Unconventional First Dance Songs

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

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

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

cheap dj, amateur dj, bad dj, worst dj ever, school dance dj, prom dj, cheap wedding dj

9 Reasons Why Hiring an Amateur Wedding DJ Is a HUGE Mistake

Written by Stephanie Padovani

What most couples who are planning a wedding don’t know is that saving money by hiring an amateur DJ for your wedding comes with a high price tag.  Before you make a decision you regret, here are some things you need to know.

 

1. There’s a high probability that a cheap (or free) DJ won’t be in business by the time your wedding arrives.

Many low-priced DJs aren’t charging enough to support their own businesses for the long term; you’re just financing their hobby.  Meanwhile, your wedding is 6-12 months away or more.

We’ve received those calls from desperate couples who had a “friend of a friend” DJ cancel on them last minute.  It’s not pretty.

Do you want to risk the possibility that the cheapie DJ is bankrupt and out of business before your big day?

2.  Amateurs are less invested in their performance than a wedding professional.

The amateur DJ is doing it “for fun,” and if something goes wrong, it’s not a big deal.  A wedding professional, on the other hand, risks his entire reputation and livelihood with every performance.  One bad review can destroy his business and he knows it.

At one wedding, the DJ brought along his wife and newborn.  Their table was littered with McDonald’s bags and his wife decided to breastfeed the baby during dinner.

Would you rather have an entertainer who is 100% invested in his business and performance on your wedding day or someone who does it as a hobby?

3.  A wedding is a unique event that require the skills and experience of a wedding specialist for a smooth, flawless ceremony and reception.

It’s about more than just playing music.  Your wedding DJ is responsible for coordinating the timeline, orchestrating the introduction and flow of events, working with your other vendors, managing the guests, reading the crowd and making sure the right song is played at just the right time.

Even a DJ who is quite experienced in the club setting will be at a loss because she simply isn’t familiar with the flow of events and how to prevent disasters when something goes awry.

One inexperienced DJ mistakenly announced a special dance with the bride and her grandfather because he forgot to update his notes.  The entire family started crying because Grandpa had passed away two weeks earlier.

Are you willing to place the outcome of your wedding in the hands of someone who doesn’t “do” weddings for a living?

4.  Your guests won’t dance without an experienced entertainer who can read the crowd and keep the momentum going.

You have to play the right songs at the right time and in the right order to maintain dancing.  Oftentimes, the mood changes and your entertainer needs to change the program to maximize the dancing along the way.

If she can’t mix from one song to another, you’ll have gaps of “dead air” or awkward rhythms that will frustrate your guests and clear the floor.

Many couples think that providing an amateur with a set list of songs they love will be enough to make a fun wedding.  It’s not.  You need someone with experience to work with your requests and what your guests are responding to in order to avoid an empty dance floor.

One bride regrets hiring her DJ because he played “Unforgettable” five times during the wedding because he didn’t know any other slow songs.

Are you willing to sacrifice the fun at your wedding to save money on a cheaper DJ?

5.  The MC (the guy or girl on the microphone) has a huge impact on the mood and outcome of your party, for better or worse.

An obnoxious DJ with an abrasive voice will irritate your guests and dampen the mood of the entire party.  Professional DJs invest in vocal training and practice to optimize their performance.

I personally witnessed one DJ and embarrass everyone by making suggestive comments to the bride over the microphone.

Do you want just anyone acting as your wedding host or do you want a professional speaker you can trust?

6.  Your special events may not happen if you don’t hire a specialist who’s experienced in channeling the flow of events.

Who will direct your bridal party and guests at the ceremony?  Who’s going to line them up for introductions?  Who’s in charge of making sure the toasts, special dances and dedications go without a hitch?

Just having the equipment and knowing how to push play doesn’t guarantee the people wrangling skills you need for a fun, smooth reception.  In most cases, your entertainer is the one who makes sure your special events are executed as you’ve requested.

One inexperienced DJ forgot to bring the couple’s First Dance song; they were forced to dance to Barbra Streisand, who they can’t stand.

Will you risk leaving your special events to chance or do you want to ensure that everything is done according to plan?

7.  An amateur doesn’t have the experience to include your unique requests in a way that truly expresses your personality AND keeps people dancing.

You can’t make your guests dance to the songs you like if they don’t feel the same way.  Your DJ needs to read the crowd and have the experience to build sets of music around your preferences.

An amateur DJ can play the songs you request, but lacks the experience necessary to make it work.

One bride told us her DJ played the unedited version of Sexxy Back during dinner and had five minutes of dead air while he queued up the next song.

