Top Bouquet Toss Songs

  Oh, The Bouquet Toss!!!!

     

            

Lauren's Bouquet Toss: Photo by Jocelyn & Ryan

A time honored tradition since the 15th century, yet still a popular activity in today's wedding events. According to various historic sources, bouquets were introduced into weddings centuries ago for the shear purpose of masking a brides body odor on her wedding day. 

Stinky Bride

      During this time frame, it was not uncommon for Europeans to bathe once a year (typically in May), and if a bride were to be wed, a wedding date was usually held the following month (in June). Additionally, as a wedding is a Bride's lucky day, it was thought that a bride was so lucky on her wedding day, that guests would literally tear pieces of her wedding dress as good luck tokens throughout the event. In lieu of having her wedding gown torn to shreds, a bride would often give away her bouquet to a lucky lady during an event, hence where the tradition of the bouquet toss originates. 

Ashley Bride - picture taken from Wedding at Shady Wagon Farm

      Obviously, in present times a bouquet no longer serves the same purpose as it did in the 15^th century however, the tradition still remains a fun and even silly activity which also allows for a moment of “woman independence” in today's weddings. In order to keep the party going when the bouquet toss occurs, it is imperative to choose a fun, upbeat and entertaining song for the bouquet toss. Below Top Notch has listed our top bouquet toss song recommendations. Whether you're looking for something comical (my personal favorite is “Move b...” by Ludacris as well as “Girlfight” by Brooke Valentine” or a song that says “Ok, ladies, let's represent” (such as Destiny Child's “Independent Women. Pt 1 or TLC's “No Scrubs) the below list should include a variety of the most requested bouquet toss songs received within the last few years. 

Top Bouquet Toss Songs (in no particular order) 

 1. "Single Ladies" by Beyonce 

2. "Wannabe" by The Spice Girls 

3. "Girls just Wanna Have Fun" by Cindy Lauper 

4. "Move B!tc+" by Ludacris 

5. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar 

6. "PYT" by Michael Jackson 

7. "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, & Mya

8. "Dear Future Husband" by Meghan Trainor

9. "Girls, Girls, Girls" by Motley Crue 

10. "Ladies Night" by Kool and the Gang

11. "Love on Top" by Beyonce 

12. "Where them Girls At" by David Guetta

13. "Girls" by Beastie Boys 

14. "Material Girl" by Madonna 

15. "American Woman" by Lenny Kravitz or The Guess Who 

16. "No Scrubs" by TLC 

17. "Girlfight" by Brooke Valentine

18. "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

19. "Independent Women Part 1" by Destiny's Child 

20. "Only Girl in the World" by Rihanna

Wedding Party Entrance Tips

The Wedding Party Entrance! 

Surprisingly, Top Notch has received a number of inquiries recently while planning and consulting with future “wed to be's” regarding this topic. 

Naturally, when choosing song selections during the wedding planning process, the processional and recessional songs played during the ceremony should certainly take precedence over this specific subject. Furthermore, selecting song choices for the essential dances during the reception (aka First Dance, Father/Daughter Dance, etc) should be more of a priority than choosing the Wedding Party Entrance as well. With that being said, once these critical music selections have been selected, it seems recently that many couples have neglected to consider, and ultimately select a main wedding reception entrance song. Good thing Top Notch DJ Service is here to help! 

Despite what many articles, forums, and fellow Wedding Disc Jockey's may say, the wedding entrance song DOES NOT necessarily set the mood and tone for your wedding reception. Nor, does this specific song choice necessarily have to be a reflection of you and your fiancee's shared taste in music (although we do recommend you both at least like the song). When selecting a Grand Wedding Entrance song, we do however, suggest the following...

THINGS TO CONSIDER: 

 Members of the Bridal Party: 

 Who should be recognized and announced? Parents? Bridal Party? Just the Bride and Groom? What about little Flower Girls or the Ring Bearer? Can they behave and be away from Mommy long enough to walk in? These matters should be factored into the Wedding Entrance planning before announcement time.

 Selection of Music:                                                                

Will everyone walk
into one song, or will the music selections
be chosen designated and coordinated to each couple of the bridal party? Top Notch will often play one song for the bridal party followed by an alternative song (usually with a more upbeat tempo)  for the bride and groom to play as they make their entrance into the reception. 

