Posts Tagged ‘wedding reception’

Unique First Dance Song: Clocks

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Yesterday, I gave you Detroit Area brides 7 Ways to have a Perfect First Dance, but many of you brides wanted more. In all my years as a wedding DJ I found that one of the coolest things a couple can do to make their First Dance memorable for everyone is: the element of surprise.  For example, choose a song everyone knows, but add a twist to it.

Try Buena Vista Social Club’s collaboration with Coldplay:

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Ladies and Gentlemen please direct your attention to the dance floor…

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

So, you’ve seen the YouTube videos and you saw it at your friends’ reception, but can you pull it off: The Choreographed First Dance? dun, dun, dun..

You don’t have to be on “ABDC” or “Dancing with the Stars” to enjoy your first dance together as husband and wife.  Use these tips…

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1.  Choose a meaningful song. Select a song you both love and one that keeps an easy beat, especially if you’re beginning dancers.  When your song lasts longer than the usual three minutes, ask your DJ to fade the ending.  Remember: frazzled dancers don’t dazzle.
2.  Take a couple of dance lessons. Group lessons can be intimidating, but private lessons remove the pressure of dancing for an audience.  Your instructor will teach you according to your ability level.  With private instruction, beginners can quickly master the basics with confidence.  Dancing, like music, lifts the spirit and is so much more enjoyable when shared with your significant other.
3.  Decide who leads and who follows. Gender no longer has anything to do with your decision.  Choose the pattern that makes you comfortable.  There’s nothing wrong with following a simple lead.  The object of dancing is to enjoy the dance!  Being able to follow the leader creates confidence in the follower and makes a more pleasurable dance for the leader, too.  If you’re feeling brave and brassy, create a dance that switches leads once or twice during the routine.
4.  Learn a couple of exciting steps. A pre-planned (choreographed) dip or a twirl makes a splashy statement without the tricky toe work of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.  These moves are not only easy, but they offer impressive photo opportunities for still shots and videographers.  When you look at them in the future, your photos will take you back to these moments with pride and a satisfied chuckle.
5.  Plan your entrance and your exit. Will you clasp hands and kiss before you begin your dance?  Will you sashay in from the left and leave to the right?  Whatever you decide, be sure to tell your camera operators where and in what direction you will start and finish your dance, as well as any choreographed moves you plan to make.  That way, they can prepare to capture the moment in its best light and with the correct angle.
6.  Familiarize yourselves with the dance floor. Check out the floor you will dance on. Make sure you know its dimensions. Some styles of dancing (like Foxtrot) require a bigger space. Other styles like nightclub two step don’t require much space. Have a good idea of the size and shape your wedding reception dance floor will be so that you can practice and get used to dancing in that amount of space.
7.  Practice, practice, practice. Practice on a busy dance floor in a public place.  You can also practice at home, of course, (preferably in front of a large, floor-length mirror), but you also need the experience of dancing in front of an audience.  Practice your routine at least a couple of times per week, for several weeks, until your feet seem to move without much help from your mind.  Concentrate on having fun during your first dance, and your guests will jump to join you on the dance floor.

Want to capture all your first dance moves?

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11 Signs of a Reputable DJ

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

You wouldn’t hire just anyone to cater your party or photograph your wedding.    At best, you want to be personally familiar with their work or know another who is.  At a minimum, you would ask for customer references.  img_3727

Knowing that your entertainment choice will impact your entire wedding reception, it’s even more important to hire a company with a proven track record.  Since your DJ is responsible for providing the fun, you need to hire a company you can trust.

