bridal shows in ct, bridal show ettiquite

How to get the most out of visiting a bridal show

How to get the most out of visiting a bridal show


Alrighty ladies, the time has come to start looking for vendors. With CT’s bridal show season officially underway in January, there’s a few things to know before you head out in search of the perfect wedding team.

While walking down the aisles, you’ll see wedding professionals of all types. Be sure to stop at as many as possible. Every wedding vendor has something unique to offer that could potentially make your special day amazing.

If you see a vendor you are interested in, be sure to give them your contact information so that they can set up an appointment with you. The vendors get a list of brides and grooms attending but, it helps us as vendors to know who is interested in us so we don’t bother you if you already have the services you need or are interested in another vendor.

Use things like dot stickers on promotional materials that you get so that you remember which vendors you are interested in. You’ll be more than likely carrying around a bag FULL of cards, brochures, and other promotional material. This will help you sort through the pile quickly and find your wedding team.

While speaking with the vendors at the show, ask for referrals to other vendors who they recommend. This could help you save time and give you some great references when choosing your wedding team.

As you’re waiting to speak to a vendor (chances are there will be a line), be sure to pop onto their website on your smartphone or tablet. This way, you can learn a little bit more about the company and have time to ask questions more specific to your special day.

After you’ve met with all of the vendors, go to a wedding site like WeddingWire or TheKnot and read their reviews. This will give you an even more in-depth look at what your wedding vendor can do for you.

Carry a bottle of water with you. You will be doing a lot of talking & walking. Stay hydrated.

Have a light meal before you come. Don’t miss out on meeting the right vendors on the account of going hungry. Visiting a bridal show can be exhausting. Carry a snack with you like protein bars to keep your energy up.

Follow up with your favorite vendors immediately! The good ones get booked quickly. Keep in mind, the majority of weddings in CT happen in May, June, September, October, and November.

Visit multiple shows. You might meet the right vendor for you after the 2nd or 3rd show. Smaller to medium sized shows typically offer the best experience because you have more time to chat with the vendors.

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The DO NOT PLAY list

While on the Weddingwire forums this afternoon, I came across a post labeled ‘DO NOT PLAY LIST’
I was especially eager to see what brides thought about this and how varied the answers would be.

As expected, there are some standards and floor fillers that happen at almost every wedding you’ve ever been to. Things like Love Shack, Cha Cha Slide, and a few others.

What does the fox say, was another one that made the list. It’s pretty cheesy. Not sure where it would fit into a wedding but, hey… who am i to judge?

HIP HOP & Top 40 – It’s no secret, the music of today continually pushes the envelope when it comes to raunchiness. At a wedding, you typically have everyone from grandparents to kids there so, it’s important to have music that is at the very least PG13.

Don’t Stop Believing – This is the #1 song most requested at weddings. It has been for the past 5 years running. Such anthems are great for sing alongs and air guitar enthusiasts.

Miley Cyrus – Enough said.

Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats – For a wedding? Really?

And these are just a few. What songs would you omit from your wedding celebration?

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Whats your music mood telling you?

Whats your music mood telling you?

Music has a funny way of telling you about yourself. It’s something that connects us all. Music is a universal language. The difference between a major and a minor chord and drastically alter someone’s mood. And how those chord changes happen tells a story. Music exudes emotion. Think about a song that means a lot to you. The tonal quality, the lyrics, and most certainly the beat…. all speak to you in some way, shape or form. You listen to different types of music depending on your mood and to alter the mood that you may be in. This is part of the psychology that DJ’s use to pack a dancefloor.

What kind of mood are you in?

1. Endless Love – Luther Vandross – Falling in love or feeling loved.
2. SHOTS – LMFAO – Party animal looking to tie a good one on.
3. Standin on Top of the World – Van Halen – A great sense of accomplishment
4. Walk – Pantera – Anger
5. Birthday Cake – Rihanna – Feeling scandalous.
6. Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars – Frustrated
7. I’ve got my Game On – Trace Adkins – Confident
8. Great Balls of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis – Excited
9. I’m Every Woman – Whitney Houston – Liberated
10. Circus – Britney Spears – On a pedestal.

