2013 Hawks Landing Country Club Bridal Show

Hawks Landing Country Club: Vendor Spotlight

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Hawks Landing Country Club : Vendor Spotlight

Hawks Landing Bridal Show, Hawks Landing Weddings, Bellavista weddings, bellavista at hawks landing

Hawks Landing Bridal Show

2 Years ago we did our first wedding at Hawks Landing Country Club. Now when you think country club, the first thing that comes to mind is golf. But at this central Connecticut gem, there’s so much more. Hawks gives you all of the amenities that you would expect from a larger wedding facility and offers a cozy and classy atmosphere.

Jamie Albert and the staff at Hawks Landing have raised the bar when it comes to country club weddings. Their spacious and inviting Bella Vista room comfortably seats up to 200 guests and just next door, the Fairway Room is great for up to 50 guests or can be used as a private bridal suite.

From a catering perspective, their food is hearty and full of flavor. Jamie’s down to earth personality and service first crew will ensure that all of your guests are treated like royalty.

If you would like to learn more about Hawks Landing Country Club and how they can make your next event amazing, call Jamie at 860-793-6000 or visit them on the web at www.hawkslandingcc.com

 

Father Daughter Dance

A very special father daughter dance.

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Break out the tissues and watch this very special father daughter dance.

One of the most difficult parts of planning music for your wedding is finding songs for the father daughter dance. Think about it. Can you think of any song that really personifies the relationship you have with one of your parents? But as you will see in the video, finding the right song was the furthest thing from this bride’s mind.

Almost every wedding video shows a bride dancing with her father but for this particular bride, her experience was different than most. Her father had passed away before her wedding day. Thanks to her big brother, she was treated to a big surprise.  It’s moments like these that make what we do so rewarding. Seeing people fall in love time and time again never gets old. We are part of some of life’s most memorable moments. And that is fantastic.

Bride’s Special Dance

Crosby High School 2013 Homecoming Dance

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On November 15th,  we were invited to be a part of Crosby High School‘s 2013 homecoming dance. Over 200 people attended the friday night bash dressed in their best red carpet style.

Take a look at some of the pictures from last night’s event.

 

Vendor Spotlight – Mike Ross Photography

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Vendor Spotlight – Mike Ross Photography

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mike at a wedding we did together a couple years back. It was Lauren & Jeremy’s special day at the Lilly Lake Inn in Wolcott.

Having never met Mike before, i viewed him as ‘The photographer in the room’. I didn’t get a chance to chat with him until he approached me to find out when the father/daughter dance would be. We took care of the formalities and the wedding went as planned.

Later that evening, I popped on his website, www.MikeRossWeddings.com to see who this guy was. When I saw his portfolio, I was awestruck. Not only does Mike do weddings but, is a phenomenal photojournalist. He had pictures of ladies shoes that he had taken in different locations, lighting, and atmospheres.

Now you’re probably thinking, Shoes. You were wowed by shoes.
Yes. I was. Mike has mastered the art of observation. Those shoes that he shot were some of the most magnificent shoes I had ever seen in a picture. The detail was incredible. Everything about them was perfect.

If Mike can do that for a  pair of shoes, just imagine what he could do for your special day. Trust me. You can’t go wrong with Mike Ross.

Connecticut Photo Booth Rental, Photo booths in ct, ct photo booth rental, wedding photo booths

Photo Booths – Know the difference…

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Photo Booths – Know the difference…

Photo booths have become increasingly popular for weddings and events in the past couple years. What was once a ‘special’ item has now gone mainstream. Lots of vendors from DJs to Photographers have gotten on board with photo booths. The key is choosing the right photo booth for your event that suits your needs.

That being said, there are many different styles to choose from and many different options.

Our photo booths take on more of a traditional approach. Walk into our booth and have a seat on the comfortable bench. Within 60 seconds of hitting a single button, 4 high quality photos will be taken and printed for you to share with friends. It is the highest quality and the fastest in CT giving you more pictures per hour and the instant gratification of getting your photos right on the spot.

Other photo booths may include the ability to share your photo session on social media or get sent right to your smart phone. Although a neat idea, this process slows down the experience for the user and often causes traffic jams giving you less pictures per hour.

Another alternative that we’ve seen is the photo studio in a tent. Basically, it’s a pop up tent with some curtains with a photographer inside. You’ll be posed for portraits and group shots and be able to purchase prints online. You may get some great poses but, it takes away from the private experience of a photo booth plus adds the additional cost to you and guests of having to purchase prints.

Last but not least, there’s the digital photo station. This is a popular option where space is limited. The photo booth components (camera, screen, & button) are present without the privacy curtain. This is also a great addition if you have a lot of group shots that you want to take.

