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The post you’ve been waiting for – Average Cost of a Connecticut Wedding

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Money. It rules the world. From houses and cars to that new keychain you’ve always wanted, it all boils down to one thing. What are you willing to pay for something.
We’re going to dive deep into the dark place that is the Connecticut Wedding Budget. We will cover all of the aspects in chronological booking order. Here we go!

1. Wedding Venues

Wedding venues (catering included) charge per person. In many cases your open bar is included in price of the cost per person. And whether you’re going for the gusto at a premier wedding venue or going for economy, a good starting point is between $80-150 per person. This will more than likely include a 5 hour reception including cocktail hour, a 3 course meal (salad, pasta, & main course) as well as appetizers during your cocktail hour. It also includes the actual venue itself. You’re choosing your venue based upon the look and atmosphere you want to create and depending on your tastes, it could costs you a few dollars more to get what you want. At $100 per plate for 100 guests, it’s going to cost about $10,000 not counting tax and gratuity.

2. Wedding Photographers & Videographers

A seasoned wedding photographer & videographer are PRICELESS! Especially when you figure that the images captured from your wedding celebration are going to be a permanent fixture in your home. Think of them like you would a piece of rare art. Because THEY ARE! Your wedding photos are one of a kind. And making you look your best will run you between $5000-$8500 respectively. Now before you get sticker shock, let me tell you. There is a TON of planning, work, and editing that goes into your one of a kind masterpiece. You’re not going to get that kind of quality from an instagram filter and an iphone.

3. The Wedding DJ

You want your party to ROCK! You want your introductions to be flawless. And you want every moment of your special day to go to plan. This is where the wedding dj comes into play. They are the keeper of the keys when it comes to the success of your wedding. And why? Well, if you ask the majority of couples that have attended weddings, ‘What did you remember most about the last wedding you attended.”, 9 times out of 10 they’ll say whether they danced or not. If you’ve seen a great wedding DJ, you have an expectation when it comes to entertainment. And if you’ve seen a not so fabulous DJ, it makes you second guess whether you want to take the leap of faith when hiring a wedding dj. It is for this reason why PROFESSIONAL GRADE DJS in Connecticut average between $1350-$1500 to start. You will find out very quickly in your search that there are outliers as well but as they say.. you get what you pay for.

4. The Florist

Why do they charge so much for the same flowers that they sell every day? Is it a wedding markup? No. It’s not. When you think about wedding centerpieces in a room for 15 to 20 tables, you’re probably looking for consistency and perfection. Flowers are natural and each one is unique. To make 20 identical centerpieces is no easy task. Each flower is handpicked (literally and figuratively) to create uniform decor for your wedding that best reflects your preferences. While the average flower shop bouquet might run you $50, because of the nature of weddings and the promise of perfection that comes with it, you can expect to double or triple that number for 20 identical centerpieces.

5. The Cake

Who doesn’t love wedding cake? That gorgeous confection isn’t a Betty Crocker special. Over time, the taste in wedding cakes has changed. We’re no longer satisfied with a vanilla cake with white vanilla frosting. Now we see cakes that look like sculptures and are one of a kind for each couple. This kind of artistry takes YEARS to perfect not to mention the preparation and acquisition of the best ingredients to make your wedding cake not only beautiful, but the perfect flavor. And even with all of those things considered, there has to be enough to go around to feed all of your guests. Most wedding cakes fall between the $400-600 range and can be upwards of $1000 depending on the size and sophistication.

Of course there are many other services that can be added to a wedding like day of planners, limos, decor, and more. But for many, these are the core services that most every wedding has. Now here’s a side note to help with sticker shock. Make sure you’ve got your priorities in check. Know what your goals are and plan accordingly so that you have more money for the things that are important to you.

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Wedding Bargain Hunter: Sacrificing quality for convenience.

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Wedding bargain hunter: Sacrificing quality for convenience.

How much is too much? The instinctual feeling of “get all you can for as little as possible” is very common in the wedding world. It’s human instinct for the gatherer to obtain the largest bounty in one place to reduce effort. But what if I told you that if you are getting alot in quantity, you could be lacking in quality?

There are many options for weddings. Anyone who’s ever been on Pinterest knows that you have an endless supply of ideas for dresses, flowers, centerpieces, candy tables and more. If you head over to TheKnot you’ll see different themed weddings and the same with WeddingWire. But if you do like your parents did and use the equivalent to the yellow pages to find your vendors on google, you’ll notice once again that there are so many options available in every service category from DJs to decor and venues to formal wear and everything in between. Choosing one of each thing takes time. And time is precious.

