“Can’t Help Falling in Love and At Last remain the most popular songs, with newer songs like Train’s Marry Me breaking into the top 5,” says Marta Segal Block, GigMasters’ Editorial Director.  “Although many of the songs being chosen aren’t new, what is new is that brides and grooms are taking a larger role in choosing the rest of the songs for the reception. The majority of couples are creating “Must Play” and “Do Not Play” lists for their reception, and some are even creating specific set lists.”

TOP 5 FIRST DANCE SONGS
1.    At Last – Etta James
2.    Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
3.    Marry Me – Train
4.    You and Me – Dave Matthews Band
5.    All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo tied with Lucky – Jason Mraz, The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra and Then – Brad Paisley

TOP 5 FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE SONGS
1.    I Loved Her First – Heartland
2.    Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
3.    The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
4.    Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
5.    My Girl – The Temptations tied with Unforgettable – Natalie Cole

TOP 5 ‘DO NOT PLAY’ SONGS
1.    Chicken Dance
2.    Electric Slide
3.    Macarena
4.    YMCA
5.    Cotton Eye Joe

TOP SONGS FROM 2011 FOR 2012 WEDDINGS
1.    Marry You – Bruno Mars
2.    Just a Kiss – Lady Antebellum
3.    Love You Like a Love Song –Selena Gomez
4.    Countdown – Beyoncé
5.    We Found Love – Rihanna

A traditional canopy is typically made of four poles and a fabric top.   It can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like.   Look at this gorgeous one below which comes in a kit, from sukkahsoul.com.   Typically, florists have chuppahs available for rent and if you’re getting married in a temple, do ask the rabbi for assistance.

And take a look at this article in Sunday’s New York Times, which features couples of various religions — all of whom have included a canopy in their wedding ceremonies to great effect.

Two booth rental options include:

Capture Cube Photo Booth,  a brand new custom manufactured hard body photo booth rental that fits 3-9 guests (depending on configuration) while combining the nostalgic photo booth concept with a sexy all white look which can also be tuxedo black upon request. This photo booth for hire sports modern technology like a huge 19″ color touch screen, super fast 7 second instant-dry smudge-free printer, external HD LCD screen for real time photo slide show, Pro Canon DSLR Rebel T2i camera with true 18 mega-pixel photos, and a host of full customization options.

The Capture Curb was first designed for use at high-end fashion shows. Both innovative and practical, its spacious interior is perfect for a wedding photo booth group shot or an intimate photo booth portrait while easily fitting into tight spaces due to the sleek curved design.  When you rent a photo booth like the Capture Curve you are basically getting a mini-photo studio: perfect lighting, high-end camera, and customized backdrop.

By the way, Incredibooths are shown on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” on Friday, December 16th, at the Floral Terrace wedding of Elizabeth & Joseph Conti!

Alexander Olch The Winters Plaid Wool Tie
Bright prints and unexpected texture go neck-to-neck for our affection. Props to Mr. Olch for one knot your fellow will gladly tie.
Available at mrporter.com, $140.

Merge Cup with Saucer
It’s hard to resist a white porcelain body, black walnut handle, and saucer that doubles as a lid. This cup’s so sexy, you won’t mind if he puts his lips to it every morning.
Available at thomasryanbarkman.com, $75.

Mopha Industries Tool Roll
A flat tire is a bump in the road. Mopha’s roll-up tool kit straps onto his bike’s frame, so he can stay prepared on the go.
Available at mophadelivers.com, $42.

Tiffany Blue Invitation Kit: If you’re going for classic, nothing beats Tiffany blue. I especially love the scalloped edges and delicate metallic border, and the fact that this all-inclusive kit has everything you could possibly need: invitations, envelopes, envelope seals, R.S.V.P. cards, and R.S.V.P. envelopes ($40 for 50).

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Silver Invitation Jackets: This sleek invitation set screams sophisticated winter wedding.The die-cut accent makes the envelope look expensive, but it’s a total steal at under $40 (for 50).

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Pearl Ivory Jacket Invitation Kit: You can’t go wrong with time-honored ivory. Keep it clean and classy with black ink and a pale satin ribbon, or treat it like a blank canvas by incorporating an experimental typeface and hand doodling ($30 for 50).

Would you buy your wedding invitations and whatnot at…Target?

