Wedding Ceremony Music

While browsing the WeddingWire forums today, I came across a pretty common topic for DJs. Ceremony Music. Jen writes the following…

“Ceremony music

I am having the most difficult time picking out wedding music. Our wedding is outside at an apple orchard and will be a non-religious ceremony. I really want some different from the traditional wedding march (it’s not my style). But everything I find just seems so cheesy. Suggestions?”

Jen, your wedding is whatever you want it to be. Years ago, traditions of church services, here comes the bride, and the grand entrance were all very common. Now the question is,  do you want to stay traditional or would you like something a little outside of the box?

Today, it’s very common to see live musicians taking care of the ceremony music as well as some secular or ‘non religious’ music at wedding ceremonies. The demand for all in one on site weddings is on the rise. So what should you pick for your ceremony music?

Usually I tell my brides who want something non-traditional is to choose something that is pretty sounding. Piano and or acoustic music is a good example. Artists like Jim Brickman are perfect for setting the tone. For recessionals lots of brides are going to country music these days. Country ballads are simple, honest, and heartfelt. AND PRETTY!

But regardless of what your musical tastes and style are, at the end of the day, choose something that best represents your love for one another. To get some ideas, visit the website below. Good luck and happy planning!

To get ideas for music for your wedding, check out http://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-songs

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Just another DJ

Just another DJ. What’s the big deal?

 

Just another DJ. What’s the big deal?

Yes. We went there.

What has been your experience with DJs in the past? Has it been so excrutiangly loud that your head pounded for days? Was it too quiet and announcements couldn’t be heard when the bride and groom were introduced? Or maybe it was the fog in the air that you were choking on. If all of these sound familiar, this is the article for you.

When we do an event, we are very organized and want to make sure that EVERY detail is gone through with a fine tooth comb before we proceed. That being said, everything from the sound coverage to the last light shining on the floor has a place and a purpose for your event.

For some DJs, the bare minimum is enough. And for others, bringing everything but the kitchen sink is perfectly acceptable. The important thing to remember is, every event is different and has different requirements. One set of speakers in a small or medium size room with 8ft ceilings may do the trick. If you’re in a 10,000 sq ft room at the Aqua Turf, 1 set of speakers is probably not enough. Not from a volume standpoint but from a coverage standpoint. Think of sound like a painter would paint.

You can paint a bathroom with a single gallon of paint. But if you are painting the exterior of a house, you need several gallons to get the job done or you will have missed spots and dead areas.

When you’re hiring your entertainment or event production company for your next event, make sure they have the tools for the job so that your attendees will go home happy.

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LBGT Wedding of Rose & Faye

LBGT Wedding on the Fourth of July

lgbt wedding

July 4th 2013 was a glorious day! In addition to being the 237th anniversary of the Declaration of Independance, it was also a very special day for 2 brides. Rose & Faye were married in West Haven and Pryme Tyme Entertainment was a part of their LBGT wedding celebration!

After a brief ceremony on the shores of Long Island Sound, guests landed at  Westwoods Italian American social facility. Over 160 guests were treated to a radiant and colorful ambiance complete with lanters, hawaiian leis, and tasty barbecue by Johnny Z’s catering.

The music for Rose & Faye’s wedding spanned the ages. From classics like Elvis Presley to the brand new hit ‘Blurred Lines’ by Robin Thicke. Guests young and old danced the afternoon away as they celebrated Rose & Fayes love.

 

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Extending your wedding celebration.

 

Extending your wedding celebration.

Dancing at a wedding is one of the most memorable experiences for couples and guests alike. So the question is, how long will you have to dance at your reception?

Wedding timelines often vary from venue to venue and from DJ to DJ depending on what their ‘norm’ is. Many venues make the dining experience the star of the reception. But really, it’s all about you.

If you are having a day wedding, chances are, the venue and/or entertainment will have a second event to do after yours and will be forced to be on time with no extension. Night time weddings have a little bit more leeway when it comes to overtime. Be sure to ask your venue and entertainment for pricing and terms for overtime.

Even with a wedding timeline, nothing is set in stone, things happen. Pictures may take longer than expected, the executive chef may drop an entire prime rib and have to re-group. You never know. But if the party is hopping and you want to keep it going, typically an hour overtime will do the trick. If you have a great DJ, they will always leave your guests wanting more.
Some things you can do to speed the timeline up are:
BE ON TIME.
Have your wedding photographer Take your pictures BEFORE your ceremony
Have a cocktail HALF-hour.
Do your introductions and right into first dance with toasts to follow.
Buffet Dinner for 150 people shouldn’t take more than an hour to get through. Sit down, plan on 2 hours.
Do your parents dances in between courses. Then cake RIGHT after dinner into dancing.

 

Typically my guests enjoy 2.5 hours of dance time. For a wedding that is the norm. Depending on the wedding and the venue, I may open the dance floor in between courses to get people moving. It’s up to you. Talk to your DJ about the timeline. If they are an experienced Master of Ceremonies, they will be able to help you reach your goal of maximum dancing.

