As you may or may not have noticed, much of what I blog about here at www.TheDJservice.com/blog ends up being a lot of cool ideas for those who are in the midst of planning weddings. The reason wedding advice ends up, quite often, being a large portion of the content is that I end up DJ’ing one or two weddings a week, and the events become easy content for my DJ blog. It is a no brainer. If you have been following my blog, you know that I like thematic weddings the best.
A stock pile of pirate goodies
Anyhow, I just wanted to let the readers know that I practice what I preach; Theme Weddings are one of the best ways to really make your wedding memorable. Therefore, my wedding will be loaded with PIRATES.
About a year ago, I wrote a blog about how I would plan a “pirate wedding.” The way I write my wedding theme blogs are I either go to a wedding that has an awesome theme and absolutely have to share what I saw, or I do a bunch of research up on an idea and write.
Pirate Theme Wedding Centerpiece
In the case of my researched pirate blog, I had gone to my nephew’s birthday party which had a pirate theme, due to his love of The Pirates of The Carribean movie franchise. Then I got to thinking how it would be interesting to take some of the fun birthday party ideas and transform them into a bigger wedding that afforded a bigger budget to the theme.
Before posting the finished draft of the blog, my fiancee read it and told me I shouldn’t put it out there for everyone to read.
“Why?” I asked. “Is it not realistic? Do you think nobody will want to do it?”
“No. No. Not at all,” she replied. “I don’t want anyone stealing it, because I want it for our wedding.”
A woman into the idea of a pirate theme?! This is why I am marrying her!
Anyhow, we have had an absolute blast planning for our own special day.
Here are some shots of the best man, or first mate, Marty Carbone and myself, sporting the costumes that didn’t quite make the cut:
First Mate Marty Carbone – Best ManThe DJ Kenny Casanova Pirate Wedding Extravaganza – one costume that didn’t quite make the cut.
WEDDING THEME IDEAS – A list of different themes to pick from to liven your wedding or event
As a wedding DJ, I have seen a lot of traditional weddings. I have noticed, however, that something makes it hard for me to remember which wedding was which. If you have attended a lot of weddings yourself, did you ever notice that later on they all seem to blend together in your memory?
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT- If you really want your special day to be different and memorable, you have to take a risk and break the norm. Think about it, the traditional wedding with tuxedos and the big white dress and the huge cake is a theme now, in itself. But everyone does the traditional wedding thing, or at least some elements of it. So, do you want to stand out and have your wedding really be remembered? Do you dare to be different? There are many many ways to make your wedding stand out and be different from the rest. One sure way to do that is to add a fun theme to your special day.
PICK A THEME AND CREATE A REAL MEMORY!
KEEPING THE CLASS – Don’t get me wrong. You can keep traditions, but tradition doesn’t have to happen to the point of nausea, anymore. Keep the ceremony sacred, keep the white dress, and keep whatever you want from the traditional guidelines. But remember, guidelines are just that… GUIDELINES. When you add a theme to your wedding, the whole game changes, but you can still make it fancy and elegant, and not just a theme party.
When I got married, my wife kept the white dress so it still felt like a wedding, but the groomsmen rented high-end pirate costumes, rather than tuxes. Since it was a pirate theme, we chose to go for the movie prop look, rather than the easy cartoon-like party decorations that you could get just anywhere. That way, the pirate feel was authentic and not just a silly halloween party.
LIST OF WEDDING / PARTY THEME OPTIONS WITH “HOW-TO” HYPERLINKS FOR MORE INFO:
(A few wedding theme options on the above list are hyperlinks. For more wedding theme ideas, check out our other blogs at www.thedjservice.com/blog )
A Star Wars Wedding is just one of the many themes you could pick!
THEMES REALLY CREATE PARTICIPATION – Adding a fun theme where people actually dress the role or can participate in some fun and different way, makes everyone feel connected. Everything is united under one common idea. This idea fosters creativity and participation at the sime time. People come together and want to help you plan and even decorate. And brides, I have even noticed that when an interesting theme has been added, creative grooms buy into the planning even more. (See my not-yet written future blog here: My Pirate Wedding)
We have become one of the area’s number one choices for theme weddings when selecting a disc jockey. With my past experience in the entertainment field, as well as being a fiction writer, it only makes sense that my creative side does well with theme weddings as a DJ.
An Irish theme wedding is a perfect way to make your wedding stick out and be memorable to all the guests attending. It additionally celebrates your heritage and Irish culture, and is a great way to start your marriage.
There are many things you can incorporate into your special day. Irish traditions can be fused into your decor, ceremony, clothing, food and also reception activities.
