Why I Still Use CDs

An article in the May 10 NY Times, "In Mobile Age, Sound Quality Takes a Step Back," reminds me of the reason why I still primarily play music from CDs rather than from mp3s.

The article notes that the music stored on computers and iPods is compressed. The amount of data in the original recording is reduced so as to speed up download times and to allow more songs to be stored on the device. Compression "shrinks the size of the files, eliminating some of the sounds and range contained on a CD."

(For example, a typical 4 minute song on a CD requires 40 MB of data. However, an mp3 file of that same song can be less than 4 MB -- containing less than one-tenth of the audio data on the CD. Even a higher quality mp3 of that same song is only about 6 or 7 MB -- still only about one-sixth of the audio data on the CD.)

As the NY Times reports, "compressed music files produce a crackly, tinnier, and thinner sound than music on CDs."

The reason most listeners don't notice the difference is that today's generation most often listens to music through a pair of iPod earbuds or through their computer speakers. These are adequate for that purpose. It's a trade-off between quality on the one hand and portability and convenience on the other.

But play that same compressed mp3 file through a $5,000 professional sound system like I use and, believe me, you CAN hear the difference between that and the original CD!

Not Too Heavy, Not Too Light

Do you recall that recent Bud Light TV commercial titled “The Arrival”?

A guy arrives at a backyard party, waves to no one in particular, and meekly says “hi everybody.” Nobody even notices. “TOO LIGHT,” proclaims the ad. Then the same guy is shown crashing through the back fence in a fire-spewing monster truck. “TOO HEAVY,” for sure. In contrast, we’re told, the beer that’s right for you is “not too heavy, not too light.”

The same standard – neither too heavy nor too light – applies to the DJ who serves as Master of Ceremonies (MC)at a wedding reception.

You don’t want your DJ/MC to come across like a melodramatic ringmaster at a Barnum & Bailey Circus, a cheesy TV game show host, wild and crazy “Morning Zoo” radio jock, or a World Wrestling Foundation announcer. TOO HEAVY.

But neither do you want an DJ/MC who’s a wallflower, inarticulate, soft-spoken, unable to command attention, more comfortable buried in his headphones and staring at his mixer than addressing an audience on the microphone. TOO LIGHT.

What you want and need for a wedding reception is a DJ/MC who knows how to talk on the microphone but also knows when not to; who sounds like a classy, articulate professional; who comes across with just enough (but not too much) positive energy; and who can get your guests’ attention when needed to make announcements but without grabbing the spotlight for himself.

Why Hire a Videographer

If your wedding budget permits, I recommend you hire a professional videographer in addition to a photographer.

Photos are wonderful, but only a video can capture the sounds as well as sights of your wedding day. Your wedding vows as you speak them. The toasts by your friends and family. The grand entrance introductions. The music played as you dance your first dance. 

Don’t just think of how you'll feel when you watch your wedding video in a year or two. Think of how you'll feel when you watch it 25 years from now. And how your children will feel, and even your grandchildren.  Looking at photographs stirs memories, but watching film footage makes the figures in those photos come alive. It's a whole different level of experience.

Sure, you have an uncle with a $300 Canon camcorder who’ll loves to shoot family gatherings. But will he guarantee he’ll get all the special moments? Will he capture good quality sound? Will he be on the job constantly, ready to capture those little details and spontaneous moments that tell the story? Will he edit the raw footage into a truly watchable, emotionally compelling, film? No; probably not; uh-huh; and not-so-much.

Ceremony Music Confusion

There's a saying:  Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups. (That's the polite version!)

Nowhere is this more true in at a wedding than when people make assumptions about when the ceremonial music should start.  The troubles lie in the space between the PRELUDE music and the BRIDAL PARTY PROCESSIONAL.

During that time, various things can happen. Depending on the bride and groom's religious or ethnic custom:

• the officiant might enter (if he's not already at the altar);
• the grandmothers and mothers might be seated (which might involve groomsmen doubling as ushers);
• the groom might enter (if he's not already at the altar);
• the groomsmen might enter before the bridesmaids (rather than being paired with bridesmaids for the processional).

Here's where assumptions are all over the map: WHAT music, if any, is playing during those moments?


Some people assume the prelude music should continue during those moments.

Some people assume there is silence. The prelude music ends, and there's no music until the bridesmaids start walking down the aisle.

Some people assume there is a separate song to be played for one or more of these moments (e.g,. a song for seating of the mothers).

