Introduction to TOshots book:

Hans Ayala from TOshots.com :

I found this well written article explaining why it’s important to hire a professional wedding videographer.

Source: http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-videography.html

Prior to their weddings, barely 50% of the brides listed videography as a Top 10 item. However, after the weddings the emphasis changed dramatically. A whopping 79% of the brides placed videography among their Top 10 items for wedding planning.
I would bet that a follow-up survey, checking with brides a year or more after their weddings, would show the percentages climbing even higher. Here’s why: Your video (and your photographs), unlike the contributions of other vendors, are the “to have and to hold” parts of your wedding celebration. They endure — long after the bouquets have withered, the top of the cake has been taken out of the freezer and shared at an anniversary dinner, and you have forgotten whether the Mikasa platter was a gift from Aunt Sally or Cousin George.

Only the video brings back the voices, the laughter, and the music – capturing not just how everyone looked, but how they were. It preserves moments to be relived and to be shared with people who weren’t present (or weren’t even born).

As time goes by, brides realize that their video was an investment. When they were looking for a caterer or a florist, they were shopping for an occasion. When they were choosing a videographer, they were indeed arranging to buy something that would last as long as their wedding rings.

Hans Ayala from TOshots.com :

My friend John suggested to post a blog on list of top 10 songs most played in weddings. John, here is the blog.

In case you are having difficulties selecting songs for your first dance, bride and father song, etc. Of course you can be original, go outside the norms and be a rebel. It is all up to you as to how you want your wedding day to be.

Remember the songs you choose will always be played every time you watch your wedding video. You want to make sure that they are memorable and have an attachment to your wedding day, but also to you as a couple. I would suggest to choose songs that you both enjoyed when you were dating or you felt a special moment. So that when your kids and grand kids watch them, you can tell a story as to why you chose those songs. It could be a song that you first danced, or a song that you were listening while in vacations that you both enjoyed and had a wonderful and unforgettable time. The list goes on. So keep it personal.

So here is a list of top and most popular songs played in weddings according to DiscJockeys.com

Ceremony music:

Prelude music: Played prior to the ceremony, while guests are arriving.

• Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
• Isn’t It Romantic (Glenn Miller)
• Water Music (Handel)
• Ave Maria (Schubert / Gounod)
• The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
• Greensleeves (Traditional)
• Rhapsody In Blue (Gershwin)
• God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Tony Bennett)
• Arioso (Bach)
• Ode To Joy (Beethoven)
• Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)
• Gloria (Vivaldi)
• Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers)

Processional & Bridal music: Played during the time the family, wedding party, and the bride walk down the aisle.

• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) from “Lohengrin” (Wagner)
• Trumpet Voluntary in D (The Prince of Denmark’s March) (Clarke or Purcell)
• Canon in D (Pachelbel)
• The Four Seasons (Handel)
• Water Music (Handel)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• I Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• March From Lohengrin (Wagner)

Interlude music (optional): The songs played during the ceremony.

• Ave Maria (Schubert)
• Amazing Grace (Traditional)
• La Traviata (Verdi)
• Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
• And I Love Her (The Beatles)
• Primavera: First Movement, Allegro (Vivaldi)
• Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
• Für Elise (Beethoven)
• We’ve Only Just Begun (The Carpenters)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)

Recessional music: Music played as the new husband and wife walk up the aisle together.

• Wedding March (from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) (Mendelssohn)
• Ode To Joy (from The Ninth Symphony) (Beethoven)
• Hallelujah Chorus (from “The Messiah”) (Handel)
• Trumpet Tune (Purcell)
• Magnificat In D (Bach)
• The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles)
• I Got You (I Feel Good) (James Brown)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)
• I Got You Babe (Sonny and Cher)

Reception music:

First Dance music: First dance as husband and wife.

• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)
• Can I Have This Dance? (Ann Murray)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• It Had To Be You (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)
• I Cross My Heart (George Strait)
• I Swear (John M. Montgomery or All 4 One)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Michael Feinstein)
• When You Say Nothing At All (Allison Krauss)
• Faithfully (Journey)
• No Ordinary Love (Sade)
• Here And Now (Luther Vandross)
• I Can Love you Like That (John M. Montgomery)
• Power Of Love (Celine Dion)
• Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)
• Everything I Do {I Do For You} (Bryan Adams)
• When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)
• All My Life (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• I’ll Be There (Mariah Carey)
• On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)
• At Last (Etta James)
• Don’t Know Much (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain)
• Our Love Is Here To Stay (Harry Connick, Jr.)
• Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)

*These are the most requested songs, but there are many others.

Father/Daughter music: The dance between the new bride and her father.

• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• The Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• My Dad (Paul Petersen)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• Times of Your Life (Paul Anka)
• A Song For My Daughter (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
• The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
• Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
• Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Daddy’s Hand (Holly Dunn)
• Daddy’s little Girl (Kippi Brannon)
• Daddy’s Girl (Peter Cetera)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof – Sndtrk)
• Lullabye (Billy Joel)
• A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)
• How Do You Fall In Love (Alabama)
• Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)
• Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)
• Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)
• Father’s Eyes (Amy Grant)
• Friends (Elton John)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)

Mother/Son music: The dance between the husband and his mother.

• Don’t Know Much (Linda Rondstadt and Aaron Neville)
• Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)
• I.O.U (Jimmy Dean)
• Moon River (Andy Williams)
• Moon Dance (Van Morrison)
• ‘Til The End Of Time (Perry Como)
• Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)
• Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)
• Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
• Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstong)
• In This Life (Bette Midler)
• You’re The Inspiration (Chicago)
• Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Wishing Tree (Sonia Dada)
• Blessed (Elton John)
• Hero (Mariah Carey)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• A Song For My Son (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)
• Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof – Sndtrk)
• In My Life (The Beatles)
• Ever I Saw Your face (Roberta Flasck)
• Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston)
• I Wish You Love (Natalie Cole)
• Thanks Again (Ricky Skaggs)
• Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

Bridal Party Dances music: The dance including the Bride & Groom, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, and family members.

• That’s What Friends Are For (Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder)
• Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
• Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks)
• We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
• Friends (Elton John)
• Heroes and Friends (Randy Travis)
• In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)
• Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

Cutting The Cake music: Played while the Bride & Groom cut the cake.

• Cut the Cake (Average White Band)
• I Wanna Grow Old With You (Adam Sandler)
• How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)
• Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)
• Hit me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)
• When I’m 64 (The Beatles)
• Recipe For Love (Harry Connick Jr.)
• That’s Amore’ (Dean Martin)
• Happy Together (The Turtles)
• Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)
• I Got You Babe (Sunny & Cher)
• Love & Marriage (Frank Sinatra)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Axel F (Harold Faltermeyer)
• Peter Gunn Theme

Money/Dollar (Honeymoon) Dance music (Optional) Played during the time the Bride & Groom dance with guests while the Best man and Maid of Honor collect the money for their honeymoon.

• See music list above: “Bridal Party Music”

Garter And Bouquet Toss music: Played during the bouquet toss and garter toss.

• The Stripper (David Rose)
• Legs (ZZ Top)
• You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)
• Oh Yeah! (Yello)
• Macho Man (Village People)
• Theme From Mission Impossible (Danny Elfman)
• Wild Thing (The Troggs or Tone Loc)
• Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye)
• Bad Boys (Inner Circle)
• Another One Bites The Dust (Queen)
• Curly Shuffle (Jump n’ The Saddle)
• Kiss (Prince)
• Do Ya Think I’m Sexy (Rod Stewart)
• Gimme All Your Lovin’ (ZZ Top)
• Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
• Freak Me (Silk)
• Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)
• Heaven (Bryan Adams)
• U Can’t Touch This (MC Hammer)
• Shameless (Garth Brooks)
• *Girls Night Out (The Judds)
• *Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
• *Whipped Cream {Dating Game Theme} (Herb Alpert)
• *Miss America Theme (Various)

*Songs for Bouquet Toss Only.

Last Dance music: The last song of the night for the Bride & Groom and their remaining guests.