Do you want your guests on the dance floor all night or is it acceptable to have large chunks of time with no dancing?

8. An amateur DJ has inadequate or non-existent backup equipment, which means that if something fails you have no music at your wedding.

A fully functional backup system on the premises is essential to making sure you have music at your wedding no matter what.  Most amateur DJs won’t have a backup plan if a speaker blows or a laptop crashes.

We were approached at the end of one wedding by a DJ in the next room who asked if he could “borrow our speakers” because his were broken.

Are you willing to takes your chances without a backup on your wedding day?

9.  DJs who charge less invest less into their equipment, which means you have inferior sound and performance at your wedding.

A stereo system that sounds great in your living room doesn’t sound good in a spacious wedding venue.  Professional speakers and equipment are necessary for clear sound that has impact at low volumes, so your guests can speak at the tables even while the dance floor is thumping.

If you want your guests to actually hear your exchange of vows at the ceremony, you’ll need professional equipment and an onsite tech to make sure that happens.

One DJ showed up at a venue for the first time without ANY speakers or mixer because he’s been told that he could, “use the venue’s sound system” and he didn’t call ahead to verify.

Are sound issues like blasting music or impossible to understand audio acceptable on your wedding day?

If you’re not planning to have any formal events at your wedding, and you’d like a cocktail party more than a dance party, it may make sense to save money by hiring a non-professional.  But if you’re investing thousands of dollars on creating the perfect day, please don’t jeopardize it by hiring someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.

Your wedding day only happens once; make sure you hire a DJ who gets it right.

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Hollywood Wedding

Hollywood Theme Weddings – The must haves for your tinsel town wedding.

Hollywood Theme Weddings – The must haves for your tinsel town wedding.

Welcome to Hollywood California! Where stars are made and dreams come true.
So are you ready to plan your star studded theme weddings?
Hollywood is all about film. It’s about going over the top and creating the perfect dreamscape. So how do you get to that special place?

Whine and Cheese:
It’s your wedding and you want it perfect. At a Hollywood wedding, there’s no whining and no cheese. Class and sophistication are paramount.

A wedding of TITANIC proportions:
We don’t mean we want your wedding to sink to the depths of the atlantic throwing your groom overboard. Remember in the movie Titanic, it was around the twenties. Class and sophistication were in. The svelte black tie affair was in. Artists like George Clooney, Justin Timberlake, and of course Leonardo DiCaprio have all embraced this classic style. The most regal of locations with stunning architecture, artwork, decor, and cuising are paramount to pull an event like this off. Places like The Aqua Turf and Aria are the perfect location. Add a classic string ensemble for cocktail hour and you’ve got a wedding straight out of the roaring twenties.

Walk like a Kar-dash-i-an:
Kim’s FIRST wedding was Hollywood Chic to the max. An outdoor tented wedding with white linens cascading from the rooftop to the floor. Instead of christmas lights strewn about, colorful uplighting was used to change the ambiance of the all white wedding. White rose petals resting on the green grass down the aisle in between white upholstered chairs for those in attendance.

In the spotlight for your 15 minutes of fame:
If you’ve ever been to a movie premier or seen the famed 20th Century Fox intro, those bright searchlights are a must have. Let the world know where the party is. **Just a side note… We can get those for you too**
Ain’t no party like an after party…:
The after party is a MUST HAVE for your Hollywood inspired wedding. Large or small, you and your V.I.P.S can heat up the dancefloor into the early morning hours at a different location after your formal reception. Don’t want to travel? That’s ok. Check with your venue to grab the room next door for your after party.

Ride in Style:
The plain black limo is sooooo yesterday. If you really want to go out, try a horse drawn carriage or classic car.

aqua turf, aria, candlewood inn, hawks landing, tower ridge, fox hill inn, owenego inn, barns at wesleyan, society room, pryme tyme entertainment, fritz photography

10 Reasons Why CONNECTICUT is the Wedding Capitol of New England

 

When most people think of CT (who don’t live in CT), they envision a yuppie paradise full of cul de sac neighborhoods, BMWs in every parking spot, and everyone resembles Barbie & Ken. Believe it or not, that only accounts for 1% of Connecticut. The rest of Connecticut is very diverse and a melting pot of culture, ethnicity, and music. That would explain why Connecticut is the Wedding Capitol of New England.

Being the 2nd smallest state in the Union has it’s benefits. In the heart of Connecticut, you are only about an hour and a half from New York City and two hours from Boston. You can imagine the baseball rivalries that happen here. But what about weddings?

Here are the 10 reasons why Connecticut is the Wedding Capitol of New England.