Some people assume that whatever song has been selected for the bridal party processional should start playing during these moments (even though the bridesmaids themselves haven't yet come in).

And the funny thing is, everyone who makes one of these assumptions also assumes that "their" way IS "the way." 

With years of experience as a wedding DJ, and providing music for people of various religions and ethnic backgrounds, I have concluded that the ONLY way to handle this correctly is:  COMMUNICATION, not assumptions.  I talk with the bride and groom in advance, and discuss with them exactly who will be walking down the aisle, and in what order, and what music (if any) should be played in the moments between the end of the prelude music and the processional of the bridesmaids!

Whether you're using a DJ or live musicians for your ceremonial music, I strongly suggest you do the same.

The Importance of Listening

After a recent meeting with a wedding couple, I sent them a draft schedule outlining the things we had decided: the time-line for the reception, the songs selected, the items still pending, and so on.

In reply, I received this email from the bride: "Wow -- you are good! You got the details that I turned to [my fiancé] and mentioned without realizing you were paying such close attention!"

This bride's kind note reveals one of the secrets of a successful wedding DJ. That is: LISTENING to the wedding couple! Not just listening, but listening carefully, heeding not only their overt directions to me but also picking up the little nuances they convey through their banter with each other.

I'll take that one step further. When I meet with my clients, I'm not only listening to what each one is saying, I'm also LOOKING at how the other is reacting.

That way, I can see where they're in agreement -- and where I might need to prod them into further discussion before we finalize things. If the bride is saying "Oh yes, my family loves those line dances" and I see the groom smiling or nodding his head, I know he's OK with that. But if he's raising his eyebrows or rolling his eyes, I know he has a different opinion about the "Electric Slide." In that case,I can facilitate a brief discussion and help them reach a mutual agreement or compromise on the point.

Playing music and making announcements on the day of the wedding is a big part of a wedding DJ's job. But it's the listening and learning beforehand that ensures a wedding tailored to each couple's desires.

Vendors - Don't Be Like The Hookah-Smoking Caterpillar

I haven't seen the latest Hollywood remake of "Alice in Wonderland," but ever since childhood I’ve delighted in Lewis Carroll’s dark fantasy tale of that down-the-rabbit-hole world in which things get, as Alice aptly puts it, “Curiouser and curiouser.”

Remember when poor Alice, disoriented but plucky, meets a Caterpillar sitting atop a mushroom puffing a hookah? She’s hoping for friendly conversation, but the Caterpillar nonplusses her by curtly and haughtily asking: “Who . . . are . . . you?”

When I arrive at a reception site, I greet the other vendors -- site coordinator, banquet manager, photographer -- in a friendly manner. If they respond curtly or brusquely or give me one of those "I can't be bothered" looks, they remind me of that Caterpillar.

My goal is to establish a good working relationship with all the wedding vendors. After all, even though we might not know each other and we work for different companies and have different roles at the reception, we need to work together as a team that night!

Fortunately, the vast majority of vendors “get it.” They appreciate the friendly greeting, the exchange of pleasantries, the sharing of information, the promise of teamwork, and even a bit of camaraderie. But, yes, there are some who give the other vendors that rude “Who . . . are . . . you?” treatment, like that silly, pompous Caterpillar.

"How many songs should we pick?" - Part 3

This is the third and final part of a 3-part article about how many songs you, the wedding couple, should pre-select for the general dancing portion of their reception.

As discussed in part 1 and part 2, my advice is: give your DJ as much GUIDANCE about the dance music as you want but keep your "MUST-PLAY" list to a reasonable length. That means leaving your DJ with considerable discretion to play a variety of music aimed at keeping the dance floor filled.

But what about your very valid concern that if you give the DJ too much discretion, he'll play music you DON'T want to hear?

There's an easy answer to that. In addition to telling the DJ  the music you LIKE, tell him what you DON'T like. In fact, feel free to give him a "Do Not Play" list.

Some clients don't realize they don't have to micromanage the DJ's playlist to avoid songs they absolutely don't want to hear.  If you don't want line dances like the "Electric Slide" played, just tell your DJ. If you want to steer clear of gangsta rap or any hiphop you find offensive, instruct your DJ accordingly. Not a country music fan? Tell your DJ to avoid it. Don't want to hear play "Brown Eyed Girl" because you associate it with an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend? Just put it on your "Do Not Play" list.

Think of it like the food. If you're allergic to peanuts,  you'd just tell the chef to not to use peanuts -- you wouldn't have to specify every ingredient in his recipe.

