5 Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Outdoor Wedding 31 Aug 2022, 7:15 pm

Are you thinking about hosting an outdoor wedding? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re planning to book an outdoor venue or utilize an open backyard space, important details you must prioritize are the budget, invitations, rentals, lighting, decor, food, and beverages.

Although there are a lot of logistics to plan for an outdoor wedding, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are five tips to ensure your wedding day is unforgettable.

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Top 25 Unique Wedding Recessional Songs 13 Sep 2017, 8:58 pm

We collected data on all of our previous weddings and came up with a list of popular songs you can use at the conclusion of your ceremony. Take a look at these top 25 recessional favorites! This list steps away from the classic traditional artists like Bach, Handel, & Mendelssohn, and brings a unique approach using modern day music.

In no particular order…

1.) On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons

2.) White Dress – Ben Rector

3.) Good Life – One Republic

4.) Marry You – Bruno Mars

5.) Best Day Of My Life – American Authors

6.) I Do – Colbie Caillat

7.) You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall & Oats

8.) Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley

9.) Young, Dumb, And In Love – Mat Kearney

10.) I’m Into Something Good – The Bird & The Bee

11.) Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

12.) Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder

13.) I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness

14.) Firefly – Jimmy Needham

15.) I Feel Good – James Brown

16.) This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole

17.) Feel Again – One Republic

18.) I’m A Believer – Smashmouth

19.) Finally – Cece Peniston

20.) Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles

21.) Crazy Little Thing Called Love – M. Buble, Queen, or D. Yoakam

22.) Jump Around – House of Pain

23.) No Better Lovers – Josh Krajcik

24.) Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

25.) Happy Together – The Turtles

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You’re looking for a DJ, but what you really need is an M.C. 26 Jul 2017, 7:31 pm

You have researched your entertainment and narrowed it down to 2 or 3 companies. Typically, most are looking for price and someone that can play music, right? Of course! It’s perfectly normal to lead with those intentions when looking for your wedding entertainment. This is probably the first and only time you will have to hire a DJ.

But, there is one other important job your entertainment is responsible for that is usually overlooked. The role of Master of Ceremonies (the M.C.). I hear couples all the time at our consultations say they went to a wedding where the music was great, but the DJs ability to lead as the M.C. were poor and uninteresting. Why? Because they’ve had no formal microphone skills training. To some, this comes naturally, but others need training in public speaking or a microphone skills workshop to master their craft. I personally have over 250 hours of training as an M.C. and over 20 years of experience implementing this skill at weddings.

Wedding Entertainment Director, Peter Merry, a leader in the wedding industry and author of the book “The Best Wedding Reception Ever!” says it perfectly – “As the MC, you are the spokesperson for the bride & groom”. An M.C. represents your intentions, controls the flow, and manages your vision while connecting your guests to the celebration.

So what specifically do they do? Here’s a list of 5 important responsibilities of an M.C.:

~ Keeping your guests informed (announcing where, when, how, and what they can do)

~ Introductions (announcing events like the introductions, toasts, first dance, and cake cutting)

~ Surroundings (letting guests know where things are. Example: the guest book to sign, place cards, buffet, etc.)

~ Personality (An MC brings a style or personality that sets the tone right from the beginning)

~ Hype Man (In some cases a hype man can pump up the crowd during dancing. This would be a second M.C. pairing with a DJ)

How do we ensure you’ll receive a qualified DJ AND M.C.? Contact us to find out!

1-866-DREAM-98 (1-866-373-2698) or fill out an inquiry form on our “Contact Us” page

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Top 25 Unique Wedding Processionals 27 Feb 2017, 6:32 pm

I’m ditching the classics this time to bring you the most unique modern song selections for your wedding processional (as the bride marches down the altar). You’ll notice some original artists as well as some incredible covers that have been made. Enjoy!

