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The Backyard Wedding – Is it really less work?

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Backyard weddings. Once thought of as cheap and tacky, these weddings have been the butt of many jokes. But as of late, more and more couples are embracing the ‘Country’ atmosphere. While many wedding venues offer 5 star service, breathtaking architecture, prime rib, chicken picatta, and filet of sole, backyard weddings serve up something different from the norm. A relaxed atmosphere.

So what kind of couple does a backyard wedding? Every couple! From the wealthiest couples to the bluest of blue collar, backyard weddings have one thing in common. Family. If you love the atmosphere of a close encounter with your closest family and friends, this is a great option for you. But it’s more than just slapping up a $50 canopy from Wal-Mart, plugging in an iPod, and your drunk Uncle John burning meat on a grill.

There are a TON of things to think about before your backyard wedding.

1. The Weather. Mother nature does what mother nature wants. If you’re planning your wedding in July, expect a few surprises. High humidity and thunderstorms are very common during the mid-summer months. This is where solid shelter can make all the difference. If you’re going to rent a tent, spare no expense. A proper events rental company will have everything you need to make sure that your guests stay dry and comfortable.

2. Dinner on the rocks. Backyard weddings are typically a little more casual than weddings held at a wedding venue. But don’t forget tables & chairs! These rentals could get costly depending on how many guests you invite.

3. You’ve got the POWER. Hiring a DJ, or wedding band? They need LOTS of power. Be sure to have plenty of dedicated and easily accessible power readily available for your entertainment. If you’re having your wedding catered on site, they will need power as well because they are bringing a mobile version of their commercial kitchen with them.

4. Not so fine china. Disposable flatware has come a long way. You can purchase strong disposable flatware from your event rental or party vendor that will give you just the right amount of class while making clean up a snap!

5. Get TRASHED. Make sure you have enough trash receptacles for the amount of guests you are inviting. Put them in obvious places such as the bar and around the tent to make sure that your property stays looking clean and tidy.

6. Find your inner green thumb. With all of the effort you’re putting in to shelter, seating, food, drink, and entertainment, don’t forget about your wedding photographer. Having some nice flowers and landscaping to use for your photos is a must.

7. Restrooms. Homes are typically built for families of 5 and under. Make sure your home can take the extra people. If you’re not sure, renting portable toilets might be your best option.

8. Bugs really bite during a wedding. If you live in a highly rural area, you might consider treating your property with a bug repellant. Head to your local home improvement store and ask what will work best for your needs.

All in all, you get what you put into it. A backyard wedding is a lot of work but, if you do it right, it can be AMAZING!


The backyard wedding of Ali & Aaron

 

 

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The Theater Wedding of Meghan & Alex

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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!

 

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

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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

A few tears, a ripped dress, and a little comic relief

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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!

 

Hollywood Wedding

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

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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

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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.

Bridesmaids wearing different dresses

Bridesmaids wearing different dresses.

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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?

Katerina’s Sweet 16 Party

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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.

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Photo Booths – Know the difference…

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Photo Booths – Know the difference…

Photo booths have become increasingly popular for weddings and events in the past couple years. What was once a ‘special’ item has now gone mainstream. Lots of vendors from DJs to Photographers have gotten on board with photo booths. The key is choosing the right photo booth for your event that suits your needs.

That being said, there are many different styles to choose from and many different options.

Our photo booths take on more of a traditional approach. Walk into our booth and have a seat on the comfortable bench. Within 60 seconds of hitting a single button, 4 high quality photos will be taken and printed for you to share with friends. It is the highest quality and the fastest in CT giving you more pictures per hour and the instant gratification of getting your photos right on the spot.

Other photo booths may include the ability to share your photo session on social media or get sent right to your smart phone. Although a neat idea, this process slows down the experience for the user and often causes traffic jams giving you less pictures per hour.

Another alternative that we’ve seen is the photo studio in a tent. Basically, it’s a pop up tent with some curtains with a photographer inside. You’ll be posed for portraits and group shots and be able to purchase prints online. You may get some great poses but, it takes away from the private experience of a photo booth plus adds the additional cost to you and guests of having to purchase prints.

Last but not least, there’s the digital photo station. This is a popular option where space is limited. The photo booth components (camera, screen, & button) are present without the privacy curtain. This is also a great addition if you have a lot of group shots that you want to take.

There is something out there for every taste and preference. Now that you know what is available, you can make an informed decision when selecting a photo booth that’s right for your next event.