Grand Oak Villa in Watertown is having their annual open house on Thursday March 23rd from 6-8pm. This is a much more intimate affair than previous shows. Come visit us and enjoy mouth watering cuisine and check out all that Grand Oak Villa has to offer. There will be a wedding band giveaway as well as a limo giveaway that night so you DEFINITELY need to take advantage of this great event!
For more information, visit www.thegrandoakvilla.com
The freedom of choice. We love having the independence of having choices at the tips of our fingers thanks to the internet. With over 400 listed DJs in CT, it’s over-saturated at best. But, with that many choices, there is something for everyone out there. But how does one choose a wedding DJ? The same way someone might choose their favorite bar, restaurant, or vacation spot. Sure you can spend a lot of time and money on trying everything but, when someone says to you, “You’ve GOT to check this out. You’re going to LOVE it!” it sets a precedent. If someone else was so passionate about their experience, wouldn’t you want to check it out?
Wedding DJs are no exception. You’ve got tons of choices out there and not all the time in the world to give each one a good look. That’s where the experience of your venues, photographers, really come in handy. These vendors see HUNDREDS of wedding djs every year. They have a huge basis of comparison. And because of their extensive experience, you are the ultimate benefactor of all of that experience.
What does a venue or photographer look for in a quality wedding dj? Based on what venues like Hawks Landing, Grand Oak Villa, Wood Acre Farms, & Tower Ridge tell us, they look for wedding djs who immerse themselves in the entire experience and put their best foot forward always. From their presentation when they show up to the venue to set up for a couple’s wedding to the efficiency of their departure once it is all over and most importantly, how well the wedding flows with their catering staff.
For photographers like Fritz Photography, Stephen Wang, & Get the Picture ; they have told us time and time again that they enjoy wedding djs who are understanding of their need to capture as many great moments as possible and give time to them to get their job done as well as create happy moments for them to shoot.
When you’ve got a team that works well together, it’s a well oiled machine that stops at nothing to give you the best experience you could possibly imagine.
Protect yourself from a music lawsuit. Do you have a radio playing at your place of business? You may want to turn it off after reading this.
I am writing one of the most important blog entries that I ever have today. This affects everyone.
Recently on Facebook (TM) Facebook Inc. I came across an article about a Connecticut business that was being sued by BMI TM (Broadcast Music Incorporated) for playing music at their restaurant. This business owner thought that he was abiding the law by subscribing to a music service for his business. Unfortunately, according to the law, this is not the case. Because of this oversight, this lawsuit could cost him thousands and possibly the business he worked so hard to grow.
Read the article on HartfordBusiness.com by clicking here.
Sued for a Song: Music licensing lawsuits hit CT Restaurants
Just today, a second article regarding a bar that was being sued for a cover band playing copyrighted material in their venue. The damages sought from BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) could potentially reach $1.5 million dollars. For a small business, this is impossible to withstand.
You can read the article at OnStage Magazine here.
BMI Sues Bar For Cover Band Show, seeks $1.5M
In addition to music licensing lawsuits, all media is subject to copyright law. What that means is, if you are promoting an event using a picture that you have found on the internet, you could possibly be infringing on a copyright. Companies like Getty Images TM are having a field day with small businesses by sending settlement demand letters to people that they have baited with enticing images to be used in business.
So protect yourself, ask permission. Get familiar with copyright law and music licensing. It may turn out to be the best thing you do for your business.
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.
Last night, we headed up to the Pond House Grille in Glastonbury, CT for Katerina’s Sweet 16 Party. Despite the blizzard like conditions, everyone wade it safely. After a white knuckle ride up to Glastonbury, we beat our setup record. With just an hour to spare, we had the entire ballroom at the Pond House uplit in purple, a color changing, cascading waterfall, dancing under the stars, and audio ready to go for when guests arrived. PHEW!
60 of Katerina’s family and closest friends danced the night away with an eclectic mix covering several decades of music. The Funtastic Photo Booth was a big hit as guests dressed up in their favorite charachters for a fun photo. Check out some of the pix from last night’s Sweet 16.
We are proud to announce that after 19 years, Pryme Tyme Entertainment has become a household and respected name in entertainment in CT. From our humble beginnings in Watertown CT in 1995 to serving the tri-state area for all of it’s disc jockey, photo booth, and media needs, we’ve really come a long way.
