to play songs,” says Dr. Drax. “A great DJ will talk to your photographer and tell him which songs are coming next. Photographers capture the Kodak moments; it is the DJ’s job to create the opportunity for them to occur.” Dr. Drax knows a DJ who got a tape of the groom singing “You are My Sunshine” to his mom as a little boy and created a custom mix, bringing tears to everyone in the room during the mother-son dance. On the other hand: “I heard a story about an inexperienced DJ announcing a father-daughter dance, unaware that the bride’s father had passed away,” says Dr. Drax. Although the old adage “you get what you pay for” isn’t always true, when it comes to your music it’s certainly advice to consider.

Myth #8: Hiring a bar band is a good idea.

Unless they also have a lot of experience with weddings, using a band or DJ that’s oriented primarily with nightclubs is risky, since they won’t be adept at pleasing a diverse crowd. “It’s much smarter to find somebody who has experience in wedding entertainment,” says Dr. Drax. “If your wedding will be mostly your college frat buddies, then maybe your favorite campus band will be great.” He’s quick to point out though, that if you’re inviting coworkers, grandparents, and children, the entertainment should offer something for everyone.

Myth #9: You have to hire a DJ or band — you can’t have both.

If you can afford it, you can have the best of both forms of entertainment. Either hire a DJ to spin while the band is on break (and to be your emcee), or divide the evening into two portions. Another option is to hire a band for your reception and a DJ to spin at the after-party. Or, if you can’t spring for a whole band, see about combining just a few live musicians with a DJ. Some companies create packages where, for example, the musicians will play for the ceremony and during cocktail hour, then complement the DJ during the dancing, by adding percussion to a hot Latin set.

Myth #10: Slow songs first, followed by faster tunes after the cake-cutting.

Some couples request that their entertainers play ’50s rock or big band-style songs early on to please their older guests, and then switch over to more lively beats so the younger crowd can dominate the floor until last call. But it can be more fun for you and your guests if you have your band or DJ mix it up throughout the night. Alternating between speeds, styles, and eras of music will keep wedding guests of all ages more engaged and encourage them to broaden the range of music they’ll boogie to, with truly memorable results.

Uplighting for Weddings

Enhance Your Wedding

Uplighting is the art of painting with light to create a truly magical background for the most beautiful and well planned days of your lives together as a couple.

Uplighting brings your wedding to life, dresses, your flowers and the room will all work together to create an inviting entertaining space.

The secret lies in the type of lighting, where to place the lighting, and using it to enhance and boost the already beautiful aspects of your wedding.

How Uplighting Works

Lights are placed on the ground facing the wall or the element of the room you would like to illuminate. Depending on the effect whether you want a focused beam of light, a diffuse spread of color, “a touch of blue” or lighting entire walls..

Most brides want to add color to their room, or recreate an effect they’ve seen in a magazine but aren’t sure where to start or how to go about it. If you can provide us pictures of the effect that you are looking for most of your higher end Disc Jockey Company’s can help put together a package to meet your needs and brainstorm all the possibilities that fit within your vision and price range.

Use LED lighting almost exclusively for events which you need to uplighting for. These are the safest and most environmentally friendly lighting options because there are no bulbs to burn out or replace and lights draw very little energy.

Types of Lighting Fixtures

LED Lighting

LED’s or Light Emitting Diodes are the latest in event lighting. They emit virtually no heat, have very saturated and deep colors and are easy to customize and control the way the light looks. They can recreate just about any color that a TV can.

These lights are made up of red, green and blue individual LEDs that when combined in different intensities blend together to create just about any color. These lights are also very lightweight enabling them to be used on stands, on the floor just just about anywhere.

Traditional PAR Cans

Traditionally the industry has used stage lights or”PAR Cans” to uplight weddings. These are bright white lights that have a “gel’ or colored plastic film placed over the light. These lights are limited to one color and get very hot. If there are children or there isn’t enough room to place these lights, guests can burn themselves. Theses lights also draw a lot of energy and can heat up small rooms quickly.

