Every couple likes to think that their wedding is unique, but there are certain songs that were played at (what felt like) every reception last year. Below, we reveal the 10 most played wedding songs of 2015.

Photo: Bridal Guide

First-dance songs that topped the must-play list.

“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran

The song may have been released in 2014, but it was still everywhere in 2015—and for good reason. With lyrics like, “Take me into your loving arms, kiss me under the light of a thousand stars, place your head on my beating heart,” it’s no wonder so many couples chose the tune for their first dance.

“Coming Home” – Leon Bridges

Last year’s brides and grooms made it clear that they were all about a throwback, classic sound and old-fashioned lyrics like, “Baby, baby, baby, I’m coming home to your tender loving, you’re my one and only woman.”

GET MORE FIRST DANCE SONG IDEAS

“All of Me” – John Legend 

Another 2014 hit that just won’t stop, John Legend’s chart-topper was a favorite among couples that wanted their partner to know they love them—no matter what. And what better way to say it than with lyrics like, “‘Cause all of me loves all of you, love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections.”

“Like I’m Gonna Lose You” – Meghan Trainor (ft. John Legend)

“So I’m gonna love you like I’m gonna lose you, I’m gonna hold you like I’m saying goodbye, wherever we’re standing, I won’t take you for granted.” It’s with these loving lyrics that so many couples kicked off their marriage and made it clear that they’re enjoying every moment together. (And we’re sure it helps that wedding singer John Legend was featured on the song!)

Photo: Bridal Guide

Songs that helped get the party started (and kept it going).

“Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon

When the room’s buzzing and the band wanted to get people on their feet, they chose this fun-loving tune. The lyrics said it all, “Oh oh oh, shut up and dance with me.”

“Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson (ft. Bruno Mars) 

As the party is heating up, couples and guests alike were requesting this retro-feeling groove. With its fun, flirty lyrics like, “Come on, dance, jump on it, if you sexy then flaunt it,” it was a clear favorite all year.

SONGS TO DROP FROM YOUR WEDDING PLAYLIST

“Whip It (Watch Me)” – Silento

While the “Y.M.C.A.” and “The Electric Slide” were the most requested group dances of the past, party-goers all wanted to hear the latest dance craze with its easy to follow instructional lyrics—”Now watch me whip whip, watch me nae nae.”

“Fireball” – Pitbull

No reception was complete in 2015 without this salsa-inspired hit. Guests were seen shaking it to lyrics like, “We gon’ boogie oogie oogie, jiggle, wiggle, and dance like the roof on fire.”

“Love Never Felt So Good” – Michael Jackson (ft. Justin Timberlake) 

M.J. and J.T. topped couples’ must-have songs because of lyrics like, “Baby, love never felt so good, and I doubt it ever could, not like you hold me, hold me.” Enough said.

“Want to Want Me” – Jason Derulo

For grooms looking to show their bride how much they love her on the dance floor, many requested this dance-inducing, catchy tune. The lyrics said it all: “Girl, you’re the one I want to want me, and if you want me, girl, you got me, there’s nothin’ I, no I, wouldn’t do, I wouldn’t do, just to get up next to you.”

Photo: Livingwithaboy.com

Thumbnail Photo: : LANDON JACOB

Article: Martha Stewart Weddings

Be selected as vendor of the month. Email us at [email protected]

Our vendor of the month for February

MEMORYBOX PHOTO BOOTH

Serving: Lincoln, Omaha & surrounding cities
Contact: (402) 915-3686 | [email protected]
Website: http://www.memoryboxbooth.com/

“Our mission is to help create and preserve special memories for years to come.  We love what we do; make people smile and laugh then walk away with new stories to tell and a photo in their hand.”

What is your favorite thing about your business? 

The favorite part of our business are the clients and their guests.  I love seeing people’s reactions to their mirrored image on the screen or the print-out of their photos.  The majority of the time, people are very pleased with their images and some people just laugh at themselves.  I love what we do; make people smile and laugh then walk away with new stories to tell and a photo in their hand.

What made you start your photo booth company? 

In May of 2011, my fiancé (now wife) and I went to a wedding in Atlanta and they had a photo booth there.  This was the first time that we had ever seen a photo booth at a wedding.  We loved it so much! I kept wanting to go back but my wife was a little shy however I was shameless so I went alone a couple of times.  It was so much fun with the props!  I thought that we definitely needed to have one at our wedding.  On the way home from Atlanta, we drove; so it was a long long drive and we had plenty of time to talk about our upcoming wedding.  We tossed around the idea of renting or making our own booth.  When we got back, the first thing I did was look up different photo booths in our area.  There were quite a few, but they all lack the quality that I wanted.  My passion is photography so having nice sharp images was definitely important to me.  Another thing was that they were all so crowded and all you could see in the photo was your head.  I thought a lot of people would be coming to our wedding and they were certainly going to dress up.  Most females would love to show off what they wear so photos with shoulder or above was not going to cut it for me.

This was when I told my fiancé that I was going to make us a photo booth for the wedding which was going to be July 7, 2012. I did my research and found everything I needed from the software to the quality hardware.  I was able to get everything completed by August 2011.  We used the photo booth for the first time at our engagement party on September 3, 2011.  It was a hit! Everyone loved it.  This was when I decided to turn it into a business.  We had our first client October 2011 and our booth has only gotten better from that point

Any suggestions tips for brides who are thinking about renting a photo booth for their wedding?

If you’re interested in getting a photo booth for your wedding.  Don’t shop for price, but shop for quality.  A picture is worth a thousand words but with today’s technology, it’s also worth a thousand tweets.  Your guests will share their photos, so make sure they share quality photos.  Shop for quality.  A quality photo booth picture will look like it was taken by a professional photographer, which is well lit and sharp.

