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Extending your wedding celebration.

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Extending your wedding celebration.

Dancing at a wedding is one of the most memorable experiences for couples and guests alike. So the question is, how long will you have to dance at your reception?

Wedding timelines often vary from venue to venue and from DJ to DJ depending on what their ‘norm’ is. Many venues make the dining experience the star of the reception. But really, it’s all about you.

If you are having a day wedding, chances are, the venue and/or entertainment will have a second event to do after yours and will be forced to be on time with no extension. Night time weddings have a little bit more leeway when it comes to overtime. Be sure to ask your venue and entertainment for pricing and terms for overtime.

Even with a wedding timeline, nothing is set in stone, things happen. Pictures may take longer than expected, the executive chef may drop an entire prime rib and have to re-group. You never know. But if the party is hopping and you want to keep it going, typically an hour overtime will do the trick. If you have a great DJ, they will always leave your guests wanting more.
Some things you can do to speed the timeline up are:
BE ON TIME.
Have your wedding photographer Take your pictures BEFORE your ceremony
Have a cocktail HALF-hour.
Do your introductions and right into first dance with toasts to follow.
Buffet Dinner for 150 people shouldn’t take more than an hour to get through. Sit down, plan on 2 hours.
Do your parents dances in between courses. Then cake RIGHT after dinner into dancing.

 

Typically my guests enjoy 2.5 hours of dance time. For a wedding that is the norm. Depending on the wedding and the venue, I may open the dance floor in between courses to get people moving. It’s up to you. Talk to your DJ about the timeline. If they are an experienced Master of Ceremonies, they will be able to help you reach your goal of maximum dancing.

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Those Sucky Wedding Vendors (thoughts from a real bride)

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Those Sucky Wedding Vendors (thoughts from a real bride)

I was browsing the Weddingwire Forums today when I came across an interesting post from a bride entitled ‘SUCKY WEDDING VENDORS‘

Here’s what the bride had to say…
“Sucky vendors

Good lord I think I attract the crappiest vendors. Let’s see: Venue: switched 4 months in because the woman would take over a month to respond to a question and messed up our cake tasting 3 times. Photographer: just fired her last week via email but I have no idea if she even knows because she NEVER checks her email, facebook or texts and stranded me after I gave her a deposit back in November. Seamstress: made an appt last Saturday for my first fitting at 11am. They booked another appt at the same time and the woman wasn’t even there so I waited til 12:30 to see some woman who was just there to man the shop. Spoke to her yesterday and made an appt for today at 12:30 to go on my lunch break, I get there and another woman tells me “oh no, she never works on Fridays”. I took my dress n left n it’s now behind the door in my office-how special. WTF. Any one else have a-holes they are dealing with?? Did you leave them or juts stick it out??”

Good question. What should you do if you have a vendor that’s not communicating with you? It is after all one of the most important days of your life and a large life investment both emotionally and financially. Here’s what we had to tell her.

“Although I am a vendor, I can understand your frustrations.
This is what I tell every bride that comes our way….
The most important factor when finding vendors for your wedding is that they are a good fit. Are they the right personality? Do they conduct business professionally? Do they have any references? Are they isnured, etc…

If you do have a vendor that you are happy with, ask them for referrals. If they’re like me, they will want to make sure that they are only referring QUALITY vendors and not just a guy they’ve heard of on google.

Though you are not a client of mine, I would be happy to help you. Your wedding day is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience. Depending on what your tastes are, I might be able to steer you in the right direction to help you find some folks that would be a good fit. Best wishes!”

Now that may seem a little cliche but, it’s true. Most brides automatically go to price first and service second. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Being a good fit for the bride is so very important. The right personality means everything. So brides, take the time to get to know your vendors. Meet with them over a cup of coffee. If it sounds too good to be true,  it probably is. When your vendor talks to you, they should be honest, helpful, and accommodating. Because it’s all about you.

