Easily Find Your First Dance Songs on Your iPhone

I thought that you might be interested to know that there is an easy way for you to find and preview first dance song ideas on your iphone. FOR FREE!

I helped put together the iphone app, and there are some quality indie tunes on it.

Anyways, it is super easy to use and it’s FREE so download it here: Wedding Songs Planner – First Dance and let me know what you think.

You can also watch this video to learn more about the main (paid version) of the app:

Instead of clicking the button (as stated in the video), you can find it on the app store here: Wedding Songs Planner – First Dance

Thanks to All of Our Past Customers!

2011 was an awesome year for Indie Wedding DJ. I worked with 29 amazing couples and had a great time doing it. And thanks to those couples, Indie Wedding DJ has been awarded Wedding Wire’s 2012 Brides Choice Awards.

Weddings, Wedding Venues
2012 Bride's Choice Awards | Best Wedding Photographers, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Cakes, Wedding Florists, Wedding Planners

Thanks so much for hiring me, working with me, and leaving such great reviews. Your business and time is very greatly appreciated!

Justin

Bridal Shows Toronto 2012

Toronto Bridal ShowsOk, I’m assuming that you’re here because you’re looking for a wedding show to attend in Toronto (and you like indie music). My first question to you is:

Have you ever attended a wedding show?
If no, you’re in for a really fun time (if you are looking for cheesy vendors pushing their crappy fare onto you). When I started Indie Wedding DJ, I decided to attend a wedding show before I decided to pay for a booth. So I found Canada’s Bridal Show, because they sounded like they knew what they were doing.

Here was my experience:
Stand in line for 10 minutes to pay $15 each (I brought my wonderful spouse for moral support) for the privilege of attending the show.
Walk in to the pounding beats of some terrible, cheesy DJ.
Walk around the show and try to avoid eye contact with all vendors. As soon as they see your eyes, they go in for the kill.

Now, honestly, this would have been okay, IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE THAN ONE NON-CHEESY vendor at the show. I spent over an hour looking to connect with just one vendor that might have a similar style to Indie Wedding DJ. I did find one photographer, but that was all.

I’ve heard very similar stories from friends (not just grooms, but brides too) who have attended some of the large wedding shows. They just aren’t put together for the urban couple who is looking for a non-cookie cutter wedding.

So, I’ve done some research and it seems that there is only one wedding show that I can suggest to you. The Wedding Co. puts on the only non-cheesy wedding show in Toronto that I think my readers will like. The show is coming up, January 13-15 at the Carlu (get more information here: The Wedding Co. Show 2012). If you’re set on attending a wedding show, make sure it is this one.

One side note is that a lot of the excellent vendors do not need to attend wedding shows as they can book up on their own (that’s why you won’t see me there!). To find these quality vendors, you should ask the vendors that you already have hired for suggestions or check out online reviews on places like Wedding Wire.

18 Indie Signing of the Registry Songs

After you have said your vows, it is time to make it official by signing the marriage license (also called wedding registry). Your wedding license is government issued and signed by the wedding officiant, the married couple and witnesses (usually the best man and maid of honour). The signing usually takes 2-4 minutes and it is pretty standard for music to be quietly played during this time.

Signing of the Registry Music

There are a few of notes that you should consider about your signing of the registry songs:

  • The signing can take up to 4 min so you should try to pick a song that is at least that long
  • If you’d like a shorter song than 4 min, you can just have a back-up song in ccase your first song finishes before you are done signing
  • Love songs are perfect

I’ve put together a list of indie signing of the registry songs that you can find below:

All Is Full of Love by Björk
Album: Homogenic     Release Date: November 1, 1998 (Funkstörung release)June 7, 1999
Lyrics: Lyrics for All Is Full of Love by Björk
Amazon: Purchase All Is Full of Love by Björk
iTunes: All Is Full of Love - Björk's Greatest Hits

Blood Bank by Bon Iver

Lyrics: Lyrics for Blood Bank by Bon Iver
Amazon: Purchase Blood Bank by Bon Iver
iTunes: Blood Bank - Blood Bank - EP

Your Rocky Spine by Great Lake Swimmers

Lyrics: Lyrics for Your Rocky Spine by Great Lake Swimmers
Amazon: Purchase Your Rocky Spine by Great Lake Swimmers
iTunes: Your Rocky Spine - Ongiara

Love And Some Verses by Iron & Wine

Lyrics: Lyrics for Love And Some Verses by Iron & Wine
Amazon: Purchase Love And Some Verses by Iron & Wine
iTunes: Love and Some Verses - Our Endless Numbered Days

