5 Things You Need to Do NOW If You’re Rescheduling

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With Connecticut Re-opening it’s doors slowly but surely, we’ve seen restaurants, salons, gyms, and other businesses open their doors to a limited capacity. But in the events industry, we’re still waiting for the green light from Hartford to tell us when we can get back to hosting events. With this uncertainty overhead, we’ve been receiving emails nearly daily to re-schedule our events. We understand that you’ve taken so much time to research and create the perfect team for your day. It’s important that your team stays intact for your rescheduled event date. Here’s what we’re doing to help our clients to keep their team intact.

1. Contact your venue and get several date options when re-scheduling. This will help give you the best option for nailing down a date with all of your team.

2. Send a group email to all of your vendors with the dates that are available at your venue of choice so that they can check those dates against their future event schedule.

3. Don’t forget about Sundays and weekdays for your event. Often times, these non-conventional days offer big savings to you and double your chances of getting everything you need for the perfect celebration.

4. Follow up follow up follow up! Keeping lines of communication open with your creative team is essential. Especially now.

5. Once you and your team have chosen your new date, pop on social media and let your guests know about the date change so that they can begin making travel arrangements if needed.

Many couples don’t have the luxury of time when booking their DJ and in most cases do so between 8-12 months out. The pandemic is actually a blessing in disguise because you now have more options than ever to plan the event you’ve always wanted!

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Post Covid-19 Weddings – Are you ready?

Previous to 2020, wedding celebrations took all kinds of forms. From the grandiose to the modest. We’ve introduced food trucks, photo booths, and everything in between for a trendsetting wedding celebration. And right now, we’re looking for new ideas to work around the pandemic. Many of our colleagues in the wedding industry have found some short term solutions to give their clients a fraction of what they had intended so that they didn’t have to give up their date and others have rescheduled their weddings to a hopefully more stable 2021. But the big question we’ve all been pondering is, what will weddings look like moving forward?

In the days to come, Connecticut will begin re-opening through phases at about half capacity for many public dining and entertainment venues. This is most definitely a start in the right direction. If you look at Massachusetts and New Jersey, they are months behind CT with re-opening. So what does this mean for you and our neighboring states? I predict an influx of weddings and events to take place here. With CT being the progressive state that it is, we’ve always been innovative in finding new ways to do things. This will be a challenge like no other. Our casinos have already opened their doors to the public with responsible distancing guidelines to keep their patrons safe. This comes ahead of what the rest of the state is doing and will most likely used as a benchmark for the rest of us.

But what about your wedding? What does that look like? When you think about weddings and the safety of guests and staff, that’s the great debate weighing heavily on our minds. More tables, less people per table will ensure social distancing guidelines will be met. Larger dance floors with more space for guests is most likely the new norm. At least for a while. With the re-scheduling of weddings from the 2020 wedding season moving into 2021, there is no doubt that mid-week weddings will be all the rage. And that’s great because every couple will have an opportunity to have the venue and vendor that they choose. There are 365 days in a year and there are over 100 wedding venues in Connecticut. Many of them with multiple spaces to be able to take on more than one wedding simultaneously. And if you’re thinking outside the box for a more intimate affair, the parks and backyards will most likely become an option to allow for safety and enjoyment to you and your guests.

Weddings are ever changing and have been since they’ve began. And the wedding industry has always rolled with the tide and have created new ways to help you celebrate. This is no different. And we’re absolutely up for the challenge. We’re ready for you.

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quarantine dance party

Covid, Quarantines, and what we’re doing about it.

The planet is collectively in a tailspin due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the entertainment industry was one of the first to be forced to close it’s doors indefinitely until the threat has been neutralized. And of course, during this rather challenging time, many other companies have elected to have their employees work from home and in some cases, stop work all together. The inspiration for our resurgence of creativity came from a single DJ in Italy that decided he was going to entertain his neighbors from his balcony. The audience below began to cheer, sing, and dance. It was a beautiful moment of humanity and proof that music is so vital during times like these because it brings us all together.

DJs, musicians, and many other artists have collectively taken a cue from this young DJ and have begun curating content on social media and other outlets to keep their followers and fans entertained. Events companies have put down their competitive shields and have shown a great camaraderie amongst each other to help their clients in their time of need. Pryme Tyme Entertainment is no exception. Through our comprehensive network of event planners, photographers, DJs, and venues, we’ve all been working tirelessly to ensure our clients are able to carry out their celebrations with little worry and inconvenience as possible.