First off, the look of the reception hall is everything. When you purchase decorations, it s easy to go with anything Saint Patrick’s day, but I would stay away from the over-the-top cartoony stuff. You can get away with some of it, perhaps at the reception, if you absolutely want to go with leprechans and pots of gold, but you really shouldn’t have them at the ceremony. Those type of decorations can make your wedding look cheap.
CELTIC WEDDING TRADITIONS
The traditional Irish Wedding Bell – A hand held “Irish Wedding bell” is sounded by the new husband immediately after the ceremony. Decoration-wise for a modern Irish wedding, small bells can be distributed as favors to your guests. These are nice keepsakes, as they replicate the symbolic Irish Wedding Bell rung at the couple’s ceremony. Guests are encouraged to ring them upon departure from the church after the ceremony, much we throw rice here in the states, or blow bubbles.
The ceremony bell is not forgotten and left behind at the ceremony as a decoration, however, with the flowers. It accompanies the new couple to their home as a momento of their vows. In fact, whenever there is an argument, it is supposed to be rung to remind the couple of their wedding vows. (ONE DOWNFALL – Everyone knows when Mr. & Mrs. O’Reilly are arguing. They sounds like the Salvation Army by Walmart at Christmas time.)
Irish Shotgun Wedding /Add Gun Fire! – If you really want to start your married life out wth a bang, another Celtic tradition is for rifles to be fired to announce that the couple have been declared now, “man and wife.”
A Horseshoe Bouquet- The bride’s bundle of flowers can hold a horseshoe inside it, to bring the couple good luck as tradition. (Just make sure to remove it before the flower toss, as getting hit with one brings bad luck and a hefty hospital bill.) A twist on this tradition is that some women also sew a tiny cute horseshoe into the hem of their wedding dress in Irish weddings.
CLOTHING OPTIONS FOR AN IRISH THEME WEDDING
The Harvest Knot – Many years ago, the men of Ireland gave their brides-to-be an accessory called harvest knots which were weavings of straw. Usually, a Harvest Knot is trimmed with flowers and worn in their hair or around your neck. You can put a harvest knot also in the flower bouquet along with the lucky horseshoe to symbolize Irish pride.
Add Irish Flare – Okay. Okay. I know this sounds cheesy, but as a twist on the Horseshoe Bridal Bouquet above, some women also sew a tiny cute horseshoe onto the hem of their wedding dress for Irish weddings. Try it! It is like bedazzling for your future good fortune!
Adding Irish Lace – A great way add Irish to your wedding attire is to mix in some Irish lace. Authentic Irish Lace is always loaded with intricate patterns and great quality. You can add lace to the veil to really bring the Irish out.IRISH FOOD OPTIONS
The Dinner – The way that the wedding guests would feast in celebration, back in old Ireland was to have a potluck meal hosted at the bride’s family’s house. Traditional Irish dishes include coddle, stew soda, Irish bread, and of course everyone loves cornbeef and cabbage.
The Wedding Cake – The Irish wedding cake is typically a heavy fruit cake with white icing. Tradition says that one of the bride’s sisters or bridesmaids is actually the one to cut and serve it. But they location of the actual cut is the strangest part of this cake cutting custom. Tradition actually has the bride seated while the groomsmen held the cake over her head while her sister or best friend cut it.
Use A Real Bagpiper.
MUSIC OPTIONS WITH CELTIC APPEAL & THE MUST-HAVE IRISH PLAYLIST
Irish Bag Pipes – Rock out at your ceremony or for your introduction into the reception hall with the belting melody of the Irish pipes. Although bagpipes have Celtic roots, they are often today played by the Scottish. However, with a little research, you can find a real Irish uillean piper play at your wedding.
Celtic music can be played wherever appropriate during the ceremony and reception, as there are many varieties. I particularly recommend Celtic harp music for the ceremony for the atmosphere it sets. There are many CDs on Amazon, if you are not having a live band or musician.
Reception Dancing – Learn and perform a real Irish jig to traditional Irish music at the reception. The actual steps of Irish folkdances are called ceilidh.
