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How a man of the woods inspired me to be a better performer

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It’s no secret. If you’re a DJ, you’ve played a Justin Timberlake track at least once in your career. He’s become a staple in the music industry for now nearly 30 years. He’s enjoyed similar success as the king of pop, Michael Jackson as an international superstar. From his time at the mickey mouse club all the way to Madison Square Garden, and appearing in films and doing voice over work, there’s no aspect of the entertainment industry he hasn’t had a hand in.

It is this kind of drive and determination that inspires. He is the driving force behind the music in every song and every stadium he peforms. He is creative, adgile, talented, funny, and from what we see, an all around good guy. This is a great formula for success. But along with all of these amazing attributes that contribute to his global success, it all boils down to the performance.

3 weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending Madison Square Garden for his Man of the Woods tour. Let me tell you, it was by far one of THE BEST shows I have seen in decades. The stage spanned the entire rink at the garden and there was not a bad seat in the house. For 2 and a half hours, he engaged with and performed for 20,000 screaming fans. His energy was infectious. There was not a low point in the show.

One of the highlights that I found to be both unexpected and entertaining was when he stripped his performance down to the basics with a campfire, acoustic guitars, and performances by several of his bandmates singing some of their favorites. This spoke to me especially as a DJ because often times, we always think bigger is better. But in the midst of organized chaos that was probably the event production from hell for the tech crew, this small moment enveloped the audience and gave them a very intimate moment with Justin.

The show spoke to many generations, spanned across several genres, and kept the audience engaged. And THAT is the goal with every event I do. I felt inspired on the ride home and began thinking to myself, how can I push myself even harder to bring the best performance possible to my clients and guests? How can I push the envelope and leave my guests wanting more.

The Man of the Woods gave me a challenge. To work harder, leave no stone unturned, and perform like your life depended on it. That will be the theme for Pryme Tyme moving forward.

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Wedding DJ / MC or both?

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Sabrina writes:

Hello Brides! My future husband and I are at odds on whether or not we want an MC for our reception. We haven’t been to many weddings so I’m not sure what to do.  Thoughts? Is it much of a difference if the wedding DJ plays great music?

Hi Sabrina!

Congratulations on your engagement. You asked a very good question. Yes, there is a difference between an emcee and a dj however, in terms of weddings, most DJs in CT do both. The master of ceremonies or MC, handles your timeline for your wedding. They are the keeper of the keys so to speak when it comes to letting your guests and vendor team when certain things are happening. A good example of this would be when your parents dances occur, your MC will be rounding up the other vendors to make sure that there is a photographer available to capture it. He’ll also let the event coordinator or venue manager know when this is happening to allow them to prepare for their next task. Your emcee is both a coach and an advocate to help you get the most out of your wedding.

Now, for the second question. Is it important if the DJ plays great music? YES! Absolutely yes. Because a wedding without the right music is just a fancy dinner. A wedding is a celebration. And what not a better way to celebrate than to hit the dancefloor with a hundred of your closest family and friends. A great dj will listen to your requests and blend them in with crowd favorites sure to keep guests entertained from first dance until it’s time to go.

When you pair a polished MC and experienced DJ, you and your guests can expect to be treated to a very exciting and seamless celebration.

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard Wedding – Aubrey & Bob

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Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington CT was the perfect location for Aubrey & Bob’s wedding this past Friday night. Connecticut is home to some of the best waterfront wedding properties in the nation. Saltwater Farm Vineyard certainly did not disappoint. From the ivory crushed stone and winding driveway to the very modern looking steel barn, everything about Saltwater Farm Vineyard is aesthetically beautiful.

The interior decor is what you would expect from a vineyard full of rustic charm, steel kegs and massive wine barrels lining the walls. On the exterior, the vineyard features hundreds of rows of local grapes that will eventually be turned into a delicious New England vintage wine. With a spacious interior and charming landscape, its the perfect setting for an October Wedding.