Uplighting Effects

Just understanding what is possible with uplighting is helpful. Here are some basic effects that are achievable with uplighting

Washes of Color
The most popular effect is to provide washes of color or colors around the room. They can either be set to a static color or fade through colors at varying speeds.

You may want a static color as guests arrive and through dinner but the lights to slowly fade through the dancing portion of the evening.

Beams of LIght
A focused beam of color or light on certain aspects of the room may be requested. Having beams of light to add more focus to the cake or drama to columns or aspects of the room may be a good fit. Focused beams of light to the exits and entrances of the room may is a nice detail.

Dance Lighting
LED’s can slowly fade through a number of colors, quickly change colors, strobe, or change to the beat of the music. Each of these effects may be nice for dancing. With the controller we can operate and program preset effects ahead of time so the lighting will be exactly what you expect.

Under Table LIghting
This effect can look really great with a bar or the head table. Having white linens surrounding the table and placing a light or lights inside the table can add washes of color to the physical table in the room and look really neat.

Table LIghting
Maybe you would like to add touches of colored lighting to each of the guests tables. With LED lighting we can raise the lights and project colored light onto your guests tables. This can be nice to create a lounge atmosphere or feel to the room.

Architectural Uplighting
Lighting up the exit of the room or venue can be a nice effect for the photos at night time. If you hare having a sparkler exit, have a really unique hotel, or otherwise would like to set the mood on the outside of the venue as well as the inside, placing LED lighting outside can be a very dramatic effect.

Lighting In The Big Picture

When coming up with a budget for your wedding think about lighting. For a fraction of the cost of extra flowers, favors, or other types of decorations you can add the elegance and impact of painting with light to your wedding. Lighting not only works well during the entire event but it allows your flowers and other decorations to shine later on in the evening. When it’s dark for the reception guests always notice the lighting and continually and comment on how much it adds to their event. It looks great in the photos as well, turning ordinary candid’s during dancing into the beautiful event that your wedding deserves to be.

Book Your Wedding Lighting Today!

PART ONE: Ceremony Entertainment Options.

There are five different ceremony entertainment options each has its own unique and different advantages, and disadvantages. It all comes down to how you want your event to flow, feel, and

1. I-POD – The I-POD is the cheapest form of entertainment for your ceremony. This is its only advantage, over any of the services listed below. I have heard and seen several Brides and Grooms go this route none have been successful. I-POD is hard for people who have never operated them before to do so. With Frequent miscues, do you really want you or your groom to have to step away from the, alter to fix the music. Or have one of your bridesmaids or grooms men running up the Isle to cue the correct song. Also asking a family friend or relative to run the I-POD could lead to more mistakes. In my opinion the I-POD is a BAD idea. All around it does not provide the service you need in audio equipment either, microphones, Fading Music, and Timing of the ceremony.
2. Soloist – Single person playing an instrument. Brings a touch of Class to your event. Professional live, musicians bring elegant feel to your event. Can set the tone of your event. Possible Liabilities for soloist are No PA equipment to hear your service or your vows. Any mistakes will be heard since there is only one musician. Finding true professional musicians can be difficult. Cost, true professionals will cost money
3. Ensembles – Brass, String, Woodwind, other – Brings a very high class feeling to your event. Elegant and coupled with everyone being in a tux or suit (no jeans or slacks) can give your event a high class feeling to it. No PA equipment to hear your service or your vows. Finding true professional musicians can be difficult. Cost, true professionals will cost money
4. Wedding Band – Live Music is always best for ceremony, they have all the microphones and PA equipment to so vows and service can be heard by all. Possible wedding singer cheesy. May give your ceremony too much of a party feel to it.

PART 2 Reception Entertainment
There are five different types of reception entertainment, which are listed below.