• Last Dance (Donna Summer)
• New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)
• Good Riddance {Time Of Your Life} (Green Day)
• From This Moment On (Shania Twain & Bryan White)
• Save The Best For Last (Vanessa Williams)
• Wonderful Tonight (David Kersh)
• Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
• You’re Still The One (Shania Twain)
• Closing Time (Semisonic)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
• I’ve Had The Time Of My Life (Bill Medly & Jennifer Warnes)
• How Your Love Makes Me Feel (Diamond Rio)
• Goodnight, Sweetheart (David Kersh)
• The Party’s Over (Nat King Cole)
• Goodnight Sweetheart (Spaniels)
• What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
• The Dance (Garth Brooks)
• Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
• Always And Forever (Heatwave)

Hans Ayala from TOshots.com

What is ‘Kissing Games’?

Traditionally guests tap their glasses with forks or knives, and the bride and groom would kiss. It is still done, but ‘Master of Ceremony’ (MC) spices it up with games. This is the reason why it’s called ‘Kissing Games.’ MC would involve the guests or audience by having them participate in some games. For instance, they would use a large dice. Depending on the number it lands on, the participant would do something like a dance, sing, kiss if it was a couple, then the Bride and Groom would kiss. However, there are other MCs that like to use modern games, e.g. ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ but the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ Movie version. If you have not seen this movie, ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ I highly recommend it. Not well known cast, but amazing video production and script.

Back to ‘Kissing Games,’ Brides and Grooms, I would also recommend that you also spice up your kisses. I know your mom and dad are watching, but make it fun. Come out of your table into the dance floor and do a dipping kiss. You will get your guests, wowing. It will also get you lose. Enjoy your day! This is your day! You have work so hard to make it happen, why not have fun along the way.

Kissing games are fun, and you as a couple should make it fun as well. Come out of your shell, do a ‘Spider Man’ kiss, groom hanging up side down kissing his queen. Okay, maybe I got a little bit carried away. But if you are looking to do something out of the ordinary, there is one that you can try!

Hans Ayala from TOshots.com :

Everyone is being affected by this economic recession. You may have experience it personally or might know someone that has been laid off.

Many industries out there have been affected by this economic downturn, the wedding video production industry is not any different. Many wedding video company have reduced their prices. Many people believe, once one reduces their prices, it’s difficult to bring them back up again. I don’t believe it’s true. I believe it’s necessary during difficult times. Wedding video producers need to make a living. Because business is slow, many reduced their prices to generate more business. It creates spiral phenomenon, once a large wedding video company reduces their prices, everyone in the industry will do too. It turns into a vicious cycle. This is why I believe, the price will go up again. Once this economic recession passes by, just as every other recession we have had in history. The industry will start increasing their prices to their fair value. It will again take a leader (major wedding company) to lead again, and set the benchmark prices once again.

Business will always be there. It’s just media influence driven perception that creates this psychological pessimistic outlook. Couples will continue to fulfill their promise to each other. Their wedding day will go on, just like Celine Dion’s song, ‘my heart will go on.’ They will continue to be together during good and bad times. Of course, during difficult times they will look for bargains.

It is only fair to adjust accordingly to the times you are living in. I do believe that if you have a positive outlook in life, and be true to yourself, you will feel good about yourself, regardless of what’s happening around you. The main point, it’s that you are not being affected emotionally. Keep this positive energy, outlook, and attitude, and your clients will see this in you. You are already responding to their needs by reducing your prices during this difficult times we are living in.

There are people out there that are taking advantage of this situation and offering gigs below industry level compensation. Do not lower yourself. Have pride at the work you do and get compensated for the right price for your skills and knowledge. Remember you are not just lowering your compensation, but also everyone else in the industry. People have worked hard and dedicated many hours to acquire such skills and knowledge.

Those are my two cents for today. My blog it’s my own personal opinions, observations and beliefs.

P.S. Be and remain positive at all times. You are reflection of your own attitude and beliefs. What you project of yourself, it’s what you’ll receive back. Just like Newton’s Law, ‘for every action there is an equal reaction.’ If you project a positive energy and attitude around you, you will receive the same energy and atttitude back.