If not, you must attend the one coming up on Monday, the 14th.  It’s from 4 – 8 pm at Manhattan Center Studios, 311 W. 34th Street.   Here’s some of the awesomeness taking place:

• A meet-and-greet with planner-to-the-stars Colin Cowie
• Cake Tastings by Carlo’s Bakery as seen on Cake Boss showcasing sky-high cakes accented with lush floral accents including sweet peas, roses, hydrangea and calla lilies
• A couture fashion show showcasing sleek, vintage-inspired, form-fitting gowns, accessorized to perfection by Jenny Yoo
• Victorian-inspired table décor for the modern bride in Spring colors of lavender, purple and celadon green by Shawn Rabideau of Bethenny Getting Married
• Couture Carolina Herrera, Jenny Packham and Amsale gowns from Jaehee Bridal
• The ultimate Wedding Day entertainment, Aerialist Performances from Cirque-Tacular Entertainment
• Wedding Day Jewelry from Swarovski Crystallized and GM Diamonds
• Oscar de la Renta accessories and Monique Lhuillier gowns from TheAisleNewYork.com
• On-Site auditions with the hit tv show Say Yes to the Dress
• Bridal Beauty from The Spa at Equinox and army-style wedding day prep from Pure Power Bootcamp
• Custom Wedding Day Perfumes from Scenterprises
• Sangria bars from Madria Sangria, Cake Pops, Brownie Pops and Truffles from Chocolate Swirl
• Dream Honeymoon Resorts and Destination Weddings from St. Regis, Palace Resorts, The Mexico Tourism Board, Relais and Chateaux, Guatemala and more

To register, click here.

Couples can plan every detail of their wedding celebration down to who’s in charge of the calligraphy on the place cards, but the planning doesn’t stop with the end of the reception.

Newlyweds-to-be also need to make sure guests have a suitable roof over their heads when the partying is over, and the North Fork offers a variety of lodging options.

Steven Shauger, general manager of the Hyatt Place Long Island/East End, which opened this past July in downtown Riverhead, said couples can book blocks of rooms for their guests and choose where they’d like everyone to stay.

“We had one bride recently who said, ‘I want to be near my bridal party — but away from my parents,’” he said.

A minimum of 10 rooms is required for a block at the Hyatt, and Mr. Shauger said as many as six adults can sleep comfortably in each room.

At Soundview Inn Hotel in Greenport, couples can reserve a block of rooms and have their guests call the hotel to book them.

“We try and take some of the responsibility off the bride for having to guess what kind of bed her guests want,” said Ellen Wiederlight, the hotel’s manager.

Guests have the choice between four types of rooms and suites at Soundview, which offers, as the name suggests, views of the Long Island Sound from each of its 45 rooms.

Ms. Wiederlight said couples and their guests typically book three nights, with some out-of-towners opting to stretch their stay a few extra days.

“If they don’t live out here and they come out here for a wedding, they stick around,” she said.

Both hotels will prepare a special room for the bride and groom.

Mr. Shauger said couples tying the knot usually choose the Hyatt’s corner rooms, which are a bit larger than the others and offer wider views of Peconic Bay. Hotel staffers have set up suites for couples’ first married nights, complete with rose petals on king-sized beds, plates of chocolate-covered strawberries and bottles of champagne.

“They like the little things,” Mr. Stauger said.

As for their guests post-party activities, many of them take advantage of downtown Riverhead’s bars and restaurants. Some couples have rented out the butterfly exhibition space located just next door for their guests’ post-party entertainment. He said many couples wed at the Sea Star Ballroom, which opened in August and is located next door, and have an entire wedding affair that eliminates the need for transportation.

Couples who wed elsewhere can use local bus companies to shuttle guests from the wedding venue back to their rooms.

Of course Riverhead Town has seen many hotels pop up in recent years and couples should also look into blocking rooms at hotels like Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn Express and the Hilton Garden Inn in Riverhead, and East Wind in Wading River. Both the East Wind and Hotel Indigo have ballrooms for couples looking to have everything for their special day in one place.

Many folks getting married on the North Fork like the waterfront views and the luxury of Harborfront Inn at Greenport, and The Greenporter Hotel is a good option for people who don’t want to break their banks on lodging.

Some couples also opt for bed-and-breakfasts, and realtor Erica McKenzie of Andrew Stype Real Estate in Mattituck said she’s noticed a new alternative trend to the bed-and-breakfast stay: renting houses for bridal parties for the weekend.

She said so many couples have inquired about renting weekend houses on the North Fork for their weddings that she’s planning to target such couples in upcoming advertising efforts.

“Sometimes people just want a little house on the beach,” she said.

• Send guests home with 1/8 oz Tabasco minis customized with your monogram or wedding date – Case of 144/ $77.75
• Attach tags with guests’ names and table numbers to 2 oz bottles of Tabasco using satin ribbon for escort cards that double as favors – $1.90 ea
• For a real Bayou feel, personalize gallon jugs of Tabasco to incorporate in centerpieces and tablescapes – $44.95 – $53.95 ea

Available in packs of three for $7, the “Something Blue” chocolates can be bought in bulk or as favors through Chocolat Michel Cluizel by calling 646-415-9126.  As favors, the chocolates come in clear packaging so guests can see the unique color.  (Brides can request an additional blue ribbon and a “Something Blue” a tag on favor orders).