One final nuance: When compiling your "Do Not Play" list, tell your DJ whether these are to be avoided EVEN IF requested -- or whether they're not to be played UNLESS requested.

You never know what your Aunt Sally or Uncle Bob might come up to your DJ and request; it could be one of those line dances you're not fond of!  After compiling a "Do Not Play" list, go through it a second time and see if you could tolerate any of the songs if a guest asks for them, or whether your DJ should deflect requests for them under any and all circumstances. As your DJ, I will honor your decision either way.

"Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ" - new video on YouTube

Months in the making, and finally up and running: the Good Note DJ YouTube channel. I uploaded the first video yesterday.

It's about three minutes long. The title is "Tips for Hiring a Wedding DJ." Click here to view it on YouTube.

I hope you'll not only watch it but also rate it, leave a comment, and pass it along to others via Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or email -- all accessible directly by clicking on "Share" right below the YouTube video window.

You can also subscribe to the GoodNoteDJ YouTube Channel -- more videos are in the works. Forthcoming topics: "What Can Go Wrong at Your Wedding with the Wrong DJ"; "Ways a DJ Can Personalize Your Wedding Reception"; and "Ideas for Cocktail and Dinner Music at Your Wedding".

I wrote and produced the video. Videography is by Rob Burdette of Thomas Bowen Films. The wonderful opening animated sequence is by my old friend Dick Bangham of RipBang Pictures. Thanks to these consummate professionals for their hard work and creativity.

"How many songs should we pick?" - Part 2

This is part 2 of a 3-part article on the wedding couple's selection of songs played during the general dancing portion of their reception.

Part 1 explained why you should give your DJ as much GUIDANCE about the dance music as you want but keep your "MUST-PLAY" list to a reasonable length.  This part explains why.

If you give your DJ too many “must-play” songs for dancing, your DJ ends up having to “DJ by checklist." Here's what's wrong with DJ'ing by checklist.

• A good DJ plays songs that flow well together, taking into account the tempo, the style, and even how the one song ends and how the next one begins. This helps keep the dance floor filled. If he’s DJ’ing from a checklist, you’ll hear more abrupt transitions between one song and the next, which disrupts the flow of energy on the dance floor.

• A good DJ reads the crowd and adjusts his set lists based on the responses he's getting on the dance floor. DJ’ing from a checklist means reading a piece of paper, not reading the crowd.

• A good DJ tries to fit in some songs requested by your guests right there at the reception. When your parents, your siblings, or your dearest friends go up to the DJ and request a song they really want to dance to, do you really want him to say "No" because his playlist is already set in stone?

• A good DJ, with hundreds of events under his belt, knows all sorts of sure-fire dance music that you, the wedding couple, might not have thought of.  You may know a lot of music, but chances are you don’t know all the musical nooks and crannies your DJ does. Do you really want to pay a DJ to NOT utilize his expertise?

Here are some other things to think about when considering how many "must play" songs to give your DJ for the dancing period.

Sometimes, the most fervent compilers of “must play” lists are guys who are avid listeners but not big dancers. Ladies, do you want your DJ to be playing your hipster husband’s favorite obscure indie bands that he likes to listen to rather than the songs your bridesmaids and girlfriends want to dance to?

Isn’t it fun to have an element of surprise and spontaneity at your reception? If nearly every song during dancing is one you’ve preselected, you’ve eliminated those sparks of surprise and spontaneity.

Your DJ, if he's good at his job, WILL incorporate a LOT of the music you specify but will mix it with other music that seems right for the occasion. If you don’t have confidence in your DJs judgment, or doubt your DJ’s commitment to incorporate your favorites while also satisfying your guests's varied tastes, you should hire a different DJ!

Still not convinced? In part 3 of this series, I’ll reveal a tactic that will greatly increase your confidence in giving your DJ discretion for the dance music while addressing your desire to shape his music selection.

A memorable, snowy wedding!

Saturday, February 6, 2010 set snowfall records in Washington DC. Over two feet. The nation's capital shut down. People called it "Snowmageddon."

Yet, that was the day of my client Barb McCuen and David Jones' wedding -- and the wedding took place. The ceremony at All Souls Unitarian Church on 16th St in NW DC; the reception at St. Francis Hall in NE DC (near Catholic University).

The Sunday Washington Post carried a story about it: "D.C. couple doesn't let blizzard get in the way of wedding."

