o face, favorite wedding song, favorite song, thats my jam, music playlist, wedding playlist, wedding dj in ct

Wedding Throwbacks: Show your ‘O’ face at your wedding.

/in /by

Wedding Throwbacks: Show your ‘o’ face at your wedding.

Wait. What?

Yes, you read that correctly. Showing your ‘O’ face at a wedding has a little different meaning than one might think. It’s the face you make when you hear a song that brings back a memory. Typically followed by the phrase, “THAT’S MY JAM!” Maybe it was a high school dance with friends or that song you and your girlfriends used to sing together in college using hair brushes and curling irons as microphones. What ever it is, it was a great time in your life.

What not a better way to commemorate those glory days with a guilty pleasure song. So what’s your guilty pleasure song?

In the 80’s it may have been Mony Mony.
If you were a 90’s kid, it was probably a boy band like New Kids on the Block or Backstreet boys.
Either way, the songs that you publicly shame and secretly love are a great way to get people up and moving. So the next time you are thumbing through your wedding playlist, add a guilty pleasure to the mix and watch your guests making the ‘O’ face. If they do, it’s their guilty pleasure song too.

 

Wedding Checklist

The go to Brides Wedding Checklist

/in /by

THE GO TO BRIDES WEDDING CHECKLIST

WEDDING PLANNING
There’s a lot to think about on your wedding day. It can be overwhelming. Here are the 10 most important things you need to do on your special day.

1. Spend time with the folks: Your wedding is a very big day for them too. They’ve taken the journey from marriage to parenthood and this is the moment where they watch all of their hard work and dedication pay off.

2. Keep it clean: Assign clean up to someone. You’re going to be getting your dress on, your makeup done, and your hair done. This takes nothing short of a broadway costume and makeup team to execute. The cleaning up the aftermath ensures that nothing gets left behind and you look your absolute best!

3. Pass a love note to your soon to be hubby:  With everything going on around you, the thoughts and memories of your relationship are probably running through your mind. Send a courier or one of your BFFs to hand deliver a love note to that special man. It’s guaranteed to make his day on the biggest day of his life.

4. Set your mp3 player to FUN mode with a happy and fun playlist: While you’re rushing about getting yourself ready, crank up the tunes and enjoy the pampering experience. Music helps keep people moving and motivated and is sure to keep the spirits high so when it’s time for your nuptials, you’ll have a smile that lights up the room.

5. Happy Feet, Means a Happy Bride: Ditch the heels. You’re going to be roaming about in heels for a minimum of 6 hours. Just short of a solid work day from the ceremony, through pictures, and your entrance. Those beach flip flops sure do come in handy. Don’t worry about how it looks. They’ll be under your dress and your guests will be focused on your radiant glow.

6. Polish your ring: Your ring should shine like your love for one another. Give it a quick polish so that your diamond matches the glimmer in your eyes.

7. Grub it up: Don’t forget to eat breakfast and lunch. This is the happiest day of your life. Feel good in every way you can. Make sure that you have sustenance to keep you fueled up for the reception.

8. Get Water Logged in your dress: Be sure to drink PLENTY of water. Champagne and wine are great for flavor but they’ll dry you out. If you’re doing an outdoor ceremony, you’ll more than likely be in direct sunlight. Unparch yourself with spring water.

9. Throw your phone on the charger until it’s time to leave: If your wedding party or a vendor needs to contact you, it’s very important to have a way to communicate with the people making your dreams a reality.

10. Who doesn’t like yoga pants: After all is said and done and you’ve taken off your dress and wiped the sweat from your brow,  be sure to have your favorite yoga/sweat pants and t-shirt handy. You’ll be comfortable and happy.

theater wedding, ballroom dance wedding, westover school, weddings in ct

The Theater Wedding of Meghan & Alex

/in /by

Theater Wedding of Meghan & Alex @ the LBD Performing Arts Centert at Westover School in Middlebury, CT

On June 14th 2014, we headed back to one of our favorite places. The theater.
But this time, it wasn’t for a play or a concert, it was the wedding of Meghan and Alex. The LBD Theater at Westover School in Middlebury was transformed from a performing arts center to a lavish and romantic wedding venue where 200 guests enjoyed an upscale wedding.

The LBD features a solid hard wood floor that was PERFECT for dancing, which was exceptionally important for Meghan and Alex. Meghan is a dance teacher at Westover and her new hubby Alex is a professional ballroom dancer. Nearly all of their guests shared their love of dance and joined in the festivities with many different styles ranging from the classic foxtrot to the modern twerk and everything in between.

