Reception Entertainment Director

So I’ve seen this idea of adding a line somewhere on the RSVP card where guests can suggest a song to be played at the reception.  It’s a great idea. But…. you need to plan ahead and know the advantages and pitfalls. Firstly, you need to order your invitations well in advance, so that you have plenty of time to correlate the songs from the RSVP.  Ask for no more than 3 favorite songs from your guests (If you’re tight on space and the back of the RSVP is blank you could ask guests to write their song choice there).  Put a disclaimer line that YOU (the Bride & Groom have veto power over ALL song choices.  This way requests for the Macarena, Boot Scootin’ Boogie, and the Chicken Dance will be null and void! Here are a few ideas on wording: 1 – “”We’re looking for song ideas for the dance portion of our reception. Give us your favorite dance song and you might hear it played!” 2 – “We’re taking requests! Please tell us if there’s a song you’d like...

You’ve decided on a wedding day. You’ve picked out the church. You’ve got your photographer. What time should the ceremony be? When should the reception start? How much time do you need for photos? Planning your wedding day time-line can be difficult. Let’s break it down and see how much time you should plan for each section of your wedding day. Your Ceremony  – typically you can expect a Justice of the Peace civil ceremony to last 30 minutes maximum.  If you are planning a full mass service – you should plan a full hour to the ceremony.  If you are doing a receiving line after the ceremony – plan on about 20 minutes for every 100 guests. (If you have 200 guests, your receiving line will take 40 minutes!).  If it’s hot out, you do not want to keep your guests in the heat – let them get to the air conditioned reception site.  Exposing your guests to extreme heat for prolonged periods of time drains their energy – and they will not be as responsive later...

See how lighting can add that WOW!! factor to your reception….. Atmosphere Productions LLC is a CT Wedding DJ, providing professional mobile entertainment service, Music, Reception Entertainment Directors, MC and DJ’s primarily for Weddings in the Greater Hartford area but throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and in the New England area. Specializing in wedding disc jockey entertainment, radio and club dj’s, corporate and business events, photo booth rentals, ceremony musicians, strolling violinist, guitarist, cocktail and chamber musicians, custom lighting, custom song editing and voice-over services. For further information visit our website at  www.atmosphere-productions.com Contact us TODAY for FREE information. DJ Sam Sylvester Samuels Reception Entertainment Director As featured in Eric and Amanda’s winning wedding on the season finale of TLC’s TV “FOUR WEDDINGS” Couples’ Choice Awards™ 2014, 2015, 2016, Bride’s Choice Awards™...

Your wedding is something special. Add a personal touch and provide your guests with Customized Water Bottles…. it’s easy and unique! Just google “custom water bottle labels” and you’ll find an array of companies producing Customized Water Bottles for your wedding. With numerous designs, your choices will never be limited. You can also use special templates to design your own labels.  Today’s high-tech machinery allows any design to be printed on any personalized water labels to your exact specification. Wedding water bottle labels are a creative way to give your guests something that is different: custom water bottle labels allow you to place your signature on the event. Atmosphere Productions LLC is a CT Wedding DJ, providing professional mobile entertainment service, Music, Reception Entertainment Directors, MC and DJ’s primarily for Weddings in the Greater Hartford area but throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and in the New England ...

Many of our clients dislike the custom of the Bride and Groom being ‘forced’ to kiss whenever glasses are clinked together. Some find it offensive. I know, from personal experience, that many of the guests like it and won’t understand why the Bride and Groom don’t want to “follow through” and KISS! So the question is often asked “What can I do that’ll satisfy my guests and make me comfortable?” “Clinking” of glasses may have originated from the medieval days when wine was often spiked with poison. If a host wanted to prove to their guests that the wine wasn’t poisoned, he would pour part of the guest’s wine into his own glass and drink it first. If the guest trusted his host, he would just clink glasses when the host offered his glass for a sample. (Hence the clinking of glasses has become a sign of trust, honesty, and toast to good health.) Another explanation claims that the practice warded off evil spirits. If your guests start clinking the glasses, don’t pa...

Picture it now: a nice warm gusts of wind, an outdoor setting, bright colors and the sounds of birds in the air without a single cloud in the sky… There are so many perks to summer weddings!!  It’s the perfect time of year for weather, scenery, and even the attitudes of other people, which are made much more pleasant by the presence of the sun and warm weather. Of course, you can’t really change the weather, but you can try to. The weather forecast is not always the most reliable thing, especially when you really need to be able to count on the five-day forecast. There are a few facets to summer wedding planning that any bride-to-be or wedding planner should keep in mind, and the first one actually is the weather. Many people plan their weddings for the summer time because the weather is a bit more predictable during this time. If you’re lucky, you will get beautiful sunshine, a light, cooling breeze and a nice clear night for the reception. If you are like any ...