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Heavy Metal Wedding

A VERY HEAVY METAL WEDDING

A VERY HEAVY METAL WEDDING

If you’ve ever been to a wedding, you’re probably used to hearing some of your favorite pop tunes, classic throw backs, and some oldies for good measure. But a HEAVY METAL WEDDING? Well that just ROCKS! Music is one of those things that is not only a universal language but also a very personal experience. It’s up to the songwriters and musicians to create memorable sound tracks and push the envelope in terms of how someone might react to it. Music is an immersive experience and with metal, the music can take you just about anywhere. From cutting teeth on a shredding guitar and  flamboyant drum line to the most subtle vocal characteristics of a heavy metal ballad.

So get ready to rock and grab the aqua net, eyeliner, some acid wash jeans and your best black concert t-shirt and watch this VERY HEAVY METAL WEDDING INTRO.

Bride and groom celebrate wedding with guitars by storyfulviral

Video from Daily Motion

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Will your song requests make the final cut?

Dancefloor science – Will your song requests make the final cut?

Everyone has their favorite tune or band that they listen to. But how well do they translate to the dancefloor? Think about your ipod playlist or the radio station you listen to. What do you listen to while you’re at work, in the car driving home, or in the bar on a Thursday night?

Every song has a purpose. If you’re hanging out at your dad’s bar, he might be listening to the Bob Dylan or George Thoroughgood. If you’re in the car, maybe some uptempo rock or top 40 is in order. If you’re at work, more than likely your employer tunes into the ‘safe at work’ station that has the word ‘lite’ attatched to it.

But what about the dancefloor at a wedding, school, or corporate event. Chances are, you know what to expect from each. At a wedding, there are some standards that almost always get played. Things like Love Shack, Build me up Buttercup, and the YMCA are all time tested and proven floor fillers. Why? They just work. But what if you’re not into the standards and you want to hear some Manheim Steamroller? Chances are, it’s probably not going to happen. For no other reason other than, a DJ’s purpose is to play for the masses and their job is to pack the floor and keep it full.

Now, what if you’re the bride or groom? Does being the client give you any clout? Absolutely it does. You trust your DJ to make the right decision. After all, this is what you hired them for. Your favorite song may not lend itself to dancing. So where does it fit in? During cocktail hour or dinner service. Dinner is a great opportunity to ‘LISTEN’ to some great music. By playing some of your requests that aren’t danceable during dinner, this allows your guests to share in the joy of a personalized music selection by you. There’s no law that says, ‘KENNY G must be played during dinner.” It can be just about anything you want, within reason of course. Sepultura is probably a little difficult for some folks to digest. But, you get the idea.

So don’t worry about spending days on end thumbing through all of your MP3’s and creating a 5 hour long mix for your DJ to play. Trust your DJ and help them help you take the pressure off your shoulders. Give them a few suggestions that will tell them enough about your taste in music and like a tenured sommelier, they’ll be able to pair the perfect music for every occasion throughout the evening.

It’s our job to entertain. It’s your job to enjoy your special day. It’s all about you.

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hire wedding dj, book wedding dj, find wedding dj

How to hire a wedding vendor team that works well for you and each other.

 

How to hire a wedding vendor team that works well for you and each other.

Let the planning process begin!

By now you’ve just recently got engaged and all of those things you’ve dreamed about for years are about to come true and planning for the big day begins now.

There’s so many pieces to the wedding puzzle, it can be quite overwhelming to think about all at once. Start slow. Get the big things out of the way and use a checklist to help keep organized. So, where do we begin?

THE VENUE: Make sure you visit lots of venues. Every venue has something unique to offer in the way of dining, atmosphere, and service. Pick which one best fits your personality and taste. While you’re at your final meeting with the venue you have chosen, ask for some references for DJs, photographers, videographers, florists, and anything else you need to make your dream wedding a reality.