We’ve also begun putting out mixes for our fans to listen to and enjoy from the comfort of their own home. You can now listen to our mixes right on our homepage or download the MIXCLOUD app on your phone and tablet. Our channel can be found HERE.  Entertainment is all we know. It’s what we’re good at. And during this pandemic, we’re going to do everything we can to keep you feeling positive and motivated through music.

We hope that you are taking the time to enjoy your families and children and look forward to serving you again very soon.

Sending love your way,

The PTE Team

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Are All Connecticut Weddings the Same

Are all Connecticut Weddings the Same?

You’ve recently got engaged and begin looking at venues, Wedding DJs, and everything else you need for your special day. You and your soon to be spouse travel from place to place looking for that amazing venue to host your celebration and somewhere in the mix, you begin to think to yourself… “What’s really different from one to the next?” Besides the obvious architecture of the building and the grounds, how is the food? How is the service?

Here’s what to expect when choosing the right venue for your wedding reception.

The majority of wedding receptions in Connecticut last around 6 hours including your ceremony. Some venues are very strict when it comes to start and stop times because more times than not, they have 2 or more weddings in a day that they need to handle. This is what we refer to as a “Wedding Factory”. Everything is pretty much laid out for you and even though their efficiency is second to none, it can leave you and your guests feeling rushed. So if you’re the type of couple that really wants a relaxing experience that’s more laid back, these are not the venues for you. But, if your priorities are that you will need or want for nothing because the service is a cut above the rest, this is DEFINITELY the option for you. Fork drop on the ground? No problem. There is already a waiter running for your sweetheart table with a clean one. Did you take a sip of wine and hit the floor for a song or 2? No worries! When you get back, the 1.5 ounces of wine will be topped off.

Let’s talk about estates for a second. There’s nothing more regal than having your wedding at a Vanderbilt Estate where sophistication and class is paramount. But even if you have your wedding on the grounds of a notable family’s summer home in Fairfield county, remember that it was someone’s home at one point and it was never meant to be a wedding venue. That doesn’t mean you can’t have it there, it just means that there’s going to be some additional costs included when it comes to ensuring that your guests are comfortable. Remember, July is one of the HOTTEST months in Connecticut and if you have a tented wedding on the lawn of an estate, climate control is an absolute must and you’re going to need lots of electricity to make sure that your tent is lit, is comfortable, and with enough power for your wedding entertainment. If money is no object, this is a great option. In addition to investing more in your venue, you’re also going to want to hire some amazing core vendors that will be able to accommodate the non-traditional venue and really complete your vision.

We can’t possibly leave out the farm/barn wedding. At one time, Connecticut was home to many farms and apple orchards. Farmers have wised up and turned many of their hay barns and horse stalls into working wedding venues. The benefit they have is open space. You’ve got lots of versatility in terms of your layouts, length of reception, and opportunities for really amazing photos. And like the estate wedding, it also poses a few challenges. Farms and barns are sometimes in residential areas. What does that mean for you? Noise ordinances. If you want to party all night until the sun comes up, this might not be the best option for you. In Connecticut, most towns have a 10pm cutoff time for excessive noise. And if the neighbors to the barn are particularly annoyed by ambient noise and music, it will definitely be a lot quieter when it comes time for dancing. That’s probably not a bad thing considering that if you’re looking for the laid back experience, booming bass probably isn’t your thing.

All in all, there are many great options available in Connecticut. There’s a venue that fits every couple. Just be sure to prioritize what’s important to you and decide the style and atmosphere you’re shooting for. It’s all up to you!

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wedding dj prices, settling for a wedding dj, wedding djs in ct, ct wedding dj, pryme tyme entertainmentEnvato ELements

Did you settle on your wedding dj?