Here is a good playlist of must hear Irish songs for your wedding reception:
Andres Segovia – Henry Purcell
A 12 Year Old Irish Girl In All Of Us – Flogging Molly
A Walk in Irish Rain – Irish Descendants
Ave Maria (Schubert) – The Irish Tenors
Barrett’s Privateers – Irish Descendants
Black Velvet Band – Irish Rovers
Catch The Wind (Folk) – Irish Descendants
Come on Eileen Dexie’s – Midnight Runners
Danny Boy – The Irish Tenors
Dublin in the Rare Old Times – Three Irish Tenors Farewell To Nova Scotia – Irish Rovers
Give Ireland Back To The Irish – Paul McCartney
Haste to The Wedding (Celtic) – The Corrs
I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen – Three Irish Tenors
Irish Heartbeat – Van Morrison & The Chieftans
Irish Jig – Various Artists
Irish Medley – Dixie Chicks
Jump Around – House of Pain
Mother Machree – John Gary
Old Irish Blessing – Sprague Choir
Peg O My Heart – Jerry Vale
Riverdance Soundtrack – Irish Diddy
Shipping Off To Boston – Dropkick Murphies
The Biplane Evermore – Irish Rovers
The Irish Washerwoman – Celtic Bagpipes
Tim Finnegan’s Wake – Celtic Connection
Toora-Loora-Looral Three – Irish Tenors
Traditional Irish Folk Song – Dennis Leary
Unicorn – Irish Rovers
Waltzing Matilda – The Irish Rovers
Wasn’t that a party – Irish Rovers
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Bing Crosby
Wild Irish Rose – Country George Jones
At This Willy Wonka Theme Birthday Party - Character Photo Opps Were Available!
First off, let me say my sister is nuts! So, when she recently called me and asked if I could draw an Oompa Loompa without a face on a foam board, it didn’t seem like an unusual request from her. I completed the task with ease. Little did I know that she was planning a ridiculously huge theme party for her two kids’ birthdays: WILLY WONKA STYLE!
Willy Wonka? You mean the creepy chocolate guy? That’s right, and it was a huge success!
Below is a valuable link to planning tips for her recent Wonka Birthday party that she threw for her kids – complete with invitations, Wonka Bars, the Contract, Games, Party Supplies, Coloring Pages, Cakes, Pictures, Music, Soundtracks, Golden Tickets, Lickable Wallpaper, Trivia, Wonka Decorations, Thank You Notes, Prizes, Pinatas, Wonka Candy of all kinds. You name it, and it is here!
Rather than to try and write up everything I saw, here is some of what my sister, Kathy Bechand, wrote up about it – with photos:
Over the past weekend, I did a really fun 80’s theme wedding where the guests actually dressed up to go along with the décor. It was really a blast! People dressed punky as early Madonna, sunglassed and pantless as Tom Cruise in Risky Business, and even as the zombie Michael Jackson!
Having a theme-based wedding reception, or get together can really make things more fun for your next big party or event, too. This campy decade saw the rise of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, and the King of Pop Michael Jackson thanks to the early music video-playing channel, MTV. If you choose to go this route, remember to word your invitations in exactly the same way, and tell everyone to come dressed as their favorite 80’s star. The pictures will be priceless!
MY 80’s TOP 10 LIST TO PLAY AT YOUR WEDDING
Out of the countless weddings I have been the DJ for, I have found that these 10 80s songs seem to get the best response from the guests:
Matthew Wilder, Super Mario Body Double
1. Journey – Don’t Stop Believing
2. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
3. Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
4. Outfield – Your Love
5. Matthew Wilder – Break My Stride
6. The Police – Roxanne
7. Prince – Kiss
8. Technotronic – Pump Up The Jam
9. Salt N Peppa – Push It
10. Run DMC – It’s Tricky
Music Videos and television shows lead to the fashion industry, pushing black and white lace for the girls, a la The Material Girl, or pastel colored jackets with T-shirts or skinny ties, with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow for the guys like the guys from Duran Duran and Miami Vice.
Make sure to have plenty of jelly bracelets, fishnet gloves and punk wigs for those guests who will not be dressed appropriately. Quite often people will not want to dress up and look “silly,” but then wish they did after they see all the fun the other guests are having, once they get there.
80’s TOP 100 MUSIC LIST
According to VH1, a station that still plays some actual music videos (albeit early in the morning0, these are the top 100 80’s songs that you just, like totally have to play!