As you begin your search for a reputable and experienced wedding DJ, use the following 11-point checklist to help you make your decision:

  1. Hire a DJ from a full-time company with a full-time staff. Professional companies will answer the phone when you call and will be there to guide you through the planning process.
  2. Office Location. Hire a company that has a physical office location.  There are a lot of “basement DJs” that are “here today and gone tomorrow” (often with your deposit in hand!).  The Better Business Bureau suggests that you should only hire companies with a physical office presence.  That’s good advice.
  3. Hundreds of brides recommend the company’s services. Can the company show you written evidence of happy clients?  Has the company won any awards?  Ask to speak with past clients and then actually call them!   img_0748
  4. Wedding industry professionals refer the company. Wedding professionals regularly see DJs in action and they know who the best company’s are.  Ask them who they would endorse.
  5. Hire an established company with a successful track record. Find out how long the company has been in business.  Most new companies fold in the first two years.  A DJ should have a minimum of three to five years of wedding experience. Check to see if his company has a professional website with meaningful content that is intended to educate visitors about their services.  Also, make sure the company hold any necessary business licenses, is fully insured and offers a written contract. dj4food
  6. They aren’t desperate for business. Signs of desperation include using high- pressure sales tactics, “trash talking” other DJ companies or dropping prices on a whim.  Great DJs are overbooked and prefer to work with clients who want to work with them.  They will answer all of your questions, trust you to make up your own mind and respect your decision.
  7. They talk about their talent, not their gear.  If a DJ is showering you with information about his exceptional sound system and fabulous lighting, he’s missing the point.  A DJ’s job is to service his client.  He’s has experience reading the crowd and spinning songs that make guests dance, and is skilled at coordinating the night’s events.  He has a caring attitude — evidenced by the amount of time he spends asking you questions, not talking about his high-tech gadgetry.
  8. Back-up DJs and equipment. A conscientious DJ service is prepared for life’s curveballs.  People fall ill and equipment breaks down.  The savvy company will provide a plan for such contingencies in its contract with you.  Stand-by equipment will be tested and ready to go at the site, not packed in the van; and on-call DJs will be ready to go in a flash.cheesydj1
  9. You get what you pay for. The cheapest DJ will almost ALWAYS be the worst, but the most expensive isn’t always the best.  Price is important, but you should be more concerned with getting a lot for your money, rather than getting the cheapest you can find.  Many couples spend thousands of dollars on hall rental, décor and meals and fail to budget properly for the most important element…FUN! (or how their guests will be entertained).  Hiring a DJ with budget leftovers will usually result in a crummy DJ, a boring party and a premature ending — because people will leave.  Prioritize your wedding entertainment….because your guests will!
  10. They accept major credit cards. A professional DJ service will offer the convenience of a variety of guaranteepayment methods, including the ability to accept major credit cards.  Doing so shows the company is serious about its business and is willing to accept some recovery risk.
  11. They offer a money back guarantee. Most importantly, only consider a company that will stand behind its promises by offering a money-back guarantee. DJs can talk a great game - that’s what they do - a professional that you can trust will be able to back up his word and shouldn’t feel apprehensive about doing so. Do not hire a DJ company that does not offer a money back guarantee!

Do you want a DJ who measures up to the 11 point checklist?

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Ending Your Wedding Reception On The Right Note

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

After planning the date, finding the venue and arranging all of the other details needed for a great wedding, you may have thought about the last song you would like to have played at your reception. In my experience it can really put an exclamation point on the end of a terrific night. However, deciding the last song of the night before your wedding day has even arrived can be like calling the last play of a football game before it is has even started. You don’t know what is going to be happening at the end and who will be there. It might be good to have a couple of options.

Ending on a slow songslowdancing

If there are a lot of couples left at the end of the night and everyone is pretty tired out from the long day of partying, ending the night on a slow song can be fitting. It is usually wise to pick something that all generations will know. You want everyone there together dancing at the end.

Sing Alongs

Playing a group favorite that’s easy to sing along to can be a fun way of ending the night.  Once again bridging the generation gap can be essential if you want to have people from all age groups dancing ‘til the end. Some suggested sing-along songs are “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, and “Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks and “Piano Man” by Billy Joel.

They’ll Leave Wanting More
dancedance
If you have a crowd that is just tearing it up at the end of the night, there is no sense in putting ice in the boiling water. It is best to just let it flow and end on a very high note. It could be your favorite club song that everybody knows.
“The Grease Megamix” by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta is always a fantastic song that your guests will be singing all the way home.