Sharon writes:
” So at this point I’ve looked at dozens of DJs on google, received quotes from about 3, and have visited a handful. I have a really specific feel I’m going for that is proving hard to find in Connecticut.
Traditional weddings are not my style. I understand that my parents are hoping that I will have every single tradition from a cheesy money dance to the garter grab but, I’m just not comfortable. Every DJ I talk to tries to turn my wedding into a techno festival.
I’m really at my wits end and honestly I want to give up completely. I have a couple of djs that I’m considering but honestly I just feel like I would be settling and I can’t fathom spending so much money on a dj that I’m feel like I’m just settling for… “

Wow Sharon! That’s quite an experience. And as I might add, probably the experience for many brides just like you. Worry not, you are not alone. We are at a crossroads right now in the wedding industry. Our baby boomer parents and grandparents want to stick to what was hip back in 1979 when they got married and you just want to push the envelope and do your own thing. It’s no secret, people and change are a difficult thing. There are plenty of trend setting people out there that would love to help your ideas come to life.

You ABSOLUTELY should not settle on your wedding dj. With so many choices out there for wedding entertainment, it’s understandable that making the choice could be overwhelming. But choosing a DJ is more than just price shopping and music. It’s feeling a good connection with the person who is going to be handling your entertainment and master of ceremonies duties from start to finish. Certain things can put you off. For instance, do they have a good voice for announcements? Do you feel at ease talking to them? Do you feel that they are a good listener? These are just a few examples of things that you might be thinking when you are speaking face to face with your wedding DJ.

And because there is such a diverse selection of wedding djs in ct, you have your pick of the litter on who would be the best option. Hang in there Sharon, we’re here to help you. Be sure to tell your dj on your next interview your experience with shopping for DJs. Explain to them your concerns. And if they are a good listener, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Best of luck to you and congratulations!!!

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Inappropriate Wedding Music

Is there such a thing?

Wedding music. We’ve all heard the term. But what is wedding music? Is it the YMCA? The Chicken Dance? Maybe the Cha Cha Slide? Is it inappropriate wedding music?
NOPE!

Those are all organized group dances. They can be played just about anywhere to get people moving. But when it comes to wedding reception music, there’s a lot more than you think. Sure there’s the top 200 wedding list that can be found on just about every other wedding website. But what if you’re looking for something other than the same music you’ve heard year after year. And wedding after wedding?

First, let me just tell you, there is a reason why there are as many repeats as there are. Most guests will attend 2 maybe 3 weddings in their lifetime. And many guests, especially our more senior guests, probably don’t get out to the club that often. While your parents, aunts and uncles want you to have the time of your life, they also want to hear Don’t stop Believin and Brick House. It’s what they’re accustom to. It’s what they like. And let’s not forget about the rat pack. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. Grandma loves her Sinatra. 

But, when it comes time for you and your clique to get out there on the floor, what do you like? And what’s appropriate? We’ll get to that.

It’s 2018. Social media is buzzing with angst about a classic christmas song, “Baby It’s Cold Outside“. Apparently, it was mis-interpreted as a song that encourages date rape. On the flipside, we also have Cardi B on the airwaves inviting listeners to engage in extreme sexual acrobatics. But either way, whether you’re a fan or not, it’s where we are in music today. 

Innuendos in songs are a favorite in music since the dawn of popular music. The difference between your grandma’s Elvis record and cardi b is that Elvis simply “hinted” at the topic of sex with witty one liners. Today, it’s all out in the open and there’s no hiding from it. 

So how should we handle this? The same way we’ve been handling music for years. With discretion. Thankfully, professional wedding DJs subscribe to music services like Promo Only, Primecuts, XMIX, and DMS. All very reputable resources for getting the latest and greatest music that everyone wants to hear. They also do a fine job of ensuring radio friendly music is readily available to wedding djs. 

Because of that peace of mind, we can play just about any song because they are radio friendly songs. And if the beat’s alright, your guests will dance all night.  There’s no such thing as a bad song. It’s all in where you put it. Actually I stand corrected. A bad song clears your dance floor. A good song keeps it packed all night long. 

So how do you prevent the DJ from playing inappropriate wedding music? Be up front with your music expectations. Tell them what you like and what you don’t. Share with them experiences you may have had at weddings you have attended. And last but not least, trust your DJ. Music is their life. 

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food truck weddings, taco truck wedding, food truck wedding, wedding food truck, offsite catering

Food Truck Wedding

Tacos. The most important part of any nutritious meal. Who doesn’t like tacos? And with food truck weddings on the rise, we’re seeing more and more tact truck weddings every weekend.