In addition to our service offerings, we have really raised the bar with dedicated service. Our mission has not changed in 19 years. We are here to serve you. To make your dream wedding a reality. To partner with you to make your event a fun, stress free, and memorable experience.
We are also proud to announce that we are officially preferred vendors at both the Grand Oak Villa in Watertown and Hawks Landing Country Club in Southington. What does this mean exactly? It means that these venues have seen our work and trust us to serve their clients. It is truly an honor to partner with these great venues.
We look forward to serving you for your next wedding, school or corporate event. Thank you to all of our clients for the last 19 years. Without you, there would be no Pryme Tyme Entertainment.
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.
The Wedding timeline are essential to keep everything running smoothly. There are so many working parts that have to come together in order to make sure that everything that you want for your special day happen where and when they are supposed to. So, how do you begin to plan the events of the day?
Your Master of Ceremonies/DJ will have the responsibility of a ‘wedding director’ of sorts making sure that every event during your reception will happen seamlessly. From your introductions to dinner service, parents dances and so on all the way to the last dance. It is important to be very detail oriented when planning out the timeline.
For instance, the order of events pertaining to parent dances, toasts, etc all happen in conjunction with dinner service. Your introductions will come first followed by a first dance. While that’s happening, your catering staff are getting salads ready to be brought out to your guests. Once your first dance is over, a toast is done. This will get your guests seated and allow the waitstaff to serve salads. After the toast, dinner begins. After your first course, your father/daughter dance will happen. With everyone seated, the tables will be cleared and prepared for the next course. Then the mother/son dance will happen and the 2nd course will be served. You return to the table and enjoy your meal. Soon after that, a bouquet toss will happen and again, the waitstaff will clear the tables once again and get them ready for wedding cake.You’ll be instructed to head to the cake table for a cake cutting and many guests may get up to take pictures of this fun moment. Soon after, the cake will be served and open dance begins. With everyone on the floor, the desert is cleared and the room is in party mode.
While all of these events are going on, your DJ will be communicating with your catering staff, photographer, videographer, and any other people in your wedding team to make sure that they get set up for important moments in your reception and in the end, giving you not only the best reception in regards to food and entertainment but photos and video to remember for years to come.
There may be differences from venue to venue but, a good Master of Ceremonies will be able to adapt seamlessly to any changes they need to make to make your reception the one you’ve always wanted.
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
Alrighty ladies, the time has come to start looking for vendors. With CT’s bridal show season officially underway in January, there’s a few things to know before you head out in search of the perfect wedding team.
While walking down the aisles, you’ll see wedding professionals of all types. Be sure to stop at as many as possible. Every wedding vendor has something unique to offer that could potentially make your special day amazing.
If you see a vendor you are interested in, be sure to give them your contact information so that they can set up an appointment with you. The vendors get a list of brides and grooms attending but, it helps us as vendors to know who is interested in us so we don’t bother you if you already have the services you need or are interested in another vendor.
Use things like dot stickers on promotional materials that you get so that you remember which vendors you are interested in. You’ll be more than likely carrying around a bag FULL of cards, brochures, and other promotional material. This will help you sort through the pile quickly and find your wedding team.
While speaking with the vendors at the show, ask for referrals to other vendors who they recommend. This could help you save time and give you some great references when choosing your wedding team.
As you’re waiting to speak to a vendor (chances are there will be a line), be sure to pop onto their website on your smartphone or tablet. This way, you can learn a little bit more about the company and have time to ask questions more specific to your special day.
After you’ve met with all of the vendors, go to a wedding site like WeddingWire or TheKnot and read their reviews. This will give you an even more in-depth look at what your wedding vendor can do for you.
Carry a bottle of water with you. You will be doing a lot of talking & walking. Stay hydrated.
Have a light meal before you come. Don’t miss out on meeting the right vendors on the account of going hungry. Visiting a bridal show can be exhausting. Carry a snack with you like protein bars to keep your energy up.
Follow up with your favorite vendors immediately! The good ones get booked quickly. Keep in mind, the majority of weddings in CT happen in May, June, September, October, and November.
Visit multiple shows. You might meet the right vendor for you after the 2nd or 3rd show. Smaller to medium sized shows typically offer the best experience because you have more time to chat with the vendors.