I Just Don’t Know

If you cannot think of anything to have played at the end, the disc jockey usually has something good in his back pocket to finish the night. That is what he gets paid for. Experienced disc jockeys have played hundreds of weddings and know how to finish it right due to their years in the business. Many times there is a great song that a guest had requested that just did not fit in earlier and yet makes the perfect last song.asaindancing

So my suggestion is that if you want to pick a final song, have a couple of options. But if you don’t pick a final song the disc jockey will have you covered. You never know, the perfect song could pop into your head at the end of the night and you can request it then. The mood at the end of the night should dictate what the last song is going to be.

Want you wedding to end on the perfect note?

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10 Mistakes to Avoid when Planning your Wedding Reception

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Your wedding day is a time of celebration with light-hearted, good times that create happy memories.   Above all, the day is supposed to be fun. bridedip

The less stress you feel on your big day, the more fun you’ll have.  Great planning helps you avoid forgetting important details.  Avoid these stumbling blocks that threaten to ruin your happy day:

1.  Not prioritizing your budget on the important things.  The banquet is over, and now the party wedding-budget-6begins.  If the majority of your reception time will be spent listening to music and dancing, it makes sense to allocate a proportionate amount of your budget to the vendor responsible for your entertainment.  Whether it’s a band or a DJ, the key idea here is QUALITY.

2.  Not communicating with your vendors.
Have a thorough conversation with all of your vendors, and let them know EXACTLY what you expect.  Don’t assume that, because they are professionals with years of experience, they automatically know what you want.  Each bride’s vision is different.  Vendors want to avoid disappointing you, so share the details of your dream with them from the beginning.

3.  Not communicating your needs and expectations with your bridal party. Let each person in your bridal party know, prior to your wedding day, where they are supposed to be and when.  Important moments at your reception can’t be rehearsed, so prepare a timetable for your bridal party that includes the Grand Entrance, speeches and toasts, bridal dances and any planned photo opportunities.  They will be grateful for your organization.

4.  Waiting until the last minute.  Finish everything on your checklist at least two days before your wedding.  You don’t want to be scribbling place cards at 2 a.m. on your wedding day.  Give yourself and your groom a task-free day or two before the wedding to relax and rejuvenate.
drunk-bride
5.  Having too much to drink early in the day or the night before. Not only is it a good idea to avoid alcohol until the final party hours, it’s best to stay hydrated by drinking water or other non-alcoholic beverages.  If you can’t resist a good nip, be sure to eat something.

6.  Spending too much time taking pictures. There are the photographs of special moments you MUST have, pictures of spontaneous moments that are FUN to have, and staged photos that become a nuisance.  Don’t be afraid to say NO to your photographer when you’ve had enough.

7.  Losing your perspective
.  Keep your mind on what the day is about, and on the things and people that are really important to you.  Don’t get bogged down in so many details that you forget to have FUN!  If something goes wrong, try your best to take deep breaths and think about the big picture.  Don’t let the little things that might go wrong ruin your night.  Above all, keep your sense of humor!

8.  Getting stressed or overwhelmed.  Eat! Talk! Dance! Have Fun! Keep things simple.  After you’ve greeted your guests, let them find you if they wish to visit.  stressed_bride

9.  Not planning an exit strategy.  Assign end-of-the-night tasks to others you trust, so you can leave unburdened.  Final duties might include gathering gifts and transporting them “home,” paying the hall, and removing decorations — including flowers, centerpieces and other wedding notions.

10.  Immediately leaving on your honeymoon.  Try not to plan a 6 a.m. departure the day after your wedding.  Give yourselves a day to recuperate and get your things together.  Better yet, go back to work for a week before leaving on your honeymoon.

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10 Reasons to keep Jay-Z out of Your Wedding Reception

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

I recently Tweeted about the surprise announcement from rapper and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z. If you haven’t heard, Jay-Z will be adding wedding DJ to his resume. Surprising right?!?  Although at first thought this may sound tempting to you, pay attention to what Jay Z says following his announcement, “I’m gonna work on (wedding DJing) for six months, then I’m gonna find out which DJ makes the most and charge double and tour, do weddings.” 15040282

When asked why he is going to charge so much, he responded, “I’m gonna have video behind me and dancers. I’m going to make a whole show of this thing.”