It’s very tempting to find an all in one solution to take care of your core wedding services. Cut a check and walk away hoping for the best. It’s convenient and care free. But you know as well as I do, that you have a vision for your wedding. You have plans for that wedding. From how it will look and taste, to the soundtrack of your celebration. It’s all in your head and you don’t have the luxury of time to sort it all out between vendors. So what should you do? First thing I will tell you is to NEVER SETTLE for mediocrity. You’re investing in your celebration because you care about the end result.

If time is not on your side, you can go to the front of the line with your wedding planning by asking for referrals from your booked vendors. Starting with your venue. Your venue is one of the best resources for your wedding because they see so many vendors come through their doors day after day. And because they are the first stop on your list, they can guide you in the right direction and show you options that fit your personality. If you’re looking for experts that offer excellent service, they will know where to go. If you’re not big on the posh wedding and you want to simplify, they will know where to send you. There’s something for everyone out there.

But what about big box all in one companies that cover everything from Djs to decor? Those companies cater to a specific type of couple. The bargain hunter. Think about the last time you went shopping for a handbag or even more personal, your bra. Those are highly personal items that must serve you well over a long period of time. Sure, you could go to the K-Mart and snag one off the clearance rack. You can also buy chips, soda, motor oil and fishing rods there as well.  But for the one item you really wanted to make a difference, you’ll get a couple wears out of it. After a few washings, will it offer the same support as the one in your drawer from the boutique store that specializes in that item?

So treat yourself to what you deserve. Do your research. Get what YOU want for your wedding. And settle for NOTHING. Hire an expert. Ask any former engaged couple and they’ll tell you, it’s so worth it.

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Wedding DJ / MC or both?

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Sabrina writes:

Hello Brides! My future husband and I are at odds on whether or not we want an MC for our reception. We haven’t been to many weddings so I’m not sure what to do.  Thoughts? Is it much of a difference if the wedding DJ plays great music?

Hi Sabrina!

Congratulations on your engagement. You asked a very good question. Yes, there is a difference between an emcee and a dj however, in terms of weddings, most DJs in CT do both. The master of ceremonies or MC, handles your timeline for your wedding. They are the keeper of the keys so to speak when it comes to letting your guests and vendor team when certain things are happening. A good example of this would be when your parents dances occur, your MC will be rounding up the other vendors to make sure that there is a photographer available to capture it. He’ll also let the event coordinator or venue manager know when this is happening to allow them to prepare for their next task. Your emcee is both a coach and an advocate to help you get the most out of your wedding.

Now, for the second question. Is it important if the DJ plays great music? YES! Absolutely yes. Because a wedding without the right music is just a fancy dinner. A wedding is a celebration. And what not a better way to celebrate than to hit the dancefloor with a hundred of your closest family and friends. A great dj will listen to your requests and blend them in with crowd favorites sure to keep guests entertained from first dance until it’s time to go.

When you pair a polished MC and experienced DJ, you and your guests can expect to be treated to a very exciting and seamless celebration.

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Pryme Tyme & The Reach Foundation. It’s about people helping people.

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2016 was a tremendous year for us at Pryme Tyme Entertainment. We were blessed with so many wonderful clients and events this year. It seemed as if the phone wouldn’t stop ringing. And for that, we thank you. But with good fortune comes great responsibility. From the very beginning, we’ve partnered up with some great non-profits both national and local to help our community. For many companies, it’s an opportunity to promote their business, but for us… It’s all about people helping people.

The last 2 weeks have been some of the most rewarding weeks of my career. We followed the REACH FOUNDATION to 4 Target stores in South Windsor, Enfield, Southington, and Milford at the Connecticut Post Mall for their SHOP WITH A COP campaign. We provided photo booth services for the Reach Foundation and their guests of honor and sponsoring officers were treated to a photo with Santa that they could take home to commemorate this wonderful event.

The children that were a part of this are disadvantaged youth that could use a hand and we were happy to answer the call. When it comes to our youth, there is nothing better than putting a smile on a child’s face. Most of these youngsters were completely selfless and weren’t shopping for themselves but looking for presents for their siblings and family. It’s really a humbling experience to see the good in people at work.

