Posts

timeless music, wedding music, wedding favorites

Timeless Music – A DJ’s secret weapon

/in /by

Timeless Music is the key to any packed dance floor.

Recently, we’ve been doing some late night mixes in preparation for New years Eve. The playlists have been ranging from today’s hits all the way back to 80’s club mixes. One of our listeners had said, ‘WOW! this really takes me back. I feel like a teenager again boppin’ around on the couch

That’s exactly what we were going for. As a DJ, our job is not just to have the latest and greatest but to fire up the memory time machine once in a while and take people back to those thrilling days of yesteryear in their youth. When you have a dance floor full of people of all ages, it’s important to engage the audience as a whole.

When you’re playing a set and you hit that one gem and mix it in perfectly, you see people’s eyes light up with joy. They’re instantly transported back to the age of 16. That, ‘AH HA!’ moment keeps people coming back for more and more every time.

When it comes to entertaining, there are no rules. If the beat’s alright, they will dance all night.

seating chart, wedding seating chart, wedding seating arrangements, wedding arrangements, wedding decor

WEDDING PLANNING : How to get the most out of your seating arrangements

/in /by

Seating arrangements at a wedding.

One of the most overlooked details during the wedding planning process is seating arrangements. Now if you’ve chosen a wedding venue specifically, they can help you with your table arrangements. But, in some cases you are at the mercy of the square footage of the room and slight adjustments need to be made.

Here’s a couple things to consider… If you’re in a smaller venue and the dance floor is important to you, consider a sweetheart table in leiu of a large head table. A head table can easily take up 20 feet of real estate in a wedding hall while a sweetheart table is a romantic table for two that only requires about 5 feet of space in total. You’ll enjoy more personalized service and have the opportunity to spend some quality time with your new spouse in an intimate setting.

Depending on the room you choose, it’s a good idea to ask the venue whether a buffet style or sit down dinner works best. Buffets are a much quicker option when there is enough space and  when it can be cleared from the dancefloor or placed in a dedicated area. However, sit-down meals are great for smaller wedding parties as your guests can sit back and relax.

But that’s just the dinner service. When it comes time for dancing, where you put your DJ is very important. Your DJ should be front and center or at the very least accessible to the dancefloor. Not because we want to be the center of attention but because we want to be able to address your guests when needed and also so that when it comes time for dancing, the volume won’t be offensive to those who want to sit. If your DJ ends up in a corner behind tables, he will have to make the sound twice as loud to be heard on the other end of the room than if he was in the center.
But most importantly, during things like intros, first dances and parent dances, it is important for you to have the ability to have eye contact with your DJ. During those times, many guests may stand to take pictures or video and the DJ’s vision will be blocked.

So when you’re sitting down to plan your seating arrangements, keep these helpful tips in mind. Your guests and your DJ will thank you.

Dancing Under The Stars

Wedding Lighting – Dancing under the stars

/in /by

Not sure what wedding lighting will work for your special day?

Pryme Tyme Entertainment is adding dazzling new lighting effects for weddings and events. From architectural uplighting and custom monograms to club and concert style lighting effects, we can take your event to the next level.

If you have never done it before, you need to experience dancing under the stars. If you already have danced under the stars, you know what a beautiful moment that creates. Our newest lighting offering is Dancing under the Stars. Thousands of laser beams are paired with a liquid sky effect bringing your dancefloor to the northern lights.

Imagine a
This dazzling and romantic effect is perfect for evening weddings.

Ask your wedding DJ about this amazing celebration enhancement for your next event.

wedding lighting, dancing under the stars

connecticut bridal shows this weekend

Grand Oak Villa | VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

/in /by

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

hire wedding dj, book wedding dj, find wedding dj

How to hire a wedding vendor team that works well for you and each other.

/in /by

 

How to hire a wedding vendor team that works well for you and each other.

Let the planning process begin!

By now you’ve just recently got engaged and all of those things you’ve dreamed about for years are about to come true and planning for the big day begins now.

There’s so many pieces to the wedding puzzle, it can be quite overwhelming to think about all at once. Start slow. Get the big things out of the way and use a checklist to help keep organized. So, where do we begin?