1. Bon Jovi / “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
2. Def Leppard / “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (1987)
3. Duran Duran / “Hungry Like the Wolf” (1982)
4. Michael Jackson / “Billie Jean” (1982)
5. Prince / “When Doves Cry” (1984)
6. Hall & Oates / “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” (1981)
7. Guns N’ Roses / Sweet Child O’ Mine (1987)
8. Madonna / “Like a Virgin” (1984)
9. Run-D.M.C. / “Walk This Way” (1986)
10. AC/DC / “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
11. Journey / Don’t Stop Believing (1981)
12. Whitney Houston / “How Will I Know” (1985)
13. U2 / “With Or Without You” (1987)
14. The Bangles / “Walk Like an Egyptian” (1986)
15. Van Halen / “Jump” (1984)
16. INXS / “Need You Tonight” (1987)
17. Whitesnake / “Here I Go Again” (1982)
18. Dexy’s Midnight Runners / “Come On Eileen” (1982)
19. Cyndi Lauper / “Time After Time” (1984) 20. Rick Springfield / “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
21. Michael Jackson / “Beat It” (1982)
22. The Cure / “Just Like Heaven” (1987)
23. Cyndi Lauper / “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1984)
24. A-Ha / “Take On Me” (1985)
25. Go-Go’s / “Our Lips Are Sealed” (1981)
26. Guns N’ Roses / “Welcome to the Jungle” (1987)
27. Kajagoogoo / “Too Shy” (1984)
28. Wham! / “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)
29. Talking Heads / “Burning Down the House” (1983)
30. Pat Benatar / “Love is a Battlefield” (1983)
31. Queen and David Bowie / “Under Pressure” (1981)
32. Night Ranger / “Sister Christian” (1983)
33. Soft Cell / “Tainted Love” (1981)
34. Poison / “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” (1988)
35. Phil Collins / “In the Air Tonight” (1981)
36. Tommy Tutone / “867-5309/Jenny” (1981)
37. Aerosmith / “Janie’s Got a Gun” (1989)
38. U2 / “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (1984)
39. Modern English / “I Melt With You” (1982) 40. The B-52’s / “Love Shack” (1989)
41. Mötley Crüe / “Dr. Feelgood” (1989)
42. The Clash / “London Calling” (1982)
43. ABC / “Look of Love” (1982)
44. Bananarama / “Cruel Summer” (1984)
45. Janet Jackson / “Nasty” (1986)
46. The Police / “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
47. Twisted Sister / “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (1984)
48. Bruce Springsteen / “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
49. Beastie Boys / “Fight For Your Right” (1986)
50. Eurythmics / “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (1983)
51. Ratt / “Round and Round” (1984)
52. Dead or Alive / “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” (1985)
53. Billy Idol / “White Wedding” (1988)
54. Salt-N-Pepa / “Push It” (1986)
55. A Flock of Seagulls / “I Ran (So Far Away)” (1982)
56. Bonnie Tyler / “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)
57. Toni Basil / “Mickey” (1981)
58. Culture Club / “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” (1982)
59. John Mellencamp / “Jack & Diane” (1982) 60. Young M.C. / “Bust a Move” (1989)
61. Styx / “Mr. Roboto” (1983)
62. Berlin / “Take My Breath Away” (1986)
63. Devo / “Whip It” (1980)
64. Paula Abdul / “Straight Up” (1988)
65. Foreigner / “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984)
66. Depeche Mode / “Just Can’t Get Enough” (1981)
67. REO Speedwagon / “Keep On Loving You” (1980)
68. Public Enemy / “Fight the Power” (1988)
69. R.E.M. / “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” (1980)
70. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts / “I Love Rock N’ Roll” (1981) 71. Rick James / “Super Freak” (1981) 72. The Fixx / “One Thing Leads to Another” (1983) 73. Nena / “99 Luftballons” (1983)
74. George Michael / “Faith” (1987)
75. Prince / “Little Red Corvette” (1983)
76. Thomas Dolby / “She Blinded Me With Science” (1982)
77. New Edition / “Candy Girl” (1983)
78. Blondie / “Call Me” (1980)
79. Human League / “Don’t You Want Me?” (1981) 80. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock / “It Takes Two” (1988)
81. Cameo / “Word Up!” (1986)
82. Squeeze / “Tempted” (1981)
83. Prince / “Kiss” (1986)
84. Lionel Richie / “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
85. Robert Palmer / “Addicted to Love” (1985)
86. Bow Wow Wow / “I Want Candy” (1982)
87. Falco / “Rock Me Amadeus” (1986)
88. Chaka Khan / “Ain’t Nobody” (1989)
89. The Pretenders / “Brass in Pocket” (1980)
90. Tone-Loc / “Wild Thing” (1989)
91. Katrina and The Waves / “Walking On Sunshine” (1983)
92. New Kids on the Block / “You Got It (The Right Stuff)” (1988)
93. Gary Numan / “Cars” (1980)
94. Rolling Stones / “Start Me Up” (1981)
95. Debbie Gibson / “Only in My Dreams” (1987)
96. Men at Work / “Down Under” (1982)
97. The Romantics / “What I Like About You” (1980)
98. Bobby Brown / “My Perogative” (1988)
99. Wang Chung / “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” (1986)
100. Loverboy / “Working for the Weekend” (1981)
MORE 80s THEME IDEAS
For more 80’s party and wedding theme ideas, go to our blog by clicking HERE – 80s wedding theme ideas.
