COLORADO DJ EVENTS

Some Information On Event Lighting Design Companies

2012-01-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

When you plan on organizing an event you need to make sure that you get all the aspects right. If it helps you should make a list of everything that is required as this will help you plan out the entire event successfully. Once you have a plan you can take measures to implement it to make the big day successful one. You need to make a positive impression on everyone you invite, and without proper planning this cannot be achieve. If you are planning an event for the first time you can get all the required information on how to go about the entire process, on the internet. It is essential to get your research done if you want to make a positive impression on your guests.

It is very important to get the lighting right in an event. There are many companies who provide only event lighting services. This is one thing that you can't do on your own, so it is imperative that you hire a company to get all the work done properly. You can ask your friends and family members to recommend you some companies if you have no one in mind. You need to make a wise decision when it comes to choosing a company if you want everything to go according to what you require. The Denver Metro Area of Colorado is very popular for the event being held there. If you want to do your research on this topic done online, then you just need to type in the keyword, Event lighting in Colorado.

You can look for event lighting companies online. Here you will have a few companies to choose from. To make your job easy you should shortlist a few companies and then compare their fees and services, online feedback and reputation, to get an idea which one is more preferable. Just remember that you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Don't go with a company based almost completely on their price. Good event lighting equipment is expensive and a solid and dependable company will charge a fair price for their services and bring the proper and more expensive equipment to get the job done right.

The event lighting should be very precise and it should be able to transfer a bland or average place into something very beautiful and exotic. Decorative lighting at every corner, should be visible clearly to the naked eye. The lighting is what brings the entire event to life. Special Event Decoratie Event Lighting is designed to bring vivid color to your venue space and bring visual element to your overall event design to life. This is why you should make sure that you get it done the right way. At COLORADO EVENT LIGHTING, we live, breath, think and dream lighting!

Original Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5810604

CHECK OUT A REPUTABLE, INSURED & TRAINED EVENT LIGHTING COMPANY IN COLORADO
http://ColoradoEventLighting.com

NEW SITE LAUNCHED! Audio Visual Lighting For Colorado (Colorado AV)

2011-12-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

PURE ENERGY EVENTS growing demands on AV services and Event Lighting Services has spawned a new service geared for Corporate Events, Meetings & Presentations. We bring to you "COLORAD AV" by PURE ENERGY EVENTS.

http://ColoradoAV.com

In todays economy, Corporations, Businesses, Event Professionals and Sales Teams must find a way to deliver their message or campaign with that “wow” factor with a tighter budget. We understand that you want something truly amazing and memorable to make your message stick and keep your attendees interested.

It is our job to provide the best presentation and delivery of professional AV equipment for your meeting, presentation, conference, convention, trade show, fundraiser, fashion show, or special event with a smile, reasonable price & professional, reliable tech team. This is why so many major Corporations and small start up companies have selectedCOLORADO A.V. as their choice for professional AV rentals, services & productions in Denver Metro, Northern Colorado, Front Range, Mountain Resort Towns & Throughout Colorado and Beyond. This is also why so many reputable corporations, event service agencies, fellow AV providers & corporate & event professionals continue to do business with us year after year.

We are Colorado’s most comprehensive special event AV services company featuring Audio (P.A. band & DJ sound reinforcement) , Visual (Event Decor, staging, pipe & draping & fabric), Lighting Design (Up lighting, theatrical lighting, DMX intelligent Lighting, follow spot & pin spotting, etc) and Video (Projectors, screens, TVs, editing, shooting & production).

We handle everything from Corporate Events, Meetings, Presentations, conventions, trade shows, fundraisers, auctions, fashion shows, theme events & Private Functions serving all of Colorado and beyond. Our team of professional AV Technicians will deliver, set and operate the technical equipment. We show up on time, on budget & dressed appropriately.

WEDDING WINS ICON AWARD!

2011-03-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Pure Energy Events & DJ Brian Howe are very proud to have been a part of this amazing wedding experience that won an ICON AWARD. A special thanks goes to Pamela from Saphire Celebrations for planning and coordinating this amazing day!

daniel + uyen | the mile high city . {eternity} from Fisheye Studio on Vimeo.

Sometimes words that are spoken don't need a translation. They don't need to be put on paper or made to be understand, because the essence of the message is very clear. In Vietnamese culture, it is a tradition to have two ceremonies: One where the groom accepts the bride into the family, and the other where the bride's family does likewise.

Daniel + Uyen experienced their ancient tradition of honoring the ancestors, as well as a modern wedding at the breathtaking Mile High Station. Daniel shared the story of me how he was driving by one day and randomly met the owner, who was living in the building at the time trying to save money and pay the bills. He said he knew that he was going to get married there one day.

Flash forward, as Uyen and him are searching for wedding locations. Suddenly, as they were driving downtown Denver, Daniel saw the old brick building and immediately had an epiphany, they were going to get married there.

Other than the three ceremonies, we also covered many of the pre wedding/tea ceremonies such as the tailoring of the suit and the lapel and centerpieces being made. It was such a deep, rewarding experience that myself and our talented photographer/cinematographer Michael, made us grow in many ways as filmmakers and storytellers. Upon conclusion of our filming, we tried to come up with a score for this video, and had a particular song in mind.

However, one day I heard this soundtrack and was immediately struck by how the drums int he song closely matched the taiko drums played at their reception. From that, ideas started coming in, and the rest was history.

The day after session was pretty epic as well. Red Rocks is a stunning park where sandstone rock formations dominate the landscape. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a place where the musical legends come to play off the perfect natural acoustics. The coolest part about it? It's free to walk on the stage(when no concerts are happening)! Needless to say, the backdrop mixed with Daniel + Uyen went well!

Big shout out to Josh Gold for helping us out! Oh, and one more thing...adversity struck the day before the wedding when our 5D went out. Fortunately, we had a fleet of 7Ds and even a t2i to work with. The crop factor sort of changed the entire ballgame for us, but we adjusted well by changing our perceptions...and lens selection. =]

Lenses were the 11-16 Tokina f2.8, 16-35 f.28, 24 f1.4, 50 Zeiss f1.4, 100mm f2.8 macro, and 135mm f2.

Produced by Fisheye Studio
fisheyestudio.com

SOUND ADVICE: Not all "DJ Systems" are ideal for your special event

2011-03-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

So you are getting ready to have a party. A special event for a special occasion. Perhaps a wedding? Maybe you are in charge of planning your company holiday party or Corporate Event. In any case, you are tasked with finding the resources to help deliver your vision into a great festive party for you and your guests. You've found the ideal venue. You found your photographer and caterer. Now, you are looking into the Entertainment and you've decided to go with a DJ.

When doing your search for a DJ Service, you come across hundreds of websites all claiming that they are "The Best Service In Town" or something to that tune. Yes, it's true...... DJ's get into business because they love being a DJ and most likely do not have much experience being business owners, marketers or sales persons. Does this mean that they are not good? I'm sure they are. In fact, I'm sure many of the DJ services are very comparable in terms of "Disc Jockey Quality". Of course, what separates DJs from one another is their personality, level of experience in your particular event type and their ability to communicate, manage a time schedule and take command when needed without becoming the center of attention at YOUR event. The true value of a DJ is what they do behind the scenes rather than what they play when it is time to dance. Then of course, there is price. Most people seeking a DJ type entertainment service never really consider the true value or cost of a qualified Disc Jockey Service. This leads to "Price Shopping".

Let's say you've established a realistic budget for your DJ. Again, I repeat - REALISTIC! $400-$500 is NOT realistic for a reliable, professional & experienced DJ. Most high rated and experienced DJs are more in the neighborhood of $750 to $1500 average. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Ok, now to get back on topic........ Let's say you've found your DJ and they have presented you with various packages to meet your specific event needs. Most all DJ Services provide very similar packages.

Professional DJ
Wireless Mic (A Must!!)
Digital music library with a bazillion songs
Sound System (usually 2 speakers on stands)
Light system on Stand

Everything looks great and you reserve your DJ, price and package with a deposit and sign the agreement. Great! You're set right? Well, maybe not............

You see, most all professional DJs do spend money on quality equipment including their sound, however, that sound may not always be the right fit for your event, venue space or crowd size. As a veteran DJ with over 26 years of professional working experience in virtually every event type, I've learned that "one size does not fit all". In the case of today's mobile DJ service; your package will usually come with a set of powered speakers on stands that sound decent in lower volumes but lose their fidelity as the volume increases and then becomes noise as guests hit the dance floor.

In most cases, you won't be able to understand the DJ when it is time for crucial announcements. Instead of a pleasant dancing volume, you get "loud noisy sound". A good sound system should provide pleasant sounding music and announcements at a lower volume and then at higher volumes with the ability to still maintain a conversation without "shouting over the music".

Over the years, I've had discussions with DJs who were booked for events that their speakers could not capacitate causing damage to their gear and damage to the guests ears. Additionally, there are venues that the "Standard DJ system" would just not work. What if the venue has tall ceilings? Maybe they have wood floors and brick walls. Or in a different direction, the venue has heavy drapes, carpet and a low panel ceiling which absorbs sound like a sponge. In these cases, standard sound systems will not be adequate. This is why PURE ENERGY EVENTS has invested in various sound configurations to be able to handle any event type, size and location.

When you hire PURE ENERGY EVENTS as your DJ source, we make sure to meet with you at your venue to determine the best system to handle your event, venue & crowd size. We carry many different speaker configurations to make sure that your event has the perfect sound.

Here are a few configurations that PURE ENERGY EVENTS provides as part of our packages:

For smaller, more intimate events (less than 150 guests), we offer our QSC K-Series Speaker systems. These are small but powerful self-powered (1000w each) speakers that deliver amazing sound clarity and quality without distortion. If the number of guests exceeds 200-250, then we include a QSC HPR Subwoofer which has a deeper, richer bass tone than the QSC K-series Sub.

