Wedding Disc Jockey

Our Blog Has Moved

2009-07-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

We have relocated our blog and merged it with our current website. Please visit us here: http://www.afterhoursdj.net/blog/

Do-It-Yourself Ipod Weddings

2009-06-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

2009 will go down in the books as the year of the small wedding. Many people are getting back to the basics and opting for a more family oriented event in their back yard or small hall. At Rob Alberti's After Hours Dj, we are always adapting to the changing market.

We have a do-it-yourself ipod Wedding option that has become very popular in the past few months. We have a sound technician that will come to your event, setup a basic 2 speaker sound system, mixer and wireless microphone for you. Our technician will show you how to run the system and will even be on-hand throughout the event to help guide you. At the end of the event, they will pack everything up and return it for you.

Please be sure to check out our many services. We even have a do-it-yourself iphotography package where we utilize a professional photographer in the area, but you get to print and create your own photo album online.

Tower Hill Botanical

2009-06-23T02:41:00.000-07:00

We just had the unique experience of DJing a wedding at Tower Hill Botanical in Boylston, MA. What a one of a kind experience that this space was for the wedding. The ceremony was outside in the Secret Garden. A beautiful stone structure held the bridal party and Rebecca & Kevin (my bride and groom).

Cocktail hour was outside on a stone patio and dinner and dancing were in the greenhouse section called the Orangerie, where they house their Orange trees. It was georgeous.

Outdoor Health & Wellness Fair

2009-06-08T12:59:00.000-07:00

We recently performed at an outdoor wellness festival at a local manufacturer. With our mobile DJ trailer, we can easily setup just about anywhere. Our 10x10 popup gives us cover from the sun. We simply plug into power and we are ready to help set the tone for your next on-site corporate event.

Check us out at www.afterhoursdj.net for further details or to check availability.

Tented Wedding - Lighting Options

2009-05-05T01:43:00.000-07:00

A tented wedding in your backyard has been your dream for years. So, you rent the tent and then they tell you it’s an additional $700 to put up lighting. Oh, and you need between 2 and 4 - 15 amp circuits to power it all. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Wow. It’s getting expensive. There is an alternative.

With our LED wash lighting, we can transform your tented wedding for just a little more than what you’d pay for boring chandeliers. We can wash the tent ceiling with 10 of our LED wash lights, pin spot your cake and head table with our LED pin spots. All of this, we can run off of a single 15 amp circuit (or batteries if necessary). So, compare a simple white lighted tent or our complete transformation LED wash lighting. Our LED lighting can change colors on demand. Your entrance can be pink, your first dance teal, your dinner a violet. The lighting can even strobe and change based on the music when it comes time to dance. Custom lighting packages start at only $1000. Call (800-782-3033) or email us (info@afterhoursdj.net) for further information or to check availability.

Check Out Our Photostream

2009-04-18T05:38:00.000-07:00

Want to see what we've been up to lately? Check out our photostream on Flickr. We post pictures from past events here all the time. There are wedding photos, photos from our school events and many shots of our custom lighting.

Rob Alberti's After Hours DJ - Testimonials

2009-04-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

Want to see what other clients think of us but you don't believe what most people list on their own websites as client reviews? Check out www.weddingwire.com for independent reviews from our past clients.

Reality TV Wedding On The Web

2009-04-18T05:33:00.000-07:00

You've got to check this out. A local Western MA bride is documenting their wedding plans with weekly webisodes leading up to their June 13, 2009 wedding. You can see them here: 413Wedding.com

After Hours Small Wedding Package

2009-04-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

We've just put together a small wedding package for those 40-80 person weddings we're getting more and more calls for. It combines our Acoustic Guitar player and one of our younger DJs to give you the best of both worlds.

The Start of After Hours - 1983

2009-04-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken 25 years ago when I first started DJ out of high school. We've come a long way since then. No more turntables. No more 50 lb slabs of marble. No more dangling cables everwhere. No more home-made lights or cassette tapes. Thanks to all my friends, Dave, Mare, Todd & Cami for being there in the beginning.

Prom expo fashion show

2009-04-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

Mobile Espresso Bar Option

2009-04-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

We've just added a new service to our lineup.

Our mobile espresso coffee bar will add a flair of elegance to your next event. We will bring the flavor and service of an exceptional coffee bar to you. We handcraft espresso, latte's and cappuccinos for you and your guests. You can individualize them with flavorings and topping of your choice.

Pricing is based on the number of hours that you will need our services and the amount of guests. Please email or call us to check availability.

Rob Alberti's After Hours DJ Honored by The Knot

2009-04-01T03:17:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that Rob Alberti's After Hours DJ Service has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 and 2009.

HTML clipboard

Check Out Our Youtube Channel

2009-03-27T05:56:00.001-07:00

We have short video clips of recent events, venue lighting and weddings.

http://www.youtube.com/afterhoursrob

Lighting At Your Event

2009-03-27T05:53:00.001-07:00

We've been up to some interesting work with our lighting in recent months. Check out our photostream here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/24742544@N02/sets/72157604143353517/show/

2009-03-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

To receive complete information or to check availability for your event through the mail, please fill in our on-line request form.

Check out our new Wedding Brochure.

Please checkout our presentation online to view video & audio clips of our work, music lists and further information about the many services After Hours Disc Jockey Service offers to our clients.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRIDAL SHOW SEASON 2009 SPECIAL - Lock in your 2010 wedding date simply by signing your agreement letter and we will not charge your credit card until Jul 15th, 2009 for the deposit. Call for more details.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn More About Our Extraordinary Entertainment by viewing our video clips and listening to our audio clips: Examples

If you have any questions while reviewing our information, please contact me directly at 1-800-782-3033. We will follow up with you in about a week to see if you'd like to setup a time to meet one of our DJs in person to talk about our custom wedding packages and pricing.

Best Regards,

Rob Alberti, event director & lighting designer

After Hours Disc Jockey Service
Member of the DJ Network

We are proud to announce that After Hours DJ Service has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick.

Check out our customer testimonials:

Video Testimonial From Hannah & Dan

Click Wedding Wire for more ratings/testimonials

"He took our preferences and made it work. He kept everyone dancing and played a wide variety of music to meet the crowds needs. I was thrilled to have the CD of the wedding music waiting in my mailbox when I returned from my honeymoon." Jamie & Paul Nov 2007 Goodwin Hotel

"He really listened to what we wanted and guided us through areas that we were not sure about. We had people on the dance floor all night long." Michelle & Jeff Dec 2007 Chez Josef

"The music was great, the lighting was fabulous, the sound system was perfect." Melissa & Brett Nov 2007 Berkshire Hills CC

"Our DJ service was absolutely more than we bargained for!!! Our DJ was extremely professional, personable. We were totally at ease and enjoyed our reception because he took care of everything for us. Great time." Krystal & Ben Jul 2007 Seamanns Inn, Mystic CT

"Oh my gosh! There is NO WAY we would have had the event without Rob! EVERYONE loved the way Rob kept the dancing going. Anyone who reads this must be considering After Hours DJ...don't consider any longer....book your event with them while they are still available!" Sarah & Jason Jul 2007 Saybrook Point Inn, Old Saybrook, CT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Where have we been performing lately? Here's just a sample list of some of the facilities we've been in the past few months:

The Ranch, Southwick, MA
Chez Josef, Agawam, MA
Garden House/Look Park, Florence, MA
Cranwell Resort, Lenox, MA
Williamstown Inn, Williamstown, MA
Red Barn, Amherst, MA
Oakridge Country Club, Feeding Hills, MA
Springfield Sheraton
Springfield Marriott
Delaney House, Holyoke, MA
Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA
Barney Estate/Forest Park, Springfield, MA
Hotel Northampton, Northampton, MA
Danversport Yacht Club, Danvers, MA
Gedney Farm, New Marlborough, MA
Westin/Copley Place, Boston, MA
Hammond Castle, Gloster, MA
Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA
Marina Bay, Quincy, MA
Saphire Manor, Sharon, MA
Boston Science Museum, Boston, MA

Lake of Isles, N. Stonington, CT
Riverhouse, Haddam, CT
Riverview, Simsbury, CT
Woodwinds, Branford, CT
Avon Old Farms Hotel, Avon, CT
Aqua Turf, Plantsville, CT
St. Clement's Castle, Portland, CT
Pond House/Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, CT
Waterview, Monroe, CT
Hartford Marriott
Hartford Convention Center
Seamen's Inne, Mystic, CT
Simsbury 1820 House, Simsbury, CT
New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, CT
The Spa at Norwich Inn, Norwich, CT

Tavern On The Green, Central Park, NYC

The $600 DJ - Ten Reasons To Hire A Pro

2009-03-06T06:51:00.000-08:00

So, you've been out shopping for a DJ and with the assumption that every DJ is pretty much alike, you find someone that is 1/2 the price of other area DJs. What a bargain.