The atmosphere was truly magical with white lanterns that cascaded above the theater floor which made up the dancefloor and reception area. The stage acted as the bridal party head table with the VIP’s looking down at their guests. With a soft red backdrop, break up patterns on the floor, paired with a color rich dancefloor and the aurora borealis projected on the ceiling, and finished with shimmering stars, romance was in the air.

For 3 hours, the dancefloor was PACKED with guests young and old helping Meghan and Alex celebrate their new journey together.
Congratulations to Meghan & Alex on their marriage!

 

Dancing down the aisle at a wedding

Wedding Ceremony – Dancing down the aisle

/in /by

Jill and Kevin LOVE to dance anywhere, any time. And their wedding ceremony was no exception. Watch as Jill, Kevin and the rest of their bridal party rock this church with the BEST WEDDING INTRO EVER! Their bridal party moved, shook, and dropped down the aisle to Chris Brown’s 2007 love infused hit “Forever” from the album “EXCLUSIVE” This fun and happy song is a favorite amongst couples for introductions but as you can see by the video, it really set the vibe for the rest of the reception.

Which just goes to show you, you don’t have to wait til you get to the dance floor to have some fun on your wedding day. So put on your dancing shoes and then head to the church to ask permission from your pastor about foregoing hearing “Here comes the Bride!” on a bombastic pipe organ rattling from the rafters and instead playing secular music in the church. If the church does not have an adequate sound system for music play back, be sure to ask your wedding disc jockey if they would be willing and able to lend a hand by upgrading to a ceremony sound system for the church. GOOD LUCK and DANCE DOWN THE AISLE!

Visit www.jkweddingdance.com for more information or to donate towards violence prevention.

Wedding Vows: The secret to til death do us part.

/in /by

WEDDING VOWS: The secret til death do us part.

The words, “To death do us part” are common place during a wedding for wedding vows. For some it’s just words but think about it for a moment. What does it mean to be together forever? How do you see your partner? How will you see them in 10, 20, or 50 years from today? This song and it’s video is the perfect definition of what ‘FOREVER’ means. Dontchange by Musiq is a soulful look into the perfect marriage. The sense of togetherness, longing, responsibility, partnership and communication are all featured in the video.

WATCH: DontChange by Musiq

Must have photos for your wedding

6 Must Have Photos to get from your wedding.

/in /by

How many wedding magazines do you have sitting on your coffee table? I bet there’s quite a few. And in browsing those magazines, you see PERFECT photos with amazing detail of dresses, cakes, flowers and all of the pretty things they want you to buy for your wedding. But think for a moment about YOUR wedding. What do YOU want to remember?

All of those items listed above are there to create a setting. The flowers will die, the cake will be eaten, and the dress will end up in a box in the attic. But what you and everyone else will remember are the tender moments and how much fun they had at your wedding. As our good friend Eric Foley says, ‘Wedding photos should be timeless.’  Trends come and ago but your memories last a lifetime.

Get lots of pictures of private moments between you and your new spouse. Some of the best moments captured on film are those that aren’t posed.

Your grandparents. These are the kind and sweet people that have been married for 50 years. their marriage is a testament to what is to come for you and your new spouse. Behind those wrinkles and gray hair, is a love that is just as vibrant as the day they met and it is beautiful.

Your bridal party and family. Enjoy those moments with those are close to you and get lots of candid moments with loved ones. They’re great for showing the kids when they get older.

A packed dancefloor. Your kids will NEVER believe that their mom or dad could cut a rug like you can. And plus, besides your wedding day, it will encourage you to dance with your spouse often whenever you can and you will remember it as one of the happiest days of your life.

Goodbyes. There’s nothing more gratifying then seeing a smile on your face hugging the ones that you love.

Riding off into the sunset. After all is said and done, you can see the day progress from start to finish. From looking your absolute best to looking exhausted and content from having the time of your life at your wedding. When you see that photo, it will serve as a constant reminder of how AWESOME your wedding was!

Inappropriate Wedding Traditions

Inappropriate wedding traditions.

/in /by

Inappropriate Wedding Traditions
You’re planning your special day and wonder, what traditions should I take part in for my wedding? There are so many, it’s mind boggling. From cake cutting to rice throwing, and many more. But what if you took part in some wedding traditions outside of your wedding? Can you imagine wearing a tux to your construction job? Or separating your friends on either side of the room depending on who you like better? How about putting a miniature version of you on top of that sandwich in the lunch room while you’re on break from the morning rush at the office? Well wonder no more. The witty folks at Buzzfeed  did exactly that. They recreate some of the most common wedding traditions in the most awkward of situations. The work place.