For events that have 250 to 450 guests, we include a larger QSC HPR series system which does a great job of delivering crystal clear sound and earth moving bass when needed. All of this without sounding "noisy" or excessively loud.

With events that have more than 500 guests in a larger venue space, we come equipped with the JBL SRX series system. We have 2 configurations available. 500 average guests and then 1000+ guests. This is the best there is! Award winning sound on the highest rated systems available for special event! These speakers are not self-amplified. We run them on Crown XTi series amps (6000 watts) for our mid sized events (500 guests) and then our QSC PLX series amp rack (12,000 watts) for larger events (1000+ guests). You'll feel the music in your chest but can still carry on a conversation without plugging your ears!

In closing, when considering the needs of your special event, consider the venue size, guest attendance & sound needs to have a great party that every enjoys. If you've already selected your DJ and you feel that they might need some support with their sound enhancement, no problem! We can help out! We've developed a special service to aid and assist our fellow entertainers and vendors with the equipment they need and that we have to make sure your event is done right. You can visit http://coloradoeventproductions.com/ for more information on these services.

This article was written by DJ BRIAN HOWE, owner of PURE ENERGY EVENTS and veteran DJ from San Francisco with over 26 years of professional expeirence in special events. For more info, visit http://pureenergyevents.com/ or http://djbrianhowe.com/

NEW SITE LAUNCHED: A Focus On School Dances

2011-02-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

Pure Energy Events has launched a new site dedicated to School Dances in Colorado. A very specialized service focused completely on the High School Dance Market and demanding Teens who expect more for their dances than just a mobile DJ service.

http://coloradoschooldancedjs.com/Schools/Home.html

Pure Energy Events has launched several specialized sites as part of their 2011 marketing campaign to reach a larger client base with focused attention and detail to each event style.

Here is a list of the specialize sites that falls under the PURE ENERGY EVENTS umbrella of services.

WEDDINGS: http://northerncoloradoweddingdj.com/
SCHOOLS: http://coloradoschooldancedjs.com/
LIGHTING: http://coloradoeventlighting.com/
DENVER DJ: http://denverdiscjockeys.com/
MAIN: http://pureenergyevents.com/

You can expect many more specialized sites to be launched in the next few months in an effort to offer services focused on each of the very specific event needs.

2011 FOCUS :: Building Relationships That Last

2011-01-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

Last year, PURE ENERGY EVENT'S main focus was building a brand of excellence with our packages and presentation. State of the art sound, lighting and performance. We were the new kids on the block and had to really "wow" our clients. PURE ENERGY EVENTS has set the standard for high end DJ Entertainment in Northern Colorado . We raised the bar and continue to set new standards. This will continue, however, this years focus for our team is BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

When most people think of a DJ, they think of the music. The dancing. The party. Most DJ companies put their energy, marketing and attention to "the music and dancing". To be honest, this is only about 25% of our job. We could be the greatest DJs in the world, but if we do not build a bond with our clients or the vendors that we work with, none of "DJ Work" will really make a difference. It all starts from the very moment a client or vendor contacts us.

Nothing is more personal than a Bride & Grooms wedding. The same can go for any special event. In fact, we do not like to think of a wedding as "A Wedding" but more of a very special event. It is indeed special and it should be treated as an EVENT. We are not "Wedding DJs", but instead, we are professional "Special Event DJs" that are amazing at weddings.

Our team is super focused on relationship building and passion towards our clients personal event interests and needs. Music is important but not the most important thing. Anybody can play "requests" and all the party hits. But a truly great DJ can be someones friend, partner, confidant, liason & coordinating assistant. It all comes down to a true appreciation of the person you are working with. Making a solid bond and building a relationship that will last a lifetime!

Photo location courtesty of The Garden Room, Loveland
http://www.gardenroomloveland.com/

Photos courtesty of Sarah Lee Welch
http://www.sarahleewelchphotography.com/

PURE ENERGY EVENTS TAKES ENTERTAINMENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL!!

2010-12-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

This year, PURE ENERGY EVENTS has seen tremendous growth in both their DJ Entertainment bookings as well as Audio/Visual Production requests and services. What this means is that PURE ENERGY EVENTS has become the dominating leader in high end sound, lighting, video and full scale production for special events. Not just "Disc Jockey" services.

Yes, Pure Energy is still the award winning entertainment source for great DJ entertainment, but they come with SO MUCH MORE! So much, that other similar companies have started hiring PURE ENERGY EVENTS to come and set up their amazing LED uplighting & Dance Floor lighting systems as well as their crystal clear and punchy sound systems.

In 2011, PURE ENERGY EVENTS will include new features and effects into their DJ entertainment packages (including weddings and private formal events) including live STRING TRIO ensembles for your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour! This plus some new surprises from the company that seems to set the trend for others to follow.

To summerize, if you are getting married or having a very special formal engagement, you should really consider looking at some of the new 2011 entertainment packages from PURE ENERGY EVENTS. You will not be let down!

Call (303) 800-1357 to get their free package and price info

Real Wedding Story - Brian & Nicole at Bella Sera

2010-11-25T08:04:00.000-08:00

Bella Sera event center held Brian and Nicoles’ wedding ceremony and reception on October 8, 2010, It went very well. We had Pure Energy Event provided the music and Happy Feet Weddings was the officiant.

Nicole walked down the stair case, with her father, Curtis. He was waiting to walk her down the isle. They smiled as she took his arm. He was so excited about his daughter getting married, he thought he may forget what he needed to say. Said ” he may write it on his hand.”

We had 4 grooms men and 4 brides’ maids. All came down the stairs and met at the top of the isle and then walked in as a couple.

Two darling ring barriers came down the isle right before Nicole. As Brian and I waited for Nicole, he was overcome with joy to see her. Brian had walked the mothers down the isle to light the two side candles for the unity candle, to start the ceremony and to honor the mothers. They also asked me to remember others who had passed.

The Bella Sera had decorated with wine and pearl to match their colors. The Bella Sera, needed to stay on top of things, AND THEY Do. From the smallest wish to feeding over 100 people. They do this with ease.

www.PureEnergyEvents.com

4206 N. Garfield Ave., Loveland, Co., US, 80538

PURE ENERGY EVENTS provides the best in high quality, reliable and personalized Wedding (both Ceremony & Reception) entertainment services. Pure Energy Events will deliver the ultimate party with the best variety in music, lighting & complete event planning assistance & coordination. All on the highest quality sound, light & video equipment to date! YOUR WEDDING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US!! A wedding is one of the single most important events of a persons life. Every detail must be perfect & flow smoothly from beginning to end. Planning a wedding is no easy task either! It sometimes begins more than a year prior to the actual date. There are many people involved in the creation of such a special occasion & in some cases, a single person to see it all come to fruition.

Phone(303) 800-1357

THIS ARTICLE COURTESY OF;

November 1, 2010 | Author Pastor Manon Weber

Sarah & Ken’s Feature Film — Loveland, Colorado Wedding Video

2010-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Produced by Sophie Films. A great wedding! Enjoy :-)

I really enjoy filming Catholic weddings, especially the full Mass. Sarah and Ken’s wedding was no exception. However, beyond the celebration of the Mass, it was cool to see how comfortable their families were with one another and that togetherness made for a really fun day.

Their wedding was held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Loveland with the Reception at the Chilson Senior Center. Pure Energy Events did a fabulous job with their uplighting and kept the place rockin’ all night long. Marcus Edwards of Four Feathers Photography was fun to work with (as usual), and Earl’s created very nice floral arrangements.
Please enjoy Sarah and Ken’s Feature Film:

Sarah & Ken's Feature Film -- Loveland, Colorado Wedding Video from Peak Impact Productions, LLC on Vimeo.

http://www.coloradovideographerwedding.com/sarah-kens-feature-film-loveland-colorado-wedding-video/

Enhancing Your Event :: Make a room "Glow" with beautiful colors.

2010-05-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today, people expect more from their entertainment when throwing an event. With growing technology and improved equipment & design, Disc Jockey Entertainment Services have stepped up their game! Well, at least the DJ services that strive to offer bigger & better packages.......

On both sides of the country (West Coast & East Coast), DJ companies have invested a considerable amount of money & effort to offer more to their clients when booking for events. One of the latest new trends is ambient uplighting, also known as "Structural design lighting". What is Ambient "uplighting"? Well the name says it all.... "uplighting" means facing "up". The lighting is placed on the ground, usually against a wall and then aimed "upwards" to give the area a "color wash". Uplighting has the best effect when used in corners, columns, drapes, niches, doorways, and focused areas like arches, tables, hanging fabrics, etc.

In recent years, the only way to get this dramatic lighting effect was to hire an Audio/Video rental & design company. This was very costly for the client and generally had equipment limits meaning you had to hire them to do more than you really needed to make it worthwhile.

Today, a quality DJ company with the latest in state-of-the art equipment (very important) could offer you this same lighting & design to be included in your DJ package for a fraction of the cost.

In Colorado, the most known DJ company that provides such a service is Pure Energy Events. A fairly new name to Northern Colorado but with decades of experience featuring DJ Brian Howe (formerly from the Napa Valley) and Peter Donello (Long time Colorado resident) joining forces to form this new company. They have invested a considerable amount of money to purchase specialized L.E.D. lights to offer the biggest uplighting packages by a DJ service in Colorado. Additionally, they offer this new service with their package along with super crisp sound (QSC, JBL & Crown) and full video.

VERY IMPORTANT! A major difference between traditional halogen bulbs and L.E.D.

All of Pure Energy Events ambient uplighting packages are L.E.D. This is important to know because of the way it will effect your venue and your event.

TRADITIONAL HALOGEN BULBS require a lot of electricity (which can cause your room to black out if all plugged into the same electrical circuit) and generate a considerable amount of heat. If there were 8 "uplights" used in your room, the temperature of your space could easily increase by 10 degrees. Not good if you are having a wedding in the middle of the summer!

