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5 Things You Need to Do NOW If You’re Rescheduling

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With Connecticut Re-opening it’s doors slowly but surely, we’ve seen restaurants, salons, gyms, and other businesses open their doors to a limited capacity. But in the events industry, we’re still waiting for the green light from Hartford to tell us when we can get back to hosting events. With this uncertainty overhead, we’ve been receiving emails nearly daily to re-schedule our events. We understand that you’ve taken so much time to research and create the perfect team for your day. It’s important that your team stays intact for your rescheduled event date. Here’s what we’re doing to help our clients to keep their team intact.

1. Contact your venue and get several date options when re-scheduling. This will help give you the best option for nailing down a date with all of your team.

2. Send a group email to all of your vendors with the dates that are available at your venue of choice so that they can check those dates against their future event schedule.

3. Don’t forget about Sundays and weekdays for your event. Often times, these non-conventional days offer big savings to you and double your chances of getting everything you need for the perfect celebration.

4. Follow up follow up follow up! Keeping lines of communication open with your creative team is essential. Especially now.

5. Once you and your team have chosen your new date, pop on social media and let your guests know about the date change so that they can begin making travel arrangements if needed.

Many couples don’t have the luxury of time when booking their DJ and in most cases do so between 8-12 months out. The pandemic is actually a blessing in disguise because you now have more options than ever to plan the event you’ve always wanted!

Post Covid-19 Weddings – Are you ready?

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Previous to 2020, wedding celebrations took all kinds of forms. From the grandiose to the modest. We’ve introduced food trucks, photo booths, and everything in between for a trendsetting wedding celebration. And right now, we’re looking for new ideas to work around the pandemic. Many of our colleagues in the wedding industry have found some short term solutions to give their clients a fraction of what they had intended so that they didn’t have to give up their date and others have rescheduled their weddings to a hopefully more stable 2021. But the big question we’ve all been pondering is, what will weddings look like moving forward?

In the days to come, Connecticut will begin re-opening through phases at about half capacity for many public dining and entertainment venues. This is most definitely a start in the right direction. If you look at Massachusetts and New Jersey, they are months behind CT with re-opening. So what does this mean for you and our neighboring states? I predict an influx of weddings and events to take place here. With CT being the progressive state that it is, we’ve always been innovative in finding new ways to do things. This will be a challenge like no other. Our casinos have already opened their doors to the public with responsible distancing guidelines to keep their patrons safe. This comes ahead of what the rest of the state is doing and will most likely used as a benchmark for the rest of us.

But what about your wedding? What does that look like? When you think about weddings and the safety of guests and staff, that’s the great debate weighing heavily on our minds. More tables, less people per table will ensure social distancing guidelines will be met. Larger dance floors with more space for guests is most likely the new norm. At least for a while. With the re-scheduling of weddings from the 2020 wedding season moving into 2021, there is no doubt that mid-week weddings will be all the rage. And that’s great because every couple will have an opportunity to have the venue and vendor that they choose. There are 365 days in a year and there are over 100 wedding venues in Connecticut. Many of them with multiple spaces to be able to take on more than one wedding simultaneously. And if you’re thinking outside the box for a more intimate affair, the parks and backyards will most likely become an option to allow for safety and enjoyment to you and your guests.

Weddings are ever changing and have been since they’ve began. And the wedding industry has always rolled with the tide and have created new ways to help you celebrate. This is no different. And we’re absolutely up for the challenge. We’re ready for you.

cheap wedding dj, cash discount, inexpensive wedding dj, reasonably priced wedding dj

Can I get a cash discount?

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Sure! You can ABSOLUTELY get a cash discount for your services. You’ll save money on checks, pen ink, postage, and the pesky responsibility of balancing your account. What you won’t get with a cash discount however is a paper trail. In this day and age with the lawsuit happy culture we live in, covering your tracks and protecting yourself is important. In the business world (not the make believe business world), you have to pay your fair share of taxes.

As tempting as it is to pocket every dime that comes in, you have a fiduciary responsibility to pay your fair share just like anyone else. In fact, as a business owner, we are responsible for typically 30% more in taxes than the average consumer. There’s self employment tax, corporate taxes, sales taxes, service taxes, income taxes, and the list goes on. By offering a cash discount for the purposes of evading taxes, is illegal. And if you’ve put your heart in soul to a business that you built from the ground up, you’d hate to throw it all away just to save a buck. It’s not worth it.

