Love is in the air! Here’s the latest in celebrity engagement and wedding news—from across the pond to Canada to Texas!

• It was aisle dash #2 for Salma Hayek and husband François-Henri Pinault this weekend at the Venice opera house. The two were originally married Valentine’s day in Paris.
  
• Heidi Montag followed in Hayek’s footsteps and had a do-over wedding with Spencer Pratt this weekend. The couple’s first wedding was in November.
  
• Andy Roddick & Brooklyn Decker recently took the plunge in Austin, TX where none other that Sir Elton John played for the newlyweds. Talk about entertainment! Fellow tennis pro Roger Federer also got hitched, to tennis player Miroslava "Mirka" Vavrinec, this month.
  
• Bad boy Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame tweeted about tying the knot with his girlfriend in July. And CSI star Lauren Lee Smith said “I do” in April to her photographer sweetie, in her home of Canada.
  

CELEBRITIZE: A recurring theme this month was to make your wedding your own—whether you plan to have more than one of them or not! We can’t all have a knight play at our weddings, but keep cover/tribute bands in mind—it’s the latest trend in wedding entertainment. Also, think about a non-traditional venue - they make for amazing, memorable events. And, we think there's nothing cooler than juxtaposing the music with the venue, like a hard rock band in an opera house.

April showers bring…May proposals! While the winter holidays are still the #1 most popular time for marriage proposals, spring is not far behind. To that end, GigMasters filtered through all of the great wedding planning feedback we’ve gotten over the years and narrowed it down to the “Top 3 Things To Ask/Tell Your Wedding Performer” for engaged couples. There are lots of entertainment options for brides and grooms—and we 100% encourage the consideration of all of them! Here are a few simple rules to follow to ensure a great time is had by all.

1. Plan ahead and communicate: If possible, meet with your performer ahead of time. Even if you can't meet in person, do your homework, make joint lists and have at least one phone conversation to get on the same page. Always ask to speak to their most recent clients and/or clients whose circumstances are similar to yours (ie. same reception site, extra-large wedding parties, guest "performances," etc.)
   
2. Be clear…crystal clear: If there are dealbreakers such as a “do not play” list or a time limit you must stick to come toast time, put it in writing. You can --and should -- go as far as mapping out the flow of the evening. A rigid schedule may be hard to keep since there are many other factors, like food service, but a general flow with ballpark time-frames will help keep your event on track. The only kind of surprises you want—and your performer wants for you—are pleasant ones.
   
3. Ask the tough questions: Find out up front what the cost is going to be should you and your spouse decide to extend the playlist, even if (or especially if) you’re not planning on it. Also, find out if your band / DJ has experience dealing with insistent song requesters, technical difficulties, weather issues, etc. You should feel confident that they will deal gracefully with whatever comes their way. Examples they use to answer these questions make for great references. Don't be shy -- if they tell you about the wedding where the electricity went out for an hour, and they had to play acoustically, ask if you can speak to that couple!
   

Celebritize: When in doubt, choose a first song that speaks to you as a couple. Check out these famous first dance titles, and tell us it wasn’t a love story in the making.

• Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore - At Last (Etta James)
• Courtney Cox & David Arquette - Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul McCartney)
• Niki Taylor & Burney Lamar - Better Together (Jack Johnson)
• Pink & Carey Hart - She's Always a Woman (Billy Joel)

As the 2.2 million brides and grooms-to-be out there gear up for the 2009 wedding season, we're taking a good look at the wedding news, planning sites and blogs out there—and there’s a lot out there! Despite the economic storm, couples need not run for cover; a beautiful wedding is possible--on any budget. In fact, there are all kinds of online tools, articles and information available for those who are willing to spend some time doing their homework. As GigMasters helps couples find the perfect entertainment, there are other sites out there to help make "the big day" beautiful. To get you started, here’s a round-up of what’s being posted on 3 of the top wedding blogs around:

WWW.BRIDES.COM/BLOG: This how-to/ what-to-do guide prides itself on being the source for bridal fashion—and even posts direct from the NYC couture shows. Recent “Wedded Bits” Post: Attack of the 49-foot-bride, voiced by Reese Witherspoon in “Monsters vs. Aliens,” plays fashionista!

