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Amidst the pandemic that we’ve all come to know and love are a plethora of challenges that come with events great and small. We’ve grown used to the idea that it will be quite some time before we see the all too familiar summer concerts, sold out pro sports events, and theatrical events. But within all of the restrictions there is a silver lining. Over the last 8 months, we’ve gone through a series of transitions from completely quarantining to being able to have 150 people inside and then back to 25. But with all of this back and forth, it’s nerve wracking. Especially for those covid brides planning their nuptials.

I prefer to look at the long term. Progress is slow and steady. You remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise won the race. We’ve been in the entertainment business for a quarter century. We’ve seen massive technological changes, the desires of our clients shift from traditional to outside the box and highly personalized service. This is no more than a transitional phase for us. We’ve been able to roll with the punches and keep growing during periods of uncertainty. This too shall pass. (hopefully sooner than later)

Here’s what we’re planning for in the 2021 wedding and events season. I suspect that during the holidays we will see restrictions increase to prevent the spread and lower the numbers of infection. But once that happens, some leniency should happen during the spring as it will be much easier to host events outdoors. The venues that prepare themselves for more of a mobile setup with catering, seating, and yes…. dance floors, are going to be in a much better position than the places that solely rely on the interior of their venue. As to the restrictions of social distancing, dancing, and foodservice, the wedding industry is taking their cues from the restaurant industry as they are the closest cousin to hosting events on a medium scale.

We anticipate that many couples may decide to privately hold their weddings on their property or in smaller locations that can comfortably accommodate a lean guest list. Think of it like private vs public school. The benefits to private education is smaller classrooms and more individualized attention. The same can be said for weddings. Having a smaller boutique affair will be able to give you the gusto you’re looking for but on a more manageable scale. Hiring a planner is paramount to make this happen. We recommend Nightingale Events & Pink Olive Events to our couples. Both teams are extraordinary at what they do and create magic every where they go.

When it comes time to dance, I’m reminded of a wedding that I hosted over the summer at Water’s Edge. The ceremony was held on the beautiful CT Shoreline Beach and the party was tented just outside the main ballroom on the patio with 75 guests. And even though, a formal dance floor was not present, guests danced between tables in their groups with the tables offering the social distancing required to keep guests and staff safe. Staff was required to wear masks through the duration of the reception and most guests adhered to the rule as well.

All in all, where there’s a will there’s a way. We’re in the business of fun. And that’s what we do.

To book our services, click the link below to check your date!

https://www.prymetymeentertainment.net/book-us/

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!

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.

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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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.

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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2018 Average Connecticut Wedding Dj Prices

It’s that time of the year again! Engagement season is in full swing with Christmas, and New Years eve and now Valentines day in the very near future. If you’ve been dating for a while and you’re going to make it official, you’re going to start budgeting for your upcoming wedding.

First comes your venue, then your creative team (DJs, Photographers, Videographers) followed by all the things that you saw on Pinterest that are MUST HAVES for your wedding. But how do you begin to figure out a budget for the big day? It all boils down to priority. In many cases, you’ve heard that the DJ can make or break or your wedding. Simply because, they are the keeper of the keys when it comes to the timeline and keeping guests entertained from start to finish. Trust me when I tell you, having the right DJ for the job makes all the difference.

Weddingwire, the largest online wedding publication in the world just published their 2018 findings for the average wedding budget with each category. If you are a couple and you’re reading this article, you have to be mindful of something. While the national average cost for a DJ is somewhere in the $800 range, you have to take into account the region that you live in and the region where your wedding will be held.

Connecticut, New York, Long Island, New Jersey, California, and Hawaii are some of the most expensive states to live and work in. That being said, you can expect to pay a premium for having your wedding in those states. But, as we stated in a previous article “10 Reasons Why Connecticut is the Wedding Capitol of New England”, there are a treasure trove of beautiful venues and landscapes that couples really gravitate towards. We literally have the best of everything here in the Northeast.

In 2018, Connecticut’s average PROFESSIONAL GRADE wedding DJ prices range between $1400-3100 respectively depending on location and experience. That number does not take into account addons such as intelligent lighting, photo booths, or ceremonies. But as always, when interviewing your DJ, first and foremost above all else, make sure they are a good fit.

Good luck in your search and HAPPY PLANNING!

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2017 was a whirwind year here at Pryme Tyme Entertainment. After tallying up all of the events we did, we came out at a very reasonable 97 events for the 2017 calendar year. Our best year yet in over 24 years.

We’ve entertained in some of our favorite venues like Wood Acres Farm, Aqua Turf, Aria, Lighthouse Point Park. And we’ve visited some new ones that we’ve never been to before like Roia in New Haven. But all in all, the goal was the same with each event we did. To create and provide a great experience for our clients and guests.

We’ve moved temporarily to Naugatuck and are conducting appointments via SKYPE and meeting at Starbucks but, the plan is to get out of the valley as soon as possible. Where we’ll end up in CT is unclear and we are currently researching our options to find a new home.

We’d like to thank all of our clients from 2017 and congratulate all of our 2018 couples that have entrusted us with one of life’s most momentous occasions. We look forward to helping you celebrate with your family and friends.

Here’s to a terrific 2018! We’ll see you on the road.

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Sure! You can ABSOLUTELY get a cash discount for your services. You’ll save money on checks, pen ink, postage, and the pesky responsibility of balancing your account. What you won’t get with a cash discount however is a paper trail. In this day and age with the lawsuit happy culture we live in, covering your tracks and protecting yourself is important. In the business world (not the make believe business world), you have to pay your fair share of taxes.

As tempting as it is to pocket every dime that comes in, you have a fiduciary responsibility to pay your fair share just like anyone else. In fact, as a business owner, we are responsible for typically 30% more in taxes than the average consumer. There’s self employment tax, corporate taxes, sales taxes, service taxes, income taxes, and the list goes on. By offering a cash discount for the purposes of evading taxes, is illegal. And if you’ve put your heart in soul to a business that you built from the ground up, you’d hate to throw it all away just to save a buck. It’s not worth it.

But what about tax write offs? Yes, it’s true. Businesses can write off certain expenses to help ease the burden of tax liability. But they have to be legitimate deductions. If we were trying to evade taxes and hide cash, we wouldn’t be able to open lines of credit, put that cash into an account to pay for the necessary expenses or invest in the business to grow it and offer better services to our clients. We offer the best services we possibly can and keep innovating to be the best we can be for you, our clients.

That is why it is important to do things by the book. If you’ve ever seen the discount stores while driving down the street and notice that a short time later they’re “going out of business”, ask yourself why. The deep discounts they are offering lack value. When you discount shop, you aren’t expecting quality. You’re expecting cheap and easy. We pride ourselves on doing right by our clients and will continue to do so. Paying taxes helps fund education programs, public works projects and more. It’s our civil responsibility and benefits everyone.

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It’s time to fire up the truck and start the official wedding season of 2017! Our first stop is at Woodwinds in Branford, CT for Alicia & Xavier’s wedding on Friday March 24th. The first wedding of the year is always an exciting time because it’s a new year. Like I do every year, I always say that the first wedding is the wedding that all other weddings will be compared to. Because of that, it’s got to be good. REALLY GOOD.

Being at Woodwinds doesn’t hurt. They’ve got hospitality down to a science. The food is spectacular, the ambiance is inviting and if you’ve ever been to Woodwinds before, you probably have met their ROCKSTAR event coordinator Scott. Scott is very enthusiastic and passionate about weddings and it shows when he’s working.

I am soo looking forward to next Friday. It’s going to be a good one for sure.