Weddings are nothing what the used to be. A wedding used to be an all day celebration with friends and family and people worked hard at keeping up with the Jones’. Maybe her dress had double the thread count that her bridesmaid dresses did. Or perhaps her cake was one tier taller than her sisters and was in a nicer venue. But taking all of those competitive wedding trends out of the equation, we’re now planning for outside the box weddings.

It’s true, wedding trends come and go and with the millenial crowd taking the reigns from their Gen-X counterparts armed with a can do attitude living life in the fast lane, the temptation to go simple is here to stay. According to Lisa DiBenedetto (owner and planning guru) from Nightingale Events, 90 percent of her wedding clientele for 2019 is not having their wedding in a “traditional” wedding venue. Instead, we’re seeing a lot of barn weddings, and out-doorsy type stuff. And of course, taco truck weddings.

So what are the benefits of having a food truck wedding?
For one, you’d be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t enjoy tacos. We’re not talking the elementary school lunch program tacos either. There’s beef, chicken, pork, steak, and shrimp tacos to name a few. Food trends are also changing. Many food trucks are getting into fusion and taking two different cultural cuisines and marrying them. Making even the simplest of taste pallets salivate with anticipation.

Food truck weddings don’t have to stop at tacos. There’s pizza trucks, hot dog carts, grilled cheese trucks, and a whole lot more to choose from.

It’s great to plan your wedding outside the box with something trendy. You’re getting exactly what you want and aren’t limited to the options that only a traditional wedding venue can provide. But, with switching things up also comes a risk.

Here’s a few things that you might want to ask your taco truck wedding vendor before hiring them for your once in a lifetime celebration.

1. Have you ever catered a wedding before?
2. Have you ever worked with a wedding planner or scheduler before?
3. How can you ensure that you won’t run out of food in the middle of dinner service?
4. How much time do you need to prepare for 150+ guests or more?
5. What is your most popular item?
6. Do you offer vegetarian/vegan options for our non carnivorous guests?
7. Do you need permits to cater a wedding and if so, do you have them?
8. Are you insured and are all of your employees over the age of 18 and permitted to work in the united states?
9. Are you insured?
10. Have you ever worked at my venue before?
11. Do you offer bus service (clearing of tables, changing place settings)

It sure seems like a lot of questions to ask but, the end result is worth it. The one benefit that the traditional wedding venue has over the food truck weddings is that they have a system set in place and the facilities to make it all happen. This is what they do. It’s all they do. And they’re good at it.

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Wedding floor plan: Where should I put my DJ?

Are you completing your wedding floor plan? Where should I put my DJ?
Should I put them on the dance floor? How about in the corner next to the ficus tree? Oh wait, I know. Let’s put them smack dab next to my grandparents.

Where you put your DJ in the floor plan has a direct effect on the success of your event. The aforementioned locations are all very common when it comes to producing a floor plan. So where should you put your DJ?

The best location in the room whether it’s a private event, corporate holiday party, wedding, or anywhere a DJ is needed would be on the dance floor. Your entertainment should be visible to your guests. This allows the DJ to address your guests and capture their attention for any events or ongoings during your event. To keep from having to repeat the same message over and over again, sometimes a visual aid helps to grab the eyes of guests to let them know something is about to happen.

Another reason why the dance floor is the best place for your DJ is due to sound. The more centrally located the DJ is in the room, the less volume they will need to get the sound where it needs to be. In the case of being put in the corner next to the ficus tree, a DJ must crank it up to enable the guests in the far reaches of the room to hear things like toasts, announcements, and introductions. It is also very difficult to capture the attention of your guests when hiding in the corner.

And while we’re on the topic of sound, let’s talk about our more seasoned guests. It’s no secret, old people HATE loud anything. The NUMBER ONE complaint about DJs at any event is that they are too loud. For our 21 – 35 year old audience, volume isn’t as much of a concern. People in that age range attend bars, clubs, and concerts regularly. It’s expected that the music and the energy of the room will likely be matched in volume. But to a person with sensitive ears or intolerant ears, regardles of how quiet a DJ is, the constant exposure to professional grade audio equipment is hard on the ears.

For the comfort and enjoyment of your guests, consider putting your DJ front and center. We’re not trying to take the attention off of you. We just want your event to be successful and your guests to be comfortable.