Here is what you might expect from them:

They will probably not return your calls when you're frantically trying to reach them 2 weeks before your wedding
Your first dance? That will be the one song they were meaning to get, but they didn't get around to it. Would you like to dance to something else?
They have a website - but it's been under construction for months and when it comes online, there really isn't much more than a photo and a couple sentences worth of content.
They will hide their cheap poor quality gear behind a large self-promoting sign at your wedding.
Their computer will lockup during your dance with your father. No backup - so please wait 5 minutes while he reboots.
Wireless microphone? Yeah, it works, but you have to be standing right next to the DJ. All you hear is crackling when you try and use it at the head table for your toast.
The DJ that had 10 years experience won't be the one who shows up to your wedding - it will be his 16 year old son.
Please be sure to stand right in front of the DJ speakers if you want to hear what is being said over the microphone. He has his 15 year old speakers placed on the ground and not on speaker stands.
Tux? Isn't a shirt and tie close enough?
Oh, you said you DIDN'T want to hear the Electric Slide? He thought your guests would like it as well as all the other songs that you told him NOT to play.

Be Careful Which Wedding Vendors You Hire

2009-03-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

With the state of the economy, it's even more important to know as much as possible about whom you are hiring for your wedding vendors. The past few years, we've seen many banquet facilities close up over night and leave couples scrambling for a new venue for their wedding.

Clearly, your choice in photographers, videographers and disc jockeys need some scrutiny as well. How long have they been in business? Are they a 1 man operation? Are they advertising or did you find them at a bridal show? (Any company that does not have a website or has no advertising and relies strictly by word of mouth - this is a good indication that they might not even be in business by the time your wedding comes around). Many new upstart companies - disc jockeys and photographers especially, will never make it to their 1 year anniversary. photographers or disc jockeys that have not updated their equipment in recent past - this is also a warning sign.

Know what you are getting. Get everything in writing. Pay deposits by credit card for some added security and protection. We expect that 2009 will be a rough year for many wedding vendors who are already struggling to survive. Just as we expect many stores to close in the new year, we also expect 2009 to mark the end of many careers as disc jockeys, photographers and videograhers. Only the strong will survive. Buyer beware.

Would you believe that 2008 was one of our best years ever? Our business is thriving and 2009 looks to be just as good for us. We have positioned ourselves properly in this tough economy and we will be here for many years to come.

Our New Slide Show For the Bridal Season

2009-01-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

Justice of The Peace

2008-08-14T05:50:00.001-07:00

I have a gripe. As the bride & groom, you are expected to arrive in a timely fashion for your ceremony. When you arrive, you expect the seats to be properly placed, flowers in order and the isle and alter to be ready to go. In a Church setting, it is the priest or rabbi's responsibility. At a banquet facility, some of those responsibilities fall on the banquet manager. So, what is expected of the officiate or JP?

Showing up 5 minutes before the bride is scheduled to walk down the isle is inappropriate, but all too common. As the officiate, you most likely were involved in the rehearsal.

Someone who cares about their work and YOUR ceremony should arrive a minimum of 30 minutes PRIOR to guest arrival (that is a FULL HOUR prior to ceremony time). In that hour prior to you walking down the isle, they should be doing some/all of the following:

Ensuring the alter and chair setup is correct
Making sure necessary items are in place (candles, lighters, glass, wine, etc)
Guiding guests & wedding party members as necessary
Checking for rings, license, etc.
Coordinating with musicians or DJ for music cues
Testing microphones (I can't tell you how many JPs don't know how to use a microphone or don't speak up properly to be heard - you might want to ask if they've ever taken a public speaking class!)

Custom Wedding Introductions - Your Love Story

2008-08-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

"And now for the first time ever Mr. & Mrs. Jones" Not very personal, eh? So, why would you want your introductions to be just as boring as the last wedding you went to? Let's make it a bit more theatrical. You can choose unique music. You can even custom design sound clips or a song medley for introductions. Let's take it even further.

We can create a unique once in a lifetime introduction for you or all your wedding party. With a bit of information and our creative writing skills, we can tell your love story to your friends and family as part of your introductions. It takes a bit more effort on your and our part, but it's so much better than "And now for the first time ever Mr. & Mrs. Jones"

Check out our form and try filling in some interesting details about the two of you. Present it to your DJ Network DJ and let us come up with something for you. (Additional charge may apply for our efforts)

Bartering Services

2008-08-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Exactly what is bartering? Let's say, we're a DJ and you have a wedding coming up. You work as an electrician during the week. We have a house renovation going on and are in need of an electrician. Hey, I'll do your wedding if you wire my basement. Yep, that's bartering. Drop us a line - let us know what you do and you never know - we just might need what you have to offer.

After Hours DJ - The Knot Best Of Weddings 2008

2008-04-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce that After Hours DJ Service has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick. After Hours has been in business for more than 25 years and specializes in personalized weddings and larger corporate/school events. It is an honor to be voted by past clients for their unique approach to wedding entertainment.

After Hours recently added a complete line of LED wash lights to their lighting arsenal. With this high-tech lighting, we are able to take over complete venue lighting. The banquet hall turns pink as you make your entrance, fades to light blue as the meal is served and a bold red comes across the room as dancing begins. This is all possible using the wireless, battery powered LED light fixtures.

After Hours has performed as far away as Mexico (They are heading back to Mexico in February 2009 for an encore performance) and routinely throughout the New England area.

Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 magazine and check out our listing.

Best regards,

Rob Alberti, event director & lighting designer

After Hours Disc Jockey Service
Member of the DJ Network

Lighting At Your Wedding

2008-03-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

The facility that you are having your wedding at is beautiful. The thing is - once it gets dark, it takes on a whole other look. It's kind of dark and not really romantic. White holiday lights on the fake fichus trees just don't cut it. What can you do? Candle light is great, but it only goes so far in setting the mode.

Dance floor lighting is one way to bring a new feel to a facility, but if you're not into making your wedding look like a night club, then maybe a more theatrical feel to the lighting is in order. How about some simple color changers or slowly rotating white lights? What about a custom gobo that creates an evening sky on the ceiling? All these things are possible.

A lighting scheme is a great way to liven up the venue. With 6 or 10 color changers, we can slowly transition from one color to another or set different tones for specific events at your wedding. When it's time for dinner, a soft blue shade can illuminate the walls and columns. When it's time for cake cutting, the room all of a sudden becomes pink. When it's dancing time, the lights start flickering and a deep purple fills the room. This is possible through the magic of LED driven lighting effects. Ask us, your lighting professional to learn more about how we can bring your event to light.

See Photo Slide Show of Lighting Ideas - Check out our Lighting Slide Show

Note: This is the same event & venue lit three different ways using our LED wash lights

You’ve got your band, now it’s time to get your DJ.

2008-03-18T02:46:00.000-07:00

I’m not talking about a 5 piece band. It’s your engagement ring. Saying “I Will” opens a Pandora of other issues. When do you get married. In a church or outside on a beach? Will your reception be at a big hotel or small bed & breakfast? No matter what the answers above are, you still need to find entertainment for your wedding reception. More than 9 out of 10 weddings now include a disc jockey v. band (This was exactly opposite back 10 years ago when bands performed at the majority of weddings). Exactly how do you go about choosing one DJ v. another? How can you weed out the “weekend wanna-be’s” from the true professional disc jockeys? The success or failure of your reception lies in that decision.

There are some key items that you need to know when interviewing your disc jockey. In the interview process, you should be able to meet your DJ (not a salesperson) so that you can make sure that the three of you mesh. Here is a list of items that you need to ask your DJ:

Do they have complete backup gear on-hand (it does no good back at the office if something goes wrong at your wedding)? Do they have qualified backup DJs available in case of sickness or other reason? There have been too many occasions where a DJ cancels on a wedding client only days or weeks before their wedding date – No backup. You do not want to be days away from your big day and not have any entertainment.
Do they have a written agreement or contract? If it’s not in writing – it doesn’t count. Make sure their contract protects you and your rights as well as theirs.
What form of music do they use? Vinyl? CD? MP3? If they are using CDs – make sure they are professional anti-skip cd players. This will guarantee that your music will not be interrupted. If they are using MP3’s, make sure they have a backup computer or CD backups. We all know too well that computers can crash. The middle of your first dance is no time to be waiting for a reboot.
How up-to-date is their music? Professional disc jockeys belong to DJ subscription services (monthly or weekly releases) – they do not download their music for free off of the internet and they do not rely on buying a couple CDs at the local music store to stay in tune with what is coming out. Ask to see their latest cd’s and verify the release date.
Do they have voice mail, a toll free number, website. email and fax number? Do they respond to your calls and emails in a timely fashion. There is nothing worse than doing business with someone that doesn’t return your calls promptly. A professional business person should be responding to you either the same day or at worst, within 24 hours. If you have a question or concern, you cannot wait for days without response.
Have they performed at the facility you are having your reception at? Although this is not necessary, the more familiar they are with the layout/staff, the better. If they have not played there before, will they meet you at the facility ahead of your wedding date to do a walk through with you?
How much do they have invested in equipment (not music – just equipment)? They can have $1,000 invested in equipment and say that they are a DJ. A true professional will have $7,000 - $15,000 or more invested in just the equipment that they bring into your event. What is the difference? It’s kind of comparing the sound quality of listening to a typical FM radio station and the same song on CD. The CD has so much more depth and clarity compared to the muddy compressed feel of a radio station. You could ask about the brand of equipment that they own (Brands such as American Audio, American DJ, Gemini, Peavey are typical entry level brands and are an indication that your potential DJ’s equipment is not up to par)
How many speakers do they typically use? For the standard 125 person wedding, a true professional DJ will bring in 3 or 4 speakers minimum. There should be a subwoofer or pair of speakers on the ground for bass response. The second pair should be up on stands to provide clarity in the high end frequencies (anything spoken on microphone). Bringing in a single pair of speakers and leaving them on the ground gives you a very muffled sound and guests will not hear announcements, toasts clearly. Using just a pair on stands will get you clarity, but will sound hollow and the DJ will have to raise his volume to compensate for the lack of equipment.
Do you have any special needs? Outdoor cocktail hour? Wedding ceremony in the same facility as your reception? Make sure your disc jockey is equipped to handle your needs.
Probably the best advise I can give you is this – if you are uncomfortable with any of your DJ’s answers or if you just don’t hit it off with them – walk away. You have to be absolutely confident with your entertainment choice. There is no redo button. Everything must be perfect. Your DJ will not only act as DJ, but your Master of Ceremonies. That means that they are the contact person between banquet staff, the two of you, your photographer, etc. The DJ must coordinate everything. If not – who will? 99% of banquet facilities will tell you that they will coordinate details on the day of your wedding, but reality is – they do not. Once the desert is served, you’ll be hard pressed to even find them.