School Prom Tour 2013

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School Prom Tour 2013

2013 was a big year for school events and proms for Pryme Tyme Entertainment.

We kicked things off at Mercy High School in Middletown for 350 students in their gym. According to Vice Principal Virginia Sullivan, This was one of the largest attendances they had seen in years for school dances. “Typically the students leave about half way through the night but tonight, you had them dancing all the way to the end. The students that had requested to leave early initially never left.”
A big thank you to Ann Drewry and Mercy High School for choosing us for their dances this past year.

 

Next it was on to La Bella Vista in Waterbury for Westover School’s Prom 2013. This multi-cultural, all girls, private boarding school enjoyed an eclectic mix of music for their prom. Our recently upgraded COLORWASH light show stole the show and added excitement to the dance floor.

Thank you to Tracy Lytle & Class of 2013 for choosing us for your prom!

May 17th, 2013 was our largest school event this year when we entertained over 350 students for East Haven High School‘s 2013 Prom at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The theme for this prom was go big or go home.

 

With our Mobile Club Package boasting a 10,000 watt sound system and fully automated intelligent light show as well as our Funtastic Photo Booths, the majestic beauty of Kays Pier South was transformed into something reminiscent of a concert.

The music selection for the evening was a mixture of hip hop and todays top 40 favorites seamlessly mixed to create a continuous high energy soundtrack for the evening’s festivities.

Thanks to Julianna Maisanno & Diane Conrad for choosing us for East Haven’s Prom!

 

 

 

 

June 7th and 8th are our next dates for our School Tour 2013. June 7th, we’ll be at the Grand Oak Villa in Watertown for W.F. Kaynor Technical School’s Prom and on June 8th at the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford for our final prom of the season with Daniel Hand High School.

Thank you to all of the schools that chose us to be a part of their proms this year!

For bookings and information on getting PTE for your school, visit us at www.PrymeTymeEntertainment.net or call 203-437-7047.

Be sure to ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook by going to www.facebook.com/DiscJockeysinCT

We’ll see YOU, on the road!

 

 

If a DJ sounds too good to be true…

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If a DJ sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Interesting phone call tonight with a potential couple for this summer.

When Matt was looking for a DJ, he had thought that DJs were all created equal. When I had said, “You’re getting so much more than just a couple hours of music. Everything from start to finish, from introductions right up until the last dance of the evening is taken care of your emcee. I will coordinate with your matre’d to make sure that your dinner arrives when it should. That your dances, speeches, and formalities go smoothly and on time to allow you the time to enjoy your special day. Matt, I want you guys to be able to enjoy each other, your friends, and your family. My job is to see to it that it happens.”

Dumbfounded, he thought I was reading from a script. He did in fact ask me, “So, have you practiced that line? Sounds like you’ve got that routine down pat.”

To which I replied, “No Matt, that’s just me and what I think a wedding should be. A celebration of 2 lives, 2 hearts, 2 families coming together. That can’t be scripted. You have to experience it…”

Wedding planning – You can do that later…

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Wedding planning – You’ve got tons of time. You can do that later…

Have you as a newly engaged couple heard these 2 statements recently?
It’s hard to fight back the excitement when the man or woman of your dreams asks your hand in marriage. You immediately start thinking about your dress on how it will look on you, the floral arrangements, and all of the wedding planning details great and small that you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl.

You’ve got a date in mind. Maybe it’s a year or two away. In your mind you’re thinking, “There’s so much to do! I better get started.” Your instinct is wise beyond comprehension. The people who tell you, “Meh, you’ve got time. Why worry about it now?” have either never planned a wedding or did it last minute. However, the brides that plan their weddings far in advance typically get everything they want and more!

But what if I’m on a budget? No problem. Think about it for a second. The more time you have to plan means the more time you have to save for the things most important to you. The venue should be the first thing you and your fiance check out.