1. Wedding and event Venues

Connecticut was one of the first states incorporated in the nation. Because of that, there are many historic properties that host weddings. Places like the Wadsworth Mansion, Saint Clements, and Gillette castle are just a few places that hold historical significance. So if you’re looking to enjoy sophistication and old world charm, these might be some great choices for you.

If marble, gold, and architecture is your thing, Connecticut is the place for you. With the highest concentration of Italian-American citizens in the United States, they’ve brought their passion for fine masonry and lavish decor. Venues such as The Aqua Turf, Farmington Club, The Riverview, Waterview, La Bella Vista, Grand Oak Villa and Connecticut’s newest addition, Aria, the possibilities are endless. The mediterranean influenced cuisine paired with the stunning marble architecture and sculptures are the perfect setting for the most regal of occasions.

If you’re a country bumpkin or appreciate the simpler things in life and love a venue with rustic charm, Connecticut has some great country and barn wedding venues to choose from. Venues like Bill Miller’s Castle, Wood Acres Farm, The Barns at Wesleyan and Winvian are a must see.

One of Connecticut’s best features is it’s waterfront property. From the Litchfield Hills to the shoreline, theres a perfect wedding destination waiting for you. If you’re a land lover and want to stay off the shoreline, venues like The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station and The Pavillion on Crystal Lake are great locations. Wanna be on the shore? Check out places like Anthony’s Ocean View and The Mystic Seaport.

But more than venues, we’ve got even more to offer. Wedding professionals are at a 1 to 100 ratio.

2. There’s a DJ for EVERY BRIDE in CT.
From simple to lavish and conservative to liberal, you’ll find it here in CT. Because of the massive ethnic diversity, Connecticut has a DJ for every nationality, personality, and preference not to mention, every budget.

3. Four seasons means LOTS of flowers to choose from.
Just in Cheshire Connecticut alone, there are HUNDREDS of greenhouses. It’s the greenhouse capitol of New England. Connecticut at one time was plentiful in farms.. From the vibrant spring flora to the earthy autumn, Connecticut’s flower farms are sure to please. Many venues also feature seasonal favorites that make a spectacular backdrop for wedding photos.

4. Wedding Paparazzi that Hollywood would be jealous of.
Wedding photographers are plentiful here. The scenic backdrops of New England have brought many photographers here. Because Connecticut is considered a ‘High End’ wedding state, we have some of the best photographers that you can find. Timeless photos from Eric Foley. Simply sarcastic photography from Sassy Mouth Photo. Mike Ross offers a classic photojournalistic style. Photo Expressions is fantastic at finding the perfect backdrop for your photos. And don’t forget about Connecitcut’s favorite bad boy, Airen Miller for something modern, edgy, and very svelte. Pair any of these photographers with picturesque New England and you’ve got a winning combination!

5. A truly Cinematic Experience.
mebCINEMA, Inspiration in Motion, and Custom Made Video are true artisans at what they do. This won’t be your parent’s wedding video. Each one of them are truly talented in capturing the best moments on film. But don’t take my word for it, have a look for yourself on our wedding page. www.PrymeTymeEntertainment.net/weddings

6. See you in 30 minutes or less.
No matter where you are in Connecticut, you will find a wedding happening within 30 minutes travel time of each other. Being such a small and concentrated state, travelling to your wedding is a snap!

7. And speaking of travelling, go in style.
Limos are big business here. Connecticut is the halfway point between New York and Boston and many people, some Very Important People live and work here. So there is no shortage of high end transportation to suit your needs. From classic Cadillac limousines , to party busses and stretch hummers, you can travel in style. Prospect Limo and Gateway Limo are some of the finest transportation resources in the area.

8. Unwavering Tradition
Connecticut is a progressive state however, we believe in tradition and the consistency of old world values. Because of this, service is KING in Connecticut. Expect to be pampered and your every desire met. It’s just how we roll.

9. Cruise Control.
If you have a love of the water, Connecticut is a great place for your special day. With hundreds of miles of shoreline on Long Island Sound, The Connecticut, and Housatonic Rivers, you can take advantage of many of the yacht and charter tours that run every day. If you’re from Long Island and your wedding is here in CT, travelling just got easier. Enjoy one of three ferries that run every hour from Long Island to Connecticut.

10. It’s all about convenience.
With so many things to think about on your special day, it’s not uncommon to forget something or need a last minute item. Connecticut was built for convenience. You won’t have to travel far to find what you need. Connecticut is also home to hundreds of 5 star hotels for the convenience of guests with overnight accommodations.

All in all, Connecticut is the go to place for everything Wedding.

Here comes the bride, wedding ceremony music

Here comes the bride. 38 Wedding Ceremony Songs You’ll Love.