Remember, if the DJ and their price seems too good to be true –it probably is. Why would a great DJ charge ½ of what the going rate is? Let’s be serious. We all know that you get what you pay for. Have a great wedding – but remember that your entertainment choice will either make your reception a success or a flop. I’ve never known an ice sculpture, picture frame favors or pretty centerpieces make your guests have a great time. It’s all about the entertainment.

Your Wedding Day Timeline

2008-03-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

You've decided on a wedding day. You've picked out the church. You've got your photographer. What time should the ceremony be? When should the reception start? How much time do you need for photos? Planning your wedding day time-line can be difficult. Let's break it down and see how much time you should plan for each section of your wedding day.

Your Ceremony - typically you can expect a Justice of the Peace civil ceremony to last 30 minutes maximum. If you are planning a full mass service - you should plan a full hour to the ceremony. If you are doing a receiving line after the ceremony - plan on about 20 minutes for every 100 guests. (If you have 200 guests, your receiving line will take 40 minutes!). If it's hot out, you do not want to keep your guests in the heat - let them get to the air conditioned reception site. Exposing your guests to extreme heat for prolonged periods of time drains their energy - and they will not be as responsive later on for dancing.

The photographs - if you are not doing photographs prior to the ceremony, you need to dedicate time to get a good formal photograph session. Typically you should plan 30 - 45 minutes for formal photos. (this does not include travel time to and from photo session location) The more family and bridal party, the longer photos will take.

Travel - obviously it takes time for your guests and the bridal party to get from point A to point B. Take into consideration any special traffic situations on your wedding day (is it near a major concert, sporting event, etc? If so, traffic may be an issue and you should either plan on circumventing this area in your travels or plan on travel taking longer than normal)

The Reception - most people start their reception with an hour social hour. If you expect to be long taking photos, you might want to extend the cocktail time to an hour and a half. Typically, at the end of cocktail hour, we do formal introductions and first dance, blessing and toast. If you are having social hour in a separate room, plan on 10 minutes to 15 minutes transition time for your guests. It will take about 30 minutes to organize introductions, introduce everyone, first dance, bridal party dance and blessing/toast. If you are having more than 1 toast, ensure that each person knows that their toast should be brief (2-5 minutes). If someone gets up and does a 20 minute toast - that is 20 minutes that you will not have later on in your reception for dancing. Time is of utmost concern at a wedding - make sure you curtail both blessing and toast to an appropriate timeframe. We've seen clergy give 20 minute blessings and best men eat up 30-40 minutes for their toast.

Dinner - from start to finish, your meal service should be between 45 minutes and 75 minutes maximum. There are many facilities that drag out or are slow on meal service. If so, you should consider dancing between courses to allow for maximum dancing time and to mask the slow meal service from your guests.

Dancing - at a typical 5 hour reception - you should expect 2 - 2 1/2 hours of dancing. Everything that takes longer above, eats into this dancing time. If your concern is to have all your guests up and dancing, then you need to keep everything else in check to allow for this.

In Summary:
---------------------------------------------
Ceremony - 30 - 60 minutes
Receiving Line - 0 - 60 minutes
Travel Time (between ceremony and reception site) - 0 - 45 minutes
Cocktails - 60 - 90 minutes
Introductions/Formal Dances - 30 minutes
Meal Service - 45 - 75 minutes
Dancing - ?
---------------------------------------------

NOTE - if you book with a DJ Network DJ - we give you a FREE 50 page wedding planner. (SEE IT HERE)

Downloadable 16-Month Wedding Planning Calendar

2008-03-18T02:41:00.000-07:00

from www.RealSimple.com

Click Here

When it comes to planning the big day, there are a lot of moving parts. You’ve got caterers to consider, photographers to meet, bands to listen to, cakes to taste and well, about a thousand other details to manage.

The key to keeping track (and keeping your sanity) is good old organization and that’s where this downloadable checklist comes in. It contains every detail you could think of (and about a hundred that you didn’t!) like when to send save-the-date cards, book port-a-potties if necessary, and break in those satin pumps so you’re not limping down the aisle on D-day.

For a comprehensive guide to what needs to be done (and when), download the calendar by clicking on the link above.

One Thousand Origami Paper Cranes

2008-03-18T02:40:00.000-07:00

A thousand paper cranes is traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. When Emilie and Kyle entered their cocktail hour on February 29, 2008, the entire area was covered with origami paper cranes.

The Thousand Origami Cranes has become a symbol of world peace through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who contracted leukemia as a result of radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Her story is told in the the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.

Sadako's best friend Chizuko, came to visit her and brought with her some origami (folding paper). She told Sadako the legend of the crane. It is Japanese legend that folding 1000 paper cranes (senzaburu) so pleases the gods that the folder is granted a wish. It has become a symbol of world peace. We wish Emilie and Kyle a thousand years of happiness.

Career Vs Family - How Do You Maintain Balance?

2008-03-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

By Kelly Damron

The expectations of women have changed drastically over the past 100 years, but for many women being a mother is just as important today as it was a century ago. I remember having a conversation with my grandmother when I was in my twenties. We were sitting in her living room; me on her white, green, and blue flowered couch and she in her green antique chair. She was probing me about what my career choice was going to be; she wanted me to pursue a business career, as she had done. My grandmother had been a successful businesswoman who did not have her first child until she was 35 (something unheard of in the 1940s) and who continued to work full-time thereafter.

She asked me if I wanted to have children. I described a perfect blend of career and motherhood where I would work part-time and dedicate the rest of my time to raising my children. To my surprise she lectured me about what a poor mother I would be if I chose to work. Looking back at this conversation, I cannot help but wonder if her attitude toward me was a reflection of her own life and her regrets for choosing career over motherhood. Her son, my biological father, was not a good dad so I think her disappointment toward me that day was really the remorse she felt about her choices in balancing work and family and the effect it had on her son.

In the end, I pursued my career first. Out of college I joined one of the large public accounting firms. At 28, I married and was less focused on creating a family than I was about climbing the career ladder. After three years of marriage, my professional drive was replaced by my desire to become a mother, and my husband, Dave, and I embarked on the journey of trying to become pregnant.

As months passed, we were unable to create the baby we so desperately wanted. The sadness I felt became all-consuming. I lost all interest in career-based projects and topics. I started to lose my identity. I wasn't a mother, but I did not yet have a prestigious career title either. Infertile. This was not a title I wanted. I had no idea how this diagnosis would impact me or my marriage. At times, it seemed like my full-time job was test after test and procedure after procedure. I truly cannot imagine how a woman can undergo infertility treatments and maintain a full-time job. If I could have made a living researching the topic of infertility, I would have taken the position since I was already doing so for free!

I was surprised to find that my interest in my career waned the longer my husband and I struggled to create a family. At the same time, I was concerned that once I became a mother I would be too focused on my career and become the poor mother my grandmother predicted. A friend of mine, who is a business coach, used his skills to help me gain comfort that I would make the best decision for me and my hoped-for children.

Thanks to in vitro fertilization, my husband and I did become pregnant with twins. Our joy of pending parenthood was tested when I was hospitalized for preterm labor at only 24 weeks, gestation. At the request of my Ob/Gyn I had been winding down my work related projects in preparation for possible bed rest toward the end of my pregnancy, but 24 weeks was too soon. The fright of preterm labor was the start of my mindset change about career vs. motherhood. When my daughters were born at only 30 weeks' gestation, my life was put on hold and all I cared about was the health and survival of my children.

To manage the stress of twins at home, I hired a nanny to help me twenty hours per week. I felt guilty paying money to have someone help me when I wasn't working to cover their salary, so when my daughters were less than six months old I accepted a project to help offset the nanny expenses. I liked the mental stimulation and it was nice to be needed for something other than producing food. However, I was very tired and not truly ready to go back to work.