The best wedding venues are usually booked up first so getting that taken care of before all else is essential. Go to many venues. See all there is available to you and then comfortably make your decision based on your venue. By doing this, you won’t have the stress of rushing everything and settling for less than a perfect venue. If you want your wedding at the most beautiful place in your area and not at the local VFW, you need to get out there before the next bride does..

Next, choose your wedding entertainment. Whether it’s a DJ or a band, these are the second to be booked quickly. The best DJs have a reputation for quality and tons of referrals so booking them early is important. By the same token, DON’T RUSH YOUR DECISION! Next to having a place for your reception, the entertainment is the second most valuable investment in your special day. From the ceremony to the last dance, your DJ serves as your wedding director, master of ceremonies, and your mouthpiece to deal with other wedding vendors to coordinate and execute all of the events of your reception. With that said, just like the venue, the first brides get what they want. The ones who wait leave a lot to chance and will more than likely have to settle for what ever is left.

Next, your photographer, videographer, and extras should be next.

As the old saying goes, “The early bird gets the worm.” There’s a lot of truth to that statement, So follow your gut, and plan early. It’ll be the best decision you make for your special day.

4 tips for a successful Wedding Celebration

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4 tips for a successful Wedding Celebration

Whenever I meet with a newly engaged couple, I always give them the 4 tips for a successful wedding. Most couples only do this once in their life and don’t have the experience of planning a wedding from the bride and groom’s point of view.
So here we go!

Tip #1 – Eat your dinner


All too often, the bride and groom will spend most of dinner going from table to table greeting their guests and thanking them for attending their special day. Although you want your guests to know your appreciation for being a part of your wedding, they understand that this is your big day and they want you to enjoy. That being said, make sure you take time for yourself and get some nourishment. At $50-$100 a plate, you want to make sure that you get what you are paying for and be able to enjoy your reception by energizing yourself with food and drink.

Tip #2 – Have your cake and eat it too

The cutting of the wedding cake is not only ceremonious but for your enjoyment as well. The sugar boost you get right before you hit the dancefloor for the evening will leave you feeling perky and ready to party!

Tip #3 – Take off those shoes

After standing in heels for an hour at your ceremony, being posed for hundreds of pictures by your photographer, and with friends, your feet take a beating. Bring flip flops or flats for the reception. This way you will be able to relax and dance the night away comfortably. And speaking of dancing…

Tip #4 Dance like noone’s watching

This is the most important tip of all. This is your special day. It should be a fun and memorable experience. After all is said and done, most guests will not remember the cheese tray or the bows on the backs of the chairs but they will remember if they danced. And you will too! Throw caution to the wind and dance. Do your best Michael Jackson impression or play the air guitar for that band you always wanted to see growing up.

All in all, if you follow these 4 steps, you too can have a successful wedding celebration!

Have the time of your life…

 

 

 

 

Burr Homestead Wedding – Lauren & Jon

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Burr Homestead Wedding – The wedding of Lauren & Jon

Last night was a wedding for the ages. The marriage of Lauren and Jon took place at the Historic Burr Homested in Fairfield, CT. Lauren, Jon an guests were from the greater NYC area. That being said, their expectation of what a wedding DJ from CT was probably a lot different than what you’d expect. The fancy tuxedo, the golden microphone, maybe some mexican party hats and a few blow up instruments. But on this night, the music took them on a journey through the 5 boroughs. From the sounds of Frank Sinatra and the rat pack at  Radio City Music Hall, to the hip hop capitol of the world, Brooklyn, NY.

After a two and a half hour cocktail hour and Mediterranean influenced smorgasbord of delectable food, guests also enjoyed a candy bar that would even leave WIlly Wonka himself in awe. Every tasty treat from childhood from cotton candy, candied and caramel apples and even a smores station were featured.