1. None – Having no wedding reception entertainment is an option for you to go; I would not suggest this option with a very large group. One way this option does work is for LDS functions. Since it is traditional to have a receiving line, cake and maybe appetizers that is all. Without any major Dances or formalities traditionally with this type of wedding reception entertainment is truly not needed.
2. I-POD – The I-POD is the cheapest form of entertainment for your reception. This is its only advantage, over any of the services listed below. I have heard and seen several Brides and Grooms go this route none have been successful events for them. I-POD is hard for people who have never operated them before to do so. With Frequent miscues, I have a video I would like to share with you that demonstrates my point on this
3. Ensembles – Brass, String, Woodwind, other – Brings a very high class feeling to your event. Ensembles are great for events where formal dances like waltzes foxtrots, tango and ballroom style dancing is planned. Ensembles can be best used when a very large portion of your guest like is of an older generation. No PA equipment to hear announcements, unless they provide it. Ensemble leader may not know how to be a Master of Ceremonies (MC) for a wedding. So you may have to hire an MC to host your event. Finding true professional musicians can be difficult. Cost, true professionals will cost money
4. Band – Bands can provide an enormous amount of energy to an event. Along with all the equipment needed to be able to hear all announcements. They can do extended mixes of songs. Also medleys of songs. Bands need breaks though, what music is being played when the band is on break. Bands have a limited amount of music they know. Bands sound nothing like the original recordings of the songs you like.
5. Disc Jockey – Have all the gear for ceremony and reception. Plus most have a huge selection of music from multiple decades. DJ’s can mix music together and most know how to somewhat MC a wedding. Very few are “Professional” or Customer Service oriented. Wedding DJ industry has a plethora of low quality fly by night individuals. Who claim to be professional with no business license, insurance, or legal music.

PART 3

How to locate Your Entertainment.

1. Why not to use Yellowpages, DEX, PDC, phone books do not have any content or detailed information. Plus you have to call them and give them your info. You get a lot more content and information about a Service off the Internet. Plus you don’t have to give them your information.
2. Screen, Screen, Screen all the websites thoroughly, what to look for on a website is content. Is a website professionally built? Because a business who has spent time on their website building it is more likely to be a true Entertainment Professional. If they list their price on the site is it too low? Remember good Entertainment is not Cheap, Cheap entertainment is not good. We’ll discuss this later in what your event is worth. . Make a list of vendors you wish to contact. Call those vendors. Things to listen for when talking to entertainment vendors.
a. How do they sound on the phone? Are they excited about your event? Do they want to help you? Do they speak Clearly, Sound knowledgeable? Are they willing to meet with you? Take notes when on the phone with them. DON’T ASK FOR A PRICE QUOTE.
3. Once you have called the vendors that have interested you. Set up meeting with the few you have screened, Out of the phone calls
4. – Note – Preferred vendor list may not be in your best interest.
PART 4 – Interviewing your Entertainment Choices.

Good Wedding Entertainment Providers will do the following
Listen, Listen, Listen they will do this and want to know all about you and your fiancée, how you met your interests, etc, etc. The more information they have the more personalized they can make your event. The more successful event it will be

1. How long has the band or deejay been in business?
Do you have a business licenses can I see a copy?
Do you have liability insurance can I see a copy?
If a Disc Jockey, do they have Legal Music Can I see your library
2. What is their fee structure — a flat fee, per musician, hourly, what services does the fee include
Lights
Dance Floor
Second Systems
Wireless Mics
Video Montages
Personnel Recordings
Up Lighting
Pipe and Drape
Bubble machines
Fog machines
Cold Fog Machines
3. Is there an overtime charge?
4. Can I see a video of one of their performances?
Do you have references I can contact of past clients
5. Are you performing at a bridal showcase where I can see them live?
6. Does the band specialize in a particular type of music?
7. How many musicians do they recommend for the event?
8. Who will act as the emcee?
How will they facilitate my event will they make it personalized. Can I met the
Person emceeing my event. (This will be the person representing you at your
event)
9. Do they have a specific routine or order of events that they recommend for the reception?
Will you Direct the flow of my event and keep things on time and entertaining.
Will you help me plan the flow of my reception
Will you help me with ideas to make my event personalized
10. Can I give them a play list and a “Do Not Play list?”
11. Have they ever worked at my wedding location before?
12. How much time do they need to set up?
13. Do they need access to special electrical outlets?
14. Do they have substitute musicians in case someone gets sick?
15. How much is the deposit I’ll need to give them to hold the date?
16. When is the balance due?
17. How many breaks will the band need? Will they provide live or taped music during their break?
18. Do I need to provide food for the musicians or deejay?
19. Will they take requests from my guests?
20. How many hours of playing are usually included for a wedding?
21. How many genres of music can they play?
22. Will they learn a special song if I ask them to?
23. Will they bring backup equipment?
24. What will they be wearing?
What did they wear to the interview
What will they wear to your event
25. Can they play music for the ceremony and music during the cocktail hour?
26. Do they have a list of recommended songs for the ceremony? For the first dance? For the parents’ dances
27 Will you 100% money back guarantee my satisfaction or money back my event?