But what about tax write offs? Yes, it’s true. Businesses can write off certain expenses to help ease the burden of tax liability. But they have to be legitimate deductions. If we were trying to evade taxes and hide cash, we wouldn’t be able to open lines of credit, put that cash into an account to pay for the necessary expenses or invest in the business to grow it and offer better services to our clients. We offer the best services we possibly can and keep innovating to be the best we can be for you, our clients.

That is why it is important to do things by the book. If you’ve ever seen the discount stores while driving down the street and notice that a short time later they’re “going out of business”, ask yourself why. The deep discounts they are offering lack value. When you discount shop, you aren’t expecting quality. You’re expecting cheap and easy. We pride ourselves on doing right by our clients and will continue to do so. Paying taxes helps fund education programs, public works projects and more. It’s our civil responsibility and benefits everyone.

Hawks Landing Bridal Show, Hawks Landing Weddings, Bellavista weddings, bellavista at hawks landing

Pryme Tyme Entertainment at 2016 Hawks Landing Bridal Show

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Pryme Tyme Entertainment at 2016 Hawks Landing Bridal Show

For the 4th year in a row, Pryme Tyme Entertainment has been invited to Hawks Landing for their bridal show. If you’re not familiar with Hawks Landing, you should really give it a look. Hawks Landing is a country club located in Southington, CT. The Bella Vista banquet facility is their reception hall. Located just 3 minutes off of Queen Street in Southington, it’s in the perfect central CT location for weddings and other events with easy access off of I84.

But more than just convenience, Hawks Landing offers a cozy atmosphere for up to 250 guests. The hardwood ceiling, regal white walls and french doors are very quaint and charming. Their 25X45 dance floor is great for weddings as you can get a ton of guests out on the floor without it feeling too cramped but still very cozy. The seating is very well laid out so that guests can comfortably sit and move around the room with ease.  And let’s not forget about the food… Let’s just say, it’s deceptive at best. You wouldn’t expect this kind of flavor, variety, and quantity at a golf club but, your guests will LOVE the cuisine and noone will go home hungry.

Photographers LOVE the greens at Hawks for it’s rolling hills and beautifully landscaped greens and fountains and the sunsets are just gorgeous near the weeping willows down by the pond for pictures.

All in all, Hawks is one of our favorite venues to frequent and we have been on their preferred vendor list for 3 years. The staff is very warm and welcoming not only to guests but vendors as well and work as a well oiled machine to see to it that everyone is comfortable and enjoying themselves. You are going to love Hawks. But don’t take my word for it. Come visit us THIS SUNDAY and see for yourself! Meet with events manager Jaime and all of the vendors there. While you’re there, stop by and try out our FUNTASTIC Photo Booth!

We’ll see you at the show!

Surprise wedding expenses

9 wedding expenses you didn’t see coming.

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9 wedding expenses you didn’t see coming.

Since August 12th 2006, I have been happily married to my best friend. I’ve also been a wedding DJ for more than half my life and have seen a lot of couples go through the wedding planning process. The funny thing is, even with all of that acquired knowledge from other couples, I still ended up not knowing everything I needed to know when it came time to plan my own wedding. There are a lot of things to think about when planning a wedding budget. There’s the obvious things like your venue, photographer, DJ, etc… But even with a lot of DIY weddings (like mine was), there’s still a lot that goes unnoticed until it happens.

1. Transportation to and from the wedding.

While most would say, “Just hire a limo and you’re good” that comes with a price. In many cases, couples may indulge in some adult beverages and cannot drive themselves home or to the hotel before the honeymoon. So having a reliable transportation resource is always a good idea. Even if you don’t pull out all of the stops and get a stretch party bus complete with full bar and club lighting, a ride in the back of a comfortable large SUV with room for your gifts and bags is always a nice thing to have at the end of your wedding.

2. Lodging

While we’re on the topic of post wedding expenses, don’t forget to have a roof over your head. When you’re a couple who is headed  to a honeymoon the day after the wedding, you won’t want to go very far to get to the airport or bus terminal.  Be sure to research hotels in advance to make sure that they are convenient to travel from. In some cases, hotels may even offer a shuttle to and from the airport if they are close by.

