“It’s not what you believe that counts; it’s what you believe enough TO DO.”  – Gary Gulbranson 

My world has been forever ROCKED, since traveling to Haiti last year.

I’ll never forget the conversation told through our Haitian interpreter.  8 year old Angeline was almost emotionless as she described how her entire family died in an instant, during the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010.  She was outside playing when the quake struck, easily collapsing her home.  Her mother, father, grandmother and dog died instantly.  Her 12 year old brother wasn’t so lucky.

With Port-Au-Prince, the capital city of the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, in complete chaos, help was hard to find for Angeline.  She didn’t know what else to do but sit on the rubble of her home as she listened to her brother’s pleas for help for two straight days.  Then those moans went silent.  Her brother would join the 220,000 other Haitians who died during the quake.  Angeline was now, literally, alone.

About a week later, the Red Cross finally erected what quickly became known as “tent city”.  This is where Angelina said the real nightmare began.  She was beaten & raped by other Haitians. What little she was given to eat by the Red Cross was often stolen.  I think about my own daughters, ages 7 & 11, and weep when imagining this kind of horror cast upon them.

Thankfully, a pastor in Pignon (about 80 miles north of Port-Au-Prince), Jepthe Lucien (my hero) was able to give 40 girls orphaned by the earthquake a home.   It’s not much by American standards, but it’s safe and these girls are very, very thankful for it.  However, their needs are still great.

This Thursday I’ll be going back to Haiti (with a team from my church) to help serve children who have been forgotten by much of the world.  It’s been two years since the devastating earthquake that all but wiped out this impoverished island, and there has been very little noticeable recovery.   Tent City is still home to tens of thousands of Haitian families whose small & primitive houses were demolished.  Electricity is scarce.  There is still concrete & rubble in the roads.  It’s hard to believe this nation sits so close to the wealth and luxury of the U.S.

I realize that there are major needs in our own backyard.  Unemployment is high in the Detroit area and families are struggling to survive.  We have a responsibility to help our local neighbors.  But, I also feel a responsibility to our Haitian brothers & sisters whose suffering is real.  Plus, I’ve seen how we can make a lasting difference in their lives.  We simply have no frame of reference for the kind of poverty that exists there.  Since traveling to Haiti for the first time last year, I’m still blown away every time I walk into a grocery store and see aisles and aisles of food & supplies that I used to take for granted.  Haitians have NEVER seen these kinds of blessings.

I know that my heart will be broken over and over during my visit.   I also know that I’ll be greeted with enthusiasm and appreciation and excitement from the children.  We’re going to build a playground.  We’re going to put the finishing touches on a well that we recently drilled.  We’re going to paint the new “kitchen” that we constructed last November.  We’re going to serve food to the children in the school we support.  We’re going to play games and laugh with the children and hopefully bring some joy to their lives.

If you would like to follow the adventures of my trip, please “friend me” on Facebook (Mike Staff).  I’ll be posting regular updates on my personal page, as well as daily updates on the Mike Staff Productions Fan Page.

Please pray for our safe travels.  God Bless.

Mike

“To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice.” – Confucius

To learn more about our Heart to Serve, click here.

A couple can decide what level of formality and tradition they would like to incorporate in their wedding.  The couple can choose a civil service or a military chapel. They may choose to wear dress uniforms, or simply add elements of a military wedding.

Military Dress

Dress military uniforms are often the most visible sign of a military wedding. Most service women opt for a more traditional white dress, while military men might may wear their uniform for the day or choose to wear it during the wedding ceremony, changing to a traditional tuxedo for the reception.  If he chooses to wear the uniform, he will usually drink moderately, doing nothing to dishonor the uniform he wears.  It is important to know that nothing may be added to a uniform – that includes a  boutonniere.

The couple can choose to wear “Mess” or Class A uniforms.  The “Mess” uniform would be appropriate for a formal or black-tie wedding .  The Class A uniform is well suited for semi-formal events.

Details

A nice way to pay homage to military branches is to incorporate the branches colors into your wedding color theme.  This can be done through bridesmaids dresses, bouquets, and table linens.  Many couples choose to make a donation to military charities in lieu of guest favors, simply announcing the donation on place cards.