 

If you’re looking to have a non-traditional or secular wedding ceremony, you may have the option to have some personalized music for your ceremony. Here are 38 wedding ceremony songs you’ll love.

1. I do – Colbie Calliat

2. Joy – Apollo 100

3. Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

4. Mint Car – The Cure

5. All I want is you. – Barry Lousi Polisar

6. Modern Nature – Sondre Lerche

7. Tenderness – General Public

8. City of Blinding Lights – U2

9. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Michael Buble

10. You make my Dreams – Hall and Oates

11. Accidentally In Love – Counting Crowes

12. Love you Madly – Cake

13. M79 – Vampire Weekend

14. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap

15. You are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

16. Moth’s Wings – Passion Pit

17. Signed, Sealed Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder

18. I do. – The Marvelows

19. All you need is love – Beatles

20. Wouldn’t it be nice – 1999 (Remaster) – Beach Boys

21. Happy Together – The Turtles

22. Gimmie Some Lovin’ – Spencer Davis

23. Ain’t that a kick in the head – 1997 (Remastered) – Dean Martin

24. Dog Days are Over – Florence + The Machine

25. The Adventure – Angels & Airwaves

26. Ho Hey – Lumineers

27. Everlasting Love – Love Affair

28. Arms – Christina Perri

29. I’ve just seen a face – Live on MTV UnPlugged – Paul McCartney

30. Silver Lining – Rilo Kiley

31. Dance Tonight – Live @ Citi Field – Paul McCartney

32. Lovers in Japan – Coldplay

33. Feel Again – OneRepublic

34. A-Punk – Vampire Weekend

35. Home – Phillip Phillips

36. You always Make me Smile – Kylie Andrews

37. You got it – Roy Orbison

38. Best Day of My Life – American Authors

 

Productive Wedding Planning | Avoid wedding burnout

Productive Wedding Planning | Avoid wedding burnout and review your accomplishments.

Everything has it’s place.

Invitations, napkins, hiring photographers and DJs and too many things to list. But where SHOULD you be in the wedding planning process? If you’re not sure, take a look once in a while at your wedding checklist and see what you’ve accomplished. Start of with your top priorities and go from there.

Once you’re done hiring vendors and venues, it’s time to think about your decor. Your centerpieces, china, napkins, and anything else you want to make your wedding extra special. Always keep your checklist with you so you can check things off as you go. Being organized is key and will help you to plan your wedding more efficiently and with less stress.

The Bridal Party Packet | Wedding Planning Essentials

The Bridal Party Packet | Wedding Planning Essentials

You’ve been planning your wedding for months now and we’re getting down to the wire. All of your hard work is about to come to fruition in just a few short weeks. So what’s next?

While on WeddingWire, I saw a great wedding planning idea for keeping things organized for your bridal party. Wedding packets. Yes. A go-to resource for your bridal party that gives them the details of your special day and assignments as necessary. As Ashley said, “Nothing bridezilla like” just something to keep VIPs informed.

Being very organized for your special day is important as it helps guide the flow of the day and allows events to go smoothly. So what should you include in your wedding packet? Here are a few suggestions…

1. Date, Time, and location of your wedding and reception.

2. A who’s who and what order they will need to be in for your introductions.

3. A timeline of events. (Ex: Ceremony at 4pm, pictures to follow. Cocktail hour at 5pm with more pictures to follow. Reception Start 6pm etc.)

4. Things to bring. (Comfortable shoes, a small purse or handbag with your personals that can easily be carried in formal attire.

5. leave all cell phones, ipads, electronic gadgets in the car or your purse during photos. (This will speed up the photography process without distraction or interruption of social media updates)
6. Assign  different tasks to your bridal party. (Grabbing coffee on the way to getting ready for the big day, fielding phone calls for the bride and groom so they can concentrate on their wedding, keeping in contact with vendors to ensure that they are in place and ready to go)

With the right bridal packet, you, your bridal party and guests can enjoy a fun, stress free, and memorable experience on your special day.

Bridesmaids wearing different dresses

Bridesmaids wearing different dresses.

Bridesmaids wearing different dresses.

People come in all shapes and sizes. What may for one person may not necessarily work for the next. Especially when it comes to bridesmaids, groomsmen, and formal wear such as gowns and tuxedos.  Just like when you do your every day shopping, you try many different things on to see which colors compliment your body, your eyes, and so on.
If you’re feeling the stress from your bridesmaids on picking the right dress for your wedding photos, consider this great article from Brides.com.  How Will it Look in Wedding Photos if my Bridesmaids are Wearing Different Dresses?