Once the guests had their fill of champagne and sugary confections, the estate turned full swing into a house party. This wealthy, white collar town was shaken to it’s core when the music started. After a 4 hour marathon of dancing and singing, it was time to bring this party to a close. The night ended with a hug and a smile from the newlyweds and it was time to head back to the office.

Check out some video from last night’s wedding,.

Elm Court Estate Wedding – Constance & Austin

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Elm Court Estate Wedding – Constance & Austin

September 15th 2012 marks the day that Connie Chace and Austin Neudecker joined hands in matrimony.
Over 200 guests were in attendance for the vows at the Vanderbuilt Family’s ‘Elm Court Estate‘ in Lenox, MA. The newlyweds spent their 9 year courtship travelling the globe from country to country seeking out  adventure and experiencing the different cultures around the world.

The wedding was non-traditional to say the least. An hour and 15 minutes of vow exchanging, stories, and rememberances followed by another hour and a half of blessings, poetry and song. The food was eclectic and featured dishes from the places that they had visited around the world including India, Japan, Italy, Germany and others. The imported wine and beers from around the world also made an appearance for this marathon wedding reception. After a 2 hour dinner and a video narrated by the newlyweds, the dance floor was open to all to enjoy. For four straight hours into the early morning, the music room of the estate was transformed into a nightclub atmosphere complete with colorful uplighting to highlight the already beautiful architecture of the mansion. It was a heart pounding, fist pumping all out dance party that left even the most conservative of guests jumping for joy.

By 12:30 am the majority of the guests were pretty tired after the high end swaray but found one more burst of energy for the last song, “The Time (Dirty Bit) by the Black Eyed Peas” came on and the words “I’ve had the time of my life” could be heard throughout the estate. It was a wedding of epic proportion and one that noone would soon forget.

Mercy High School Dance

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September 14th was a grand slam here at Pryme Tyme Entertainment.

Mercy High School (Better known as the emergency prom from this past may), had called on us for their freshman mixer. The same day, St Timothy’s Middle School in West Hartford was looking for entertainment for their 8th grade school dance.

We were running on all 8 cylinders that day and did both schools. This will be the 3rd school event that Pryme Tyme Entertainment has done for Mercy High School as their previous service provider has gone out of business. This marks the end of an era and the start of a new one for Mercy High School. In the past, a very basic service was used until their emergency prom last May. Now that we have showcased our abilities as a quality source for entertainment, more school dances are on the horizon for Pryme Tyme Entertainment and Mercy High school.

ST Timothy’s also looks promising as a returning client as well says, Tara – Principal at ST Timothy’s Middle School.

A big thanks to Mercy and ST Tim’s for choosing Pryme Tyme Entertainment for their school events. We look forward to working with these schools again soon! See you on the road!

Little Italy comes to The Candlewood Inn

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Little Italy comes to The Candlewood Inn

The first of September as I remember it was a perfect day for a wedding. Vic and Crystal Vicenzi thought so too.

Vic and Crystal Vicenzi were married on September 1st at the Candlewood Inn in Brookfield during a beautiful Connecticut sunset with Candlewood Lake as their backdrop. Hues of orange and blue could be seen in the dusk sky as the sun began setting behind the mountains surrounding the lake. After this beautiful ceremony took place, the party began. Guests were treated to exquisite cuisine from the chefs at Candlewood. The music selection for the evening was reminiscent of a class of 1990 something’s prom. Artists like Bel Biv Devoe, Tony, Toni, Tone and  many other 90’s one hit wonders set the mood for this 30 something crowd.

The champagne was flowing, the singing was plentiful, and the dancing left guests looking like they had just run the Boston Marathon. Pryme Tyme Entertainment‘s funtastic photo booth also made an appearance and was a hit with guests. Mark Boisvert from mebCINEMA took video of the ceremony and festivities which will be featured in Pryme Tyme Entertainment‘s next wedding promotional video. The video should be out sometime in mid November and will be posted on YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitter, and many other media outlets.

All in all, this wedding was a 10 out of 10.