(Alphabetically)

• A Thousand Years – Christina Perri or Boyce Avenue or The Piano Guys
• Boom Clap – Lennon & Maisy
• Can’t Help Falling In Love – Ingrid Michaelson or Haley Reinhart
• Chapel of Love – Jess Bauer
• Cinema – Jason Evigan
• Close Your Eyes – Michael Buble
• Grow Old With You – Orto Pilot
• Heaven – Boyce Avenue featuring Megan Nicole
• How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
• I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz or Meghan Tonjes
• I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – Sleeping At Last
• Just The Way You Are – Gavin Mikhail or Boyce Avenue
• Kiss Me – Ed Sheeran
• La Vie En Rose – Daniela Andrade
• Love – Matt White
• Love Someone – Jason Mraz
• Magic – Colbie Caillat
• Make You Feel My Love – Adele or Orto Pilot or James David Carter
• Marry Song – Band of Horses
• Over And Over Again – Nathan Sykes
• Sea Of Love – Cat Power
• Somewhere Only We Know – Lily Allen
• You’re The One That I Want – Angus and Julia Stone
• Young & Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
• Yours – Russell Dickerson

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Angels – The XX
• Book Of Love – Gavin James
• Falling Slowly – The Swell Season
• Marry Me (Acoustic) – Train
• Roses And Violets – Alexander Jean
• Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole
• The Knot – Jill Barber
• The Wedding Song (Acoustic) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• XO – John Mayer

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Where’s The Best Place To Save Money At Your Wedding? By Mike Walter of Elite Entertainment 1 Mar 2016, 3:21 pm

I thought I would pass this excellent article along from one of our most recognized and professional industry leaders. To know more about Mike Walter, check out the links at the bottom of this article. Enjoy!!

Here’s a question I hear often: “Where’s the best place to save money at our wedding?”

You’d think an owner of a DJ company would answer that question with “anywhere but the music/entertainment!” but that’s not how I’m going to answer. My suggestion to anyone planning a party is this: prioritize everything. Then set your budget.

If your flowers are a high priority don’t look for a discount florist. For some couples, the pictures they get from their wedding – the finished product of their wedding album and the enlargements they’ll frame to decorate their home – these are the most important things to them. Other couples might say the flowers, the bouquets that the bride and bridesmaids will carry and the centerpieces at each table are priority number one.  Still, others may place “the food” or “the dancing” or “the video” at the top of their list.The answer to this question is extremely important because it can then tell you where you should be spending the most and not looking for bargains. And while I’d admit that paying more for a service doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the best, it often helps your chances. Since so much of the wedding business is supply and demand, you can often assume that a higher priced vendor is in higher demand and that’s probably because they exceed clients’ expectations so often. So while a higher price isn’t a guarantee of exceptional quality it’s often an indication of one, especially if the service in question has been around for a long time.

Once you’ve made your list you can look at the lower priorities as areas to save money, maybe “do it yourself” (especially if you’ve been inspired by some projects on Pinterest) or even eliminate a service altogether.   So if you put music and dancing down at the bottom of your list, you may be the perfect couple for an “iPod Wedding.” If you put flowers down there, you may look at some of the wholesale options available for ordering arrangements. If video is down on the list, you may not hire a professional at all.  Maybe enlisting a friend who has a decent camera to get some shots is the best way for you to save some money.

Just understand this one thing (not that you need to be told this) weddings are a once in a lifetime thing. So be sure about your priorities before you look for cost-cutting measures. If you’ve put something down at the bottom of the list, ask yourself this: if that element of my wedding went horribly wrong, would it ruin my day?  If the answer to that question is “Yes” then you may need to rethink its position. But if the answer is a solid “No” then you’ve been honest with yourself and you may have found a way to save some money.

Article link:  http://eliteentertainment.com/wheres-the-best-place-to-save-money-at-our-wedding/ 

Website: http://eliteentertainment.com/ 

http://www.djmikewalter.com/ 

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Wedding Toasts – When Should We Do Them? 5 May 2015, 3:24 pm

When is the appropriate time to do the formal toasts?

I have seen a trend lately where toasts are given in the middle of the meal service. While it seems like a time saver, it comes with a few issues. Unlike a restaurant where you can toast at the table and never really disturb the other patrons around you, a wedding is setup completely different. I suggest having the toasts just before the meal service or directly after.

