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Ask the Experts

5 Approaches for a Classy Frederick Cocktail Hour| Ask the Experts | MyDeejay

Photos by Douglas Via

Five Approaches to Welcoming Your Guests With Music

Words by Jennifer Reitmeyer, president of MyDeejay

The cocktail hour at your wedding reception serves to welcome guests to celebrate with you, and the right soundtrack is key to setting the mood for the kind of party you intend to have. Years ago, cocktail hour music was kind of a throwaway, with couples directing their DJ or band to just play “background” music. (Conducive to conversation, perhaps, but also utterly unmemorable and with no personal style whatsoever.) I always advise our clients to work with their DJ to craft a cocktail hour that really reflects their tastes and allows guests to mix and mingle in a fun, upbeat way.

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Cocktail hour music can be approached in all kinds of ways. Here are five styles you may want to consider for your guests’ first musical impression at your reception:

Timeless Classics: As everyone probably knows, jazz and vocals are among the most traditional music choices for cocktail hour. Of course your grandparents will love you for kicking off your party with songs they recognize, but everyone else will appreciate the romanticism, too. After all, these songs have stuck around for a reason! Consider artists such as Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone and Nat King Cole.

Same Old Song (Now with a New Sound): For a playlist that appeals to guests of all ages, why not consider contemporary covers of classic love songs? Older guests will know the words and melody, while younger guests will appreciate the fresh take and modern production value. Some fun covers include Jamie Cullum’s “I Get a Kick Out of You,” Cat Power’s “Sea of Love,” Norah Jones’ “Love Me Tender,” Ellie Goulding’s “Your Song,” Madeleine Peyroux’s “Dance Me to the End of Love,” and Ingrid Michaelson’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.”

No Ordinary Oldies: Motown songs and other oldies are great for kicking off the dancing portion of the reception, but they can also create a fun, upbeat atmosphere for your cocktail hour. Who wouldn’t smile at hearing songs such as Sam Cooke’s “Cupid,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her,” Otis Redding’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is,” and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”?

Modern Love: Most couples want to incorporate music into their wedding that is personally significant. However, unless the songs have a fast tempo and are recognizable to the majority of the guests, they won’t be hits on the dance floor, which is what makes the cocktail hour the perfect time to get creative. Some contemporary songs to consider for this romantic hour are John Legend’s “All of Me,” Cake’s “Love You Madly,” Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights,” The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” and any of the fun, whimsical tracks from the Nouvelle Vague collective, such as their cover of Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough.”

Notes on a Theme: If your wedding is centered on a fun theme, the cocktail hour can be a great opportunity to further express it. Classic and glamorous weddings may choose to incorporate Rat Pack artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Meanwhile, outdoor summer weddings might choose to include Dave Matthews Band, Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett.

Whatever cocktail music you select, make sure it reflects your individuality and includes songs you love (almost) as much as you love each other!

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Ask the Experts

Best Ways to Get 'Glam' For Your Frederick Wedding | Ask the Experts

Photos by Melissa Barrick

Glam Squad 101: Your guide to finding the best fit for the big day

Flawless hair and makeup is the finishing touch to your bridal look — and no real “recipe” for bridal bliss is complete without it. For worry-free beauty on one of the most memorable (and quite possibly, most stressful) days of your life, it’s wise to leave the task of making hair and makeup magic to the professionals. And a glam squad is just what the wedding planner ordered!

Master makeup artist, bride-to-be, and owner of JK Winn & Company, Jordan Winn, gave us the skinny on glam squads to help you find the best fit for your big day.

What exactly is a glam squad, and how is it different from a regular hair stylist or makeup artist?

A Glam squad is a group of stylists who work together regularly. They all know each other’s strengths and can provide flawless beauty services within a swift and effective timeline. They know how to make sure the chaos and pressure do not affect anyone’s mood. They are used to being on-the-go, so they are excellent at setting up in small areas, have an exquisite kit of goodies, and work with the space provided. Glam squads that specialize in wedding beauty understand that a wedding day beauty stylist is more than just someone who does your hair and makeup.

glam_0004 photo by Anna Kerns

As I narrow down my search for the perfect glam squad, how important is it for me to see a company’s portfolio, and what should I be looking for?

Very important! Look for a variety of different tones, types, looks, hair color, skin color, etc., in the portfolio. More importantly, look for someone who resembles you and don’t hesitate to ask for more examples. There are only so many spaces on a websites for images. Check out social media and such so you can see behind the scenes and other current looks they are providing clients. An active social media presence is a good sign that the squad is active and passionate about showcasing their work.

Should a reputable glam squad offer to do a trial run with me before my wedding?

Yes, and that trial should be with the exact artist that you would be working with on your big day. It will most likely bring your artist and you closer, help her understand your vision, and cut down on anxiety. Also, you can use the trial run as an excuse to get all glammed up and do something fun such as a boudoir shoot or a fancy dinner out with the fiancé!

photo by Pearl Grain

What should I bring to my glam squad consultation to ensure they will be able to turn my hair and makeup dreams into reality?

Bring all of your pictures and Pinterest pins, your veil and hair accessories, and a picture of your dress. Additionally, wear a shirt similar to the color of your dress and with a neckline similar to your dress so that you can get a good idea of how everything will look. Ideas of what you truly dislike are also very helpful.

Should I wash my hair before my trial? And what about moisturizer? To wear or not to wear?

This may sound crazy, but YES for facial moisturizer and NO for hair washing! Hair is best one day old. Wash your hair the morning of the day before your trial. Only put a little product in it — or none at all if at all possible. Blow dry it or air dry (whatever is normal for you), but do not flat iron hair! It will “steam” the hair shut, and make it impossible for it to receive any more heat styling, and this could affect your final result tremendously.