L.E.D. (ie: "Light Emitting Diode") lighting require minimal electricity and emit absolutely NO HEAT. Additionally, the colors are much more brilliant and warm. Furthermore, the lighting fixtures come with "Red, Green & Blue (aka RGB)" bulbs to mix the color to almost anything in the color spectrum (yellow and white are the hardest!). That would mean that your uplighting package could be color matched to your event theme. Purple, Teal, Pink - ANYTHING!

To summarize, when planning your next event, consider ambient uplighting with your DJ package. The difference is dramatic!

Worst Wedding DJ Ever! Video says it all

2010-05-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

This was sent to me by a fellow DJ out of California. As professionals, we always talk about our frustrations with so called "Wedding DJs" who treat your wedding like it is their personal "band stand" and forget that this is one of the single most important days of YOUR LIFE! They forget that they are not the center of attention and that proper conduct, appearance & professionalism. DJs like this (in this video) do make the true professionals look bad.

Brides - We are not all the same! There are some of us who treat you & your event with serious respect, attention & proper..... Well just watch........

As funny as this video is (Yes, it made us laugh & the cry), this is serious! This could be YOUR WEDDING DJ!! Please, consider calling your prospective DJ service and arrange a personal meeting. Your wedding could end up like this!

Spring Time Weddings - 5 Useful tips you should know

2010-02-15T16:20:00.000-08:00

COURTESY OF THE "MARRIAGE & WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE" BLOG.

It can be perfect for you to have a spring wedding. Every thing is fresh and new in spring. It bears the idea of rebirth. This is why it is so popular for couples to have the big day in spring. You may also be planning your event now. To this end, these 5 spring wedding ideas will certainly be useful to you.

Spring Wedding Ideas

1. Wedding Dress

There is no doubt that the wedding dress is very important. You will probably want to make it as perfect as possible. In fact, you may not want to have a sleeveless dress since you may feel cold when you are wearing it. You can consider a versatile dress. When it comes to the color of it, you can consider the colors of spring. For example, you can consider the ideas of green color. Of course there are also brides who will go for the idea of pink color.

2. Spring Wedding Invitations

You will need to create the spring wedding invitations as soon as possible. There are in fact a lot of choices to this end. You can print some images of graphics which are related to the idea of spring on the card. For example, you can print some floral or tree patterns on it. Again, you may consider the idea of green color as the main color theme of the card. There are also some brides and grooms who may opt for a red color card with strawberry patterns printed on it.

3. Spring Wedding Decorations

You can decorate your venue by considering the main color theme you choose. For example, you may have a pink dress and take the green color as the main theme. To this end, you will use these two colors for decorations. You will use a lot of elements which imply the idea of trees, seeds, and spring. You may even use some lemon leaves to decorate the venue so that you can make the decorations totally match the theme.

4. Spring Wedding Centerpiece

The centerpiece is also very important. You should use a lot of flowers and leaves. Besides, you can also prepare some small figures which are in the shape of birds and bees. This will express the idea of spring well and this can also make the centerpiece unique.

5. Spring Wedding Favors

You should also consider the wedding favors when you are considering your spring wedding ideas. You can purchase some seeds and use them as the gift. You will probably want to pack the gifts yourself. You can get some beautiful light brown color paper bags which are made from recycled paper. Then you will add a gift tag which is in the shape of a green leaf.

Selecting A Wedding DJ in Northern Colorado

2010-02-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

This article was written by TM Lung.
Content is unedited from its original composition.

A lot of couples will consider the wedding entertainment very important. To this end they will also consider hiring a wedding DJ. It is very true that the DJ can help to heat up the atmosphere of the reception. It will be just perfect if you would like to dance together with your guests.

Yet the point here is that you do not just hire someone and play some discs in your receptions. The job of a wedding DJ is not that simple. As a result, you will need to choose the DJ with your greatest care. You will just be disappointed if you cannot hire a DJ who can really heat up the atmosphere. His / Her job is to entertain the guests and it will just a pity if he / she fails to do this. You may probably ask how you should select a good wedding DJ. Here are some tips for you.

You will certainly need to consider the experience of the wedding DJ. He / She may have plenty of experience on working in some parties. However, the DJ may not have the experience in doing the job in a wedding. The point here is that there are usually some etiquettes associated with weddings. And he / she should know when to play the right songs. Of course you will also discuss with him / her about the songs to be played. However, the DJ is the one who plays it and it will certainly be problem if the DJ does not have enough experiences. As a result, you should try to ask for some job references related to weddings when you are interviewing the DJ.

Another point is that, you may want to hire a DJ who has been working in your reception hall before. This is because he / she will be more familiar with the venue and he / she will perform better because he / she knows the venue.

If it is a new venue to the DJ, you may consider having a rehearsal with him or her. This will help to ensure that the DJ will understand the venue. Besides, due to the nature of the reception hall, the DJ may need to bring some other equipment. It will be very difficult for him / her to decide what kinds of equipment will be needed if there is no rehearsal before.

As mentioned, you will be discussing with the DJ what songs to be play in your wedding. You need to create a song list with him / her. This is the most important task you have to do. You have to make sure that all songs to be played are good enough and match the theme of your wedding. You may also need to specify if there are some songs you do not like. You will need to tell the DJ not to play these songs in this case.

If you can really do the above, it is sure that you will be able to give a very good entertainment to your guests!

TM Lung is a wedding invitation designer. His works can be found fromhttp://www.983wedding.com and he runs a blog http://www.weddingabc.net on weddings. You can find some other wedding tips from http://www.imarry.org

HOLIDAY CORPORATE PARTY IN SNOWMASS VILLAGE

2010-01-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

This is video footage from a corporate holiday event held at the Silver Tree Event Center in Snowmass Village. It was a great event!

Northern Colorado Wedding DJ - Video by Pure Energy Events

2009-12-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

Pure Energy Events are WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT SPECIALISTS! Servicing all of Colorado, Southern Wyoming & beyond! Visit http://www.pureenergyevents.com/ for more info on our services.

If you are getting married and looking for a DJ for your wedding reception and ceremony, please consider PURE ENERGY EVENTS. We come with over 23 years of experience complete with state of the art sound, ambient lighting & video support. We take care of you, your event and everything else involved with making your very special wedding day a dream fairytale come true!

Top Loveland Colorado Wedding Venues - Loveland Wedding Professionals

2009-12-02T17:28:00.001-08:00

Berthoud Inn & Events

The Berthoud Inn & Events is an inviting turn of the century Victorian Inn. It's charm has warmed the hearts of many for well over a hundred years. We love weddings and host celebrations of all sizes and themes. Our lush garden setting is a wonderful setting for an outdoor ceremony and seats up to 200 persons. For a smaller, more intimate celebration, our indoor packages offer an extraordinary value. Additionally, we offer in-house catering for both the rehearsal dinner and the reception and, of course, wonderful lodging. Our customized menus impress the most discerning guests and are very affordable. VISIT OUR WEBSITE for more details, or call us today for a personalized tour and complimentary consultation.

Address: 444 1st Street Berthoud CO 80513
Contact: Mark Chaffee
Phone: 970-532-4566
E-mail: berthoudinn@q.com
Web Site: www.berthoudinn.com

Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa and Conference Center - Loveland

Nestled near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the all new Embassy Suites Loveland is truly the perfect setting for any wedding, rehearsal or reception. Our certified wedding coordinators and our outstanding culinary team are here from beginning to end, providing personal attention and the highest level of service you’ve come to expect from the Hilton Family of Hotels. From an intimate affair to a grand gala, custom events are designed for all tastes and budgets. With a beautiful mountain backdrop you can rest assured the setting will be as spectacular as is our service!

Relax in our spacious 2-room suites. Enjoy our state-of-the-art fitness center; take a dip in our indoor heated pool and relax in our whirlpool. Pamper yourself and your wedding party at our luxurious Spa Botanica. Awaken to a breath taking Colorado sunrise and experience our complimentary cooked to order breakfast. When you book your wedding at the Embassy Suites, you will be rest assured your wedding will be an event to remember!

Address: 4705 Clydesdale Parkway Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Joanna Mitchell
Phone: 970-593-6200
E-mail: joanna.mitchell@jqh.com
Web Site: embassysuites1.hilton.com

sendoutcards

SENDOUTCARDS.......................................

A fantastic UNIQUE way to personally design, what ever your imagination will allow..

For less then a dollar...a physical card is stamped and mailed out within 3-5 days, without you ever leaving home, just upload your OWN personal pictures and design your own Wedding Invitations, how fun to use pictures of the Bride and Groom to be, or thank you cards from the wedding day with pictures of friends and family that were there, they will love it as a keepsake.

Any time for any reason...
Share.. a picture of your family vacation, Christmas, a Thank you note, personally design Birthday cards, Anniversary, family reunions, wishing someone well, helping someone with a loss, Thanking a parent or grandparent, etc. etc.

Teach your children to be thoughtful in a fun way, they will
jump at the chance to be creative and learn the value of appreciation.

How many of you have loved ones in the Armed Services? send them some love with recent pictures of all their family members with cards they can keep with them, and see daily, send cookies, brownies, candy, popcorn, etc. 100's of gift possibilities, at a snap of a button that will make their journey closer to home.

One more thing! that soldiger or loved one can also send you personal cards back, from anywhere in the world, for the cost of a American postage stamp, with a click of a button, this can be done cheaper, faster, more often...what is that worth!

Business associates...Your business logo can be put on any card, that you design, and qued up to be sent out as often as you like, weekly, monthly, yearly, automatically...without ever going back to the computer, your clients will be impressed, grateful, and remember you when needed, campaigns (groups of people) can be sent out as well, (1-1000's at a time). advertising is costly, referrals are a mainstay.

Everyone wants to be remembered and appreciated, for business or personal, that moment you take is invaluble to building and keeping relationships.

Could you be anymore unique then sending a card from the heart, in your own way...Not possible ! for less ..Not possible ! with the quality.. Not possible..