THE VENUE: Make sure you visit lots of venues. Every venue has something unique to offer in the way of dining, atmosphere, and service. Pick which one best fits your personality and taste. While you’re at your final meeting with the venue you have chosen, ask for some references for DJs, photographers, videographers, florists, and anything else you need to make your dream wedding a reality.

Venues see many different vendors pass through their doors and know who works best with them to make your experience as a bride the best possible.

THE DJ: Once you’ve gotten your venue squared away, and you’ve met with your DJ, ask them for references as well. The DJ serves as your master of ceremonies and works seamlessly with the rest of your staff to make sure that the events of the day are in place and on time. Your DJ will be able to tell you who they have worked with and who they work well with.

As your list of ‘to-dos’ turns into ‘dones’, keep asking for those references. When you have a wedding team that works as a team, you will have the confidence in knowing that all that you ask for will be taken care of and you and your new spouse can just enjoy the day.

DJ Aaron DeMarest

DJ Aaron DeMarest – The loveable badass..

/in /by

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.

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

quassy, lake quassapaug, quassy amusement park, quassy wedding

Quassy Wedding | Doug & Rebecca

/in /by

Quassy Wedding – Doug & Rebecca

Photo Courtesy of mebCINEMA

When I first met Doug & Rebecca on their way to finding a wedding dj, I knew they weren’t your typical couple. They were very much outside the box thinkers and loved all things alternative. Their wedding celebration was no exception. On September 21st 2013, Doug & Rebecca had their wedding reception at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury CT.

It was a fun filled day complete with horseshoes, bocce, volleyball, and frisbee. Not to mention ferris wheels, pirate ships, and roller coasters. Instead of filet, guests were treated to a tasty barbecue. Music filled the air as guests ate, drank, and played.

At the end of the reception, a campfire was started and the kids enjoyed yummy smores after a fun filled day at quassy.

Rebecca & Doug’s celebration was one I won’t soon forget.
To see a video from Rebecca & Doug’s reception, click the link below.

 

dj playlist, wedding playlist, wedding music, wedding dj, club dj, connecticut dj, wedding djs in ct

THE GREAT DEBATE: Band or Wedding DJ and how much?

/in /by

From the WeddingWire Forums Kim Writes:

Band or Wedding DJ and how much?

“So I’m struggling with either having a band or dj. Do bands cost more? Do people think wedding bands are cheesy?
We were originally going to use FH’s co-worker, who does DJ’s on the side, but that fell through. When I started to look in to them, I was pretty bummed to see how much they actually cost and that may just put our entire a wedding a tad over budget now. This is one of the last things I need to book and is causing the most trouble!”Kim,The expression “The early bird gets the worm” is very useful here. When planning your wedding reception, the most important factor of finding vendors is that they are a good fit. Now in terms of the decision to go with live music or a dj… There are several things to consider.If you enjoy live music and you want more of a ‘SHOW’ where your guests can sit and watch a band play, this may be the right choice for you. You know your guests and what they like. Not to say that all bands are incapable of filling a dancefloor but, most people want to hear the original artists in a dancing environment. Also, you’re limited to the set list of songs that the band knows.  You also have to take into account that the band is full of people. And people need breaks. So expect to have 5 or 6 songs followed by a break and then back again.

When you use a DJ, they will have tens of thousands of selections for music covering just about everyone’s tastes and can easily switch things up to get people on the floor. Also, DJs don’t take breaks. If you’re having a 5 hour reception, expect that music will be playing throughout the length of the reception from start to finish.

A seasoned wedding DJ will have plenty of experience as well doing intros where as your bands have more experience with playing in bars and festivals. A DJ can also help to guide you and your guests through the events of the day giving you peace of mind keeping everything running smoothly for the catering, photography, videography, and reception staff.

Prices for DJs and bands and the requirements for each are miles apart. A DJ can comfortably be put into just about any 12×6 space and use a minimum of 2 dedicated circuits where as a band will need much more space and power not to mention food and drink. From a cost factor, DJs are typically more economical. A polished wedding band could cost anywhere between $6-$20K depending on their experience and ability. Wedding DJ prices vary and average between $1000-$3000. Sometimes with lighting included. You could always go with the family friend but, as you found out, sometimes things are best left to a professional.

Which ever way you choose, it’s up to you. It’s your special day. Make it whatever you want it to be.