  Instrumental Song Versions to be played when Possible: Dj's often will play the instrumental song of the music choice chosen so they can speak over the music without attempting to shout over the lyrics of the song. If you desire to walk into a song with lyrics or anticipate walking into a specific lyric of a song, the DJ will most likely simply alternate the volume of the song higher when a name is not announced, and then lowered so that wedding guests can hear the pronouncement of the next bridal party member entering the reception

 

Make it Fun, Make it Upbeat, but Make it TASTEFUL!! :

Meaning not only no vulgar dancing moves from the bridal party nor bride and groom, but also avoid choosing songs that may be inappropriate at a wedding, for all those present to hear, or that may include foul language in the lyrics

  

Be Creative: 

The most memorable entrances usually include Bridal Party members dancing or doing something fun while walking into the reception and onto the dance floor. Obviously, these actions make for wonderful pictures that the photographer can capture as well! Chat with your DJ regarding ideas they have seen in the past to make this point of your wedding stand out, so that all of your guests know it's time to get the party started!

 

There are countless variations a bride and groom may choose concerning a Grand Entrance. In fact, it is not uncommon for a bride and groom to choose a mash up or customized DJ mix (which we create) of a number of song choices, including specific song selections for the parents, followed by a different song for the bridal party and yet a final song selection for the bride and groom. Top Notch DJ Service is consistently asked for ideas and recommendations concerning a bride and groom's Main Wedding Entrance. Below is listed some of the most common items that Top Notch has seen. For more ideas and wedding entrance suggestions feel free to shoot an email to topnotchdjservice@gmail.com. Whatever song choices you may choose for your Grand Entrance, make sure to simply make it fun and make it GRAND! ​

Top Wedding Entrance Songs in the Pop-Top 40 Category:Bruno Mars- Marry You 

Chris Brown- Forever 

Usher- OMG and Yeah 

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis- Can't Hold Us 

Pitbull- Give Me Everything and Feel this Moment.  

Black Eyed Peas- I Gotta Feeling and Let's Get it Started 

Beyonce- Crazy In Love 

Pharrell Williams- Happy  

Walk the Moon- Shut Up and Dance 

Justin Timberlake- Can't Stop the Feeling

​Top "Rock Genre" Wedding Entrance Songs: 
The Verve- Bitterweet Symphony
Queen- We Will Rock You and You're my Best Friend
 ACDC- Thunderstruck
The Darkness- I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train
 U2- Beautiful Day
 Blur- Song #2
 Europe- Final Countdown
 

Top Classic Wedding Entrance Songs include:  
 Cece Piniston- Finally
 Diana Ross- I'm Coming Out 
 Jackie Wilson- (Your Love)- “Higher and Higher” 
 James Brown- I Got You- “I Feel good” 
 Blue Swede- Hooked on a Feeling
 Jefferson Starship- Nothing's Going to Stop Us

 

 Top 80's Wedding Entrance Songs:
Phil Collins- In The Air Tonight
Hall & Oates- You Make My Dreams Come True
Whitney Houston- I Want to Dance with Somebody 
 Michael Jackson- The Way You Make Me Feel
 Katrina and the Waves- Walking on Sunshine

 

 Top 90's Wedding Entrance Songs:  
Montell Jordan- This is How We Do It
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock - It Takes Two
Heavy D- Now That We've Found Love
2 Unlimited- Ya'll Ready for This
Jagged Edge- Let's Get Married 

Unique/Creative Wedding Entrance Songs: 
 Yakety Sax- (Song from Benny Hill Song)
 Grease Soundtrack- You're the One that I Want
  NFL Theme Song
  Chicago Bulls Theme Song
  Star Wars- Imperial March
  Olympic Theme Song
  Top Gun- Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins

 
Please Note: All pictures in this blog were taken at Top Notch DJ Service events by professional photographers. Please reach out to Top Notch DJ Service or the professional photographers to which credit given before using any photos from this post for personal or public use. Thanks for reading!

Holiday Party Games for the Office Team

      

    

Oh, those frightful Holiday parties. You know the one's. They require you to dress up and mingle, there is usually a sit down dinner, a speech from a leader/boss man/CEO and perhaps a white elephant gift game, or prize drawing and that's a wrap. Not only has Top Notch attended numerous events such as these, Top Notch has unfortunately also serviced these events. With the Holidays approaching quickly (exactly 36 days as I write this until Christmas 2016) I have been requested by a number of past customers for a new blog article focusing on some of the more recent holiday entertainment and games that Top Notch DJ Service incorporates into our Holiday and End of the Year Parties. Without further ado, below is a list of just a few popular activities you will find Top Notch DJ Service including in our 2016 Corporate Holiday events.
  