You have the ability to make a PERMANENT DIFFERENCE in how you
share those special moments with the people you love or just touch..NEAR OR FAR.

15,000 pre- made cards to choose from if you are inclined to be just convenient, send a gift with the card from our many choices for all occasions. You will never go to a store or post office again..for a card.
We can ship (any where in the world)...for less..

YOU.. will be EXITED about what you sent, because (No One) could have said it better then you..

go to (sendoutcards.com/goodvibes)
TRY IT..and get the feedback.
FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS, Send a card or two (FREE) on me.

Address: 1625 foxtrail Dr.. Loveland Co. 80538
Contact: Abby Charpentier
Phone: 970-231-2229
E-mail: alwaysbeautifulbyabby@hotmail.com
Web Site: sendoutcards.com/goodvibes

Fountains of Loveland

Thank you for considering The Fountains of Loveland, the newest crown jewel of America’s “Sweetheart City,” for your special wedding event!

The Fountains of Loveland encompasses an event center and full-service restaurant—the Aspen Leaf Grille and Cocktail Lounge. Next door is the new upscale La Quinta Inn and Suites Hotel, nestled at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. This glorious 10-acre property is adjacent to 100 acres of open space and features stately courtyards with fountains, making it ideal for both indoor or outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Contact us for a tour of our exquisite outdoor Wedding Gazebo and to view our Regency Ballroom, which is simply breathtaking.

Please visit our website at www.fountainsofloveland.com and feel free to contact the Event Planning Office at (970)622-8000 or email us at info@fountainsofloveland.com.

Address: 1480 Cascade Avenue Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Event Design Team
Phone: (970) 622-8000 ext. 411
E-mail: info@fountainsofloveland.com
Web Site: www.fountainsofloveland.com

Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

Voted 1st Place Winner of the "Best Place to Get Married" Readers' Choice Award by the Loveland Reporter-Herald in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch is a romantic and beautiful wedding site open year 'round. Renowned for our scenic setting in the Rocky Mountain foothills, you'll love the tranquil beauty of our 3,200 acre ranch. Rustic elegance describes our three reception venues, each with its own outdoor ceremony site:
- The Heritage, with dramatic wood beams, fire
place and outdoor views, accommodates up to 125
- Red Ridge Room, with outdoor balcony and view
of the Big Thompson River, holds up to 80
- Daddy J, an outdoor covered pavilion, is
perfect for a more casual setting for up to 200

Enjoy an affordable, memorable and sustainable wedding at Sylvan Dale! Our eco-friendly ranch can plan a "green" reception with meals made from locally-grown organic food. Outdoor activities abound to entertain guests and bridal couples on their honeymoon. Gracious and professional, our experienced wedding coordinator will help plan and host the wedding and reception of your dreams!

Sylvan Dale's services include:
- Ceremonies and receptions
- Rehearsal dinners
- Honeymoons
- Bachelor/ette parties
- Bridal showers
- Catering and bar service
- Overnight lodging

Address: 2939 North County Road 31D Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Sue Bennett
Phone: (970) 667-3915 or (877) 667-3999
E-mail: sueb@sylvandale.com
Web Site: www.sylvandale.com

The Garden Room

The Garden Room is a beautiful venue tucked within Loveland, The City of Love. This newly remodeled 6,500 square foot facility is a beautiful place for your special day!

A warm and inviting atmosphere greets you at the door with a French-country feel, rich in color, with a unique exposed brick design and high ceilings. The Garden Room can accommodate both your ceremony and reception, from intimate to grand, allowing you to plan your event from start to finish with endless possibilities.

We can provide everything from tables, chairs, a state of the art sound system, dance floor, disco ball, bar, coat check and more. All caterers are welcome, and a prep kitchen is available. The Garden Room’s coordinator will help set-up your event and provide you with a special bridal suite to prepare for your big day.

From their contemporary décor, latest technology and flexibility to allow you to choose everything that goes into your wedding day, the knowledgeable staff at The Garden Room invites you to let them assist in creating the day you have imagined. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the most important day of your life!

The Garden Room is open for tours Tuesdays 4-7pm and Saturdays 12-3pm. No appointment is necessary.

Address: 697 N. Denver Ave Suite 100 Loveland CO 80537
Contact: Lisa Russell
Phone: 970-663-0301
E-mail: lisa@gardenroomloveland.com
Web Site: www.gardenroomloveland.com

Ellis Ranch "The Wedding Ranch"

We are please that you are considering celebrating your love at our Wedding Park. In planning your intimate wedding at the Ellis Ranch please keep in mind our facilities are secluded yet easy to reach. Ellis Ranch can accommodate all of size weddings, from intimate ceremonies to grand occasions. We offer beautiful and romantic in a timeless setting, and guarantee that you and your guests will have exclusive use of the ranch during your time with us.

You have the freedom of selecting your choice of caterer, photographer, florist, ect. allowing you to make your day special and worry free.

Concerned about weather? No problem at the Ellis Ranch facilities, we offer a spacious outdoor Wedding Park, and if your special day has inclement weather we will move your wedding into our Event Center. The Event Center has a stage for a band or DJ, and very spacious dance floor. We even let you bring in your own alcohol.

We now have a second venue for the smaller more intimate event/weddings, The Carriage House" This unique venue accodomates 125 guest and under,a must see.

WE LOVE MAKING YOUR DAY SPECIAL! Call Shawn at 970-593-9570 to make an appointment to visit our beautiful ranch today.

Address: 2333 Ellis Ranch Lane Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Shawn Ellis
Phone: 970-593-9570
E-mail: info@ellisrancheventcenter.com
Web Site: www.ellisrancheventcenter.com

McCreery House Venue

The McCreery House offers the warmth of a gracious home for your wedding ceremony, reception, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner or private party. Step back into time and experience the charm of the McCreery House - originally considered the "Showplace of Loveland." Ceremonies may be performed in an intimate setting in the house or an outdoor ceremony in the beautiful garden. With the availability to host affairs up to 130 guests the McCreery House offers the perfect solution for the smaller, intimate wedding.

Included in your event is the private use of the McCreery House including Brides and Grooms rooms, an 1870 square grand piano, chairs for ceremony and reception, tables, linens, napkins and skirting in white or ivory, dishware, glassware, and flatware for all your guests, wait staff, centerpiece options, choice of ceremony CD music, CD player, dance floor, parking, set up and clean up, wedding coordinator and site manager.

You can cater in with a caterer of your choice or the family may bring in prepared food. We allow you to bring in your own wine, beer and champagne. We are your set up, waitresses, and clean up - we pack you up at the end of your event.

Address: 746 North Washington Avenue Loveland CO 80537
Contact: Linda Stotz
Phone: (970) 278-1848
E-mail: lstotz@mccreeryhouse.com
Web Site: www.mccreeryhouse.com

Best Western Crossroads Inn & Conference Center

Our recently remodeled hotel is conveniently located at the intersection of I-25 and Route 34 in Loveland, Colorado.

We pride ourselves on our friendly, first-rate service and look forward to your visit.

Not only do we have well-appointed guest rooms with comfy beds, we have 2,500 square feet of meeting/reception space for small and large events and an on-site restaurant/lounge to relax and unwind.

Address: 5542 East US Highway 34 Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Maureen Radice
Phone: 970.667.7810
E-mail: maureen@bwloveland.com
Web Site: www.bwlovelandevents.com

Happy Feet Weddings Inc. & Chapel

Because your love for each other is special and unique, you may want to say more than "I Do". The words spoken over you are life time words and need to be what -you- want said over you.

Allow me to capture the meaning of your relationship and put it into words that you both will remember for a lifetime.

I am an ordained, licensed, non-denominational minister, pastor, chaplain and wedding officiant, who specialize in beautiful wedding ceremonies. Romantic, relationship ceremonies, marriage vow renewals.

Have ceremony will travel. Where do you want me to travel? To a mountain top or by a river.

It's your wedding. It's your location!

In addition.

We realized there is a need for small family weddings; that's why we offer our chapel. Happy Feet Wedding Chapel is unique because it offers the opportunity for a small, intimate wedding. With an in home setting,for 10 people.

Please call for your personal consultation.

Address: 3028 Lake Dr. Loveland CO 80538
Contact: Pastor Weber
Phone: (970) 663-2494 or toll free (800)-480-2494
E-mail: manon2494@gmail.com
Web Site: www.happyfeetweddings.com

Top 5 Tip’s On How to Hire the Right DJ

2009-12-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

The first mistake people make is they don’t put that much emphasis on the DJ. But the DJ is the key to making your event a success or a dud. I was recently at an event and the customer spent more on table linens then on their DJ. The tables looked great but the party was a complete bore. These tips will help make sure you ask the right questions when hiring your DJ.
Question #1 – Always ask to meet with your potential DJ. This will allow you to see if they are professional or just a weekend warrior. It is very important that the DJ is a professional. It is very easy to buy an iPod and claim you are a DJ. Many events are ruined by bad DJ’s.

Question #2 – Ask for references, it they are a good DJ they will have plenty of former clients to refer you to.

Question #3 – Ask them what type of equipment they use. Ask them if they use CD’s or MP3’s. Ask them if they include wireless microphones and lighting at no additional charge. Ask them how many songs they have in their library.

Question #4 – Ask them if there is any hidden fees in their price. If you need to add additional equipment such as ceremony music or video projectors you most likely will have to pay an additional fee. Also it is important to find out if the Tip / Gratuity is included in the price. Remember the DJ is the life blood of your event; it is customary to tip at least 15% if you are happy with the service.

Question #5 – Plan everything out, use your DJ to run the event. Choose a timeline and the appropriate music for the event. Make sure you have everything in writing, and your vendors are all on the same page.

Most important with any event is to relax and enjoy your event. Hiring a professional DJ will make a huge difference for you and your guests.