The Post reporter didn't accompany the guests across town to the reception hall, so she didn't get to see how I rocked the house when the dancing began. But that's okay. The 100 guests who made it had a great time. And yes, I played "(It's a Perfect Day for a) White Wedding".

To beat the snow, the caterer and I dropped off all our equipment a day early. (And we left the equipment there at the end of the night, with plans to pick it up within a few days, when road conditions improved.) Friends of the bride with snow-worthy vehicles helped ferry guests (and me, I might add!) to the reception hall. So many people worked extra hard to meet the challenges posed by the blizzard.

What made it worth it all for me personally was at the end of the night, the bride was so effusive in her thanks, telling me "All I'd ever envisioned and hoped for at my wedding celebration was that everyone would be dancing and having a great time, and you made that happen!"

Kudos to Xhemil and rest of the crew at St. Francis Hall, the incredible folks from Corcoran Caterers, photographer Jesse Kaplan, and friends of the bride Suzanne, Jen, and Darcie who rallied round their friend and coordinated closely with other guests and vendors like me to make sure we all got there.

"How Many Songs Should We Pick?" - Part 1

This is a question I'm often asked by my wedding couples: "How many songs should we pick for the DJ to play?"

A good question. An important question. To answer it, though, we need to clarify two things.

First, how many songs should you pick for what? There are four kinds of music at a wedding: ceremony music, background music (for cocktails and dinner), music for special moments (such as First Dance and Parents Dance), and music for general dancing.

Let's focus on the last category, and so rephrase the question like this: "How many songs should you pick for the general dancing part of the reception?"

Second, what do you mean by "pick"? Do you mean "suggest" or "require?" Because that makes all the difference in the world! Failure to understand the difference can lead to miscommunication between DJ and client -- and to a mismatch between what the DJ is playing and what your guests want to dance to.

In my opinion, you should give your DJ as many suggestions for general dancing as you wish. You can suggest a smattering of songs or hundreds of songs. You can name song titles, artists, eras, genres -- whatever works for you. This gives your DJ a wide array from which to make his selections and work his magic on the dance floor. Or if you want to just give your DJ a few examples and let him take it from there, that's fine, too. So if the question is "How many songs should we suggest for general dancing," the answer is "As many or as few as you'd like!"

On the other hand, you should limit the number of songs you require your DJ to play during general dancing to no more than, say, one-quarter to one-third of the general dancing songs. During a typical hour of dancing, about 17-18 songs will be played. For two hours of general dancing, a common amount, that's about 35 songs. In that case, try to limit your list of "absolute must play" dance songs to about 10 or 12.

Remember, that number does not include the songs you specify for special moments like your First Dance or songs played during the Grand Entrance. Nor does it include songs you specify as background music during cocktails or dinner. We're just talking here about "must play" songs for everyone to dance to.

That being said, if you're my client and you wish to give me a larger number of "must play" songs, I will honor your instructions. After all, it's YOUR wedding. If you hire me and I agree to perform at your wedding, YOU are my boss for that event.

But as I wrote in a prior post, although you're the boss, it's my professional duty to help you be the best boss you can -- so that your wedding turns out great. And my advice is: don't go overboard on the "must play" songs. In my next post, I'll explain WHY I recommend that.

A "9/11" Wedding?

September 11 falls on a Saturday this year, 2010. That's the second time since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon that "9/11" has fallen on a Saturday. The first time was 2004. Nobody in 2004 wanted to get married on 9/11 -- the horrific memories of 2001 were too raw.

Now, it is nine years later. It will be interesting to see if "9/11" is still a date wedding couples avoid. My guess is that most wedding couples still prefer that their anniversary not coincide with a date associated with tragedy. I myself am nearly sold out for Saturdays in September and October 2010, but have had only one inquiry for September 11 so far.

One could argue that it'd be a good thing for Americans to reclaim that date for more positive celebrations. After all, both before and after 2001, there have been and continue to be babies born every year on September 11. WIthin the US population of 300 million, approximately 800,000 people celebrate their birthday on 9/11. And people get married on other "days of infamy" such as Pearl Harbor Day (December 6) or the JFK assasination (November 22).

For wedding couples considering a Saturday wedding in the very popular wedding month of September, September 11 offers you an opportunity to save money. Most wedding vendors charge a premium for the most popular wedding dates -- and Saturdays in September and October are among the highest-demand wedding dates, right up there with Saturdays in May and June. But because of weaker demand,many vendors may offer their services at off-peak rates for Saturday, September 11.

