Add a Halloween Flair to your Autumn Wedding

Fall weddings are becoming extremely popular, with the cooler weather, the changing of the leaves it makes for a comfortable, colorful time for any ceremony.  And if you have it close the Halloween - that just adds to the fun!

Now borrowing ideas from Halloween need not to be childish or goulish.  Using a pale orange and rich black for your color scheme adds the holiday theme without looking tacky.  Other ideas would be:

Pumpkins

Pumpkin at Sweet Seasons Farm Wedding

An arrangement of Pumpkins and gourds make a colorful setting at a wedding.

Pumpkin wedding centerpiece

Another example of how using a Pumpkin added and elegant touch to a Country "Halloween" Wedding

Gourd Vase

Use painted gourds for Vases 

Leaves and Fall Flowers

   

I know you're saying - I get all that about the decor - but how else can I make it special?

Sweet Favors:  

How about a Smores Bar - where guests can make their own Smores? 

Instead of the usual 'favors' - set up a candy bar - with candy corn, M&Ms, mini candy bars, even bubble gum.  Whatever candies you like ( you can't go wrong here! ) Have little "Treat Bags" the guests can fill.  

Give Candy Carmel Apples for favors - they have some nice 'gourmet' varieties your guests will love!

Now - of Course - The Music

In addition to the "usual" Wedding faire - have your DJ spin some more "spooky" tunes:

1. Thriller - Michael Jackson
2. Spooky - The Zombies
3. Werewolf of London -Warren Zevon
4. Monster - Lady Gaga
5. Monster Mash - Bobby Pickett
6. Timewarp - Rocky Horror Picture Show ( any song from this Classic!)
7. Season of the Witch - Donovan
8. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
9. Jump In The Line - Harry Belefonte ( From BeetleJuice ( Shake Senora) )
10. I Put a Spell on You - Screaming Jay Hawkins

Having the DJ all in Black would add to the fun - as would a black light or Hazer.  You could even make it a costume party - With you - of course being the Bride and Groom!

The trick is - make the day uniquely yours - after all - it is YOUR wedding - Celebrate!

Author: Susan Leak - DJ - 2 Wolves DJ Service, Fort Payne, Alabama 

Games People Play - Weddings and other Party Ideas

Nothing is worse than a dull party.  Now you maybe thinking " But GAMES??  We are too old for games!"  But you would be surprised how well received and fun they can be - not to mention a great ice breaker.
We have had a few played at parties we have DJed and with much success  - here are a few:

• Trivia - At a recent birthday 60th party, the wife gave me a list of questions about the birthday boy.  In between songs, I asked the guests the questions.  It provided a fun trip down the course of the Birthday guy's life.  Questions like:

1. How Many Grandchildren does he have?
2. Where was his favorite spot to take his kids on vacation?
3. What was his first car?

This could be done for retirement parties, Anniversaries, Weddings also.

• Generations Dance - Honor the longest Married Couple with a Generations Dance.  DJ will invite all couples up to dance floor.  As song is played and they are dancing, the DJ would have them leave dance floor by length of marriage - 1year , 5 years, etc - until only the longest married couple is still dancing.

Even those who don't dance much love this!

• Door Prize Giveaway via cake plate - Number the bottom of the cake plates.  After everyone has a slice of cake - Have DJ randomly draw numbers for small prizes you provide.

This is a good way not to have alot of left over cake and great for adults as well as kids parties

YMCA 

• Table Dances - Have line dances written on slips and in a hat.  Have DJ get everyone from one table up to dance floor and draw one of the dances.  That Table must start the dance - and then the DJ can invite more up to the floor

Great way to get everyone dancing!

What games have you seen done?

Article by: Susan Leak - 2Wolves DJ Service

Theme Party - American Pride

Chambers Wedding - Lebanon Courthouse

Many of you who are not going to their towns Fourth of July Celebration are having a BBQ or some other form of party at your home.  In addition to the standard hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, and some ice cold drinks,  playing horseshoes or lawn darts, you will probably have some music going.  Why not make it something that says you are celebrating the birth of our nation?  Fly the flag. decorate everything in the Red, White, and Blue, have veterans tell their stories to the kids, and of course play some of the best patriotic tunes.

I have some favorites I plan on playing, and you may enjoy this list as well. In no particular order, here is my top ten, with links to the lyrics.  Have some fun,(the kids will love this), print out the lyrics, play the tunes and have a patriotic sing a-long! It is guaranteed to make you once again, Proud to be an American.

Great Songs For The Fourth

1. "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue"- Toby Keith - Lyrics (Also know as the "Angry American")
2. "American Soldier" - Toby Kieth - Lyrics
3. "God Bless The USA" - Lee Greenwood - Lyrics
4. "This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag" - Charlie Daniels - Lyrics
5. "In America" - Charlie Daniels - Lyrics
6. "Some Gave All" - Billy Ray Cyrus - Lyrics
7. " I Just Came Back For A War" - Darryl Worley/Wynn Varble - Lyrics
8. " Born In The USA" - Bruce Springsteen - Lyrics
9. "8th of November" - Big and Rich - Lyrics
(And of course for all us Alabamians:)
10. "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynryd - Lyrics

Make this Fourth one of pride in your country by playing songs that clearly reflect on things that have made America great.  God Bless The USA.

And for some cool new songs to show your pride in America Check out my list of "Patriotic Songs" on my You tube channel : Patriotic Songs

Pictures are of the decor from Airman Chambers wedding - July 9 - Lebanon Court House in Fort Payne, Alabama

Theme Party - Decades Dance

Students of NEACC Doing YMCA

There are many ways to make a party fun, and one way is with a 'Theme".  A few years back, the 2Wolves DJ-ed a "Decades Dance" at Northeast Alabama Community College.  Everyone came in dressed in the fashions of their favorite decade, the decor was done with a 50s/60s flair.  The music was from the 60s- 70s- 80s- 90s.
Here is the list of some of the songs:

DECADES DANCE

The 60s
Steppenwolf Born To Be Wild
The Twist
Are You Lonesome Tonight
When a Man Loves a Woman
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
I Can't Get No Satisfaction
I'm a Believer
Unchained melody
I Want to Hold Your Hand
I Get Around
Wild Thing
Medley- Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In

The 70's
Let It Be
Dancing Queen
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
Y.m.c.a.
Best of My Love
The Loco-Motion
Long Cool Woman
Play That Funky Music White Boy
Bridge over Troubled Water
Stayin' Alive

The 80's
Love Shack
I Love Rock And Roll
All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)
Mountain Music
Footloose
Billie Jean
Wind Beneath My Wings
Groovy Kind Of Love
Celebration
The Power of Love
What a Feeling
I Fell in Love Again Last Night
Super Freak
You're The One That I Want
Born In The USA
Little Red Corvette

The 90s
Candle In The Wind
(Everything I Do) I Do It for You
I'm Your Angel
Macarena
Boot Scootin' Boogie
I Will Always Love You
Cha-Cha Slide
Elictric Boogie ( Electric Slide)
Something to Talk About
I'll Stand By You
TubThumping
Livin La Vida Loca
I Dont Want To Miss A Thing

What is your favorite 'Theme' for a party?  What inspired your choice of the Theme?