Shared from article on Discjockeys.com

Top 200 Songs For Special Events - DJ Entertainment

2009-12-02T17:20:00.000-08:00

1 AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long

2 Timberlake, Justin Sexyback

3 Def Leppard Pour Some Sugar On Me

4 Morrison, Van Brown Eyed Girl

5 B-52's Love Shack

6 Lynyrd Skynyrd Sweet Home Alabama

7 Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer

8 ABBA Dancing Queen

9 Journey Don't Stop Believin'

10 Diamond, Neil Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)

11 Rihanna Don't Stop The Music

12 Sir Mix-A-Lot Baby Got Back

13 Sister Sledge We Are Family

14 Outkast Hey Ya!

15 Kool & The Gang Celebration

16 Clapton, Eric Wonderful Tonight

17 Commodores Brick House

18 James, Etta At Last

19 Black Eyed Peas Let's Get It Started

20 Jackson, Michael Billie Jean

21 Beatles Twist And Shout

22 DJ Casper Cha Cha Slide

23 Bee Gees Stayin' Alive

24 Foundations Build Me Up Buttercup

25 Brooks, Garth Friends In Low Places

26 Village People Y.M.C.A.

27 Temptations My Girl

28 Big & Rich Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)

29 Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody

30 Sinatra, Frank The Way You Look Tonight

31 Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby

32 Wild Cherry Play That Funky Music

33 Lauper, Cyndi Girls Just Want To Have Fun

34 Loggins, Kenny Footloose

35 Rascal Flatts Bless The Broken Road

36 Presley, Elvis Can't Help Falling In Love

37 Armstrong, Louis What A Wonderful World

38 Lonestar Amazed

39 Grandmaster Slice Electric Slide (Shall We Dance) '92

40 Dexy's Midnight Runners Come On Eileen

41 50 Cent In Da Club

42 Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil' Jon Yeah

43 Jackson, Michael Thriller

44 Aerosmith I Don't Want To Miss A Thing

45 Cupid Cupid Shuffle

46 Adams, Bryan Summer Of '69

47 Nelly Hot In Herre

48 Checker, Chubby The Twist

49 Flo Rida Low

50 Isley Brothers Shout

51 Seger, Bob & The Silver Bullet Band Old Time Rock & Roll

52 Buffett, Jimmy Margaritaville

53 Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z Crazy In Love

54 KC & The Sunshine Band Get Down Tonight

55 Romantics What I Like About You

56 Jackson, Michael Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

57 Rednex Cotton Eye Joe

58 House Of Pain Jump Around

59 Cheap Trick I Want You To Want Me

60 Prince Kiss

61 Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z Umbrella

62 Mcgraw, Tim With Faith Hill It's Your Love

63 Queen Crazy Little Thing Called Love

64 Journey Faithfully

65 Franklin, Aretha Respect

66 Big & Rich Lost In This Moment

67 Jones, Norah Come Away With Me

68 Springfield, Rick Jessie's Girl

69 Gaye, Marvin Let's Get It On

70 Timbaland Feat. Keri Hilson The Way I Are

71 Guns N' Roses Sweet Child O' Mine

72 Young M.C. Bust A Move

73 Green, Al Let's Stay Together

74 Johnson, Jack Better Together

75 Pink Get The Party Started

76 Black Eyed Peas My Humps

77 Rihanna Disturbia

78 Earth, Wind & Fire September

79 Sinatra, Frank Fly Me To The Moon

80 West, Kanye Feat. Jamie Foxx Gold Digger

81 Brown, Chris Forever

82 Gaynor, Gloria I Will Survive

83 Sorta Crackers Band Chicken Dance

84 Cash, Johnny Ring Of Fire

85 Four Tops I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)

86 Taylor, James How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

87 Brooks & Dunn Boot Scootin' Boogie

88 Paisley, Brad She's Everything

89 UB40 Red Red Wine

90 Adams, Bryan (Everything I Do) I Do It For You

91 Madonna & Justin Timberlake 4 Minutes

92 U2 Beautiful Day

93 Buble, Michael Everything

94 Timberlake, Justin Rock Your Body

95 Kid Rock All Summer Long

96 Fergie Feat. Ludacris Glamorous

97 Mr. C The Slide Man Cha-Cha Slide

98 Violent Femmes Blister In The Sun

99 Beatles All You Need Is Love

100 Baby Bash Feat. T-Pain Cyclone

101 Los Del Rio Macarena

102 Medley, Bill & Jennifer Warnes (I've Had) The Time Of My Life

103 Rascal Flatts Life Is A Highway

104 West, Kanye Stronger

105 Idol, Billy White Wedding

106 Furtado, Nelly Feat. Timbaland Promiscuous

107 Rascal Flatts My Wish

108 Jackson 5 ABC

109 Buble, Michael Save The Last Dance For Me

110 Aerosmith Walk This Way

111 Gnarls Barkley Crazy

112 Dion Runaround Sue

113 White, Barry Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe

114 Eagles Hotel California

115 Tone Loc Wild Thing

116 Krauss, Alison When You Say Nothing At All

117 Madonna Like A Prayer

118 Heartland I Loved Her First

119 Lifehouse You And Me

120 Salt-N-Pepa Push It

121 Mraz, Jason I'm Yours

122 KC & The Sunshine Band (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty

123 Shakira Feat. Wyclef Jean Hips Don't Lie

124 Cascada Everytime We Touch

125 A-Ha Take On Me

126 Beach Boys Kokomo

127 Hot Chocolate You Sexy Thing

128 Sean Paul Temperature

129 Prince 1999

130 White, Barry You're The First, The Last, My Everything

131 Tone Loc Funky Cold Medina

132 Mcgraw, Tim My Best Friend

133 Metro Station Shake It

134 Simon & Garfunkel Cecilia

135 Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O'donis Just Dance

136 Martin, Dean That's Amore

137 Keys, Alicia No One

138 Travolta, John & Olivia Newton-John Grease Megamix

139 K-Ci & Jojo All My Life

140 Pussycat Dolls Don't Cha

141 Spears, Britney Gimme More

142 Queen Another One Bites The Dust

143 Smith, Will Gettin' Jiggy Wit It

144 Beatles I Saw Her Standing There

145 Weather Girls It's Raining Men

146 Stefani, Gwen Hollaback Girl

147 Jet Are You Gonna Be My Girl

148 Digital Underground The Humpty Dance

149 Madonna Holiday

150 Aguilera, Christina Ain't No Other Man

151 Akon Feat. Eminem Smack That

152 Idol, Billy Mony Mony

153 Connick, Jr., Harry It Had To Be You

154 Strait, George I Cross My Heart

155 Gap Band You Dropped A Bomb On Me

156 Jackson, Michael Beat It

157 Spears, Britney Toxic

158 James, Rick Super Freak (Part 1)

159 Right Said Fred I'm Too Sexy

160 Cash, Johnny I Walk The Line

161 Soulja Boy Tell'em Crank Dat (Soulja Boy)

162 Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot

163 Beastie Boys Brass Monkey

164 Setzer Orchestra, Brian Jump Jive An' Wail

165 Journey Open Arms

166 Sledge, Percy When A Man Loves A Woman

167 Orbison, Roy Oh, Pretty Woman

168 Sade By Your Side

169 Soft Cell Tainted Love

170 Temptations Ain't Too Proud To Beg

171 Deee-Lite Groove Is In The Heart

172 Brown, Chris Feat. T-Pain Kiss Kiss

173 Rihanna Pon De Replay

174 Fergie Feat. Will.I.Am Fergalicious

175 ABBA Take A Chance On Me

176 Checker, Chubby Let's Twist Again

177 Prince Let's Go Crazy

178 Sinatra, Frank New York, New York

179 Wang Chung Everybody Have Fun Tonight

180 Urban, Keith Making Memories Of Us

181 Black Eyed Peas Pump It

182 Morrison, Van Moondance

183 Savage Garden Truly Madly Deeply

184 Beatles In My Life

185 Summer, Donna Last Dance

186 Sinatra, Frank Come Fly With Me

187 Bangles Walk Like An Egyptian

188 Jackson, Alan & Jimmy Buffett It's Five O'clock Somewhere

189 Ne-Yo Closer

190 Madonna Vogue

191 Bee Gees You Should Be Dancing

192 Presley, Elvis All Shook Up

193 Gabriel, Peter In Your Eyes

194 Caillat, Colbie Bubbly

195 Rascal Flatts I Melt

196 Meat Loaf Paradise By The Dashboard Light

197 Kelis Milkshake

198 U2 With Or Without You

199 Jackson, Alan Remember When

200 Manilow, Barry Copacabana (At The Copa)

TOP WEDDING SONGS - Listed By Category

2009-12-02T17:12:00.000-08:00

Ceremony music:

Prelude music: Played prior to the ceremony, while guests are arriving.

•Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)

•Isn't It Romantic (Glenn Miller)

•Water Music (Handel)

•Ave Maria (Schubert / Gounod)

•The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

•Greensleeves (Traditional)

•Rhapsody In Blue (Gershwin)

•God Only Knows (The Beach Boys)

•As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Tony Bennett)

•Arioso (Bach)

•Ode To Joy (Beethoven)

•Brandenburg Concerto #2 (Bach)

•Gloria (Vivaldi)

•Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers)

Processional & Bridal music: Played during the time the family, wedding party, and the bride walk down the aisle.

•Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) from "Lohengrin" (Wagner)

•Trumpet Voluntary in D (The Prince of Denmark's March) (Clarke or Purcell)

•Canon in D (Pachelbel)

•The Four Seasons (Handel)

•Water Music (Handel)

•What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)

•I Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)

•When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)

•In My Life (The Beatles)

•March From Lohengrin (Wagner)

Interlude music (optional): The songs played during the ceremony.

•Ave Maria (Schubert)

•Amazing Grace (Traditional)

•La Traviata (Verdi)

•Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)

•And I Love Her (The Beatles)

•Primavera: First Movement, Allegro (Vivaldi)

•Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)

•Für Elise (Beethoven)

•We've Only Just Begun (The Carpenters)

•Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)

Recessional music: Music played as the new husband and wife walk up the aisle together.