A caveat: If any of your guests had family or friends directly impacted by 9/11/01 (i.e., they or any loved ones were working at the Pentagon or in downtown Manhattan that day), that might mitigate against a 9/11 wedding for you. Otherwise, consider it. You'll find greater venue and vendor availability on that date than on any other Saturday in late summer or early fall, and possibly at a discount.

Dance Floors - One Size Doesn't Fit All

How large should your dance floor be?

The rule of thumb (or should we say, rule of dancing feet) seems to be 4.5 square feet PER DANCER -- which is 9.0 square feet per DANCING COUPLE. (For slow dances, everyone's dancing as a couple, but for faster dancing, you typically have a mix of couples and individual dancers).

Of course, that's only one part of the equation. The other part is how many people are likely to be on the dance floor at any one time. That can vary widely from one event to another, and even from one time to another during the same event. Some of the floor rental companies estimate that, typically, no more than 30% of guests will be on the dance floor at any one time.

So if you expect 150-160 people at your wedding, think of enough space for 50 simultaneous dancers, which is 225 square feet (50 times 4.5), i.e., a 15' by 15' dance floor.

Space permitting, err on the side of a larger dance floor. A tiny dance floor might send a signal to guests that you don't anticipate much dancing. And it's no fun to be bumping into people on an overstuffed dance floor (unless you're going for a "mosh pit" ambiance!) Plus, a larger dance floor is a good way to provide that all-important buffer between the dining tables and the DJ (so that no guests are seated too close to the speaker system). On the other hand, you don't want a dance floor so huge that it looks half-empty even when lots of guests are dancing.

Another tip: all things being equal, go for a larger dance if it's a Jewish wedding, because the large circles formed while dancing the Hora inevitably take up a lot of extra space.

Checking the Lyrics Before Choosing the Song

Before picking songs for special moments like your First Dance, Parents Dance, or Last Dance, pay close attention to the lyrics to make sure they truly suit the moment.

Some songs with cheerful titles and refrains that at first blush seem to convey a positive message are actually about hurtful, unhappy experiences. Nothing wrong with those sorts of songs; many of the greatest songs ever written are sad songs. ... But they aren't the best choice for the spotlight dances at your wedding.

A few months ago, a wedding couple told me they were thinking of U2's "The Sweetest Thing" for their First Dance. Why? Because they were huge U2 fans and when they thought of that song, what came to mind was the refrain "Ain't love the sweetest thing." But I recalled the song had a darker side, and sure enough, upon closer listening, that song catalogs all the ways an unhappy lover has been mistreated by his mate, with the line about love's sweetness meant sarcastically. Not a good First Dance choice, as my client soon agreed.

Another song sometimes misconstrued is James Blunts' mega-hit "You're Beautiful." Sure, he sings very nicely and longingly about a beautiful woman, but it's a song about unrequited love. He's longing for a woman he realizes he'll never be with; in fact, he'll never even see again. A haunting lyric, a nice ballad, but not a song to signify wedded bliss, to say the least.

Thinking of the Green Day song with the refrain "I hope you had the time of your life" for your Last Dance? Well, think again. I love that song, but it's full title is "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)"; and it's really a cold brush-off song about the end of an affair. (On the other hand, the somewhat similarly titled "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack IS a good choice for your Last Dance, its lyrics conveying lovely emotions.)

Sometimes, a song's lyrics can be TOO positive for the occasion. You don't want the father-daughter song to be overtly passionate or romantic. A couple of years ago, a Latin American bride sought my assistance in picking a song by her father's favorite singer, Julio Iglesias, but we ended up ruling out her initial choice because, after I obtained an English translation of the Spanish lyrics, it was apparent they were too sensual if not downright sexual.

Speaking of the father-daughter dance, I'm surprised to see Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father" suggested on some wedding music lists. Now, that song is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful, moving songs ever written about parent-child relations, but the song is about a deceased father (in fact, he wrote it as a tribute to his own Dad, who passed away when Luther was only eight years old).

Take a moment to examine the lyrics before you finalize your choices for your special dances, to make sure the song's message is the right one for those memorable moments. If you don't recall the words, a quick Google search of the song's title plus the word "lyrics" will bring them up.

Money to Plant Trees and to Grow Music

Today, I'm pleased to announce Good Note DJ's new commitment to charitable contributions.

