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long distance wedding planning, planning a wedding from out of state, destination wedding planning, planning your wedding out of state

Long Distance Wedding Planning

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Long Distance Wedding Planning for the BUSY couple.

2015 was the year of the long distance wedding. On average, 1 out of every 15 couples we met with were from out of state and some were from as far away as California and Arizona. So that begs the question, how does a couple plan a wedding from across the country?

Google and other search engines have become a huge help when it comes to long distance wedding planning. For instance, a California couple just has to do a search for Connecticut Wedding DJs and Pryme Tyme Entertainment will be in the search results. But beyond looking at search engine listings for Wedding DJs in CT, what about meeting with your wedding vendors. Can you afford to hop a plane to come to Connecticut for an hour consultation? Some couples plan ahead and set up a tight schedule and plan a weekend trip to visit wedding djs, venues, photographers, etc. And some don’t have the luxury of time of income for a cross country trip. So what is a couple to do?

As many of our couples will tell you, the pinnacle factor when choosing their entertainment was that we were a good fit for them. That’s why it’s so important for engaged couples to meet with their potential wedding vendors before hiring them for their wedding day. Their personalities have to click and there has to be a connection that is comfortable to both the couple and the wedding dj. But if a face to face meeting can’t happen, many resort to sending emails, texts, and facebook messages back and forth. Sure, typing out a list of demands is a good way to send information back and forth but, there is no personal connection. You never know if that wedding vendor got the message or is fully invested in you as their client.

But there is hope. Whenever I get a call from an out of state or long distance wedding couple, I offer them a face to face meeting using SKYPE. SKYPE is a great tool for meetings because nearly every communication device, whether it be a laptop, smart phone, or tablet comes with a webcam and microphone and the couple can easily do a face to face chat with their wedding dj right from the comfort of their own home, thousands of miles away.

In addition to meeting their wedding dj, they can also send live screenshots showing their dj what they are looking for by showing them examples of pictures, videos and the same in return.

So if you’re partaking in long distance wedding planning for your special day, worry not. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Happy planning!

wedding djs, wedding dj videos, wedding dj mixes, can I come to a wedding to see the dj

Wedding Disc Jockeys in CT – Try before you buy…

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It’s time to find your DJ for your wedding. So you do a Google search for Wedding Disc Jockeys in CT and come across hundreds of listings for Disc Jockeys in CT. Where do you begin? At the top of course.

As you browse around, you read how every Wedding DJ in CT will make your day everything you’ve always wanted, how lighting will enhance your experience, and just how awesome the DJ’s mixing skills are. What you’re reading is on the first page of the Wedding DJ website handbook.

Now that you’ve seen the pictures of wedding lighting, DJ setups,  DJs with the golden microphone and a Cheshire Cat grin , you ask yourself, where do we go from here? What’s the difference? How do you know which one to choose? You don’t have much time with work, school, and the daily routine and your year of planning your wedding will fly by faster than you think. But don’t worry, there’s hope.

Make sure you pop onto wedding pages like WeddingWire, TheKnot, Brides.com, and others and take a look there. Also, if you have chosen your venue, ask them for references. Connecticut Wedding Venues like The Aqua Turf, Grand Oak Villa, and Hawks Landing Country Club will more than likely have a book with preferred vendors to help you find the perfect wedding vendors for your wedding day.

Ask your family and friends for references as well. If they’ve been to a wedding in the last 5 years, chances are, they have run into some of the Wedding Disc Jockeys in CT you’re looking at on Google. With all of these resources, you should be able to find a good jumping off point. Read reviews from past clients that will tell you their experiences with the Wedding DJs you’re looking at. Watch their Wedding videos on YouTube and Vimeo to give you an idea of what they can do for your Wedding Reception.

Once you’ve researched your Wedding Entertainment options, contact your choices and set up appointments with them. From that point, you can ask questions about their experience, their technique, their business, and everything you need to know to make an informed decision when choosing your Wedding Disc Jockey.

Music Requests for the Partygoer – Hey, can you play that song. You know the one. Yeah, you know…

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Making music requests for the party goer.