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How a man of the woods inspired me to be a better performer

It’s no secret. If you’re a DJ, you’ve played a Justin Timberlake track at least once in your career. He’s become a staple in the music industry for now nearly 30 years. He’s enjoyed similar success as the king of pop, Michael Jackson as an international superstar. From his time at the mickey mouse club all the way to Madison Square Garden, and appearing in films and doing voice over work, there’s no aspect of the entertainment industry he hasn’t had a hand in.

It is this kind of drive and determination that inspires. He is the driving force behind the music in every song and every stadium he peforms. He is creative, adgile, talented, funny, and from what we see, an all around good guy. This is a great formula for success. But along with all of these amazing attributes that contribute to his global success, it all boils down to the performance.

3 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending Madison Square Garden for his Man of the Woods tour. Let me tell you, it was by far one of THE BEST shows I have seen in decades. The stage spanned the entire rink at the garden and there was not a bad seat in the house. For 2 and a half hours, he engaged with and performed for 20,000 screaming fans. His energy was infectious. There was not a low point in the show.

One of the highlights that I found to be both unexpected and entertaining was when he stripped his performance down to the basics with a campfire, acoustic guitars, and performances by several of his bandmates singing some of their favorites. This spoke to me especially as a DJ because often times, we always think bigger is better. But in the midst of organized chaos that was probably the event production from hell for the tech crew, this small moment enveloped the audience and gave them a very intimate moment with Justin.

The show spoke to many generations, spanned across several genres, and kept the audience engaged. And THAT is the goal with every event I do. I felt inspired on the ride home and began thinking to myself, how can I push myself even harder to bring the best performance possible to my clients and guests? How can I push the envelope and leave my guests wanting more.

The Man of the Woods gave me a challenge. To work harder, leave no stone unturned, and perform like your life depended on it. That will be the theme for Pryme Tyme moving forward.

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Take control of your wedding – Hire a professional

It’s your day. And you’re the boss.

You’ve taken creative control of the decor, the bridesmaids dresses, the menu, what shots your photographer needs to take, and have written a minute to minute schedule of events that must be adhered to or there will be hell to pay. Sound familiar? It happens every day.

With so many things to think about to ensure that your $20,000, 6 hour celebration goes off with out a glitch, it is understandable that you want to ensure that things go to plan. It’s also easy to understand that with making that kind of investment, theres some stress that comes along with it. You and your soon to be spouse have made a commitment to throwing the best party that world has ever seen. But this is different than setting up a veggie tray and some chips & salsa on the counter at your home.

A wedding is very much like a theatrical production.
(Cue the house lights, fade to 50%. Enter bride, stage left)

Because your wedding has so many moving parts to make it perfect, you must rely on the expertise of trusted professionals to orchestrate your vision down to every last detail. And when it comes to hiring professionals, it requires an investment of not only money, but trust as well. You’ve picked the venue of your choosing, the photographer that you feel will capture you at your best, the hair and makeup team that will enhance your natural radiant beauty and hide the imperfections that you stare at in the mirror for hours, and a wedding planner that has your vision in the front of their mind from start to finish. But beyond all of that, it all comes down to the DJ.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while now, you know that it’s a pro-DJ sentiment. And why is this?

At every meeting that we conduct with new couples like you, we always ask, “What do you remember about the last wedding you attended?” Suffice to say, 9 out of 10 couples say the same thing. They talk about the food and they talk about the entertainment. It’s what is remembered the most. We also often hear stories about how the DJ couldn’t quite get people dancing and after thinking about it for a moment, many times we hear that the couple had complete control over the music being played and furnished the DJ with a playlist.

Now there’s nothing inadvertently wrong with playlists. I mean let’s face it. You like what you like. BUT, your guests may not share the same tastes in music as you. What may get you shaking your ass on the dance floor might be your grandmother’s version of kryptonite. And what might be your spouse’s “JAM” might clear the floor. And we know, line dances aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. They are typically the first offenders on the DO NOT PLAY list.

So this begs the question, how do you ensure that you and your guests will enjoy your celebration? Hire professionals. Invest in what is most important to you. And TRUST the professionals you hire to put their best foot forward for you. Take the time to meet with and interview your creative team. Communicate with them often, and breathe.
You’ve got enough on your plate and we know that.

Investing in your celebration means more enjoyment for you and your guests, and less stress for you.

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