If that statement doesn’t make you think twice, here are the top ten reasons why not to book Jay-Z (or a Jay-Z impersonator) to DJ your wedding reception:

  1. A multi-platinum, world wide celebrity will steal your wedding day spotlight.
  2. He will only have six months experiencejay-z2
  3. You hired a photographer not paparazzi.
  4. He is going to charge double just because.
  5. Smoke, lights, dancer, and background video = tacky. At least on a wedding reception dance floor.
  6. Have you listen to Jay-Z lyrics? Get grandma and the flower girl out of the hall ASAP.
  7. I doubt he will sit down and discuss your reception with you beforehand; coordinator your venders; and pronounce all your wedding party’s names right.
  8. Because “Put your d**n hands up” will not get your grandpa to the dance floor.Rapper Jay-Z performs at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 11, 2007 in New York City.
  9. “Big Pimpin” or “99 Problems” may not be the best choice for your first dance.
  10. He’s not from Detroit.  If you are going to go big at your wedding at least get someone with Detroit roots.

If you still want Jay-Z to DJ your wedding, he says, “If you want to book me, book me early, because the prices will be a little better because when I get good, I’m really going to go for it.”

Want a DJ who will treat you like a superstar?
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Wedding Video Highlight of the Week

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Congratulations Renee and Steve!

Ceremony Location: Mac & Rays, Harrison Twp, MI
Reception Location: Same
Videography by Mike Staff Productions

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Our DJ was “Punked” this Weekend!

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

81009Our DJ, Tom Downey, seemed to be “punked” this weekend … when the bride and her mother caught wind that Tommy owned a kilt.

They asked him to bring it to the wedding reception because the bride’s uncles were also bringing theirs, and planned to change into them later in the night. Well, when the time came, dedicated Tommy changed into his kilt … only to find out that the bride’s uncles had “forgotten” to bring theirs! To top it off, the groom’s Italian relatives kept inquiring into what was that “thing” and “why was he wearing it”? The bride and her mother were needless to say, very happy … and very amused.

Promote Balance as the Theme of Your Wedding

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

81009knThere is no arguing the fact that as a bride or a groom planning your wedding, it is your wedding. Your likes and dislikes should be represented as such. But if you’re a hard core KORN groupie and your guests are symphony fans … or if you prefer techno mixes and your guests prefer Motown… you might have an issue.

Should you sacrifice your passion for beat-mixing on the day of your wedding?  Absolutely not! But incorporating popular song genres to appease your guests is simply good host/hostess behavior. While you can’t please everyone, you do want to make sure people have a great time at your wedding reception.

There are two keys to success in making sure that everyone gets to listen to their favorite jams … and they go hand in hand.  One is balance, not sacrifice. The second … to help you with that balance … is your professional DJ Professional DJs will want to talk to you about your song preferences well before the event. It is during this conversation where you can proclaim your passion for slam mixes, and your DJ will suggest a beautiful way to blend club songs and “My Girl”.

Use your DJ as the reference because he is the expert. He will be able to balance the evening with songs and genres that everyone can appreciate. Whether it is The Temptations for dinner or Sean Paul for dessert, your professional DJ will make sure each guest, and the bride and groom, leaves satisfied.

Contact Mike Staff Productions for a FREE consultation to learn how you can perfectly blend many different styles and genres of music together at your wedding reception.

Even Weddings can be “PC”

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

8110911You may or may not have heard the term “Man” of honor, but what about Grooms- women? In a recent wedding reception we DJ’d, the groom selected not one, but two of his female friends to be Grooms-women.

At first, this modern day modification seemed to create a couples imbalance … but the bridal party worked it out beautifully by allowing their obvious friendship to out-weigh potential problems. The friendship displayed by the bridal party on both sides resonated through the entire event and made the evening magical, and intoxicating.

Bottom line … feel free to break the stereotypes!

If you are looking for a wedding services company that will support your non-traditional ideas and will help you explore others … contact Mike Staff Productions at 248-689-0777.