So many wonderful people came to these events including Reach Foundation Founder and owner of Crazy Bruce’s liquors, Mark Wilson, Dr. William Petit of the Petit Foundation, Miss Connecticut 2016, Tiffany Teixeira and more!

Check out some of the great photos from this event courtesy of Mike Connolly at www.TheReachFoundation.org

Thank you to the Reach Foundation for giving us the opportunity to serve our communities! We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come!

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Holiday Party at Hawks Landing Country Club

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If you thought you needed to have 10,000 employees to have a holiday party, you’d be wrong. Come and join us on Friday December 16th at Hawks Landing Country Club for their annual Small Business Holiday Party! This is a great opportunity for small businesses who may not have the capital to throw a big gala and still want to celebrate the holidays with their team. Guests can expect to enjoy many tasty selections, a full top shelf open bar with dancing to follow. It’s a great night so be sure to tell a friend and head over to Hawks!!! For more information visit www.hawkslandingcc.com

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Why your school dance budget is unrealistic – A business owners perspective

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Cheap DJ in CT 
It’s November and schools are well into their first period before the holidays. And now is the time you’re looking for your school dance dj for the dance next week. Next week. You’ve been given the task of rounding up the lowest bidder to give the students something to do on a Friday night in the gym to help raise funds for the athletic department, yearbook committee or prom.

Logic tells you that you need to keep costs low in order to maximize profit. That makes sense in most cases. Unless you’re talking about entertainment. And here’s why. Have you ever gone to a show, a concert, or event where the promoter had skimped out on a few things? Guaranteed you have. And you’ve noticed it right away. You walked away second guessing the decision to purchase that ticket because of the lack of quality in the show that you had hoped to see.

Maybe the PA was too loud or the lighting wasn’t that captivating. OR, maybe the folks on the stage just weren’t up to par that night. Then you recall that time you saw this other show that blew you away. The tickets were more expensive but it was an experience you’ll never forget. Sound familiar? This same scenario can be applied to school dances. Your goal is to make money on the event. You can DOUBLE your money with the right entertainment. And as every savvy business owner knows, you’ve got to spend money to make money.

The youth of today are very tech smart and picky individuals when it comes to entertainment. There’s not a whole lot that impresses them. Which is why if you want to have a successful event, you really need to step things up a couple notches. To have the english teacher bring his band gear from the 70’s and play Uptown Funk or the chicken dance just doesn’t work any more. Music is more accessible today than it ever was and if your DJ doesn’t have the latest music, he won’t have the opportunity to win them over and ensure a series of successful events for your school thus, earning more income for the school.

The sound also has to be on par. If you’ve ever been to a school dance where your ears rung after, chances are the $400 or less DJ you hired didn’t have the proper equipment for the job. He might do small kids parties or have a bar gig. But when you’re in a gym with 300 students, it’s got to be heard and felt. It’s gotta be exciting and mind blowing. Teenagers are in such a rush to get to the club scene in college and you can create that same atmosphere when you book your school dance dj.

Lets talk about lighting for a moment. Again, going back to the giuse of students being hard to impress. If you’ve gone to the bowling alley on a Saturday night for glow bowling, you’ve probably noticed that there aren’t many teen students there. As fun as it is, the atmosphere is very stale. There is nothing to capture their attention other than a few twinkle lights and glowing pins. Bowling alleys are closing up shop in record numbers because they just aren’t getting the draw that they used to. Same can be said for school dances.  If you invest in your DJ and they can deliver a performance and atmosphere that will blow your students away, they are more likely to attend another dance or buy a $100 prom ticket in May.

But beyond the lighting, sound, music, and performance, there’s one other VERY important necessity for school dances. Insurance. When you book with a PROFESSIONAL DJ, he will have insurance to protect both his and your investment. He will have a 2 million dollar commercial liability policy ready and waiting to send to your administration as proof to them that they can not be held liable should damage to the school by the Dj or their equipment occurs. It also covers personal injury as well. Those two reasons are some of the MOST important when it comes to booking your school dance dj. And if you’re looking at a cheap prom dj, chances are, they don’t have insurance. What they might have is a stolen catalog of bootleg music with all of the 4 letter words and obscenities you can choke down.

And last but not least, the contract. Contracts are a necessity for hiring your dj for school dances and proms. We no longer live in a society of hand shakes and atta boys. If your school is going to invest in an event, you want your entertainer to show up. Early, prepared, and ready to go. In the last 5 years alone, Pryme Tyme Entertainment has been called by various schools in CT who have gone the cheap dj route only to have them not show up. This is not only a devastating blow to the event, but to your reputation as well. The school will look at this as you dropped the ball.

