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I have had so many great engagements at the Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer – and I always tell my family how nice it is. So imagine my surprise when my favorite people in the whole world came to visit!

My client & the Carnegie staff both have known Sara & Wes from when they were born & were very gracious, & surprised at how big they had gotten – though I’d like to keep them 5 & 6 for a little while longer! 🙂

And my daughter, Sara, wanted to hear her favorite song – “Sara Smile”

Happy days… Here’s to family! – john

John Parker at Carnegie Museum with Sara & Wes

Next time you think maybe, just maybe, YOUR wedding cake is too much – too big, too expensive, too fancy, WHATEVER… Rest Assured YOUR cake has nothing on these!!! Check these out!! – yea they are outrageous, but just maybe you’ll find some real inspiration among these truly “masterpiece” wedding cakes!

Every so often there is something that, when I see it, I think “now I’ve seen it all” – but these “take the cake” 🙂

Stonebridge Golf & Country Club Boca Raton – what a SPECTACULAR VENUE for a Wedding! – This is NOT your Grandfather’s Country Club!

Visit their website: http://www.stonebridgefl.com/

I was struck with the architecture, decor, the cool stage LED lighting, in-house linens & especially the hospitality of the management & staff.  SO much is “included”.   If you are looking for a unique country club setting that is impressive,  elegant & brings a LOT of value in Boca – this club should be on your list!

I took a few pics with my phone – note, the piano gets moved which leaves plenty of room for my band! 🙂

TIME FOR TOASTS – WHO TOASTS WHO? WHY? – WELCOME TO THE WEDDING !

Wondering about toasts? Well here is some info that might help: Generally, the host speaks first. Often that is the father of the bride, sometimes the bride & groom, & occasionally all parental entities. This happens usually early in the reception – preceded typically only by the first dance & possibly the cutting of the cake. In the most traditional setting, the father of bride welcomes his new son in law to the family, talks about his daughter, and welcomes the guests from all the places from which they’ve traveled..

If it is the Father of the Bride that has spoken, then sometimes, the groom then responds. He thanks his father in law for the kind words and often then thanks his parents for their making him marriage material. He (if he’s smart) often then thanks his bride for marrying him and he (again if smart) toasts the bridesmaids as well. I’d say I see the groom toasting in this way in only about 15-20% of weddings.

Next typically is the best man, and/or the Maid/Matron of Honor. Sometimes there are more of each of these. In this toast, the best man or maid of honor will, besides toasting the bride & groom, often attempt to entertain the guests, being funny and emotional all at the same time. Often times the best man is entertaining even when not particularly funny, so all in all a definite highlight in the scheme of any “toast-a-rama”. Though often I like to say “ladies before gentlemen” – personally I have found the biggest consideration might be who speaks the best. If one speaker is a natural & is going to blow the others away with their elegant or hilarious speaking skills… Do the rest a favor & save them for last! Likewise those who might be timid or have trouble forming complete sentences might be placed first.

STAGE FRIGHT: Sometimes a family member or friend may be too shy or otherwise unable to speak – we, in this case, have often been asked & are happy to read prepared remarks or toasts when the person expressing the are too shy or emotional to do it otherwise.

Others guests may want to toast after the bridal party has made their toasts. Brides & Grooms may be ok with a little, a lot, or none of this. This really depends on the wedding reception and how things are going.

Regardless of who’s toasting, sometimes you can just tell that it’s time to end the toasts and move on to something else. Groans, yawns, or sometimes outright snoring & especially objects being hurled at the speaker are solid indicators that it might be time to wrap it up.

We once had a father of the bride toast for almost a full hour. I’m just leaving that out there, figuring no further comment is probably needed.

MULTIPLE SLICE TOASTER:

So, here’s a wrap up of most common toasting choices:

• The father (or parents) of the bride

• The father (or parents) of the groom

• The best man toasts the bride & groom.

• The maid (or matron) of honor toasts the bride & groom.

• The bride toasts the groom

• The groom toasts the bride

• Other people toast

• the chef toasts the bread

Lastly – there are millions of pre-written toasts on the internet. Don’t even think about it. For inspiration it’s one thing. But use your own words. People will appreciate your sincerity more than anything else.

Here’s to the Bride & Groom! 🙂

I have been to so many weddings it seems like I might know a thing or two about them.

Yet still I was reluctant to blog.  Who would want to read about the weddings I had done or our thoughts about weddings generally?

But rather than continuing to ask “Why would someone want to hear about it…?”    – finally I have decided, ”Why the heck not?”  And here I am.   For better or worse.  (wow, that’s bad)

Welcome!  – john