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2014 Tower Ridge Country Club Bridal Show

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2014 Tower Ridge Country Club Bridal Show

January 4th was a wonderful day for a bridal show. The air was crisp, the sun was bountiful, and there was not a single cloud in the sky over Talcott Mountain.

Over 100 brides came to visit the Tower Ridge Country Club Bridal Show yesterday. Many of them were just engaged over the Christmas/NewYears holiday and were in the beginning stages of the wedding planning process. It was great to see so much excitement from these newly engaged couples.

After the show, there was a tasting in the dining room and guests dined on some of the delectable selections that Tower Ridge Country Club has to offer. About 20 wedding vendors were in attendance ranging from banquet facilities to photographers, DJs, and more.

Thank you to all of the brides that came to the Pryme Tyme Entertainment booth at the Tower Ridge Bridal Show yesterday! We look forward to entertaining you!

 

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Wedding Disc Jockeys in CT – Try before you buy…

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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.

vendor meal, wedding vendor meal, should i feed my dj, should i feed my photographer

Wedding Planning – Where and when should your vendors eat?

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Wedding planning – Where and when should your vendors eat?

You just finished your ceremony, formal pictures, and introductions. It’s time for dinner service for you and your guests. If you decide to be generous and offer your vendors a meal, that raises a few questions with your caterer. Where and when should your vendors eat?

In most venues, they ask that your vendors be served last after all of the guests have been served. Sometimes, in a vendor area down the hall or in another part of the venue is reserved for your wedding team. This ends up being rather tricky for your vendors as it is important for them to be with you for your reception.

From a videographer or photographer’s point of view, their job is to capture memorable moments. Some of these moments may happen during dinner. A family photo, or maybe you and your new spouse leaning in for a kiss at the head table. Either way, it’s important for them to be there so that you reap the benefits when it comes time to receive your wedding photos & videos.

From your Disc Jockey’s point of view, it is also very important that they stay with you. If for some reason a song during dinner service comes on a little louder than it should or maybe you have a request, or god forbid something happens with the sound system or lighting that requires immediate attention, your DJ will be right there to make sure everything is taken care of.
And last but not least, your parents dances, bouquet toss, cake cutting all come after dinner. And in order to keep the flow going, you want to make sure your DJ has enough time to get through their meal so they can keep things moving without unnecessary delays.

You are our number one priority on your special day. We want to have every opportunity to make your dream wedding come true!

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

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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.

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

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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.

 

LGBT Wedding Help

LGBT Wedding Help

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LGBT Wedding Help

From the WeddingWire forums Crystal writes:

“i need alot of help and ideas planning a lesbian wedding is there anysites to go to to get more help and ideas… any ideas or help from anyone is very much helpful and appreciated. thanks in advance”

Hi Crystal!

Congratulations on your engagement! You must be excited.
I’ve done several LGBT weddings this year and I can say with a great deal of certainty, there’s no difference between a heterosexual wedding and a lesbian wedding. That is, unless you want it to be. Now in speaking with some of my lesbian couples, they had said that they had a difficult time finding LGBT specific vendors and decor. But let me ask you this, do you want it to be different? The only significant difference that I saw was the cake topper. Other than that, everything else was the same. Food was delicious, tables and centerpieces were tasteful and exquisite, lightscaping was colorful and vibrant, and the guests danced all night long.

As it is with any wedding we do… Every wedding. Every time. It’s all about you.

To get ideas, share stories with other LGBT couples, visit the CT LGBT Wedding Forum on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/CTLGBTWEDDINGFORUM

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Wedding Seating Arrangements

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Wedding Seating Arrangements

As if planning a wedding wasn’t tricky enough, one of the hardest parts of the planning is the wedding seating arrangements. You want those closest to you to be near your head table and then fill in with friends, co-workers, & acquaintances. Makes sense right?

Think about this for a moment. You love your grandparents and your parents. And they love you. They are ecstatic to be a part of your celebration. Do them a solid and put them as far away from the dance floor as possible.  Why?

The dance floor is a lively place to be. Full of music, and in some cases bright lights. If you remember from your childhood your parents or grandparents yelling up to you, “TURN THAT DOWN”, then being next to the DJ or his speakers is probably not the best place for grandparents. If you put them towards the rear of the room, they’ll be able to mingle with guests and chat with each other a lot easier if they are further away from the music.

“Can’t I just tell the DJ to turn it down?”

Sure you can. And they should oblige that request. But by the same token, a speaker is just that, a speaker. And it has to be loud enough to reach the far ends of the room. Not uncomfortable but, audible.

So when you’re starting to plan your seating arrangement, remember this little tip and keep guests young and old happy.

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Wedding Reception with no DJ?

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Wedding Reception with no DJ?