My daughters are now three years old. I've made a conscious decision to work less than full-time so that I can take an active part in raising my kids. Many of my friends are stay-at-home moms while others have chosen to or must work. The balance of career and family can be a delicate one. I for one know that I am a better mom when I am with my girls because I also continue to experience the challenges and growth that can only be found in the business environment. Each woman should strive to find the balance that is right for her.

Kelly Damron is the mother of twin girls conceived via IVF. She lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband, Dave, and their daughters. She is an active volunteer with the March of Dimes and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Her book Tiny Toes: A Couple's Journey Through Infertility, Prematurity, and Depression is available at http://www.TinyToesBook.com or http://www.Amazon.com

Life As A Wedding Disc Jockey

2006-03-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

It must be great. You work on Saturday night for 5 hours and make $1,000 or more. What a life. It has been equated to selling drugs – the lucrative wedding disc jockey business is not what it’s cracked up to be. The reality is – this is far from the easy money that a potential wedding client thinks it is. They are shocked when they first hear the price that professional DJs charge and think that they are being ripped off because “wedding” was in their vocabulary when they called for a quote.

Here are some interesting facts to understand better what the life of a wedding disc jockey really is like:

Clients call at all times of the day – the phone rings from 8am until around 11pm virtually every day. For the most part, you must be available to answer the calls because most people won’t leave a message if you don’t.

Most weekday nights are spent away from home meeting with clients or potential clients.
Most weekends are spent away from friends and family working at your events. Forget the 4^th of July picnic and New Years Eve.
Wedding Disc Jockeys are booked a year or two in advance – so that last minute call from your friend asking you to dinner or to a concert is a wasted call. You’re already booked.
Your daughter’s concert that is on a Friday in May – you will most likely miss. Again, you are already booked.
Try standing for 5 hours straight and see how your legs and feet feel.
Did you know one of the most feared things to do is speak in public? As a wedding disc jockey, that is what we do every weekend.
Most people bring a cup of coffee to work – a wedding disc jockey brings over $15,000 worth of equipment and another $20,000 or more in music to most events.
A wedding disc jockey will haul in about 1,000 pounds of equipment into and out of the reception – that means up stairs, across rickety stone paths and through parking garages, through kitchens and in the cold and rain.
A typical wedding lasts for 5 hours. Your wedding disc jockey will arrive an hour early to setup, will be there after guests leave tearing down and typically drives 30 minutes to 60 minutes each way to the event. They have to spend time preparing equipment before they leave the office. They have to unload and put away gear when they return. That adds up to between 8 and 10 hours on the day of the event alone invested in your wedding.
A wedding disc jockey will typically meet you prior to booking (pre-sales meeting) for about an hour. Most disc jockeys will drive to meet their clients. Presales and travel to and from this meeting will add about 2 hours of their time into your event.
When it’s time to discuss details, your disc jockey will again drive to meet you and spend another hour with you going over details, they’ll return to the office, type up this information and send you a copy. They’ll spend a couple hours organizing music, talking on the phone and sending/receiving emails from you over the course of the two months prior to your wedding. You can figure they’ve just invested another 5 hours into preparing for your event.
The total time invested per event will be around 17 – 20 hours when it’s all said and done. That $1,000 for 5 hours is now really $1,000 for 20 hours of time.
A wedding disc jockey will spend about $2,000 or more each year on music updates. They might invest $2,000-$6,000 in equipment, repairs and upgrades each year. They will spend $1,000 - $10,000 in advertising, bridal shows, printing, etc. They will spend $5,000 - $20,000 for office supplies, computers, and business services. They will spend $500 - $1,500 on liability insurance policies. They will spend $2,000 to $5,000 on postage. They will travel to one of the national DJ conventions to keep up to date with the industry and spend around $1,500 doing so. They will have a 800 number, cell phone, fax and voice mail services costing them around $5,000 each year. They will spend $5,000 each year on health insurance. They will spend $5,000 in gas getting back and forth to meetings and events.
A wedding disc jockey will drive 25,000 – 35,000 miles each year between meetings and back and forth to their events. That will be approximately 750 hours away from home each year just in travel time.

The reason that wedding disc jockeys charge the price that they do is simple. It is the cost of doing business. The value that a professional disc jockey brings to your event is priceless. Take away the music and you’re just inviting friends and family to eat and drink. That accounts for about 2 of the typical 5 hour wedding reception. Your professional wedding disc jockey is responsible for coordinating all the details of the flow of the event – from introductions to the cake cutting. They are the middle man between the banquet staff, your photographer and videographer. They are your wedding coordinator. Without proper quality entertainment – guests will leave soon after dinner. If a typical wedding reception costs around $25,000 (or $5,000 per hour!), and your guests leave 2 hours before the end due to poor entertainment – you’ve just wasted $10,000 of your wedding budget. If you’re debating between a cheap $500 DJ and a professional DJ costing $1,500, the decision should be easy. Trying to cut corners on entertainment could cost you $10,000. The additional $1,000 is money well spent when the big picture is in focus. The time and effort a true professional disc jockey puts into your event will be worth every penny.

Rob Alberti, owner - www.afterhoursdj.net and www.budgetentertainment.net

And contributing writer to www.weddinginsider.net

Music Video Dance Party

2005-07-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

So you’re interested in hosting your own music video dance party? There are some things you should look for when deciding who should DJ/VJ your music video dance party. Not all VJ’s are alike nor can they put on the same style music video dance party as a professional VJ from After Hours DJ Service can do for you.

A music video dance party requires a video screen to fit the location. After Hours have both smaller 7’ video screens and our larger 14’ video screen. When we are performing at a video dance party, we typically do what is called “rear projection,” where the LCD projector for the music video dance party is placed behind the video screen. If you have a smaller room with limited space for your music video dance party, we suggest that you place the video projector in the corner of the room and have the video screen for the music video dance party about 12-15’ out from that corner.

The key to a successful music video dance party is the LCD projector. Some VJs will attempt to use cheap $1,000 projectors for your music video dance party with only 700-1,400 lumens (brightness). The room must be completely black in order for people to see this style projector. There are cheaper Dell LCD projectors with higher outputs – in the 2,000-3,000 lumen range, but the picture quality is shoddy. After Hours uses only professional grade $5,000 Sanyo 2,500 Lumen projectors for their music video dance parties. Why? What’s the use in having a music video dance party if the picture quality is poor or you can’t see it?

The same goes for the sound system at your music video dance party – We typically setup a concert level sound system for all of our music video dance parties (unless very small number of guests or more intimate setting). The floor will shake and the pulse of the music will resonate throughout you as you enjoy the music video dance party. It will be like going to a night club. You will be submerged in sound, light and video. Our club style lighting will bring the night club atmosphere to your venue. Your music video dance party will be the most amazing thing you’ve ever experienced in entertainment. Contact After Hours DJ to schedule your music video dance party. With over 3,000 music videos on DVD (and growing by about 100 videos each month!), we have music to satisfy both young and young at heart at your next music video dance party. We do not utilize low resolution computer based music videos for your music video dance party like many other companies offer.

Rob Alberti, After Hours DJ Service
www.afterhoursdj.net

Lighting At Your Wedding

2005-05-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

The facility that you are having your wedding at is beautiful. The thing is - once it gets dark, it takes on a whole other look. It's kind of dark and not really romantic. White holiday lights on the fake ficus trees just don't cut it. What can you do? Candle light is great, but it only goes so far in setting the mode.

Dance floor lighting is one way to bring a new feel to a facility, but if you're not into making your wedding look like a night club, then maybe a more theatrical feel to the lighting is in order. How about some simple color changers or slowly rotating white lights? What about a custom gobo that creates an evening sky on the ceiling? All these things are possible.

A lighting scheme is a great way to liven up the venue. With 8 or 16 color changers, we can slowly transition from one color to another or set different tones for specific events at your wedding. When it's time for dinner, a soft blue shade can illuminate the walls and columns. When it's time for cake cutting, the room all of a sudden becomes pink. When it's dancing time, the lights start flickering and a deep purple fills the room. This is possible throught the magic of LED driven lighting effects. Ask your lighting professional or contact us to learn more about how we can bring your event to light.

Rob Alberti, After Hours DJ, Lighting, Sound

Digital Photo Station

2005-05-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

And so goes another technology shift at your wedding. Gone are the days of using expensive disposable cameras on each table for your guests to use. The photos were never that great anyways. It got expensive processing all those cameras only to find a couple shots that you really wanted out of 100's.

What do you do? Setup a digital photo station at your wedding - have someone bring a laptop with a digital card reader. At the end of the wedding, you ask all your guests that brought digital cameras, to stop by the station and download all their photos.

Now you have instant access to all the photos that all of your guests took. You can look through them and decide which ones you want to print and you can just archive the rest onto a CDR. It's simple to do. Forget the disposable cameras and bring your laptop instead. (Hey, even my 70 yr old mother has a digital camera now!)

Hey, Where Do I Put My Speakers?

2005-05-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

If your wedding or party is being held in a unique facility with specific acoustic issues (multiple rooms, indoor/outdoors, echo issue, broken up ceiling surface, in a tent, etc.) then you need to educate yourself. Normal placement of your DJ’s speakers – on speaker stands, may not be the correct thing to do for your given room layout. Your professional disc jockey should be able to offer you knowledgeable acoustic solutions to your needs.