Aubrey and Bob Wright were married on the back lawn in front of the vineyard on a perfect Friday evening. With the threat of hurricane Matthew far from us, the day could not have been more perfect. Bright blue skies, a gorgeous sun set with a slight breeze and eye popping foliage starting to make an appearance past the grapes.

The one thing that i remember from Aubrey & Rob’s ceremony was their vows. So heartfelt, comically amusing, and delightful. It was no secret. These two were in love. I even began to tear up as Aubrey read her vows to Rob. That’s a rarity when you can get your DJ to tear up at a wedding. After all, it’s our job to remain professional at all times. But moments like these are just another reminder of why we love what we do.

Following the brief ceremony, guests enjoyed wine and cheese on the patio just outside the winery. Soon after they were invited inside the winery for introductions. Each couple was introduced paired with a song that fit their personality. Everything ranging from the classics like Nat King Cole all the way to Fergie and everything in between. The introductions really set the tone for the rest of the wedding.

After introductions, we were treated to a beautiful first dance by the newlyweds and a sumptuous meal followed by hours of dancing, delectable dessert and smores by the campfire outside. It was a wonderful night with Aubrey & Rob.

Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Photography: Fritz Photography

DJ: Pryme Tyme Entertainment

Keeping the dance floor full – Story of a mind reader

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Keeping the dancefloor full – Story of a mind reader:

I had just gotten through several consultations this past week for everything from weddings, to sweet 16’s, proms, etc… You get the idea. The one question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind was… “How do you get people dancing and keep them dancing?”

I’ll give you a few guesses as to how a DJ does this. It’s not mind reading or ESP. It’s not a roll of the dice or a lucky guess. Being able to read an audience takes many years of practice and execution in addition to some good music programming. Let me put you into the eyes of a disc jockey for a moment…

Lets say we’re at a wedding. A wedding with about 150 people in attendance. All of the age groups are represented. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, children… You get the idea. Now you may ask yourself, how is the DJ going to get all of these folks to get up and dance?

One way is to screen the crowd. By going around and introducing yourself to all of the tables during dinner, you break the barrier between you and your audience. Ask the guests what do they want to hear. Start by making genre suggestions and see if anyone bites. Once you have collected your information, you now have a general idea of what you are going to do.

Now, because you want to keep your floor packed all night and maybe even go into overtime, you don’t start off with your best set. If you do that, you will run out of high energy material for the rest of the evening really quickly. Instead, by using a series of peaks and valleys in your music selection.

Start cocktail hour slow and play some neutral music like light jazz or what I like to call, “The Weather Channel Soundtrack” Move to dinner and pick it up a notch. Throw a few in for grandparents in between courses so they can enjoy cuttin’ a rug with their partner like it was 1940 all over again. Build the party atmosphere little by little during dinner to get the audience’s gears turning. By the end of dinner service, they are ready to go. Play a B-Side track to disengage the audience and then hit the lights.

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

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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.

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

 

 

Backyard Weddings: The wedding of Ali & Aaron

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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!

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

Inappropriate Wedding Traditions

Inappropriate wedding traditions.

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Inappropriate Wedding Traditions
You’re planning your special day and wonder, what traditions should I take part in for my wedding? There are so many, it’s mind boggling. From cake cutting to rice throwing, and many more. But what if you took part in some wedding traditions outside of your wedding? Can you imagine wearing a tux to your construction job? Or separating your friends on either side of the room depending on who you like better? How about putting a miniature version of you on top of that sandwich in the lunch room while you’re on break from the morning rush at the office? Well wonder no more. The witty folks at Buzzfeed  did exactly that. They recreate some of the most common wedding traditions in the most awkward of situations. The work place.

Warning, do not try this at work. Throwing rice at a co-worker while leaving the building might end in an awkward situation.

Watch buzzfeed’s

Things You Do at a Wedding That’d Be Creepy Anywhere Else

Unconventional First Dance Songs

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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..