Posts

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

Long Distance Wedding Planning

/in /by

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 reception songs, wedding party, get the party started

Get the party started! 21 Reception Entrance Tunes

/in /by

 

Vows given, rings on, let’s party.
When you enter your reception, you’ll be introduced as newlyweds for the very first time. Imagine your family and friends cheering you on as you make your way to the center of the dancefloor with a roar of applause fit for a king and queen. The big reveal of the new couple should be complimented with music that is high energy that will set the pace for the rest of the reception. After all, it’s the celebration of you!

Depending on your style and the style of your bridal party, you might elect to have a special song played for every pair of your bridal party or maybe you just want one theme for the whole entrance. It’s up to you. Here are 21 entrance songs sure to start your reception off right.

1.  Crazy in Love – Beyonce, Jay-Z

2. Beautiful Day – U2

3. Let it Rock – Kevin Rudolph, Lil Wayne

4. I gotta Feeling – Black eyed Peas

5. Turn Down for What – Lil Jon, DJ Snake

6. Happy – Pharell Williams

7. Fancy – Iggy Azelea

8. Summer – Calvin Harris

9. Best day of my life – American Authors

10. Classic – MKTO

11. When I ruled the world – Coldplay

12. Love & Marriage – Frank Sinatra

13. Rock n Roll all Nite (Party Every Day) – KISS

14. Shipping up to Boston – Drop Kick Murphys

15. Feels Good – Tony! Toni! Tone!

16. It takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

17. Blow – Ke$ha

18. Fireball – Pitbull

19. Good feeling – FloRida

20. Calypso – DJ Snake, Big Ali

21. Rock this Party (Everybody Dance Now) – Bob Sinclair

diy wedding, wedding planning, dj your own wedding, plan your own wedding, do I need a dj for my wedding, do I need a planner for my wedding, do I need a photographer for my wedding, diy wedding photos, diy wedding flowers, backyard wedding

D.I.WHY? – DIY Weddings – Hiring a professional costs less in the end.

/in /by

Mason jars, candy bars, grandma’s sewing machine, and cookies.

Sounds like fun doesn’t it? For the every day crafter, it sure does. But for the rest of us, it’s a whole lotta work. So why is it more and more couples are turning to DIY weddings? The answer is simple. It all boils down to money. A proper budget is one of the hardest things to overcome when planning weddings. In the days of old, the bride’s parents would foot the bill for their little girl’s wedding and at times even re-finance their house just to give their daughter the wedding of her dreams. No expense was spared and she had the best of everything at her fingertips.

Today in 2014, jobs are scarce and money is tight. REAL TIGHT. So DIY weddings naturally become a popular option on the guise of saving money. But think about this for a moment… How many people do you know fix their own car, build their home from the ground up,  do their own plumbing, or god for bid, perform their own surgery? There’s just some things that are best left in the hands of a professional. Now I’m not saying that DIY weddings aren’t possible and that they are all bad. The truth is, there are some really great weddings that we have been a part of that were 90% DIY. But that’s just it. It’s 90%. There are still some things that even the most crafty and thrifty couples saw the value in hiring a professional.

We’ll start with the venue. Why is having your wedding at a venue a great idea? Think about it! You need to do NOTHING except ENJOY your wedding. All of the food is taken care of and is cooked to perfection. The climate, furniture, restrooms, parking, and reception space are plentiful, tidy, and perfect. Some if not all venues have countless referrals for photographers, videographers, DJs and more on speed dial that are proven to be the best option and the wide variety of these vendors gives you, the couple, the ability to choose the right vendor based on your personal preferences.

And while we’re on the topic of photographers, let’s dive into that a bit. Why are good photographers so expensive? There’s a reason for that. Supply and demand. Your wedding photos are going to be on your wall and the walls of your family’s house for decades. You’ve spent a ton of time, effort, and in most instances money, on making sure that you, your bridal party, the ceremony, reception, and everything that comes with it looks it’s absolute best for your wedding day. Why wouldn’t you want to preserve that beauty in the perfect photo to remember for years to come? As tempting as it is to have your friends, snap away with out of focus with quick enhanced valencia or xx pro coloring on instagram for free, wouldn’t it be nice when you’re holding hands with your spouse at 83 years old to look at your wedding photo in your hands and just smile because he still takes your breath away? You can’t put a price on that feeling. It’s the best feeling in the world.