For example, if your DJ is located at the corner of the dance floor v. located along one side of the dance floor – they may suggest to “point-source” their speakers. This would place all speakers at the corner of the dance floor and they would fan the entire room.

With rooms with known acoustical echoes (hard surfaces, such as marble), they might suggest using remote broadcast speakers and using a time delay on one set of speakers. They might suggest placing their speakers on the ground pointing upward at a 45 degree angle v. on stands.

The real problem you will have is if your DJ sets up their system the same way regardless of the acoustical situation. If they do not know the difference between near-field and far-field speakers (far-field speakers throw their sound further and work well for larger rooms or outdoor areas) they you need to find a qualified professional DJ that does.

Why such a concern? If you want everyone to hear the best man’s toast or introductions and if you want something better than “boom box” sound at your wedding, then it becomes imperative that you educate yourself prior to hiring a DJ just because they are the cheapest quote that you’ve received. Quality comes at a cost.

Rob Alberti, After Hours DJ

Balance - Wedding Budget Blues

2005-04-14T04:38:00.000-07:00

Let's think about what goes into your wedding budget. Your caterer/banquet facility will get the lion's share of it. If you are having 150 guests (an average number) and the banquet facility charges $100 pp. (typical high-end facility in New England area - including gratuity, tax, hidden fees) - that works out to $15,000 right off the top. If you have it and want to spend it - great. If you are trying to stretch your wedding dollars, then you really need to step back. Many couples get so caught up in the facility that they spend all their budget on it and don't have enough left over for quality entertainment or wedding photos.

If you took that same 150 guests and found a facility that only cost $75 pp, you now have an additional $4,000 that you can spend on your photographer and disc jockey. Why? When you walk away from your reception - if the music was a disaster - the entire event is a disaster. If you don't have quality wedding photos to cherish for years to come, it will just fade in your memory. The reality is - if the view wasn't so great at the facility and the food was just ok - people will not care as long as they had a great time. Think about that before you spend your entire wedding budget on the facility and run out of money for everything else. There needs to be a balance in your wedding budget.

In the New England Area average pricing for a quality disc jockey ranges between $1000-$1500. For a quality professional photographer, you should expect to spend at least $2,500-$4,000. Believe me, you will know the difference if you hire below this range.

LOOKING FOR EXCEPTIONAL WEDDING VENDORS? CHECK THESE VENDORS OUT.

New Favorite Parent Dance Songs

2005-04-12T05:12:00.000-07:00

There is a new wave of songs that people are using for dancing with their parents at wedding receptions - people are shying away from the traditional "Daddy's Little Girl":

1. John Mayer - Daughters
2. Ray Allaire—A Song for my Daughter
3. Boyz II Men - Mama
4. Kenny Loggins - Rainbow Connection
5. Mikki Viereck - Song For My Son
6. Lee Ann Womack—I Hope You Dance

LOOKING FOR OTHER WEDDING SUGGESTIONS? CHECK OUT THIS SITE

Doing Things Your Own Way

2005-04-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

No one said that you had to follow the rule or etiquette. It is your wedding day. If you want to do the blessing AFTER the best man's toast, then it is your choice. If you decide that you don't want to intruduce in the wedding party, then don't do it. Back 20 years ago when wedding receptions were all the same - it would have been unheard of to do something different and unique. In this day and age, you can pretty much do anything you want.

What are some of the more unique things that we've seen in the past few years? We've seen clients opt to do a grand march into the reception hall v. formal introductions. The bridal party still lines up, but instead of announcing each person as they come in, the DJ would just play some lively music as background while they parade into the room.

Many wedding clients are deciding to be part of their cocktail hour - many times due to a lag between the end of the ceremony and the start of the reception. This is a great way to socialize with all your friends and family in a less structured format than the typical receiving line.

Dancing between courses is becoming more and more popular. Who said that you had to wait until dessert before people could get up and dance. With the right music, you can have your guests dancing straight through dinner. This is very important to consider during afternoon events where it's much harder to get guests up and dancing. We've even gone right from intruductions, into a couple's first dance and then broke into a 10-15 minute dance set PRIOR to the start of the meal.

Talk to your entertainment and ask them for suggestions on how you can make your wedding reception unique and all your own.

LOOKING FOR ENTERTAINMENT IN THE MA/CT/RI AREA? CLICK HERE.

Grooming for the Groom

2005-04-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

The big day is not all about the bride; the groom is also in the limelight and would like to look his best too. With the increase of men’s beauty products like Clarins, Lancôme, Nivea, Decleor, suggesting that men are paying more attention to their image then ever before. So the following are tips for keeping your husband to be in tiptop condition for those wedding photos.

Skincare

Men have been experimenting with our exfolients and moisturizer for as long as we can remember, this is better than using nothing at all but men need men-specific products for their skin. Their skin is a lot drier and oilier due to higher sebum levels and high moisture evaporation rates. Men’s skin is also thicker than women’s, has a more acidic ph, and has more defined eye contours not to mention fragile due to shaving. In other words our skincare products just wont do the job.

The first step is to use an oil for shaving Decleors Aromessence Homme and L’Occitane Cade Travel Shaving Oil are two good examples. Applied to the skin before shaving will lubricate and soften the hair making for a more comfortable and closer shave, applying a few drops afterwards to sooth and calm the skin preventing in growing hairs.

Use an exfoliater once or twice a week to further prevent in growing hairs and brighten the complexion. Nivea makes a deep cleansing facial scrub for men that is quite effective; there are plenty of brands to choose from for both oily and sensitive skin. This is always to be followed by a moisturizer or the skin will quickly dry out. Find out what skin type he is (dry, oily, sensitive) and buy the appropriate moisturizer. Another good tip is to get “girlie free” body creams like E45 or Lubriderm for dry skin areas or all over the body, if it isn’t scented he will be more inclined to use it.

Treatments

A good idea is to go for a facial a few months before the wedding to pamper your skin. A facial will make a huge difference to your skin leaving the face thoroughly cleansed and fresh. If you can’t convince him to do this maybe a half hour facial will be more appealing letting the beautician know he’s a bit nervous before hand so she can put him at ease.

The Decleor Aromaplasty Facial is a great treat for the bride or groom, it starts with ten-minute diagnostic back massage, then the facial nourishes and revitalizes the skin aiding in the absorption of moisture and nutrients. There are also deep cleansing treatments for the body, if the groom has an acne prone area maybe the back or chest; this treatment can be a good idea. If the groom does not want to go to a Spa or Beautician by himself why not go together you could even make a romantic weekend out of it by staying overnight.

Hair

It is not a good idea to go for a drastic change in the months leading up to the wedding. However it is a good idea to get the hair cut one or two weeks before the wedding letting the hair settle and avoiding a too tight cut. If he is brave enough to try a back or chest wax preparing for the honeymoon this is the best time to try as a wax will last up to ten weeks. Waxing should always be done at the salon preventing any horror stories.

Hands and feet

Hand care just does not sound very masculine or appealing to men, so it’s likely that his hands are not in the best shape possible to say the least. Given that his hands will be on display during the wedding it is a good idea for him to start a daily hand care ritual to keep his skin and nails in top condition for showing off the wedding band. Using a rich moisture hand lotion every day and NOT chewing his nails is a start, a really good idea is for him to get a manicure but if he protests maybe you could take out your nail file and give him a helping hand.

I an assuming that that yours and not his feet will be on display but this does not mean foot care for him is out the window. His concerns might differ from yours slightly, with more emphasis on odour prevention.

Scrubbing feet daily with some tea tree oil or mint foot scrub and drying them completely should help. Also inserting odor control insoles into his shoes to absorb wetness and odor can also be beneficial. Some good products to keep in mind are California North Barbay coast hand and foot scrub and the Scholl range of products are still going strong.

Fitness

There is no better time to join the gym than when you book your big day, it will provide all the motivation you need, going to the gym three times a week and eating a healthy balanced diet should tone your body and keep the weight off. Why don’t both of you join together you can motivate each other to get off the couch and spend some quality time together. If the gym is not your scene then some daily brisk walking is good to clear the head and keep in shape. Do not forget to drink plenty of water and limit you intake of alcohol to keep your body healthy and in good shape.

Smile

This will be the most noticeable feature in all the photos so make sure your smile is up to scratch. Go for regular check ups and get your teeth cleaned and polished coming up to the big day. Brush your teeth twice daily using gentle whitening toothpaste and don’t forget to floss. If you need extra help than why not purchase a whitening kit you’re your local pharmacy and see the difference after a few weeks. If you really want to splash out you can opt for a procedure called “britesmile” which uses a laser treatment to whiten teeth 5 to 6 shades brighter. This procedure will cost between $600 to $700 and is available from some dentists.

About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Wedding Dresses which includes Wedding gowns, Designer wedding gowns, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information for all of your wedding interests.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

28 Things That Really Do Matter In Marriage (Short Shots On Living An Exceptional Life)

2005-04-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, these things matter...

1. Valuing commitment over instant pleasure and faithfulness beyond short term displeasure.

2. Telling less than I feel for the purpose of learning more than I know.

3. Choosing to have mutual conflict become the playing field where we celebrate victory as opposed to the battle field where the only winners are division and discord.