WWW.THEKNOT.COM/BLOG: “Wedding Obsessions” is all about creativity and style for everything wedding—with budget in mind. This co-written blog for the brides and by the brides gives ideas on everything from engagement to honeymoon. Recent Post: Did you know it’s possible to hold your reception in a sports stadium?!

WWW.WEDDINGBEE.COM: Talk about a team effort! This blog-only site has virtual “reporters” from all over sending photos and ideas for the many types of weddings and couples out there. Heavy on décor ideas and hair/beauty, Wedding Bee feels like a best friend who’s full of handy tips. Recent Post: Recession-proof accessories…’nuff said.

TIP FOR ENGAGED COUPLES: After determining a budget, make a wish list with your fiancé of the things that are most important to you both. Then, consider wedding blogs and online tools to figure out where to get the most bang for your buck so that you’re both happy in the planning process. That in itself is worth its weight in gold!

Wedding News! With spring’s arrival comes wedding bells! Here’s the latest on who in Hollywood is getting hitched and a few pointers to ensure your big day is just as dazzling:It seems Indiana Jones is still a man of mystery: actor Harrison Ford finally popped the question to girlfriend of 7 ½ years, ex-Ally McBeal-er Calista Flockhart. Apparently, “the Fugitive” managed to surprise his bride-to-be, back in February over the Valentine’s weekend and keep it quiet until now! Also engaged is Christina Ricci who met her beau on the set of upcoming film, "All's Faire in Love." Sounds like the perfect title! CELEBRITIZE: If you’re thinking of making an honest woman out of her, why not take a cue from the silver screeners and romance her with an old Hollywood type of glamour? As you get down on one knee, perhaps have the music from her favorite classic film in the background (here’s looking at you, kid.)

Also, over the weekend Bruce Willis said “I do” to his model girlfriend of over a year in front of ex-Demi Moore and her husband Ashton Kutcher. The ceremony took place at his home in Turks & Caicos but a California civil ceremony is also planned. CELEBRITIZE: No matter the size of your event or destination, capitalize on the moment with musical accompaniment: think soloist or maybe a single acoustic guitar for smaller, more private occasions.

Lastly, songbird Natasha Bedingfield married her businessman boyfriend in a fairly traditional ceremony overlooking the ocean. She and her new hubby walked back down the aisle to Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" after taking the plunge. CELEBRITIZE: Dare to be as traditional—or non-traditional—as you like with ceremony music. One new trend we’re seeing is choosing a classic piece for the processional but a contemporary tune for the recessional. Think Obla-di-obla-da or something off the top 40 to celebrate the moment.

 

 

Hot off the presses, here it is: everyone's favorite "Wedding Crasher" is soon to be the groom. Yes, Vince Vaughn of "Swingers" fame is finally hanging up his infamous bachelorness for an everyday girl, and "set to marry 29-year-old Calgary realtor Kyla Weber shortly, her father confirmed Thursday.” The newly famous father-in-law also reported that Vince proposed on V-day with a $125,000, four-carat ring. Also interesting is that "double-down's" mother was ALSO a real estate agent. Talk about location, location, location. 

That said—and we know this party animal will have stellar tunes at his bash—wedding season is fast approaching so lots of brides and grooms are looking to GigMasters for entertainment ideas on how to wow their guests—and stretch a budget. So, we polled those just hitched in hopes to lend advice to those about to take the plunge. Here’s some of what we found:

• 25% of respondents said they’d be upset if their best friend chose the same wedding song.
  
• Only 4% of respondents said that in retrospect, they would change the song they picked for their first dance, but 15% revealed that they’d consider it.
  
• When asked how they came to choose their first dance song, almost 60% had known it before even being engaged.
  
• 38% of couples had DJ’s; 26% had live bands; cover bands, tribute acts and variety performers are on the rise.
  