Saber Arch

Military weddings often include a saber arch for the couple to walk beneath.  Each branch of the military has protocols that must be honored for the timing and location of a saber arch.

Seating Considerations

Special consideration is given to the seating arrangements of high-ranking military officers.  All military guests may be seated at one table or the may sit among civilian guests.  If they are seated among guests, they should be seated very near the head table as a sign of respect.

Additional Information

A military wedding is rich in tradition and history, and few compare to their beauty.  If you are considering a military wedding, the local base protocol officer or chaplain can provide additional information to ensure your choices are in compliance with current military requirements.

Mike Staff Productions proudly supports our military and is ready to help with your wedding day.  Click here to learn more.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777.

Plan together.  The most important thing about the engagement period for a couple, is that this is the time when you’re blending two lives.  Make this a learning experience and understand that part of a successful wedding, and a successful marriage, is about compromise.

Start with referrals. Ask family and friends for recommendations for the services and products you want for your wedding day.  If you will be the guest at a wedding yourself, pay attention to details or vendors and ask for business cards of those doing a particularly good job.

Purchase in person when possible.  Ask to see the products or pictures of items if possible.  You will be investing a lot in your wedding day.  Be sure things are accurately represented.  When considering wedding services, such as DJ, Photography or Videography, ask to see past performance videos and client feedback.

Research vendors.  There are numerous websites devoted to reviewing wedding vendors, many be real brides.  Check out a businesses online profile at sites such as  weddingwire.com and theknot.com.

Balance frugality with service. There is an old adage “that you get what you pay for”.  This is true with wedding services as well.  Set a wedding budget based upon your priorities.  This makes it easier to stick to a budget when you are forced to make choices.

Get it in writing. Get a detailed written contract for everything.  Contracts should include colors, product descriptions, prices and delivery dates. Cancellation policies should also be included.

We’re ready to help with your wedding plans.  Click here to get started.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777

Congratulations Colleen and Rick!

Interested in wedding videography?  Click here to learn more.

Email us or call 248-689-0777

1. How can I view your portfolio?  (Online galleries are a convenient option, but don’t always tell the whole story.  If you are considering an album purchase, it is best to view in person so you can inspect the materials and designs.)
2. What is your style?  What does that mean?  (There are several photography styles; traditional, photojournalistic, stylized, candid.  Look for a photographer that offers a blend of these styles to meet your needs.  Ask them to define the term to be sure it meets your definition.  They should have sample images to support their styles.)
3. Will I receive my high resolution images on DVD?  Do I own the rights?  (Make sure that the DVD includes high resolution images and a personal copyright release.  Without one, you can not print your own images!)
4. How many photographers work with you? (Make sure there is enough to guarantee a photographer is “on-call”.)
5. Does the photographer work with the DJs, videographers and hall managers? (Yes.)
6. Are we allowed to submit our own shot list? Can you help me develop one?  (Yes.  Yes.  Beware of photographers that do not ask for your input.)
7. What attire will you wear to the wedding? (A photographer should be dressed in professional business attire.)
8. Do you participate in online wedding communities?  (A reputable photographer will have an online profile with highly regarded online resources such as theknot.com and weddingwire.com.  This is a great place to read reviews from real brides.)
9. Is there someone to replace the photographer in case of emergency? (Yes. A photographer will be prepared and standing by.)
10. Will you bring back-up cameras and lenses to the wedding? (Absolutely.)
11. Are you insured? (Do not hire a company that doesn’t have at least $1,000,000 of coverage.)
12. Will we receive a personal consultation with our photographer prior to the wedding date ? (Yes.)
13. Can I have the number for previous clients? I’d like to call them for a reference. (No problem.)
14. Do you accept major credit cards? (Yes. This signals a professional & reputable company.)
15. How much do you cost? (Stay away from “bargain” photographers!)
16. How many hours does that include? (Should offer packages that vary to meet your needs.)
17. How much for each additional hour? (Rate should be stated on paperwork in advance.)
18. Will the photographer require a meal? (It is standard to feed the photographer, DJ and videographer.)
19. How long will it take to receive my proofs?  Is another meeting necessary?  (Online image proofs and album designs make it convenient for you to view your wedding day images without another time consuming meeting.  Proofs should be available in a short turn around time – such as one month from your wedding date.)
20. May I review your contract?  (Never do business with any wedding professionals that do not clearly spell out what you should expect!)

Ready to learn more about photography services?  Click here.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777

Cocktail hour.  The cocktail hour is a great time to play some of your favorite songs.  While it may be “normal” to play light jazz or standards, there is no rule that you must follow.  If you love acoustic artists, they make a great soundtrack to the mingling of your guests.  If you’re hoping to have a fun wedding reception, you can start the evening off with favorites from the 80s.  Anything goes for your cocktail hour.

Dinner Service.  During dinner service, many couples opt for jazz without vocals so that guests can converse without distraction.  As dinner service begins to wind down, consider adding some of your favorites.  You can add electronic, oldies & motown, alternative ballads or whatever you like.  It gets your guests ready to dance leading up to the party.

Dancing.  Most receptions will open with traditional wedding dances for the couple, family and bridal party.  (For more on these, click here.)  At the completion of these dances, your guests will be invited to join you on the dance floor.  Consult with your DJ to develop a list of must play, try to play and do not play songs.  While it may be tempting to try to plan out every song for the night, it is highly advised to resist that temptation.  A professional DJ is skilled at reading the crowd, selecting the best song to play next and keeping your party going.  An experienced wedding DJ will understand that everyone is passionate about ‘”their style” of music and know how to tap into that passion and present it in a manner that everyone on the dance floor can get excited about together. They will know how to correctly weave in and out of many different styles of music and, ultimately, keep the party going all night long.

We’re ready to see you on the dance floor.  Click here.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777

Valentine’s day is a beautiful day to celebrate love.  But don’t save it all for one day, here’s 15 ways to keep that lovin’ feeling all year long!

1. Love each other. Treat one another with respect, honor, and displays of affection.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence.
3. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest each other.
4. Save the day. Throughout your lives you’ll have chances to be each other’s hero. – in big and small ways. Fill the low fuel tank, drop off the forgotten work project and smile through boring business dinners. Practice on the small things so the big ones don’t seem so tough.
5. Savor every moment you have together. Today you’re planning a wedding, tomorrow you’re pushing strollers and before you know it, you’re ready to retire. Life happens pretty fast; cherish every moment.
6. Learn each other’s passions. It’s okay if you aren’t good at baseball or dancing; it’s the time together that matters.
7. Choose sides wisely. It is inevitable that families will argue. Remember that you two are also a family.
8. Plan a family budget. Together. It’s important that the spender and the saver are on the same page. Remember, to budget for fun too.  Budgets aren’t romantic, but they do stop arguments.
9. Do the unexpected. Make pancakes for breakfast. Eat ice cream for dinner. Meet for a midday picnic. It’s important to mix things up every so often.
10. Dance. Don’t stop dancing after your wedding day.
11. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Some days she won’t feel pretty and she’ll need to hear it.
12. Let him open the door for you. And make a big deal of it. Guys like to be appreciated.
13. Unplug.  From the iPod, the computer, Facebook and whatever other distractions you have at least once a day.  If only for 15 minutes – dedicate time to each other.
14. Keep dating.  That’s how you fell in love in the first place.
15. Remember “Hallmark” holidays. It’s not about the flowers and candy. It’s about being appreciated. And she wants to brag about how sweet you are.

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• Using her right hand, the bride will usually hold the handle of the knife and the groom will put his hand over hers. Begin cutting the bottom tier of the cake using the pointed part of the knife and make two cuts. Making a vertical slice at the junction of those points will allow you to cleanly remove the small slice and place on a plate. From there, the bride and groom will then feed each other as a sweet start to their new life.
• If you will be serving the cake as dessert, cake cutting is usually performed after the grand entrance, before toasts begin. This will allow your serving staff to clear and cut the cake during dinner service. If you will give the cake to guests as they leave, cake can be cut at any time of the evening. You will likely need to order cake boxes if this is your plan. (For more on reception timelines, click here.)
• Discuss in advance if you will feed the cake to each other at the same time or alternate.  It is your choice to use fingers or forks!
• Let your serving staff know if you plan on keeping or giving away any tier of the cake, otherwise, they may serve it to your guests. Don’t assume everyone knows.
• Many couples have the serving set engraved with their names. They can be used later for birthdays, anniversaries or your children’s weddings. Your serving set can become a family heirloom passed down to every generation.
• Share your plans for cake cutting with your photographer and videographer so they can decide on the best camera angles for this special moment.
• Your DJ can suggest the perfect song to accompany your cake cutting.

Traditionally, most couples keep one cake to celebrate their first anniversary and this means storing it in the freezer for one whole year. More recently, bakeries have begun to offer a replica cake tier on your one year anniversary. If you will be storing the top tier, the following can help to preserve the flavor.

• Remove the decorations such as flowers and toppers from the cake and make sure the cake board is wrapped with a foil paper.
• Place the cake in the freezer for about 20 minutes so as to make the icing hard. Once hardened, wrap the cake with an airtight plastic wrap. Wrap it with two or more layers of foil to prevent the frozen taste and store in a freezer storage container.

We’re ready to discuss your wedding plans.  Click here to get started.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777

Be present.  Your guests have gathered to celebrate your wedding day with you.  Visit with your guests before dancing begins so they aren’t waiting for a moment to share their well wishes.  When you are ready to party, so are they.

Make the reception room the place to be.  If you are having a dessert bars, photo booth, slideshow or other entertainment, have it placed in the reception room.  Anything that pulls their attention from the party room will be a party distraction rather than a party enhancement.

Dance, dance, dance.  Your guests take their cue from you.  If you want your guests to have a great time dancing, be sure that you do too!  For more tips on packing your dance floor, click here.

Mind the volume.  Hire a great wedding DJ who is experienced and focused on creating a great party atmosphere – not blasting your guests eardrums.  It’s a good idea to move tables and chairs away from speakers and seat older guests further from the sound equipment.

Seating arrangements.  Take time to carefully plan your seatinf arrangement, placing guests at tables with others they know.  They don’t have to be fast friends, just acquaintances or people with some connection.  Seat out of town guests with people that have similar interests.  You can turn place cards into conversation starters by having them match another guests or even have trivia questions about the bride and groom printed on the cards.

Respect Their Time.  While everyone loves to see the bride and groom share a special dance, your guests are also looking forward to dancing themselves.  Start the dancing at your wedding reception with the traditional dances and then ask your guests to join you.  If they spend too much time waiting for their turn to dance, guests become frustrated.

Play Favorite Reception Songs.  Playing a group favorite that’s easy to sing along and dance to can be a fun way of involving guests.   Some suggested songs are “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond,  “Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks “My Girl” by The Temptations and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin.

Allow Group Dances.  Group dances allow shy guests to hide among the crowd and can instantly pack your dance floor.  You may not personally be a big fan of “The Hustle”, but it’s likely that many of your guests are.

Want an award winning DJ for your wedding reception?  Click here.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777.

Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life and you should enjoy it.  Often brides get stressed or overwhelmed – one of the biggest mistakes a bride can make.  (Want to know the others?  Click here)

Here are some things you can do to keep stress at bay.

Eat something

It is a busy day, but it’s important to remember to eat.  If you are too nervous to eat a full meal, make sure you eat some quality snacks.  Not eating can lead to jitters as your blood sugar level fluctuates.

Stay hydrated

A hydrated bride is a happy bride.  Drink plenty of water on your wedding day – especially if you are getting married in the summer months.  Many ceremony sites are not air conditioned and your dress is likely to have several layers of fabric – trapping the heat in.  Add to that the fact that when you are excited or nervous your heart rate increases so you lose even more fluid.  It’s best to leave alcohol consumption to party hours too!

Dance

Dancing is a proven stress reliever as it releases the feel good chemical endorphins, so if functions as a mood enhancer.  Instead of worrying about every last detail of the wedding reception, enjoy it.  Share a dance with your guests and you’ll have a happier time.

Visit

Your closest family and friends have traveled to share your wedding day with you.  Enjoy visiting with them to thank them for their participation.  Listening to how much they love you, and how great you look, is sure to fill your heart with joy!

Look at your partner.

In the end the most important thing to remember is this is the day you will marry your best friend, the love of your life.  Everything else is just details.

We specialize in happy brides.  Email or call 248-689-0777.

www.mikestaff.com