Posted by Michele Puopolo on Fri, Nov 06, 2009
Wedding Timeline Tip: Never Party on an Empty Stomach!
One of the hardest parts about getting married is making sure you greet and spend at least a little time with each guest. With receiving lines becoming less and less popular, brides and grooms typically use dinner as their opportunity to work the room, say hello to each table, and take a group photo. While this is convenient and easy way to make sure you see everyone, it's also the reason most brides and grooms reply, "I don't know, we never got a chance to eat," when asked how the food was at their wedding. Eating keeps your energy up, energy you'll surely need on the dance floor once the SP Events team gets going!
For those brides and grooms who chose to do pictures before the ceremony (something that's becoming more popular), here's a timeline secret guaranteed to not only fill your stomach but also add a little romance to your wedding day. Following your ceremony, your guests are invited to a cocktail party that is scheduled to last for about an hour. You are then taken to a private room meant for just you and your husband/wife. The staff is instructed to keep family and guests away while you enjoy a private candlelight dinner for two. This time is meant for you to both not only eat a much-needed meal and have a well-deserved cocktail, but also to decompress and reflect on the beautiful ceremony you both just experienced.
After spending some quality time together, you can then join your guests for the end of the cocktail party or make your grand appearance as the SP Events DJ welcomes you into the reception hall for the first time as husband and wife!
For more planning tips, talk to your personal SP Events wedding consultant or MC to ensure the wedding day you've always dreamed of!
**For more "Wediquette" check out celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss' advice on receiving lines, seating charts, and more at: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/BeautySecrets/wedding-etiquette-questions-bride-melissa-rycroft/story?id=8997460
Posted by Michele Puopolo on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
Our newly-married Director of Operations Matt Berry weighs in on how he planned his wedding to stand out from previous weddings he had attended.
1. My wife and I chose a really fun song for our entrance into the room. Remember, you only do it once - why not make it memorable and special?!
2. We brought in up-lighting to accent the walls in our wedding colors, which was expected considering my job and all. BUT, we didn't turn them on until later in the night so it ended up being unexpected and was a nice WOW factor after the sunset.
3. We made a video montage with pictures of us from the last few years. We played it during our first dance so the attention was off my dancing (more on that later). We also did a montage of my wife and her parents and me with my parents. We played it during our father/daughter and mother/son dance.
4. We wanted to make sure our two photographers didn't miss ANYTHING! We went out and purchased a digital camera and it got passed around throughout the night. The next day we had 500 photos of friends and family doing crazy things in addition to great professional photos.
5. Get dance lessons!! I was lucky to have The Dance Academy next door so we took dance lessons and also had a choreographed first dance.
6. My wife and I went into the planning process with the goal of throwing a party first and foremost and then adding the formalities of a wedding. We brought in lots of lighting and turned the venue into a night club. We also got party favors which ever guest loved. When the last wedding you went to that every guest had sunglasses, a gangster hat, and glow necklace on by the end of the night?!
Posted by Wendy Schreider on Fri, Sep 25, 2009
by Greg Fernandes (MC/DJ and Sales Representative)
Selecting the right DJ for your wedding celebration is one of the most important parts of your wedding puzzle. The days of the “Wedding Singer” style MC in a tuxedo are long gone. People are looking for fun, hip, DJ’s that can get the people rockin’ along with a polished voice and presence to maintain elegance. Here are a few questions that you should ask your DJ/MC.
1. Do you have a reference that I can speak to that has similar tastes and requests?
This will give you the opportunity to talk with someone that has seen this guy in action. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn as much about your DJ/MC as you can.
2. How will you get my guests up on the dance floor if they do not seem to be into the dancing?
Every DJ/MC should have numerous ways to get people onto the dance floor. If your MC/DJ seems like they are thrown off by this question, RED FLAG!!!! This will let you know if these guys are the real deal or just if they are only there to collect a pay check.
3. Will you be bringing back-up equipment? What time will you be arriving?
This may be the most important question that you should ask. Back-up equipment and arrival time is vital and can be a huge let-down if your DJ is not prepared for the unexpected.
4. What kind of music will you be playing?
Remember, this is your event. Your DJ should be aware of your favorite party music. He should also be aware of your DO NOT PLAY list (one person's love song is another's break-up song!)
5. Will you be coordinating with the hotel regarding a timeline?
Your DJ should be in contact with your catering manager, hotel manager, and anyone else whose hands are touching your event. There should be a general timeline that everyone has to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Posted by Michele Puopolo on Tue, Sep 15, 2009
by Greg Fernandes (MC/DJ and Sales Rep)
Being a DJ comes with great responsibility - it is so much more that just playing music. It is an art and should be approached with care and precision.
Recently I coordinated and entertained at a wedding in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The MOB (Mother of the Bride) was extremely nervous about the guests' enjoyment. She said there was an older crowd who would prefer to sit all night rather than be on the dance floor dancing.
I proceeded to tell her that this was a common concern and with the right planning and coordination, we will make the best out of any situation. Good thing DJ's come with a bag of tricks! With a fun game and thoughtful instruction, I was able to get the whole party on the dance floor, Grandma included, the entire night.
Here is what she sent me the morning after the wedding:
"Absolutely awesome job. You'll certainly get some future jobs from this. Everyone loved the trick you used to get us up on the dance floor and kept us there all night. I've never seen some of our friends dance that much!"