•Wedding March (from "A Midsummer Night's Dream") (Mendelssohn)

•Ode To Joy (from The Ninth Symphony) (Beethoven)

•Hallelujah Chorus (from "The Messiah") (Handel)

•Trumpet Tune (Purcell)

•Magnificat In D (Bach)

•The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles)

•I Got You (I Feel Good) (James Brown)

•How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)

•Then He Kissed Me (The Crystals)

•I Got You Babe (Sonny and Cher)

Reception music:

First Dance music: First dance as husband and wife.

•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)

•Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley)

•Can I Have This Dance? (Ann Murray)

•The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)

•It Had To Be You (Harry Connick, Jr.)

•What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

•Endless Love (Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)

•I Cross My Heart (George Strait)

•I Swear (John M. Montgomery or All 4 One)

•A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)

•As Time Goes By (A Kiss Is Just A Kiss) (Michael Feinstein)

•When You Say Nothing At All (Allison Krauss)

•Faithfully (Journey)

•No Ordinary Love (Sade)

•Here And Now (Luther Vandross)

•I Can Love you Like That (John M. Montgomery)

•Power Of Love (Celine Dion)

•Tonight I Celebrate My Love (Roberta Flack & Peabo Bryson)

•Everything I Do {I Do For You} (Bryan Adams)

•When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge or Michael Bolton)

•All My Life (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)

•I'll Be There (Mariah Carey)

•On Bended Knee (Boyz II Men)

•At Last (Etta James)

•Don't Know Much (Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville)

•From This Moment On (Shania Twain)

•Our Love Is Here To Stay (Harry Connick, Jr.)

•Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)

*These are the most requested songs, but there are many others. Ask your DJ.

Father/Daughter music: The dance between the new bride and her father.

•My Girl (The Temptations)

•Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)

•Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)

•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)

•The Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

•My Dad (Paul Petersen)

•Hero (Mariah Carey)

•Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)

•Times of Your Life (Paul Anka)

•A Song For My Daughter (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)

•Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)

•The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)

•Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)

•Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)

•My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)

•Have I Told You Lately (Van Morrison)

•What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

•Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)

•Daddy's Hand (Holly Dunn)

•Daddy's little Girl (Kippi Brannon)

•Daddy's Girl (Peter Cetera)

•Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof - Sndtrk)

•Lullabye (Billy Joel)

•A Whole New World (Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle)

•How Do You Fall In Love (Alabama)

•Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder)

•Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)

•Thank Heaven For Little Girls (Gigi)

•Father's Eyes (Amy Grant)

•Friends (Elton John)

•In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)

Mother/Son music: The dance between the husband and his mother.

•Don't Know Much (Linda Rondstadt and Aaron Neville)

•Butterfly Kisses (Bob Carlisle)

•I.O.U (Jimmy Dean)

•Moon River (Andy Williams)

•Moon Dance (Van Morrison)

•'Til The End Of Time (Perry Como)

•Through The Years (Kenny Rogers)

•Have I Told You Lately (Rod Stewart)

•Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)

•Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)

•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)

•What A Wonderful World (Louis Armstong)

•In This Life (Bette Midler)

•You're The Inspiration (Chicago)

•Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

•Friends (Elton John)

•Wishing Tree (Sonia Dada)

•Blessed (Elton John)

•Hero (Mariah Carey)

•In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)

•A Song For My Son (Steve Moser, Mikki Viereck, Ray Allaire)

•Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler On The Roof - Sndtrk)

•In My Life (The Beatles)

•Ever I Saw Your face (Roberta Flasck)

•Greatest Love Of All (Whitney Houston)

•I Wish You Love (Natalie Cole)

•Thanks Again (Ricky Skaggs)

•Stand By Me (Ben E. King)

Bridal Party Dances music: The dance including the Bride & Groom, Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, and family members.

•That's What Friends Are For (Dionne & Friends: Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder)

•Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)

•Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks)

•We Are Family (Sister Sledge)

•Friends (Elton John)

•Heroes and Friends (Randy Travis)

•In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel)

•Celebration (Kool & The Gang)

Cutting The Cake music: Played while the Bride & Groom cut the cake.

•Cut the Cake (Average White Band)

•I Wanna Grow Old With You (Adam Sandler)

•How Sweet It Is (James Taylor)

•Sugar, Sugar (The Archies)

•Hit me With Your Best Shot (Pat Benatar)

•When I'm 64 (The Beatles)

•Recipe For Love (Harry Connick Jr.)

•That's Amore' (Dean Martin)

•Happy Together (The Turtles)

•Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)

•I Got You Babe (Sunny & Cher)

•Love & Marriage (Frank Sinatra)

•Oh Yeah! (Yello)

•Axel F (Harold Faltermeyer)

•Peter Gunn Theme

Money/Dollar (Honeymoon) Dance music (Optional) Played during the time the Bride & Groom dance with guests while the Best man and Maid of Honor collect the money for their honeymoon.

•See music list above: "Bridal Party Music"

•Ask your DJ for suggestions

Garter And Bouquet Toss music: Played during the bouquet toss and garter toss.

•The Stripper (David Rose)

•Legs (ZZ Top)

•You Sexy Thing (Hot Chocolate)

•Oh Yeah! (Yello)

•Macho Man (Village People)

•Theme From Mission Impossible (Danny Elfman)

•Wild Thing (The Troggs or Tone Loc)

•Let's Get It On (Marvin Gaye)

•Bad Boys (Inner Circle)

•Another One Bites The Dust (Queen)

•Curly Shuffle (Jump n' The Saddle)

•Kiss (Prince)

•Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (Rod Stewart)

•Gimme All Your Lovin' (ZZ Top)

•Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)

•Freak Me (Silk)

•Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)

•Heaven (Bryan Adams)

•U Can't Touch This (MC Hammer)

•Shameless (Garth Brooks)

•*Girls Night Out (The Judds)

•*Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)

•*Whipped Cream {Dating Game Theme} (Herb Alpert)

•*Miss America Theme (Various)

*Songs for Bouquet Toss Only.

Last Dance music: The last song of the night for the Bride & Groom and their remaining guests.

•Last Dance (Donna Summer)

•New York, New York (Frank Sinatra)

•Good Riddance {Time Of Your Life} (Green Day)

•From This Moment On (Shania Twain & Bryan White)

•Save The Best For Last (Vanessa Williams)
•Wonderful Tonight (David Kersh)
•Could I Have This Dance (Anne Murray)
•You're Still The One (Shania Twain)
•Closing Time (Semisonic)
•Unforgettable (Nat King Cole / Natalie Cole)
•I've Had The Time Of My Life (Bill Medly & Jennifer Warnes)
•How Your Love Makes Me Feel (Diamond Rio)
•Goodnight, Sweetheart (David Kersh)
•The Party's Over (Nat King Cole)
•Goodnight Sweetheart (Spaniels)
•What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
•The Dance (Garth Brooks)
•Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
•Always And Forever (Heatwave)

Hire Disc Jockeys to Play Your Top Wedding Songs

There are a lot that you have to think about for your wedding day. First and foremost is the fact that you have to plan ahead of time, that is, you have to think of ideas and turn them into action before the date of your party comes into fruition. Indeed, disc jockeys can be your ideal party to address your burgeoning needs of wedding songs and entertainment to keep the spirit of the event floating and enjoyable for everyone.

Wedding planning takes time. Thus, it is a must that you have to makes sure that at least a year prior to your event, you need to make the planning and start working this plan out should you want your wedding to be unforgettable.

Of course, there are a lot of stuffs and details that you have to think about: details that have to be address to make your party a very meaningful and successful one. And with your busy schedule, you indeed need the help of disc jockeys to play your top wedding songs.

When you hire a disc jockey, choose the right one. Choose a person that has the experience and the knack in providing you with the right entertainment. Indeed, with a disc jockey around, you can make your party more wonderful and more meaningful.

Groom Updates Facebook Status At Alter - FUNNY!

2009-12-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

We've seen plenty of Twittered marriage proposals, but a recent video posted to YouTube takes the cake for the most unconventional Twitter and Facebook updates.

During his wedding ceremony, Dana Hanna whipped out his mobile device and not only changed his relationship status to married on Facebook, but also sent out a tweet announcing that the couple had become man and wife.

The whole scene was captured on tape and posted to YouTube, so you too can check out the non-traditional altar activities of the newlyweds. While all of us at Mashable (Mashable) are very avid Twitterers and Facebook users, updating our status at the altar might fall outside our comfort zone. We do, however, wish the social media super users a lifetime of happiness together.

"At My Wedding Twitterring and Facebooking at the Altar"

Owner of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Locuester

A great collection of Funny Wedding Videos

2009-12-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

These are a collection of great fun & funny wedding videos. Enjoy!

These and other great wedding videos on youtube!

Real Wedding: Toni & Chad

2009-12-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Why did you choose this wedding? What inspired you?

We wanted it to be a reflection of who Chad and I were. Neither of us really had a plan, we just started picking out things here and there during our engagement that we both really loved. It wasn’t long before we realized our choices and ideas melded perfectly together – we just hoped that our idea of “perfect” was equally enjoyed by our guests when the big day arrived.

Remembering back to when the shopping was all said and done, every nook and cranny of our little place had been filled with decorations for the wedding reception. Our eyes were tired from searching for sales and our fingers were sore from opening lanterns that had been sold with their lids painted shut. It took roughly a year of spontaneous, yet thoughtful shopping before it all started to eventually come around to what you saw during the event – some of which happened last minute of course.

In reality, the event was based on an inspiration of fun, bright colors and gentle hues of light that gave a soft balance; much like our mix of personality that came to exist when we met each other. As a result, we searched the fabric stores for the bright fabrics to show our outgoing and carefree side. In an attempt to portray how diverse, intricate, and embracing our relationship is, we sought out the soft/warm lighting of the eclectic lanterns and arranged them only with the help of random intervention… showing our persistence, we raided every Fred Meyer, Pier 1, and World Market for just the right mix! Optimism gave us the beautiful arrangement of flowers as we gave our florist a few details and hoped for the best. Furthermore, it was our hope to show what our home in the Pacific Northwest could truly offer; this was tastefully depicted by locally sourced foods, and topped off with a wonderful aroma of two distinct rogue beers – one of which we replaced the traditional champagne with. Indeed, we toasted with a triple Belgium Rogue beer – yum!