Anyone Else But You (The Moldy Peaches) by Juno Soundtrack

Lyrics: Lyrics for Anyone Else But You (The Moldy Peaches) by Juno Soundtrack
Amazon: Purchase Anyone Else But You (The Moldy Peaches) by Juno Soundtrack
iTunes: Anyone Else But You - Juno (Music from the Motion Picture)

Take Care by Beach House

Lyrics: Lyrics for Take Care by Beach House
Amazon: Purchase Take Care by Beach House
iTunes: Take Care - Teen Dream

I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Album: Plans     Release Date: June 26, 2006 (2006-06-26)
Lyrics: Lyrics for I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
Amazon: Purchase I Will Follow You into the Dark by Death Cab for Cutie
iTunes: I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Plans

Towers by Rah Rah

Lyrics: Lyrics for Towers by Rah Rah
Amazon: Purchase Towers by Rah Rah
iTunes: Towers - The Sailors (EP)

Already Yours by BAHAMAS

Lyrics: Lyrics for Already Yours by BAHAMAS
Amazon: Purchase Already Yours by BAHAMAS
iTunes: Already Yours - Pink Strat

Hockey Teeth by BAHAMAS

Lyrics: Lyrics for Hockey Teeth by BAHAMAS
Amazon: Purchase Hockey Teeth by BAHAMAS
iTunes: Hockey Teeth - Pink Strat

You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

Lyrics: Lyrics for You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Amazon: Purchase You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
iTunes: You Are the Best Thing - Gossip In the Grain (Bonus Track Version)

I Love You by The Bees

Lyrics: Lyrics for I Love You by The Bees
Amazon: Purchase I Love You by The Bees
iTunes: I Love You - Free the Bees

I’m So Glad by Royal Wood

Lyrics: Lyrics for I’m So Glad by Royal Wood
Amazon: Purchase I’m So Glad by Royal Wood
iTunes: I'm So Glad - A Good Enough Day

Cat Power by Sea of Love

Lyrics: Lyrics for Cat Power by Sea of Love
Amazon: Purchase Cat Power by Sea of Love
iTunes: Sea of Love - The Covers Record

Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine

Lyrics: Lyrics for Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine
Amazon: Purchase Such Great Heights by Iron & Wine
iTunes: Such Great Heights - Such Great Heights - EP

Two by Ryan Adams

Lyrics: Lyrics for Two by Ryan Adams
Amazon: Purchase Two by Ryan Adams
iTunes: Two – Easy Tiger

Red Right Ankle by The Decemberists

Lyrics: Lyrics for Red Right Ankle by The Decemberists
Amazon: Purchase Red Right Ankle by The Decemberists
iTunes: Red Right Ankle - Her Majesty The Decembrists

Falling Slowly by The Frames

Lyrics: Lyrics for Falling Slowly by The Frames
Amazon: Purchase Falling Slowly by The Frames
iTunes: Falling Slowly - The Cost (Deluxe Edition)

Indie Wedding DJ Featured on Offbeat Bride

Offbeat Bride is a great wedding blog for couples that are looking for some inspiration to make their wedding a little (or a lot) different than the standard wedding. The awesome news is that Indie Wedding DJ was featured in post on Tuesday. Check out the post here: Indie Wedding DJ Offbeat Bride Feature.

Indie Bouquet Toss Songs

Indie Bouquet Toss SongsThese days it seems like at least 50% of weddings are using Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) for the bridal bouquet toss song. Obviously, this is a perfectly appropriate song, and will probably be (over)used for the next decade for bouquet tosses across the land. However, being an indie music lover, I decided to put together some options for those of you who are looking for some alternative bouquet toss songs. Click the links to view a YouTube videos of the songs:

Indie Bouquet Toss Songs

Rock & Roll Queen by The Subways
No You Girls by Franz Ferdinand
Date With The Night by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Trying Your Luck by The Strokes
Drunk Girls by LCD Soundsystem
Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

In case your wondering which (non-indie) songs I play when I get to choose, here are a couple:
Girls by Beastie Boys
Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison

Leave a comment with your favourite bouquet toss song. I read every one.

10 Unique Wedding Venues in Toronto

I wanted to put together a list of some of the most interesting wedding venues in Toronto so I decided to ask a couple of my favourite photographers, Michelle Yee and Rohan Laylor to help me with the post. Below are Toronto’s 10 most unique wedding venues, based on their thoughts, along with mine.

Michelle Yee

Why Indie Wedding DJ loves Michelle:
Michelle takes amazing candid shots, is super nice and easy going. Here’s her site: Michelle Yee, Toronto Wedding Photographer. She’s also included a few links to slideshows from the venues so make sure to check out her fantastic work.

Kortright Centre for Conservation

Unique Wedding Venue Toronto Michelle’s thoughts: They offer “green” wedding services, as well as a natural and lush backdrop that doesn’t require much decorating (it’s beautiful already!).
Stay tuned for a slideshow from a recent wedding that she shot there.
Capacity: 135 in the Glass House and 175 in the Main Hall
Website: Kortright Centre for Conservation
Email: info@kortright.org
Phone: 905-832-2289
Address: 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge, ON

Berkeley Field House

Unique Toronto Wedding VenueMichelle’s thoughts: It’s right in the city and is full of lovely little nooks and crannies and interesting architectural details that can make for some great photos! Slideshow of a wedding that she shot there can be seen here.
Website: Berkeley Field House
Email: info@berkeleyevents.com
Phone: (416)361-9666
Address: 315 Queen St East, Toronto, Ontario

Wychwood Barns

Unique Wedding Venue Toronto Michelle’s thoughts: An airy, open and well-lit space that also features industrial architecture and has since been converted to a community space that shows and supports local artists.
Slideshow of a wedding that she shot there can be seen here.
Capacity: 300
Website: Wychwood Barns
Email: barns@torontoartscape.on.ca
Phone: 416-653-3520
Address: 601 Christie Street Toronto, ON

Michelle’s Bonus Choice

Auberge du Pommier

Unique Wedding Venues Toronto Michelle’s thoughts: Lovely, classic and intimate. Plus, the French cuisine is sublime!
Slideshow of a wedding that shee shot there can be seen here.
Capacity: 48 – 145 seated
Website: Auberge du Pommier
Email: events@oliverbonacini.com
Phone: 416.364.1211
Address: 4150 Yonge St., Toronto, ON

Rohan Laylor

Why Indie Wedding DJ Loves Rohan:
Rohan has a very keen eye for space and architecture. He really knows how to shoot photographs in the urban sphere and always finds interesting spaces in the city. His love for the city can be seen in his portfolio: Rohan Laylor Wedding Photographer Toronto.

Royal Canadian Yacht Club (on Toronto Island)

Unique Wedding Venue Toronto Rohan’s thoughts: I like the fairy ride over to the facility and the view of the city from the Island is spectacular. It’s an old building with a lot of character and can cater small and medium and larger events. The grounds are very nice for an outdoor ceremony and offers great options for indoors. I also found that there were a lot of great options for wedding photos, not to mention that the facility can only cater to one wedding at a time so there will be that intimacy. The only down side is that you have to be sponsored by someone who is a member of the Yacht club if you want to have your wedding there, and your guests have to come and go by water taxi.
Capacity: max 250 guests
Website: Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Email: switchboard@rcyc.ca
Phone: 416-967-7245
Address: 141 St. George Street, Toronto, ON (mailing) Club is located on Toronto Islands’ North Island

Berkeley Church

Unique Toronto Wedding Venue Rohan’s thoughts: It’s an old church that has been converted to an event facility. It has a lot if character. I’ve seen the full gamut of events there, from weddings to film and music videos to art shows. It’s a very versatile space that can be tailored to suit your needs. I also like the fact that it’s located on Queen street East so it’s very accessible by car and the neighborhood offers good photo taking options.
Website: http://www.berkeleyevents.com/Spaces.Church.php
Email: info@berkeleyevents.com
Phone: (416) 361-9666
Address: 315 Queen St East, Toronto, Ontario

Canoe Restaurant

Unique Toronto Venue -Weddings Rohan’s thoughts: It doesn’t have the outside character like the other 2, but the fact that this little place sits on top of the TD tower in the financial district, and the view of the city and the lake is stunning from this point. It’s an intimate spot with a cool address,not to mention it’s an Oliver and Bonaccini restaurant so you know the food is going to be phenomenal.
Capacity: 24-140 seated
Website: Canoe
Email: events@oliverbonacini.com
Phone: 416.364.1211
Address: 54th Floor, 66 Wellington St. West, Toronto, ON

Indie Wedding DJ

Enoch Turner School House

Toronto Unique Wedding VenueJustin’s thoughts: This venue is on the smaller side but it is the first free school in Ontario. The building is historical, beautiful and located just a short streetcar ride from downtown.
Capacity: up to 150 guests
Website: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Email: aleblanc@enochturnerschoolhouse.ca
Phone: 416-863-0010
Address: 106 Trinity Street, Toronto, ON

Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District

Unique Wedding Venue Toronto Justin’s Thoughts: This is one of the larger unique spaces for weddings in the city. Although the distillery district is a bit of a touristy area, there is a good reason for this. I am drawn to historical spaces and I love the industrial chic feel of this room. Since it is large, there are many ways that the room can be configured.
Capacity: 400
Website: Fermenting Cellar
Email: inquiries@thedistillery.ca
Phone: 416 203 2363
Address: 55 Mill Street, Toronto, ON

Miller Lash House

Unique Wedding Venue Toronto Justin’s thoughts: This Arts and Crafts styled house is a beautiful space with an amazing property. If your looking for a venue with interesting architecture, is not quite urban, but still within the city limits, then the Miller Lash House is the place for you.
Capacity: Indoors: 50 seated, Outdoors: 220 seated
Website: Miller Lash House
Email: info@millerlashhouse.ca
Phone: 416-287-7000
Address: 1265 Military Trail, Toronto ON

None of these suit your needs? Why don’t you check out the Top 10 Outdoor Venues in Toronto?

If your interested in booking Indie Wedding DJ for your wedding, click this link: Check Indie Wedding DJ’s Availability.

Awesome Toronto Wedding Videographer

by Patrick Hodgson

Last week I DJed Justin and Sarah’s super fun wedding at the Reif Estate Winery in Niagra on the Lake. I had such a good time, as they’re were some South African guests in attendance who came to party and the locals apparently liked to dance too as the floor was full all night.

While at their wedding, I met Patrick Hodgson, the videographer that Justin and Sarah had hired. He sent me a copy of their video teaser when he was done and it is phenomenal! If I have a videographer for my wedding it will be Patrick. He was super professional, non-obtrusive and the video is non-cheesy. It looks like it’s from a movie! You can check out his site here: Patrick Hodgson, Toronto Wedding Videographer. Hire him!

Alternative/Indie Garter Toss Songs

Indie Garter Toss SongsThe garter toss isn’t a super popular tradition at most of the weddings that I DJ, but for those of you are going to have a garter toss, below is a list of some alternative garter toss songs. I’ve broken the songs into different categories to make it easier for you (click the link to view a YouTube video of the song):

Indie Garter Toss Songs:

Dig A Little Deeper by Peter Bjorn and John
Don’t Turn The Light On by Chromeo
Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys
Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above by CSS
Fell in Love With a Girl by White Stripes

I loved Flight of the Conchords and I think that this is a funny garter toss song:
Business Time by Flight of the Conchords

Here are a few pop songs for the garter toss:
I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness
Sexyback by Justin Timberlake
Where’s Your Head At by Basement Jaxx

Here are some older songs that aren’t quite as cheesy as a lot of the options on the web but still have some fun undertones:
I Know What Boys Like by The Waitresses
Love Train by The O’Jays
Treat Her Like a Lady by The Temptations
Shake Your Groove Thing by Peaches and Herb

I’ve also included a couple of the cheesy/fun classics, just in case you want to go that route:
Boombastic by Shaggy
Who Let The Dogs Out by Baha Men
Get Busy by Sean Paul
I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred

If your interested in booking Indie Wedding DJ for your wedding, click this link: Check Indie Wedding DJ’s Availability.

Leave a comment with your favourite garter toss songs. I read every one.

Indie Wedding Songs – Recessional

Indie Wedding Recessional SongsYou just got married! Now it’s time to walk back down the aisle with your spouse, but what song do you want to celebrate with? I feel that a recessional wedding song should be lively and happy and make you feel good. It is also great if there is a slight build up at the beggining of your recessional song as this will give you a few seconds to turn and face your guests. In my typical style, I have included a few songs from different genres of wedding music for your wedding recession. Listen to any of the songs by clicking the link and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Indie Recessional Wedding Songs

Go Do by Jonsi
Gobbledigook by Sigur Ros
Neighborhood 1 (Tunnels) by The Arcade Fire
Just Like Heaven by Vitamin String Quartet
Home by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

Older Soul/Rock Recessional Wedding Songs

All You Need is Love by The Beatles
I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown
Happy Together by The Turtles

I’m not a huge U2 fan but Beautiful Day would be a very appropriate recessional
Beautiful Day by U2

Classic Jazz Wedding Recessional Songs

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra

If your interested in booking Indie Wedding DJ for your wedding, click this link: Check Indie Wedding DJ’s Availability.

Leave a comment with your favourite recessional song. I read every one.

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