There is something out there for every taste and preference. Now that you know what is available, you can make an informed decision when selecting a photo booth that’s right for your next event.

DJ Aaron DeMarest

DJ Aaron DeMarest – The loveable badass..

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When I asked a fellow colleague of mine where he thought I fit into the marketplace in terms of mobile entertainers, he had this to say.
“Aaron DeMarest, you’re the loveable badass.”

Taken back by that statement and finding it quite humorous, I thought about it for a while.  He hit the nail on the head. Now before you back away with caution, let me explain what he meant…

Your impression of what a DJ is or should be may vary greatly depending on personal experience or what others have told you. What most people perceive a wedding DJ to be is the mid 40’s salt and pepper haired guy with the polished smile and a gold microphone that’s got a voice like Michael Buffer (Let’s get ready to rumble) and swaggar like the Most Interesting Man in the World. (Dos Equis)
And for the most part, based on my experience attending weddings, I’d have to agree.

But what if that’s not what you want? What if you’re looking for something different? Music trends have gotten edgier and edgier as time has gone on. The sombreros and inflatable instrument schtick that your parents enjoyed at their wedding in the 80’s and early 90’s has been laid to rest and new trends like intelligent lighting design and the dancefloor is where it’s at. .So, where does the loveable badass fit in to the equation?

When I do a wedding, it’s a highly personal experience for me and far from cookie cutter`. My Brides and Grooms are the center of my world for those 5 hours and I make sure they know it. It’s all about 2 people in love coming together as one. That’s the loveable part. I’m very passionate about what I do. I want my clients to have an experience that exceeds their expectations.

While most DJs fit the mold of the description you read about above, the badass is the big guy standing at 6’3″ tall you see wearing black & purple sporting a goatee. He’s in control and with a cool and confident smile let’s his clients know that they’re in good hands. A protector of sorts making sure that nothing stands in the way of the client and their ability to enjoy their special day.

 

Wedding Introductions

Wedding Introductions

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Wedding Introductions

One of the most important jobs we have at weddings is introducing loved ones of the bride and groom. This may seem trivial to some but, it is one of the highlights at many wedding receptions. It also sets the tone for how the rest of the reception will be carried out.

But what if you’re someone who doesn’t like to be the center of attention?  Or maybe it’s the exact opposite and you like the idea of all eyes on you. It’s ok. Your wedding is all about you. There are many different styles of wedding introductions. You can find most of them on Youtube from DJs across the country. Every DJ’s style is a little bit different and brings something special to the table depending on the tastes and preference of the bride and groom.

Here are a couple of examples…

The Conservative: A conservative intro would have a classic feel. Not over the top energy but more or less, a simple announcement of the bridal party with very little embellishment.

The Average Joe: A little more upbeat than the conservative but not a showstopper. Your guests will undoubtedly know you’re there but, it’s a more laid back approach to introductions.

The Grand Entrance: This is reserved for doctors, lawyers, and elected officials who’s title is very important to them. You’ll hear more of a presidential announcer quality to the voice and lots of Dr, Senator, and Esquire mixed in.

Let’s get ready to rumble!: Use your imagination. This is probably the favorite among radio DJs gone mobile. They love to be the center of attention and really put on a show for your guests.

The Comedian/Chris Berman Special: This is reserved for bridal parties and guests who have both a good sense of humor and like to take part in Cosplay to emulate their extroverted personality or favorite fantasy character. You might hear the best man introduced as Dan ‘THE MAN’ Johnson and the maid of honor, Princess Layla Jones.

THE ROCKSTAR: When you are looking for the most energetic introduction to make you feel like a rockstar, this is the one you want. You might hear something like, “You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest couple in CT. BOB & JANET!!!!!!!!!!!!”

No matter what your preferences are, there is a DJ and an intro for every personality. A seasoned pro will be able to switch from one to the other seamlessly depending on your taste.

Last week, we had the pleasure of entertaining Lauren & Chris and 200 of their closest friends and family at the Lake of Isles @ Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Here is an example of one of the many introduction styles we offer.

Wedding Disc Jockeys in CT – Lauren & Chris @ Lake of Isles – Pryme Tyme Entertainment

Quality Wedding Entertainers, award winning wedding dj

Wedding Disc Jockeys – It’s time to raise the bar.

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This is a post I have been holding off on for quite some time. But, for those of you who have met me in person, you know that I never pull any punches and I will be honest with you. So here goes…

Every day, I keep up with the latest DJ industry news, the bridal forums on weddingwire, DJ forums on facebook, and many other entertainment and wedding specific groups and publications. Sadly, alot of what I read is the same old regurgitated topics.  How do I make more money as a DJ? Why do DJs charge so much? I lost a wedding to an ipod. And last but not least, my sister’s wedding dj ruined her wedding, I’m thinking of using an ipod.

