Music plays a crucial role in wedding celebrations, as it helps to set the mood and bring your special vision for your day to life. However, knowing which songs to pick can be a tough choice, as there are so many different moments to consider when planning the soundtrack for your big day. In this post I'm going to share four top tips for choosing your wedding day music, from the ceremony prelude through to the evening crowd pleasers.

For your Ceremony

Your ceremony alone will need prelude, processional, and recessional tracks, to help set the scene before, during and after the moment you exchange your vows. You’ll want to choose light, uplifting music to play as a prelude to your ceremony, when your guests arrive at your venue and begin to take their seats. Your processional music will play as the bridal party and bride walk down the aisle, so you’ll want to pick sentimental songs for this portion of the day. For your recessional song, that’ll play as you and your guests leave the ceremony, should be joyful and celebratory - this will be the soundtrack to you leaving the building as a married couple for the first time.

For Special Dances

There are lots of opportunities to play the music that means something to you throughout your day. For the first dance, many couples opt for a slow, romantic ballad, but you shouldn’t feel restricted to any one genre or style if you don’t feel it fits your love story as a couple. Choose a shared favourite song to make this moment feel extra special.

There are also parent dances to consider, like the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance. Of course, these dances are a chance to play a song treasured by you and your parent, such as one that reminds you of a happy memory you share together. You may have cultural or religious dances you want to honor too – this is a wonderful opportunity to incorporate traditional music as you celebrate your heritage.

For your Reception Party

As you reach the reception portion of your celebration, everybody will be looking forward to having some fun on the dance floor. This is your chance to play a little bit of everything, from classic favourites to modern hits, in a variety of genres, to help get the party going. This is also an ideal opportunity to incorporate some musical entertainment into your wedding celebration - consider a brass band or singing waiters to add a little excitement and encourage your guests to let their hair down.

Choose the Kind of Music you Love

Remember that there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to your wedding day, and the kind of music that’s right for your celebration will depend on your likes and dislikes as a couple. Be sure to stay true to your tastes and vision for this very special day. And most importantly of all... have fun!

This is a collaborative post.

Why the USA Great for Travelling with Young Children

There’s something truly magical about a family holiday. Granted, they’re seemingly never stress-free: planning, packing and picky little travellers can test your patience at times. However, the special memories you’ll create exploring faraway places with your nearest and dearest will be cherished for a lifetime.

Deciding where to go is often half the battle. Catering to different tastes and personalities makes it difficult to find somewhere with something for everyone. Or at least it would be, if the USA didn’t exist. The States have long been an aspirational holiday destination for young families, and is home to some of the world’s prime tourist attractions. In this post, I'm going to discuss three important reasons why the USA is a wonderful place to visit with young children.

An Educational Experience

Family holidays are an excellent opportunity to broaden your children’s horizons and develop their world view in these formative years. Across the USA, museums, monuments and statues tell the story of this country’s fascinating history, and a visit to these sites is sure to both inspire and educate young minds. Best of all, there are lots of exhibitions that have been designed with children in mind, so they’ll never feel like they’re in the classroom when stepping back in time.

It can be compelling for children to see the sites they’ve learned about back home up close, and you never know whether a trip could ignite a new passion or interest that they want to pursue. On top of this, America is an incredibly diverse country, making it a great place to teach little ones about the importance of respecting and celebrating different cultures and ways of life.

Family-Friendly Locations

Especially in the main tourism destinations, you’ll find that most tourist attractions, restaurants and accommodations are geared towards welcoming visitors of all ages. Having easy access to the necessary facilities makes a holiday here more convenient for parents and can mitigate lots of the stressors associated with being away from home.

Some locations that are best geared towards family travel include:

• Orlando: Dubbed the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is perfect for adventurous families. From Walt Disney World to Universal Studios, fun and thrills are top of the agenda on any holiday to this part of the world.

• California: California is teeming with special spots that are tailor-made for a family holiday – think Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. For the icing on the cake, some of America’s most breathtaking national parks can be found in the Golden State, including Joshua Tree, Redwood and Yosemite.

• Hawaii: White-sandy beaches, luscious valleys and an abundance of beautiful wildlife are just some of things that await you in Hawaii. Head on a snorkelling tour of the bay to savour the local marine life, before venturing into the jungle on a Jeep tour.

It’s a Year-Round Destination

As any parent knows, timings for family holidays are often dictated by school schedules. This restricts you to only a few options throughout the year, with most trips naturally planned for the summertime. Fortunately, there are plenty of reasons to visit America at any time of the year, meaning you can be more flexible around when you choose to visit. 

For example, if you’re dreaming of a Christmas vacation, take a festive foray to New York City, where Yuletide responsibilities are taken incredibly seriously, and bright lights illuminate the cityscape. Or, the Easter holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the most popular tourist attractions at a more relaxed pace, after the peak summer season has come and gone. There is a perfect spot for your family all 52 weeks of the year – the only difficulty is deciding where to go first.

This is a collaborative post.