Economize: Once you have a set wedding budget, think in terms of taste and time, as well as dollars. If you and your fiancé are big rock concert fans—a band for the whole duration is probably a good fit for you. But if you’re fans of the theater, or have guests that like a variety of different entertainment, think about multiple acts—and maybe something unexpected, like a magician for kid guests or an impersonator! 

 

 

Valentine's day is here again, and it's not just for lovers (though it never hurts to have a date-- especially when this lovebug holiday falls on a Saturday night). In the spirit of all things romance, here's a list of some love songs that include our winged-friend cupid and the inevitable hold he has on those in love. Whether married, engaged or on the flipside--feeling utterly sarcastic about this weekend, take a moment to appreciate cupid's aim and popularity throughout  musical history. Add some long-stemmed roses, champagne and chocolates--voila!...it's a recipe for romance. 

1. Sam Cooke's "Cupid" - an upbeat, old-school song that's full of rhythm and catchy lyrics, this song is a sure-fire hit into the heart of a loved one. At the very least, it's bound to score a smile.
2. Mandy Moore's "Stupid Cupid" - a somewhat overly sweet (or sour) gumball tune that channels the fun of mid-20th century Motown girl groups, this is a good choice for some innocent flirtation.
3. Gym Class Heroes "Cupid's Chokehold" - a swift re-make of Supertramp's "Breakfast in America," this song tells the tale of a man who loves to fall in love, despite the outcome. Perfect for a first-date V-day playlist.
4. Cupid's "Cupid Shuffle" - less appropriate for a quiet night at home than the others, this beat-heavy jam is just right for a couple who loves to hit the dance floor, and shake their moneymakers together.
5. Jack Johnson's "Cupid" - with his smooth and sultry voice, this one scores #1 in the romance department. Not too fast and not too slow, it's a great choice for talking or smooching over.

Happy Valentine's Day from GigMasters!  

The big celeb wedding news right now is Fergalicious and the details are still tumbling out. The songstress married her "Las Vegas" actor Josh Duhamel a few weeks ago in an all-white Malibu wedding. After the ceremony, the couple treated their guests to a video mix of Ms. Stacy Ferguson's hit songs, to which her Black Eyed Peas bandmates danced along to. Also married over the holidays were late-night host Craig Ferguson and free spirit/former "Cheers"-er Woody Harrelson, both to their longtime girlfriends.

CELEBRITIZE: If you're not exactly a "Dutchess," why not invite your besties on the dance floor once the signature songs are done to celebrate? A favorite comtemporary song, or perhaps a classic cover (think "Aint No Mountain High Enough") might really get everyone's blood pumping and set the tone for a fun-filled dance party of a reception. Also in the wedding pages: New holiday engagements include Alyssa Milano to her agent (now who's the boss?) and Gisele Bundchen to Tom Brady. A lot of celebrities who've been engaged throughout 2008 are also set to tie the knot in '09, meaning there will be lots of new trends in bridal to be on the lookout for. This list includes the likes of Carmen Electra (wedding gowns with mini-skirt hemlines, perhaps?) and tennis star Andy Roddick. A-listers like Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie might also become brides in 2009, but I doubt they'll be invited to each other's weddings. So with big-name women and men taking the plunge this year, perhaps the most exciting fashion trends will finally be in the menswear department. After all, if the bride goes to all the trouble she does (the dress, the veil, the shoes, the hair, the makeup.heck, most brides even buy a new perfume!) where does he get off just renting a tux? Ladies, discuss among yourselves, but that doesn't seem fair to me. In fact, the average gown is $1,056! But if that's by the yard, perhaps Ms. Electra's will be less.

BOTTOM LINE: Whatever your stye and whoever you are--from star athletes to regular Joes--embrace that part of you and make your wedding your own. A cover of your favorite song or a jam that says something about the two of you (Ms. Milano might pick something by "The Boss" or Patriot's QB Brady might pick "Born in the USA")...make sure there are a few songs on the playlist, aside from the signatures, that'll bring a smile to your face...and your guests.