All things considered, I believe I have found the one detail that these topics have in common. SERVICE.
Why service you ask? It’s simple really. Whether you’re a DJ or a bride, service is king. When we purchase equipment or subscribe to a website like WeddingWire, we want the best service possible so that we know if need be, we’ll be taken care of. The same goes for brides and clients of all types. When you hire your DJ or wedding team, you want to make sure that everything will be on point, stress free, and enjoyable. So why are we seeing the same old ‘CHEAP’ topics coming up?

The economy has been in a downward spiral for 5 years now and companies are tightening their belts. People are getting laid off in record numbers and for some, becoming a DJ overnight to make fast cash seems like a great idea. It’s not.
These weekend warriors and overnight companies lack the experience and the business sense that goes into running a successful entertainment company and things like ‘Taking care of the customer’ and ‘Holding yourself accountable’ seem to pass by and ultimately, the client pays the price.

The same can be said for the client. If you’ve fallen on hard times or are trying to be fiscally responsible, you may be cutting costs where and when you can. That being said, you also know as a seasoned consumer, that when you invest in something, you want to make sure that you get a return on investment. That’s where the professional comes in.

So here’s my message to my colleagues and competitors:
You know that the economy is bad. Instead of banging your head against a wall and waiting for the next dollar to come through, raise the bar. You need to be on your A game and above. If you take care of the client in the down economy, when we’re on the rebound, those clients will be customers for life and will grow with your business.

To my brides & clients:
Knowing what you know now, DON’T SETTLE for the lowest bidder. They are a dime a dozen. Not all wedding Disc Jockeys are created equal. Take the time now to meet with your wedding vendors and choose the one that best suits your needs. You’ll be glad you did.

Lake of Isles Wedding

Lake of Isles Wedding – The Wedding of Lauren & Chris

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Lake of Isles Wedding – The Wedding of Lauren & Chris

 

Weddings like the wedding of Lauren & Chris don’t happen everyday…
The setting for their ceremony @ Lake of Isles at Foxwoods Resort and Casino was the quintessential New England fall wedding. Over 200 guests bundled up and headed to the shore to witness Lauren & Chris’s new beginning as husband and wife unfold.

After the ceremony, guests headed up to the clubhouse for the start of a magical evening. Guests of all ages were socializing, enjoying a tasty beverage and letting their inhibitions fly in our Funtastic Photo Booth. The bridal party was introduced to Rihanna’s popular club hit, ‘We Found Love (In a hopeless place)”  which set the tone for the rest of the evening.

High energy was where it was at. This group wanted to party. Thanks to Bethany and the amazing staff at Lake of Isles, dinner service was as much efficient as it was tasty. In just over an hour, over 200 guests were served appetizers, and 2 courses which is great for us because it allows the maximum time for dancing.

And speaking of dancing, there was LOTS of it. Guests young and old packed the dancefloor solid for nearly 3 hours straight and enjoyed hits from the 50’s to today. As we always do at the end of our weddings, we sent Lauren & Chris off with a bang singing and dancing to BEP’s The Time.

This wedding was all about Lauren & Chris. At the end of the night, hugs and goodbyes were exchanged. The very next day, I read Lauren’s review and was awestruck by the wonderful things she had said about us. Thank you so much Lauren. It means alot.

To read Lauren’s review, please visit our WeddingWire Page by clicking the link below. Stay tuned to our facebook page for video of Lauren & Chris’s wedding provided by mebCINEMA!

http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/pryme-tyme-entertainment-winner-of-the-2012-2013-brides-choice-award-prospect/e3910f841d8badbd.html

Pond House Grill – Jillian Tabara’s Sweet 16

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Pond House Grill – Jillian Tabara’s Sweet 16

There comes a time in every young girl’s life when she becomes a young woman. And when Jillian Tabara became 16, this was no exception.

Family and friends from around the globe as far as Hawaii gathered at The Pond House Grille for Jillian’s Sweet 16. The birthday girl was introduced along with her family and best friends in a near wedding introduction style. After introductions, she danced with her father, her step dad, and finally, one lucky gentlemen.

Guests enjoyed fine dining from the Pond House Grille and danced until the late evening. We uplit the room in pink and completed the high energy ambiance with some atmospheric haze and intelligent lighting making this dancefloor the envy of a downtown club.

Check out the video from Jillian’s Sweet 16 by clicking here.

If you would like to see pictures from Jillian’s sweet 16, ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook and click the link below. Stay tuned to our facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151704413628862.1073741847.60186428861&type=3