Here is why:

1.) ATTENTION: When someone gives a speech, the floor is theirs out of respect. They should be given undivided attention from all over the room with little or no activity going on around them. This ensures they will be heard and seen. They research, write, and rehearse their speech and giving them 100% attention will make the moment more memorable for all.

2.) INTERRUPTIONS: During dinner service, there are staff members pouring drinks, moving around plates, and walking around which can draw attention away from the person giving a toast. Also, if the staff is active at this time, it can also interrupt the moments the photographer (line-of-site) & videographers (picking up sound) are trying to capture.

3.) COLD FOOD: When food is served, people should eat. What happens when a person begins a toast? Most people stop eating out of respect and embarrassment (of being the only one eating). I’ve seen hundreds of dollars worth of Filet Mignon go cold for this reason. However, I think it’s totally acceptable if you want the toasts before dinner while a preset salad is already down on the table. 

4.) FLOW: Having the toasts before dinner or after dinner can help with the flow a little easier. Interruptions during meal service can affect the chef’s timing, the itinerary schedule, and vendor preparations for the second half of the reception. 

5.) VENDOR BREAKS: Dinner can sometimes be the only time vendors can take a break and have their meal service, especially photographers & videographers (who have been with the bride & groom all day). With toasts during the meal, most likely vendors will not be able to take time away to eat or take a quick break as they will have to capture moments throughout the meal service.

6.) NERVOUS TOASTERS: If you have issues with people having stage fright, have the toast before the meal (so they don’t lose their meal afterward). It allows them an earlier opportunity to get through it quickly so they can relax through dinner. If they are still nervous and you want the toasts at the end of dinner, pairing up the toasters together can sometimes soften the spotlight on the individual. 

7.) KEEP THEM TOGETHER: If you’re planning on having many of your toasts split up throughout the meal, remember that people will be interrupted many times as well. Also, spacing out the toasts means possibly re-pouring more champagne and you could run the risk of running out.  The wedding planner and DJ will also have to keep pulling people back to their tables between each toast. During meal service, people tend to use the restrooms, visit the bar, have a smoke outside, and visit other tables. Keeping your toasts back to back will keep peoples attention and keep them in their seat for the duration of the toasts.

HELPFUL TIP: If you have more than 4 to 5 people giving a toast, consider doing some of them at the rehearsal dinner to save time at the reception. At the wedding, try to give the spotlight more to the parents and wedding party and maybe move miscellaneous guests toasts to the rehearsal. Example: At the wedding – best man, maid /matron of honor, fathers. At the rehearsal – close friends, co-workers, schoolmates, etc..

I hope these tips are helpful and if you have any questions, please call or email Jake Ritchie directly! 

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Wedding Floor Plans – Celebrate seamlessly! 29 Nov 2014, 3:26 pm

A wedding reception is NOT just a food function. If that were the case, it would be set up like a restaurant with private booths and separate dining rooms. The reason for the openness of the floor plan is to offer inclusiveness to all guests. The entertainment is not always a background role, but a focal point to bring the family together so as to celebrate as one.

Remember that the entertainment not only plays music but will act as your Master of Ceremonies. This means they do not just utilize their set up space, but they also use the dance floor/pathway as their stage for making announcements and creating a flow. Here are some tips!

1.) SPACE REQUIREMENTS – This is a very important detail that is overlooked and quite often misunderstood. Today’s DJs & bands are very diverse and each one entertains uniquely. Equipment is also a huge factor and no two companies have the same setups. Sound systems, lighting trusses, stages, and overall booth designs are night and day from one another. Ask your entertainment how much space they will need and have them coordinate this with the venue or wedding planner before you complete your timeline.

2.) PLACEMENT – Keep the entertainment’s setup as close to the dance floor as possible. Not only will this be easier for the DJ to make announcements, but the volume will be significantly lower as they won’t have to project sound further away to reach the dance floor. Keep them centralized in the room with no tables in the real estate between their setup area and the dance floor. Putting them in the corner, blocked from the dance floor, or even in another room can limit their ability to perform efficiently and effectively.