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country wedding, bill millers castle, country dj, country wedding dj

Country Lovin @ Bill Millers Castle

Country Lovin @ Bill Millers Castle

June was a great month here at PTE. SO much going on with proms, corporate events, fundraisers, and of course… weddings.
June 15th we were at Bill Miller’s Castle in Branford, CT for Laurie & Joe Novotny’s wedding. After a 2 week period of inclement weather, mother nature took the day off that day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining bright for a balmy summer wedding.

Inside, guests were treated to a tasty buffet and drink followed by square dancing. That’s right. Square dancing. It was a fun way to get the audience involved and out on the dance floor. We finished up some traditional wedding favorites and our first wedding of the season came to a close.

Joe & Laurie travelled to Alaska for their honeymoon for a great outdoor adventure.
A big thank you to Laurie & Joe for choosing us for their special day and to Bill Miller’s Castle for making us feel welcome.

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bad wedding dj, bad wedding photographer, bad wedding song requests, cheap dj in ct, cheap wedding dj, cheap wedding photographer

Those Sucky Wedding Vendors (thoughts from a real bride)

 

Those Sucky Wedding Vendors (thoughts from a real bride)

I was browsing the Weddingwire Forums today when I came across an interesting post from a bride entitled ‘SUCKY WEDDING VENDORS‘

Here’s what the bride had to say…
“Sucky vendors

Good lord I think I attract the crappiest vendors. Let’s see: Venue: switched 4 months in because the woman would take over a month to respond to a question and messed up our cake tasting 3 times. Photographer: just fired her last week via email but I have no idea if she even knows because she NEVER checks her email, facebook or texts and stranded me after I gave her a deposit back in November. Seamstress: made an appt last Saturday for my first fitting at 11am. They booked another appt at the same time and the woman wasn’t even there so I waited til 12:30 to see some woman who was just there to man the shop. Spoke to her yesterday and made an appt for today at 12:30 to go on my lunch break, I get there and another woman tells me “oh no, she never works on Fridays”. I took my dress n left n it’s now behind the door in my office-how special. WTF. Any one else have a-holes they are dealing with?? Did you leave them or juts stick it out??”

Good question. What should you do if you have a vendor that’s not communicating with you? It is after all one of the most important days of your life and a large life investment both emotionally and financially. Here’s what we had to tell her.

“Although I am a vendor, I can understand your frustrations.
This is what I tell every bride that comes our way….
The most important factor when finding vendors for your wedding is that they are a good fit. Are they the right personality? Do they conduct business professionally? Do they have any references? Are they isnured, etc…

If you do have a vendor that you are happy with, ask them for referrals. If they’re like me, they will want to make sure that they are only referring QUALITY vendors and not just a guy they’ve heard of on google.

Though you are not a client of mine, I would be happy to help you. Your wedding day is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience. Depending on what your tastes are, I might be able to steer you in the right direction to help you find some folks that would be a good fit. Best wishes!”

Now that may seem a little cliche but, it’s true. Most brides automatically go to price first and service second. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Being a good fit for the bride is so very important. The right personality means everything. So brides, take the time to get to know your vendors. Meet with them over a cup of coffee. If it sounds too good to be true,  it probably is. When your vendor talks to you, they should be honest, helpful, and accommodating. Because it’s all about you.

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unforgettable weddings, unconventional weddings, wedding theme ideas, chocolate fountains, cheese sclupture, chair bows

5 Things that Every Bride Books but noone remembers.

5 Things that Every Bride Books but noone remembers.

So, you’ve just got engaged and immediately start planning out in your head of what your perfect wedding would be like. You drive quickly to the supermarket to grab several bridal magazines and begin calling friends to ask them to be a part of your bridal party. In the magazines, you see pictures of beautiful dresses, regal looking venues, and an ambiance fit for royalty. This is your wedding. It’s all about you. There are so many choices that you really would love to have them all but, your budget quickly dwindles to pennies and you haven’t even chosen your DJ, Photographer, or Videographer yet.

You’ve never planned a wedding before. So how do you know what services and options to book for your wedding? Here are the 5 things that EVERY bride books but noone remembers.

1. The Chocolate Fountain.

Who doesn’t like chocolate? People in formal attire. This sticky sweet treat is a great addition to sweet 16’s and house parties but for weddings, it’s a costly addition and very messy.

2. The overdone tables, centerpieces, & upholstered chairs with matching bows.

Choosing the right decor is a difficult task. There are so many choices. Pick one. After the 4 ft centerpieces, pleated luxurious fabric table and chair covers with matching bows, and enough candles to stay warm on a cold winters night. Where will you eat your dinner? This is one of the most common conundrums of wedding planning. Remember, sometimes less is more.

3. The abomidable cheese display.

It’s not secret. Cheese is just about everyone’s favorite food. Most people like what they like and are less likely to try an artisan cheese that only Andrew Zimmer from Bizarre Foods would try. If you’re going to have this option, keep it simple. You’ll get what you pay for and your guests will enjoy their favorite cheeses.