We’ve all done it. We’ve all heard that song on the radio that we love. We even know the name of the song, most of the time. But do you ever have that song title that’s on the tip of your tongue but you just can’t figure it out?

DJ’s are no different. We carry a massive song library with tens if not hundreds of thousands of music. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to remember each song, how it goes, the title, artist, and record label. But there is hope for you yet. If you’ve got a smart phone, pop onto your app store and download the latest version of SHAZAM!

Shazam is an incredible piece of software. Those songs that are on the on the edge of thought are all on there. All you have to do is hit the Shazam button and your phone will listen to the song you’re listening to and come back with the artist, song, and year it was recorded. This also works well at a party or wedding when you DJ pulls out a song that you love that you’ve never heard before.

So the next time you have a request, give Shazam a shot. You and your DJ will thank you. :)

connecticut bridal shows this weekend

Grand Oak Villa | VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

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Grand Oak Villa - Watertown, CT

Grand Oak Villa is without a doubt one of CT’s best secrets. Just off of route 8 in Watertown, this passionate family of culinary masters has raised the bar when it comes to wedding cuisine. Executive Chef and owner, Michael DiStasi is one of CT’s best in the kitchen.

The DisTasi family has combined new fusion cuisine with old classics and efficiency with old world charm leaving guests coming back time and time again for all of their weddings, parties, and events. You won’t go home hungry. Grand Oak Villa’s staff are so warm and inviting. They really treat you like part of the family.

With a spacious ballroom, imported marble vestibule, elegant gazebo, and cascading waterfall, the Grand Oak Villa has a great atmosphere for wedding photos and enough space to comfortably entertain guests from 50-500.

So if you’re looking for a great dining experience, personalized service, and a wedding to remember, give Angela & Carol a call. Tell them Aaron from Pryme Tyme Entertainment sent you over. I guarantee, when you’re at Grand Oak Villa, you’re family.

For more information on this fantastic wedding destination, visit www.TheGrandOakVilla.com or call them at 860-945-0548

Will your song requests make the final cut?

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Dancefloor science – Will your song requests make the final cut?

Everyone has their favorite tune or band that they listen to. But how well do they translate to the dancefloor? Think about your ipod playlist or the radio station you listen to. What do you listen to while you’re at work, in the car driving home, or in the bar on a Thursday night?

Every song has a purpose. If you’re hanging out at your dad’s bar, he might be listening to the Bob Dylan or George Thoroughgood. If you’re in the car, maybe some uptempo rock or top 40 is in order. If you’re at work, more than likely your employer tunes into the ‘safe at work’ station that has the word ‘lite’ attatched to it.

But what about the dancefloor at a wedding, school, or corporate event. Chances are, you know what to expect from each. At a wedding, there are some standards that almost always get played. Things like Love Shack, Build me up Buttercup, and the YMCA are all time tested and proven floor fillers. Why? They just work. But what if you’re not into the standards and you want to hear some Manheim Steamroller? Chances are, it’s probably not going to happen. For no other reason other than, a DJ’s purpose is to play for the masses and their job is to pack the floor and keep it full.

Now, what if you’re the bride or groom? Does being the client give you any clout? Absolutely it does. You trust your DJ to make the right decision. After all, this is what you hired them for. Your favorite song may not lend itself to dancing. So where does it fit in? During cocktail hour or dinner service. Dinner is a great opportunity to ‘LISTEN’ to some great music. By playing some of your requests that aren’t danceable during dinner, this allows your guests to share in the joy of a personalized music selection by you. There’s no law that says, ‘KENNY G must be played during dinner.” It can be just about anything you want, within reason of course. Sepultura is probably a little difficult for some folks to digest. But, you get the idea.

So don’t worry about spending days on end thumbing through all of your MP3’s and creating a 5 hour long mix for your DJ to play. Trust your DJ and help them help you take the pressure off your shoulders. Give them a few suggestions that will tell them enough about your taste in music and like a tenured sommelier, they’ll be able to pair the perfect music for every occasion throughout the evening.

It’s our job to entertain. It’s your job to enjoy your special day. It’s all about you.

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.

 

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.

 

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