PART 5

Determining what your event is worth to you.

How much are typical wedding receptions in your market? Let’s take a look. I’ll list the numbers as I know them; this is for a reception of 125 guests at a medium priced facility, without frills.

Food
How much is food? This varies greatly. For a catered event, about the lowest possible amount you can expect to pay is $12.00 per plate. This is cold cuts, veggies, etc. Realistically, a typical bride should expect to pay $20.00 to $35.00 per plate. $20.00 per plate will get you a very basic chicken and rice entree buffet at a low to medium priced facility. $25.00 per plate is more typical of an average reception at an average facility. You’d be surprised how many people go far beyond that. Let’s use the low price of $20.00 per plate.

125 guests @ 20.00 per plate $2,500
Tax & Gratuity (Not optional) 625

Total $3,125

Note: There are no appetizers listed above. That would typically add another $4.00-$10.00 per person.

Next is photography. Like the DJ business, prices are all over the place, but the average wedding photographer charges $1,500 for a basic package. Some charge double that rate. Again, let’s use an average figure of $1,500.

Photography $1,500
Tax @ 7% 105

Total $1605

Cake

Let’s look at a cake for this group. Again, each cake can vary but a low priced cake will cost about $2.50 per guest. The facility will typically charge at least $1.00 per guest to serve. These figures often go as high as $5.00 per guest for the cake and $3.00 to serve, for a total of $8.00, or $1,000. For this exercise, we will use the combined total of $3.50 per guest.

Cake 125 @ 3.50 437.50
Tax ($250 @7%) 17.50

Total $455

Flowers

Flowers are another area where figures vary greatly. A very low amount is $400, and $3,000 is not uncommon. Let’s use a very low figure of $500.

Flowers $500
Tax @7% 35

Total $535

Bar
Most of the receptions in my area are no host bars. However, most clients still incur costs for sodas, punch, coffee, etc. A hosted bar can run into the thousands. We will take a very low figure of $200 for this exercise.

Bar $200
Tax @7% 14

Total $214

so far, this low cost wedding has spent $5,934. We’re not even close to the end. We still have to add church fees, minister, rings, wedding dress, formal attire, attendant gifts, videography, favors, balloons, limo, cake top, champagne glasses, hall rental, rehearsal dinner, bridesmaid’s dresses, invitations, postage, guest book & pen, marriage license, honeymoon, music for the ceremony, and on and on. We haven’t even gotten to the luxuries yet. What about people who spend hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on ice sculptures, candy bars with your picture on it, matches, napkins, engraved cake knives, butterfly or dove releases, mariachi bands, horse & carriage, etc. And let’s not forget, we still haven’t discussed entertainment.

$15,000 is the average cost of a wedding in Idaho

Best Idaho Weddings is a site where brides can come and get ideas for there weddings.  We strive to be unbiased in our opinions and  to promote true wedding vendors.  We feel true wedding vendors will care about the products and services they provide.  Along with being professional, but have a business licence, liability insurance and be a member of some professional organization.