Event Details

Stationer was my Matron of Honor and her husband. They designed our invitations and Chad and I assembled them over a weekend. Moreover, we had quit a surprise when it came to the options available at the stationary store. Do we go with metallic? Muted pattern? Stiffer paper? Hmm, gosh, I don’t know, the options seem endless?! It was fun picking out just the right colors, textures, and contrasting elements, all while meeting a budget we had set… Then the work began when we set our printer to do a marathon of a task as we began dulling our paper cutter four sheets at a time in an attempt to keep up. The lines weren’t all straight and perfect, but we don’t think anyone really noticed - making the surprised look on our guest’s faces when they found out that we had made them by hand even more enjoyable.

Floral designer was Champoeg Farms in Saint Paul Oregon. Katy (the woman that did the flowers) picks the flowers from her and her mother’s garden. We had given her complete freedom to come up with whatever she felt looked good. The only direction given was that we would love to see diversity and a few desired colors. From our initial reaction to the impression we got from our guests, she did an absolutely amazing job! It was exactly what we didn’t know we wanted! The sad moment came when we had to throw away our flowers, especially the bouquet, a couple of enjoyable weeks later.

Rentals were provided by Barclay Rentals of Clackamas Oregon. They had some really fun elements that we were excited to use in the wedding, including the bistro tables and black square plates. We thought the bistro tables, by giving a staggered look, took the already beautiful venue and made it really inviting and elegant. The black square plates were that final contrasting touch which delivered a unique feeling that we were hoping to create.

Music was contracted through DJ Brian Howe of Denver Colorado. We met him at a club in downtown Portland one night as we spontaneously decided that “wow, that DJ sounds really good in there…we should go dancing!” It started as a low key night prior to stepping by the bouncer into a cluster of people at the door. Immediately, his ability to put on an amazing show left us readjusting our jaws and wishing for colder A/C as the sweat dripped off of our brows. We got his name, found his website, and whisked off an email sealed with a prayer that he would be interested in being at our wedding. He was thrilled. From then on, he went completely out of his way to make it one of the most rewarding and relaxing decisions we had made during the entire process of getting married.

Catering

The catering was done by my cousin and two of his good friends. Chad and I gave these gentlemen complete control over the menu. Due to the fact two of them working as professional as cooks in resorts in California we were confident in their product. The week of the wedding started off with them shopping for their produce that they would be using for the menu. As recalled by my mother, they were not happy with the produce they were finding at the stores so she sent them out into the fields to pick their own. “You have never seen grown men so excited about picking their own eggplant!”

The menu on the big day consisted of a wide variety of flavors suitable for every palette.

To start there were two salads; a tossed green salad and a fresh heirloom tomato salad. Both were dressed with homemade dressing and fresh vegetables. To accompany these fresh salads the cooks made three aquafesca. Two were berry and melon based and the third was a white peach sangria featuring the winery’s very own Chardonnay.

For the entrée main courses we had our own version of a surf and turf. Slowly cooked for 4 hours was the pork butt on the BBQ (otherwise known as pulled pork ), and their own version of what I would call a BBQ’s pesto chicken.

On a separate table served on a cedar plank was salmon with horseradish and apricot glaze. We also had albacore tuna hand delivered straight off the boat from Newport Oregon (gotta love a commercial fishing family) was prepared two ways. One was a seared tuna crusted with a orange, lime, coriander zest, and black and white sesame seeds. The remaining tuna was transformed into an amazing poki, also known as a ceviche. (Mmm I can still taste it). Finally we had a cod bisque with a seafood and tomato broth.

Baker was the bride’s mother. For the week leading up to the wedding the mother of the bride could be found baking, trimming and frosting her cakes. The sweet smell of fresh cake dominated the whole house for weeks prior in the experimentation phase of how a wedding cake it actually made. – we can’t even think of eating anymore cake yet… maybe next year?

DIY elements

Question is: What wasn’t done ourselves? Everything was done by the bride and groom and our very helpful families. We must admit that the only reason we were able to essentially build our own wedding is due to our family’s having an incredible array of talents; be them obscure or directly functional. We couldn’t afford a fancy, off-the-shelf to-do, nor did we want a cookie cutter wedding… so we had to manufacture one of our liking to the best of our abilities – we knew it would be memorable to say the least, be it good or utterly bad was the big question.

Our most favorite elements including those mentioned above would have to be the fencing units that were a vision of the groom, which were then made a reality. These fences made it possible to add all the colors that we loved, yet could not narrow down for the reception. We remember arriving to the desk to have our fabrics cut off of the main roll. We explained the fabric’s purpose, yet were quickly met by a bewildered look as more colors kept showing up to be added to the pile.

Last but not least, building the fence units made opportunity for a fantastic photogenic moment as the bride got a chance to learn to weld while making the steel arches. The groom quickly sneaking out of the scene as mom shot away .

Favorite moment/s, surprises, traditions

Favorite moments for Chad and I would have to be our Chef’s table that our head cook and Chad arranged. This allowed us a private setting to slow down and enjoy our first moments as newlyweds, and incredibly anticipated food, together. It was a fortunate decision. When we finally arrived, the smiles were copious while the food only remained as a memory. Our guests having sunk deep into their seats were reminiscent of their second helpings and quickly making new memories as their fermented beverages settled in…. To this day, we don’t even know what the spread looked like after the cooks meticulously displayed their delicious feat. Taken only as a complement to our cooks, we walked right past the devoid serving platters to meet to our family and friends as the new Mr. and Mrs. Hanson.

Another favorite moment was hearing that rumble of Chad’s 1970 Mustang fastback as it waited to carry us away to the after party set up by our DJ in downtown Portland. The mustang was yet another DIY project that started back when Chad and I first met…9 years ago.

Traffic and rain would have been our most notable surprises. Funny enough, the pastor was late by about 15-20 minutes…As it was, his tardy arrival was lucky since it started to rain at 5:30 which was the time our ceremony was said to have started by. By the time he arrived, got mic’ed up, and settled into the helm, the clouds were looking daunting, yet peacefully fluffy thus providing an amazing backdrop for the ceremony! Our DJ (MC of the event more-less) didn’t miss a beat and made up time throughout the night for the opportune delay. Strangely enough, the rain stopped right on cue for our ceremony to begin.

One major surprise about the wedding was the whole process and day was pretty stress free. We give a lot of this credit to our DJ. He was not only our MC but also a coordinator for the day offering an online event planner and years of experienced based advice for us novices to take full advantage of.

Advice you'd give to other brides

Don’t sweat the small stuff! One big surprise to a lot of people would be that our linens were the wrong color! Even after we spent roughly an hour deciding on what our color scheme would be, they showed up wrong and went on the tables without even putting a hitch in our step. Unbeknown to everyone, we laughed about it during our private dinner and joked that any color of linens would have worked with our collage of a palate! We did end up agreeing that they likely came out better than we would have had originally. Trust your professional, try not to be so narrow minded that you lose their experience and creativity in the process. You will be surprised how amazing things will turn out.

Don’t start planning right after you get engaged. Give yourself time to let your engagement soak in and have fun before you start planning. We were able to do this and it was well worth it. Ultimately, we kept getting hounded about wedding details… none of which we actually had figured out! It wasn’t a secret – we were enjoying our engagement and had no real reason to rush into our marriage.

Involve your family, we love being able to look back and remember all the people that put in the hard yards to make that day happen. We had a tremendous amount of help, which left us feeling somewhat selfish due to our independent nature and reluctance to inconvenience anyone by asking for their help. It was all said and done when we received the most reassuring comment. My cousin stated that he felt as if he were actually a part of the wedding without even being in the bridal party. This he said was incredibly more satisfying and memorable that just showing up to watch a ceremony. His and everyone else’s thanks and help will never be forgotten. This truly was a do-it-yourself weeding which would have never happened without the help from our family and friends.

Venue: St. Josef's Winery, Canby, Oregon

Music & Entertainment: DJ Brian Howe (Pure Energy Events, Denver)

Bridal gown: Mori Lee

Bridal shoes: Bonnibell

Bridal veil and hair comb: Richard Designs

Groom's suit: Calvin Klein

Flowers: Champoeg Farm

Cake: bride's mother

Toni and Chad decided to eat dinner together, and joined their guests later. It was one of their favorite parts of the day, as it "allowed us a private setting to slow down and enjoy our first moments together as newlyweds." Congratulations Toni and Chad! Thank you so much for inviting us into your beautiful wedding day, and thank you toMissy Cochran for sharing these gorgeous photos (I just love her work!).

this article was a direct contribution of Chad & Tobi Hanson and published at "Ink & Snippet" blog site.
http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/2009/11/real-wedding-toni-chad.html

The Truth about iPod Weddings

2009-12-01T11:26:00.000-08:00

"What you need to know BEFORE you choose an ipod for your event."

As is often the case in society, some things or ideas become trendy with little thought to practical implementation. A few years ago, it was the idea of a "sponsored wedding" that somehow everyone would want to donate their services to you in the hopes of getting business from others. Sounds like a good idea, but never really took off because all the vendors realized that a sponsored wedding only generated more requests for sponsored weddings, not more business for them. So people that overspent on some items counting on the reception being paid for by others soon were in trouble as their budget was gone and they were still missing major parts of their event program.

Today, the trendy topic is DIY receptions by using an ipod and a rented sound system instead of a professional wedding entertainer, the DJ. This idea is fraught with peril, because a great event is more than simply gear and music. It is the talent that a qualified professional brings to the event that matters most. It is what allows for a smooth flow to the event, with no embarrassing surprises. A Professional DJ from the ADJA provides you with confidence that your event will flow smoothly and will be an event that you, your family and guests will never forget, instead of one they would like to.