4. Parting gifts.

How tasty was that trendy baggie of cookies you got at the last wedding you attended? I bet they’re still in your car’s backseat cup holder waiting to be eaten for when you’re stranded in traffic.
It’s normal to send your guests home with something as a thank you for being a part of your special day. They’ve already enjoyed a meal fit for a king, the open bar, and a night out. Now I’m not saying to be cheap but, think about it. Cookies, candles, fridge magnets, and nippers typically end up in the kitchen junk drawer. Be practical.

5. Last but not least is the disposable camera.

In the interest of being budget friendly, we’ve left the duty of getting quality wedding photography to your wedding guests. We’ve all seen them. The picture with the finger half over the lense, the over exposed group shot that turns even the most tanned guests into albinos. You get the idea.

By being smart with your wedding budget, you can all that you want and none of what you don’t.

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If a DJ sounds too good to be true…

If a DJ sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Interesting phone call tonight with a potential couple for this summer.

When Matt was looking for a DJ, he had thought that DJs were all created equal. When I had said, “You’re getting so much more than just a couple hours of music. Everything from start to finish, from introductions right up until the last dance of the evening is taken care of your emcee. I will coordinate with your matre’d to make sure that your dinner arrives when it should. That your dances, speeches, and formalities go smoothly and on time to allow you the time to enjoy your special day. Matt, I want you guys to be able to enjoy each other, your friends, and your family. My job is to see to it that it happens.”

Dumbfounded, he thought I was reading from a script. He did in fact ask me, “So, have you practiced that line? Sounds like you’ve got that routine down pat.”

To which I replied, “No Matt, that’s just me and what I think a wedding should be. A celebration of 2 lives, 2 hearts, 2 families coming together. That can’t be scripted. You have to experience it…”

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wedding shoes, comfortable wedding shoes, flats, heels, open toe, closed toe

Wedding Fashion – Open toed or closed toed shoes?

Wedding Fashion- Open toed or closed toed shoes?

Whoever said “Pain is beauty” has an interesting sense of humor.

The topic of wedding fashion is at times the pinnacle thought on brides’ minds because they want to look perfect. Right down to the shoes on her feet. So why is a DJ company writing about what shoes to wear?

DJs know alot about footwear. Think about it, We stand in the same place for 5 hours at a time typically on a concrete poured, wood, or tiled floor entertaining you and your guests. After loading in, setting up, performing the celebration and then breaking down, our feet take a beating. So do a brides.

Wedding Fashion dictates that those three inch stilettos are to die for and would look perfect but, how would wearing them for 12 hours straight work out? From the time you put on your dress that morning you’ll be on your feet and in constant motion. Standing at your ceremony for an hour or better, posing for pictures, greeting guests at every table, and last but not least, dancing. With all of that time on your feet, you’re going to need to be comfortable. You’re paying good money for your wedding entertainment and you want to dance the night away. You might as well be comfortable doing it.

So when picking your kicks for the day of your nuptuals, consider bringing a couple pair with you. A nice dressy set for the ceremony and pictures, then maybe flats or even a flip flop for your reception. Your dress will cover them. Noone will know but you, and your feet.

Remember, happy feet make for a happy reception.

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Wedding planning – You can do that later…

Wedding planning – You’ve got tons of time. You can do that later…

Have you as a newly engaged couple heard these 2 statements recently?
It’s hard to fight back the excitement when the man or woman of your dreams asks your hand in marriage. You immediately start thinking about your dress on how it will look on you, the floral arrangements, and all of the wedding planning details great and small that you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl.

You’ve got a date in mind. Maybe it’s a year or two away. In your mind you’re thinking, “There’s so much to do! I better get started.” Your instinct is wise beyond comprehension. The people who tell you, “Meh, you’ve got time. Why worry about it now?” have either never planned a wedding or did it last minute. However, the brides that plan their weddings far in advance typically get everything they want and more!

But what if I’m on a budget? No problem. Think about it for a second. The more time you have to plan means the more time you have to save for the things most important to you. The venue should be the first thing you and your fiance check out.

The best wedding venues are usually booked up first so getting that taken care of before all else is essential. Go to many venues. See all there is available to you and then comfortably make your decision based on your venue. By doing this, you won’t have the stress of rushing everything and settling for less than a perfect venue. If you want your wedding at the most beautiful place in your area and not at the local VFW, you need to get out there before the next bride does..

Next, choose your wedding entertainment. Whether it’s a DJ or a band, these are the second to be booked quickly. The best DJs have a reputation for quality and tons of referrals so booking them early is important. By the same token, DON’T RUSH YOUR DECISION! Next to having a place for your reception, the entertainment is the second most valuable investment in your special day. From the ceremony to the last dance, your DJ serves as your wedding director, master of ceremonies, and your mouthpiece to deal with other wedding vendors to coordinate and execute all of the events of your reception. With that said, just like the venue, the first brides get what they want. The ones who wait leave a lot to chance and will more than likely have to settle for what ever is left.

Next, your photographer, videographer, and extras should be next.

As the old saying goes, “The early bird gets the worm.” There’s a lot of truth to that statement, So follow your gut, and plan early. It’ll be the best decision you make for your special day.

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