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photos by Matoli Keely

What are some key things I should be able to accomplish from my bridal hair and makeup trial?

A successful trial will give you:

An overall look for the wedding day with some variations
A chance to try different lip colors
An opportunity to decide on and finalize hair accessories, (with or without veil, etc.)
A connection with your artist (this is very important) and an opportunity to establish comfortable communication with her
A chance to go over day-of scheduling

What will a reliable glam squad do in case one of their artists is ill or otherwise unable to make it to my wedding?

There should be some clear clause in your contract that outlines what would happen in the event of an artist being unable to make it to your wedding. It should outline if there would be a replacement artist or not, and should state whether you would get a refund of any kind should this happen. If this clause does not exist in the contract, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts | 3 Reasons to Include Your Photographer During the Planning Phase

3 Reasons to Include Your Photographer During the Planning Phase

Photo and words by Jenna Shriver Photography

Planning ahead can truly make or break your wedding day experience. And the one crucial person to include in the planning process (other than your future spouse, of course!) is your photographer. If you do, you will ensure the following:

1. You will get images of all the major events you want captured. When you and your photographer work together to plan your wedding day timeline, she can advise you on the best time of day to plan for your most anticipated photos, in your location of choice. Maybe you’re getting married at a beautiful Frederick countryside venue and “the shot” you want is of you and your new spouse with the Catoctin Mountains in the background. The best way to ensure you will get this image is to communicate with your photographer. She can figure out sunset time on that day so that lighting will be at its absolute best. If you include your photographer in the timeline planning, she can tell you how to make sure she’s there for the important photos you want, such as your planned grand exit. Many couples forget to factor in travel time from the ceremony to the reception location, which often cuts your bridal party portrait taking time short. Your photographer can offer suggestions so this won’t happen.

2. You and your photos will benefit from optimal lighting situations. For outdoor ceremonies, most photographers would advise couples not to plan the ceremony mid-day (when the sun is at its highest and brightest) or after dark (of course). The sun can cast extremely harsh shadows on your face mid-day, and no matter how much Photoshop prowess your photographer has, the images will not be their best. After dark, your photographer will need to use flash to light the subjects in photos. If you love natural light images with little to no artificial lighting, then this scenario is not ideal. Regardless, if you communicate your timeline well with your photographer, he or she will be able to bring any additional equipment needed to capture your day.

3. The day will run smoothly when all vendors know each other and are working together. Have you hired a wedding planner or day-of coordinator? If so, encourage your planner and photographer to chat before the wedding day. It may even be a good idea to plan an in-person meeting if possible. If your coordinator works for your venue, then he can educate your photographer ahead of time on venue policies and share his knowledge of the venue. If you don’t have a planner or day-of coordinator, then your photographer can be your best ally in helping your day to stay on track by allowing him to communicate with the DJ or band, and other vendors so the day will be stress-free for you.

Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts: Beyond the 'Highlight Reel Days'

by Jenna Shriver, of Jenna Shriver Photography

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, it seems like the perfect opportunity to talk about love and relationships! On holidays and special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and most notably, on our wedding day, that we celebrate love and those we love.

But what about the hundreds of normal days before, in between and after? Isn’t it in those regular days that true love is shown, experienced and most needed?

What I want for us all is to prepare for and invest in those regular days that make up our lives. For us to go beyond just that one “special” day in the highlight reel of our lives.

As a wedding and portrait photographer, a wife, and a mother, I am extremely passionate about encouraging others to continually commit to building their relationships before and after the wedding day. Your venue, food, floral arrangements, decorations and even your photographer are an important part of your wedding day that help to celebrate your love; but they all pale in comparison to the love of your spouse in the difficult times in life.

If you want your love to be strong, it takes a deeper commitment beyond just choosing the perfect linens and getting the most creative bridal portraits! My advice to couples who are preparing for their wedding day, or even those who have been married for a decade, is to invest in your relationship with each other.

Please know that will look different for each couple.

For my husband and I, before we were married, it meant that we made absolutely sure that we shared the same foundation on things that matter to us. We share the same faith, dreams for the future, plans for parenting our children and managing finances, among other very important foundational decisions.

Through three years of marriage, we have not always seen eye to eye, but we still share the same foundation. While we were engaged and planning our wedding we took the time to attend marriage preparation classes together through the Marriage and Relationship Education Center in Westminster, Md., as well as some with our pastor.

They prompted us to talk about unfamiliar things that we had not faced since we weren’t yet married. They also helped teach us how we give and receive love so that we could better understand how we were trying to communicate our love to each other.

We learned how important it is to take time to do what fills us up individually so that we can be more fulfilled for each other. It means that we continue to come back to reevaluate that we are growing together and making decisions in unity.

I also strive to know and love my husband better today than I did yesterday. I want to look back on our wedding day as one of the days of our lives that I loved him least because, for me, that will be the reward of a loving marriage.

One of our goals this year is to make more time for date nights as well as time to just rest. That can be very difficult to do while raising young children and with both of us working jobs with odd hours. But I believe that our son deserves parents that are not just happily married, but also fulfilled in their relationship. We should be best friends who are loving life together, even on the difficult and regular days.

I encourage you to seek out counseling or classes as you prepare for your wedding day. Attend a retreat or conference or go on a vacation to help you reconnect or deepen your relationship with your spouse if you’re already married. It is so worth the investment of time and resources into your relationship!

It helps both you and the person that you love to ensure the days before, in between, and after your “highlight reel” days are just as joyful and fulfilling.

Jenna Shriver is a wedding and portrait photographer with a natural and timeless style serving Maryland and surrounding areas. She’s passionate about her marriage, family, faith and creating beautiful images that stand the test of time. Find her at jennashriverphotography.com or on her blog at jennashriver.com.