In order to show you, the consumer the effects of using an ipod, we decided to let video tell the story. What you are about to see is real. It is video from an actual wedding where they chose to use an ipod. The video is untouched other than to insert some dialogue slides from time to time. We hope that by it you will clearly see what happens when you gamble your event success on an ipod. There are both Quicktime & Windows formats.

This video is copyrighted property of the ADJA, All rights reserved.
Windows Media Player Format

This information and other useful topics can be found on the Amercian Disc Jockey Association's Website.
http://www.adja.org/general/ipodwedding.asp

HIRING A DISCJOCKEY (DJ) FOR YOUR WEDDING

2009-12-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

You're getting married -- CONGRATULATIONS!!

This is a time for celebration and also a time for planning...... It is hard, tedious & time consuming, not too mention overwhelming! One of the factors to consider when planning your wedding reception is the ENTERTAINMENT. Band or DJ? If your decision is a DJ (aka Disc Jockey or Discjockey), here are some important things to consider when seeking your ideal Wedding DJ Entertainer. After all, they will be your host, master of ceremonies, music player & dance designer with their musical experience. At least this is what a DJ should do for you..........

Before you read this topic about what you should be looking for in a DJ for your wedding. Here is a quick snippet from Martha Stewart Weddings taken from Brides opinions on DJ Entertainment after their wedding is over. What would they have done differently..... Entertainment was at the top of their list.

*AFTER THE VOWS...

72% of all brides say they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment. Almost 100% say they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment. During wedding planning, Brides say their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer - reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities. Within one week after their reception, 78% of Brides say they would have made the entertainment their highest priority! When asked 81% of guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment. 65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding, said, if they had it to do over again, they would have chosen a disc jockey.

*These statistics were published in St. Louis Bride & Groom Magazine in 2003. Sources include: Simmons, 2001; USA Today, 2002; National Bridal Service, 2001; The Knot, 2002; Brides Magazine, 2001.

OK, Now on to the article........

Hiring a Disc Jockey (DJ) should be really easy. After all they just set up a boom box for four hours and play music, right? Oh, if only it were that simple. Planning the entertainment for your special event is every bit as important as the food, beverages, and decorations. Many event planners, corporate planners, and brides will tell you that your entertainment is 80% of the success of your event.

Before you begin asking how much a DJ should cost, ask yourself how important the entertainment is to your event. In order to do that you need to put your dreams, ideas, and concepts on paper. What is your total budget? Will this be a full-scale gala or a simple backyard event? A wedding ceremony and reception at one location or will your guests travel between locations? Who is paying the bills and how much input do they want? Will you be orchestrating the event while it is happening? Or do you actually want to relax and enjoy everything without thinking about how your guests are going to know who goes through the buffet line first?

Do you want a DJ who will stay in the background playing music, a disc jockey to act as your emcee, or someone to step forward and be the life of the party? Do you want a formal emcee or someone who can tell jokes? How active do you want your guests to be? Enjoying the music while chatting with each other? Dancing? Playing games? Being a part of the entertainment?

Do you want a light show? Bubbles? Fog? Party favors or props? Dancers or dance instructors? All lighting is a form of mood enhancement. It can be something simple like color washes on the walls to help with the theme or to highlight a special area. You can go all out by having a nightclub atmosphere with flashing lights, lasers, and fireworks.

Okay, now you have an idea of the type of event you want. Do you have the money to make your ideas reality? Don't be surprised if the quality entertainment you want is more expensive than you had expected. Try to think of this by another perspective. Let's say that the total number of people attending your event (be sure to count yourself) is 100. If you were to take them all to a movie as the entertainment for your event you would be spending $7.00 per person or a total of $700.00. For your $700.00 your guests will be entertained for 90 minutes to two hours. If you want entertainment for four hours you would need to spend $1400.00. For that same $1400.00, or less, you could get a wonderful DJ who will customize the music for your event.

Q. What is the first question I should ask when trying to locate a DJ? A. Are you available on my date?

Q. I see some DJ companies advertise they are professional full service DJs, not part-timers who work another full-time job. How important is this? A. The implication in this type of advertising is that somehow you will get an inferior quality DJ for your event if you hire someone who is not a full-time DJ. Very few DJs actually spin music 40 hours per week so this is a moot point. A full service DJ company often has an owner that works full-time promoting the business, answering phones, and then DJing on Friday and Saturday nights. Or they may have an office person or sales person who takes your calls and answers your questions. What is really important is how well the company responds to your needs. How quickly do they return your calls? Are you speaking with a sales person or the actual DJ who will be doing your event? Do you feel comfortable with them?

Q. One company suggests that my DJ be licensed by ASCAP. What is that and why should I care? A. ASCAP, as well as BMI and SEASAC are professional organizations that license the use of music so that songwriters, singers, and band members get paid for their efforts through royalties. They most often license hotels, restaurants and other entities that play music on a regular basis. They also provide what is known as a "concert" license for the playing of music during special events such as holiday parties, festivals, and other public performances. At this time they do not require a license for private events such as birthdays or weddings. As a side note: if you hire a DJ who downloads his/her music illegally you run the risk of having the RIAA confiscating all the DJ's music leaving you with no tunes for your special day. This is a very small risk but it does exist.

Q. Some DJ companies promote that they have certified DJs. What does that mean? A. It usually means that they have an in-house training program the DJ has completed. The owner then "certifies" them. At present there is no national organization that certifies DJs nor to my knowledge is there a college that offers a Bachelors Degree in Mobile Disc Jockeying. When you see advertising of this type, get specifics as to what is meant by certification. Many excellent DJs continuously work to improve their knowledge and skills but they are not certified.

Q. Should my DJ be a member of ADJA, whatever that is? A. There are several DJ organizations of which the ADJA (American Disc Jockey Association) is the most well known. Others are the CDJA and NAME. All of them work to improve the professionalism of the disc jockey. Local chapters often have educational programs that members must attend on a regular basis. These are excellent organizations. The caveat: Is the DJ company the member or is your actual DJ a member? A word to the wise, some disc jockeys pay their dues not because they want to improve their skills and knowledge; but, because they want the cachet of legitimacy that membership implies. These types will also join chambers of commerce for the same reason. That said, the majority of association members truly do want to provide you with the best service possible and a wonderful experience. Go with your gut on this.

Q. Why does a good DJ cost so much? A. The cost of buying music, maintaining an office with a telephone, liability insurance, continuous training and upgrading of his/her skills, replacing old equipment, paying income taxes; the list goes on. A professional DJ is also a business with expenses like any other business. They work hard to earn a living and know how valuable a dollar is. That is why a professional is always looking for ways to save you money by keeping costs down. They do that by purchasing music through special DJ Music Services and buying professional grade equipment so it doesn't break down during the middle of your event. A professional also charges a fee that if high enough so they can afford to stay in business. An important thing if you want some assurance that your DJ will still be around the day of your wedding. Price is not the only factor to consider. You must also look at value. A lower priced DJ is not necessarily a good value if the DJ is not experienced in weddings or doesn't have the ability to work effectively with your other vendors, especially the facility.

Q. I don't want the DJ to start playing until the dancing starts but my DJ is insisting he be set up before any of my guests arrive. Why? A. This is really to your advantage because it makes you look good. Imagine you are spending the evening at a supper club or dinner theatre. There are only two ways to enter the building, through the kitchen or through the front door. If the entertainers enter through the kitchen they will be disrupting the cooking staff and most likely will have to move equipment through the middle of you and other guests thus inconveniencing all of you. If they come in through the front door they will still probably have to weave equipment in between you and other guests. Now what if you are really lucky and the stage has its own entrance, you are in fat city, right? Sorry, the entertainers still have to set up the equipment, a noisy process, and then do a sound check, an even louder process. As you can imagine this is can be quite disruptive and irritating to you and your guests.

Q. Why can't the DJ set up his equipment early and then leave like a band does? A. This has a three-part answer.

1. It is very difficult for an unscrupulous person to pick up a drum kit or guitar and walk out of a building without looking suspicious. It is far easier for someone passing by an empty room to help themselves to a couple of CDs or a laptop and walk out with no one ever noticing. Can you afford to replace that music and more importantly, how upset will you be if it had your first dance song on it? 2. Imagine one of your guests is an audiophile and interested in how the DJ's equipment is set up. He walks over and starts touching things. Something gets broken or he trips over a cord he didn't see. Now you have a liability problem! 3. Finally, a reputable DJ will have insurance that specifies the DJ or a member of his staff must attend the equipment at all times.

More Questions to think about when hiring your entertainment...

Do you smoke or drink alcohol while working?
What do you usually wear?
Will you guarantee to be at my reception?
Do you have a contract?
What is the initial payment you require?
How/when is the balance to be paid?
Do you take credit cards?
Do you charge for travel?
Do you bring any sort of lighting if I want it?
How soon before my reception will you need to start setting up?
What is your policy regarding volume control of the music?
How much wedding experience will my entertainer have? (Note: Not the entertainment company, but the actual DJ/band/soloist doing your wedding. Some companies have been in business for years but could have hired a new guy off the street with no experience doing weddings.)
Do you carry backup equipment?
Do you carry liability insurance?
Do you have a wireless microphone for our toasts?
Am I required to feed you/the entertainer(s)?
Can I meet/talk to the person who would be my DJ/band leader/soloist before I make a decision to use your services?
Do you have a website I can visit?
Do you have a music list I can look at?
Can I select some songs?
Am I required to tip the DJ?
What do you see as your role in my wedding reception?

This article was published in the Loveland Wedding Professionals Website Tips Section. Too read this article and other great useful tips, please visit http://www.LovelandWeddingProfessionals.com

PURE ENERGY EVENTS IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THIS GREAT ASSOCIATION :-)

http://www.PureEnergyEvents.com