Let’s talk about music for a second. You might be able to make one hell of an itunes playlist but, not everyone enjoys the same music you do. Not every song was made with the intention of facilitating dancing. Music has a purpose. It’s meant to create an emotional response and picking the right song at the right moment could be the difference between celebration and awkward silence. A good DJ will be able to honor your musical tastes and keep your guests happy and entertained. And since we’re talking about DJs, almost everyone knows a DJ these days. The fraternity brother from college who still spins for fun at the local bar, your 13 year old cousin who’s parents bought him consumer grade equipment at Wal-Mart who listens to nothing but EDM and hip-hop, your brother Steve who is in a classic rock band that owns some PA gear and has a MacBook pro with lots of Steve Miller, Eagles, and Frank Zappa for those epic 20 minute orchestral oddities that everyone loves. Yes, they’re all out there and you know at least one of them. But why chance the day you’ve been dreaming about for 25 years to half working equipment and unpolished emcee skills? This is your wedding. There is no UNDO button. It’s a one shot deal and it’s gotta be PERFECT.

Now with all of this considered, there are some things that are great for DIY. Centerpieces and Invitations for example. Flowers will grow and flowers will die. Candles will be formed and they will melt. Invitations will be printed and will be discarded. Neither you or your guests will EVER remember your invitations or centerpieces as the star of your wedding. What they will remember are the memories that were created that will live on forever. Your beautiful smile, how happy you and your spouse were that day, the dancing, and of course, those beautiful photos.

Ask yourself, what is most important to you. And then decide if DIY is the right choice.

Backyard Weddings: The wedding of Ali & Aaron

/in /by

 

On a beautiful New England Summer afternoon in July, Ali & Aaron were wed at Ali’s childhood home in Cheshire, CT. It was the perfect day for Mr and Mrs Stubbs as they and 50 of their closest friends and family from around the globe celebrated their special day.

Backyard weddings are generally more laid back then your typical wedding. The atmosphere is very cozy and homey. Which was great for this wedding. Aaron and his family are from Australia. As you can imagine, a 23 hr flight can cause some serious jet lag. But the Stubb family wasn’t going to let a little trip half way across the planet get in the way of enjoying themselves.

Guests were treated to margaritas and sweet tea along with a barbecue style dinner. Perfect for the 4th of July weekend. And then there was the dancing. This was especially exciting for me because it was a challenge. 50 people, jet lag, backyard wedding, in the heat, with a late sunset and a groom who PROMISED that he was not a dancer. And yet with all of those factors thrown into the mix, 50 people danced the night away until 10pm. We even got Aaron out on the floor! YAY!

After the party came to a close, Ali’s uncle treated guests to an exciting aerial fireworks display that lit up the skies. It was the per

fect end to a perfect day.   Check out some of the BEAUTIFUL photos at www.FritzPhotographyCT.com for more breathtaking photos!

o face, favorite wedding song, favorite song, thats my jam, music playlist, wedding playlist, wedding dj in ct

Wedding Throwbacks: Show your ‘O’ face at your wedding.

/in /by

Wedding Throwbacks: Show your ‘o’ face at your wedding.

Wait. What?

Yes, you read that correctly. Showing your ‘O’ face at a wedding has a little different meaning than one might think. It’s the face you make when you hear a song that brings back a memory. Typically followed by the phrase, “THAT’S MY JAM!” Maybe it was a high school dance with friends or that song you and your girlfriends used to sing together in college using hair brushes and curling irons as microphones. What ever it is, it was a great time in your life.

What not a better way to commemorate those glory days with a guilty pleasure song. So what’s your guilty pleasure song?

In the 80’s it may have been Mony Mony.
If you were a 90’s kid, it was probably a boy band like New Kids on the Block or Backstreet boys.
Either way, the songs that you publicly shame and secretly love are a great way to get people up and moving. So the next time you are thumbing through your wedding playlist, add a guilty pleasure to the mix and watch your guests making the ‘O’ face. If they do, it’s their guilty pleasure song too.

 

Wedding Checklist

The go to Brides Wedding Checklist

/in /by

THE GO TO BRIDES WEDDING CHECKLIST

WEDDING PLANNING
There’s a lot to think about on your wedding day. It can be overwhelming. Here are the 10 most important things you need to do on your special day.

1. Spend time with the folks: Your wedding is a very big day for them too. They’ve taken the journey from marriage to parenthood and this is the moment where they watch all of their hard work and dedication pay off.

2. Keep it clean: Assign clean up to someone. You’re going to be getting your dress on, your makeup done, and your hair done. This takes nothing short of a broadway costume and makeup team to execute. The cleaning up the aftermath ensures that nothing gets left behind and you look your absolute best!

3. Pass a love note to your soon to be hubby:  With everything going on around you, the thoughts and memories of your relationship are probably running through your mind. Send a courier or one of your BFFs to hand deliver a love note to that special man. It’s guaranteed to make his day on the biggest day of his life.