ATMOSPHERE PRODUCTIONS can now provide you with numerous choices for your on-site Ceremony, Cocktail Hour or Dinner music. We have teamed up with some of Connecticut’s leading and most experienced musicians to offer creative and unique ways to make your event unforgettable. Here are some Ceremony Music suggestions: Prelude – Whilst Guests Are Seated: • Massenet – “Meditation From Thais” • Mozart – “Ave Verum Corpus” • Dvorak – “Humoresque” • Handel – “Minuet” • Schubert – “Serenade” • Beethoven – “Ode to Joy” • Mozart – “Viennese Serenades” • Haydn – “London Trios” • Handel – “Largo” from Xerxes • Mozart – “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” • Tartini – “Two Sonatas” Processional – For Bridesmaids Entrance • Vivaldi – “Four Seasons – Spring” • Handel – Air From “Water Music” • Bach – Allegro From “Brandenburg Concerto#4” • Bach – “Air On G String” • Chopin  – “Nocturne In E Flat” • Tchaikovsky – “Waltz” (from Sleeping Beauty Act 1) • Traditional...

Before you start selecting those amazing pieces from your jewelry box to go on your honeymoon – ask yourself this question…. Do you REALLY need them? My wife and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary and treated ourselves to a trip “down under”…. Sydney, Australia.  My wife wanted to adorn herself and look good when we went out to dinner.  Which bracelet would match with this dress etc…. then we did some research. It seems like a lot of people lose their jewelry on vacations. Nothing ruins a vacation or honeymoon more than losing a sentimental piece of jewelry or a new engagement or wedding ring… and it happens more often than people realize.  We eventually decided to leave them securely at home but wanted to pass on these useful tips: Look at your existing jewelry insurance coverage to check whether it will be applicable if you take the pieces outside of your home state or country. If not, consider an additional plan or upgrade that will protect you from...

I-Spy with my little eye…. We provided the entertainment for Mary Elizabeth and Dan’s wedding and thought this was a truly unique idea to incorporate I-Spy into the reception. It’s super simple and is a great way to get your wedding guests excited and mingling! Not only is it nostalgic for all the adults, but it will keep the little ones entertained as well. When making your I-Spy wedding game list, keep in mind the type of photos you want your guests to capture. These moments are the ones that your professional photographer might not be able to spot. For example, your Grandma gettin’ down with the groomsmen or the adorable flower girl stuffing her face with red velvet cake. Try and personalize the list as much as possible, and remember to keep it fun and unique! Put your I-Spy list on each table at the reception, either by using a place card holder or simply printing multiple copies to place at each table setting. Keep a few pens or pencils available so your guests can check...

How about listening to something different during the Cocktail Hour? I enjoy delving into my collection of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s soul and R n B music and sprinkling some choice selections for my clients to hear at the wedding reception.  Especially when I get two thumbs up or a guest runs over and tells me that “No one ever plays this music anymore” or “This is a great song… who is it?”.  As a friend once told me, if it’s the first time you’re hearing a long lost oldie, then it’s a brand new song to you then. And don’t be fooled…. just because it was recorded recently by a contemporary artist doesn’t mean that it’s not “soul”. Here are 24 soulful selections that bend the genre and cross all the way over! This is by no means a definitive list… just some of my favorites at this moment in time. Try some of these during your Cocktail Hour (in no special order): Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There (Minus Mix) Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – This Guy’...

Don’t wait until the last minute to do these important wedding items…. Make Your Music Playlists Assign a Point Person Prepare Tip Envelopes Final Dress Fitting Finalize Your Wedding Ceremony and Vows Confirm Delivery & Arrival Times of Your Vendors Pack for the Honeymoon Confirm Any Backup Plans Ask a Family Member to Bring Home Cards and Gifts Give Your Venue a Final Headcount Pick Up Rings Get Your Marriage License Create a Day-Of Schedule Atmosphere Productions LLC is a CT Wedding DJ, providing professional mobile entertainment service, Music, Reception Entertainment Directors, MC and DJ’s primarily for Weddings in the Greater Hartford area but throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and in the New England area. Specializing in wedding disc jockey entertainment, radio and club dj’s, corporate and business events, photo booth rentals, ceremony musicians, strolling violinist, guitarist, cocktail and chamber musicians, cus...

Most couples intend to dance the traditional first dance, but most of them also know nothing at all about dancing! So as the big day approaches their sense of panic increases. Avoid anxiety by following a few easy tips. Plan ahead: You’re planning everything else associated with your wedding, why not your first dance? Ideally you should begin practicing 6 to 12 months ahead of time. Turn to professionals: Learning to dance is surprisingly painless. If you can’t afford private lessons at a local studio, look around for group classes (high schools, colleges and  community   centers  often offer courses). Or, buy an instructional videotape -learn at home and avoid the worry of looking awkward in front of others. Have options: If you are undecided about your first song, or can’t pick one, check the list of wedding dance songs available on this site. Try practicing to two or three different songs that both of you like, and choose the one that feels most comfortable. ...