4. Delighting in the dream of another -- not necessarily because I share the dream but because I'm in love with the one who owns it.

5. Appreciating what I do well in the face of what the other does better -- and doing so without downplaying either.

6. Calling it a night before calling it off.

7. Reinforcing habits that heal and breaking habits that make healing necessary.

8. Misplacing grudges more often and finding praises more often than not.

9. Making honor a way of seeing,
10. Gratefulness a way of speaking,
11. Listening with the heart a way of hearing,
12. And responding in self-control a way of emoting.

13. Striving to win as a team instead of simply striving to win.

14. Saying "I love you" more often -- without saying it.

15. Keeping a better score of what was done right than what wasn't done "as right as I would like."

16. Misplacing "You should have" more and finding "I'm glad you did" more often.

17. Developing and maintaining our own mutual admiration society.

18. Helping when I can,
19. Stopping when I should,
20. And listening a whole lot in between.

21. Speaking truth without a hurtful agenda and laying aside conflicting agendas for the sake of loving in truth.

22. Hating the word "betrayed" and choosing to join forces in waging a war against all it represents.

23. Loving for all the relationship is worth -- because it really is worth it all.

24. Working hard at words that work well instead of making it hard because "working hard at the relationship" is not in my vocabulary.

25. Realizing that forgiveness doesn't automatically make everything right -- it simply creates a more solid foundation for the remainder of the journey.

26. Learning how to laugh, cry, struggle, shout, pout, fight, celebrate and rejoice as a couple that cares as opposed to one that cares not at all.

27. Realizing there is no such thing as a "50/50" relationship in marriage. It's a "110/110" deal. We give our all -- and then some -- in order to make it all work out.

28. Choosing to make laughter, encouragement, joy, and mutual expressions of love permanent residents in our home instead of guests we hope will some day arrive.

____________________________________
© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute
this article. The copyright and this resource box must be
included. http://abeautifulmomentintime.blogspot.com

Avoid pain/create pleasure. For A Beautiful Moment In Time
go here --> http://www.motivation-for-daily-living.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Procrastination

2005-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Procrastinating and wedding planning do not go hand in hand. The lead time on certain things (like your dress, or booking your banquet facility) can be upwards of a year or more. The longer you wait to make a decision could jeopardize the success of your wedding day. The banquet facility that you had your heart set on might be booked on the date you wanted or the church and the banquet facility do not have the same Saturday available in September. The wedding industry is a huge supply and demand conglomerate.

Think about it - there are only so many Saturday night's available in the prime wedding season between May - Oct. It only reasons that the best DJs, Photographers and Banquet facilities would be booked up quickly for those key dates. Spring is now here. If you are getting married in 2005, hurry and book your key vendors before they are no longer available.

LOOKING FOR GREAT WEDDING VENDORS? CHECK HERE.

Unique Ideas

2005-04-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

So, you're not that close to your father - what do you do about the parent dance at your wedding reception? It is perfectly acceptable to dance with your stepfather instead. You could opt to skip the whole father/daughter dance thing altogether to avoid family politics. You could just dedicate a slow song to your father in the midst of the activities and take the spotlight off of the situation.

Receptions are filled with opportunities to aviod sticky situations. Ask your professional disc jockey for suggestions on how to get around family politics.

LOOKING FOR A WEDDING DISC JOCKEY IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA? CLICK HERE.

FastCounter by bCentral

Wedding Classics - The Songs We Love To Hate

2005-03-31T05:56:00.000-08:00

It's time to start thinking about what you like and even more importantly, what songs you want your disc jockey to avoid. Don't worry about banning certain songs at your wedding. Your wedding will not be a disaster if your disc jockey doesn't play "The Chicken Dance". A professional disc jockey has normally over 20,000 songs in their musical arsenal. Telling them that they shouldn't play 10 or 20 songs can ensure that you create the perfect atmosphere for your style.

Here are some of the most frequently banned songs at a wedding:

1. Paradise by the Dashboard light
2. The Chicken Dance
3. Electric Boogie (Electric Slide)
4. Macarena
5. Old Time Rock & Roll
6. The Hokey Pokey
7. I Will Survive
8. Wonderful Tonight
9. The Twist
10. The Conga
11. YMCA
12. Country Music (either they love it or they hate it!)

You are in charge. Don't let the banquet facility, your disc jockey or your photographer tell you otherwise. Only you can decide what is right for you - they can offer suggestions, but the ultimate decision is in your hands.

LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT WEDDING SUGGESTIONS. CHECK OUT A LEADER IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY.

Wedding Ceremony

2005-03-30T10:53:00.000-08:00

If your wedding ceremony is in a church, then you are pretty much set. Most churchs have a built in PA system so that everyone will hear you exchange vows. If you are having an outdoor ceremony - don't kid yourself. If you have more than about 50 guests, you need to have some form of PA system so that your guests can hear what is being said.

Consult your Officiant or Disc Jockey. Often, they have portable PA systems specifically designed for such things. Using either a wireless microphone or lapel (clip-on) microphone, they can capture every word said. A wedding ceremony PA system should be unobtrusive. Using wireless microphones, the speaker and sound board should be setup either to the side or at the back of the ceremony site. (Out of pictures) Make sure you know what things will look like before securing someone to produce sound at your ceremony.

LOOKING FOR SOUND REINFORCEMENT IDEAS? CLICK HERE.

It's Spring - Time To Start Working On Those Last Minute Plans

2005-03-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

It is officially spring. That means that all those wedding plans that you've been putting off - the time has come. You cannot postpone making decisions for your 2005 wedding plans any longer. If you have not secured a photographer or disc jockey for your 2005 wedding - you are so behind the 8-ball. Quality wedding vendors book up many times a year or more in advance. Why? It's simply the effects of supply and demand. There are only so many Friday and Saturday's in a typical wedding season (May - Oct). Your photographer and wedding disc jockey need to work a certain number of events each year in order to run a profitable business.

There are thousands of people getting married just in the MA/CT region each weekend. There are only so many true professional wedding vendors available. Waiting until last minute (less than 6 months before your wedding), will severely limit the quality of the vendors left open on your wedding date. Remember, finding the cheapest photographer or disc jockey only guarantees that you found the lesser service. You get what you pay for when it comes to photography and disc jockeys. We all understand that a Yugo, although it has 4 wheels and gets you from point a to point b, is not the same as a $40,000 sports car. The same goes for wedding vendors.

LOOKING FOR A QUALITY WEDDING VENDOR? CHECK OUT THIS SITE.

What Goes Into Wedding Preparation From Your DJ?

2005-03-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

Exactly what should your disc jockey be doing in the weeks/months prior to your wedding? If you think that they just show up at your reception and are ready to go - you've missed out on what they've been doing to prepare.

Typically, your DJ will meet you during the sales stage of things - you get to know him, they get to know what you are looking for. Once you've decided that they are the right DJ for you, then the work starts. Your DJ would lock in your date and start working on preparation. About 2 months prior to your wedding, they would meet you again and start going over details with you. If your DJ wants to meet only a week or so ahead of your wedding - just say no. You should expect more from them.

This is what a professional DJ does in the months prior to your event:
1. They have your itinerary / wedding party names to review and make sure there are no issues and that transitions from one thing to a next have a natural flow to them.
2. They would be communicating with you regarding any last minute changes you might have, sometimes talking to the banquet facility or your photographer if questions arise or to discuss setup requirements.
3. They would review your music requests and make sure they have all your key songs. Many DJs will prepare a working CD with all your selected songs on it to even further make sure there are no issues on the day of your wedding.
4. Many DJs now will work on music programming on their laptop - they will prepare just the right mix of music for social hour and dinner ahead of time. For your dance selections, they may prepare a play list so all the songs you want are easily accessible and for quick reference.
5. They will prepare their equipment and load up just the right pieces for your event and bring sufficient backup in case of emergency.

A typical wedding might require about 5-10 hours of preparation event BEFORE the day of your wedding. Ask your potential DJ how much time they invest in preparation for your event - you might be amazed at the differences between lesser DJs and true professionals.

FOR QUALITY WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT - VISIT THIS WEBSITE.

Your First Dance

2005-03-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

This will be the interactive part of this Blog. Now, it's time for you to tell us your first dance choice. With a couple's first dance, sometimes it's chosen because they've taken dance lessons to a specific song. Sometimes it's the first song they danced together at when they first met. Sometimes it's a song that just kept coming up as they dated. Tell us the story of your first dance and what song it was that you picked.

Wedding Party Dance

2005-03-23T06:23:00.000-08:00

Exactly what use is the wedding party dance? Most wedding parties are groups of people that don't necessarily know each other and are not true "couples". So why do you want them to dance together? In years past, it was designed mainly for photography purposes - something for your photographer to capture. What the reality is - no one ever buys copies of these photos.

What can you do? You can skip the wedding party dance altogether. Nothing is written that states that you must do it. Sometimes, we use the wedding party as a way to "seed" the dance floor after dinner. For the first open dance (typically a slow tune), we would invite the wedding party out to start the song and then quickly invite all guests to join them about 30 seconds into the song. CLICK - you have a full dance floor at your wedding with just a simple subtle crowd manipulation.

FOR A LEADING EXPERT IN THE WEDDING FIELD - CHECK OUT AFTER HOURS DJ SERVICE.