4. Set your mp3 player to FUN mode with a happy and fun playlist: While you’re rushing about getting yourself ready, crank up the tunes and enjoy the pampering experience. Music helps keep people moving and motivated and is sure to keep the spirits high so when it’s time for your nuptials, you’ll have a smile that lights up the room.

5. Happy Feet, Means a Happy Bride: Ditch the heels. You’re going to be roaming about in heels for a minimum of 6 hours. Just short of a solid work day from the ceremony, through pictures, and your entrance. Those beach flip flops sure do come in handy. Don’t worry about how it looks. They’ll be under your dress and your guests will be focused on your radiant glow.

6. Polish your ring: Your ring should shine like your love for one another. Give it a quick polish so that your diamond matches the glimmer in your eyes.

7. Grub it up: Don’t forget to eat breakfast and lunch. This is the happiest day of your life. Feel good in every way you can. Make sure that you have sustenance to keep you fueled up for the reception.

8. Get Water Logged in your dress: Be sure to drink PLENTY of water. Champagne and wine are great for flavor but they’ll dry you out. If you’re doing an outdoor ceremony, you’ll more than likely be in direct sunlight. Unparch yourself with spring water.

9. Throw your phone on the charger until it’s time to leave: If your wedding party or a vendor needs to contact you, it’s very important to have a way to communicate with the people making your dreams a reality.

10. Who doesn’t like yoga pants: After all is said and done and you’ve taken off your dress and wiped the sweat from your brow,  be sure to have your favorite yoga/sweat pants and t-shirt handy. You’ll be comfortable and happy.

theater wedding, ballroom dance wedding, westover school, weddings in ct

The Theater Wedding of Meghan & Alex

/in /by

Theater Wedding of Meghan & Alex @ the LBD Performing Arts Centert at Westover School in Middlebury, CT

On June 14th 2014, we headed back to one of our favorite places. The theater.
But this time, it wasn’t for a play or a concert, it was the wedding of Meghan and Alex. The LBD Theater at Westover School in Middlebury was transformed from a performing arts center to a lavish and romantic wedding venue where 200 guests enjoyed an upscale wedding.

The LBD features a solid hard wood floor that was PERFECT for dancing, which was exceptionally important for Meghan and Alex. Meghan is a dance teacher at Westover and her new hubby Alex is a professional ballroom dancer. Nearly all of their guests shared their love of dance and joined in the festivities with many different styles ranging from the classic foxtrot to the modern twerk and everything in between.

The atmosphere was truly magical with white lanterns that cascaded above the theater floor which made up the dancefloor and reception area. The stage acted as the bridal party head table with the VIP’s looking down at their guests. With a soft red backdrop, break up patterns on the floor, paired with a color rich dancefloor and the aurora borealis projected on the ceiling, and finished with shimmering stars, romance was in the air.

For 3 hours, the dancefloor was PACKED with guests young and old helping Meghan and Alex celebrate their new journey together.
Congratulations to Meghan & Alex on their marriage!

 

Dancing down the aisle at a wedding

Wedding Ceremony – Dancing down the aisle

/in /by

Jill and Kevin LOVE to dance anywhere, any time. And their wedding ceremony was no exception. Watch as Jill, Kevin and the rest of their bridal party rock this church with the BEST WEDDING INTRO EVER! Their bridal party moved, shook, and dropped down the aisle to Chris Brown’s 2007 love infused hit “Forever” from the album “EXCLUSIVE” This fun and happy song is a favorite amongst couples for introductions but as you can see by the video, it really set the vibe for the rest of the reception.

Which just goes to show you, you don’t have to wait til you get to the dance floor to have some fun on your wedding day. So put on your dancing shoes and then head to the church to ask permission from your pastor about foregoing hearing “Here comes the Bride!” on a bombastic pipe organ rattling from the rafters and instead playing secular music in the church. If the church does not have an adequate sound system for music play back, be sure to ask your wedding disc jockey if they would be willing and able to lend a hand by upgrading to a ceremony sound system for the church. GOOD LUCK and DANCE DOWN THE AISLE!

Visit www.jkweddingdance.com for more information or to donate towards violence prevention.

Wedding Vows: The secret to til death do us part.

/in /by

WEDDING VOWS: The secret til death do us part.

The words, “To death do us part” are common place during a wedding for wedding vows. For some it’s just words but think about it for a moment. What does it mean to be together forever? How do you see your partner? How will you see them in 10, 20, or 50 years from today? This song and it’s video is the perfect definition of what ‘FOREVER’ means. Dontchange by Musiq is a soulful look into the perfect marriage. The sense of togetherness, longing, responsibility, partnership and communication are all featured in the video.

WATCH: DontChange by Musiq

Unconventional First Dance Songs

/in /by

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..