Some call it a Wedding tradition…. Others call it the ritual humiliation of the single women! Let’s get some perspective and a short history lesson:  Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that stems from England. Wedding guests, both men and women used to try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. The men often times would become too rowdy and attempt to remove the garter from the bride themselves.  To escape from the crowd the bride would toss her bouquet and run away.   Luckily, nowadays, our brides have an easier time….. At todays wedding receptions we now do “The Bouquet and Garter Ceremony”: A garter toss is when a bride’s garter is removed from her leg by her spouse. It is usually then tossed over the shoulder to a group of single male guests. Then we have all the single ladies gather and the bride throws a bouquet of flowers over her shoulder to an eager young lady to catch.  It is said that whoe...

Want to share the light of love with family and friends? We provided the entertainment for Mary Elizabeth & Dan’s wedding and thought this was a truly unique idea for place cards that double as a favor. For centuries lanterns have been used to light the way on dark and dreary nights… now you can show your guests that love really does light the was with these beautiful lanterns. A metal handle connects through the top and hooks on to the sides of the lantern (about 5.5″ tall with handle). Constructed with a solid ivory colored metal frame, surrounded by glass panels on all four sides, held in place by ivory metal crisscross rib supports with your place neatly tucked inside. So share the light of love with family and friends with this attractive and useful favor. It’s destined to brighten up their days and nights long after your big day through!  What a great idea….THANKS Mary Elizabeth & Dan. Atmosphere Productions LLC is a...

All DJ’s are the same, right? So any DJ will do, right? WRONG…. No two wedding receptions should be alike. Your reception represent the first time you and your spouse are throwing a gathering as husband and wife. It should be an extension of your personality and style. A big mistake is allowing an entertainer to do their usual “schtick”, making your day a carbon copy of every other wedding for the year. How are you sure the DJ will make your day unique? Simply see if he or she asks you what you are looking for. Be wary of the DJ that just touts his music list, equipment, and achievements. See if they ask you what you are looking for, first, and then offer you the right solutions to make your day special. Read all  “7 Costly Misconceptions About Hiring Wedding Disc Jockey’s” Used by permission: Mark Sanchez of  Professional Mobile Entertainment , Phoenix, Arizona. Atmosphere Productions LLC is a CT Wedding DJ, prov...

Looking for transportation for your BIG DAY?  Here’s 3 tips from the Nelson Family Limousine in Berlin, CT. Owner, Brian Nelson, has been a professional chauffeur since 2002 and has ample experience providing a variety of transportation services, as well as chauffeuring brides and wedding parties. Count on the  Nelson Family Limousine in Berlin, Connecticut, for a trusted car and limousine service company. EXPERIENCE Big company limos have high turnover, so consider a small buisness for the best customer service and chauffeurs that have experience with brides. It’s too important of a day to roll the dice on knowledge . NEW VEHICLES Always ask the year of the vehicle you are interested in as limos and party busses of older models are unreliable. If your party is over 10 passengers you will be in the Limo Bus market. Avoid busse s with carpet because it will not be clean on your day. Wood floors mop out and smell fresh. BATHROOMS Bathrooms are hard to f...

Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life. The natural impulse is to share the excitement with those closest to you—your bridesmaids. While your bridesmaids are genuinely thrilled for you, they may be feeling apprehensive about what being a bridesmaid will mean for them, and how it could change their relationship with you. They don’t want to burst your bubble, though—so we’ll tell you things your bridesmaids secretly wish they could: 1. Don’t forget us! When you have an exciting life change like an engagement, it feels as if you’re the only one to ever experience it. It’s hard not to think (and talk) about your wedding all the time. It’s great to share your plans! Just remember that the color of your cocktail napkins isn’t so critical to your friends that they’ll want to discuss it for your entire coffee date. Remember to ask your friends how they’re doing—and listen, really listen, to their answers—before launching into a lengthy discussion about the ush...

In our over 30 years of experience providing music and entertainment we’ve seen ALOT…. some really unique events, many elegant and classy and some destined for failure before we even got involved. Every Bride wants that fairytale wedding – everything goes off perfectly and you both ride off into the sunset on your Honeymoon. Here are 3 common reception mistakes that you need to know about BEFORE your wedding: No Specific Seating Arrangements The plan is to have everyone sit where they feel comfortable and not at a designated seat.  You may have extra tables and extra room to do so, so why not?  Because, for some strange reason, your guests who are “young at heart” will want to sit right next to the speakers…. and then complain that it’s too loud. Always have a seating plan.  Don’t seat those that are the “young at heart” directly in front of the entertainment. Older generations are at a wedding typically to socialize with their family and friends....