2.) FLOW – From the MC’s welcoming announcement to the evening’s finale, the flow is extremely important. Try keeping each event at the wedding carefully coordinated so people aren’t moving around so much. For example: If you are having guests eat dinner in one room and dance in another, it might be a good idea to couple some of the formalities for a smooth transition. Have your grand entrance, welcome remarks, blessing, toasts, and cake cutting in the room where the dinner will be, then move people into the dancing area for your first dance, parents dances, games, and formal dancing. Limit moving people from room to room so many times for the formalities.

3.) GUESTS TABLE PLACEMENT – It is inevitable that the entertainment is going to have a couple of guests tables that are close to them and their sound system. Avoid putting grandparents or older folks at those tables as they may complain about the volume. Put younger guests or children at these tables and the family and grandparents further away.

If you would like a visual chart showing 4 different types of room setups, please email me a request at jakeritchie@dreamdaydjs.com.

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Having A Wedding Sparkler Send-Off? Read This First! 11 Aug 2014, 3:32 pm

Are you having a sparkler exit at your wedding? Thinking of buying those sparklers you see at the 4th of July stands on the side of the road? WELL…STOP & READ THIS FIRST.

A few years ago I was the DJ at an extravagant wedding and the couple elected to have sparklers conclude their night.. The vision was simple. Hold hands and slowly make your way through the tunnel of lit up love. Photos are going off like it’s the paparazzi and people are giving you both their farewell shout outs. Well, it didn’t happen that way at this particular wedding. Everyone was handed a short grey stick to hold in their hand. As people started lighting them they burst into colors and smoked up the entire area where everyone was standing. Before all of them were fully lit, most of the first ones had burnt out. The smoke was so intense, I distinctly remember one of the grandmothers laying on her back on the ground coughing from the thick grey smoke. Photographers could only watch the chaos as they weren’t able to close the night with amazing exit photos.

So how do you avoid this from happening? What can you buy instead? Professional wedding sparklers! Yes, they do make these and they are specifically designed for celebrations. They are much longer in size so they last longer and won’t burn out, plus they are virtually smoke free. This allows a smokeless, photogenic opportunity for an incredible send-off. If you buy the “4th of July” type sparklers, you can get all kinds of disasters. Unwanted colors bursting out as they light up, crackling ones, and even ones that whistle really loud. Can you imagine your entire guest list with one of these?

Specialty wedding sparklers come in sizes of 10”, 20”, and 36”. According to I Love Sparklers (www.sparklersrus.com), 10” sparklers will work for a max of 150 guests, 20” sparklers for max 250 guests, and 400 max guests for the 36” sparklers. The 20” sparklers have been the most popular at weddings I have been to. This all has to do with burn time while getting everyone lit. You can find many vendors online that carry wedding sparklers as well as your local party supply stores. Here are some additional tips:

1.) Use a strong flame to light the first few sparklers. Those handy long Bic lighters work great and over-sized matches are good too. After the first few are lit, it’s faster to light sparkler to sparkler. Usually the venue staff can help with this step. 1 person at the front, 1 at the end of the tunnel, and 2 people in the middle on each side.

2.) Have someone call the limousine 15 minutes before departure time to make sure they will be in position at the conclusion of your sparkler tunnel. Assign the best man or wedding coordinator to make sure this is done.

3.) If you don’t want to be on the venues bad side, have buckets of sand or water available for the burnt out sparklers. Littering the property with burnt out sparklers could mean an additional clean up fee and/or a fire hazard.

4.) Be sure to add in the invitation that you will be having a sparkler exit. This gives extra incentive for people to stay and send you off in style at the end of the night. If you don’t want to do it that way, put a chalk board, easel, or other type of signage in a traffic area of the reception for people to see.

5.) Finally, take it slow! Don’t run and rush through the tunnel of sparklers. Walk slow, stop and take a kiss, bow the bride, and relish the moment. You also give your photographers more opportunity to snap away and capture the best images. Wanna redo? Walk back through and do it again! Some of your sparklers will burn long enough if you want to run through a second time.

Jake Ritchie, owner & operator of Dream Day Djs

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