Warning, do not try this at work. Throwing rice at a co-worker while leaving the building might end in an awkward situation.

Watch buzzfeed’s

Things You Do at a Wedding That’d Be Creepy Anywhere Else

Unconventional First Dance Songs

/in /by

10 Unconventional First Dance Songs you may have overlooked.

Choosing the perfect first dance song that really speaks volumes about your relationship is tricky. And then there’s the very predictable common wedding song list.
Music has many different meanings for everyone. Some couples enjoy the same music and some don’t. There’s no rule that says you have to have a soupy sappy first dance song at your wedding.

Your wedding is a celebration. And the beginning of your wedding reception is a great time to set the tone for the rest of the day. Do it with YOUR style!
Check out DreamWedding.com‘s 10 quirky first dance songs you wouldn’t have thought of..

A few tears, a ripped dress, and a little comic relief

/in /by

Last night was no ordinary night for Jen & Sean. After many years of courtship, they decided to tie the knot (literally) during their wedding ceremony at the Grand Oak Villa in Watertown, CT. Over 120 guests were in attendance for this fun filled affair.

In typical New England style, rain showers for the past week made things a bit nerve racking for our bride and groom due to the uncertainty of the weather but as luck would have it, mother nature came through with a flawless day.

After the ceremony, the bridal party took their formal pictures and headed into the reception. BUT, not before a near fall down a steep slope by our bride. Sean, her knight in shining armor managed to catch his new bride just in time but not before her beautiful wedding dress popped a clasp leaving the back of her dress undone.

So far, we were off to a rocky start but, when everyone came inside, her team of bridesmaids really pulled together and fixed the dress and made her comfortable. As a bit of comic relief, I brought my trusty roll off black gaffers tape to lend a hand with mending her dress. It was good to see her give a chuckle after what had just happened which let me know that she was just fine. Jen is a trooper.

Now come the introductions. But let’s back up for a moment. A few weeks earlier, one of the groomsmen, “Chris” has unexpectedly passed away. He was a very dear friend to Jen & Sean. But he was surely not forgotten. During a toast to the bride and groom, the best man paid a small tribute to their dear friend.

After dinner and a few tender moments dancing with their parents, Jen & Sean took part in a fun traditional Anniversary Dance. The oldest married couple was happily married 37 years which is always wonderful to see. It was a testament to Jen & Sean’s love for one another and a shining example of what is to come for them many years later.

And now…. the fun begins. In 19 years of entertaining at events, I can safely say that this wedding was one of the most fun and heartfelt weddings I have had the pleasure of attending. From the start of open dance, through 3 hours straight of a packed dancefloor, this wedding was amazing. The very last song of the night was Jen & Sean’s wedding song “Then” by Brad Paisley. All of the guests joined them on the floor for one last dance before the night was through at the stroke of midnight. It was a fantastic end to a wonderful day.

Congratulations to Jen & Sean on their new journey as husband and wife. Best wishes to you both!

Thanks to Grand Oak Villa for being amazing as always and to Tracy Harvey Photography. We’ll see you on the road!

 

Wood Acres Farm Wedding, wood acres farm, barn wedding in ct

Country Weddings – Country boys and girls gettin down on the farm

/in /by

WOW! What a great weekend for country weddings. On Saturday, May 10th, Alika and Kim Williams were married. This wasn’t an ordinary wedding for us. It was super special because it was family. Alika is one of our team members who takes care of our guests with our photo booth. The entire dream team was in attendance yesterday. Aaron was the DJ, Mike took care of the photo booth, and Mark shot some great video. Our very good friend Keith Alan from Keith Alan Productions was also there and married Kim & Alika as their Justice of Peace. It was a fantastic day.

Their wedding took place at the beautiful Wood Acre Farms in Terryville, CT. The country setting was so warm and inviting and the staff was absolutely wonderful to work with. Guests were treated to some really great cuisine that was as flavorful as it was plentiful. The ceremony took place at the gazebo next door to a beautiful New England landscape. Kim’s ride to the wedding in a late 19th century horse and carriage was a sight to see.

It was a wonderful day as friends and family gathered at the farm. Congratulations to Kim & Alika on their wedding!

If you’d like to check out Wood Acre Farms, visit their website at www.MyCountryWedding.com or contact Joyce @ 860-583-8670