So ask yourself this question, do you roll the dice on a $400 bet? Or do you make the investment that is a sure thing? The choice is yours.

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CT Bridal Show Happy Hour Pop Up in New Hartford, Connecticut

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CT Bridal Show Happy Hour Pop Up in New Hartford, Connecticut

Brides, grab your tribe and join us for a wedding vendor extravaganza at the historic Hurley Building (former Ovation guitar factory)! Meet our talented artisans in their craft. Get to know them and check out their wares. Parrott Delaney Tavern will be offering signature cocktails and hors d’oevres and is also available to host your parties and events as well as catering.

Beat the rush of the holidays and save time meeting everyone all in one location while enjoying a night on the town with your friends. This is a FREE event, stick around and have dinner or drinks in the restaurant afterwards.

The Corey Tucker Photography studio is right around the corner as well as several other artists and businesses under one roof at Hurley Business Park of New Hartford

Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park – Pryme Tyme Entertainment

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Just last week, we had the pleasure of helping Sara & Ryan celebrate their marriage at Eolia Mansion @ Harkness Park in Waterford. This was our first experience at the mansion. It definitely won’t be our last. The mansion features classic New England architecture with multiple fireplaces, hardwood floors, and gorgeous views of the Connecticut Shoreline. In addition to the beautiful mansion, on-site there is a beautiful garden and stone pergola for wedding ceremonies.

The tent on the back patio was large and spacious with plenty of room for guests to spread out and be comfortable. One other benefit to the tent is that it is climate controlled. This comes to be especially handy in the cooler months when winds can come off of Long Island Sound.

The property is owned and maintained by the Connecticut DEEP and private catering can be accommodated. With all of these wonderful and charming features, we can’t wait to head back to the mansion for the next wedding!

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Pryme Tyme Entertainment features a new and improved photo booth!

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You asked and we listened.
We’ve just taken delivery on our new photo booth with lots of new and fun features and upgrades. As our clients become more and more tech savvy, we’ve raised the bar again to help get the most out of your photo booth experience.

From fully customizable photo templates and touch screen interface, to fully integrated social media sharing and video. Our booth does it all. But even with all of these upgrades, one thing has not changed. Service. All of our booths come with a helpful attendant and a generous helping of props for everyone to enjoy.

Because we’re so excited about our new booth, we’re offering 50% off our regular price for events booked now through December 31st! Check out our promo below.

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard Wedding – Aubrey & Bob

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington CT was the perfect location for Aubrey & Bob’s wedding this past Friday night. Connecticut is home to some of the best waterfront wedding properties in the nation. Saltwater Farm Vineyard certainly did not disappoint. From the ivory crushed stone and winding driveway to the very modern looking steel barn, everything about Saltwater Farm Vineyard is aesthetically beautiful.

The interior decor is what you would expect from a vineyard full of rustic charm, steel kegs and massive wine barrels lining the walls. On the exterior, the vineyard features hundreds of rows of local grapes that will eventually be turned into a delicious New England vintage wine. With a spacious interior and charming landscape, its the perfect setting for an October Wedding.

Aubrey and Bob Wright were married on the back lawn in front of the vineyard on a perfect Friday evening. With the threat of hurricane Matthew far from us, the day could not have been more perfect. Bright blue skies, a gorgeous sun set with a slight breeze and eye popping foliage starting to make an appearance past the grapes.

The one thing that i remember from Aubrey & Rob’s ceremony was their vows. So heartfelt, comically amusing, and delightful. It was no secret. These two were in love. I even began to tear up as Aubrey read her vows to Rob. That’s a rarity when you can get your DJ to tear up at a wedding. After all, it’s our job to remain professional at all times. But moments like these are just another reminder of why we love what we do.

Following the brief ceremony, guests enjoyed wine and cheese on the patio just outside the winery. Soon after they were invited inside the winery for introductions. Each couple was introduced paired with a song that fit their personality. Everything ranging from the classics like Nat King Cole all the way to Fergie and everything in between. The introductions really set the tone for the rest of the wedding.

After introductions, we were treated to a beautiful first dance by the newlyweds and a sumptuous meal followed by hours of dancing, delectable dessert and smores by the campfire outside. It was a wonderful night with Aubrey & Rob.

Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Photography: Fritz Photography

DJ: Pryme Tyme Entertainment