Wedding Budget

2005-03-22T13:15:00.000-08:00

OK, so you have your heart set on the top banquet facility in the area. The only thing is once you've done that, your wedding budget is shot. The $75/pp meal charge quickly becomes $100/pp with the 18% gratuity & other hidden charges. Your heart races as you hear that the facility won't even lock in the prices. You book your wedding in 2004 and by the time the wedding comes around in 2006, there could be a 10-20% increase in price.

Once your budget is blown on the banquet facility - the thing is - you've doomed yourself. Now, you have to compromise on your photographer and which package that you wanted. You end up with a $500 DJ instead of the $1,500 one that you really liked. You can't afford a videographer and the roses you wanted quickly become carnations.

Let's look at the numbers - if the 150 guests costs you $100/pp - that's $15,000 of your wedding budget. If you were to look at a facility that was one step down in pricing - say $75/pp - now your budget is only a bit over $11,000. That extra $4,000 in savings could be the difference between all the other budget items that you wanted or wanted to upgrade. Take a very close look at what you spend in what area of your wedding budget. Remember, the meal is done in about an hour. There are 5 hours in a typical wedding reception. Spend a better part of your budget on a quality photographer and entertainment and you'll be much happier in the end.

FOR GREAT BANQUET FACILITIES AND PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS- VISIT HERE.

No Time To Work On Your Wedding Plans

2005-03-21T05:33:00.000-08:00

So, you're working 50+ hours a week for corporate America. Those "take back your vacation" ads seem like they are speaking directly at you. On top of all that - you have to plan your wedding and you have no idea how you're going to get it all done. This is where a wedding coordinator comes into play.

The first thing out of your mouth is "I can't afford a wedding planner". The reality is - a wedding planner typically pays for themselves in the time and money they will save you. They are going to keep you focused on what is important and work with you to make your life so much less stressful in the months before your wedding. Instead of having to check out 20 different photographers and 15 DJs, they will already have a preselected few for you to focus in on. Just take a deep breath and you will get through the wedding planning.

How much does a wedding coordinator cost? The price ranges from $750 to $2,000+ depending on the level of service and support that you need. Some wedding coordinators even work on a per hour basis so you only pay for what you need. Do yourself a favor - before the chaos engulfs you - call a wedding coordinator and see what they can do for you.

LOOKING FOR A PARTY PLANNER/WEDDING COORDINATOR? CHECK OUT A LEADING EXPERT.

For other wedding planners - CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITES.

Wedding Party Introduction Songs

2005-03-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

So, exactly what feel do you want for your grand entrance? Here are some interesting suggestions to help create the perfect start to your wedding:

Nelly - Hot In Here
Jennifer Lopez - Let's Get Loud
Harry Connick Jr. - It Had To Be You
Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon
Enrique Iglesias - Be With You
Fabolous - Holla Back
Eminem - Lose Yourself (Instrumental)
Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
Jimmy Buffett - Lag Nom Ai
Amii Stewart - Knock On Wood

FOR OTHER GREAT WEDDING SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS CHECK OUT A LEADING EXPERT IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY

Favorite Cake Cutting Songs

2005-03-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

Looking for a suggestion to use as a theme song for your cake cutting? Tired of hearing "The bride cuts the cake" in your wedding nightmares? Here are some great suggestions to check out:

Louis Jordan - Knock Me A Kiss
Sarah McLaughlin - Icecream
Archies - Sugar Sugar
Natalie Cole - This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
Enya - May It Be
Blue Suede - Hooked On A Feeling
Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova (Austin Powers)
Harry Connick Jr. - Recipe For Love
Adam Sandler - Grow Old With Me
The Beatles - When I'm 64

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CHECK OUT A LEADING EXPERT IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY.

Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers

2005-03-17T06:31:00.000-08:00

If you are planning a wedding in the MA/CT region and are looking for something special when it comes to wedding photography - we have some suggestions for you. Who wants the same boring shots in front of the same boring fireplace. You know "insert bride here" style photography. Enter the realm of photojournalistic wedding photography. Just because a photographer states that they are photojournalistic does not make them so. Take a look at their photo galleries. Make sure the photos speak to you. The emotion should clearly come through in the images that they capture.

Here are some of our favorite Photojournalistic Wedding Photographers in MA/CT:

Robert Charles Photography
Stephen Charles Photography
Ambrose Photography
Steinmetz Photography
Claris Photography
CR Photography
Studio Photo
Storm Photographic
Derek Goodwin Photography
CT Photojournalist - David Roberts

Yes, the price varies drastically between photographers. You need to find someone that fits your budget and your personal style. You will be relying on them to capture your wedding day details for all of time.

Who Coordinates Your Wedding Reception?

2005-03-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

The main reason wedding couples choose a Professional DJ with many years of wedding experience such as After Hours as opposed to lower cost DJ Services is that the selection of music a Professional DJ can play spans across all ages and tastes instead of just what the lower cost DJ likes to listen to. But aside from the music, your DJ will also act as your Master of Ceremonies to help maintain the proper flow during the reception. At After Hours Disc Jockey Service, we will coordinate with your photographer to get all the right pictures for your wedding album. We will also work with the rest of the professionals (Videographer, Banquet Staff) during your event to ensure everything runs smoothly.

So while you may be thinking of hiring a DJ just for the music, remember at your personal meeting with your After Hours DJ & Master of Ceremonies, it is important to discuss not only the types of music you want, but which events you will be doing and their desired order. These would include such things as the cutting of the wedding cake, the toast, and the bouquet toss. A Professional DJ will also work with you on individualizing your wedding at this time. Your DJ should want to know what exactly you envision for your wedding. One couple may want a low-key elegant event, while the next may want a high energy party atmosphere. If your DJ wants to tell you how your event will run instead of the other way around, then they actually are not interested in working with you. At After Hours, every wedding is unique and we treat them as such.

Looking for a Professional Disc Jockey in the MA/CT/RI areas? Check out the following:
After Hours Disc Jockey Service
The DJ Network - DJ Referral Company

The Right Mix of Music

2005-03-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

Having a DJ you can trust to handle all the MC duties is important, but where most DJ’s really shine is when it comes to knowing what music will get the crowd on the dance floor. Your DJ should work with you both on the types of music that you want played but also on the types of music that you don’t want played. As a general rule, the guest will not dance until after the bride and groom have had their first dance. Other special dances might include a wedding party dance, a dance for the bride and father and one for the groom and his mother.

How do you know the DJ that you are looking at entrusting your event’s fate to is a professional?

Look to see if they are a member of a Professional Organization such as the DJ Network
Ask them how many weddings they perform at each year and how long they have been in the business
Ask if they will handle all of the detail coordination on your wedding day (Making sure the champagne toast is poured before introductions, ensuring the parents of the bride & groom are available during cake cutting, coordinating with photographer and banquet staff, etc.)

Proper planning for your reception should also include giving your DJ a guideline of the types of music that you want to be played. Keep in mind that you want all your guests to be satisfied, so make sure your DJ is prepared with a wide variety of music to suit all tastes. Just remember that your wedding day is a time to celebrate, so dance, enjoy yourself and leave the coordination to a wedding professional such as After Hours Disc Jockey Service.

Choosing a Disc Jockey

2005-03-14T06:04:00.000-08:00

How To Tell An Extraordinary Wedding Disc Jockey From Someone Who Could Ruin Your Wedding Reception

You have your band (around your finger), now it’s time to find your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey. You search the internet for “Connecticut Wedding disc jockey” and come up with a list of potential wedding disc jockey choices. Now, how do you wade through the rheteroric “Connecticut’s Most Requested DJ”, “The DJ of Choice”, “CT DJ of the Year” and figure out who is going to make your reception a raving success v. a floundering mess.

Here are some things to keep in mind as you look for your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey:

Check out their website. If it is poorly designed, lacks real information or just doesn’t appeal to your style – then they are probably not the right choice as your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey. You should discount any DJ that DOES NOT HAVE A WEBSITE. If they can’t be bothered to setup a website, then they probably can’t be bothered with the details of your wedding.
Look for pricing. If they do not list pricing on their website – they might be trying to hide something. Many Connecticut Wedding disc jockeys will quote different pricing from one client to the next. This is a sign of a poorly run business or of hidden charges that might haunt you down the line. Your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey should be upfront with their pricing and it should be printed/posted on their website and in the literature they mail you.
If you have specific music tastes – ask your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey to show you a list with that style music on it. Too many Connecticut Wedding disc jockeys have promised to cater to client’s musical tastes and then showed up on the day of the wedding to just play the same tired wedding music that you hear at every Connecticut wedding reception.
Ask to see photo’s of their equipment and setup. If they have large self-promoting signs as part of their setup – stay clear of this. What right does a Connecticut Wedding disc jockey have in promoting themselves at YOUR wedding?
Ask your disc jockey how much money they have invested in the equipment that they bring and setup at a typical wedding. At a recent Connecticut bridal show, one Connecticut Wedding disc jockey boasted about his new disc jockey setup. The main system was worth less than $500. A quality wireless microphone is worth more than $500 alone! If they have less than $5,000 in equipment (not including music value or backup equipment value) – they are entry level wedding entertainment at best. Quality Connecticut Wedding disc jockey equipment comes at a cost. Many professional Connecticut Wedding disc jockeys will have over $10,000 invested in their main system alone.

