It’s not just about the flowers, the food, the décor. The mark of an amazing party is the warmth you feel and the connection to the guest(s) of honor.

I love feeling like I know someone better after I leave his or her event. If it’s a wedding, I have a sense of the bride and groom…how they met, their likes, their love, their story. If it’s a Bar Mitzvah, it’s wonderful seeing their commitment to their family, their faith, and their unique interests.  Even birthday parties and other special occasions, those extra details give you a window to the special person you are celebrating.

Today’s Tip: Instead of labeling your tables numerically, consider naming them for your favorite songs. If it’s a wedding or anniversary, chose titles of songs that have special significance to your relationship. The song playing on the car radio at the end of your first date. The song that you rocked out to last New Year’s Eve. Your “Our Song” of “they’re playing our song.” For those occasions honoring you individually, the sky’s the limit. You can choose your favorite songs: silly, serious, and everything in between.

I’m nearing my second anniversary, so for our next big celebration, I’m definitely taking my own advice. Here is one song title that I’ll be using for a table name.

Let My Love Open The Door – This Pete Townshend song always makes me smile. Featured in a poignant moment of the great movie “Dan in Real Life,” “Let My Love Open the Door” reminds me how amazing my husband is. Once when I was frustrated sitting in the dreaded LA traffic, I called him to vent. I was near tears, when suddenly he started singing this song. By the time he started trying to harmonize with himself, I was hysterically laughing. Now in those nightmare traffic moments, I’ll just call and say, “Babe, I need you to sing that song.” And the best part is…he does.

Another must-have table name for us is “Here Today,” the song I co-wrote with the brilliant Andrea Stolpe (Faith Hill, Jimmy Wayne) especially for my wedding day.  Not only is it the perfect reflection of us, but it also signifies the inspiration for my custom songwriting company, and a new adventure for us both.

Not up for song titles? Use your favorite artists’ names instead. Check out this beautiful table “number” designed by Anne K. Rodriguez, “The Paper Stylist” (thepaperstylist.com).

www.felicekeller.com

Picture courtesy Jordana Taylor Hazel

I have to admit… I LOVE wedding magazines. Even though I’ve been married for almost two years, there’s something magical about weddings and creating the day that you’ve always dreamed of. The perfect decor, flowers, food, and of course, the perfect wedding dress. So many different styles, looks, designers. The chance to find the most stunning reflection of you.

Today I have the extraordinary opportunity to meet with reporters from many of my favorite bridal magazines, and I’m so excited to let them know that brides now have the chance to have hit songwriters create a custom love song that is also a stunning reflection of them. Their story. Their dreams. Their love.

A whole new opportunity to personalize their most special day.

So one question… what was your favorite part of planning your wedding and making it uniquely you?

It’s crazy how music can have such an effect on us. Our moods, our memories, our entire outlook.

Sometimes when I want to get myself motivated, I’ll crank up the music and find myself dancing around my office. Whether it’s Glee’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” Rob Base’s “It Takes Two,” some Beastie Boys, P!nk, Beyonce, it gets me out of my head and back in that excited, “I can do anything” place.

Then there are times where I just feel down, and I want to stay there…at least for a few minutes. Out comes Phil Collins, Barry Manilow, and my favorite country ballads.

My favorite are those days when I’m feeling extra grateful to my husband, thinking about our beautiful wedding, and wanting to go back to that day. I just turn on “Here Today,” the song I co-wrote with Andrea Stolpe (who has written for Faith Hill, Julianne Hough and more), for my walk down the aisle. Suddenly, I’m back.

The power of music is amazing. And just like, “To everything there is a season,” “to every memory and mood there is a song.” What’s your song?

I just found out that I’ll be traveling to Nashville at the end of the week! That’s how these trips usually happen. Last minute, but so exciting. With an approaching deadline on a really cool project I’m doing for Ryan Seacrest’s morning radio show, I’m heading to Tennessee to write with two of Nashville’s most talented writers…true hitmakers! I’ll give you all the details upon my return, so stay tuned. Oh, and send lots of good vibes! xo

Can you believe we’re already almost half way through September? It’s crazy! I’m excited about a lot of projects we’re working on and will have some big news to announce in a couple of weeks!

Until, then, though, I wanted to let you in on a little secret…I decided to train for a half marathon. Sounds reasonable enough, I know, but this s ME. I am the girl who hyperventilated running a lap in the third grade. The one who took Marching Band class in high school so I could get out of PE. Granted, over the years I’ve exercised, but this will take it to a new level.

As I did my training walk today, I was so grateful to have my iPod. Great music can get me through anything. Today, it was Akon, The Beach Boys, The Beastie Boys. Hmmm… I guess I forgot to shuffle my workout playlist, but it was actually a fun mix. So my question to you is: What are your favorite songs to workout to? Email me at felice@felicekeller.com with your suggestions. I’d love to hear from you!

And of course, I’m already thinking about the “personalized to me” marathon song I want to write!

More updates to come!

xo,

F

Hi All!

Thanks to all of you who have been checking out the site and contacting me from near and far! It’s amazing.

Now more than ever, I’ve convinced that life is worth celebrating. If I had my way, we’d all have a “party” everyday. It could look like a normal family dinner, but it would be a celebration…of an achievement, something learned, something overcome, something new to dream about. For me, creating music with hit songwriters for extraordinary artists has always been my dream. And everyday it comes true. I know many of you sing along to the radio and your iPod, dreaming about having your own song. One that truly speaks to you. Whether a love song to re-connect you to your partner or an inspiring song to get you out of bed in the morning, I’m honored to find your favorite songwriters and make that happen.

How can music help you celebrate?

To quote Mr. Ren McCormack from “Footloose, “It (music/dancing) is our way of celebrating life. It’s the way it was in the beginning. It’s the way it’s always been. It’s the way it should be now.” Well, said Kevin!

Let’s get to celebrating.

xo

I have always loved music. The way it can make me laugh or cry, dream or reminisce. Even now that I write songs with some of my biggest musical heroes, their talent continues to put me in awe. True songwriters are brilliant storytellers, and I am so excited to give my clients the opportunity to have their own heroes create the signature soundtracks of their lives.

Here’s to an amazing new adventure. We all have extraordinary stories. I look forward to learning yours. xo