1. Jingle Box-

   

   Top Notch DJ Service Holiday Games - Jingle Box

   How to Play: Jingle Bells (or Sleigh bells) are placed in present or gift boxes. The game hostess should have between 5-9 different present boxes for this game to work well. Different quantities of the bells should be placed in each box. Participants can determine the amount of bells in each box by shaking and rattling the box so that the bells will ring.   Participants are allowed 1-2 minutes to arrange the boxes in the correct order from the least to the greatest number of bells. (Hint- for an even more exciting game, require the participants to be blind folded while they attempt to arrange the “Jingle Boxes”
   
   
   2.  Saran Wrap Ball - (compliments from website Awesome Jelly for posting this idea) 

   

   Saran Wrap Ball- picture from www.AwesomeJelly.com

   
   
   How to Play: This game does require some prep work as the party host will need to create this enormous ball of saran wrap. Be sure to include fun Christmas Candies and treats throughout the wrapping of the ball, along with 1 major key prize in the center of the ball that all participants will be eager to obtain. How to Play: Participants must either sit or stand in a circle. The first chosen participant may begin unraveling the ball, meanwhile the participant beside him/her should have a roll of dice and attempt to roll doubles. Once the participant rolls doubles the ball is passed to them and the dice to the next person in the circle until all gifts in the Saran Wrap are acquired and the ball has been completely destructed. 
   
   

   

   Image from the move "A Christmas Story"

   3. Holiday Movie ID -
   How to Play: Participants are formed into groups and are given either buzzers, bells or chimers to ring in their answer. The party host should state a list of buzzwords. These buzzwords can be various words, items or phrases from specific famous Holiday movies. Along with the list of buzzwords, the host should state a buzzword that is in fact NOT a part of the Holiday movie category. The first group that identifies the holiday buzzword that does not belong receives a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins. An example would be 
   “Category: A Christmas Story”   Buzzwords: Red Rider, Bunny Suit. “I Triple Dog Dare You”, Elf on the Shelf. The buzzword that would not belong would be “Elf on the Shelf” 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   4.  Right Left Gift Exchange - (also known as the The Grinch Gift Game) (original idea for game credited to Diva Girl Parties & Stuff) 
   How To Play: A short speech or holiday story is composed and read by the party host that MUST include the words “Left” and “Right” repeatedly (such as “When Santa left Bobby's home, he jumped in his sled and immediately went right to Jenny's house, he went right through the chimney and left only 3 presents” Participants must be formed into a circle with unclaimed gifts in their hands. As the party host reads the story, every time the word “Right” is read, the participants must pass their gifts right, similarly when the word “Left” is read, participants must bass their gift left. When the story has concluded participants can keep whichever gifts they are holding.
   

   

   Image from "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"

   NOTE:Alternative versions of this activity includes reading the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and passing the gift one direction when the word "Grinch" is read, meanwhile passing the gift the other direction when the word "Who" is read (such as Whoville, Cindy Loo Who, etc)
   
   

   

   Junk the Trunk Game. Original image found here

   
   

   5.  Jingling Trunk- 
   How to Play: This game is basically similar to “Junk in the Trunk” which Top Notch plays at various pool parties, birthday parties and other types of events. 2-5 empty tissue boxes are required along with string or belts and jingle bells. Jingle bells should be placed in each tissue box and tissue boxes are attached to the participants prior to the start of the game. Participants must shake their hips in the attempt to shake all of the jingle bells out of their box. The first to shake all of the bells out within 1 minute wins!  
   
   
          Conclusion: Holiday Party games are not only great Ice Breakers for any corporate or holiday event, but many also incorporate teamwork, camaraderie and fun memories between working peers. The result is not only good stories for water cooler chat the next week at the office, but a shared sense of enjoyment outside of the working environment for all involved. Along with the activities listed above, Top Notch does utilize a number of additional ideas and activities for Holiday parties that can be found in a prior Top Notch post by clicking here.
   
   

   
   

   Need More Help?  

   For even more games and ideas, please feel free to contact Top Notch directly at topnotchdjservice@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!