The bottom line – if your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey choice gives you any concern with regards to their professionalism, they you should keep shopping for your Connecticut Wedding disc jockey elsewhere. The difference between a $750 Connecticut Wedding disc jockey and a quality $1500 Connecticut Wedding disc jockey could mean the difference between guests gazing at their watches soon after dinner or your family & friends up and dancing the night away at your Connecticut wedding reception.

Rob Alberti, After Hours DJ Service
www.afterhoursdj.net

The Value Of Quality Entertainment

2005-03-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

If you were surveyed after your wedding – what % of the success of the event would you place with your DJ? What about with your photographer or the banquet staff? Would you believe that in our survey of that exact item, we found that our clients place between 80% and 100% of the success of their event on the DJ. Your Professional DJ will help coordinate your entire reception. they keep the flow of events moving and your guests entertained. Maybe with other disc jockeys that are not as service oriented; the percentage is lower, but professional DJs pride themselves on going above and beyond the call of duty.

Why do some DJs charge more than other DJ services? The simple answer is because they’re worth it. Would you trust your event on the cheapest DJ available? Think about that. If there’s one thing you want to do right; it’s the entertainment. Remember the % of the success of your event? We’re responsible for over 80% of that.

CLICK HERE FOR A LEADING EXPERT IN THE ENTERTAINMENT FIELD.

New Bride Name Change Kit

2005-03-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

Do you realize how many agencies and forms that you must locate and fill out when you change your name? Social Security, insurance, banks … it’s overwhelming. Now, we have found a great little item that makes a wonderful bridal shower gift or buy one for yourself. This is a consolidated, easy to use, name change kit for the new bride. It contains all required government forms, every personal record change form, an instruction guide and checklist to help the new bride change from her maiden to her new married name.

This has been voted #1 by new brides everywhere! This is good for use in all 50 states. You can receive your name change kit for $20 (includes s/h) direct from After Hours DJ. Everyone who has picked one up has absolutely loved it. It will save you so much time and effort.

Garter & Bouqet Alternatives

2005-03-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

If the traditional garter & bouquet ceremony seems a bit too risqué for your invited guests, why not try one of these alternatives?

Have the bride just throw the bouquet (Leaving removal, throwing & placement of the garter completely out)
Have the bride throw a scatter bouquet (A dozen loose flowers) so that everyone gets one
Have the Groom tosses his boutonniere instead of the garter (No garter to contend with)
Present the bouquet to a special friend, relative or the longest married couple

LIKE THIS INFORMATION? CHECK OUT A LEADER IN THE WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT FIELD.

Create A Slide Show

2005-03-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Put together your own slide show (or powerpoint presentation). Show pictures of your family, friends and relatives. The slide show should be a maximum of 2 songs in length (~ 7:00 minutes). You can show this at the end of dinner and you will be amazed at the emotional impact that you will get from this. After Hours can provide a high output LCD Projector (not the inexpensive LCD projectors in the boardroom) and a 7' or larger video screen to display it on. Want to just show it on a loop during cocktail hour? We can provide a 46" plasma screen TV for this.

If you don't want to create the slide show yourself, ask your photographer or videographer. Most of them have put together presentations like this in the past.

Rob Alberti, After Hours Disc Jockey Service
Extraordinary Wedding Entertainment

Top Crowd Motivational Songs

2005-03-08T22:38:00.000-08:00

1. Usher - Yeah!
2. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long
3. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive
4. 50 Cent - In Da Club
5. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me
6. Outkast - Hey Ya
7. Gwen Stefani/Eve - Rich Girl
8. Abba - Dancing Queen
9. Bob Seger - Old Time Rock & Roll
10. Commodores - Brick House

Rob Alberti, After Hours DJ Service

What Can You Do To Make Your Reception a Success?

2005-03-08T05:29:00.000-08:00

In order to facilitate better events, our disc jockey company has started to email clients a week before to give them every opportunity to have the best event possible. Here are some of the hints that we provide:

------------------------------------------------

Hello, it's your DJ. Your wedding is about a week away and I just wanted to email you and let you know a few things that you can do to help make your event run smoothly and get the most out of your time at the reception. Please circulate this email to your parents and everyone in your wedding party. The more people that are in tune with what to do that day - the better your event will be.

If there are any last minute changes to your itinerary - LET US KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. We need to be prepared and can help you orchestrate things much smoother only if we know about them before it's too late. We can help guide you as to the best way to flow from one event to the next. Call or email us with those changes immediately. Thank you.
All formal photos should be completed by the end of dinner. That means - if you need to get a group photo of your college friends, grandmother or whomever - by the time they clear the main entrée away - that photo needs to happen. If you pull people (and yourselves) out of the party for a group photo - you lose about 25 minutes of dance time. Yes, the photo only takes 5 minutes, but it takes 10 minutes to gather everyone up. It takes you about 10 minutes to walk back into the room as you will keep getting stopped by friends and family. It's never just a quick shot.
If you need to socialize with your guests - do as much of it between courses as you can. Get up, visit a few tables and then go sit back down and eat the next course. If you wait until after dinner to start walking around - you will lose valuable dance time. Be careful not to get behind in the meal. If your guests finish before the two of you, that is not good either. When the next course is set for you, go and eat. You can always finish talking to people later - or better yet - meet them on the dance floor.
The end of the meal is critical - both you, your parents and the wedding party need to be in the room. Once you start seeing the wait staff clearing plates - you should STAY IN THE ROOM. We could delay the start of dancing by 10-15 minutes trying to get the key players back in the room. The longer we wait to start - the harder it is to get people focused on the party. We will give you and your parents a 10 minute warning before activities are about to get started - use the bathroom, freshen up, take your smoke break or whatever you need to do - BUT BE BACK IN THE ROOM AND READY TO GO.
Once we open dancing up - the more people that come out - the quicker we can get the party on the way. If you really want to help prime the party, both you, your parents and the entire bridal party (and their partners) should spend the first 15 minutes (~3 songs) on the dance floor. Everyone is looking to you to set the tone of the event - if you are out dancing - your guests will follow.
If you have to leave the room (and you should really leave the room separately (never together) - leaving one of you in the room to play host for your guests at all times), make sure you quickly go and do what you have to do and return. The longer you are out of the room - the more energy is drained from the party. Also, if you are standing talking with guests be aware of WHERE you stand. If you position yourself next to the exit - you will draw people to you and out of the party. Always position yourself so you pull people away from the exits and near to the dance floor.
We will be able to play more of the music that you've selected if you dance. If people are not dancing - our first concern is to get people involved before they decide to leave instead. Once we have a good dancing crowd - it's much easier to fit in more of your & your guests' requests.
Have fun. If you are not having fun - how can you expect your guests to be? Be part of the festivities. Socialize, dance and have the time of your life. Your DJ will be there to guide you every step of the way. If you are unsure as to what to do next - we can help. We will be touching base with you over the course of the event and will let you know if you have been out of the room too long or if we need you to help us refocus attention on the dance floor.

--------------------------------

WANT MORE INFO? CHECK OUT A LEADING EXPERT IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY

--------------------------------------------------------

Whether it is a low-key event or a “dance-on-the-tables” feel that you want for your wedding; your professional mobile disc jockey should be able to paint the scene for you. Discuss your needs. Tell them what you’ve seen before – both what you liked and what you hated at other weddings. But most of all, come and have the time of your life at your wedding! Remember, if you remember the music, you’ll never forget the times.

Finding A Wedding Disc Jockey

2005-03-07T17:40:00.000-08:00

When planning your wedding, what type of entertainment are you looking for? A comedian? A clown? A 3-ring circus? Of course not … you are looking for high quality entertainment that is tailored to your vision for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Your wedding reception entertainment or reception disc jockey should tie together all the things you have been dreaming of for many, many months.

When it is time to look for wedding reception entertainment and disc jockey, you need to consider many aspects. Cost may seem to be your highest priority at first, but as you weed through the list of considerations, you will need to find someone you trust to keep your special day flowing smoothly. Tacky rhetoric, shoddy equipment, or lack of music to please your guests should not ruin your picture-perfect day.

Need More Information? Check Out A Leading Expert In The Field.

You will want a DJ or disc jockey with a high quality, and guaranteed, sound system. The entertainment must provide a wide range of music to offer all your guests music they are requesting. You want a disc jockey who will listen to your wishes and make suggestions, not mandates, as to how the reception should flow. You want experienced wedding entertainment – people who know the pitfalls from years of past experience - and can handle little ‘emergencies’ as they arise with grace and professionalism.

Your DJ/MC will weave all the activities of your reception into a tapestry of memories to be remembered for a lifetime. From the moment you arrive at your reception, your disc jockey will orchestrate the perfect dance between music, generations, customs, and cultures. Your wedding entertainment disc jockey is more that just ‘entertainment’; it is the life-blood of your reception.

Planning your wedding entertainment carefully pays off more than you might expect. Your care when selecting the best wedding entertainment possible will ensure that in turn, your entertainment can attend to all the little details and make your day perfect in every way.