For each new wedding in 2010 and beyond, I will honor the newlywed couple by donating money to one of my favorite causes. My wedding couples will choose between a donation in their honor to:

• AMERICAN FORESTS (America’s oldest nature conservation organization), where each dollar helps the environment by planting trees in forests and urban areas; or
  
  
• HUNGRY FOR MUSIC (a grassroots volunteer-driven charity), where each dollar helps spread the joys of music while enriching the lives of underprivileged children by providing them musical instruments and music workshops.

Helping our earthly environment with trees and helping disadvantaged people with music and creativity -– what wonderful ways to celebrate a married couple's beginning their new life together!


More info on these groups:

AMERICAN FORESTS
Founded in 1875, American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. Currently, its primary campaigns are "Tree-Planting for Environmental Restoration" and "Reversing the National Urban Tree Deficit," which encourage people to improve rural, suburban, and urban ecosystems by planting and caring for trees that provide important environmental and economic benefits including pure water, clean air, and wildlife habitat. Every dollar donated to one of American Forests’ projects goes directly to plant a tree in a forest or urban environment.

HUNGRY FOR MUSIC
Hungry For Music is a grassroots volunteer-driven 501 (c)(3) charity organization whose mission is to inspire underprivileged children and others by bringing positive musical and creative experiences into their lives. Since 1994, Hungry for Music has brought the healing quality of music to thousands of people through its musical instrument donations, concerts, and workshops. Executive Director Jeff Campbell states: “Hungry for Music’s purpose is to embrace the positive qualities of music: its ability to create community, to express a talent, to unify various races, and most importantly to heal.” Among other things, it provides musical instruments to individuals, schools, and community music programs who cannot afford them, and presents music concerts and workshops in settings such as hospitals, homeless shelters, schools in low-income areas, and community centers.

Happy Birthday, Elvis

Today, January 8, 2010, would have been Elvis Presley's 75th birthday.

Some folks nowadays consider Elvis nothing but a bit of American kitsch. They couldn't be more wrong.

Simply put, in his day, Elvis was the king of rock'n'roll.

The lyrics to one of his songs says it best:

A poor man wants the oyster
A rich man wants the pearl
But the man who can sing when he hasn't got a thing
He's the king of the whole wide world

Come on let's sing, sing brother sing
'Cause the man who can sing when he hasn't got a thing
He's the king of the whole wide world

Fashion & Style Trends - What's Up with "What's Hot"?

I will preface this post by confessing that what I don't know about fashion could fill a book, much less a blog post. Still, I'll venture into that territory here.

I am bemused by all the wedding industry websites, magazines, blogs, tweets, and advertisements that   showcase what they claim are the latest "hot" trends in bridal fashion and wedding styles. In the guise of  being helpful to brides, they strike me as cajoling brides into playing follow the fashion leader. I admit to reacting coolly to lists of what's hot.

If you, the bride, are a Hollywood star or a wealthy socialite or if you work in the fashion industry, or even if it is just your personal preference to be on the stylistic cutting edge, then I can see why you'd need to be very conscious of the so-called "hot" trends. But if you're not,  my advice is:  when it comes to your wedding attire and to the stylistic flourishes at your wedding, don't worry about what's "hot" or what's "in."  Concern yourself with what's "you."

For example, each year the Color Marketing Group determines future color trends. It's fun to be aware of those, and believe me, you WILL see those CMG hues everywhere (they not only predict the future, they make their predictions come true).

But when it comes to your wedding, why not just pick YOUR favorite colors? It's your life, your wedding, your marriage. You're not doing a fashion shoot for next month's issue of Vogue; you're celebrating your union with the love of your life. Consider consulting with a fashion expert to help you determine how to put your colors together -- e.g., what colors go well with, or nicely contrast with, you favorite.  But base your personal palette on your favorite color, not one dictated from above.

I chuckle when I see wedding experts pronounce that some "retro" or "vintage" style is now "the hot trend for 2010."  I love retro or vintage looks. I enjoy looking at photos of retro or vintage weddings.  But my point is, if you like the retro style or look of some vintage period, go with it. Don't worry about whether TheKnot.com or bridal magazines have pronounced that era to be "hot" in 2010.

So look through all the bridal magazines and wedding websites you want, for ideas of colors, fashions, decor, and stylist flourishes, and seek advice from the experts. Just take those breathless pronouncements of the "hot trends" with a good, old-fashioned grain of salt. Good taste never goes out of style. Your dreams never go out of style.  Your wedding should be about you, not about the fashion flash de jour.