Fatimah writes:

Reception with no DJ ?

“Me and the hubby to be are trying to cut costs as much as possible.we want background music but no DJ. I think it’s a waste b/c I really don’t think people will dance much. Anybody having or been to a reception without a DJ!”
A wedding reception without entertainment is just dinner. You can get that at Red Lobster.The picture above tells a lot about this topic. But one question comes to mind. Why do you think that your guests will not dance at your wedding? Are they ultra conservative and don’t like being the center of attention? Are they so immersed in playing Candy Crush on Facebook to enjoy the festivities?What is a dancing crowd exactly? When people refer to a ‘dancing crowd’ they are best described as self starters. When large groups congregate, the social butterflies of the crowd are usually the first ones to the floor. Once they are up there, others join in and the party begins. But how do you get to that point if no one is dancing?SLOW DANCES:

Anyone who has ever been to prom knows how to slow dance. For some, it’s all they know how to do. To stand with your partner and rock gently like a leaf on a tree giving a squeeze to that special someone. That’s a great way to get as many people on the floor to start the night. Once they’re out there, kick it into 5th gear and they’ll be begging for more.ICE BREAKERS:

Songs like YMCA, The Macarena, The Cha Cha Slide, and more are great ice breaker dances. they are easy enough for people to follow along and in some cases, very goofy. When you get that one person who has no fear to start it off, again, others will follow because they aren’t the center of attention. It’s a great way to get even the most conservative of guests moving. BRIDAL PARTY DANCE:

This is a great way to include your guests in the festivities and get the ball rolling. Lead by example. Invite your wedding party up to dance a slow dance with you. And then halfway through, invite the rest of your guests to join you. This will ensure the maximum amount of guests on the floor. From that point, your DJ can bounce around a few genres to see what works and keep the energy up.But what if I’m on a budget?
There is a DJ for everyone out there. In CT, DJs range from $300 to $3000 for weddings. More importantly than getting the cheapest one is finding one that is a good fit for your personality. If your DJ gets your non-dancing crowd up and running, you and he will look like a hero and you will have a wedding people will talk about and remember for ever. The choice is yours.
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What wedding traditions are you having at your wedding?

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Wedding Traditions – What traditions are you having at your wedding?

From the WeddingWire Forums Almost Mrs. G Writes:

“Does anyone else’s FH want to do EVERYTHING that they’ve ever seen at a wedding? It’s driving me nuts. I *really* don’t want to do the garter toss. Or the bouquet toss. We really don’t have many guests who are single and every wedding I’ve been to it’s awkward. On top of it all…I *really* don’t want him to have his head up my dress in front of my entire family. We’re still at a stand still with that because he does and I don’t. He does because it’s “traditional”. I want to change a few things about our wedding and he just has no idea that there are no “set” rules for a wedding…we can do what we want. It’s driving me mad. How do you all deal with it?”

Well Mrs G, You’ve found yourself wound up in one of the most common wedding conundrums. Weddings have various traditions. Indian weddings have the Jaimala or ‘Exchange of the Garlands’ Moroccan weddings do hena. And in North America, it’s the bouquet toss.

Traditions are much like fads. They come and they go. They go more so now in recent years. One of the reasons is that the wedding receptions have been shaved down quite a bit from 8 hours down to 5. To do every single formality would take much more time than allotted. So what do you do? How do you choose?

Knowing your guests is half the battle. If the majority of your guests aren’t single, then maybe the bouquet and garter toss isn’t a good idea. But if you want something in it’s place to break up the time, consider things like an anniversary dance or newlywed game. If done properly, these formalities will break up the day a little bit and allow for your caterers to reset in between courses and leave your guests entertained.

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The Wedding Bouquet Toss & Garter Toss – Keep it or ditch it?

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The Wedding Bouquet & Garter Toss – Keep it or ditch it?

From the WeddingWire Forums
Katie Writes:
Having a bouquet but no garter toss?

I’ve always loved the idea of a bouquet toss since I was a little girl, but never could understand the garter toss. I don’t want FH taking one off of me in front of my family and there’s no way I would want whoever caught the garter to put it on who caught the bouquet. Have have two issues, there aren’t going to be many single ladies at my wedding and we’re stringing lights over the dance floor. Did you do the bouquet toss? If not, what did you replace it with?

Katie, those formalities have been tradition for many years. However, this is your wedding. You know who you are inviting, whether they’re single, and the personalities of your guests. To your point, you should be comfortable at your reception.  It’s up to you which formalities you want to keep and which to omit.

Concentrate on the things that matter to you and your spouse and what will create a fun and memorable day for you and your guests. Talk to your DJ about some fun alternatives to the traditional bouquet and garter toss. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction.