Archive for December, 2009

New Movie: Leap Year

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

leap_year_2If you read yesterday’s blog, you know that this is the time of year when Detroit Area girlfriends are turning into Detroit Area fiancés. But what if he is only getting down on one knee to tie his shoe or is only asking your father for permission to borrow some tools?  Would you take action instead?

In the new movie from Universal Pictures, Leap Year (opening January 8, 2010), Anna (Amy Adams) thinks that the little box her boyfriend (Adam Scott) of four years was seen buying is something for her left hand. When it turns out to be earrings, Anna takes charge and hatches a plan to use the Irish tradition of women proposing to men on Leap Day.

How do you ladies feel about proposing?

If that engagement ring is already on your finger, it is time to start planning.

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Auspicious Wedding Dates for 2010

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

The winter holiday season is the most common time of the year for Metro Detroit Brides to get engaged. Maybe it’s the snow or maybe it’s the excited of new beginnings at New Year. Either way, you girls are having the question popped. winter-proposal

Now onto the wedding planning: when will your wedding be? You have probably heard of Chinese people choosing auspicious dates for their weddings. In Chinese tradition choosing a good date for marriage will bring fortune and luck to both the couples and the two families involved (like we all couldn’t use a little more fortune and luck in our lives). As a result, choosing the date becomes a very important issue.

2010 is the Year of Tiger in the Chinese calendar. Here is a list of 2010’s auspicious wedding dates. You can also use it as a reference when you are thinking about your big day. Since it is based on the Chinese calendar(they have a different New Year), the list is from February 2010 to January 2011.

2010
February
10     Wednesday

11     Thursdaychinese-new-year-754982

25     Thursday

March
3     Wednesday

16     Tuesday

28     Sunday

April
3     Saturday

17     Saturday

22     Thursday

May chinese-year-of-the-tiger
2     Sunday

15     Saturday

31     Monday

June
4     Friday

9     Wednesday

26     Saturday

July
5     Monday

16     Friday

28     Wednesday

August
16     Monday

21     Saturday

30     Monday2010gd-day

September
5     Sunday

16     Thursday

27     Monday

October
6     Wednesday

10     Sunday

20     Wednesday

November chinese-wedding-cake
4     Thursday

13     Saturday

26     Friday

December
1     Wednesday

18     Saturday

29     Wednesday
2011
January
1     Saturday

15     Saturday

30     Sunday

Already have your wedding date set?

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A Rockette’s Christmas proposal

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Everyone loves a romantic proposal, but this seems extra festive.  Check it out:


Want to capture your proposal on camera?

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Surprise Wedding Reception

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Many couples opt out of having a traditional wedding celebration by doing  a civil ceremony at the court house, but does that mean that they have to skip the fun of a wedding reception? No way!!

Check out one couple’s surprise wedding reception from a group of strangers on the street as they leave the city clerk’s office:

Want all your reception surprises captured on video?

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Theme Your Winter Wedding

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Winter is definitely here, and in full force. It’s time to dig out your winter jackets and get to shoveling the driveway.  Whether you are finishing some last minute shopping, decorating your tree or eating Santa’s cookies, you just can’t help but notice the beautiful colors around us … whites, greens, reds, and the sparkle of lights.

wintersnow-hearts

With all the beauty that nature surrounds us with, why not have this season be the inspiration for your wedding? To get that perfect Winter Wonderland feel at your wedding, use warm white and cream tones mixed with traditional reds, greens, golds, and silvers. winterwedding-blue

If you are looking for an updated twist on winter weddings, add popping colors like magentas, rich blues, even black. A winter wedding is very classy and romantic.  Tie that idea into your theme.

You can bring nature into your decorations by using twigs and branches for centerpieces. Add in some holly leaves, tea candles, and pearl bead strands for a romantic emphasis.
winterweddingcandy
Self-serve, old fashion candy store displays are still a popular trend at receptions this season.  Cater this idea to your winter wedding by mixing and matching old jars and vases filled with candy matching your color pallet red and green M&M’s, candy canes, and white mints.

Want to start planning your winter wedding for next year?
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Groomsmen Gone Wild, too!

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Two weeks ago I posted a blog about Bridesmaids Gone Wild. We know you love your friends, that is why you’ve chosen them for your bridal party, but how far is too far at your wedding?

Not to leave anyone out, we had to spotlight the groomsmen.

This past weekend, we witnessed our own version of “Groomsmen Gone Wild.”  Shortly after the bridal dances finished, one of our DJs took a request for Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back”  from the groomsmen.  Little did he know what was coming.

It is important to note that the bride and groom approved. So did their Grandma apparently. :)

Check it out for yourself:

As the song ended, the groomsmen exited the dance floor and returned to their proper dress. The party had officially started and the guests danced the rest of the night.

Once again, it’s important to note that the bride and groom approved of their groomsmens’ performance.

american-flag-panties-thumb3643654

I guess I will end this blog the same as I did with Bridesmaids Gone Wild:

What are friends for?

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Top 11 Love Songs of 2009

Friday, December 18th, 2009

As we near the end of 2009, we start to reflect– but before we get too deep, let’s start with the music.

Here are the Top 11 Love Songs of 2009. No matter if you are a fan of Hip-hop, Country, Singer-Songwriter, Techno,  The King of Pop, or the Kings of Leon, we guarantee you will get that lovin’ feeling from one of these hits.

Take a listen…


Here are the love songs in no particular order:

  • “Love Don’t Let Me Go” by David Guetta Vs The Eggkings-of-leon
  • “Knock You Down” by Keri Hilson, Kanye West, and Ne-Yo
  • “Little Bit” by Lykke Li
  • “Have Love, Will Travel” by The Black Keys
  • “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon
  • “Sweet Dreams” by Beyonce
  • “Meet Me Halfway” by Black Eyed Peas
  • “This Is It” by Michael Jacksonlykkeli
  • “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait
  • “Us” by Regina Spektor
  • “Love Story” by Taylor Swift

Want a DJ that really knows his music?

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Breakfast with Santa

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

It is that time of year when everything is cheery, and everyone is minding their P’s and Q’s because they know Santa Claus is watching. Well, don’t wait until Christmas Eve to get a glimpse of him coming down the chimney.  The Detroit Zoo is hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa. Breakfast with Santa includes a yummy buffet style, waffle breakfast with costumed character guests, arts and crafts, and holiday movies in the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery Theater.  Plus, every good girl and boy will receive a holiday gift.  You can even get a souvenir photo with Santa!breakfastwithsanta

We have teamed up with the Detroit Zoo once again to make their promotional video for this special event and others like: Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and The Zoo Boo.  It is a great way to be involved with our community.

Our Director of Video Operations, Jason Chevatewa, who heads up this initiative says, “It’s fun watching the kids and seeing their happy faces light up when Santa comes.  It really is fun for the whole family.  Plus, you get a great breakfast!”

Check out the Breakfast with Santa promotional video.

Breakfast With Santa At The Detroit Zoo from Mike Staff Productions, Inc. on Vimeo.

If you want to hang out with Santa, his trusty reindeer, and a North Pole penguin your last chance is December 19th at 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Seating is limited and advance reservations are necessary by calling (248) 541-5717, ext. 3750. The cost, which includes Zoo admission and parking, is $30 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under for non-members.

Want your own promotional video?

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Why I love to be a DJ

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

I got an awesome email this morning from Kurt Colone, one of the top DJs at MSP, and I thought I would share it with you…

Hey Mike,

I just wanted to tell you how great of a weekend I had DJing. It really was the best wedding of the year!!  dancedance1The family, young and old, started dancing to the after dinner music!!! I’ve never had that happen before. I had to ask them to take a break so we could do the bridal dances. The bride and groom just loved their guests’ enthusiasm.

Speaking of the bride and groom, Heather and Tim had an awesome wedding theme: vintage style mixed with old Detroit.  Heather wore a throw back, sleek dress and looked straight out of the 40s.  Very cool!
dancedance2
I had vendors and guests coming up saying it was one of the best parties ever!  I have to agree.  Truly it was frigging sweet! It feels great when the bride, groom and their parents are the first people at the DJ table after the party to hug you and give you awesome feedback.

Parties - like this past weekend - make me remember why I love to be a DJ!

Talk to you soon Mike,

-Kurt

Want to really party at your wedding reception?
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8 Reasons To Hire A Professional Videographer

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

I often wonder how much thought goes into the budgeting of a wedding.  I see weddings where thousands of dollars go into the flowers, decorations, food, and the wedding dress. This is all great, but none of these will be used again after the big day.

These same weddings that had budgets in the tens of thousands of dollars put the Video at the end, cutting it if necessary.  At your wedding you are creating memories that will be cherished forever.  What if you want to look back at that day ten, twenty, even fifty years later?  Your memories deserve better. That is why I compiled  “8 Reasons To Hire A Professional Videographer.” Keep reading…

  1. Re-live it. Your day flies by. Even the events that you are fully present for will be a blur after your wedding day is over. Will you remember the look on your fiance’s face when he first saw you at the end of the aisle? Will you recall how his voice cracked with emotion as he said his vows? Can you possibly remember every word of your maid of honor and best man’s toasts? Videography is a living memory of your wedding day. bride103
  2. You will miss a lot. You can’t be everywhere, yet you don’t want to miss a thing on your wedding day. What will your fiancé be doing, thinking & feeling just before you walk down the aisle? What expression did your parents have on their face when they were seated in the church? You’ll probably miss your cocktail hour, what was it like? You spent thousands of dollars decorating your reception room, what did it look like before it opened for guests? What were your friends doing on the dance floor when you were saying goodbye to your guests? The list goes on and on…
  3. People don’t live forever. You are creating a living family record. In future years, you will be able to look back at those no longer with you, sharing the memories with your children and grandchildren. Hear their voices, see them laugh, watch them alive and happy. This is truly priceless.
  4. It makes spending all the other money worth it. A well filmed and edited professional wedding video will be a tangible piece of memorabilia that will help you enjoy all of the details of your wedding day over and over again.
  5. It’s a moving picture with sound. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then video is an encyclopedia! cloudy103Professional photographs of your wedding day are important and should be included in your budget. However, don’t forget the advantages that video has over a one-dimensional photograph. Even the very best photographer can’t capture the sound of your laugh or your wedding vows. A picture of your best man holding a champagne glass pales in comparison to hearing his toast, don’t you think?
  6. Quality. Quality. Quality. A professional videographer can provide you with breathtaking, vivid images you can’t reproduce with consumer grade cameras and a willing friend or family member. You have planned for a beautiful day and it should be captured with the same attention to detail. Multiple cameras, operated by experienced professionals, will allow you multiple perspectives of your wedding. You will receive a video that has been professionally edited using your preferences to receive an individualized video that truly reflects you. Your wedding video will be full of stirring, emotional sounds and images of your special day. drive_in
  7. Your kids and Grand-kids will want to watch it and will love it. Suppose you could choose between professional photos of the day your grandparents were married, or a professionally produced video of that same day, in full color, with stereo sound. Which would you choose to view and keep as a family heirloom? Would you rather simply look at pictures or see AND hear your grandparent’s voices and laughter?
  8. You won’t forgive yourself. Learn from other’s experience. In a recent survey, 98% of newlyweds who did NOT hire a videographer urge brides-to-be to include wedding videography in their wedding plans. Additionally, newlyweds that used both a photographer AND videographer agreed that video does a much better job of…dsc_0886
  • Capturing the emotions of the day
  • Recording the history of the day
  • Creating a visual memory that future generations will enjoy more.

Only a professional videographer can capture the living memories of what you did, what you said and how you felt on your special day. To be confident you have a high-quality record of this once in a lifetime event, you should take great care in selecting your videographer.

Need a professional videographer to capture your wedding memories?

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