Ask the photo booth company if they carry backup equipment to their events.  I understand that equipment rarely fails but in the event something does break, make sure they can still do the job they were paid to do.  A good company would have backup a camera, computer, printer, cables, etc.

Ask them how many prints guests get per session.  I believe that everyone that is in the photo deserves a printed copy of the photo.  There are booth packages where only two prints are provided.  What if there were six people in the booth?  You wouldn’t want the other four to miss out on the moment that was created in the booth

The template for the photos is also important. Not only do the photos have to look good, the design of the template should complement your wedding. Possibly match the theme or wedding colors. To have just the name is important but the overall look needs to complement you. Make sure to ask if they offer custom templates.

There are two types of booth now days, the traditional enclosed booth that has curtains and the non-traditional open booth.  If you value privacy, the enclosed booth may be your booth but if you want something where a bunch of people can fit, the open booth may be the one you want.  As for me, I like the open booth because more people can fit in a photo.  The other guests will most likely want to take pictures after seeing what a great time it is

The days of mall looking photo prints are over, the technology required to produce quality images is readily available so no one should have to settle.

Ask the experts what an engaged couple should discuss before they get married and you’ll probably hear something along the lines of “money, sex, and kids.” Heck, that’s even the name of one relationship book. With all due respect to the experts, I think they may want to work on that list a little bit. Sure, those are all important. But what about the things carefully designed to drive husbands and wives up the wall and right through the ceiling? The tiny beard hairs left in the sink after a shave? The plates placed willy nilly in the dishwasher? Come on, ladies and gentlemen! It’s time to settle the debates a couple absolutely must have before the wedding:

1. Does the toilet paper go over or under the roll?

2. Cats? Dogs? Both?

3. Can you eat breakfast for dinner?

4. Cold pizza: yes or no?

5. Is it acceptable to open presents as they arrive or do you have to wait for the actual birthday or holiday?

6. Should the dirty forks and knives go in the dishwasher with the handle sticking out of the utensil tray or down in the utensil tray?

7. Is it acceptable to leave dishes in the sink to “soak” overnight, or do they need to be cleaned before bed?

8. Toothpaste: cap on or cap off?

9. Again on the toothpaste: roll it from the bottom or just squeeze really hard?

10. Are towels a one-time use item or do you use the same towel until laundry day?

11. How about washcloths?

12. Road trip or flying?

13. What’s the right thread count for sheets?

14. What brand of toilet paper?

15. Mayo or Miracle Whip?

16. Pepsi or Coke?

17. Can you eat the holiday candy out in the display bowl or must it be left there for display?

18. What is YOUR definition of camping?

19. Turn the thermostat down when you go out or leave it alone?

20. At what point is a garbage bag too full to stuff more trash in it?

21. How many times is it acceptable to hit the snooze button?

22. Thrift store shopping: great deals or gross?

23. How far in advance is it OK to plan a vacation?

24. Restaurant reservations: necessary or too restrictive?

25. Roller coasters: love ’em or hate ’em?

26. More chocolate chips, less cookie or more cookie, less chips?

27. How much orange juice must be left in the container for it to be returned to the fridge?

28. Chip clips or just roll the bag up?

29. Call the doctor or just take some medicine at home?

30. Where is the prime location for the TV remote to stay?

31. Is it OK to have a TV in the bedroom?

32. Should folded clothes be put away, or is it OK to just pull as needed from the basket of clean laundry?

33. Do you need to write a grocery list or just wait until you’re walking around the store to figure out what you need?

34. Making the bed: must-do or waste of time because you’re just going to get back in it?

35. Is it OK to shave/clip toenails in the living room?

See? So many issues, so little time to get them straightened out before you’re grumbling about that dishwasher.

Photo: 360nobs

Written by Jeanne Sager for CafeMom’s, The Stir.

You’ve finally found a location you love, and let’s be real, you were ready to sign on the dotted line like yesterday. In all the hoopla and excitement of booking your big day though, don’t forget to use your head over your heart. Otherwise, you may find yourself out of both luck and money. Here are 3 questions every bride should always ask before committing to a wedding venue.

Photo: Septemberoaks

1. Will the backup plan still work with your guest count?

If you’re hoping to get hitched and hold your reception outside, it’s important to find out if your venue actually has enough space to move the party inside in case of inclement weather. If a venue can only hold a maximum of 60 people, and the exterior doesn’t work for tents (it’s not flat, it’s on a cliff, etc.), it won’t work for a larger wedding group. You’re just asking to be weathered out of your own wedding.

Photo: Shefinds

2. Is there a noise curfew?

Can’t stop, won’t stop! Unfortunately, not every wedding venue will let you party until the break of dawn (shocking, we know) or even past 10pm. Many private properties have earlier hours because of nearby neighbors and local noise ordinances. Ask how late your wedding reception can go, and while you’re at it, ask how soon it can begin, prior to signing a contract. Some venues will be happy to accommodate and provide a late night buffet, whereas others will tell you that your festivities must be shut down by a certain hour. This isn’t uncommon at hotels (luxury ones included), where your wedding may irritate other guests staying on the property that would rather turn down for the night.

Photo: Donna Morgan

3. Can you hang things?

We bet this question never crossed your mind! Some brides have a very specific décor plan in mind. If yours includes nonnegotiable details like floral chandeliers, paper lanterns and anything else that physically has to be hung from something, you’ll have to get permission first and the venue’s policy could be a deal breaker. For example, some places with concrete or stucco columns and other structures don’t have anything to anchor off of and you’re not allowed to damage the walls or ceilings. Thus, you can’t hang anything.

Article Courtesy Of: Brides