Venues see many different vendors pass through their doors and know who works best with them to make your experience as a bride the best possible.

THE DJ: Once you’ve gotten your venue squared away, and you’ve met with your DJ, ask them for references as well. The DJ serves as your master of ceremonies and works seamlessly with the rest of your staff to make sure that the events of the day are in place and on time. Your DJ will be able to tell you who they have worked with and who they work well with.

As your list of ‘to-dos’ turns into ‘dones’, keep asking for those references. When you have a wedding team that works as a team, you will have the confidence in knowing that all that you ask for will be taken care of and you and your new spouse can just enjoy the day.

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2013 Hawks Landing Country Club Bridal Show

Hawks Landing Country Club: Vendor Spotlight

Hawks Landing Country Club : Vendor Spotlight

Hawks Landing Bridal Show, Hawks Landing Weddings, Bellavista weddings, bellavista at hawks landing

Hawks Landing Bridal Show

2 Years ago we did our first wedding at Hawks Landing Country Club. Now when you think country club, the first thing that comes to mind is golf. But at this central Connecticut gem, there’s so much more. Hawks gives you all of the amenities that you would expect from a larger wedding facility and offers a cozy and classy atmosphere.

Jamie Albert and the staff at Hawks Landing have raised the bar when it comes to country club weddings. Their spacious and inviting Bella Vista room comfortably seats up to 200 guests and just next door, the Fairway Room is great for up to 50 guests or can be used as a private bridal suite.

From a catering perspective, their food is hearty and full of flavor. Jamie’s down to earth personality and service first crew will ensure that all of your guests are treated like royalty.

If you would like to learn more about Hawks Landing Country Club and how they can make your next event amazing, call Jamie at 860-793-6000 or visit them on the web at www.hawkslandingcc.com

 

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Father Daughter Dance

A very special father daughter dance.

Break out the tissues and watch this very special father daughter dance.

One of the most difficult parts of planning music for your wedding is finding songs for the father daughter dance. Think about it. Can you think of any song that really personifies the relationship you have with one of your parents? But as you will see in the video, finding the right song was the furthest thing from this bride’s mind.

Almost every wedding video shows a bride dancing with her father but for this particular bride, her experience was different than most. Her father had passed away before her wedding day. Thanks to her big brother, she was treated to a big surprise.  It’s moments like these that make what we do so rewarding. Seeing people fall in love time and time again never gets old. We are part of some of life’s most memorable moments. And that is fantastic.

Bride’s Special Dance

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Crosby High School 2013 Homecoming Dance

On November 15th,  we were invited to be a part of Crosby High School‘s 2013 homecoming dance. Over 200 people attended the friday night bash dressed in their best red carpet style.

Take a look at some of the pictures from last night’s event.

 

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Vendor Spotlight – Mike Ross Photography

Vendor Spotlight – Mike Ross Photography

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at a wedding we did together a couple years back. It was Lauren & Jeremy’s special day at the Lilly Lake Inn in Wolcott.

Having never met Mike before, i viewed him as ‘The photographer in the room’. I didn’t get a chance to chat with him until he approached me to find out when the father/daughter dance would be. We took care of the formalities and the wedding went as planned.

Later that evening, I popped on his website, www.MikeRossWeddings.com to see who this guy was. When I saw his portfolio, I was awestruck. Not only does Mike do weddings but, is a phenomenal photojournalist. He had pictures of ladies shoes that he had taken in different locations, lighting, and atmospheres.

Now you’re probably thinking, Shoes. You were wowed by shoes.
Yes. I was. Mike has mastered the art of observation. Those shoes that he shot were some of the most magnificent shoes I had ever seen in a picture. The detail was incredible. Everything about them was perfect.

If Mike can do that for a  pair of shoes, just imagine what he could do for your special day. Trust me. You can’t go wrong with Mike Ross.

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