3. The Rehearsal Dinner

You’ve taken great measures to ensure that everything about your wedding is as perfect as your soon to be spouse. After you’ve gone through the motions of rehearsing your ceremony a couple times to tie up any loose ends, you’re going to have a lot on your mind and probably won’t want to entertain a house full of wedding guests at your house so, consider a rehearsal dinner following your dress rehearsal. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy but, if you have the ability to hit up a restaurant that can comfortably accommodate your bridal party and family, it’s definitely worth it.

4. Thank you Cards

As of late, many couples are opting to make their own thank you cards. If you head to your local retailer and pick up cards, you will find yourself writing until your hands fall off trying to personalize every card that you send out. Of course you want to thank all of your guests for attending your wedding and for any generous gifts they may have given but, if you’ve got 150 couples coming to your wedding, that’s a whole lot of writing and a whole lot of time. Consider a mailing service like Vistaprint.com or sendoutcards.com for your thank you cards. You can customize a card that fits you and enter in a database of addresses and they will print, stamp, and mail them for you. It’s a small price to pay for the hours you could spend writing them all out yourself.

5. The emergency kit

Think emergency kits are just for expectant mothers? Think again. On your wedding day, you’re going to be living in the moment and may need a few things. Things like bottled water, gum, protein bars, first aid, makeup, shoe polish, feminine products, pens, cell phone chargers and any other thing you might need in a pinch is a good thing to have on hand. Head over to your local Target store and hit up the travel sized toiletries aisle.

6. Gratuities

Although gratuities are never expected, they are always appreciated. So if your wedding team exceeds your expectations and you’re feeling generous, set aside a few dollars as a thank you to your vendors. Tips don’t always have to be money. They can be Dunkin Donuts cards, Movie tickets, or anything you would want to thank your vendors with.

7. Your Marriage License

Yes, this is a big one. With all of the finite details that you’ve painstakingly planned, you want to actually be married at the end of the day. Check with your local state and town government to see if things like blood tests, and any ancillary fees there may be for obtaining a marriage license. Your officiant might be able to shed some light on this as they have to sign the marriage certificate.

8. Don’t forget the dancefloor

If you’re planning an outdoor or backyard wedding, you will want to shelter your guests. But you also need a place for your guests to dance. Outdoor weddings are subject to changing weather and dancing in a pile of mud is just no fun (unless you’re in to that type of thing) Be sure to ask your events rental company about dancefloors and what you will need to provide a clean, stable, and safe surface for dancing.

9. Your rent or mortgage

You’re probably thinking, “Of course I’m going to pay my rent/mortgage!” With all of the added expenses of a wedding, some times this gets overlooked. Especially if you’re going on a honeymoon. Before you leave for your honeymoon, be sure to go through your monthly living expenses and where possible, have your bank do an auto-deduction to make sure that you don’t get charged late fees while you’re away.

 

 

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!

 

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Music lawsuits. You may want to turn off your radio after reading this.

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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.

 

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?

wedding cakes, history of wedding cakes, cake cutting

The meaning behind the wedding cake cutting

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The Meaning behind the Wedding Cake Cutting

Why white?

Wedding cake is made white to signify the bride’s purity, innocence, and virginity. The challenge for bakers in the Victorian era was their limit of creativity in regards to the icing as it requires fine sugar. So, back in the day, it was assumed that the whiter the icing on the cake, the wealthier the family was.

Multiple layers & Stacking

Since the beginning, cakes were stacked from large to small layers. Traditionally, cake stacking was representative of fertility. The number of layers that were stacked signified the number of children the newlyweds would conceive. But today, the meaning of a tall cake is all about keeping up with the Jones’ and the taller they are, the more glamorous they are.

bridal party line up, bridal party, how to line up your bridal party

Bridal Party Line Up | A Tutorial

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Bridal Party Line Up | A Tutorial

How should you line up your bridal party? Do you line them up from shortest to tallest? Hair color? How do you do it so that your pictures come out PERFECT? There’s a lot to think about from vendors to decor, and guest lists to playlists and everything in between.

There are many different ways to accomplish the perfet bridal party line up. It’s up to you! Typically you start with the grandparents of the bride and groom, then then parents make an appearance. Folling the parents is the bridal party being introduced in pairs. Following the bridal party comes the flower girl and ring bearer. After the kids come in, your maid or matron of honor and best man take the walk down the aisle. And last but not least, it’s time for the newlyweds to make their grand entrance.

Check out this great article from BRIDES.COM on How to Line up your Bridal Party.

http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2014/01/how-does-the-wedding-party-line-up-at-the-ceremony.html#sthash.wUIis9Yw.dpuf